Electrode Sheet Splicing Alignment to Prevent Notching Defects

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing notching process for secondary battery electrodes often results in a stepped region when connecting the end of a used sheet to a new sheet, leading to notching defects.

Innovation Solution

An electrode connecting device with a guide member, detection sensors, cutting member, suction member, and adhesive member ensures precise alignment and connection of the sheets, preventing stepped regions and defects by moving a guide bar between support and retreat positions, detecting sheet positions, cutting overlapping portions, and applying adhesive for secure alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the end of a used sheet is connected to the end of a new sheet without alignment, then the notching process can continue, but a stepped region is generated causing notching defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous notching operationVSAvoidalignment precision between sheets
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary alignment structure consisting of alignment marks and guide members that mediate the connection between the end of a used sheet and the beginning of a new sheet. These guide members physically constrain the sheets to align their edges precisely during the connection process, preventing stepped regions while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary alignment actions before the actual connection occurs. Alignment marks are pre-positioned on the sheets, and guide members are pre-configured to establish the correct alignment position. This preliminary preparation ensures that when sheets are connected, they are already properly aligned, eliminating the need for post-connection adjustment and preventing notching defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a guide member is introduced to align sheets during connection, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment system is segmented into distinct functional components: alignment marks on the sheets, guide members that provide physical constraints, and detection sensors that verify positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving high precision alignment without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively aligns and connects the sheets, preventing stepped regions and notching defects, ensuring continuous and defect-free operation in the notching process for secondary battery production.

Implementation Method 1

a suction member provided with a first suction, which adheres the preceding sheet to the one side-arrangement surface through a suction force, and a second suction, which adheres the succeeding sheet to the other side-arrangement surface through a suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive member which connects the end of the preceding sheet disposed on the one side-arrangement surface to the end of the succeeding sheet disposed on the other side-arrangement surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4135063B1Electrode connecting apparatus and method, and notching equipment comprising same
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4135063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4135063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4135063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an electrode connecting device for connecting an end of a preceding sheet to an end of a succeeding sheet, the electrode connecting device comprising: an arrangement member provided with an arrangement part on which the end of the preceding sheet is located adjacent to or overlapping with the end of the succeeding sheet; and a guide member comprising a guide bar which is provided movable between a support position to support a side portion of the preceding sheet and a side portion of the succeeding sheet during connecting of the end of the preceding sheet to the end of the succeeding sheet and a retreat position not to interfere with movements of the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet.