Electrode Strand Lamination Using a Reusable Single Liner Web

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing battery cells require multiple separate liners for each lamination step, increasing material and installation costs, energy consumption, and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that uses a single liner web for multiple lamination steps, with the liner being reused and guided through an endless loop to prevent material adherence to lamination tools, reducing the need for separate liners and components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate liners are used for each lamination step, then process reliability is maintained, but material costs and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate liner functions into a single continuous liner web that serves multiple lamination stations sequentially. The liner web is designed to be reused across several lamination steps, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple individual liners into one continuous component, thereby reducing material consumption while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single liner web is designed to perform multiple functions across different lamination stations. It sequentially protects different lamination tools (first lamination tool, second lamination tool, etc.) from electrode material adhesion, making one liner component serve universal protective purposes across the entire production line rather than requiring station-specific liners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate liners are used for each lamination step, then process reliability is maintained, but installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple liner handling systems into a single integrated liner supply and guidance system. Instead of requiring separate unwinding, feeding, and winding mechanisms for each lamination station, the system uses one continuous liner web managed by centralized supply rolls and guidance devices, significantly reducing installation complexity and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner web operates as a continuous component throughout the lamination process, eliminating the need for repeated liner changes and handling operations. The continuous liner maintains uninterrupted protective coverage across all lamination stations, reducing the complexity of liner management systems while ensuring consistent process reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If multiple separate liners are used for each lamination step, then material protection is ensured, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial protectionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple liner handling operations into a single continuous liner web system, reducing the total energy required for liner unwinding, feeding, and winding operations. By eliminating redundant handling steps and using one continuous liner instead of multiple separate liners, the system decreases energy consumption associated with liner management while maintaining adequate material protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple separate liners are used for each lamination step, then lamination protection is maintained, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelationation protectionVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple liner storage and handling stations into a single integrated liner web system. Instead of requiring separate storage spaces, unwinding stations, and winding stations for each lamination step, the system uses one continuous liner web managed from centralized supply rolls, significantly reducing the factory floor space required for liner management while maintaining adequate protection for all lamination operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Reduces material and installation costs, energy consumption, and space requirements while maintaining process reliability and quality by reusing a single liner web across multiple lamination stations.

Implementation Method 1

a) Laminating a first electrode material to a first separator web in a first laminating station by means of a first laminating tool with the insertion of a liner web, in particular between the (first) separator and the (first) laminating tool, to prevent the material to be laminated from adhering to the first laminating tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion prevention: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

Laminating a first electrode material to a first separator web in a first laminating station by means of a first laminating tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Data Source

PatentEP4648154A1Method and apparatus for providing an electrode strand using liner material, and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 GROB WERKE & K G
  • EP4648154A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648154A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648154A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To reduce the effort and costs of cell production in a continuous process while maintaining high quality, the invention provides an electrode strand supply method for supplying at least one electrode strand (32, 88) comprising at least one separator web (34.1, 34.2) and at least one electrode material (50.1, 50.2, 36.1, 36.2) fixed thereto, comprising a) laminating a first electrode material (50.1, 36.1) to a first separator web (34.1) in a first laminating station (46.1) by means of a first laminating tool (76.1) with the insertion of a liner web (100) to prevent the material to be laminated from adhering to the first laminating tool (76.1), b) laminating a second electrode material (50.2, 36.2) to a separator web (34.1, 34.2) in a second laminating station (46.2) using a second laminating tool (76.2) by inserting a liner (100) to prevent the material to be laminated from sticking to the second laminating tool (76.2), using the same liner (100) in steps a) and b).