Battery Electrode Reel Supply Shuttle for Continuous Notching Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic supply apparatuses for secondary battery electrodes occupy large space and incur high equipment costs, necessitating improvements for reliable and continuous electrode supply in the fabrication process.
Innovation Solution
An automatic supply apparatus comprising an electrode supply hoist, a supply shuttle with a multi-joint robot, first and second unwinders, and a tape supply device, which automates the unwinding, splicing, and taping of electrodes in reel format, using vision and suction blocks to ensure seamless connection and minimize operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing automatic supply apparatus configurations are used, then electrode supply reliability is improved, but space occupation and equipment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (unwinding, splicing, taping, and supply) into a single integrated automatic supply apparatus. The supply shuttle integrates the multi-joint robot, vision device, gripper, and auto-splicing suction block into one unit that can perform all operations at a single workstation, eliminating the need for separate equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply shuttle is designed as a universal unit that can handle multiple operations: receiving electrodes from the hoist, unwinding them on both sides, splicing new electrodes to old ones, taping the spliced electrodes, and supplying them to the notching facility. This multi-functional design reduces the overall space requirement compared to having dedicated equipment for each operation.
2Reliability
If existing automatic supply apparatus configurations are used, then electrode supply reliability is improved, but equipment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (unwinding, splicing, taping, and supply) into a single integrated automatic supply apparatus. The supply shuttle integrates the multi-joint robot, vision device, gripper, and auto-splicing suction block into one unit that can perform all operations at a single workstation, eliminating the need for separate equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates automatic detection and correction mechanisms. The vision device automatically detects electrode positions and conditions, the lower end detection color sensor monitors electrode exhaustion, and the system automatically performs splicing and taping operations without manual intervention, reducing the need for complex control systems and manual operations.
3Device complexity
If manual electrode supply operations are used, then equipment cost is reduced, but error rates due to electrode breakage or incorrect connections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple sensing systems that provide real-time feedback: the vision device monitors electrode positioning and alignment, the lower end detection color sensor detects when electrodes are exhausted, and the system uses this feedback to automatically adjust operations, preventing errors such as attempting to splice already-exhausted electrodes or misaligned connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates automatic detection and correction mechanisms. The vision device automatically detects electrode positions and conditions, the lower end detection color sensor monitors electrode exhaustion, and the system automatically performs splicing and taping operations without manual intervention, reducing the need for complex control systems and manual operations.
4Device complexity
If manual electrode supply operations are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but productivity and automation level decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous electrode supply operations through the automatic splicing mechanism. When an electrode is exhausted, the system automatically splices a new electrode to the end of the old one without stopping the production line, ensuring continuous supply to the notching facility and eliminating idle time associated with manual electrode changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates automatic detection and correction mechanisms. The vision device automatically detects electrode positions and conditions, the lower end detection color sensor monitors electrode exhaustion, and the system automatically performs splicing and taping operations without manual intervention, reducing the need for complex control systems and manual operations.
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 apparatus reduces space and equipment costs by half while significantly lowering error rates due to electrode breakage or incorrect connections, enabling fully automated operation with a single shuttle.
Implementation Method 1
a first unwinder 140 and a second unwinder 150 disposed at incoming positions to which the supply shuttle 130 comes forward... The notching facility 110 is equipped with a first unwinding-side upper suction block 142 and a first unwinding-side lower suction block 144... A second unwinding-side upper suction block 152 and a second unwinding-side lower suction block 154 are arranged
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic supply apparatus of secondary battery electrodes, which includes an electrode supply hoist 120; a supply shuttle 130 receiving electrodes in the form of reels from the electrode supply hoist 120; a first unwinder 140 and a second unwinder 150 disposed at a position the supply shuttle 130 comes forward. A notching facility 110 is disposed at a position where the supply shuttle 130 comes forward, and the first unwinder 140 is disposed in the notching facility 110, the second unwinder 150 is mounted on the notching facility 110 and disposed at a downward position of the first unwinder 140, and a tape supply device 160 is provided at a front position of the notching facility 110 so as to be disposed above the first unwinder 140. The present invention provides a system in which one automatic supply shuttle moves in the Y-axis direction to feed multiple notching facilities, and can fully automatically feed and connect without help of an operator, thereby reducing the number of workers, achieving the effect of reducing space and reducing costs compared to the conventional system.