Electrode Tab Welding with Air-Cushioned Tab Gathering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tab guide blocks used in secondary battery manufacturing are prone to damage due to repeated collisions with electrode tabs, leading to reduced replacement time and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

An electrode tab welding device with movable tab guide blocks and air injection parts that use air pressure to buffer the impact between the electrode tabs and guide blocks, maintaining a bundle form and reducing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If tab guide blocks are used to gather electrode tabs through repeated pressurization, then the electrode tabs can be effectively gathered into a bundle, but the tab guide blocks are damaged due to repeated collisions, reducing their replacement time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebundle formation of electrode tabsVSAvoidreplacement time of tab guide blocks
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Air is introduced as an intermediary substance between the tab guide blocks and electrode tabs. The air cushion mediates the interaction by absorbing impact forces during the gathering process, preventing direct mechanical contact and damage to the tab guide blocks while still enabling effective bundle formation of the electrode tabs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes pneumatic pressure by injecting air into the space between the tab guide blocks and electrode tabs. This pneumatic mechanism creates a cushioning effect that protects the tab guide blocks from collision damage while maintaining the gathering function, extending their service life without compromising manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stability of the object's composition

If tab guide blocks directly pressurize electrode tabs to maintain bundle form, then the gathering function is effective, but the impact causes damage to both the guide blocks and tabs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebundle form of electrode tabsVSAvoidimpact damage to guide blocks and electrode tabs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Air is injected in advance to create a cushioning layer between the tab guide blocks and electrode tabs before the pressurization process begins. This beforehand cushioning prevents impact damage by absorbing shock forces, protecting both the guide blocks and electrode tabs while maintaining stable bundle formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

Air serves as a protective intermediary that reduces harmful impact forces. The pneumatic cushion acts as a buffer zone that maintains contact between the guide blocks and tabs for stable gathering while eliminating the damaging effects of direct mechanical impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device effectively buffers the impact between electrode tabs and guide blocks, improving the gathered shape of electrode tabs, extending the life of the guide blocks, and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

an air injection part injecting air to gather the plurality of electrode tabs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pressure cushioning: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4699728A1Electrode tab welding apparatus and electrode tab welding method
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4699728A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4699728A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4699728A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

According to one example of the present invention, a welding device for welding a plurality of electrode tabs of an electrode assembly is provided, wherein the electrode tab welding device comprises a tab guide part including an upper tab guide block and a lower tab guide block, which are arranged to be movable up and down so that the plurality of electrode tabs is gathered, an air injection part injecting air to gather the plurality of electrode tabs, and a welding part arranged to weld the gathered portion of the plurality of electrode tabs.