Electrode Tab Guide Motion for Longer Weldable Battery Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrode tab guide systems limit the elongation of electrode tabs, leading to potential disconnection during the welding process due to restricted length, which can result in tab disconnection defects.
Innovation Solution
An electrode tab guide apparatus with a moving mechanism that includes both vertical and horizontal movement of tab guides to elongate the electrode tabs, allowing for increased tab length and improved durability by mitigating tensile forces applied during the welding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional straight bar tab guides are used to press and collect electrode tabs, then the tab guides can maintain simple structure and ease of manufacture, but the electrode tabs cannot be elongated sufficiently, leading to tab disconnection defects during welding
Solution Approach 1:
The tab guide structure is transformed from a static straight bar to a dynamic articulated mechanism with multiple joints. The first and second tab guides are connected through a joint that allows relative movement, enabling the guides to adapt their shape during the pressing process and achieve sufficient electrode tab elongation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated tab guide mechanism is positioned within the battery case structure, with the first and second tab guides nested between the battery case and the electrode tabs. This nesting arrangement allows the complex articulated mechanism to operate within the limited space of the battery assembly without increasing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If electrode tabs are pressed with limited elongation by conventional tab guides, then the welding process can be simplified, but the tabs are prone to disconnection due to insufficient length margin
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated tab guide mechanism performs preliminary elongation of the electrode tabs before the welding process begins. By pre-positioning the tabs in an elongated state through the articulated pressing action, the mechanism ensures adequate length margin is available during welding, preventing tab disconnection while maintaining welding process efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The joint in the articulated tab guide mechanism provides a cushioning effect that distributes pressing forces during tab elongation. This beforehand cushioning prevents excessive stress concentration that could lead to tab disconnection, while still achieving sufficient elongation for reliable welding connections
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode tab guide apparatus configured to press and collect a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded by a welding part includes a first tab guide and a second tab guide configured to move toward the electrode tabs from above and below the electrode tabs, respectively, and press and collect the electrode tabs, and a mover configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide. The mover includes a vertical mover configured to vertically move the first tab guide and the second tab guide, and a horizontal mover configured to horizontally move at least one of the first tab guide or the second tab guide.