Electrode Plate Tab Conveying With Negative Pressure Anti-Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode plate conveying mechanisms in battery production face challenges in reducing production costs and maintaining material utilization rates due to tab folding and dust generation during high-speed conveying, which affects the quality of the electrode assembly.

Innovation Solution

An electrode plate conveying mechanism incorporating a first conveying roller with a negative pressure supply unit, such as an air amplifier, forms a negative pressure around the tab to reduce air resistance and prevent folding, while being spaced apart to avoid rubbing and dust generation, utilizing a simple structure with adjustable airflow to accommodate different tab thicknesses and roller diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conveying roller contacts the tab directly during high-speed conveying, then the tab can be supported and prevented from folding, but the tab may rub against the roller and generate dust affecting product quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetab folding preventionVSAvoiddust generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces negative pressure airflow as an intermediary between the conveying roller and the tab. The negative pressure supply unit creates a controlled airflow field that supports the tab during conveying without requiring direct physical contact between the roller and tab, thereby preventing both folding and dust generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a negative pressure supply unit to create controlled airflow around the tab. This pneumatic field provides support and stabilization during high-speed conveying, replacing direct mechanical contact and eliminating dust generation from friction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If the conveying speed is increased to improve productivity, then the production efficiency increases, but the tab is more likely to fold due to increased air resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying speedVSAvoidtab folding
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by creating negative pressure airflow before and during the conveying process. This pre-established airflow field counteracts the increased air resistance that occurs at higher conveying speeds, preventing tab folding while allowing high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The negative pressure supply unit creates a controlled pneumatic environment that reduces air resistance effects on the tab during high-speed conveying, enabling increased productivity without compromising tab integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If a contact-based mechanism is used to support the tab, then the tab folding is prevented, but the material utilization rate decreases due to dust generation and quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetab supportVSAvoidmaterial utilization rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The negative pressure airflow acts as a non-contact intermediary that provides tab support without the material loss associated with dust generation from contact-based mechanisms, thereby maintaining both reliability and material utilization rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based support system with a pneumatic field-based system. This substitution eliminates dust generation from friction and contact, preventing material loss while maintaining effective tab support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mechanism effectively reduces tab folding and dust generation, enhancing material utilization rates and product quality while lowering production costs by stabilizing the conveying process.

Implementation Method 1

a negative pressure supply unit arranged on at least one end of the first conveying roller, spaced apart from the first conveying roller in an axial direction of the first conveying roller, and used for forming a negative pressure around a tab of the electrode plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

forming a negative pressure around the tab of the electrode plate by the negative pressure supply unit so as to reduce air resistance and then reduce the probability of tab folding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir resistance reduction: Drag

Implementation Method 3

The air amplifier includes an airflow-guiding cavity, an amplifying cavity communicating with the airflow-guiding cavity, and a gas intake port used for conveying compressed gas to the amplifying cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed gas: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 4

the airflow-guiding cavity is provided with a suction port facing the first conveying roller, the amplifying cavity is provided with an exhaust port facing away from the first conveying roller, and the compressed gas is used for establishing the negative pressure, such that the airflow-guiding cavity guides, through the suction port, outside gas into the amplifying cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow guidance: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4407737B1Electrode plate conveying mechanism and electrode plate formation system
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4407737B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4407737B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4407737B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are an electrode plate conveying mechanism and an electrode plate formation system. The electrode plate conveying mechanism comprises a first conveying roller for conveying an electrode plate; and a negative-pressure provision unit, which is arranged at at least one end of the first conveying roller, wherein the negative-pressure provision unit is spaced apart from the first conveying roller in the axial direction of same and is configured to produce negative pressure around a tab of the electrode plate, so as to prevent the tab from being folded. The solution of the embodiments of the present application can increase the use ratio of materials, and reduce production costs.