Guide-Contour Transport Mechanism for Non-Rigid Battery Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transporting non-rigid elements, such as those used in battery and fuel cell manufacturing, face challenges in providing gentle and damage-free transport with improved cycle times, particularly during transitions between continuous and discrete systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with a transport mechanism guided by a non-circular guide contour, coupled to a drive unit via a lifting device, allowing for torque transmission and adjustable distance compensation, ensuring synchronized movement and reduced damage during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional transport mechanism with fixed distance between drive shaft and transport mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different formats and sizes of non-rigid elements, reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the distance between the drive shaft and transport mechanism adjustable rather than fixed. The lifting device enables dynamic variation of this distance according to the specific format and size of non-rigid elements being transported, allowing the system to adapt to different workpiece dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the transport mechanism is rigidly coupled to the drive unit, then the structure is simple, but it causes damage to non-rigid elements during transport, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lifting device as an intermediary component between the drive unit and transport mechanism. This mediator allows for flexible coupling that can accommodate variations in distance and positioning, preventing damage to non-rigid elements while maintaining reliable torque transmission. The lifting device acts as a buffer that protects the transported elements from mechanical stress.
3Productivity
If a fixed cycle time is used for transport operations, then the process is simple to control, but it cannot optimize for different transport distances, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cycle time optimization by allowing the lifting device to adjust the distance between the drive shaft and transport mechanism based on the specific transport requirements. This enables the system to optimize cycle times for different transport distances and configurations, improving overall productivity while maintaining manageable control through the mechanical design of the lifting mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, a transport unit and a method for transporting non-rigid elements for the manufacture of a battery and/or fuel cell. The device has a transport mechanism for transporting the elements from a first region to a second region, a guide plate for guiding the transport mechanism, a drive unit for moving the transport mechanism, a lifting device for coupling the drive unit and the transport mechanism, and an assembly frame. The guide plate has a plate-like main body, a closed guide contour and a through-opening; the transport mechanism is guided by the guide contour; the drive unit has a drive shaft which extends in the first direction and is axially fixedly received in the through-opening; and the lifting device couples the transport mechanism and the drive unit to each other in a torque-transmitting manner and can adjust a distance between the two in a second direction.