Laminate Transfer Support Mechanism to Prevent Electrode Tearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer devices for laminated electrode assemblies often result in tearing or damage to electrodes and separators during handling, leading to poor battery cell quality due to inadequate support and grasping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a base plate capable of horizontal and vertical movement, equipped with a grasping unit for picking up the laminate's upper surface and a support unit featuring a vertical moving member and rotating member to securely support the laminate, preventing damage during transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional grasping unit is used to pick up the laminate, then the grasping operation is simple, but the electrodes and separators are prone to tearing or damage due to inadequate support
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is divided into two independent functional units: a grasping unit that holds the upper surface of the laminate and a support unit that holds the lower surface. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, preventing laminate damage while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support unit acts as an intermediary element between the laminate and the transfer system. By introducing this intermediate support structure underneath the laminate, the system distributes the lifting force and prevents direct stress concentration on the fragile electrodes and separators, thereby maintaining laminate integrity during transfer.
2Device complexity
If only the upper surface of the laminate is grasped, then the grasping mechanism is simple, but gaps occur between grasped and non-grasped parts due to laminate weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support for the laminate is segmented into two parts: the grasping unit supporting the upper surface and the support unit supporting the lower surface. This dual-segment approach distributes the weight-bearing function across both surfaces of the laminate, eliminating gaps and maintaining structural stability without requiring a single complex grasping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to support the entire laminate from a single dimension (top surface only), the system transitions to supporting the laminate from two dimensions (top surface by grasping unit and bottom surface by support unit). This dimensional approach evenly distributes the laminate weight and prevents structural instability.
3Productivity
If the laminate is lifted without lower surface support, then the transfer process is efficient, but the weight of the laminate causes tearing or damage to electrodes and separators
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit is positioned and activated in advance before the laminate is fully lifted. By establishing support underneath the laminate prior to the lifting action, the system prepares the load-bearing structure in advance, preventing weight-induced damage to electrodes and separators while maintaining transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support unit serves as an intermediary load-bearing element between the laminate's lower surface and the external environment. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes the stress caused by laminate weight, protecting the fragile electrodes and separators from tearing while enabling efficient transfer operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device for transporting a cell laminate in which a plurality of electrodes and separators are stacked includes a base plate, a grasping unit, and a support unit. The base plate is capable of moving in a horizontal direction and capable of ascending and descending in a vertical direction at a certain point. The grasping unit is coupled to the lower part of the base plate and picks up the upper surface of the laminate. The support unit is coupled to the base plate and supports the lower part of the laminate picked up by the grasping unit. The support unit comprises: a vertical moving member, and a rotating member coupled to the vertical moving member and rotates about the coupling point to support the laminate.