Rotary Conveyance Drum Separator Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery manufacturing techniques, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, are inefficient in placing and transferring separators, leading to elongated manufacturing times for stacked cells.
Innovation Solution
A stacking apparatus featuring a cylindrical rotary conveyance unit with a suction area and a non-suction area on its outer surface, allowing for the suction and transfer of separators onto electrodes, enabling efficient stacking and reducing manufacturing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separators are placed and transferred using a stopped bearer and presser plate, then the separators can be positioned accurately, but the manufacturing time is elongated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a static bearing plate system to a dynamic rotary conveyance unit. The rotary conveyance unit rotates to convey separators continuously while maintaining positioning accuracy through controlled rotation and suction/release mechanisms, eliminating the need to stop the conveying process for separator placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses suction force applied to the rotary conveyance unit to hold and release separators at precise positions. The suction force is controlled to maintain separators during conveyance and release them at the appropriate location, enabling continuous operation without sacrificing positioning accuracy.
2Productivity
If a rotary conveyance unit is used to convey separators continuously, then manufacturing time is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary conveyance unit serves multiple functions: it conveys separators, positions them accurately, holds them using suction force, and releases them at the correct location. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction force acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotary conveyance unit and the separators. It enables the unit to hold and release separators without complex mechanical clamps or adhesives, simplifying the overall system while maintaining continuous conveyance capability.
3Ease of operation
If separators are drawn by suction to the outer circumferential surface, then smooth transfer is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is applied periodically rather than continuously. The rotary conveyance unit applies suction to hold separators during conveyance and releases them at the appropriate position. This periodic application of suction reduces energy consumption compared to continuous suction, while maintaining smooth transfer operation.
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 apparatus enables smooth placement and transfer of separators onto electrodes, significantly shortening the manufacturing time for batteries by rotating the conveyance unit to convey and remove separators from the outer surface, thereby improving the efficiency of the battery assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a suction area that is for drawing the separator by suction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
A stacking apparatus having a cylindrical conveyance drum holding and rotating to covey a separator and an electrode conveyance unit conveying a positive electrode in a tangential direction of the conveyance drum so that the positive electrode overlaps the separator. To the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance drum, there are defined a suction area for drawing the separator that is non-rotatably positioned on an upstream side of a rotation direction of the conveyance drum with respect to a location to which the positive electrode is conveyed and a non-suction area for removing the separator that is non-rotatably positioned on a downstream side of the rotation direction of the same. The separator in the suction area is conveyed to the non-suction area, is removed from the outer circumferential surface, and is transferred onto the positive electrode, thereby gradually stacking the separator on the positive electrode.