Rotating Jig Support for Precise Electrode Tab Notching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of notching electrode tabs in secondary battery manufacturing is prone to irregular notching due to electrode sheet vibration, leading to defects in the electrode assembly.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize transfer rollers and a jig unit with rotating members to stabilize and accurately notch the electrode sheet, preventing vibration and ensuring consistent notching through a combination of transfer, support, and notching units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the electrode sheet is notched during transfer without additional support, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrode sheet vibrates causing irregular notching
Solution Approach 1:
A jig unit is introduced as an intermediary support structure between the transfer rollers. The jig unit includes a rotation member with multiple jigs that can be positioned to support the electrode sheet during notching. This intermediary structure provides the necessary support to prevent vibration and improve notching precision without requiring complete redesign of the transfer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is made dynamic through the rotation member that can rotate to position multiple jigs at different locations. The jigs can be moved between a support position (where they support the electrode sheet during notching) and a retracted position (where they clear the notching path). This dynamic capability allows the system to provide support only when needed, maintaining simplicity while achieving precision.
2Reliability
If multiple jigs are provided on the rotation member to support the electrode sheet, then vibration is reduced and notching quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple independent jigs arranged on the rotation member. Each jig can independently support the electrode sheet at different positions. This segmentation allows the system to provide distributed support across multiple points, improving reliability and consistency of notching while keeping each individual jig simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation member serves multiple functions: it holds multiple jigs, rotates to position them, and coordinates their movement with the transfer rollers. The jigs themselves serve dual purposes of supporting the electrode sheet and defining the notching position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing device complexity while improving reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the jig unit supports the electrode sheet during notching, then vibration is prevented and quality improves, but the processing time increases due to additional support mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The jig unit operates periodically, moving into the support position only during the notching operation and then retracting. The rotation member rotates to bring the appropriate jig into position, provides support during the brief notching moment, and then moves clear for the next cycle. This periodic action provides support exactly when needed without continuously interfering with the process, maintaining productivity while achieving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is applied briefly and intensively during the critical notching moment, then skipped during the transfer and positioning phases. The rapid rotation of the rotation member and quick positioning of the jigs allows the system to rush through the support phase as quickly as possible, minimizing the time added to the cycle while still achieving the precision benefit during the actual notching operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed is an apparatus for notching an electrode sheet, the apparatus including a transfer unit having first and second transfer rollers provided on a bottom surface of the electrode sheet to transfer the electrode sheet at regular intervals, a jig unit provided below the electrode sheet, and supporting the bottom surface of the non-coating portion and a notching unit provided above the electrode sheet to notch the non-coating portion supported on the jig unit to provide the electrode tab, wherein the jig unit includes a rotation member provided between the first and second transfer rollers and rotated in a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction of the electrode sheet, two or more jigs provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation member to alternately support the non-coating portion disposed between the first and second transfer rollers when the rotation member is rotated.