Rotational Stacking Wheel for Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of electrode stacks for lithium-ion batteries is time-consuming due to the slow operation of gripper systems used for stacking anodes and cathodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a rotationally driven stacking wheel with receptacles and scraper arms to convey and stack anodes and cathodes alternately, allowing for quick and precise positioning without the need for grippers, and using conveyor belts to manage the electrodes' movement into the receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gripper system is used to pick up and place electrodes, then the stacking process can be performed, but the production speed is slow and manufacturing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking wheel is divided into multiple receptacles arranged circumferentially, with each receptacle capable of holding one electrode. This segmentation allows multiple electrodes to be positioned simultaneously at different angular positions, enabling parallel processing and significantly increasing production speed compared to sequential gripper operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear sequential stacking to rotational circumferential stacking. By arranging receptacles in a circular pattern around the rotation axis, the system utilizes the rotational dimension to achieve simultaneous multi-position electrode placement, thereby increasing throughput while reducing manufacturing time.
2Productivity
If electrodes are conveyed into receptacles of a rotating stacking wheel, then stacking speed increases, but precise positioning and alignment of electrodes must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical gripper system with a rotational stacking wheel mechanism. The stacking wheel's rotation provides controlled, repeatable positioning of electrodes through defined angular increments, maintaining precision while enabling faster throughput compared to sequential gripper pickup and placement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the rotational speed and angular position of the stacking wheel to maintain precise electrode positioning. By adjusting rotational parameters and receptacle angular spacing, the system achieves both high stacking speed and accurate electrode alignment, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing an electrode stack (4) of anodes (6) and cathodes (8) for a lithium-ion battery, in particular of an electrically driven motor vehicle, wherein the anodes (6) or the cathodes (8) are provided with a separator. The anodes (6) and the cathodes (8) are conveyed in receiving areas (14) of a rotationally driven or rotatably driven stacking wheel (12); the anodes (6) and cathodes (8) received in the receiving areas (14) are conveyed to a stacking compartment (24) by rotating the stacking wheel (12); the anodes (6) and the cathodes (8) are held in the region of the stacking compartment (24) by a removal arm (22) and are transferred from the respective receiving area (14) into the stacking compartment (24) as a result of the rotation of the stacking wheel (12), said anodes (6) and cathodes (8) being stacked in an alternating manner in the stacking compartment (24); and the anodes (6) and cathodes (8) stacked in an alternating manner are pressed against one another in the stacking compartment (24). The invention additionally relates to a device (2) for producing such an electrode stack (4).