Ultrasonic Separator Bonding Apparatus Layout for Compact Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasound-based bonding systems for electrical devices, such as secondary batteries, have complex structures that occupy large spaces, making them unsuitable for mass production due to their size and layout requirements.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus for bonding separators in electrical devices features a transmission unit, amplifier unit, and abutting part arranged parallel to the direction of separator conveyance, allowing for efficient ultrasonic bonding while minimizing equipment size by optimizing the layout of the horn, booster, and oscillator along the conveyance direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ultrasound-based bonding units are used to achieve high-temperature bonding characteristics, then bonding quality is improved, but equipment size becomes large and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding qualityVSAvoidequipment space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reconfigures the spatial arrangement of ultrasonic bonding components by placing the oscillator, booster, and horn in a linear sequence along the conveyance direction rather than in a compact clustered arrangement. This dimensional reorganization allows the equipment to fit within the existing production line footprint while maintaining all necessary bonding functions, effectively resolving the contradiction between bonding quality and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If complex ultrasound units with oscillators and boosters are disposed on mass production lines, then bonding performance is improved, but the dimension of the equipment becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding performanceVSAvoidequipment dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable horn that can be positioned and repositioned along the conveyance direction to accommodate different bonding positions and product configurations. This dynamic element allows the equipment to maintain compact dimensions while providing flexible bonding capabilities, resolving the contradiction between bonding performance and equipment length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If fixed protrusions are used in the abutting part, then bonding structure is simple, but tool life is limited due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding structureVSAvoidtool life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rotatable horn with replaceable protrusions that can be rotated to present fresh bonding surfaces as wear occurs. This dynamic replacement mechanism extends tool life significantly while maintaining relatively simple bonding structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Duration of action of stationary object

If rotatable and replaceable protrusions are implemented, then tool life is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool lifeVSAvoidbonding mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the horn into modular sections with interchangeable protrusions that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows wear components to be swapped without replacing the entire horn assembly, extending tool life while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through standardized modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration enables compact equipment design, reducing space requirements on assembly lines and extending tool life through rotatable and replaceable protrusions, thus enhancing production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission unit that generates ultrasonic oscillations, an amplifier unit that amplifies the generated oscillations, and an abutting part that applies the amplified oscillations to a pair of separators 40

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3054501B1Apparatus for bonding separators in electrical devices
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3054501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054501B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054501B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an apparatus for bonding separators in electrical devices wherein even if a unit that performs bonding using ultrasound is used in assembly-line equipment, the amount of space taken up by said equipment can be kept small. [Solution] The present invention is an apparatus 100 for bonding separators in electrical devices, which is used to bond a pair of separators 40 to each other so as to sandwich an electrode 20, provided with an oscillator 153 that generates ultrasonic oscillations; a booster 152 that amplifies the generated oscillations; a horn 151 that applies the amplified oscillations to the pair of separators so as to bond said separators to each other; and separator conveyance units 120, 130 that convey the pair of separators to a bonding position where the horn bonds said separators to each other, wherein the oscillator, the booster, and the horn are laid out in a plane that is parallel to the direction X in which the separators are conveyed and perpendicular to the surfaces of the separators, or the oscillator and the booster are laid out closer to the widthwise centers of the separators than the horn is when seen from a direction that is parallel to the direction in which the separators are conveyed.