Separator Core Curved Geometry for Cleanability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing separator cores for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries have sharp corners that hinder cleaning, leading to foreign substances remaining and potentially causing defects in the separator rolls.

Innovation Solution

A separator core design with smoothly curved connections between the support parts and the cylindrical parts, allowing for effective cleaning and reducing the likelihood of foreign substances remaining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sharp corners are used in the separator core structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but cleaning becomes difficult and foreign substances remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcleanability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies curvature by replacing sharp corners with rounded surfaces at the connection points between ribs and cylindrical parts. Specifically, the corner portions are formed with a radius of curvature of 3mm or more, creating smooth curved surfaces that eliminate dead corners where foreign substances could accumulate. This allows cleaning members to effectively reach all surfaces without getting trapped in sharp angles, thereby improving cleanability while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If foreign substances remain in corners, then manufacturing is efficient, but product quality deteriorates due to separator defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidseparator quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By forming corner portions with a radius of curvature of 3mm or more, the invention eliminates sharp angles where foreign substances would accumulate during production. The curved surfaces ensure that cleaning members can fully contact and clean all surfaces of the separator core, preventing foreign substance contamination. This maintains high production efficiency while significantly improving separator quality and reducing defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If cleaning members cannot reach innermost portions, then structural complexity is reduced, but foreign substances accumulate in inaccessible areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidforeign substance accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the accessibility problem by replacing sharp corners with curved surfaces having a radius of curvature of 3mm or more. This geometric modification ensures that cleaning members can physically reach and contact all surfaces, including areas that would be inaccessible in sharp-cornered designs. The curved geometry eliminates dead zones where foreign substances could accumulate, while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS10301147B2Separator core and separator roll

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SUMITOMO CHEM CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention achieves a separator core that is easy to clean and that will have no or few remaining foreign substances and a separator roll obtained by winding a separator around the separator core. Provided is a separator core around which a separator is wound or is to be wound, in which at least one of (i) a connection between a surface of a support part and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical part and (ii) a connection between the surface of the support part and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical part is made smoothly by a curved face.