Separator Cutoff Assembly With Enclosed Airflow Dust Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separator cutoff apparatuses in lithium battery production generate dust that contaminates the battery cell, leading to internal short circuits and safety risks due to incomplete dust collection.

Innovation Solution

A cutoff apparatus with a dust removal assembly and air inlet assembly that forms a stable velocity flow field to collect dust by blowing air on one side of the object and suctioning air on the other, enclosing the cutting position to prevent dust from falling into the battery cell.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a dust collection box with fan suction is used to collect dust after separator cutting, then dust accumulation is reduced, but dust collection completeness is insufficient leading to contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust accumulationVSAvoiddust collection completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collection system is segmented into multiple functional components: air inlet assembly with air inlet holes, working chamber, dust suction port, and dust collection chamber. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with air inlet holes generating airflow to lift dust and dust suction ports positioned at different locations to collect dust comprehensively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air flow acts as an intermediary medium between the air inlet holes and dust suction ports. The air flow generated by air inlet holes carries dust particles through the working chamber to the dust suction ports, enabling effective dust collection without direct mechanical contact with the cutting area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If negative pressure suction is applied only at dust collection box location, then dust at that location is collected, but dust at other locations remains uncollected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection operationVSAvoiddust generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collection approach transitions from single-point suction to multi-dimensional collection. Air inlet holes are distributed across multiple surfaces (front surface and side surfaces) of the air inlet assembly, creating airflow from multiple directions. Dust suction ports are positioned at corresponding locations to collect dust from different spatial dimensions, ensuring comprehensive dust collection throughout the working chamber.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the air inlet assembly have different functional qualities. Air inlet holes are selectively positioned on front and side surfaces to generate localized airflow in different directions. Dust suction ports are correspondingly positioned to collect dust from specific local areas, with each location optimized for its specific dust collection needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If separator cutting is performed with cutter, then separator is cut off, but dust is generated that contaminates battery cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoiddust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Air inlet holes are positioned and configured to generate airflow before dust has a chance to settle or contaminate the battery cell. The airflow is preliminarily directed toward areas where dust is likely to be generated during cutting, lifting dust particles into the air stream that then carries them to dust suction ports for collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful dust particles generated during cutting are converted into a collectible stream by utilizing the airflow generated by air inlet holes. Instead of allowing dust to settle and contaminate the battery cell, the airflow lifts dust particles and directs them toward dust suction ports, transforming the harmful dust generation into a controllable dust collection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Effectively collects dust and foreign matter during the cutting process, ensuring the safety performance of the battery cell by reducing the risk of internal short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a fan is used within the dust collection box to generate negative pressure suction to collect the dust generated after the separator is cut off

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure suction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

air flowing into the working chamber through the air inlet hole carries dust on the material toward the dust suction port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4684931A1Cutting-off device and winding machine
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SUNWODA MOBILITY ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4684931A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4684931A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4684931A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A cutoff apparatus and a winding machine are disclosed. The cutoff apparatus comprises: a base plate; a cutoff assembly disposed on the base plate, the cutoff assembly comprising a cutoff frame on which a cutoff member is disposed; a dust removal assembly disposed on the base plate, the dust removal assembly comprising a dust suction box and a negative pressure member, wherein a dust collection chamber is formed in the dust suction box, the negative pressure member is in communication with the dust collection chamber, the dust suction box is provided with a dust suction port on a side facing the cutoff member, and the dust suction port is in communication with the dust collection chamber; an air inlet assembly disposed on the base plate, wherein the dust removal assembly and the air inlet assembly are respectively disposed on two sides of the cutoff member, the air inlet assembly comprises an air inlet member that is recessed on a side facing the cutoff member to form a cutoff groove, and the air inlet member is provided with an air inlet hole in communication with the cutoff groove; and a driving assembly, configured to drive at least one of the cutoff assembly, the dust removal assembly, and the air inlet assembly to move, such that the cutoff member is located between the air inlet member and the dust suction box, and the air inlet member abuts the dust suction box. An opening of the cutoff groove is capable of covering the dust suction port to form a working chamber for accommodating the cutoff member; the cutoff member cuts off a material within the operation chamber, and air flowing into the operation chamber through the air inlet hole carries dust on the material toward the dust suction port to flow into the dust collection chamber.