Separator-Guided Electrode Stacking for Faster Battery Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of secondary batteries is prolonged due to the sequential stacking of cathode, separator, and anode plates, which increases production time.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing apparatus and method that utilizes a separator supply apparatus with electrode grippers that alternately stack first and second electrodes with a separator in an alignment box, reducing the time required for the stacking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cathode plates, separators, and anode plates are sequentially stacked, then the stacking process is simple to control, but the manufacturing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking process is divided into multiple parallel workstations, each handling specific stacking operations. Multiple electrode plates and separators are stacked simultaneously at different workstations rather than sequentially at a single station, thereby reducing total manufacturing time while maintaining process control through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple stacking operations are merged into a parallel process where several electrode plates and separators are stacked simultaneously at different workstations. The apparatus combines multiple stacking functions in one system, allowing concurrent execution of stacking tasks that would otherwise be performed sequentially
2Productivity
If multiple electrode plates and separators are stacked simultaneously, then the manufacturing time is shortened, but the alignment precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
A separator is introduced as an intermediary component between electrode plates during simultaneous stacking. The separator acts as a positioning reference that ensures proper alignment of multiple electrode plates being stacked in parallel at different workstations, maintaining alignment precision while enabling high-speed simultaneous stacking
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical alignment methods are replaced with a positioning mechanism where the separator serves as a standardized reference component. This substitution allows multiple electrode plates to be aligned simultaneously through the separator's geometric features rather than through complex mechanical alignment systems
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for and method of manufacturing a secondary battery are provided. The apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery includes an alignment box including an alignment space, a plurality of first electrode grippers disposed to be spaced apart from each other in an extension direction of a separator, on one side of the separator extending toward the alignment box, and supporting a first electrode, and a plurality of second electrode grippers disposed to face a gap between the plurality of first electrode grippers, on the other side of the separator, and supporting a second electrode. The plurality of first electrode grippers and the plurality of second electrode grippers are provided to move to be aligned in the alignment space while intersecting with the separator therebetween, so that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately stacked with the separator therebetween in the alignment space.