Separator Guiding Rollers for High-Speed Cell Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacking apparatuses for electrochemical cells are limited by the time required to position a continuous ribbon-like separator above the cell being formed, which can lead to damage or tearing of the separator due to high accelerations and decelerations, hindering high production speeds.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an accompanying device with motorized members that rotate accompanying surfaces to guide the continuous ribbon-like separator onto the cell being formed, maintaining a predetermined relative speed to minimize tension and sliding, allowing high deposition speeds without damaging the separator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the movable frame translates at high speed to increase production rate, then productivity is improved, but the separator may be damaged or torn due to high accelerations and decelerations
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary device (the translating device with rollers) is introduced between the movable frame and the separator. This intermediary translates the separator in synchronization with the movable frame's motion, reducing relative movement and minimizing tension and damage to the separator while enabling high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The translating device uses the separator's own motion to drive the rollers, creating a self-synchronizing system where the separator's movement automatically controls the translating mechanism, ensuring smooth operation without additional actuators that could cause damage
2Loss of time
If the accompanying rollers translate quickly to position the separator, then the time to position the separator is reduced, but the separator may experience tension and sliding that causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using the separator's own movement to drive the rollers through friction contact. The rollers' rotation speed automatically adjusts to match the separator's speed, eliminating sliding and tension while maintaining synchronized translation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces a mechanically driven roller system (with motors and actuators) with a friction-driven system where the separator itself propels the rollers. This substitution eliminates complex control mechanisms that could cause sliding and tension, simplifying the system while preventing damage
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 approach enables faster deposition of the separator onto the cell, reducing production time and preventing damage, thereby increasing the overall production speed and efficiency of the stacking process.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a predetermined relative speed to minimize tension and sliding
Data Source
AI summary
A stacking apparatus for alternately stacking a continuous ribbon-like separator and foil sheets. The apparatus comprises a stacking station to receive foil sheets, first and second transfer devices, a feeder device and a displacement device fed by the feeder device. The first and second transfer devices are movable between a pickup and release position for respective transfer of first and second foil sheets. The ribbon-like separator being fed by the feeder device. The displacement device comprises an accompanying device movable above the stacking station between first and second end positions when the second transfer device moves to the pick-up position, and between the second and first end positions when the first transfer device moves to the pick-up position. The accompanying device comprises at least one surface to contact the ribbon-like separator. Motorized members rotate the surface of the accompanying device while it moves between the first and second end positions.