Separator Pre-Sealing for Electrode Assembly Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing electrode assemblies with irregular shapes require excessive equipment and time due to limitations in cutting multiple separators simultaneously, leading to suboptimal cutting quality and increased manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involve preparing an electrode unit with alternately disposed separators, forming a pre-sealing part by attaching partial regions of separators, and cutting these regions to match the electrode's shape, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and improving cutting quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the partial region of the separator is cut according to the related art, then the separator shape corresponds to the electrode shape, but the number of separators that can be properly cut is limited and excessive equipment and manufacturing time are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator cutting qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention forms a pre-sealing part by attaching partial regions of the plurality of separators to each other before cutting. This preliminary attachment action enables multiple separators to be cut simultaneously while maintaining proper cutting quality, thereby resolving the contradiction between cutting precision and manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple separators by attaching their partial regions together to form a pre-sealing part. This merging allows the separators to be handled and cut as a unified structure, enabling simultaneous cutting of multiple separators and significantly improving productivity while maintaining cutting quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If a large number of electrode units are manufactured using the related art method, then the electrode assembly can be produced, but excessive equipment and manufacturing time are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of electrode unitsVSAvoidequipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple separators into a pre-sealing part structure, the invention enables batch processing of multiple electrode units. This reduces the need for excessive equipment and manufacturing time when producing large quantities of electrode assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The preliminary formation of pre-sealing parts before cutting enables subsequent batch cutting operations. This preliminary action simplifies the manufacturing process for large quantities of electrode units, reducing both equipment complexity and manufacturing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If the partial region of the separator is cut according to the related art, then the separator shape corresponds to the electrode shape, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator shape correspondenceVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs the attachment of partial regions of separators as a preliminary action before cutting. This sequence enables the separators to maintain proper shape correspondence while being cut more efficiently, reducing manufacturing time without compromising shape accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By merging multiple separators into a pre-sealing part, the invention enables simultaneous cutting operations that maintain shape correspondence. This approach significantly reduces the time required compared to cutting separators individually while ensuring proper shape matching with electrodes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces equipment and manufacturing time by allowing for the simultaneous cutting of multiple separators, enhancing the efficiency and quality of electrode assembly production while ensuring safety by maintaining adequate separation between electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-sealing step of forming a pre-sealing part in which at least partial regions of the plurality of separators within the electrode unit are attached to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a separator cutting step of cutting a region of the plurality of separators, which includes the pre-sealing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3614478B1Apparatus and method for manufacturing electrode assembly
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3614478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3614478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3614478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. To achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a preparation step of preparing a separator and an electrode; an electrode unit manufacturing step of manufacturing an electrode unit having a structure in which the separator and the electrode are alternately disposed; a pre-sealing step of forming a pre-sealing part in which at least partial regions of the plurality of separators within the electrode unit are attached to each other; and a separator cutting step of cutting a region of the plurality of separators, which includes the pre-sealing part.