Separator Roll Transfer and Alignment for Continuous Battery Winding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manual replacement of separator rolls during the manufacturing of electrode assemblies in secondary batteries leads to operational downtime and material loss, hindering efficient production.
Innovation Solution
An automatic separator supply apparatus that includes a transfer unit, lift unit, and unwinder, enabling seamless alignment and mounting of separator winding rolls, allowing for automated supply and winding processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If separators are stored in a container and supplied one by one to a stacking position, then space is saved and automation is improved, but the separators may become contaminated with dust or foreign matter during storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is supplied to the stacking position before the cell body is assembled, and the stacking position is covered with a cover to prevent dust contamination in advance. This preliminary action of covering the stacking position resolves the contradiction by maintaining automation while preventing dust contamination during storage and transport.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is provided to protect the stacking position from dust, then contamination is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover for the stacking position is integrated with the housing structure, merging the protective function into the existing device framework. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate protective components while still preventing dust contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously acts as a cover to protect the stacking position from dust. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by preventing contamination without adding dedicated protective components that would increase complexity.
3Productivity
If the separator supply device is integrated into the battery assembly device, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator supply device is integrated with the battery assembly device by sharing common structural elements and control systems. The housing serves both as the outer shell of the separator supply device and as part of the battery assembly device structure, reducing overall complexity while improving productivity through streamlined operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system allows the same structural components to serve multiple functions: the housing provides structural support and dust protection, the opening mechanism serves both as a separator discharge interface and as part of the assembly process. This multi-functionality improves productivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automatic separator supply apparatus. The automatic separator supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for supplying a separator winding roll, the apparatus including: a transfer unit which includes a unit shaft for receiving the separator winding roll and moves the received separator winding roll; and an unwinder which includes an unwinder shaft, to which the separator winding roll moved by the transfer unit is mounted, and unwinds the separator from the separator winding roll mounted to the unwinder shaft when the electrode and the separator are wound. The transfer unit mounts the separator winding roll to the unwinder shaft of the unwinder after the unit shaft is aligned with the unwinder shaft of the unwinder.