Separator Strip Stacking With Constant Deviation Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the production of electrochemical cells, the speed of advancing a separator strip during stacking can limit production capacity and lead to material damage due to asymmetrical fluid-dynamic pressures, causing deformations and tension issues that compromise the precision and reliability of the stacked structure.

Innovation Solution

A stacking apparatus and method that maintain a constant angular orientation of the separator strip using an outgoing orientation control device and a movable stacking surface, minimizing the sail effect by controlling the deviation angle and distance between the control device and the stacking surface, ensuring consistent tension and reduced deformations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the separator strip is advanced at high speed during stacking, then productivity is improved, but material damage occurs due to asymmetrical fluid-dynamic pressures causing deformations and tension issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking speedVSAvoiddimensional precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the stacking surface movable rather than fixed. The stacking surface moves in synchronization with the separator strip advancement, maintaining a constant angular orientation (deviation angle) throughout the stacking process. This dynamic adjustment eliminates asymmetrical fluid-dynamic pressures that would otherwise cause deformations, allowing high-speed stacking while preserving material integrity and dimensional precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of angular orientation by maintaining a constant deviation angle between the separator strip and the stacking surface. By controlling this angle to remain substantially constant during the entire stacking process, the system prevents the generation of asymmetrical pressures that lead to material deformations, thereby enabling high-speed operation without compromising precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the separator strip is advanced quickly to increase production capacity, then productivity is improved, but uncontrolled tension develops compromising the stacked structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwinding speedVSAvoidtension control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The movable stacking surface dynamically adjusts its position to follow the separator strip at a constant deviation angle. This dynamic synchronization ensures that the strip maintains stable tension throughout the unwinding and stacking process, even at high speeds. The constant angular orientation prevents sudden tension spikes or slack that would compromise the stacked structure's integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional stacking with fixed surface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the sailing effect causes deformations and limits process speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking apparatus structureVSAvoidprocess speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable stacking surface that can dynamically adjust its position, transforming a static structure into a dynamic system. This added complexity enables the surface to move in synchronization with the separator strip, eliminating the sailing effect and allowing high-speed processing without deformations. The dynamic capability is essential for maintaining constant angular orientation at elevated speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the deviation angle varies during stacking, then ease of operation is improved, but asymmetrical fluid-dynamic pressures cause deformations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking flexibilityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback control to maintain a constant deviation angle during stacking. The movable stacking surface continuously adjusts its position based on the separator strip's advancement, ensuring the angular orientation remains substantially constant. This feedback mechanism prevents asymmetrical fluid-dynamic pressures while maintaining operational flexibility and high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for increased unwinding and stacking speeds while maintaining dimensional precision and preventing uncontrolled tension, thereby overcoming limitations in process speed and ensuring reliable insulation or contact between layers in electrochemical cells.

Implementation Method 1

minimizing the sail effect by controlling the deviation angle and distance between the control device and the stacking surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSail effect:

Implementation Method 2

lead to material damage due to asymmetrical fluid-dynamic pressures, causing deformations and tension issues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid-dynamic pressures:

Data Source

PatentEP4428970A1Apparatus and method for stacking a separator strip and sheets of foil, preferably for an electrochemical cell intended for producing batteries
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 GD SPA
  • EP4428970A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4428970A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4428970A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Stacking apparatus and method for stacking a separator strip (NS) and sheets of foil comprising a stacking unit (1) comprising a stacking surface (10) for said separator strip (NS), a feeding unit (20) of said separator strip (NS) comprising an outgoing orientation control device (R2) of said separator strip (NS), a handling unit (130) configured to respectively move said outgoing orientation control device (R2) of said separator strip (NS) and said stacking surface (10) said outgoing orientation control device (R2) defining an outgoing reference direction (DRU) of said separator strip (NS) and an end tract (TF) of said separator strip (NS) oriented according to a deviation direction (DD) defining a deviation angle (β) with respect to said outgoing reference direction (DRU), said handling unit (130) being configured to produce a relative displacement (SR) to maintain substantially constant a same deviation angle (β).