Tilted Mandrel Assembly for Electrode Stack Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mandrel assembly in cell stack manufacturing is prone to bending and misalignment issues when contacting the stacking table, leading to electrode plate detachment and excessive pressure, which causes damage and misalignment during the stacking process.

Innovation Solution

A mandrel assembly with a moving block, a mandrel mounting part, a hinge part, and an air cushion for elastic pressurization, allowing the mandrel to tilt at a predetermined angle and absorb assembly tolerance and moving deviations, thereby preventing excessive pressure and maintaining proper alignment and contact with the electrode plates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the mandrel moves down to press the electrode plates, then the electrode plates are properly stacked and held in position, but the mandrel may bend due to impact with the stacking table edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode plate alignmentVSAvoidmandrel structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a bending prevention mechanism that includes a stopper and a cushioning structure. When the mandrel moves downward to press electrode plates, the stopper prevents excessive downward movement that would cause impact with the stacking table edge. The cushioning structure absorbs any residual impact energy, thereby preventing mandrel bending while maintaining proper electrode plate pressing force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism between the mandrel and the stacking table. This intermediary structure includes a guide rail and a stopper that mediate the interaction between the mandrel and the stacking table edge, preventing direct impact while allowing the mandrel to perform its pressing function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If the mandrel moves down excessively beyond the set distance, then more pressure is applied to the electrode plates, but mandrel marks occur due to excessive pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing force on electrode platesVSAvoidmandrel marks on electrode plates

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper mechanism is positioned to prevent the mandrel from moving beyond the optimal pressing distance. By providing beforehand cushioning through the stopper, the system ensures that the mandrel applies sufficient pressure to secure electrode plates without exceeding the threshold that would cause mandrel marks on the electrode plate surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the mandrel bends due to impact, then the mandrel cannot properly hold electrode plates, but increasing mandrel stiffness may cause excessive pressure on electrode plates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode plate holding stabilityVSAvoidexcessive pressure on electrode plates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail and stopper act as intermediaries that maintain proper mandrel alignment and prevent lateral bending. This allows the use of a mandrel with sufficient stiffness to reliably hold electrode plates without causing excessive localized pressure, as the intermediary structures distribute and control the forces involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning mechanism prevents mandrel bending before it occurs, ensuring consistent electrode plate holding stability. By preventing lateral deflection through the stopper and guide structures, the system maintains reliable electrode plate positioning without requiring excessive mandrel stiffness that would lead to high contact pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The solution effectively prevents bending and misalignment of the mandrel, ensuring stable electrode plate stacking by maintaining a wide contact area and controlled pressure, reducing the risk of detachment and damage, and allowing for smooth clamping and pressure balance adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

a pressurization part configured to elastically pressurize one side of the mandrel mounting part so that the mandrel is tilted at a predetermined angle to an electrode plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic pressurization: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250023085A1Mandrel assembly for secondary battery cell stack manufacturing equipment

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 WONIK PNE CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a mandrel assembly structure for an apparatus for manufacturing a cell stack for a secondary cell, which can prevent an alignment failure of an electrode and damage to the electrode attributable to an assembly tolerance and moving deviation of a mandrel when a cell stack for a secondary cell is manufactured. The mandrel assembly includes a moving block, a mandrel mounting part provided with a mandrel and mounted on the moving block, a hinge part configured to rotatably couple the mandrel mounting part to the moving block, and a pressurization part configured to elastically pressurize one side of the mandrel mounting part so that the mandrel is tilted at a predetermined angle to an electrode plate.