Unit Cell Alignment Using Vision-Based Twist Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face issues with alignment accuracy of unit cells on a separation membrane, leading to overhang and folding gap defects during the manufacturing of stack/folding type batteries.

Innovation Solution

A unit cell aligning device and method that utilizes a conveying unit, vision unit, gripper, and control unit to measure and adjust the twisted angles of electrodes, employing multiple alignment corrections to improve alignment accuracy and reduce defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If unit cells are conveyed and seated on separation membrane without alignment correction, then manufacturing process is simple, but alignment accuracy deteriorates causing overhang and folding gap defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidalignment device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vision unit measures the twisted angle of electrodes before the unit cell is seated on the separation membrane, and the control unit calculates and prepares the correction amount in advance. This preliminary measurement and calculation enables alignment correction to be applied proactively, preventing misalignment defects before they occur during the seating process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vision unit detects the actual twisted angle of the electrodes, and this measurement feedback is used by the control unit to calculate the precise correction amount. The gripper then applies this correction based on the feedback information, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures accurate alignment while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If alignment correction is applied to unit cells, then alignment accuracy and defect reduction are improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a vision-based measurement system and a control system that calculates correction amounts. The gripper applies corrections based on calculated values rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving high alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the angular orientation parameter of the unit cell based on the measured twisted angle. By dynamically adjusting the orientation parameter through calculated correction amounts, the system achieves precise alignment without requiring complex mechanical adjustment devices, maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4343902B1Unit cell alignment device and alignment method
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4343902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343902B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP4343902B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides a unit cell aligning device, including a first conveying unit which conveys a unit cell including an electrode and a separation membrane in a first direction; a first vision unit that measures a twisted angle of the electrode; a gripper that grips and moves the unit cell; and a control unit that controls the gripper, wherein the control unit adjusts an angle of the gripper on the basis of the twisted angle of the electrode measured by the first vision unit before the gripper grips the unit cell, and returns the gripper so that the angle of the gripper becomes an angle before adjustment after the gripper grips the unit cell.