Vacuum Belt Conveyor Alignment for Faster Prismatic Cell Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing prismatic secondary battery cell stacks are limited by slow manufacturing speed due to lengthy delivery times and complex transfer mechanisms, which hinder the efficient stacking of negative and positive electrode plates on a stack base.
Innovation Solution
An electrode plate stacking apparatus utilizing a vacuum belt conveyor system with inclined belts and swing units for efficient transfer and alignment, combined with a moving stack base capable of a U-shaped or semicircular trajectory, reduces delivery time and eliminates the need for separate alignment tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a loading picker with articulated connection structure and rotary transfer picker are used to transfer electrode plates from magazine to stack base, then the electrode plates can be transferred through multiple stages, but the delivery time becomes lengthy and manufacturing speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transfer and alignment functions into a single vacuum belt conveyor system. The conveyor directly transfers electrode plates from the magazine to the stack base while simultaneously aligning them, eliminating the need for separate transfer pickers and alignment tables. This merging of functions reduces the number of transfer stages and shortens delivery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum belt conveyor performs multiple functions: it transfers electrode plates, aligns them in position, and delivers them to the stack base. This multi-functional device replaces multiple specialized devices (loading picker, alignment table, rotary transfer picker), reducing overall system complexity and delivery time.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate alignment tables and multiple transfer mechanisms are used, then electrode plates can be properly aligned and transferred, but equipment complexity increases and space requirements expand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates alignment and transfer operations into a single vacuum belt conveyor system. The conveyor belt itself provides the alignment function through its fixed path and positioning, eliminating the need for separate alignment tables and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the alignment function from a separate alignment table and incorporates it directly into the vacuum belt conveyor system. The conveyor's structured path and positioning mechanism provide inherent alignment capability, removing the need for dedicated alignment equipment.
3Productivity
If multiple transfer mechanisms including loading picker and rotary transfer picker are employed, then electrode plates can be moved through various stages, but the number of equipment pieces increases and maintenance requirements rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transfer mechanisms into a single vacuum belt conveyor system that performs all transfer operations in one continuous motion. This eliminates the need for separate loading pickers, alignment tables, and rotary transfer pickers, reducing the number of equipment pieces while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum belt conveyor serves as a universal device that handles all electrode plate transfer operations from magazine to stack base, replacing multiple specialized transfer mechanisms. This multi-functional approach reduces equipment count and simplifies maintenance requirements.
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 solution significantly increases the manufacturing speed of cell stacks, reduces equipment requirements, and lowers production costs by minimizing space and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum belt conveyor for moving electrode plates along a transfer line
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a pole plate stacking apparatus of a prismatic secondary battery. Provided is a pole plate stacking apparatus of a prismatic secondary battery, in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are alternately supplied on a stack base, and a separation membrane is supplied between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, the apparatus comprising: a vacuum belt conveyor for moving a pole plate along a transfer line; and a first swing unit which is capable of swing motion about an axis parallel to a horizontal plane, and is configured to unload the pole plate from the vacuum belt conveyor and load the pole plate onto the stack base, wherein one of the vacuum belt conveyor and the stack base is configured to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane such that the first swing unit can load or unload the pole plate at both ends of the swing motion, and wherein a pole plate alignment unit configured to align the pole plate on the vacuum belt conveyor by adjusting the position of the vacuum belt conveyor is further included.