Vacuum Belt Conveyor Self-Alignment for Faster Electrode Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing cell stacks for prismatic secondary batteries are limited by slow manufacturing speeds due to lengthy delivery times and complex transfer mechanisms, which hinder efficient stacking of electrode plates.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrode plate stacking apparatus utilizes a vacuum belt conveyor with self-aligning capabilities and swing units to quickly and stably transfer electrode plates from a magazine to a stack base, employing a common transfer mechanism and minimizing return operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple different delivery mechanisms are used to transfer electrode plates from magazine to stack base, then the transfer process can be completed, but the delivery time becomes excessively long and manufacturing speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple delivery mechanisms into a single integrated vacuum belt conveyor system that performs both magazine-to-alignment and alignment-to-stack transfers. This unified mechanism eliminates the need for separate delivery systems and reduces total transfer time, directly resolving the contradiction between completing necessary transfers and minimizing delivery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum belt conveyor is designed as a universal mechanism that can perform multiple functions: transferring electrode plates from the magazine to the alignment table, and subsequently from the alignment table to the stack base. This multi-functional design reduces the number of specialized mechanisms needed and accelerates the overall delivery process.
2Ease of operation
If a loading picker with articulated connection structure is used to transfer electrode plates, then flexibility in transfer is achieved, but the return time of the loading picker becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical articulated loading picker system with a vacuum-based belt conveyor system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical articulation and long return strokes, as the vacuum belt conveyor continuously transports electrode plates in one direction without requiring return movement, thereby dramatically reducing cycle time while maintaining transfer flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum belt conveyor operates continuously to transfer electrode plates, eliminating the intermittent stop-and-go nature of the loading picker. The continuous motion eliminates idle return time and keeps the transfer mechanism constantly productive, resolving the time loss associated with picker return strokes.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate alignment table and transfer mechanisms are used, then electrode plate alignment can be achieved, but the overall process complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the alignment function directly into the vacuum belt conveyor system, eliminating the need for a separate alignment table and its associated mechanisms. The conveyor belt itself provides the alignment surface, and alignment is achieved through the conveyor's controlled motion and positioning, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 shortens the manufacturing time of cell stacks, increasing production efficiency and reducing the need for extensive equipment, thereby lowering maintenance and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum belt conveyor for moving electrode plates along a transfer line
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode plate stacking apparatus for a prismatic secondary battery is provided. The present invention provides an electrode plate stacking apparatus for a prismatic secondary battery, wherein a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are supplied alternately on a stack base and a separator is provided between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, the apparatus comprising, a vacuum belt conveyor for moving electrode plates along a transfer line, a first swing unit capable of performing a swing motion about an axis parallel to a horizontal plane, configured to unload an electrode plate from the vacuum belt conveyor and load it 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 to allow the first swing unit to load or unload the electrode plate at both ends of the swing motion, and an electrode plate alignment unit configured to align an electrode plate on the vacuum belt conveyor by adjusting position of the vacuum belt conveyor.