Vacuum Transfer Bar for Pouch Cell Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery cell folding processes face inefficiencies due to high tact times, low fixing degrees, and quality issues caused by mechanical clamps and nests, leading to limited productivity and alignment problems during the folding of pouch cells.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery cell transfer apparatus utilizing vacuum-gripping technology to transfer cells between stations, with tables and transfer bars equipped with vacuum pads that selectively apply and release vacuum forces, ensuring stable and precise alignment and transfer of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical clamps and nests are used to transfer secondary battery cells, then the cells can be transferred between stations, but the fixing degree is low and the tact time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical clamp system with a vacuum suction system. Instead of using mechanical clamps that require opening and closing actions, the invention uses vacuum pads that can quickly suction and release battery cells through vacuum pressure control, dramatically reducing the time required for cell fixation and transfer operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic vacuum suction technology to transfer battery cells. Vacuum pads connected to a vacuum source create negative pressure to securely hold cells during transfer, eliminating the need for mechanical clamping mechanisms and enabling faster, more precise cell handling between stations
2Force
If mechanical clamps are used to fix secondary battery cells, then the cells can be held during transfer, but the fixing degree is insufficient and cells may sway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical clamps with vacuum suction pads that provide uniform and strong holding force across the entire contact surface with the battery cell. This vacuum-based fixation method ensures the cell remains stable and prevents swaying during transfer operations, as the suction force distributes evenly rather than concentrating at discrete clamp points
3Ease of operation
If nests with covers are used to transfer secondary battery cells, then the cells can be transferred, but the release mechanism requires significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical cover-and-clamp release mechanism with a pneumatic vacuum release system. By simply adjusting the vacuum pressure control, the pads can quickly release cells without requiring mechanical opening or manual intervention, significantly reducing the time needed for cell release at each station
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from mechanical position (open/closed clamp) to pneumatic pressure (vacuum on/vacuum off). This parameter change allows for rapid cell release by simply cutting the vacuum supply, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical release process associated with nested cover systems
4Productivity
If vacuum gripping is used to transfer secondary battery cells, then the tact time is reduced and productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pads serve multiple functions: they transfer battery cells between stations, provide stable fixation during transfer, prevent cell swaying, and enable rapid release. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanical systems into a single integrated vacuum-based solution, improving productivity while managing device complexity
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 significantly reduces tact time, enhances fixing force, and improves folding quality by enabling faster and more precise cell handling, allowing for higher productivity and reduced sway during the folding process.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary battery cell transfer apparatus for a process of folding a secondary battery cell, in which secondary battery cells are simultaneously and individually transferred from a first station to a second station among multiple stations continuously arranged to fold a pouch of the secondary battery cell, and the secondary battery cell is vacuum-sucked in a vacuum gripping manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3A
AI summary
There is provided a secondary battery cell transfer apparatus for a process of folding a secondary battery cell, the secondary battery cell transfer apparatus including: multiple stations disposed at an equal interval and sequentially disposed in a straight process direction so as to perform a process of folding a sealing region of a secondary battery cell; tables provided in the multiple stations, respectively, and configured to vacuum-grip and support the secondary battery cell from below the secondary battery cell; transfer bars provided in the multiple stations, respectively, and configured to vacuum-grip the secondary battery cell from below the secondary battery cell and transfer the secondary battery cell between the first station and the second station arranged continuously in the process direction, the transfer bar being configured to vacuum-grip the secondary battery cell, which is supported by the table in the first station, from below the secondary battery cell, move the secondary battery cell upward, and then move the secondary battery cell to the second station straight, and the transfer bar being configured to move downward, so that the secondary battery cell is seated on the table of the second station, and then return to a position of the first station; vacuum gripping units provided in the table and the transfer bar, respectively, and configured to selectively apply vacuum gripping force to the secondary battery cell; a lifting unit configured to operate a lifting operation of the transfer bar; and a straight transfer drive unit configured to operate a straight reciprocating motion of the transfer bar, in which productivity may be improved by reducing the tact time for a folding process.