Wire Transfer Roller Structure for Uniform Foil Tension

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the foil transfer process for manufacturing battery cells, the foil is prone to breaking due to external impacts or uneven tension, leading to safety hazards and reduced operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A wire transfer device is designed to provide consistent and appropriate tension to the foil, featuring a frame, bobbin, holder, and guide roller with a specific groove and protruding region configuration, along with a tension adjustment unit and driving device to ensure precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual movement of broken foil is performed by operator, then foil can be repositioned to restart operation, but tension delivered to foil becomes non-uniform and safety hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFoil repositioning capabilityVSAvoidTension uniformity and operator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a sensor to detect foil breakage and automatically controls the wire feeding mechanism to rewind and reposition the foil, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. The motor-driven wire feeding unit automatically adjusts tension and repositions the foil holder, allowing the system to service itself without human involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated control system comprising sensors, motors, and control units. The limit sensor detects foil position and breakage, while the motor controls wire feeding and holder repositioning, substituting human mechanical actions with automated electromechanical systems that provide uniform tension and eliminate safety hazards.

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

2Speed

If external impact or tension is applied to foil during transfer, then foil movement is achieved, but foil breakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFoil transfer speedVSAvoidFoil integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts wire tension through motor-controlled wire feeding, allowing the foil to be transferred at appropriate speeds without excessive force. The motor can modulate the pulling force in real-time based on sensor feedback, maintaining optimal tension that enables fast transfer while preventing breakage from excessive stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The limit sensor provides feedback on foil position and tension status, allowing the control system to adjust wire feeding speed and tension dynamically. When the sensor detects abnormal tension or foil position, the motor adjusts its output to prevent breakage, creating a closed-loop control system that balances transfer speed with foil integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4497714A1Wire transfer device
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4497714A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4497714A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4497714A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A wire transfer device (10) is provided. The wire transfer device (10) includes a frame (100), a bobbin (200) connected to the frame (100) and on which a wire (11) is configured to be wound; a holder (700) including a first end (701) connected to the wire (11) and a second end (702) opposite to the first end and configured to be connected to foil (21); and a guide roller (600) configured to guide a movement path of the wire (11) or the holder (700). The guide roller (600) includes a groove region (602) for accommodating the wire (11) and a protruding region (601) extending from the groove region (602) and configured to contact with the holder (700).