Wound Electrode Vacuum Packaging With Gripper and Side Pad Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for packaging electrodes in rechargeable batteries are manual, leading to potential damage, increased labor costs, and safety risks due to the high load nature of the electrodes.
Innovation Solution
An automated electrode packing device and method that includes a transferring unit for moving wound electrodes and a packaging unit with a gripper and side pad to support and seal the electrodes within a packaging bag, which can be vacuum-sealed to prevent external influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual electrode packaging is used, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but electrode damage risk increases and labor costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical packaging operations with an automated packaging device that uses mechanical arms, grippers, and sealing mechanisms. This substitution eliminates human handling risks while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control systems, directly resolving the contradiction between operational ease and electrode safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging device is designed to autonomously perform all packaging tasks including electrode insertion, bag sealing, and label application without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting electrode positions, adjusting packaging parameters, and executing the complete packaging cycle, thereby improving reliability while keeping the operation simple to initiate.
2Device complexity
If manual electrode packaging is used, then equipment investment is minimized, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging device is divided into modular functional units including electrode transfer mechanisms, packaging bag positioning systems, sealing units, and labeling modules. Each module can be independently optimized and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while enabling high-throughput parallel operations that significantly improve packaging efficiency without requiring excessive equipment investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging device is designed with multi-functional components that can handle different electrode sizes, shapes, and packaging requirements through programmable control. The same mechanical arm and gripper system can accommodate various electrode types by adjusting parameters, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and reducing overall equipment investment while maintaining high productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wrapping paper is used to protect electrode sides, then side protection is improved, but vacuum packaging becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible packaging bags made of thin film materials that can conform to the electrode shape and provide side protection through their structural integrity. These thin film bags allow vacuum penetration and sealing while maintaining protective barriers against mechanical damage, simultaneously achieving side protection and vacuum packaging capability that rigid wrapping paper cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging bag is constructed from composite materials combining different layers with specific properties - one layer provides mechanical strength for side protection, another layer enables vacuum sealing, and additional layers may provide moisture or oxygen barriers. This composite structure achieves both side protection and vacuum packaging compatibility that single-material wrapping paper cannot accomplish.
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
The automated system minimizes electrode damage, reduces labor costs, and prevents safety accidents by ensuring secure and efficient packaging of electrodes, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of the electrode manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum unit for removing air inside the packaging bag
Implementation Method 2
a heater unit for sealing the inlet of the packaging bag
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode packing device includes: a transferring unit that transfers a wound electrode; and a packaging unit for packaging the electrode transferred by the transferring unit, wherein the packaging unit includes: a packaging bag supporting part for supporting the inlet of the packaging bag in an opened state; an electrode supporting part that supports the electrode from the outside the packaging bag, after the electrode is put into the packaging bag; and a sealing part that seals the inlet of the packaging bag, and the electrode supporting part includes a gripper that presses the core of the electrode and a side pad that presses the side of the electrode in a state in which the electrode is put in the packaging bag.