Insulation coating covering control system and insulation coating covering control method

Abstract

The present technology relates to an insulation coating covering control system, and the system includes: an insulation coating machine that allows the insulation material to cover a local area of ​​the coated portion coated with electrode slurry and an uncoated portion that is not coated with the electrode slurry by coating the insulation material along the boundary portion between the coated portion and the uncoated portion in the electrode plate; an insulation coating width measuring device that measures the covering width and the uncoated portion coating width, wherein the covering width is the width of the covered area on the coated portion coated with the insulation material, and the uncoated portion coating width is the width of the area on the uncoated portion coated with the insulation material; an insulation coating machine moving device that moves the insulation coating machine; and a controller that controls the insulation coating machine moving device by comparing the measured covering width with a predetermined covering width setting range or a covering width reference value to adjust the covering width. The present invention also relates to an electrode plate for a secondary battery and an insulation coating covering control method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an insulation coating control system for controlling the coating width of an insulating material when an electrode slurry is applied to a coating portion on an electrode plate. More specifically, the present invention relates to an insulation coating cover control system for controlling the width of the overlapped portion of the coating portion and the insulating material coating portion to be within a predetermined range or consistent with a predetermined reference value.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an electrode plate for a secondary battery, wherein a coverage width is uniform within a predetermined range along the electrode plate.

[0003] The present invention also relates to an insulation coating coverage control method for controlling the width of a coverage portion.

[0004] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0167558 filed on December 3, 2020 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0153267 filed on November 9, 2021, and incorporates the contents of these Korean patent applications into this specification as part of this specification. Background Art

[0005] With the development of technology and the increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries is also rapidly increasing. Among them, lithium secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for various electronic products and various mobile devices due to their high energy density, high operating voltage, and excellent storage and life characteristics.

[0006] A major research priority for these secondary batteries is improving safety. Battery safety incidents are closely related to abnormally high temperatures caused by short circuits between the positive and negative electrodes. Under normal circumstances, a separator is placed between the positive and negative electrodes to maintain electrical insulation. However, in abnormal situations caused by overcharge or overdischarge, the dendrite growth of the electrode material, the penetration of foreign matter, sharp objects (such as nails), screws, etc. into the battery, or the deformation of the battery by external forces can all lead to internal short circuits, and existing separators are not sufficient to meet these requirements.

[0007] Furthermore, the separator is primarily made of a microporous film made of a polyolefin resin, which has a heat resistance of approximately 120 to 160°C, making it insufficiently heat-resistant. Therefore, when an internal short circuit occurs, the separator shrinks due to the heat of the short circuit reaction, causing the short circuit to occur over a larger area, leading to a thermal runaway state that generates even more reaction heat.

[0008] Therefore, in order to reduce the possibility of short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode by maintaining the insulation of the battery electrodes, an insulating material is usually coated on part of the positive electrode.

[0009] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a portion of an electrode plate (current collector plate) coated with an insulating material (insulating liquid).

[0010] The coating portion 1a is formed in a certain pattern on the electrode plate 3. The coating portion 1a is produced by electrode slurry composed of active material, conductive material and binder. The portion not coated with the electrode slurry becomes the uncoated portion 2. Figure 1 What is shown in FIG. 1 is one type of pattern, and the pattern of the coated portion 1a-uncoated portion 2 may be variously changed depending on the battery type and purpose, etc. Further, the coated portion 1a may be formed on one surface or both surfaces of the electrode plate 3. Figure 1 In the figure, the portion marked with a dotted rectangle is the insulating material coating portion. That is, the insulating material is coated along the boundary portion between the coated portion 1a and the uncoated portion 2. Since the uncoated portion 2 is a portion to be processed as an electrode tab later, this portion should be coated with an insulating material. For the sake of convenience, Figure 1 Only two dotted rectangles are indicated, but the insulating material may be coated on all boundary portions of the coated portion 1a and the uncoated portion 2. Typically, the insulating material is applied along Figure 1 The coating portion shown by the dotted rectangle on the left is coated at both ends of the width direction of the coating portion 1a. However, due to the fact that sometimes a tab is formed at the uncoated portion 2 along the length direction of the coating portion 1a between the coating portions 1a depending on the battery type, it is possible to Figure 1 The insulating material is applied in the width direction of the coating portion 1 a shown in the dotted rectangle on the right.

[0011] Figure 2 (a) and (b) are views showing a state where a coated portion and an uncoated portion are formed on an electrode plate. Figure 2 (a) shows a state where a transparent insulating material has been applied, and Figure 2 (b) shows the state of being coated with a translucent insulating material. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in (a) and (b), the insulating material is coated to cover a local area of ​​the coated portion 1a and a local area of ​​the uncoated portion 2 along the boundary portion of the coated portion 1a and the uncoated portion 2. That is, the insulating material is coated to form the covering coated portion (covered area) of the coated portion 1a and the insulating material in some areas of the coated portion 1a. The insulating material is also coated on a certain area of ​​the electrode plate serving as the uncoated portion 2, which is referred to as the coated portion of the uncoated portion, thereby distinguishing it from the covered area. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the width of the covered area is referred to as the "covering width B", and the width of the coated portion of the uncoated portion is referred to as the "uncoated portion coating width A". Thus, the entire insulating coating width becomes B+A.

[0012] Not only the uncoated portion but also the coated portion is coated with an insulating coating, thereby forming a covered area to ensure insulation between the electrodes. If only the uncoated portion is coated with an insulating coating, there is a possibility that a blank space without insulating coating will be generated between the coated and uncoated portions.

[0013] However, generally, it is sufficient to simply cover the coating portion with insulating material, and no technology has been developed for controlling the width of the covering portion (which is the overlapping portion). As shown in Patent Document 1, there is a technology that prevents edge exposure by sensing the edge position of the coating portion and coating the edge of the coating portion with insulating material to partially overlap, but there is no detail about how much the coating portion and the insulating material overlap and how to adjust the covering width. In Patent Document 1, only the edge of the coating portion that is not covered with insulating material is determined to be defective. Therefore, in the case where the edge is not exposed by forming a covering area covered with insulating material on the coating portion, it is not determined to be defective.

[0014] Likewise, in the past, automatic control of the coating width was not implemented, and it was understood that operators felt that applying a small amount of insulating material to the coating area was sufficient, apparently because the coating width was believed to have a limited impact on battery failure or ignition.

[0015] However, recently, due to the fire of secondary batteries for unknown reasons, the overall quality control standards for the battery manufacturing process have been gradually strengthened, and the evaluation of the covering part has become a key quality (CTQ) topic, which is an important quality characteristic for customers. For example, if the coverage width B is greater than the predetermined range or reference value, it means that the width of the insulating material covering the coating part is large. Since the slurry portion of the coating part covered by the insulating material is limited, the amount of lithium migration that contributes to the battery capacity will also be smaller than that of the uncovered coating part. Furthermore, if the coverage width B is less than the set range or predetermined reference value, the insulation performance may be reduced.

[0016] Therefore, from the perspective of battery capacity and battery safety, a technology that can stably control the coverage width is needed to meet the battery needs.

[0017] Prior patent documents

[0018] Patent Literature

[0019] Korean Patent No. 10-1719694 Summary of the Invention

[0020] Technical issues

[0021] The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an insulating coating coverage control system that can adjust the coverage width of the insulating material coating portion overlapping the coating portion, thereby allowing the coverage width to meet a set range or reference value condition.

[0022] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an insulation coating covering control system capable of controlling an uncoated portion coating width, wherein the uncoated portion coating width is a width of the insulation material coated on the uncoated portion in association with adjustment of the covering width.

[0023] Still further, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode plate for a secondary battery, wherein a covering width can be set to be uniform within a predetermined range along the electrode plate by an insulating coating covering control system.

[0024] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an insulation coating coverage control method for controlling the coverage width and the coating width of the uncoated portion.

[0025] Technical Solution

[0026] The insulating coating covering control system of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises:

[0027] An insulating coater that coats insulating material along a boundary portion between a coated portion and an uncoated portion in an electrode plate to allow the insulating material to cover a local area of ​​the coated portion coated with electrode slurry and an uncoated portion that is not coated with the electrode slurry; an insulating coating width measuring device that measures a coverage width, which is the width of a covered area on the coated portion coated with the insulating material, and an uncoated portion coating width, which is the width of an area on the uncoated portion coated with the insulating material; an insulating coater moving device that moves the uniform coater; and a controller that controls the insulating coater moving device by comparing the measured coverage width with a predetermined coverage width setting range or a coverage width reference value so as to adjust the coverage width.

[0028] Specifically, the insulation coating machine moving device can be controlled to: move the insulation coating machine to the coating part side if the measured coverage width is less than the coverage width setting, and move the insulation coating machine to the uncoated part side if the measured coverage width exceeds the predetermined coverage width setting range.

[0029] Alternatively, the insulation coater moving device may be controlled to: move the insulation coater moving device toward the coating portion side if the measured coverage width is less than the coverage width reference value, and move the insulation coater to the uncoated portion side if the measured coverage width exceeds the coverage width reference value.

[0030] In a preferred example, the reference value is an intermediate value corresponding to 1 / 2 of the predetermined coverage width setting range, and the insulation coating machine moving device can be controlled by comparing the measured intermediate value of the coverage width with the intermediate value of the predetermined coverage width setting range.

[0031] In one example, the insulation coating width measuring device may be a visual camera that visually senses the coating width and the coating width of the uncoated portion.

[0032] Specifically, the vision camera may measure the covering width and the coating width of the uncoated portion by sensing at least one of color, contrast, and chromaticity of the coated portion and the uncoated portion.

[0033] In one example, the insulation coating machine moving device may allow the insulation coating machine to move horizontally and vertically.

[0034] In one example, the controller adjusts the coverage width by controlling the horizontal movement of the insulation coating machine moving device.

[0035] The adjusted coverage width is measured again by the insulation coating width measuring device, and

[0036] Whether to readjust the cover width is determined by comparing the remeasured cover width with the predetermined cover width setting range or the cover width reference value.

[0037] In one example, if the measured coverage width is within the predetermined coverage width setting range or is consistent with the coverage width reference value, the insulation coating machine moving device can be controlled by comparing the measured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value to adjust the uncoated portion coating width.

[0038] Specifically, the controller adjusts the uncoated portion coating width by controlling the vertical movement of the insulating coating machine moving device, the insulating coating width measuring device remeasures the uncoated portion coating width and the covering coating width that have been adjusted according to the vertical movement of the insulating coating machine moving device, and compares the remeasured covering width with a predetermined covering width setting range or a covering width reference value, and compares the uncoated portion coating width with a predetermined uncoated portion setting coating width setting range or an uncoated portion coating width reference value, thereby determining whether to readjust the covering width and the uncoated portion coating width.

[0039] In another aspect of the present invention, an electrode plate for a secondary battery includes: a coated portion of the electrode plate coated with electrode slurry; an uncoated portion of the electrode plate not coated with electrode slurry; and an insulating material-coated portion, wherein the insulating material is applied to cover a partial area of ​​the coated portion and a partial area of ​​the uncoated portion. Here, a coverage width, which is the width of the covered area of ​​the partial area of ​​the coated portion coated with the insulating material, is uniform along the electrode plate and is within a range of 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

[0040] In a further aspect of the present invention, an insulating coating coverage control method includes: coating an insulating material in an electrode plate along a boundary portion between a coated portion and an uncoated portion so as to allow the insulating material to cover a local area of ​​the coated portion coated with the electrode slurry, and an uncoated portion not coated with the electrode slurry; measuring a coverage width and an uncoated portion coating width, wherein the coverage width is the width of a covered area coated with the insulating material on the coated portion after the insulating material is coated, and the uncoated portion coating width is the width of an area coated with the insulating material on the uncoated portion; comparing the measured coverage width with a predetermined coverage width setting range or a coverage width reference value; and if the measured coverage width exceeds the predetermined coverage width setting range or is inconsistent with the coverage width reference value, adjusting the coverage width by horizontally moving an insulating coating machine for coating the insulating material to the coating portion or the uncoated portion side.

[0041] In one example, the insulating coating coverage control method may further include: re-measuring the adjusted coverage width; and determining whether to re-adjust the coverage width by comparing the re-measured coverage width with a predetermined coverage width setting range or the coverage width reference value.

[0042] In another example, the insulation coating coverage control method may further include: if the measured coverage width is within a predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or is consistent with a coverage width reference value, the insulation coating machine is vertically moved by comparing the measured uncoated portion coating width with a predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or an uncoated portion coating width reference value so as to adjust the uncoated portion coating width.

[0043] Furthermore, the uncoated portion coating width and the covering coating width adjusted according to the vertical movement of the insulating coating machine are remeasured, and by comparing the remeasured covering width with a predetermined covering width setting range or a covering width reference value, and comparing the uncoated portion coating width with a predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or an uncoated portion coating width reference value, it is determined whether to readjust the covering width and the uncoated portion coating width.

[0044] Beneficial effects

[0045] According to the present invention, by adjusting the width of the cover (the insulating material coating portion overlapping the coating portion), it is possible to improve battery characteristics and prevent battery malfunction.

[0046] Furthermore, by controlling the coating width of the uncoated portion (the coating width of the uncoated portion is the width of the insulating material coated on the uncoated portion in relation to the adjustment of the covering width), the CTQ required by the customer can be effectively met.

[0047] Still further, according to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an electrode plate for a secondary battery in which the coverage width is uniform within a predetermined range along the electrode plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a portion where an insulating material (insulating liquid) is applied to an electrode plate.

[0049] Figure 2 (a) and (b) are views showing a state where a coated portion and an uncoated portion are formed on an electrode plate by coating two insulating materials.

[0050] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concept of coverage width control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the insulation coating cover control system of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the insulation coating machine moving device of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the sequence of the coverage width control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concepts of coverage width control and uncoated portion coating width control according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The detailed configuration of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and different embodiments. The embodiments described below are illustrative in order to help understand the present invention, and in order to help understand the present invention, the accompanying drawings are not shown in accordance with the actual scale, and the sizes of some components may be exaggerated.

[0057] Since the concept of the present invention allows for various variations and numerous embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, and it should be understood that it covers all changes, equivalents and alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0058] The insulating coating covering control system of the present invention includes: an insulating coating machine, which allows the insulating material to cover a local area of ​​the coated part coated with the electrode slurry, and the uncoated part without the electrode slurry by coating the insulating material along the boundary part between the coated part and the uncoated part in the electrode plate; an insulating coating width measuring device, which measures the covering width and the uncoated part coating width, wherein the covering width is the width of the covered area on the coated part coated with the insulating material, and the uncoated part coating width is the width of the area on the uncoated part coated with the insulating material; an insulating coating machine moving device for moving the uniform coating machine; and a controller, which controls the insulating coating machine moving device by comparing the measured covering width with a predetermined covering width setting range or a covering width reference value so as to adjust the covering width.

[0059] According to the present invention, in addition to simply insulating the edge of the coating portion, the coverage width can also be controlled to be within a set range or consistent with a predetermined reference value. For this purpose, the present invention provides an insulating coating width measuring device for measuring the coverage width. Furthermore, the present invention provides a controller for comparing the measured coverage width with a predetermined coverage width setting range or a coverage width reference value. In the present invention, comparing the measured coverage width with the coverage width setting range means that if the coverage width exceeds the set range, the coverage width is adjusted to be within the set range. That is, one purpose of the present invention is to control the range of the coverage width. Furthermore, in the present invention, comparing the measured coverage width with the coverage width reference value means that if the coverage width is different from the reference value, the coverage width is adjusted to be consistent with the reference value. That is, another purpose of the present invention is to accurately control the coverage width. Therefore, according to the present invention, both range control that allows the coverage width to approach the predetermined coverage width and accurate control that allows the coverage width to be consistent with the predetermined reference value can be performed.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention proposes feedback control that repeats such range control and precision control. As will be described later, the present invention also proposes a technical concept of controlling both the coverage width and the coating width of the uncoated portion in addition to controlling the coverage width.

[0061] Furthermore, in this specification, the slot die or dispenser may be applied to an insulation coating machine that applies insulation material. When the slot die is applied, the insulation coating machine may also be referred to as an insulation die or die coater. In any case, it should be noted that they are subordinate concepts of the insulation coating machine.

[0062] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on the accompanying drawings and different embodiments.

[0063] Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

[0064] (First embodiment)

[0065] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concept of coverage width control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 3 The positions of the electrode slurry coating portion (coated portion 1a and uncoated portion 2) and the insulation coating area are intuitively shown. Insulation material 10a discharged from insulation coating machine 10 is coated on a portion of coated portion 1a and uncoated portion 2.

[0067] The insulating liquid that can be used in the present invention can be a solution of a polymer made from one or more selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polyurethane, polyimide, acetate, polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrylate copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyfluorinated compounds, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycyanoacrylate. Or it can be a monomer for polymerizing one or more selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polyurethane, polyimide, acetate, polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrylate copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyfluorinated compounds, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycyanoacrylate.

[0068] Specifically, a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF)-based insulating liquid or a ceramic-based insulating liquid (eg, an aluminum hydroxide-based insulating liquid such as boehmite) may be used.

[0069] The insulating liquid may include one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: water, glycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene carbonate, furfuryl alcohol, and methanol.

[0070] The coated portion 1a forms a flat surface with a constant thickness in the first section. As it approaches the end, the thickness decreases, forming an inclined surface. Another flat surface with a smaller thickness is formed at the end 1c that contacts the electrode plate. The insulating liquid is applied to cover a certain area of ​​the end; this portion is referred to as the covered area, and its width is indicated by B. Furthermore, the insulating liquid is applied to a certain area of ​​the uncoated portion 2; this portion is referred to as the coated portion of the uncoated portion, and its width is indicated by A. Therefore, the total insulating coating width becomes B + A.

[0071] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 (a) shows an insulating coating layer of a transparent insulating liquid. Figure 2 (b) shows the semi-transparent insulating coating layer. Figure 2 The insulating liquid of (a) has low wet adhesion, so there is a possibility of falling off. Figure 2 (b) The insulating liquid has a high adhesion, so the possibility of falling off is very low. However, since it is translucent, it is not easy to separate from the insulating liquid. Figure 2 The insulating liquid of (a) is more difficult to identify visually. Figure 2 (a) If the insulating liquid is made transparent with a color (e.g. yellow), it is easy to identify the coverage width by the color and transparency. However, it is difficult to identify by color alone. Figure 2(b) The coverage width of the insulating liquid, and accordingly, in addition to color, there may also be a need to consider contrast, chroma, etc. Figure 2 In (b), the coverage width becomes a light gray, which is darker than the uncoated and coated widths. Therefore, the coverage width can be identified by color and contrast. Understanding the color, contrast, and chromaticity of the insulating liquid type makes it easy to identify the coverage width. That is, since the coverage width can be perceived visually, it can be measured from a screen captured by, for example, a visual camera.

[0072] Furthermore, if the covering width B is measured, the uncoated portion coating width A of the area coated with the insulating liquid on the uncoated portion can also be easily measured. Figure 2 The end of the electrode slurry and the coating width of the uncoated portion are shown.

[0073] Likewise, if the coverage width B is identified, it can be compared with the set range of the predetermined coverage width. For example, if the set range of the coverage width B is within the range of 1.0 to 1.2 mm, and the measured coverage width B is 0.9 mm, it means that the insulation coating portion overlapping with the coating portion 1a is smaller than the set range. Therefore, by moving the insulation coating machine toward the coating portion 1a, the insulation coating portion can be expanded. As an example, if the insulation coating machine is moved toward Figure 3 The coating part on the left side moves 0.1 to 0.3 mm, so the coverage width can be within the set range (along the Figure 3 direction ① movement).

[0074] In the case where the measured coverage width is 1.3 mm, if the insulation coating machine is directed toward the uncoated portion side ( Figure 3 right side) moves within a range of 0.1 mm (along Figure 3 ② Move in the direction of , the coverage width can be within the set range.

[0075] Furthermore, to more accurately control the coverage width, the measured coverage width can be compared with a predetermined coverage reference value. That is, if the measured coverage width is 0.9 mm and the reference value is 1.0 mm, the insulation coating machine can be moved by 0.1 mm in direction ①. If the measured coverage width is 1.1 mm and the reference value is 1.0 mm, the insulation coating machine can be moved by 0.1 mm in direction ②.

[0076] As a method for more accurately controlling the coverage width, a midpoint corresponding to 1 / 2 of the predetermined coverage width is set as a reference value and compared with the measured midpoint of the coverage width. For example, if the measured coverage width is 0.8 mm and the midpoint used as the reference value is 0.5 mm, then the measured midpoint of the coverage width is 0.4 mm, which is smaller than the reference value, and the device can be moved accordingly in direction ①. In this case, the insulation coating machine is moved so that the midpoint of the coverage width is 0.4 mm. If the measured coverage width is 1.2 mm and the midpoint used as the reference value is 0.5 mm, then the measured midpoint of the coverage width is 0.6 mm, which is larger than the reference value, and the device can be moved accordingly in direction ②. Similarly, comparing the midpoint of the coverage width measured with the midpoint of the coverage width as the reference value allows for more precise adjustment of the coverage width, compared to range control within a set range or using a simple reference value for the entire width.

[0077] Depending on the electrode, the range of the generally applicable coverage width B can be 0.1 to 1.2 mm. According to the present invention, by controlling the coverage width, the applicable coverage width range can be easily met. However, if the coverage area is formed to have a very narrow width of approximately 0.1 to 0.3 mm, a coverage width of less than 0.1 mm can be formed along the length or width direction of the electrode. On the contrary, if the coverage width is controlled to have a relatively large width of 0.9 mm or more, the insulation performance is met, but the electrode capacity will be reduced because a large area of ​​active material is covered by insulation. Therefore, considering the electrode capacity and in order to ensure insulation and stably ensure the coverage width, the coverage width (B) is preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.8 mm. The coverage width is more preferably in the range of 0.6 to 0.8 mm. If a coverage width of 0.6 to 0.8 mm is uniformly formed along the length or width direction of the electrode between the coated portion and the uncoated portion, the insulation quality is improved and the uniformity of the quality can be guaranteed. Since the coverage width was not controlled in the past, the coverage width along the length or width direction of the electrode was not uniform. For example, a coverage width of 0.1 mm is not considered a defect when the edge portion of the coating portion is not exposed, and accordingly, the coverage width is non-uniform and is within a range of 0.1 to 1 mm or more.

[0078] Since the width of the electrode slurry applied on the electrode plate itself changes, the covering width or the coating width of the uncoated portion changes during the insulating coating process. That is, in a continuous slurry coating process similar to a roll-to-roll process, the height of the electrode plate changes slightly due to the tension applied to the electrode plate and the vibration of the operation of different devices installed on the continuous production line. Therefore, the width of the slurry applied on the electrode plate also changes slightly along the length direction or width direction of the electrode plate. Therefore, when the covering width or the coating width of the uncoated portion is set to be constant, the covering width and the like change due to the change in the electrode slurry width.

[0079] Furthermore, since the insulating liquid coating width itself varies depending on the viscosity, discharge speed, and discharge direction of the insulating liquid, as well as physical vibration or stress applied to the insulating die, the coverage width and other factors may also vary. Regardless of the reason for the change in coverage width or uncoated portion coating width, the present invention can achieve a coverage width within a predetermined value by measuring and controlling the coverage width.

[0080] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an insulating coating covering control system 100 of the present invention.

[0081] Electrode slurry coating machine 1 is located at Figure 4 The left side is on the upper side of the moving direction (coating direction) of the electrode plate 3. The insulation coating machine 10, the insulation coating width measuring device 20, the insulation coating machine moving device 30 and the controller 40 are installed on the lower side of the moving direction of the electrode plate.

[0082] If the electrode slurry coating layer (coating portion) is formed on the electrode plate 3 by the electrode slurry coating machine 1, the electrode plate 3 is moved to the insulation coating machine 10 so as to be coated with the insulating liquid. Alternatively, the electrode plate can be stopped, and the electrode slurry coating machine 1 and the insulation coating machine 10 can be moved to perform coating.

[0083] After discharging the insulating liquid 10a from the discharge port of the insulating coating machine 10 and coating the insulating liquid on a certain area centered on the boundary between the coated portion and the uncoated portion, the electrode plate is moved to the insulating coating width measuring device 20. Figure 2 As shown, the entire insulation coating width is photographed in the insulation coating width measuring device 20. The insulation coating width measuring device 20 can use a visual camera, such as a CCD camera, that can visually sense the coverage width B and the uncoated portion coating width A. The visual camera can display the coverage width B and the uncoated portion coating width A by sensing the visual characteristics (such as color, contrast, and chroma) of the coated portion 1a and the uncoated portion 2.

[0084] Vision cameras can capture Figure 2 The visual camera can include: a predetermined program storage unit for data conversion and calculation; a calculation unit for converting the actual captured image into visual data based on a program and calculating the coverage width B and the uncoated portion coating width A indicated as visual data, and displaying the result as a numerical value; and a display unit for displaying the visual data and the numerical value about the width on the screen. The visual camera transmits such visual data to the controller 40. In some embodiments, the visual camera can include only a camera unit that simply captures an image of the entire insulating coating portion and transmits digital data about the image to the controller 40, and the program storage unit, the calculation unit, and the display unit can be installed on the controller 40.

[0085] The controller 40 includes a storage unit that stores a database of predetermined coverage width setting ranges or coverage width reference values ​​and predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting ranges or uncoated portion coating width reference values; a comparison calculation unit that compares and calculates values ​​extracted from the database with the measured coverage width, etc.; and a determination unit that determines whether to move the insulation coating machine moving device a specific distance based on the calculation results. The controller 40 also includes a visual camera serving as the insulation coating width measuring device 20, and a transceiver unit that controls the insulation coating machine moving device 30, described later. Based on the calculation results of the comparison calculation unit, the controller 40 can instruct the insulation coating machine moving device 30 to move the insulation coating machine 10 a predetermined distance to adjust the coverage width.

[0086] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view showing the insulating coating machine moving device 30 of the present invention. Figure 4 and 5 The insulation coating machine moving device 30 of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0087] Figure 5The insulating coating machine moving device 30 includes an X-axis conveying unit 31 and a Z-axis conveying unit 32, which allow the insulating coating machine 10 to move horizontally and vertically. The X-axis conveying unit 31 is a horizontal moving unit, which is composed of a horizontal LM guide shaft 31A mounted on a support and a horizontal LM guide block 31B that slides along the horizontal LM guide shaft 31A. The Z-axis conveying unit 32 is a vertical moving unit, which is composed of a vertical LM guide shaft 32A mounted on the horizontal LM guide block 31B and a vertical LM guide block 32B that slides along the vertical LM guide shaft 32A. A coupling plate 12 that is coupled to the bracket 11 mounted on the upper part of the insulating coating machine 10 is attached to the vertical LM guide block 32B. A coupling hole 12a is formed on the coupling plate 12 so that it can be coupled to the bracket 11 by a coupling member (such as a bolt).

[0088] Figure 4 A pair of X-axis transfer units 31 and a pair of Z-axis transfer units 32 are shown installed along the support 33, but for ease of explanation, Figure 5 Only one X-axis transport unit 31 and one Z-axis transport unit 32 are shown.

[0089] In this embodiment, a two-axis transmission unit is used as an example, but a different example that can perform reciprocating movement in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction can also be used. Furthermore, it is easy for a person skilled in the art to understand that when performing such a movement, a driving unit (such as a linear motor) and a controller are provided to control the movement of the driving unit. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the controller 40 may control the driving unit of the insulation coating machine moving device 30 to thereby adjust the covering width.

[0090] Furthermore, a dual-axis transmission unit can be realized by using a numerically controlled track and a thermal motor and adopting various known mechanical structures (such as belts, bearings, bolts, nuts and ball screws). Since this is a known mechanical coupling solution, it will not be described in detail here.

[0091] Figure 4 The insulation coating machine 10 , the insulation coating width measuring device 20 , the insulation coating machine moving device 30 and the controller 40 constitute an insulation coating covering control system 100 of the present invention.

[0092] Will refer to Figure 6 A method of controlling the cover width B using the cover control system 100 is described in detail. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the sequence of the coverage width control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] First, in step S10 , electrode slurry 1 a is discharged from electrode slurry coater 1 and coated on electrode plate 3 to form coated portion 1 a . Portions not coated become uncoated portions 2 where electrode plate 3 is exposed.

[0094] Thereafter, in step S20 , if the electrode plate 3 is moved toward the insulation coater 10 , a predetermined insulation material 10 a is discharged from the insulation coater 10 , thereby coating a certain area of ​​the coating portion 1 a and a certain area of ​​the uncoated portion 2 .

[0095] In step S30 , the covering width B of the insulating material coated on the electrode plate 3 is measured by the vision camera 20 as the insulating coating width measuring device, and numerical data on the width is transmitted to the controller 40 .

[0096] In step S40 , the controller 40 compares the measured coverage width B with a predetermined coverage width setting range or a coverage width reference value extracted from a database of the controller 40 .

[0097] In step S50, if the measured coverage width B is within the predetermined coverage width setting range and is consistent with the coverage width reference value, the process is terminated in step S60. That is, in this case, the controller 04 does not command the insulation coating machine 10 to move.

[0098] In step S50, when the measured coverage width B does not meet the predetermined coverage width setting range or coverage width reference value condition, the controller 40 moves the insulation coating machine 10 horizontally to the coating part 1a or the uncoated part 2 side by using the insulation coating machine moving device 30, thereby adjusting the coverage width.

[0099] Afterwards, the insulating coating coverage control system 100 of the present invention can perform feedback control to determine whether the adjusted coverage width is within a predetermined coverage width setting range or is consistent with a coverage width reference value. That is, the coverage width adjusted by the movement of the insulating coating machine 10 in step S30 is remeasured by the insulating coating width measuring device 20, and the remeasured coverage width is compared with the predetermined coverage width setting range or coverage width reference value in steps S40 and S50 to determine whether to readjust the coverage width, thereby proceeding to steps S60 and S70. This feedback control can be repeated at regular intervals along the electrode line. Therefore, according to the present invention, an electrode plate having a uniform coverage width of 0.4 to 0.8 mm and more preferably 0.6 to 0.8 mm along the length or width direction of the electrode can be manufactured. That is, according to the present invention, an electrode plate for a secondary battery can be manufactured comprising the following: a coated portion on the electrode plate coated with electrode slurry; an uncoated portion on the electrode plate where no electrode slurry is coated; and an insulating material-coated portion where the insulating material is coated to cover a local area of ​​the coated portion and a local area of ​​the uncoated portion. Here, the covering width is the width of the covering area where the insulating side material is applied on a local area of ​​the coating portion, which is uniform along the length direction or width direction of the electrode plate and is within the range of 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

[0100] (Second embodiment)

[0101] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concepts of coverage width control and uncoated portion coating width control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] In this embodiment, the uncoated portion coating width A is controlled again after controlling the coverage width B. Furthermore, when the coverage width B and the uncoated portion coating width A are changed according to the control of the uncoated portion coating width A, feedback control is included to allow these widths to be within a set range or consistent with a reference value.

[0103] Furthermore, Figure 7 As shown, if the insulation coating machine 10 moves toward the coated portion 1a or the uncoated portion 2 to adjust the coating width B, the uncoated portion coating width A should be within the set range of the uncoated portion coating width or consistent with the uncoated portion coating width reference value. In other words, if the coating width B meets the set range or reference value conditions, the uncoated portion coating width A should also meet the set range or reference value conditions.

[0104] However, as mentioned above, even if the coverage width B meets the set range or reference value conditions, the coating width A of the uncoated portion may not meet the set range or reference value conditions due to some reasons (such as the height change of the electrode plate 3 during the roll-to-roll process).

[0105] In the second embodiment, in this case, the coating width A of the uncoated portion is additionally controlled.

[0106] The unique feature of the present invention is that the uncoated portion coating width A is achieved by vertically moving the insulation coating machine moving device 30. This is because after adjusting the coverage width B by horizontally moving the insulation coating machine moving device 30, if horizontal adjustment is performed again, the coverage width B will be changed again.

[0107] If the insulation coating machine moving device 30 is vertically raised and lowered, the insulation coating machine 10 at the lower surface will also be vertically raised and lowered. The relevant transmission mechanism has been referred to in Figure 4 and 5 Described.

[0108] If the insulating coater 10 descends, the entire insulating coating width increases, while if the insulating coater 10 ascends, the entire insulating coating width decreases. Therefore, the coverage width B and the uncoated portion coating width A will also be changed. Here, since the coating portion 1a may contact the insulating coater 10 when the insulating coater 10 descends, the descent range is limited. Furthermore, since the rise / fall control of the insulating coater 10 can also adjust the adjusted coverage width, it is ideal to perform this control within a limited rise / fall range. In this sense, the rise / fall control of the insulating coater 10 for adjusting the uncoated portion coating width A has the characteristics of a dependent variable of the horizontal control of the insulating coater 10 for adjusting the coverage width B. That is, if the coverage width B is significantly changed by the vertical movement control of the insulating coater 10, the technical significance of the vertical movement control is reduced. Therefore, the vertical movement range should be limited to a level that meets the set range and reference value conditions.

[0109] Will refer to Figure 8 A method for jointly adjusting the coverage width B and the uncoated portion coating width A will be described.

[0110] First, in steps S10 to S50 , the steps of measuring the cover width B to control the cover width B and comparing the measured value with a predetermined cover width setting range or a cover width reference value are the same.

[0111] Here, if the coverage width B measured in step S50 satisfies the predetermined coverage width setting range or coverage width reference value condition, the measured uncoated portion coating width A is compared with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or uncoated portion coating width reference value in step S80. If it is determined in step S90 that the measured uncoated portion coating width A satisfies the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or uncoated portion coating width reference value condition, the control is terminated in step S100.

[0112] If the cover width B measured at step S50 does not satisfy the predetermined cover width setting range or the cover width reference value condition, the cover width B is adjusted by horizontally moving the insulation coating machine 10 at step S70, and the process returns to step S30 of measuring the cover width again.

[0113] If the coverage width satisfies the predetermined coverage width setting range or coverage width reference value condition in the first step S50 or in step S50 after adjusting the coverage width, the measured uncoated portion coating width A is compared with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or uncoated portion coating width reference value in step S80.

[0114] If it is determined in step S90 that the measured uncoated portion coating width A does not meet the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value condition, then in step S110, the insulation coating machine moving device 30 allows the insulation coating machine 10 to rise or fall, thereby adjusting the uncoated portion coating width.

[0115] After that, by returning to step S30, the adjusted coverage width and uncoated portion coating width are remeasured, and the horizontal movement control of the coverage width and the vertical movement control of the uncoated portion coating width are repeated. If both the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width satisfy the set range or reference value conditions through this repeated process, the control is terminated, and if either one does not satisfy the condition, the feedback control can be repeated until the set range or reference value conditions are satisfied.

[0116] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. Accordingly, the embodiments described in the specification and the configurations described in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that various equivalents and variations may be substituted for them when this application is filed.

[0117] Description of reference numbers

[0118] 1: Electrode slurry coating machine

[0119] 1a: Electrode slurry (coating part)

[0120] 1c: End of the coating part

[0121] 2: Uncoated part

[0122] 3: Electrode plate

[0123] 10: Insulation coating machine

[0124] 10a: Insulation material

[0125] 11: Bracket

[0126] 12: Coupling plate

[0127] 20: Insulation coating width measuring device

[0128] 30: Insulation coating machine moving device

[0129] 31: X-axis transmission unit

[0130] 31A: Horizontal LM Guide Shaft

[0131] 31B: Horizontal LM guide block

[0132] 32: Z-axis transmission unit

[0133] 32A: Vertical LM Guide Shaft

[0134] 32B: Vertical LM guide block

[0135] 33: Support

[0136] 40: Controller

[0137] 100: Insulation coating covering control system

[0138] A: Coating width of uncoated part

[0139] B: Coverage width

Claims

1. An insulation coating covering control system, the system comprising: an insulating coating machine that coats an insulating material along a boundary portion between a coated portion and an uncoated portion in the electrode plate to allow the insulating material to cover a partial area of ​​the coated portion coated with the electrode slurry and the uncoated portion not coated with the electrode slurry; an insulation coating width measuring device, the insulation coating width measuring device measuring a covering width and an uncoated portion coating width, the covering width being the width of a covered area on the coating portion coated with the insulation material, and the uncoated portion coating width being the width of an area on the uncoated portion coated with the insulation material; an insulation coating machine moving device for moving the insulation coating machine; as well as A controller controls the insulation coating machine moving device to adjust the coverage width by comparing the measured coverage width with a predetermined coverage width setting range or a coverage width reference value.

2. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 1, wherein the insulation coating machine moving device is controlled to: move the insulation coating machine toward the coating portion if the measured covering width is less than the predetermined covering width setting range, and move the insulation coating machine toward the uncoated portion side if the measured covering width exceeds the predetermined covering width setting range.

3. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 1, wherein the insulation coating machine moving device is controlled to: move the insulation coating machine toward the coating portion side if the measured covering width is less than the covering width reference value, and move the insulation coating machine toward the uncoated portion side if the measured covering width exceeds the covering width reference value.

4. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 1, wherein the covering width reference value is an intermediate value corresponding to 1 / 2 of a predetermined covering width setting range, and the insulation coating machine moving device is controlled by comparing the measured intermediate value of the covering width with the intermediate value of the predetermined covering width setting range. 5 . The insulation coating coverage control system according to claim 1 , wherein the insulation coating width measuring device is a visual camera that visually senses the coverage width and the coating width of the uncoated portion.

6. The insulation coating covering control system of claim 5, wherein the visual camera measures the covering width and the uncoated portion coating width by sensing at least one of color, contrast, and chromaticity of the coated portion and the uncoated portion.

7. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 1, wherein the insulation coating machine moving device allows the insulation coating machine to move horizontally and vertically.

8. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the covering width by controlling the horizontal movement of the insulation coating machine moving device, wherein the adjusted covering width is measured again by the insulating coating width measuring device, and Whether to readjust the coverage width is determined by comparing the re-measured coverage width with the predetermined coverage width setting range or the coverage width reference value.

9. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 1, wherein if the measured covering width is within the predetermined covering width setting range or is consistent with the covering width reference value, the insulation coating machine moving device is controlled to adjust the uncoated portion coating width by comparing the measured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value.

10. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 9, wherein the controller adjusts the coating width of the uncoated portion by controlling the vertical movement of the insulation coating machine moving device. wherein the uncoated portion coating width and the covering width adjusted according to the vertical movement of the insulation coating machine moving device are remeasured by the insulation coating width measuring device, and Whether to readjust the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width is determined by comparing the remeasured coverage width with the predetermined coverage width setting range or coverage width reference value and comparing the remeasured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or uncoated portion coating width reference value.

11. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 8, wherein if the remeasured covering width is within the predetermined covering width setting range or is consistent with the covering width reference value, the insulation coating machine moving device is controlled to adjust the uncoated portion coating width by comparing the measured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value.

12. The insulation coating covering control system according to claim 11, wherein the controller adjusts the coating width of the uncoated portion by controlling the vertical movement of the insulation coating machine moving device, wherein the uncoated portion coating width and the covering width adjusted according to the vertical movement of the insulating coating machine moving device are remeasured by the insulating coating width measuring device, and Whether to readjust the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width is determined by comparing the remeasured coverage width with the predetermined coverage width setting range or coverage width reference value and comparing the remeasured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or uncoated portion coating width reference value.

13. A method for controlling insulation coating coverage, the method comprising: Applying an insulating material along a boundary portion between a coated portion and an uncoated portion in the electrode plate so as to allow the insulating material to cover a partial area of ​​the coated portion coated with the electrode slurry and the uncoated portion not coated with the electrode slurry; measuring a covered width and an uncoated portion coated width, wherein the covered width is the width of the covered area on the coated portion coated with the insulating material after the insulating material is coated, and the uncoated portion coated width is the width of the area on the uncoated portion coated with the insulating material; comparing the measured coverage width with a predetermined coverage width setting range or a coverage width reference value; and If the measured coverage width exceeds the predetermined coverage width setting range or is inconsistent with the coverage width reference value, the coverage width is adjusted by horizontally moving the insulation coating machine for coating the insulation material toward the coating portion or the uncoated portion.

14. The insulation coating coverage control method according to claim 13, wherein an intermediate value corresponding to 1 / 2 of the predetermined coverage width setting range is selected as the reference value, and the insulation coating machine is horizontally moved by comparing the measured intermediate value of the coverage width with the intermediate value of the predetermined coverage width setting range.

15. The insulating coating coverage control method according to claim 13, further comprising: Remeasure the adjusted coverage width; as well as Whether to readjust the coverage width is determined by comparing the re-measured coverage width with the predetermined coverage width setting range or the coverage width reference value.

16. The insulating coating coverage control method according to claim 13, further comprising: If the measured coverage width is within the predetermined coverage width setting range or is consistent with the coverage width reference value, the insulation coating machine is vertically moved by comparing the measured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value to adjust the uncoated portion coating width.

17. The insulation coating coverage control method according to claim 16, wherein the uncoated portion coating width and the coverage width adjusted according to the vertical movement of the insulation coating machine are remeasured, and Whether to readjust the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width is determined by comparing the remeasured coverage width with the predetermined coverage width setting range or the coverage width reference value and comparing the remeasured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value.

18. The insulation coating covering control method according to claim 15, wherein if the remeasured covering width is within the predetermined covering width setting range or is consistent with the covering width reference value, the insulation coating machine is vertically moved by comparing the measured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value so as to adjust the uncoated portion coating width.

19. The insulation coating coverage control method according to claim 18, wherein the uncoated portion coating width and the coverage width which have been adjusted according to the vertical movement of the insulation coating machine are remeasured, and Whether to readjust the coverage width and the uncoated portion coating width is determined by comparing the remeasured coverage width with the predetermined coverage width setting range or the coverage width reference value and comparing the remeasured uncoated portion coating width with the predetermined uncoated portion coating width setting range or the uncoated portion coating width reference value.

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