Electrode manufacturing apparatus and electrode roll

Abstract

The present application relates to electrode manufacturing equipment and electrode rolls, the electrode rolls including spools having variable loops corresponding to locations of non-coated portions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0153117, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus and an electrode roll. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, due to the depletion of fossil fuels and rising energy prices, public concern about environmental pollution has increased. Consequently, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources is growing. Therefore, research into various power generation technologies, such as nuclear, solar, wind, and tidal power, is ongoing. Furthermore, there is significant interest in energy storage devices to utilize the generated energy more effectively.

[0004] In particular, with technological advancements and increasing demand for mobile devices, the need for batteries as an energy source is rapidly growing. To meet these demands, numerous studies are being conducted on batteries.

[0005] Representatively, regarding battery shape, there is a high demand for angular or pouch-shaped secondary batteries, which can have a small thickness and can be used in products such as mobile phones. In terms of materials, there is a large demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries or lithium-ion polymer batteries, which have advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and stable output.

[0006] Typically, a secondary battery structure comprises an electrode assembly made by stacking a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes are manufactured by applying an electrode slurry containing active materials onto a current collector. Before assembling the battery, the manufactured electrodes are stored wound on a spool and moved as needed.

[0007] To improve the efficiency of the electrode coating process, a single current collector can be coated with multiple electrodes and stored by winding it onto a spool. However, in this case, a portion of the current collector positioned between the electrodes and not coated with slurry may wrinkle. Therefore, a method to solve the storage problem is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] (Technical issue)

[0009] This specification aims to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus and an electrode roll.

[0010] (Technical Solution)

[0011] One embodiment of this specification provides an electrode manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a supply unit configured to supply a substrate; a coating unit configured to coat an electrode layer onto at least one surface of the supplied substrate, the electrode layer being divided into coated portions of two or more regions coated with electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supplied substrate, and uncoated portions between the coated portions in the two or more regions; a drying unit configured to dry the coated electrode layer to manufacture an electrode film; and a recycling unit configured to recycle the electrode film, wherein the recycling unit includes: a spool wound with the electrode film; and a variable ring cooperating with the spool and configured to be movable in the length direction of the spool, the variable ring being configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portions.

[0012] In embodiments described in this specification, the variable ring may be an elastic band.

[0013] In embodiments of this specification, the width of the variable ring may be 0.1 or more times but less than 1 times the width of the uncoated portion.

[0014] In embodiments described in this specification, the thickness of the variable ring may be 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0015] In embodiments of this specification, the electrode layer may be divided into a coated portion consisting of two regions coated with electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supply substrate, and an uncoated portion between the coated portions in the two regions. The variable ring may be a single variable ring, which is configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion.

[0016] In embodiments of this specification, the electrode layer may be divided into coated portions in three regions spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supply substrate, coated with electrode paste, and two uncoated portions located between the coated portions in the three regions. The variable ring may be two variable rings, which are configured to correspond to the positions of the two uncoated portions.

[0017] Another embodiment of this specification provides an electrode roll comprising: an electrode film including a substrate and an electrode layer disposed on at least one surface of the substrate, the electrode layer being divided into coated portions disposed in two or more regions coated with electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in the length direction of the substrate, and uncoated portions disposed between the two or more coated portions; a spool for winding the electrode film; and a variable ring cooperating with the spool and configured to be movable in the length direction of the spool, the variable ring being configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portions.

[0018] In embodiments described in this specification, the variable ring may be an elastic band.

[0019] In embodiments of this specification, the width of the variable ring may be 0.1 or more times but less than 1 times the width of the uncoated portion.

[0020] In embodiments described in this specification, the thickness of the variable ring may be 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0021] In embodiments of this specification, the electrode layer may be disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and divided into a coated portion disposed in two regions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and an uncoated portion disposed between the coated portions in the two regions. The variable ring may be configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion.

[0022] In embodiments of this specification, the electrode layer may be disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and divided into coated portions disposed in three regions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and two uncoated portions disposed between the coated portions in the three regions. The variable ring may be configured to correspond to the positions of the two uncoated portions.

[0023] (Beneficial effects)

[0024] The embodiments described in this specification can advantageously reduce wrinkles that may occur between multiple electrodes formed on a single substrate.

[0025] The embodiments described in this specification can advantageously reduce the thickness difference between the uncoated portion and the coated portion of the coated electrode.

[0026] The embodiments described in this specification can advantageously reduce the difference in physical properties between the uncoated portion and the coated portion of the coated electrode. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of this specification.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of this specification.

[0029] Figure 3 A is a perspective view of the recovery component before the recovery of the electrode membrane. Figure 3 B is a perspective view after the electrode film has been completely recovered from the recycling component.

[0030] Figure 4 A, 4B, and 4C illustrate cases 1 through 3, where... Figure 3 The uncoated portions of the recovered electrode films shown in A and 3B are wrinkled.

[0031] Figure 5 A is a perspective view of the recovery component according to an embodiment of this specification before the recovery of an electrode film having two uncoated portions. Figure 5 B is a perspective view of the recovery component before the electrode film with a single uncoated portion is recovered.

[0032] Figure 6 A is a cross-sectional view of a bobbin with a variable loop according to an embodiment of this specification. Figure 6 B is a cross-sectional view of a bobbin with a variable loop according to another embodiment of this specification. Figure 6 C is an enlarged view of a bobbin with a variable loop according to another embodiment of this specification.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of this specification.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the cutting component is set according to another embodiment of this specification.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cutting component is set according to another embodiment of this specification.

[0036] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0037] 10: Substrate

[0038] 20: Electrode layer

[0039] 21: Coating Section

[0040] 22: Uncoated section

[0041] 23: Edge

[0042] 30: Electrode film

[0043] 100: Supply Components

[0044] 200: Coated parts

[0045] 300: Drying component

[0046] 400,400': Recycled parts

[0047] 410: Bollard

[0048] 420: Variable ring

[0049] 420': First variable ring

[0050] 420”: The second variable ring

[0051] 500: Electrode manufacturing equipment

[0052] 600: Cutting components

[0053] 610: Apply the knife

[0054] 650: Cut

[0055] 611, 651: Cutter wheels

[0056] 612, 652: Housing Detailed Implementation

[0057] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are intended to illustrate the invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited by the drawings.

[0058] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an electrode manufacturing apparatus 500 according to an embodiment of this specification. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus 500 according to an embodiment of this specification. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 500 includes a supply unit 100, a coating unit 200, a drying unit 300, and a recovery unit 400.

[0059] The recycling component 400 includes: a spool 410 for winding the electrode film 30; and a variable ring 420 that cooperates with the spool 410 and is configured to be movable in the length direction of the spool 410, the variable ring 420 being positioned to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion disposed between the coated portions of the electrode film coated with electrode paste.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown in Figure A, if an electrode film 30 having uncoated portions 22 between coated portions 21 coated with electrode paste is wound on a spool without variable loops, as... Figure 3 As shown in Figure B, after the winding operation is completed, the marked area, i.e., the uncoated part, wrinkles, as shown in Figure B. Figure 4 Cases 1 to 3 are shown in A to 4C. When the coated electrode dries and is finally wound, wrinkles form mainly in the uncoated portion at the center of the electrode due to the thickness difference between the coated and uncoated portions. The degree of wrinkling increases as the thickness of the foil serving as the substrate decreases, the amount of coating on the electrode relatively increases, and the thickness of the coated portion increases.

[0061] On the contrary, such as Figure 5 As shown, if a variable ring 420 is provided to correspond to the position of an uncoated portion 22 provided between the coated portions 21 of the electrode film coated with electrode paste, the height difference between the uncoated portion 22 and the coated portion 21 of the electrode film is reduced, thereby reducing the occurrence of wrinkles.

[0062] The variable ring 420 can be a ring made of an elastic material, specifically an elastic band. There are no particular limitations on the material, as long as it possesses appropriate rubber elasticity and mechanical strength, excellent wear resistance, and a low coefficient of friction. Rubbers such as polyurethane rubber, natural rubber, and acrylic rubber can be used as materials. In this case, the variable ring 420 provides elasticity, allowing it to move easily according to the position of the uncoated portion 22 of the electrode film, which is the target for recycling, and positioning the variable ring 420 in close contact with the surface of the spool after movement, thus preventing it from easily changing its designated position during the process. Furthermore, the variable ring can deform under external force. Therefore, even if the multi-layered wound electrode film increases the amount of force applied to the center of the spool, the variable ring can adapt to the increased force while deforming appropriately.

[0063] The width W of the variable ring 420 can be 0.1 or more times but less than 1, 0.2 or more times but less than 1, 0.3 or more times but less than 1, 0.4 or more times but less than 1, 0.5 or more times but less than 1, 0.6 or more times but less than 1, 0.7 or more times but less than 1, 0.8 or more times but less than 1, or 0.9 or more times but less than 1. The width of the variable ring 420 can be almost equal to the width of the uncoated portion 22. However, when the width of the variable ring 420 is equal to or greater than the width of the uncoated portion 22, the variable ring 420 can contact the edge of the coated portion 21 and deform the coated portion 21. When the above ranges are met, the width of the variable ring 420 compensates for the positional difference from the coated portion 21 without deforming the coated portion 21.

[0064] The thickness H of the variable ring 420 can be selected based on the height of the coating portion 21. Specifically, the thickness H of the variable ring 420 can be 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, or 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In this case, the thickness H of the variable ring can be achieved using a single variable ring, such as... Figure 6 As shown in A. Alternatively, as Figure 6 As shown in B, the target thickness H of the variable ring (H = H1 + H2) can be achieved by stacking two or more variable rings, that is, stacking a first variable ring 420' with a thickness of H1 and a second variable ring 420 with a thickness of H2.

[0065] The shape of the spool 410 is not particularly limited, as long as the electrode film can be stored or moved while wrapped around the spool 410. The spool 410 can be cylindrical.

[0066] The spool 410 can have a shape similar to a roll. In this case, the central portion of the spool 410 on which the electrode film 30 is wound has a constant diameter, and the two opposite ends of the spool 410 each have a larger diameter than the central portion of the spool 410, which prevents the electrode film 30 wound on the central portion of the spool 410 from separating toward the two opposite ends of the spool 410.

[0067] The length of the spool 410 is not particularly limited, as long as the length of the spool 410 is greater than the width of the electrode film 30 and there is no problem in storing the electrode film 30.

[0068] There is no particular limitation on the diameter of the spool 410, as long as the spool 410 can withstand the physical force applied by winding the electrode film 30 when the electrode film 30 is stored.

[0069] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of this specification. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 500 includes a cutting component 600 in addition to a supply component 100, a coating component 200, a drying component 300, and a recycling component 400.

[0070] The cutting component 600 has a cutter. The cutter can separate the manufactured electrode into two or more pieces by cutting the uncoated portion in the supply direction. The recycling component 400 can be configured to correspond in number to the two or more electrodes separated as described above.

[0071] Equipment for manufacturing electrodes with a width of 1000 mm or more, 1100 mm or more, or 1200 mm or more is advantageous for mass production of electrodes. However, if a single recycling unit 400 is provided to correspond in width to the manufacturing electrode with a large width, the number of uncoated portions inevitably increases in the direction perpendicular to the supply direction, and the number of defects inevitably increases due to the thickness difference between the coated and uncoated portions.

[0072] Before winding the wide manufacturing electrode at the distal end of the device, the cutting member 600 cuts the wide manufacturing electrode into sections that allow the variable ring 420, which is provided on the recycling member 400, to control the width of defects caused by the thickness difference between the coated and uncoated portions. Multiple recycling members 400 can be provided to correspond in number to the cut electrodes.

[0073] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the cutting member 600 is set according to another embodiment of this specification. Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cutting member 600 is set according to another embodiment of this specification.

[0074] The cutting component 600 may have two cutting wheels 611 and 651, which can cut the electrode while rotating as the electrode moves between them. The cutting component 600 may include a lower blade 650 located below the substrate 10 and an upper blade 610 located above the substrate 10. The upper blade 610 and the lower blade 650 may each include cutting wheels 611 and 651, which are respectively inserted into and fixed in housings 612 and 652.

[0075] Either of the two cutter wheels 611 and 651 can rotate in the same direction as the adjacent guide rollers 700 and 700', and the other of the two cutter wheels 611 and 651 can rotate in the opposite direction to the adjacent guide rollers 700 and 700'.

[0076] The two cutter wheels 611 and 651 can rotate in different directions, but their rotational speeds can be equal. More specifically, the rotational speeds of the two cutter wheels 611 and 651 can be equal to the rotational speeds of each guide roller 700' and 700', respectively.

[0077] The supply component 100 is used to supply the substrate 10. There are no particular limitations on the structure used to supply the substrate, as long as the supply component 100 can supply the substrate 10. The supply component 100 can supply the substrate 10 by unwinding the substrate 10 from the roll on which the substrate 10 is wound.

[0078] In this case, the substrate 10 is not particularly limited, as long as the substrate can be coated with electrode paste. The substrate 10 can be a current collector, specifically, a metal foil. The substrate can be a foil made of copper, aluminum, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The coating member 200 coats at least one surface of the supplied substrate 10 with an electrode layer. The electrode layer is divided into a coating portion 21, which is coated with electrode paste and is disposed in two or more regions spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supplied substrate 10, and an uncoated portion 22 disposed between the coating portions in the two or more regions.

[0080] There are no particular limitations on the method of applying electrode paste through the coating component 200. As needed, general methods for applying electrode paste, such as slit molds, blades, and notched coating, can be selected and modified.

[0081] The electrode paste to be coated by the coating component 200 may include electrode active materials, binders, and solvents.

[0082] There are no particular restrictions on electrode active materials, as long as they are used in the positive or negative electrode of the battery. Electrode active materials can be cobalt-based, ternary, nickel-based, manganese-based, phosphate-based, etc.

[0083] The adhesive is not particularly restricted, as long as it can cause the electrode active material to solidify. Adhesives can be polyvinylidene fluoride, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), etc.

[0084] There are no particular restrictions on the solvent, as long as it provides flowability to the electrode paste. Solvents can include water, N-methylpyrrolidone, etc.

[0085] The drying component 300 removes the solvent from the coated electrode slurry by drying the coated electrode layer.

[0086] There are no particular limitations on the drying method of the drying component 300. However, the drying method of the drying component 300 can be selected according to the characteristics of the electrode paste to be dried. At least one of hot air, a heater, and ultraviolet irradiation can be selected.

[0087] There are no particular limitations on the drying temperature and time of the drying component 300. However, the drying temperature and time of the drying component 300 can be adjusted depending on the characteristics of the electrode paste to be dried. For example, the electrode paste can be dried at a temperature of about 200°C or lower for 20 seconds to 5 minutes.

[0088] In the implementation method, such as Figure 5 As shown in Figure B, the coating member 200 can coat at least one surface of the supplied substrate with an electrode layer. The electrode layer is divided into a coating portion 21, which is coated with electrode paste and disposed in two regions spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supplied substrate 10, and an uncoated portion 22 disposed between the coating portions in the two regions. The recycling member 400 may include a single variable ring 420, which is configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion 22.

[0089] In another embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown in Figure A, the coating member 200 can coat at least one surface of the substrate 10 with an electrode layer 20. The electrode layer is divided into three coated regions 21, which are coated with electrode paste and are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of supplying the substrate, and two uncoated regions 22, which are disposed between the coated regions. The recycling member 400 may include two variable rings 420, which are configured to correspond to the positions of the two uncoated regions.

[0090] Another embodiment of this specification provides an electrode roll comprising: an electrode film including a substrate and an electrode layer, the electrode layer being disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and divided into coated portions coated with electrode paste and disposed in two or more regions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (supply direction) of the substrate, and uncoated portions disposed between the two or more coated portions; a spool for winding the electrode film; and a variable ring cooperating with the spool and configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the spool, the variable ring being configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portions.

[0091] In this case, the description of the electrode roll can be replaced by the description of the electrode manufacturing equipment.

[0092] In the implementation method, such as Figure 5 As shown in Figure B, the electrode layer 20 can be disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and is divided into a coated portion 21 disposed in two regions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and an uncoated portion 22 disposed between the coated portions in the two regions. The variable ring 420 can be configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion 22.

[0093] In another embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown in Figure A, the electrode layer 20 can be disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and is divided into coated portions 21 disposed in three regions spaced apart from each other along the length of the substrate, and two uncoated portions 22 disposed between the coated portions in the three regions. The variable ring 420 can be configured to correspond to the positions of the two uncoated portions 22 respectively.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering its technical essence or essential characteristics. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and do not limit the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than a detailed description, and it should be understood that the meaning and scope of the claims, as well as various embodiments derived from their equivalents, fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An electrode manufacturing apparatus, comprising: Supply components, configured to supply substrates; A coating component is configured to coat an electrode layer on at least one surface of a supplied substrate, the electrode layer being divided into coated portions in two or more regions coated with electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supplied substrate, and uncoated portions between the coated portions in the two or more regions. A drying component configured to dry the coated electrode layer to manufacture an electrode film; as well as A recovery component is configured to recover the electrode membrane. The recycling component includes: A spool wound around the electrode film; as well as A variable ring is configured to cooperate with the spool and be movable along the length of the spool, the variable ring being positioned to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion.

2. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variable ring is an elastic band.

3. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width of the variable ring is 0.1 or more times but less than 1 times the width of the uncoated portion.

4. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the variable ring is 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

5. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode layer is divided into coated portions consisting of two regions coated with electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of supplying the substrate, and the uncoated portion between the coated portions in the two regions. The variable ring is a single variable ring, which is configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion.

6. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode layer is divided into three coated regions coated with the electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the supply substrate, and two uncoated regions located between the coated regions respectively. The variable rings are two variable rings, and the two variable rings are configured to correspond to the positions of the two uncoated portions.

7. An electrode roll, comprising: An electrode film includes a substrate and an electrode layer disposed on at least one surface of the substrate, the electrode layer being divided into coated portions disposed in two or more regions coated with electrode paste and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and uncoated portions disposed between the two or more coated portions; The spool wound around the electrode film; and A variable ring that cooperates with and is configured to be movable along the length of the spool, the variable ring being positioned to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion.

8. The electrode roll according to claim 7, wherein the variable ring is an elastic band.

9. The electrode roll according to claim 7, wherein the width of the variable ring is 0.1 or more times but less than 1 times the width of the uncoated portion.

10. The electrode roll of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the variable ring is 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

11. The electrode roll according to claim 7, wherein the electrode layer is disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and is divided into coated portions disposed in two regions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and uncoated portions disposed between the coated portions in the two regions. The variable ring is configured to correspond to the position of the uncoated portion.

12. The electrode roll according to claim 7, wherein the electrode layer is disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and is divided into coated portions disposed in three regions along the length of the substrate, and two uncoated portions disposed between the coated portions in the three regions, and The variable ring is configured to correspond to the positions of the two uncoated portions, respectively.

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