Electrode slurry supply device, coating device, and die coater

Abstract

The present specification relates to an electrode slurry providing apparatus, a coating apparatus, and a die coater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0153054, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This specification relates to an electrode slurry supply device, a coating device, and a mold coating machine. 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 power, solar power, wind power, 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 prismatic 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 includes 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 fabricated by applying an electrode slurry containing active materials onto a current collector, respectively.

[0007] In order to apply the electrode paste, the electrode paste is supplied through multiple lines branching off from the storage tank for storing the electrode paste, and coating is performed through each line.

[0008] In this case, it is necessary to study how to provide electrode paste to each line at a uniform flow rate. Summary of the Invention

[0009] (Technical issue)

[0010] The purpose of this specification is to provide an electrode slurry supply device, a coating device, and a mold coating machine.

[0011] (Technical Solution)

[0012] Embodiments of this specification provide an electrode slurry supply apparatus, comprising: a storage tank configured to contain electrode slurry; a main pipe connected at one end to the storage tank; and two or more branch pipes configured to discharge electrode slurry introduced from the main pipe, wherein the positions where the two or more branch pipes are interconnected with the main pipe gradually decrease as the positions where the two or more branch pipes are interconnected with the main pipe move further away from the storage tank.

[0013] In embodiments of this specification, the electrode slurry supply device may include two or more pumps located at the point where the two or more branch pipes and the main pipe are interconnected.

[0014] In the embodiments of this specification, the ratio of the distance A between the location where the two or more branch pipes and the main pipe connect to each other on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank, and the height difference B in the direction of gravity between the location where the two or more branch pipes and the main pipe connect to each other and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank, can be 2:1 to 3:1.

[0015] In embodiments of this specification, the main pipeline may include: a connecting pipe connected to the storage tank; and a straight pipe connected to the connecting pipe and connected to two or more branch pipelines.

[0016] In embodiments described in this specification, the angle defined between the plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the central axis of the straight tube can be 5 degrees or greater and 25 degrees or less.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a coating apparatus or a mold coating machine configured to discharge electrode slurry provided by an electrode slurry supplying device.

[0018] (Beneficial effects)

[0019] According to the electrode slurry supply device described in this specification, electrode slurry can be supplied from a single electrode slurry tank to multiple branch pipelines at a uniform flow rate, regardless of the physical properties of the electrode slurry.

[0020] The electrode slurry supply device according to this specification can increase the number of branch pipes for each storage tank. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrode slurry supply device in related technologies.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the electrode paste supply device according to this specification.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a bottom plan view of the electrode paste supply device according to this specification.

[0024] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0025] 1: Electrode slurry supply device

[0026] 10: Storage tank

[0027] 20: Main pipeline

[0028] 21: Connecting pipe

[0029] 23: Straight pipe

[0030] 30: Branch pipes

[0031] 30': First branch pipe

[0032] 30”: Second branch pipe

[0033] 30”': Third branch pipe

[0034] 30””: Fourth branch pipe Detailed Implementation

[0035] 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.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the electrode paste supply device 1 according to this specification. Figure 3 This is a bottom plan view of the electrode slurry supply device 1 according to this specification. The electrode slurry supply device 1 includes a storage tank 10, a main pipeline 20, and branch pipelines 30.

[0037] During the electrode slurry coating process, the storage tank 10, which supplies the electrode slurry to the coating apparatus, discharges the electrode slurry through a single main pipe 20. The main pipe 20 discharges the electrode slurry from the storage tank 10 to the coating apparatus (not shown) through multiple branch pipes 30, each independently connected to a pump (not shown). In this case, there are no particular restrictions on the type of coating apparatus, as long as the coating apparatus can apply the electrode slurry. For example, the coating apparatus can be a corner coater, a rotary coater, or a slot die coater.

[0038] In this case, the storage tank 10, main pipeline 20, and branch pipeline 30 of the electrode slurry supply device 1 can all be made of a metallic material with predetermined rigidity. Any material can be used, as long as it can withstand the pressure generated by the supply of electrode slurry.

[0039] The shape of the storage tank 10 is not limited, as long as it can store the electrode slurry. The storage tank 10 can be cylindrical. The bottom surface of the storage tank 10 can have a raised shape so that the electrode slurry stored in the storage tank can be used effectively. The electrode slurry stored in the storage tank can be discharged to the main pipeline 20 through the discharge port located at the lowest point of the raised shape.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, in the electrode slurry supply device 1 of the related art, the main pipe 20 connected to the storage tank 10 is arranged parallel to the ground, and the branch pipes are at the same height. Therefore, a problem arises where the flow rates of the electrode slurry discharged through the branch pipes differ. Specifically, the flow rate of the electrode slurry discharged from the branch pipes located relatively close to the storage tank is high, while the flow rate of the electrode slurry discharged from the branch pipes located relatively far from the storage tank is low. Furthermore, if the viscosity of the electrode slurry is too low or too high, the electrode slurry may not even be discharged from the branch pipes far from the storage tank. This situation worsens as the amount of electrode slurry in the storage tank decreases.

[0041] On the contrary, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the electrode slurry supply device 1 according to this specification, the main pipe 20 connected to the storage tank 10 is inclined, such that one end of the main pipe 20 is positioned higher than the other end. The flow rate of the electrode slurry can be uniformly adjusted, allowing the electrode slurry to be discharged evenly from the branch pipe 30.

[0042] The main conduit 20 can be tilted while defining an acute angle relative to the horizontal plane. In this case, the gradient of the main conduit 20 can be changed, taking into account factors such as the type and viscosity of the electrode paste. For example, the gradient can be adjusted to 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, particularly 10 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less.

[0043] The main pipeline 20 may include a connecting pipe 21 connected to the storage tank 10 and a straight pipe 23 coupled to the connecting pipe 21 and connected to two or more branch pipelines 30. In this case, the angle defined between the plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the central axis of the straight pipe 23 may be adjusted to 5 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, particularly 10 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less.

[0044] One end of the main pipe 20 is connected to the storage tank 10, and the side of the main pipe 20 is connected to at least one branch pipe 30. Electrode slurry discharged from the storage tank 10 moves to the branch pipe 30, i.e., by means of the electrode slurry head, i.e., the pressure based on the altitude, to a separately installed pump (not shown) in the branch pipe 30. Since the main pipe 20 is inclined, the electrode slurry discharged from the storage tank can be transferred to the separately installed pump (not shown) in the branch pipe 30 by means of the electrode slurry head, i.e., the pressure based on the altitude. Therefore, the electrode slurry can be delivered to the respective branch pipes 30 at a uniform flow rate.

[0045] There is also a horizontal difference in height between the pumps (not shown) located at the connection point between the main pipe 20 and the branch pipe 30, so that the electrode slurry can be discharged from its respective branch pipe 30 at the same flow rate regardless of the physical properties of the electrode slurry.

[0046] The head of the electrode slurry that allows it to be discharged from the storage tank to move to a pump (not shown) separately located in the branch pipe 30, i.e., the pressure based on the height, can be adjusted based on the ratio of the distance A between the location where the branch pipe and the main pipe connect to each other and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank in a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity to the height difference B in the direction of gravity between the location where the branch pipe and the main pipe connect to each other and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank.

[0047] First, refer to Figure 1 Describe the ratio A:B in the electrode slurry supply device in the related technology. Since all branch pipes have the same height, B is a constant, A1:B is 4:1, A2:B is 5:1, A3:B is 6:1, and A4:B is 7:1.

[0048] Conversely, in the electrode slurry supply device 1 according to this specification, the ratio of the distance A between the location where the branch pipe and the main pipe connect to each other on the plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank to the height difference B in the direction of gravity between the location where the branch pipe and the main pipe connect to each other and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank is adjusted to 2:1 to 3:1.

[0049] See according to Figure 2 The ratios of A:B in the electrode slurry supply device 1 shown in this specification, A1:B1, A2:B2, A3:B3, and A4:B4 are 2:1 to 3:1, respectively.

[0050] The ratio A1:B1 is the ratio of the distance A1 between the point where the branch pipe 30' and the main pipe 20 connect to each other and the end of the main pipe 20 that connects to the storage tank 10 on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity, to the height difference B1 of the point where the branch pipe 30' and the main pipe 20 connect to each other and the end of the main pipe 20 that connects to the storage tank 10 in the direction of gravity.

[0051] The ratio A2:B2 is the ratio of the distance A2 between the point where the second branch pipe 30” and the main pipe 20 intersect on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity to the height difference B2 of ... main pipe 20 to the height difference B2 of the point where the second branch pipe 30” and the main pipe 20 intersect on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity to the height difference B2 of the second branch pipe 30” and the height difference B2 of the second branch pipe 30” and the height difference B2 of the second branch pipe 30” and the height

[0052] The ratio A3:B3 is the ratio of the distance A3 between the point where the third branch pipe 30”’ and the main pipe 20 intersect on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity to the height difference B3 of the point where the main pipe 20 is connected to the storage tank 10 in the direction of gravity.

[0053] The ratio A4:B4 is the ratio of the distance A4 between the point where the fourth branch pipe 30”” and the main pipe 20 intersect on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity to the height difference B4 between the point where the fourth branch pipe 30”” and the main pipe 20 intersect on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the end of the main pipe 20 connected to the storage tank 10 in the direction of gravity.

[0054] At least one of the branch pipes 30 can be connected to the side of the main pipe 20. Specifically, the number of branch pipes 30 can be two or more, three or more, or two or more and ten or fewer. Compared with related technologies, the electrode slurry can be supplied at a uniform flow rate regardless of its physical properties. Therefore, compared with related technologies, the number of branch pipes is increased, which allows the electrode slurry to be supplied from a single tank at a uniform flow rate.

[0055] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a coating apparatus configured to discharge electrode paste supplied from an electrode paste supply device. The type and shape of the coating apparatus are not particularly limited as long as it can coat the electrode paste onto a substrate by discharging the electrode paste supplied from the electrode paste supply device. For example, the coating apparatus may be a comma coater, a rotary coater, a slot die coater, etc.

[0056] In this case, the coating device can be connected to each branch pipe of the electrode slurry supply device, and the coating devices connected to the branch pipes may be the same or different from each other.

[0057] Another embodiment of the invention provides a die coating machine configured to discharge supplied electrode slurry from an electrode slurry supply device. The die coating machine includes two or more dies and a gasket disposed between the dies and configured to discharge the electrode slurry.

[0058] 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 paste supply device, comprising: Storage tank, configured to contain electrode slurry; The main pipeline has one end connected to the storage tank; as well as Two or more branch pipes are configured to discharge electrode slurry introduced from the main pipe; The locations where the two or more branch pipes connect to the main pipe gradually decrease in elevation as the locations where the two or more branch pipes connect to the main pipe move further away from the storage tank. The ratio of the distance A between the location where the two or more branch pipes and the main pipe connect to each other on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank, to the height difference B in the direction of gravity between the location where the two or more branch pipes and the main pipe connect to each other and the end of the main pipe connected to the storage tank, is between 2:1 and 3:

1. The electrode slurry supply device further includes two or more pumps located at the junction of the two or more branch pipes and the main pipe.

2. The electrode slurry supply device according to claim 1, wherein the main pipeline comprises: A connecting pipe connected to the storage tank; as well as A straight pipe connected to the connecting pipe and to the two or more branch pipes.

3. The electrode slurry supply device according to claim 2, wherein the angle defined between the plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the central axis of the straight tube is 5 degrees or greater and 25 degrees or less.

4. A coating apparatus configured to discharge electrode slurry provided by the electrode slurry providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A mold coating machine configured to discharge electrode slurry supplied by the electrode slurry supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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