Apparatus and method for manufacturing electrode plate

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and an electrode plate manufacturing method. An electrode plate manufacturing apparatus includes: a plate conveyor that conveys a plurality of electrode plates each having an active material layer on a substrate thereof; a dryer for drying the electrode plate conveyed by the plate conveyor; a sensor that measures the dryness of each of the plurality of electrode plates that are dried; an auxiliary dryer performing additional drying on at least one of the plurality of electrode plates; and a processor that controls the auxiliary dryer based on the dryness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode plate. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid popularization of electronic devices using batteries (such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and electric vehicles), the demand for secondary batteries with high energy density and high capacity has increased rapidly. Therefore, various studies and developments have been actively carried out to improve lithium secondary batteries.

[0003] A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode (the positive electrode and the negative electrode contain active materials that allow lithium ions to be inserted and extracted), and generates electric energy through oxidation and reduction when lithium ions are inserted / extracted in the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0004] An electrode plate including a positive electrode and / or a negative electrode includes a substrate and an active material layer coated on the substrate. Generally, the electrode plate is formed by applying the active material layer to the substrate. The active material layer is fixed to the substrate by drying. However, if the active material layer is not properly dried, various losses may occur when setting the conditions for manufacturing the electrode plate. For example, depending on the dryer structure and / or the circulation method, the active material layer may be unevenly dried due to the air flow inside the dryer. As a result, the process speed and / or the adhesion performance of the active material layer may deteriorate.

[0005] This section aims to provide a better understanding of the background of the present invention, and thus may include information that is not necessarily prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and an electrode plate manufacturing method. According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode plate by drying the electrode plate. According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode plate that can improve the quality of the electrode plate by quantifying the undried state of the electrode plate.

[0007] For example, in one or more embodiments, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or an electrode plate manufacturing method for determining the dryness of an electrode plate after drying the electrode plate.

[0008] For example, in one or more embodiments, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or an electrode plate manufacturing method for quantifying the dryness of an electrode plate.

[0009] For example, in one or more embodiments, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or an electrode plate manufacturing method for additionally drying the electrode plate based on the dryness of the electrode plate.

[0010] For example, in one or more embodiments, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or an electrode plate manufacturing method that ensure that electrode plates can be uniformly dried.

[0011] For example, in one or more embodiments, there is provided an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or an electrode plate manufacturing method that allow reducing the binder migration rate.

[0012] From the following description of some embodiments of the present invention, the above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus includes: a plate conveyor that conveys a plurality of electrode plates, each electrode plate including an active material layer on its substrate; a dryer that dries the electrode plates conveyed by the plate conveyor; a sensor that measures the degree of dryness of each of the plurality of dried electrode plates; an auxiliary dryer that performs additional drying on at least one of the plurality of electrode plates; and a processor that controls the auxiliary dryer based on the degree of dryness.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an electrode plate manufacturing method includes: applying an active material to a surface of a substrate to form an active material layer thereon; drying the active material layer; measuring the degree of dryness of the active material layer; and additionally drying the active material layer based on the degree of dryness.

[0015] The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention can improve the quality of electrode plates.

[0016] For example, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention can improve the adhesion of the active material layer to the substrate.

[0017] For example, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention can ensure the same / similar adhesion characteristics of the active material layers formed on two surfaces of the substrate.

[0018] In addition, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention can improve convenience through the automation of the electrode plate manufacturing process.

[0019] In addition, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention can reduce the total input heat.

[0020] However, the aspects and features of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other aspects and features not mentioned from the detailed description provided below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate some embodiments of the present invention and further describe aspects and features of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the drawings:

[0022] Figures 1 to 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lithium secondary battery according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing components of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is a view showing an example of the operation of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus when drying an electrode plate;

[0025] Figure 7 is a view showing an example of the operation of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when drying an electrode plate;

[0026] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an electrode plate manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram showing components of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 10 is showing Figure 8 a flowchart of an example of a task of measuring the dryness of an active material layer in;

[0029] Figure 11 is showing Figure 8 a flowchart of an example of a task of additionally drying an active material layer according to dryness in;

[0030] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram showing components of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] Figure 13 is a view of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Description of reference numerals

[0033] 100: Lithium secondary battery 10: Positive electrode

[0034] 11: Positive electrode lead tab 12: Positive electrode terminal

[0035] 20: Negative electrode 21: Negative electrode lead tab

[0036] 22: Negative electrode terminal 30: Separator

[0037] 40: Electrode assembly 50: Housing

[0038] 60: Sealing member 70: Electrode terminal

[0039] 71: Positive terminal 72: Negative terminal Detailed implementation manners

[0040] Here, some exemplary implementation manners of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to the ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention. The principle on which it is based is that the inventor can be his / her own lexicographer to appropriately define the concept of the term so as to best explain his / her invention. The implementation manners described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are provided as some of the implementation manners of the present invention and do not necessarily represent all the technical ideas, aspects, and features of the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that various equivalents and modifications capable of replacing or modifying the implementation manners described here may exist at the time of filing this application. It will also be understood that the terms "include", "include...", "comprise" and / or "comprise..." when used in this specification specify the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. In addition, when using "may" in describing the implementation manners of the present invention, it relates to "one or more implementation manners of the present invention".

[0041] In the drawings, for the sake of clarity of illustration, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0042] Two compared elements, features, etc. being referred to as "the same" may mean that they are "the same or substantially the same". Therefore, the phrase "the same" or "substantially the same" may include cases having a deviation considered low in the art, for example, a deviation of 5% or less. In addition, when a certain parameter is said to be uniform within a given region, this may mean that it is uniform in terms of the average value.

[0043] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts are not limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or part from another element, component, region, layer, or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary implementation manners, the first element, component, region, layer, or part discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or part.

[0044] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be singular or plural.

[0045] When any element is referred to as being "above" (or "below") or "on" (or "under") a component, this may mean that the any element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that one or more other components may be interposed between the component and any element disposed (or positioned or arranged) on (or under) the component.

[0046] Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled", "linked" or "connected" to another element, these elements may be directly "coupled", "linked" or "connected" to each other, or there may be one or more intervening elements between them, and the element may be "coupled", "linked" or "connected" to the other element through the intervening element. Furthermore, when a part is referred to as being "electrically coupled" to another part, the part may be directly connected to the other part, or there may be one or more intervening parts between them such that the part and the other part are indirectly connected to each other.

[0047] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, when stating "A and / or B", it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the recited items. Unless otherwise specified, when stating "C to D", it means C or greater and D or less.

[0048] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0049] Lithium secondary battery

[0050] Based on its shape, a lithium secondary battery can be classified into a cylindrical secondary battery, a polyhedral or prismatic secondary battery, a pouch-type secondary battery, a coin-type secondary battery, etc. Figures 1 to 4 is a schematic view of a lithium secondary battery according to some embodiments of the present invention, where Figure 1 shows a cylindrical secondary battery, Figure 2 shows a polyhedral or prismatic secondary battery, Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows a pouch-type secondary battery. Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , the lithium secondary battery 100 may include an electrode assembly 40 and a housing 50. In the electrode assembly 40, a separator 30 is interposed between a positive electrode 10 and a negative electrode 20, and the housing 50 houses the electrode assembly 40 therein. The positive electrode 10, the negative electrode 20, and the separator 30 may be embedded in an electrolyte (not shown). As Figure 1 shown, the lithium secondary battery 100 may include a sealing member 60 that seals the housing 50. In one embodiment, asFigure 2 As shown, the lithium secondary battery 100 may include a positive electrode lead tab 11, a positive electrode terminal 12, a negative electrode lead tab 21, and a negative electrode terminal 22. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the lithium secondary battery 100 may include electrode tabs 70 (i.e., a positive electrode tab 71 and a negative electrode tab 72), which serve as electrical paths for conducting the current formed in the electrode assembly 40 to the outside.

[0051] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , the schematic components and / or materials of the lithium secondary battery have been described above. Here, referring to Figures 5 to 13 , a method for manufacturing the lithium secondary battery 100 as Figures 1 to 4 shown will be described. For example, Figures 5 to 13 shows an apparatus and / or method for manufacturing an electrode plate in the lithium secondary battery 100.

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the components of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0053] Referring to Figure 5 , reference numeral 200 denotes an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus. The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 manufactures an electrode plate. The electrode plate includes, for example, a positive electrode plate forming the positive electrode 10 as Figures 1 to 4 shown and a negative electrode plate forming the negative electrode 20 as Figures 1 to 4 shown.

[0054] An electrode plate is formed by applying an active material to a substrate to form an active material layer thereon. For example, an electrode plate is formed by applying an active material to two or opposite surfaces of a substrate to form an active material layer thereon. The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention include both an electrode plate formed by applying an active material to one surface of a substrate and an electrode plate formed by applying an active material to two surfaces of a substrate. However, for convenience of description, the following description will focus, by way of example, on an electrode plate formed by applying an active material to two surfaces of a substrate to form an active material layer thereon.

[0055] For example, the positive electrode plate includes a positive electrode substrate and a positive electrode material layer formed on the positive electrode substrate. The positive electrode substrate is, for example, a positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode material layer includes a positive electrode material and may further include a binder and / or a conductive material.

[0056] For example, the negative electrode plate includes a negative electrode substrate and a negative electrode material layer formed on the negative electrode substrate. The negative electrode substrate is, for example, a negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode material layer includes a negative electrode material and may further include a binder and / or a conductive material.

[0057] In order to fabricate such an electrode plate, in one embodiment, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may include a first coater 211, a first dryer 221, a second coater 212, a second dryer 222, and a processor (not shown) that controls all or some of the components included in the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200. Additionally, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may further include at least one of a first densitometer 231 and a second densitometer 232.

[0058] The first coater 211 applies an active material to the first surface of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon. The active material layer is, for example, in a solution state and / or a slurry state. The first coater 211 includes a first die coater (not shown) that sprays the active material onto the substrate. For example, the first die coater may extend in the width direction of the substrate to spray the active material over the entire width of the substrate. With this structure, the first coater 211 can uniformly apply the active material over a wide width of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon.

[0059] The first dryer 221 dries the active material layer on the first surface of the substrate. Here, the first dryer 221 does not completely dry the active material layer on the first surface of the substrate. When the active material layer is completely dried by the first dryer 221, the active material layer may be over-dried by the second dryer 222 during the drying step. In this case, there may be problems such as wrinkles being generated on the electrode plate or the quality of the electrode plate deteriorating. In one embodiment, to prevent or substantially prevent this problem, when drying the active material layer, the first dryer 221 is set to have a drying level of, for example, 60%.

[0060] The first densitometer 231 measures the density of the active material layer dried by the first dryer 221. That is, the first densitometer 231 measures first density data that includes the density of the active material layer on the first surface of the substrate. Here, the processor may control the first coater 211 based on the first density data measured by the first densitometer 231. For example, the processor controls at least one of the spraying pressure, the tilt angle, and the gap between the first die coater and the substrate based on the first density data. For example, when it is determined based on the first density data that the density of the active material layer needs to be decreased, the processor may control the first coater 211 to increase the gap.

[0061] The second coater 212 applies an active material to the second surface of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon. Here, the active material layer formed by the first coater 211 is placed on the first surface of the substrate. For example, the active material layer formed by the first coater 211 is incompletely dried to an undried state by the first dryer 221. Here, the active material layer is, for example, in a solution state and / or a slurry state. The second coater 212 includes a second die coater that jets the active material onto the substrate. For example, the second die coater may extend in the width direction of the substrate to jet the active material over the entire width of the substrate. With this structure, the second coater 212 can uniformly apply the active material over a wide width of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon.

[0062] The second dryer 222 dries the active material layers on both surfaces of the substrate. Here, the active material layer on the first surface of the substrate is incompletely dried to an undried state by the first dryer 221. In addition, the active material layer on the second surface of the substrate is in a solution state and / or a slurry state and has not been dried by a dryer. Here, the second dryer 222 completely dries the active material layers on both surfaces of the substrate. In one embodiment, the second dryer 222 may have an interchangeable relationship with the first dryer 221. That is, depending on the arrangement of the components included in the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200, the first dryer 221 and / or the second dryer 222 may perform the drying of one surface of the substrate and / or the drying of both surfaces of the substrate.

[0063] The second densitometer 232 measures the density of the electrode plate in which the active material layer applied to the second surface of the electrode plate is dried. That is, the second densitometer 232 measures second density data that includes the density of the active material layer formed on one surface of the substrate. Here, the processor may control the second coater 212 based on the second density data measured by the second densitometer 232. For example, the processor controls at least one of the jetting pressure, the tilt angle, and the gap between the second die coater and the substrate based on the second density data. For example, when it is determined based on the second density data that the density of the active material layer needs to be decreased, the processor may control the second coater 212 to increase the gap. In one embodiment, the second densitometer 232 may have an interchangeable relationship with the first densitometer 231. That is, depending on the arrangement of the components included in the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200, the first densitometer 231 and / or the second densitometer 232 may measure the density of one surface of the substrate and / or the density of the other surface thereof.

[0064] The processor controls all or some components of the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200. The processor may be embedded within the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 or may be placed outside the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 to control the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 via a communication unit (not shown). The processor may include, for example, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a floating point unit (FPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0065] In this way, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 is capable of manufacturing the electrode plate 300.

[0066] Figure 6 It is a view showing an example of the operation of the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus when drying the electrode plate.

[0067] Figure 6 shown by Figure 5 the electrode plate 300 dried by the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 shown. Referring to Figure 6 , the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 further includes a plate conveyor 201. The plate conveyor 201 conveys the electrode plate 300 between the respective components in the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200. For example, the plate conveyor 201 conveys the electrode plate 300 from the first coater 211 toward the first dryer 221.

[0068] As Figure 5 shown, the first dryer 221 dries the active material layer on the first surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the first dryer 221 does not completely dry the active material layer to prevent or substantially prevent the electrode plate 300 from being over-dried by the second dryer 222. In one embodiment, for example, the first dryer 221 dries the electrode plate 300 to about 60%.

[0069] As a result, even after passing through the first dryer 221, some regions of the electrode plate 300 may remain undried. Here, it is necessary to check the dryness of the electrode plate 300. This is because even though the first dryer 221 emits heat to dry the electrode plate 300 to about 60%, the dry state of the electrode plate 300 may vary according to the specifications of each model.

[0070] To this end, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may include a temperature / humidity sensor. In one embodiment, the temperature / humidity sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor, such as an infrared temperature / humidity sensor. The temperature / humidity sensor measures the temperature / humidity based on the infrared radiation of the electrode plate 300 without contacting the electrode plate 300. The temperature / humidity sensor includes a lens for focusing infrared light onto a detector. After compensating for changes in the ambient temperature, the temperature / humidity sensor converts the infrared radiation into an electrical signal that can be displayed as temperature. However, the temperature / humidity sensor is a relative measuring instrument that only allows comparison of significant differences in the case where an existing measurement is given therein.

[0071] In another embodiment, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may include a density sensor. When the electrode plate passes through the density sensor, the density sensor uses radiation to measure the density and / or weight of the electrode plate 300 in real time. The density sensor is highly reliable when the electrode plate 300 is completely dry. However, since the first dryer 221 dries the electrode plate 300 to remain in an undried state, the density sensor may have low reliability.

[0072] When the dryness of the electrode plate 300 is not accurately measured, there may be a problem of loss for securing conditions due to changes in the dry state according to the specifications of each model as described above. In addition, there may be a problem of breakage of the electrode plate 300 caused by wrinkles in the uncoated portion and / or a decrease in process efficiency due to quality problems of the electrode plate 300.

[0073] Therefore, a method for accurately measuring the dryness of the electrode plate 300 in an undried state and controlling the dryness of the electrode plate 300 according to the measured dryness is needed.

[0074] Figure 7 It is a view showing an example of the operation of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when drying an electrode plate.

[0075] In addition to Figure 5 and Figure 6In addition to the components shown, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment further includes a sensor 240 and an auxiliary dryer 250. Thus, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment may include a plate conveyor 201, a first coater 211, a first dryer 221, a sensor 240, an auxiliary dryer 250, a second coater 212, a second dryer 222, and a processor (not shown). In one embodiment, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may further include a first densitometer 231 and / or a second densitometer 232. However, it will be understood that the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 is not limited thereto. For example, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may not include Figures 5 to 7 at least some of the components shown, and / or may further include other components. Here, the description of Figure 5 and Figure 6 the components shown in may be omitted.

[0076] Referring to Figure 7 , the plate conveyor 201 conveys one or more electrode plates 300. In Figure 7 , "P" represents the conveying direction of the electrode plate 300. For example, the plate conveyor 201 conveys a plurality of electrode plates 300 by arranging the electrode plates 300 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction P. For example, at least some of the electrode plates 300 may be linearly arranged at an interval (e.g., at a predetermined interval). Alternatively, for example, at least some of the electrode plates 300 may be arranged at a random interval. The plate conveyor 201 may convey one or more electrode plates 300 simultaneously (e.g., at the same time) and / or sequentially.

[0077] The sensor 240 measures the dryness of the electrode plate 300. For example, the sensor 240 measures the dryness of one or more electrode plates 300 that have been dried from an undried state by the first dryer 221. To this end, the sensor 240 may be placed downstream of the first dryer 221 in the conveying direction P of the electrode plate 300. In one embodiment, the sensor 240 is a non-contact sensor. In addition, the sensor 240 measures the dryness of the electrode plate 300, rather than the environment in which the electrode plate 300 is dried (e.g., the humidity of the space where the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 is placed). For example, the sensor 240 may measure the moisture content contained in the active material layer on the substrate. In addition, the sensor 240 calculates the dryness by converting the moisture content into dryness. Even when the electrode plate 300 is in an undried state, the sensor 240 can measure the accurate dryness of the electrode plate 300.

[0078] For example, the sensor 240 may measure the overall dryness of one or more electrode plates 300.

[0079] For example, when there are multiple electrode plates 300, the sensor 240 can measure the dryness of each of the multiple electrode plates 300. In one embodiment, for example, the sensor 240 includes one or more first sensors (such as 240a, 240c) and / or a second sensor 240b. The first sensors (such as 240a, 240c) measure the dryness of the electrode plates 300 placed at the edges of the multiple electrode plates 300. For example, the first sensors (such as 240a, 240c) measure the dryness of the electrode plates 300 on the first side and / or the dryness of the electrode plates 300 on the second side among the multiple electrode plates 300 arranged on the plate conveyor 201. The second sensor 240b measures the dryness of the electrode plates 300 at the center among the multiple electrode plates 300 on the plate conveyor 201. In this way, the sensor 240 can measure the dryness of each of the multiple electrode plates 300.

[0080] The processor measures the degree to which the auxiliary dryer 250 dries the electrode plates 300 based on the dryness of the electrode plates 300 as measured by the sensor 240. For example, all of the electrode plates 300 may not achieve the target dryness. In this case, the processor allows the auxiliary dryer 250 to further heat all of the multiple electrode plates 300. Additionally, for example, only some of the multiple electrode plates 300 may not achieve the target dryness. In this case, the processor allows the auxiliary dryer 250 to further heat only some of the multiple electrode plates 300 that have not achieved the target dryness.

[0081] In this way, the auxiliary dryer 250 performs additional drying on each of one or more electrode plates 300. For example, the auxiliary dryer 250 is placed above the plate conveyor 201 and emits heat towards the electrode plates 300 below the auxiliary dryer to perform additional drying.

[0082] In one embodiment, for example, the auxiliary dryer 250 emits radiant heat using at least one of near-infrared (NIR) light, ultraviolet (UV) light, or infrared (IR) light to perform additional drying. In one embodiment, the auxiliary dryer 250 includes a local heating device adapted to emit near-infrared (NIR) light. With this structure, the auxiliary dryer 250 can perform additional heating using radiant heat in the form of near-infrared light through fast and direct heat transfer with a high heat energy density. As a result, the auxiliary dryer 250 can improve the dryness and / or quality of the electrode plates 300, and the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 can be miniaturized. Additionally, the auxiliary dryer 250 allows the apparatus to start quickly and can achieve drying within a few seconds.

[0083] To perform additional drying based on the measurements of the sensor 240, the auxiliary dryer 250 may be placed downstream of the sensor 240 in the transport direction P of the electrode plates 300.

[0084] With such a configuration, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to one embodiment can ensure that the plurality of electrode plates 300 have a uniform dryness. That is, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 can improve the drying uniformity in each row, thereby improving the undried rate.

[0085] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing an electrode plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Referring to Figure 8 , a method of manufacturing an electrode plate that can dry the electrode plates 300 through the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 shown in Figure 7 to improve the drying uniformity of the electrode plates will be described.

[0087] The method of manufacturing an electrode plate according to one embodiment includes a task or step (S101) of applying an active material to the surface of a substrate to form an active material layer. The first coater 211 applies the active material to this surface of the substrate. The description of S101 is the same as or similar to the description of the first coater 211 shown in Figures 5 to 7 .

[0088] The method of manufacturing an electrode plate according to one embodiment includes a task or step (S102) of drying the active material layer on the substrate. The first dryer 221 dries the active material layer formed by the first coater 211. Here, the first dryer 221 dries the plurality of electrode plates 300 such that the plurality of electrode plates 300 have, for example, a first drying rate. The first drying rate is greater than 0% and less than 100%, and is a suitable value that prevents or substantially prevents the electrode plates 300 from suffering from quality degradation due to over-drying or under-drying. The description of S102 is the same as or similar to the description of the first dryer 221 shown in Figures 5 to 7 .

[0089] The method of manufacturing an electrode plate according to one embodiment includes a task or step (S103) of measuring the dryness of the active material layer. The sensor 240 measures the dryness of the active material layer. For example, the sensor 240 measures the dryness of each electrode plate 300 and quantifies the dryness of each electrode plate 300. The description of S103 is the same as or similar to the description of the sensor 240 shown in Figure 7 .

[0090] The method of manufacturing an electrode plate according to one embodiment includes a task or step (S104) of additionally drying the active material layer according to the dryness.

[0091] The auxiliary dryer 250 further dries the electrode plates 300 according to the dryness of each electrode plate 300. The auxiliary dryer 250 further dries the electrode plates 300 according to the dryness of the active material layer measured by the sensor 240.

[0092] For example, the auxiliary dryer 250 further dries all or some of the plurality of electrode plates 300 such that each electrode plate 300 has a second drying rate. The second drying rate is greater than or equal to the first drying rate. In addition, the second drying rate is less than 100%. As a result, the auxiliary dryer 250 can ensure that the plurality of electrode plates 300 have a uniform dryness while (e.g., at the same time) increasing the drying rate of the electrode plates 300. In addition, the auxiliary dryer 250 prevents or substantially prevents the electrode plates 300 from being over-dried by the second dryer 222 in a subsequent process by not allowing the electrode plates 300 to be dried to 100%. The description of S104 is the same as or similar to Figure 7 the description of the auxiliary dryer 250 shown.

[0093] In this way, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment ensures the quality of the electrode plates by measuring the moisture content of the electrode plates 300 in each row to quantify the dryness (or undryness) and performing additional heating based on the quantified dryness.

[0094] In addition, Figure 7 and Figure 8 the method shown can be implemented by measuring the moisture content of the electrode plates 300 by the sensor 240 and quantifying the dryness based on the moisture content. Here, the sensor 240 will be described in more detail.

[0095] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram showing components of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 10 is showing Figure 8 an example of S103 in the form of a flowchart.

[0097] Referring to Figure 9 , the sensor 240 according to an embodiment includes a light source 241, a filter 242, a detector 243, and a moisture content measurement unit 244. Each of these components is operated as follows to measure the dryness of the active material layer of the electrode plates 300.

[0098] Referring to Figure 10 , the sensor 240 according to an embodiment emits light (S201).

[0099] The light source 241 emits light. For example, the light source 241 emits light towards the electrode plate 300. Alternatively, for example, the light source 241 emits light in a direction such that it does not propagate towards the electrode plate 300. In this case, the sensor 240 may further include a mirror (not shown) that reflects the light emitted from the light source 241. The mirror reflects the light to propagate towards the filter 242.

[0100] Referring to Figure 10 , according to one embodiment, the sensor 240 allows only infrared light of a specific wavelength band among the light emitted therefrom to pass through the filter (S202).

[0101] The filter 242 allows only infrared light of a specific wavelength band among the light emitted from the light source 241 to pass through. The filter 242 allows the infrared light of the specific wavelength band to propagate towards the electrode plate 300.

[0102] At least some portions of the light reaching the electrode plate 300 can be absorbed by the O-H bonds of the water molecules contained in the active material layer. Another portion of the light reaching the electrode plate 300 can be not absorbed by the active material layer and can be reflected by the active material layer.

[0103] Referring to Figure 10 , when the light that has passed through the filter 242 is reflected by the active material layer, the sensor 240 detects the reflected light (S203).

[0104] When the light that has passed through the filter 242 is reflected by the electrode plate 300, the detector 243 detects the reflected light. For example, the detector 243 collects the light reflected by the active material layer. In addition, the detector 243 receives the collected light and detects the intensity of the reflected light. The detector 243 is a light receiving element and may include, for example, an InGaAsSb semiconductor.

[0105] Referring to Figure 10 , the sensor 240 measures the moisture content in the active material layer from the detected light (S204).

[0106] The moisture content measurement unit 244 measures the moisture content contained in the electrode plate 300 based on the light intensity detected by the detector. For example, the moisture content measurement unit 244 may digitize the detected light intensity to measure the moisture content through calibration. In one embodiment, the moisture content measurement unit 244 determines the absorbance based on the intensity of the reflected light and calculates the moisture content of the active material layer according to the absorbance.

[0107] Referring to Figure 10 , according to one embodiment, the sensor 240 quantifies the moisture content to measure the dryness (S205). For example, the processor quantifies the undried state of the electrode plate 300 based on the moisture content.

[0108] In this manner, the sensor 240 according to one embodiment can accurately measure the moisture content of the active material layer in the electrode plate 300.

[0109] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing Figure 8 an example of S104.

[0110] Figure 11 shows the operation of the auxiliary dryer 250 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] The processor according to one embodiment converts the measured dryness into a drying rate (S301). The processor converts the dryness of each of the plurality of electrode plates 300 into a drying rate. As a result, the processor determines the drying state of each electrode plate 300.

[0112] The processor according to one embodiment calculates the additional dryness required for the drying rate to reach a certain drying rate (e.g., a preset drying rate) (S302). The preset drying rate is, for example, the second drying rate described above in Figure 8 The processor calculates the additional dryness required for each electrode plate 300 to reach the second drying rate. For example, the processor determines the position of each electrode plate 300, the amount of radiant heat required for additional drying of each electrode plate 300, and / or the time, etc.

[0113] The processor according to one embodiment performs additional drying on the electrode plate 300 through the auxiliary dryer 250 based on the additional dryness (S303).

[0114] For example, the auxiliary dryer 250 can dry each of the plurality of electrode plates 300 to reach a second drying rate having the same value as the first drying rate. In this case, some of the electrode plates 300 may have been dried to the first drying rate by the first dryer 221, while other electrode plates 300 may not have been dried to the first drying rate by the first dryer 221. In one embodiment, the auxiliary dryer 250 can perform additional drying only on the other electrode plates 300 so that all of the plurality of electrode plates 300 have a uniform drying rate in each row.

[0115] In one embodiment, for example, the auxiliary dryer 250 may dry each of the plurality of electrode plates 300 to a second drying rate that exceeds the first drying rate. In this case, some of the electrode plates 300 may have been dried by the first dryer 221 to meet the second drying rate, some other electrode plates 300 may have been over-dried by the first dryer 221 to meet the first drying rate, and the third electrode plates 300 may not have been dried by the first dryer 221 to meet the first drying rate. In one embodiment, the auxiliary dryer 250 may not perform additional drying on some of the plurality of electrode plates 300. In addition, the auxiliary dryer 250 may perform additional drying on the some other electrode plates 300. In addition, the auxiliary dryer 250 may perform additional drying more strongly on the third electrode plates 300. In one embodiment, the auxiliary dryer 250 may perform additional drying by, for example, emitting radiant heat, and may perform additional drying more strongly by increasing the intensity (e.g., temperature) of the radiant heat emitted therefrom and / or by increasing the time for emitting the radiant heat. With this operation, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to one embodiment can improve the drying uniformity of the plurality of electrode plates 300 in each row while appropriately increasing the drying rate of the electrode plates.

[0116] The processor may control the auxiliary dryer 250 to increase the drying rate of the electrode plates 300. In addition, the processor can improve the drying uniformity of the electrode plates 300 in each row.

[0117] Thus, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to one embodiment may control the auxiliary dryer 250 through artificial intelligence (AI) control to improve the coating quality and / or process efficiency.

[0118] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram showing components of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Figure 13 is a view of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] Referring to Figure 12 , the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to one embodiment includes a first coater 211, a first dryer 221, a sensor 240, an auxiliary dryer 250, a second coater 212, a second dryer 222, and a processor, as Figures 5 to 11 shown. In one embodiment, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 may further include a first densitometer 231 and / or a second densitometer 232.

[0121] Referring to Figure 13, in one embodiment, the sensor 240 can be placed at or located at the outlet of the first dryer 221. The outlet of the first dryer 221 refers to the area of the first dryer through which the electrode plate 300 dried by the first dryer 221 exits. Since the sensor 240 is placed at the outlet of the first dryer 221, the sensor 240 can accurately determine the dryness of the electrode plate 300. However, the position of the sensor 240 is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor 240 can be placed inside the first dryer 221 to sense the dryness of the electrode plate 300 in real time when drying the electrode plate 300.

[0122] Referring again to Figure 13 , in one embodiment, the auxiliary dryer 250 can be placed at the outlet of the first dryer 221. In one embodiment, the auxiliary dryer 250 can be placed on the same vertical line as the sensor 240, or can be placed downstream of the sensor 240. The downstream position is determined based on the conveying direction of the electrode plate 300.

[0123] For each component of the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200, the same or similar description as that Figures 5 to 11 shown can be omitted.

[0124] Figure 5 and Figure 6 No measures are provided for accurately measuring the dryness of the electrode plate 300. As a result, even after the active material layer corresponding to one surface of the electrode plate 300 is dried by the first dryer 221, it is difficult to accurately measure the density of the active material layer.

[0125] However, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 according to one embodiment can accurately measure the dryness of the active material layer through the sensor 240, and / or additionally dry the electrode plate 300 through the auxiliary dryer 250 to have a uniform dryness in each row, and / or additionally dry the electrode plate 300 to the required dryness. As a result, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 can accurately measure the density of the electrode plate 300 via the first densitometer 231. Therefore, the processor can provide feedback to the first coater 211 based on the measurement of the first densitometer 231.

[0126] In this way, the electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 200 and / or the electrode plate manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention can provide the sensor 240 to determine the dryness of the electrode plate 300, quantify the dryness of the electrode plate 300, and control the dryness by using the auxiliary dryer 250 through, for example, AI control, thereby improving the coating quality of the electrode plate and / or improving the process efficiency.

[0127] Although the present invention has been described with reference to some embodiments and the accompanying drawings showing aspects thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto. Within the spirit of the technology of the present invention and the scope of the claims and their equivalents, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations.

[0128] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0177807, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 8, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An electrode plate manufacturing device, comprising: a plate conveyor conveying a plurality of electrode plates, each electrode plate having an active material layer on a substrate thereof; a dryer for drying the electrode plate conveyed by the plate conveyor; a sensor to measure a dryness of each of the plurality of electrode plates being dried; an auxiliary dryer to perform additional drying of at least one of the plurality of electrode plates; as well as A processor controls the auxiliary dryer based on the dryness. 2 . The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure the dryness of the electrode plate by measuring a moisture content contained in the active material layer.

3. The electrode plate manufacturing device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises: Light source, emitting light; an optical filter that allows only infrared light of a specific wavelength band among the light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough; a detector that detects reflected light when the light having passed through the optical filter is reflected by the active material layer; and A moisture content measuring unit measures the moisture content contained in the active material layer from the light detected by the detector. 4 . The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plate conveyor is configured to convey the plurality of electrode plates arranged in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the electrode plates.

5. The electrode plate manufacturing device according to claim 4, wherein the sensor comprises: at least one first sensor for measuring the dryness of the electrode plates located at the edges of the plurality of electrode plates; and a second sensor for measuring the dryness of an electrode plate located at a center of the plurality of electrode plates. 6 . The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary dryer is arranged above the plate conveyor and configured to emit heat toward the active material layer to perform additional drying. 7 . The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary dryer is configured to emit radiant heat using at least one of near infrared (NIR) light, ultraviolet (UV) light, or infrared (IR) light.

8. The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to allow the dryer to dry the plurality of electrode plates to a first drying rate and allow the auxiliary dryer to additionally dry the plurality of electrode plates to a second drying rate, wherein the second drying rate is greater than or equal to the first drying rate and less than 100%.

9. The electrode plate manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the additional dryness required for each of the plurality of electrode plates to reach the second drying rate, and to control the auxiliary dryer according to the calculated additional dryness to perform additional drying on all or some of the plurality of electrode plates.

10. The electrode plate manufacturing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first coating machine for applying an active material to a surface of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon; A second coating machine applies an active material to the other surface of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon after performing additional drying on the electrode plate. 11 . The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the dryer is configured to dry both surfaces of the electrode plate having the active material layer formed on the other surface of the substrate by the second coating machine.

12. The electrode plate manufacturing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A densitometer for measuring the density of the active material layer of the electrode plate subjected to additional drying.

13. A method for manufacturing an electrode plate, comprising: applying an active material to a surface of a substrate to form an active material layer thereon; drying the active material layer; measuring the dryness of the active material layer; as well as Additional drying is performed on the active material layer according to the dryness of the active material layer.

14. The method for manufacturing an electrode plate according to claim 13, wherein measuring the dryness comprises: emitting light toward the active material layer; Allows infrared light of a specific wavelength band among the emitted light to pass through the filter; detecting reflected light when light having passed through the filter is reflected by the active material layer; measuring the moisture content contained in the active material layer from the detected light; as well as The moisture content is calculated to measure the dryness.

15. The method for manufacturing an electrode plate according to claim 13, further comprising: After performing the additional drying, applying an active material to the other surface of the substrate to form an active material layer thereon; as well as The active material layers on the surface and the other surface of the substrate are dried.

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