Dry electrode manufacturing apparatus and dry electrode manufacturing method

Abstract

Disclosed are a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus and a dry electrode manufacturing method. A dry electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a material guide tank including an internal space, a material inlet, and a material outlet, the material guide tank being configured to accommodate electrode powder input through the material inlet in the internal space and discharge the electrode powder from the internal space through the material outlet; a pair of calender rolls with a gap formed therebetween such that the electrode powder discharged through the material outlet passes through the gap to be compressed into an electrode film; a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the material guide tank; a material guide tank moving portion to support the material guide tank and configured to move the material guide tank to change a material guide tank-calender roll distance between the material guide tank and each of the pair of calender rolls; and a controller configured to control the material guide tank moving portion such that, if the temperature of the material guide tank is higher than or equal to a reference temperature, the material guide tank-calender roll distance becomes greater than a reference distance.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0168574, filed on November 22, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus and a dry electrode manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0003] Electrodes in secondary batteries can be classified into wet electrodes and dry electrodes. Wet electrodes are manufactured by coating a current collector with a slurry prepared by mixing electrode active materials, conductive materials, and binders with an organic solvent, and then drying the coated current collector to remove the organic solvent.

[0004] Dry electrodes can be manufactured by mixing electrode active materials, conductive materials, and binders without the use of organic solvents and then attaching the mixture to a current collector. Since organic solvents are not used in the manufacture of dry electrodes, they are environmentally friendly, and because no equipment or processes for drying the slurry are required, the cost of manufacturing electrodes can be reduced and productivity increased.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is provided only to enhance the understanding of the background technology of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute related technology. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus and a dry electrode manufacturing method are provided, which prevent or substantially prevent the agglomeration of electrode powder in the feed trough due to heat transferred from the heated calender roll to the feed trough.

[0007] However, the aspects and technical objectives to be achieved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other aspects and objectives not described above through the following description of this disclosure.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus includes: a feed trough including an internal space, an inlet, and an outlet, the feed trough being configured to contain electrode powder input through the inlet in the internal space and to discharge the electrode powder from the internal space through the outlet; a pair of calendering rolls with a gap formed between them, such that electrode powder discharged through the outlet passes through the gap to be compressed into an electrode film; a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the feed trough; a feed trough moving part configured to support the feed trough and move the feed trough to change the feed trough-calendering roll distance between the feed trough and each of the pair of calendering rolls; and a controller configured to control the feed trough moving part such that when the temperature of the feed trough is greater than or equal to a certain (e.g., preset) reference temperature, the feed trough-calendering roll distance becomes greater than a certain (e.g., preset) reference distance.

[0009] The distance between the feed trough and the calender roll can be the minimum distance between the outer circumferential surface of the calender roll and the feed trough in the direction of movement of the feed trough.

[0010] The distance between the feed trough and the calender roll can be within 5% of the radius of the calender roll.

[0011] The distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll can be increased proportionally to the increase in the temperature of the feed trough.

[0012] The feed trough may include a curved corner that is recessed to have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll, and the feed trough may include a protective layer stacked on the curved corner to prevent damage to the calender roll.

[0013] The protective layer may include fluorinated resins or rubber.

[0014] The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus may further include a cooling jacket that allows refrigerant to flow around the feed trough to cool the feed trough.

[0015] The refrigerant can be air or liquid water.

[0016] When the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is greater than the reference distance, if the temperature of the guide trough becomes lower than the reference temperature, the controller can be configured to control the guide trough moving part so that the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll becomes the same as the reference distance.

[0017] The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus may further include: a trimming section or trimmer configured to cut the end portion of the electrode film in the width direction and separate waste from the electrode film; and a waste suction section configured to suction the waste.

[0018] The controller is further used to control the waste suction section, such that if the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll becomes greater than the reference distance, the suction force of the waste suction section becomes greater than the suction force when the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is the reference distance.

[0019] The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus may further include: an electrode powder supplier configured to supply electrode powder into an internal space through a feed port; and a level detection sensor for detecting whether the deposition level of the electrode powder in the internal space has reached a certain (e.g., preset) reference level.

[0020] The controller is further used to control the electrode powder supply so that if the level detection sensor detects that the deposition level has reached the reference level, the electrode powder is not input into the internal space.

[0021] The horizontal detection sensor can be provided as multiple horizontal detection sensors; and multiple horizontal detection sensors can be installed at multiple points at different levels in the feed chute.

[0022] The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus may further include a laminating roller configured to attach an electrode film to a current collector.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a dry electrode includes: an electrode film forming operation in which electrode powder contained in the internal space of a feed trough is discharged from the feed trough and allowed to pass through the gap between a pair of calender rolls to form an electrode film; a temperature measuring operation in which the temperature of the feed trough is measured simultaneously with the formation of the electrode film; and a feed trough-calender roll distance increasing operation in which, if the temperature of the feed trough is greater than a certain (e.g., preset) reference temperature, the feed trough is moved such that the feed trough-calender roll distance between the feed trough and each of the pair of calender rolls becomes greater than a certain (e.g., preset) reference distance.

[0024] The dry electrode manufacturing method may further include: a feed trough cooling operation, wherein if the temperature of the feed trough is greater than a certain reference temperature, refrigerant is allowed to flow around the feed trough to cool it.

[0025] The dry electrode manufacturing method may further include: a temperature remeasurement operation, in which the temperature of the feed trough is remeasured after an operation to increase the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll; and a feed trough-calender roll distance reduction operation, in which if the temperature of the feed trough measured in the temperature remeasurement operation is lower than a reference temperature, the feed trough is moved so that the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll becomes the same as the reference distance.

[0026] The dry electrode manufacturing method may further include: a deposition level measurement operation to measure the deposition level of electrode powder in the internal space; and an electrode powder supply stop operation to stop the supply of electrode powder to the internal space if the deposition level is greater than or equal to a certain reference level.

[0027] The dry electrode manufacturing method may further include: a trimming operation, cutting the end portion of the electrode film in the width direction and separating the waste from the electrode film; and a waste suction operation, wherein the waste suction operation may include the following operation: if the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll becomes greater than a reference distance, increasing the suction force used to suction the waste to be greater than the suction force when the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll is the reference distance. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from a further detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram illustrating a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is an example Figure 1 A perspective view of the feed trough and a pair of calendering rolls of a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus;

[0031] Figure 3 This is an example Figure 2 A magnified view of region "B";

[0032] Figure 4 This is an example along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the feed trough and cooling jacket taken from line S1-S1;

[0033] Figure 5 This is an example Figure 4 A magnified view of region "C";

[0034] Figure 6 This is an example Figure 1 An enlarged view of region "A" showing the state where the distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll is the reference distance;

[0035] Figure 7 Is with Figure 6 The corresponding example view shows a state where the distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll is increased to be greater than the reference distance;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a dry electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 9 This is an example Figure 8 A block diagram of the electrode powder supply control operation; and

[0038] Figure 10 This is an example Figure 8 A flowchart of the trimming control operation. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In this document, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor is capable of being his / her own lexicographer to appropriately define the terminology.

[0040] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only some of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure and do not necessarily represent all the technical ideas, aspects, and features of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein can exist at the time of filing this application.

[0041] It should be understood that when a component or layer is described as being "on," "connected to," or "attached to" another component or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or attached to the other component or layer, or one or more intermediate components or layers may be present. When a component or layer is described as being "directly" on, directly connected to, or directly attached to another component or layer, no intermediate components or layers are present. For example, when a first component is described as being "attached" or "connected" to a second component, the first component can be directly attached to or connected to the second component, or the first component can be indirectly attached to or connected to the second component via one or more intermediate components.

[0042] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of various elements, layers, etc., may be enlarged for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. Furthermore, the use of “may” in describing embodiments of this disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of this disclosure.” Expressions such as “at least one of…” and “any one of…” preceding / following the list of elements modify the entire list of elements, not individual elements in the list. When phrases such as “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C,” or “at least one selected from A, B, and C” are used to specify a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B, and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the term “use” may be considered synonymous with the term “utilize.” As used herein, the terms “roughly,” “approximately,” and similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than terms of degree and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measurements or calculations that would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

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

[0044] For ease of description, this document uses spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “above,” and “up” to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features can be oriented as “above” or “upon” other elements or features. Therefore, the term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated 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 groups thereof.

[0046] Furthermore, any numerical ranges disclosed and / or enumerated herein are intended to include all subranges with the same numerical precision contained within the enumerated ranges. For example, the range “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all subranges between the enumerated minimum value of 1.0 and the enumerated maximum value of 10.0 (and inclusive of both), i.e., a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit enumerated herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit enumerated in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly enumerate any subranges contained within the scope expressly enumerated herein.

[0047] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc., as “identical” may mean that they are “same or substantially the same.” Therefore, the phrase “same or substantially the same” can include cases with a deviation considered low in the art, such as 5% or less. Furthermore, when a parameter is said to be consistent in a given region, this may mean that it is consistent in terms of average value.

[0048] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0049] When any element is described as being arranged (or positioned or located) "above (or below)" or "on top (or below)" a component, this may mean that the element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, or it may mean that another component may be located between the component and any element arranged (or positioned or located) on (or below) the component.

[0050] Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected," "linked," or "attached" to another element, these elements may be directly "connected," "linked," or "attached" to each other, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them through which the element can be "connected," "linked," or "attached" to the other element. Additionally, when a part is referred to as "electrically connected" to another part, the part may be directly electrically connected to the other part, or one or more intervening parts may exist between them, such that the part and the other part are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

[0051] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, when “A and / or B” is mentioned, it means A, B, or A and B. In other words, “and / or” includes any or all combinations of the listed items. Unless otherwise indicated, when “C to D” is mentioned, it means greater than or equal to C and less than or equal to D.

[0052] The terminology used in this specification is for describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0053] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram illustrating a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 This is an example Figure 1 A perspective view of the feed trough and a pair of calendering rolls of a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus. Figure 3 This is an example Figure 2 An enlarged view of region "B"; and Figure 4 This is an example along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the feed trough and cooling jacket taken from line S1-S1. Figure 5 This is an example Figure 4 An enlarged view of region "C"; and Figure 6 This is an example Figure 1 An enlarged view of region "A" showing the state where the distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll is the reference distance. Figure 7 Is with Figure 6 The corresponding example shows a view where the distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll is increased to a greater than the reference distance.

[0054] refer to Figures 1 to 7 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for manufacturing a dry electrode 10, which includes an electrode film 15 and an electrode body (or current collector) 11, wherein the electrode film 15 is attached to the electrode body 11 and supported by the electrode body 11.

[0055] The electrode powder 1, which is mixed with electrode active material, conductive material and binder, can pass between a pair of calendering rolls 110 and thus be compressed to produce electrode film 15. For example, the electrode body 11 can be a foil formed of a metallic material such as copper.

[0056] The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a feed trough 120, a pair of calendering rollers 110, a temperature sensor 143, a feed trough moving part 150, and a controller 195. The feed trough 120 includes an internal space 121, a feed inlet 123, and a discharge outlet 125. Electrode powder 1 is contained in the internal space 121. Electrode powder 1 is input into the internal space 121 through the feed inlet 123 and discharged from the internal space 121 through the discharge outlet 125.

[0057] The feed chute 120 includes a pair of first walls 130 and a pair of second walls 133 defining an internal space 121. The first walls 130 are spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the pair of calender rolls 110 are arranged, and the second walls 133 are spaced apart from each other facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the pair of calender rolls 110. In an embodiment, the internal space 121 of the feed chute 120, which has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, may be defined by the pair of first walls 130 and the pair of second walls 133. The open upper side and open lower side of the feed chute 120 may be an inlet 123 and an outlet 125.

[0058] A pair of calendering rolls 110 are arranged in parallel such that a gap 115 is formed between the pair of calendering rolls 110. Electrode powder 1 discharged through the discharge port 125 can pass through the gap 115 between the pair of calendering rolls 110 and can be compressed into an electrode film 15, and the electrode film 15 can be discharged downward from the pair of calendering rolls 110.

[0059] A pair of calendering rolls 110 extend in a first direction. A gap 115 may be formed between the pair of calendering rolls 110. If the electrode powder 1 is heated as it passes through the gap 115, the electrode powder 1 may agglomerate due to the action of the binder contained in the electrode powder 1 and be compressed by the pair of calendering rolls 110 to form an electrode film 15.

[0060] In an embodiment, a pair of calender rolls 110 may include a heater (not shown) that generates heat to reliably coalesce the electrode powder 1 passing through the gap 115. For example, the heater may heat the calender rolls 110 such that the outer peripheral surface of the calender rolls 110 generates heat in the temperature range of 80 to 180°C.

[0061] Each of the second walls 133 may include a pair of curved corners 138 and a central protrusion 135. The pair of curved corners 138 and the central protrusion 135 may be provided in the lower end portion of the second wall 133 in a third-order direction. Each of the pair of curved corners 138 may have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of calender rolls 110. The pair of curved corners 138 are recessed and face the pair of calender rolls 110.

[0062] The central protrusion 135 may project toward the gap 115 between a pair of calendering rolls 110. For example, the central protrusion 135 may project downward between a pair of bends 138, parallel to a third direction. In an embodiment, the shape of the pair of bends 138 may be symmetrical to each other with respect to the central protrusion 135 therebetween.

[0063] The feed chute 120 may include a protective layer 140 stacked on a pair of curved corners 138 and a central protrusion 135 to prevent or substantially prevent damage to a pair of calender rolls 110. In an embodiment, a pair of second walls 133 may include a protective layer 140 stacked on the lower end portion to have a predetermined thickness. A pair of first walls 130 may include a protective layer 140 stacked on the lower corner 131 to have a predetermined thickness.

[0064] In an embodiment, for example, the protective layer 140 may comprise a fluoropolymer resin or rubber such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The protective layer 140 may be formed of a fluoropolymer resin or rubber material such as PTFE. The protective layer 140 may prevent or substantially prevent the electrode powder 1 from leaking to the outside of the feed trough 120 through the gap between the bend 138 and the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 110.

[0065] The feed inlet 123 and the discharge outlet 125 are arranged in a third direction. The third direction can be perpendicular to the first and second directions. The second direction can be a direction perpendicular to a pair of axes RX extending in the longitudinal direction of a pair of calendering rolls 110. For example, the third direction can be a vertical direction parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0066] For example, the first and second directions can be horizontal directions perpendicular to gravity. For example, the first direction can be forward / backward, and the second direction can be left / right. Figures 1 to 7In this context, the first direction can be parallel to the X-axis, the second direction can be parallel to the Y-axis, and the third direction can be parallel to the Z-axis.

[0067] Temperature sensor 143 measures the temperature of feed chute 120. For example, temperature sensor 143 can be mounted on second wall 133 at a level between the level of central protrusion 135 and the level of lower corner 131 in a third-party upward orientation.

[0068] The guide trough moving part 150 supports the guide trough 120 and moves the guide trough 120 relative to a pair of calender rolls 110 to change the guide trough-calender roll distance between the guide trough 120 and the pair of calender rolls 110 (or between the guide trough 120 and each of the pair of calender rolls 110), which has a value range [GP1, GP2] defined by a minimum value GP1 and a maximum value GP2. The guide trough moving part 150 may include a guide trough support 151 and an actuator 156.

[0069] The feed chute 120 is coupled to and supported by the feed chute bracket 151. An actuator 156 provides power to move the feed chute bracket 151 and the feed chute 120 supported by the feed chute bracket 151 upward in a third direction. The actuator 156 may be coupled to the feed chute bracket 151. In embodiments, for example, the actuator 156 may include an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0070] If the temperature of the feed trough 120 measured by the temperature sensor 143 is greater than or equal to a certain (e.g., preset) reference temperature, the controller 195 controls the feed trough moving part 150 so that the feed trough-calendering roll distance becomes greater than a certain (e.g., preset) reference distance GP0. For example, the controller 195 can control the operation of the actuator 156.

[0071] The distance between the guide trough and the calender roll can have a minimum spacing between the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 110 and the guide trough 120 in the direction of movement of the guide trough 120. For example, the direction of movement of the guide trough 120 can be parallel to a third direction.

[0072] For example, if a virtual straight line extending parallel to a third direction passes through a point belonging to the lower corner 131 of the first wall 130 and another point belonging to the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 110, then the minimum value GP1 of the guide groove-calender roll distance can be the minimum distance between that point and that other point.

[0073] As another example, if a virtual straight line extending parallel to a third direction passes through a point belonging to the bend corner 138 and passes through or is tangent to another point belonging to the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 110, then the minimum value GP1 of the feed trough-calender roll distance can be the minimum distance between that point and that other point.

[0074] In an embodiment, for example, the reference distance GP0 can be in the range of 0 to 0.2 mm. When the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 starts operating, the minimum value GP1 of the feed trough-calendering roll distance can be set to the same distance as the reference distance GP0. The reference distance GP0 can be the minimum value GP1 of the feed trough-calendering roll distance.

[0075] In this embodiment, the distance between the feed chute and the calender roll can be within 5% of the radius RD of the calender roll 110. In other words, the maximum value GP2 of the distance between the feed chute and the calender roll can be 5% of the radius RD of the calender roll 110.

[0076] If the maximum value GP2 of the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll is greater than 5% of the radius RD of the calender roll 110, the distance between the lower corner 131 of the first wall 130 and the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 110, and the distance between the bending corner 138 of the second wall 133 and the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 100, become excessively increased. Therefore, the electrode powder 1 may leak to the outside of the feed trough 120 through these distances.

[0077] Therefore, the waste 17 at both ends of the electrode film 15 in the width direction may be excessively increased, and the amount of electrode powder 1 that is wasted and not compressed into the electrode film 15 increases, thus the productivity of the dry electrode 10 may decrease.

[0078] If the temperature of the feed trough 120 measured by the temperature sensor 143 is greater than or equal to the reference temperature, the feed trough-calender roll distance becomes greater than the reference distance GP0. Therefore, heat transfer from the heated calender roll 110 to the feed trough 120 is suppressed, and the electrode powder 1 contained in the feed trough 120 does not overheat. Consequently, the electrode powder 1 does not agglomerate in the feed trough 120 before passing through the gap 115 between the pair of calender rolls 110 and being compressed and formed into the electrode film 15.

[0079] According to the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, since the electrode powder 1 does not agglomerate in the internal space 121 of the feed trough 120, defects in the electrode film 15 and the dry electrode 10 can be reduced.

[0080] When the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is greater than the reference distance GP0, and the temperature of the guide trough 120 is lower than the reference temperature, the controller 195 can control the guide trough moving part 150 to make the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll the same as the reference distance GP0.

[0081] In the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the temperature of the guide trough 120 is lower than the reference temperature, the guide trough-calendering roll distance is maintained at a minimum value GP1, which is the same as the reference distance GP0, and when the temperature of the guide trough 120 is greater than or equal to the reference temperature, the guide trough 120 moves such that the guide trough-calendering roll distance becomes the maximum value GP2.

[0082] Furthermore, when the temperature of the feed chute 120 is maintained at or above the reference temperature, the feed chute-calender roll distance is maintained at its maximum value GP2. And when the temperature of the feed chute 120 is below the reference temperature, the feed chute 120 moves, causing the feed chute-calender roll distance to become its minimum value GP1. In other words, the feed chute 120 moves to its initial position, causing the feed chute-calender roll distance to become the reference distance GP0.

[0083] In a dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, if the temperature of the feed trough increases, the feed trough-calendering roll distance can be gradually increased proportionally to the temperature increase. Furthermore, if the temperature of the feed trough decreases, the feed trough-calendering roll distance can be gradually decreased proportionally to the temperature decrease.

[0084] In an embodiment, the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a cooling jacket 170. The cooling jacket 170 may allow refrigerant to flow around the feed channel 120 to cool the feed channel 120. In an embodiment, the cooling jacket 170 may include an outer wall 171 that surrounds (e.g., encircles) a first wall 130 and a second wall 133 of the feed channel 120 and is coupled to the first wall 130 and the second wall 133.

[0085] A refrigerant flow space 174 may be provided between the first wall 130 and the second wall 133 and the outer jacket wall 171. The cooling jacket 170 may further include a refrigerant inlet 176 and a refrigerant outlet 178, the refrigerant inlet 176 being used to provide a flow path for supplying refrigerant to the refrigerant flow space 174, and the refrigerant outlet 178 being used to provide a flow path for discharging refrigerant from the refrigerant flow space 174 to the outside.

[0086] If the temperature of the feed chute 120 is greater than or equal to the reference temperature, the feed chute 120 can be rapidly cooled by moving the feed chute 120 such that the feed chute-calender roll distance becomes a maximum value GP2 greater than the reference distance GP0, and allowing the refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant inlet 176 into the refrigerant flow space 174 to flow in the refrigerant flow space 174 while exchanging heat with the feed chute 120. The refrigerant heated by exchanging heat with the feed chute 120 can be discharged to the outside of the refrigerant flow space 174 through the refrigerant outlet 178.

[0087] The feed trough 120, which is rapidly cooled to a temperature below the reference temperature through heat exchange with the cooling jacket 170, can quickly return to its initial position where the feed trough-calendering roll distance becomes the same as the reference distance GP0.

[0088] For example, the refrigerant can be air or liquid water. The cooling effect of liquid water as the refrigerant can be stronger than that of air. When the air conditioning at the location where the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is installed is set to dry, condensation on the outer casing 171 due to refrigerant flow can be prevented or substantially prevented.

[0089] In an embodiment, the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a trimming section or trimmer 180 and a waste suction section 185. The trimming section 180 cuts the end portion of the electrode film 15 in the width direction through the gap 115 between a pair of calendering rolls 110 to separate the waste 17 from the electrode film 15.

[0090] The width direction of the electrode film 15 may be parallel to the first direction. The two end portions of the electrode film 15 in the width direction may have irregular, wavy boundaries, and wrinkles may appear on these boundaries. In an embodiment, the trimming portion 180 may include a blade capable of cutting the electrode film 15.

[0091] When the blade penetrates the two side ends of the electrode membrane 15, the electrode membrane 15 can be cut along a virtual straight line TL parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electrode membrane 15 to separate the waste 17 from the electrode membrane 15.

[0092] The waste suction unit 185 suctions the waste 17 separated from the electrode film 15. When the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll becomes greater than the reference distance GP0, the controller 195 can control the waste suction unit 185 so that the suction force of the waste suction unit 185 becomes greater than the suction force of the waste suction unit 185 when the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll is the reference distance GP0.

[0093] As the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll increases, the distance between the bending corner 138 of the second wall 133 and the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll 110 increases, allowing for an increase in the width of the electrode film 15 discharged through the gap 115, and also an increase in the amount of waste 17. Therefore, the controller 195 can increase the suction force of the waste suction unit 185 to prevent or substantially prevent the movement of the electrode film 15 from being disturbed by the waste 17.

[0094] In an embodiment, the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include laminating rollers 190. The laminating rollers 190 attach the electrode film 15 to the current collector 11 to form the dry electrode 10. In an embodiment, the laminating rollers 190 may be provided as a pair of laminating rollers 190. The pair of laminating rollers 190 may be arranged in parallel such that a gap is formed between the pair of laminating rollers 190. The pair of laminating rollers 190 may extend parallel to the calendering roller 110, for example, parallel to a first direction.

[0095] A pair of laminating rollers 190 may be disposed separately from a pair of calendering rollers 110. In an embodiment, the current collector 11 and the electrode film 15 come into contact with each other (e.g., close contact) as they pass through the gap between the pair of laminating rollers 190, such that the electrode film 15 can be attached to the current collector 11.

[0096] In an embodiment, the device may further include an electrode powder supplier 101 and horizontal detection sensors 145 and 147. The electrode powder supplier 101 feeds electrode powder 1 into the internal space 121 of the feed trough 120 through a feed inlet 123. In an embodiment, the electrode powder supplier 101 may include a vibration guide plate 105 that vibrates the electrode powder 1 and guides the electrode powder 1 toward the feed inlet 123. The vibration guide plate 105 may extend obliquely downward such that the lower end portion of the vibration guide plate 105 is located on the feed inlet 123.

[0097] Horizontal detection sensors 145 and 147 detect whether the deposition level of electrode powder 1 in the internal space 121 has reached a certain (e.g., preset) reference level. Electrode powder 1 can be deposited in the internal space 121 in a third-direction upward direction. For example, if the amount of electrode powder 1 increases, the deposition level of electrode powder 1 in the internal space 121 can increase in the positive (+) direction of the Z-axis.

[0098] If the level detection sensors 145 and 147 detect that the deposition level of electrode powder 1 has reached the reference level, the controller 195 can control the electrode powder supplier 101 so that the electrode powder 1 is not fed into the internal space 121. Therefore, the electrode powder 1 will not overflow through the feed port 123 of the feed chute 120, thus preventing or substantially preventing the loss of electrode powder 1 and operation delays.

[0099] For example, level detection sensors 145 and 147 can be contact sensors. In embodiments, level detection sensors 145 and 147 can be provided as multiple level detection sensors. Multiple level detection sensors 145 and 147 can be installed at multiple points at different horizontal levels in the feed chute 120. For example, the dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a first level detection sensor 145 and a second level detection sensor 147.

[0100] For example, a first level detection sensor 145 can be positioned at a height HE1 that is further upward than the level of the lower corner 131 in a third direction. In an embodiment, height HE1 can be 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the level difference between the lower corner 131 and the feed inlet 123. A second level detection sensor 147 can be positioned at a height HE2 that is further upward than the level of the first level detection sensor 145 in a third direction. In an embodiment, for example, height HE2 can be in the range of 10 to 40 mm.

[0101] For example, the horizontal detection sensors 145 and 147 can be contact sensors. The horizontal detection sensors 145 and 147 can be mounted on the inner surface of the second wall 133.

[0102] In an embodiment, if electrode powder 1 is deposited in the internal space 121 such that the deposition level of electrode powder 1 reaches the level of the first level detection sensor 145, the first level detection sensor 145 sends a detection signal to the controller 195, and the controller 195 controls the electrode powder supplier 101 not to supply electrode powder 1 to the feed port 123.

[0103] In an embodiment, even if the deposition level of electrode powder 1 reaches the level of the first level detection sensor 145, but is not detected due to a fault or defect of the first level detection sensor 145, then if the deposition level of electrode powder 1 reaches the level of the second level detection sensor 147, the second level detection sensor 147 sends a detection signal to the controller 195, and the controller 195 controls the electrode powder supplier 101 not to supply electrode powder 1 to the feed port 123.

[0104] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating a dry electrode manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 This is an example Figure 8 A block diagram of the electrode powder supply control operation. Figure 10 This is an example Figure 8 A flowchart of the trimming control operation.

[0105] refer to Figure 8 The dry electrode manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode film formation operation S100, a temperature measurement operation S200, and a feed trough-calendering roll distance increase operation S220. The dry electrode manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used... Figures 1 to 7 The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 shown according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to perform this process.

[0106] The electrode film forming operation S100 is an operation in which electrode powder 1 contained in the internal space 121 of the feed trough 120 is discharged from the feed trough 120 and allowed to pass through the gap 115 between a pair of calendering rollers 110 to form an electrode film 15.

[0107] Temperature measurement operation S200 is an operation that measures the temperature of the feed trough 120 while the electrode film 15 is being formed. The temperature of the feed trough 120 can be measured by temperature sensor 143.

[0108] The operation S220 of increasing the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll is as follows: if it is determined that the temperature of the guide trough 120 is higher than a certain (e.g., preset) reference temperature (S210), the guide trough 120 is moved such that the distance between the guide trough 120 and each of the pair of calender rolls 110 becomes greater than a certain (e.g., preset) reference distance GP0.

[0109] The operation S220, which increases the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll, can be performed by the guide trough moving part 150 and the controller 195. Since the operation of the guide trough moving part 250 and the controller 195 has already been described above, its repeated description will be omitted.

[0110] The dry electrode manufacturing method may further include a feed trough cooling operation S221, a temperature remeasurement operation S222, and a feed trough-calender roll distance reduction operation S230. The feed trough cooling operation S221 is as follows: if the temperature of the feed trough 120 is higher than a certain reference temperature, refrigerant is allowed to flow around the feed trough 120 to cool the feed trough 120.

[0111] The cooling operation S221 of the feed chute can be performed by the cooling jacket 170 and the controller 195, and since the operation of the cooling jacket 170 and the controller 195 has been described above, its repeated description will be omitted.

[0112] The temperature remeasurement operation S222 is an operation to remeasure the temperature of the feed trough 120 after the operation S220 of increasing the distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll. The temperature of the feed trough 120 can be measured by the temperature sensor 143.

[0113] The operation S230, which reduces the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll, is as follows: if the temperature of the feed trough 120 measured in the temperature remeasurement operation S222 is lower than the reference temperature (S223), the feed trough 120 is moved so that the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll becomes the same as the reference distance GP0.

[0114] The operation S230, which reduces the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll, can be performed by the guide trough moving part 150 and the controller 195, just like the operation S220, which increases the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll. Since the operation of the guide trough moving part 150 and the controller 195 has already been described above, its repeated description will be omitted.

[0115] The dry electrode manufacturing method may further include feed trough-calender roll distance holding operations S211 and S224. In an embodiment, the feed trough-calender roll distance holding operation S211, performed when the temperature of the feed trough 120 measured in the temperature measurement operation S200 is lower than the reference temperature (S210), may be an operation to maintain the feed trough-calender roll distance at a minimum value GP1, which is the same as the reference distance GP0. The temperature measurement operation S200 may be repeated after a certain (e.g., predetermined) time (S212) has elapsed following the feed trough-calender roll distance holding operation S211. The temperature measurement operation S200 may also be repeated after a certain (e.g., predetermined) time (S212) has elapsed following the feed trough-calender roll distance decreasing operation S230.

[0116] The feed trough-calender roll distance holding operation S224, performed when the temperature of the feed trough 120 measured in the temperature remeasurement operation S222 is higher than or equal to the reference temperature (S223), can be an operation that maintains the feed trough-calender roll distance at a maximum value GP2 that is higher than the reference distance GP0. The temperature remeasurement operation S222 can be repeated after a certain (e.g., predetermined) time has elapsed after the feed trough-calender roll distance holding operation S224 (S225).

[0117] The dry electrode manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an electrode powder supply control operation S300 and a trimming control operation S400.

[0118] refer to Figure 9 The electrode powder supply control operation S300 may include a deposition level measurement operation S310 and an electrode powder supply stop operation S330. The deposition level measurement operation S310 is an operation to measure the deposition level of electrode powder 1 in the internal space 121. The deposition level of electrode powder 1 can be detected by level detection sensors 145 and 147.

[0119] The electrode powder supply stop operation S330 is as follows: if the deposition level is higher than a preset reference level (S320), the supply of electrode powder 1 to the internal space 121 is stopped. The electrode powder supply stop operation S330 can be executed by the electrode powder supplier 101 and the controller 195, and since the operation of the electrode powder supplier 101 and the controller 195 has already been described above, its repeated description will be omitted.

[0120] When a certain (e.g., predetermined) time (S331) has elapsed after the electrode powder supply stop operation S330, the deposition level measurement operation S310 can be repeated. Furthermore, even if the deposition level of electrode powder 1 is lower than the reference level (S320), the deposition level measurement operation S310 can be repeated after a certain (e.g., predetermined) time (S321).

[0121] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 10 The trimming control operation S400 may include trimming operation S410 and waste suction operation. Trimming operation S410 is the operation of cutting the end portion of the electrode film 15 in the width direction and separating the waste 17 from the electrode film 15.

[0122] The waste material suction operation includes the following steps: If the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll becomes greater than the reference distance GP0, the suction force used to suction waste 17 is increased to be greater than the suction force when the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll is the same as the reference distance GP0. In other words, the waste material suction operation may include operation S420: If the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll is greater than the reference distance GP0 (S411), a greater suction force than the suction force when the distance between the guide trough and the calender roll is the same as the reference distance GP0 is used to suction waste 17.

[0123] In addition, the waste suction operation includes operation S430: if the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is less than the reference distance GP0 (S411), the waste 17 is suctioned using the same suction force as when the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is the same as the reference distance GP0.

[0124] The trimming operation S410 and the waste suction operation can be performed by the trimming unit 180, the waste suction unit 185 and the controller 195. Since the operation of the trimming unit 180, the waste suction unit 185 and the controller 195 has been described above, their repeated description will be omitted.

[0125] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, heat transfer from the heated calender rolls to the feed trough is suppressed, and the electrode powder contained in the feed trough does not overheat. Therefore, the electrode powder does not agglomerate in the feed trough before passing through the gap between a pair of calender rolls and being compressed and formed into an electrode film.

[0126] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electrode powder will not agglomerate in the internal space of the feed trough, and defects in the electrode film and dry electrode can be reduced.

[0127] 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 above through the detailed description provided above.

[0128] Although the invention has been described with reference to some exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings illustrating aspects thereof, the invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention, its claims, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A dry electrode manufacturing apparatus, comprising: A feed chute includes an internal space, an inlet, and an outlet, the feed chute being configured to contain electrode powder input through the inlet in the internal space and to discharge the electrode powder from the internal space through the outlet. A pair of calendering rolls, with a gap formed between the pair of calendering rolls, such that the electrode powder discharged through the outlet passes through the gap to be compressed into an electrode film; A temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature of the feed trough; A guide trough moving part is used to support the guide trough and is configured to move the guide trough to change the guide trough-calendering roll distance between the guide trough and each of the pair of calendering rolls; as well as A controller is used to control the moving part of the guide trough such that if the temperature of the guide trough is greater than or equal to a reference temperature, the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll becomes greater than the reference distance.

2. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide trough-calendering roll distance has a minimum value of the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the calendering roll and the guide trough in the direction of movement of the guide trough.

3. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll is within 5% of the radius of the calender roll.

4. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the feed trough and the calendering roll increases proportionally to the increase in the temperature of the feed trough.

5. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein... The guide groove includes a concave curved corner having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the calender roll, and The feed trough includes a protective layer stacked on the curved corner to prevent damage to the calendering roll.

6. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the protective layer comprises a fluorinated resin or rubber.

7. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling jacket configured to allow refrigerant to flow around the feed channel to cool the feed channel.

8. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the refrigerant comprises air or liquid water.

9. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the temperature of the guide trough becomes lower than the reference temperature when the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is greater than the reference distance, the controller is configured to control the guide trough moving part so that the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll becomes the same as the reference distance.

10. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A trimmer is configured to cut the end portion of the electrode film in the width direction and separate waste from the electrode film; as well as A waste suction unit is configured to suction the waste.

11. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to control the waste suction unit such that if the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll becomes greater than the reference distance, the suction force of the waste suction unit becomes greater than the suction force when the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is the reference distance.

12. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An electrode powder supplier is configured to supply the electrode powder into the internal space through the feed port; as well as A horizontal detection sensor is used to detect whether the deposition level of the electrode powder in the internal space has reached a reference level.

13. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to control the electrode powder supplier such that if the level detection sensor detects that the deposition level has reached the reference level, the electrode powder is not fed into the internal space.

14. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The horizontal detection sensor includes multiple horizontal detection sensors; and The multiple horizontal detection sensors are installed at multiple points at different levels in the feed trough.

15. The dry electrode manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a laminating roller for attaching the electrode film to the current collector.

16. A method for manufacturing a dry electrode, comprising: The electrode film forming operation involves discharging electrode powder contained in the internal space of a feed trough from the feed trough and allowing the electrode powder to pass through the gap between a pair of calendering rolls to form an electrode film. Temperature measurement operation: The temperature of the feed trough is measured simultaneously with the formation of the electrode film; as well as The feed trough-calender roll distance increase operation is performed if the temperature of the feed trough is greater than a reference temperature, then the feed trough is moved such that the feed trough-calender roll distance between the feed trough and each of the pair of calender rolls becomes greater than a reference distance.

17. The dry electrode manufacturing method according to claim 16, further comprising: In the cooling operation of the feed trough, if the temperature of the feed trough is greater than the reference temperature, refrigerant is allowed to flow around the feed trough to cool it.

18. The dry electrode manufacturing method according to claim 16, further comprising: A temperature remeasurement operation is performed after the increase in the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll; the temperature of the feed trough is then remeasured. as well as In the operation of reducing the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll, if the temperature of the feed trough measured in the temperature remeasurement operation is lower than the reference temperature, the feed trough is moved so that the distance between the feed trough and the calender roll becomes the same as the reference distance.

19. The dry electrode manufacturing method according to claim 16, further comprising: Deposition level measurement operation, measuring the deposition level of the electrode powder deposited in the internal space; as well as Electrode powder supply is stopped if the deposition level is greater than or equal to a reference level.

20. The dry electrode manufacturing method according to claim 16, further comprising: The trimming operation involves cutting the end portion of the electrode membrane in the width direction and separating the waste material from the electrode membrane. as well as Waste extraction operation, in which the waste material is extracted. The waste material suction operation includes the following operation: if the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll becomes greater than the reference distance, the suction force used to suction the waste material is increased to be greater than the suction force when the distance between the guide trough and the calendering roll is the reference distance.

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