Mixing and drying system for manufacturing secondary battery electrode

Abstract

Disclosed is a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode. A hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hot air drying furnace chamber forming a location for hot air drying of a slurry applied to a metal foil for forming a secondary battery electrode; a hot air supply and discharge part provided in the hot air drying furnace chamber, supplying hot air to the metal foil moving in the hot air drying furnace chamber to dry the metal foil, and discharging the hot air used during drying; and a unit-equipped operation part provided in the hot air drying oven chamber and equipped with a predetermined rapid drying unit that operates to rapidly dry the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present inventive concept relates to a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode, and more particularly, to a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode, which can safely and stably perform a drying process on a metal foil of a secondary battery electrode and also achieve high-speed drying, thereby improving productivity. BACKGROUND

[0002] Secondary batteries have many advantages such as high energy density, high operating voltage, and excellent storage and lifespan properties, and thus have been widely used not only in various portable electronic devices such as personal computers, camcorders, cell phones, portable compact disc (CD) players, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc., but also in electric vehicles.

[0003] Examples of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and lithium batteries. Lithium secondary batteries can be manufactured to have higher energy density and longer lifespan than other types of secondary batteries, and thus are used in many fields.

[0004] A lithium secondary battery has a case filled with an electrolyte and an electrode assembly accommodated in the case. The electrode assembly is a stack composed of an anode, a separator, and a cathode, and has a jelly-roll-like winding structure or a stacking structure.

[0005] REFERENCE Figure 1 Observing the principle of a lithium secondary battery, lithium ions contained in anode active material 2 of an anode having anode substrate 1 pass through separator 3 through electrolyte 4 composed of an organic solvent, move to a cathode having cathode substrate 5, and then are embedded in cathode active material 6 having a layered structure, which is called charging. Discharging refers to generation of electric power using an electron flow occurring when lithium ions embedded in cathode active material 6 move back to the anode via separator 3.

[0006] In order to improve the performance of a secondary battery, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of an electrochemical reaction, and for this purpose, a great deal of research has been conducted, such as electrode material change, electrode surface coating, cleaning, and thick film technology.

[0007] Meanwhile, a process for manufacturing an electrode of these secondary batteries is a series of manufacturing processes including the operations of applying an electrode slurry in which an active material and a conductive agent are mixed to a current collector made of a metal component, performing drying at a high temperature, and then performing pressing. Hereinafter, the current collector is referred to as a metal foil (Meta Foil).

[0008] In order to properly perform a secondary battery electrode manufacturing process, it is necessary to stably adhere an active material layer (i.e., slurry) to a metal foil.

[0009] In order to improve battery characteristics by reducing internal resistance during the process, it is necessary to perform an electrode drying process of removing a solvent (or a solvent component) of the applied slurry under proper conditions. In particular, a proper electrode drying process is most important for improving the quality of a secondary battery electrode.

[0010] Therefore, in order to perform such an electrode drying process, heated air is generally blown into a drying oven by an electric heater or a gas boiler to dry the slurry applied to the metal foil. However, such a conventional simple method can cause various problems, such as the additional installation of various devices for injecting hot air, a duct structure, etc. in addition to the drying oven. If the length of the drying oven is longer than several tens of meters, various problems such as installation space problems, complex structure problems, cost problems, excessive energy consumption problems, etc. can inevitably occur.

[0011] Therefore, there is an increasing demand for a drying apparatus that can shorten the length of an existing drying line to at most several tens of meters, while improving energy efficiency and further achieving high-speed drying. SUMMARY

[0012] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0013] An object of the present inventive concept is to provide a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode, which can safely and stably perform a drying process of a metal foil (Meta Foil) of a secondary battery electrode and also achieve high-speed drying, thereby improving productivity.

[0014] ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0015] According to the present inventive concept, a drying process of a metal foil (Meta Foil) of a secondary battery electrode can be safely and stably performed and also high-speed drying can be achieved, thereby improving productivity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a general secondary battery.

[0017] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the present inventive concept.

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the main part shown.

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 2is an enlarged view of the main part shown.

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the main part shown, which shows a part of the hot air drying oven chamber.

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the unit mounting operation part shown.

[0022] Figure 7 is Figure 6 is a use state diagram shown.

[0023] Figure 8 is an example of a high-speed drying unit mounted in Figure 5 the state of the unit mounting operation part shown.

[0024] Figure 9 is a control block diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0025] Figure 10 and Figure 11 are different application examples of a high-speed drying unit.

[0026] Figure 12 is a configuration diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0027] Figure 13 is Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the main part shown.

[0028] Figure 14 is Figure 12 is a flowchart shown.

[0029] Figure 15 is Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the main part shown, which is an enlarged view of a unit external mounting part region.

[0030] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing application of a high-speed drying unit to Figure 15 .

[0031] Figure 17 is Figure 12 is a control block diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode shown.

[0032] Figure 18 and Figure 19 are different application examples of a high-speed drying unit.

[0033] Figure 20is a structural sectional view showing flow paths of the first conduit and the second conduit.

[0034] Figure 21 is a magnified view of a unit external mounting portion area in a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0035] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing application of a high-speed drying unit to Figure 21 .

[0036] Figure 23 is a structural sectional view showing flow paths of the first conduit and the second conduit applied to Figure 21 .

[0037] Figure 24 Example Figure 23 modifications of the flow paths of the first conduit and the second conduit shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] Figure 25 is a structural view of a unit external mounting portion area in a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode, the hybrid drying system including: a hot air drying oven chamber forming a place for performing hot air drying on a slurry applied to a metal foil forming a secondary battery electrode; a hot air supply and discharge portion provided in the hot air drying oven chamber and supplying hot air to the metal foil moving in the hot air drying oven chamber to dry the metal foil and discharging the hot air used during the drying; and a unit mounting operation portion provided in the hot air drying oven chamber, wherein a predetermined high-speed drying unit performing high-speed drying on the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber is installed in and operated in the unit mounting operation portion.

[0040] The unit mounting operation portion can include a unit mounting portion provided in the hot air drying oven chamber and forming a place where the high-speed drying unit is installed.

[0041] The unit mounting portion can include a unit external mounting portion enabling the high-speed drying unit to be installed outside the hot air drying oven chamber.

[0042] The unit mounting operation portion can further include: a heat source penetration window provided on a wall of the hot air drying oven chamber in the unit external mounting portion and guiding a heat source of the high-speed drying unit toward the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber; and an opening shielding portion shielding an opening of the unit external mounting portion.

[0043] The unit exterior installation portion can be formed of a portion machined in a groove form on one side of the hot air drying oven chamber, and the opening shielding portion can detachably shield the opening of the unit exterior installation portion from the outside of the unit exterior installation portion.

[0044] The heat source penetration window can include an inner window adjacent to the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber, an outer window forming a gap with the inner window and disposed adjacent to the high speed drying unit, and a window cap supporting the inner window and the outer window to be coupled at a corresponding position.

[0045] The unit installation operation portion can further include a cooling fluid flow portion located in the hot air drying oven chamber and connected to the heat source penetration window, and enabling a cooling fluid to flow through the gap formed between the inner window and the outer window forming the heat source penetration window.

[0046] The cooling fluid flow portion can include a cooling fluid supply conduit connected to one side of the heat source penetration window and supplying the cooling fluid through the gap formed between the inner window and the outer window forming the heat source penetration window, and a cooling fluid discharge conduit connected to the other side of the heat source penetration window and discharging the cooling fluid flowing through the gap formed between the inner window and the outer window forming the heat source penetration window.

[0047] The hot air drying oven chamber can include a lower chamber, and an upper chamber detachably coupled to an upper portion of the lower chamber, the unit installation operation portion can be provided in the upper chamber, and a plurality of rollers for moving the metal foil can be disposed in the hot air drying oven chamber.

[0048] The hot air supply and discharge portion can include a lower supply tank disposed in the lower chamber and including a lower hot air nozzle through which hot air is supplied from below, a plurality of lower discharge conduits located in the lower chamber and disposed around the lower supply tank and discharging the hot air in the lower chamber toward the lower chamber, an upper supply tank disposed in the upper chamber and including an upper hot air nozzle through which hot air is supplied from above, and a plurality of upper discharge conduits located in the upper chamber and disposed around the upper supply tank and discharging the hot air in the upper chamber toward the upper chamber.

[0049] The lower supply tank, the lower discharge conduits, the upper supply tank, and the upper discharge conduits can each be disposed in a plurality in the hot air drying oven chamber, and a foil inlet can be formed on one side of the hot air drying oven chamber and a foil outlet can be formed on the other side of the hot air drying oven chamber, the metal foil before drying being input through the foil inlet and the metal foil that has been dried being discharged through the foil outlet.

[0050] The hybrid drying system can further include a system controller configured to control the operation of the hot air supply and discharge portion and the high speed drying unit in an organic mechanism to automatically proceed a drying process for the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber.

[0051] The high-speed drying unit can be selected from a near infrared (NIR) laser unit, an intense pulsed light (IPL) unit, and an infrared (IR) lamp unit.

[0052] The hybrid drying system can further include an explosive substance forced discharge portion disposed in a region of the unit mounting operation portion and forcibly discharging an explosive substance generated during high-speed drying of the metal foil to the outside.

[0053] The explosive substance forced discharge portion can include a first conduit extending from a side region of the unit mounting portion toward the metal foil and then bent in an end region parallel to the metal foil and including a first flow path formed therein through which air flows, and a second conduit disposed symmetrically with the first conduit in the other side region of the unit mounting portion and including a second flow path formed therein through which air flows.

[0054] The first flow path or the second flow path can be formed as an integral opening.

[0055] The explosive substance forced discharge portion can further include a forced convection device connected to the first conduit and generating forced convection toward the first flow path.

[0056] The explosive substance forced discharge portion can further include a capturing device connected to the second conduit and capturing foreign matter in air discharged through the second flow path.

[0057] During operation of the forced convection device and the capturing device, forced convection can be performed from the first flow path of the first conduit via the second flow path of the second conduit at a height not affecting the electrode, so that the explosive substance is forcibly discharged to the outside.

[0058] The slurry can include a cathode material slurry.

[0059] Disclosed Mode

[0060] For a full understanding of the inventive concept, the operation advantages of the inventive concept, and the objects accomplished by the implementation of the inventive concept, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the inventive concept, and to the description of the drawings.

[0061] Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0062] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 3 is Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a main part shown in FIG. 1.Figure 4 is Figure 2 the flowchart shown in FIG. 1. Figure 5 is Figure 2 an enlarged view of a main part shown in FIG. 1, which shows a part of a hot air drying oven chamber. Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of a unit installation operation part shown in FIG. 1. Figure 7 is Figure 6 a use state view shown in FIG. 1. Figure 8 a high-speed drying unit is exemplified as being installed in Figure 5 a state in which the unit installation operation part shown in FIG. 1. Figure 9 is a control block diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 10 and Figure 11 are different application examples of a high-speed drying unit.

[0063] Referring to the drawings, the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment can safely and stably perform a drying process of a metal foil for a secondary battery electrode, and also achieve high-speed drying, thereby improving productivity.

[0064] As described above, an electrode process for manufacturing an electrode of a secondary battery is a series of manufacturing processes including the operations of applying an electrode slurry mixed with an active material and a conductive agent to a current collector that is a material of a metal assembly, drying the applied electrode slurry in a high-temperature state, and pressing the dried slurry. Here, the current collector that is a material of a metal assembly corresponds to a metal foil in the present embodiment. The metal foil includes an aluminum (A) or copper (Cu) material.

[0065] The electrode slurry mixed with an active material and a conductive agent applied to the metal foil needs to be dried in a high-temperature state. In this state, the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment is employed. When the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment is employed, unlike the conventional method, the problem of caking of a solvent component and the risk of explosion can be eliminated or significantly reduced. In particular, high-speed drying of the metal foil can be achieved, and thus productivity can be improved.

[0066] The hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment, which can provide such an effect, includes a hot air drying oven chamber 100 in which a unit installation operation part 130 is provided, and structures such as a roller 102, a hot air supply and discharge part 170, etc. are installed in the hot air drying oven chamber 100 according to positions.

[0067] The hot air drying oven chamber 100 forms a place for hot air drying of a slurry applied to a metal foil forming a secondary battery electrode. The length of the hot air drying oven chamber 100 can be appropriately designed.

[0068] If the length of the hot air drying oven chamber 100 is long, structures such as the roller 102, the hot air supply and discharge portion 170, etc. can be arranged a little more, and if the length of the hot air drying oven chamber 100 is short, structures such as the roller 102, the hot air supply and discharge portion 170, etc. can be arranged a little less. Accordingly, the length and size of the hot air drying oven chamber 100 can be changed from the illustrated arrangement form without limitation.

[0069] The hot air drying oven chamber 100 can include a lower chamber 110 and an upper chamber 120 detachably coupled to an upper portion of the lower chamber 110. Since the hot air drying oven chamber 100 has a structure in which the upper chamber 120 is open, structures such as the roller 102, the hot air supply and discharge portion 170, etc. can be installed in the lower chamber 110 and the upper chamber 120.

[0070] A sealing member 115 is arranged between the lower chamber 110 and the upper chamber 120. Accordingly, hot air does not escape from the hot air drying oven chamber 100.

[0071] A plurality of rollers 102 are arranged inside the hot air drying oven chamber 100. The metal foil subjected to drying is dried while moving inside the hot air drying oven chamber 100 by the operation of the rollers 102. For the entry and exit of the metal foil, a foil inlet 111 is formed on one side of the hot air drying oven chamber 100 and a foil outlet 112 is formed on the other side of the hot air drying oven chamber 100, the metal foil before drying is input via the foil inlet 111, and the metal foil that has been dried is discharged via the foil outlet 112. Although the foil inlet 111 and the foil outlet 112 are shown only in the form of holes in the drawings, a door for opening / closing the foil inlet 111 or the foil outlet 112 can be provided on the corresponding one of the foil inlet 111 and the foil outlet 112.

[0072] The hot air supply and discharge portion 170 is provided in the hot air drying oven chamber 100, and supplies hot air to the metal foil moving inside the hot air drying oven chamber 100 to dry the metal foil, and also discharges the hot air used during drying. In other words, the metal foil is substantially dried by high-temperature hot air by the operation of the hot air supply and discharge portion 170.

[0073] The hot air supply and exhaust part 170 includes a lower supply tank 171 disposed in the lower chamber 110 and including a lower hot air nozzle 172 for supplying hot air from below, a plurality of lower exhaust conduits 173 disposed around the lower supply tank 171 in the lower chamber 110 and exhausting hot air in the lower chamber 110 toward the lower chamber 110, an upper supply tank 174 disposed in the upper chamber 120 and including an upper hot air nozzle 175 for supplying hot air from above, and a plurality of upper exhaust conduits 176 disposed around the upper supply tank 174 in the upper chamber 120 and exhausting hot air in the upper chamber 120 toward the upper chamber 120.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the lower supply tank 171, the lower exhaust conduits 173, the upper supply tank 174, and the upper exhaust conduits 176 can each be provided in a plurality within the hot air drying furnace chamber 100. As described above, the number and position of the lower supply tank 171, the lower exhaust conduits 173, the upper supply tank 174, and the upper exhaust conduits 176 can vary without limitation depending on the length and size of the hot air drying furnace chamber 100.

[0075] Although the size of the lower supply tank 171 and the size of the upper supply tank 174 are shown as being different from each other in the drawings, the lower supply tank 171 and the upper supply tank 174 can also have the same size. In addition, the number of the lower hot air nozzles 172 and the upper hot air nozzles 175 provided on the lower supply tank 171 and the upper supply tank 174, respectively, can be different from the drawings. Therefore, the scope of the inventive concept is not limited to the shapes of the drawings.

[0076] Therefore, when the metal foil is introduced into the hot air drying furnace chamber 100 through the foil inlet 111 and moved by the roller 102, the metal foil is dried at a high temperature as the hot air supply and exhaust part 170 operates (i.e., as the operation of supplying hot air to the lower supply tank 171 and the upper supply tank 174 and exhausting the hot air slightly cooled by the lower exhaust conduits 173 and the upper exhaust conduits 176 is carried out), and then is exhausted through the foil outlet 112. The solvent generated during drying of the slurry is discharged through the lower exhaust conduits 173 and the upper exhaust conduits 176.

[0077] On the other hand, when the metal foil is dried at a high temperature only by the operation of hot air, many problems such as the caking problem of the solvent component as described above can occur, and the risk of explosion can also increase.

[0078] Therefore, in order to safely and stably carry out the drying process of the metal foil (Meta Foil) of the secondary battery electrode, particularly a high-speed drying process, while eliminating or significantly reducing the caking problem of the solvent component and the risk of explosion, in the present system, the unit installation operation part 130 is applied to the hot air drying furnace chamber 100.

[0079] The unit installation operation part 130 is provided in the area of the upper chamber 120 of the hot air drying oven chamber 100, and is a portion in which the predetermined high-speed drying unit 10 that performs high-speed drying of the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 100 is installed and operated.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the unit installation operation part 130 is integrally provided in the upper chamber 120. The unit installation operation part 130 can include a unit installation part 140 provided in the hot air drying oven chamber 100 and forming a place where the high-speed drying unit 10 is installed, a heat source penetration window 150 provided in the unit installation part 140 on the wall of the upper chamber 120 of the hot air drying oven chamber 100 and guiding a heat source of the high-speed drying unit 10 toward the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 100, and an opening shielding part 145 shielding an opening of the unit external installation part 140.

[0081] The unit installation part 140 is provided in the upper chamber 120 and forms a place where the high-speed drying unit 10 is installed. In the present embodiment, the unit installation part 140 serves as a unit external installation part 140 that enables the high-speed drying unit 10 to be installed outside the upper chamber 120. In other words, in the present embodiment, the unit external installation part 140 enables the high-speed drying unit 10 to be installed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 100. When the high-speed drying unit 10 is installed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 100, installation or maintenance / repair becomes easy, and there is no damage to the equipment.

[0082] The unit external installation part 140 can be formed of a portion that is recessed in a groove form from the upper chamber 120 toward the lower chamber 110. The high-speed drying unit 10 to be installed in the unit external installation part 140 can include a near-infrared (NIR) laser unit. However, as shown in FIG. 1, an intense pulsed light (IPL) unit can be the high-speed drying unit 20, or as shown in FIG. 2, an infrared lamp unit can be the high-speed drying unit 30. Figure 10 Figure 11 Any one of the units 10 to 30 used in a state of being installed in the unit external installation part 140 located outside the upper chamber 120 performs drying of the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 100 at high speed. Accordingly, the occurrence of a problem of agglomeration of solvent components can be prevented, and the risk of explosion can also be eliminated. Furthermore, high-speed drying can be performed, thereby contributing to an increase in productivity.

[0083] ​A heat source penetration window 150 is provided to guide a heat source of the high-speed drying unit 10 installed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 100 into the hot air drying oven chamber 100, i.e., for operating the high-speed drying unit 10 to perform high-speed drying. The heat source penetration window 150 is provided in the upper chamber 120 adjacent to the unit exterior installation portion 140, and guides the heat source of the high-speed drying unit 10 to travel toward the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 100.

[0084] The heat source penetration window 150 can include an inner window 151 adjacent to the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 100, an outer window 152 forming a gap G with the inner window 151 and arranged adjacent to the high-speed drying unit 10, and a window cap 153 supporting the inner window 151 and the outer window 152 to be coupled at corresponding positions. The inner window 151 and the outer window 152 can be special glasses resistant to heat.

[0085] The opening shielding portion 145 is a device for shielding the opening of the unit exterior installation portion 140. Although schematically shown in the drawings for convenience, the opening shielding portion 145 can detachably shield the opening of the unit exterior installation portion 140 from the outside of the unit exterior installation portion 140. Since the opening shielding portion 145 is opened when necessary, the high-speed drying unit 10 can be installed and maintained / repaired.

[0086] In addition to the above-described configuration, the unit installation operation portion 130 further includes a cooling fluid flow portion 160. The cooling fluid flow portion 160 is connected to the heat source penetration window 150 in the upper chamber 120, and is used to flow a cooling fluid through the gap G between the inner window 151 and the outer window 152 forming the heat source penetration window 150. In other words, the cooling fluid flow portion 160 is provided to shield the hot heat source. The cooling fluid can variously include air, water, coolant, etc.

[0087] The cooling fluid flow portion 160 includes a cooling fluid supply conduit 161 connected to one side of the heat source penetration window 150 and supplying the cooling fluid through the gap G between the inner window 151 and the outer window 152 forming the heat source penetration window 150, and a cooling fluid discharge conduit 162 connected to the other side of the heat source penetration window 150 and discharging the cooling fluid flowing from the gap G between the inner window 151 and the outer window 152 forming the heat source penetration window 150. The cooling fluid flow portion 160 can further include a blower, an intake, etc. for the supply and discharge of the cooling fluid.

[0088] On the other hand, the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment further includes a system controller 190 for controlling the system.

[0089] The system controller 190 controls the operations of the hot air supply and exhaust part 170, the high-speed drying unit 10, and the cooling fluid flow part 160 in an organic mechanism to automatically perform the drying process for the metal foil within the hot air drying oven chamber 100.

[0090] The system controller 190 performing the above operations can include a central processing unit (CPU) 191, a memory 192, and a support circuit 193.

[0091] The CPU 191 can be one of various computer processors that are industrially applicable to control the operations of the hot air supply and exhaust part 170, the high-speed drying unit 10, and the cooling fluid flow part 160 in an organic mechanism to automatically perform the drying process for the metal foil within the hot air drying oven chamber 100 in the present embodiment.

[0092] The memory 192 is connected to the CPU 191. The memory 192, which is a computer readable recording medium, can be installed in a local or remote location, and can be at least one memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a floppy disk, a hard disk, or some easily usable digital storage form.

[0093] The support circuit 193 is coupled with the CPU 191 to support typical operations of the processor. The support circuit 193 can include a cache, a power supply, a clock circuit, an input / output circuit, a subsystem, etc.

[0094] In the present embodiment, to automatically perform the drying process for the metal foil within the hot air drying oven chamber 100, the system controller 190 controls the operations of the hot air supply and exhaust part 170, the high-speed drying unit 10, and the cooling fluid flow part 160 in an organic mechanism, and a series of control processes can be stored in the memory 192. Generally, a software routine can be stored in the memory 192. The software routine can also be stored or executed by another central processor (not shown in the figure).

[0095] Although the processes according to the present inventive concept are described as being performed by a software routine, at least some of the processes of the present inventive concept can also be performed by hardware.

[0096] Accordingly, the processes of the present inventive concept can be realized by software executed on a computer system, hardware such as an integrated circuit, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0097] Hereinafter, the operation of the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment is described.

[0098] First, the metal foil is introduced into the hot air drying oven chamber 100 via the foil inlet 111 and then moved by the roller 102. In this state, the hot air supply and exhaust portion 170 operates. In other words, as hot air is supplied to the lower supply tank 171 and the upper supply tank 174, high-temperature drying of the metal foil is performed. The solvent generated during drying of the slurry is discharged via the lower exhaust conduit 173 and the upper exhaust conduit 176.

[0099] On the other hand, the high-speed drying unit 10 operates together with the operation of the hot air supply and exhaust portion 170. In this state, since the high-speed drying unit 10 is disposed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 100, the heat source generated from the high-speed drying unit 10 travels toward the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 100 via the heat source penetration window 150, so that the metal foil can be dried at high speed.

[0100] Accordingly, the metal foil, which has been dried by the operation of the hot air supply and exhaust portion 170 and the operation of the high-speed drying unit 10 disposed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 100, can be discharged via the foil outlet 112.

[0101] According to the present embodiment operating with the above-described structure, the drying process of the metal foil (Meta Foil) of the secondary battery electrode can be safely and stably performed, and high-speed drying can also be achieved, thereby improving productivity.

[0102] Figure 12 is a configuration diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a second embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 13 is Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a main part shown in FIG. 2. Figure 14 is Figure 12 is a flowchart shown in FIG. 2. Figure 15 is Figure 13 is an enlarged view of a main part shown in FIG. 2, which is an enlarged view of a unit-external mounting portion region. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing application of a high-speed drying unit to Figure 15 . Figure 17 is Figure 12 is a control block diagram of a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode shown in FIG. 2. Figure 18 and Figure 19 are different application examples of a high-speed drying unit. Figure 20 is a structural sectional view showing flow paths of a first conduit and a second conduit.

[0103] Referring to the drawings, unlike the above-described embodiment, a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment includes a hot air drying oven chamber 200 in which a unit installation operation part 230 and an explosive substance forced discharge part 260 are disposed, and structures such as a roller 202, a hot air supply and discharge part 270, etc. are installed in the hot air drying oven chamber 200 by position. For reference, in the present embodiment, '2' is used before each reference number to distinguish the present embodiment from the above-described embodiment. However, the same elements are not described again.

[0104] Specifically, the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment can perform high-speed drying on a metal foil of a secondary battery electrode, while preventing diffusion of an explosive substance, and also eliminates or significantly reduces the risk of explosion, thereby significantly improving productivity compared to conventional technology. Here, the explosive substance refers to a solvent having an n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) component in the cathode material slurry as described above. Accordingly, in the following description, the explosive substance and NMP are described together.

[0105] As described above, an electrode process for manufacturing an electrode of a secondary battery is a series of manufacturing processes including the operations of applying an electrode slurry mixed with an active material and a conductive agent to a current collector which is a material of a metal assembly, drying the applied electrode slurry in a high-temperature state, and pressing the dried slurry. Here, the current collector which is a material of a metal assembly corresponds to a metal foil in the present embodiment. The metal foil includes an aluminum (A) or copper (Cu) material.

[0106] The electrode slurry mixed with an active material and a conductive agent applied to the metal foil needs to be dried in a high-temperature state. In this state, the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment is employed. When the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment is employed, diffusion of an explosive substance can be prevented, thereby the risk of explosion can be eliminated or significantly reduced, and also high-speed drying on a metal foil of a secondary battery electrode can be performed, thereby improving productivity.

[0107] The hot air drying oven chamber 200 can include a lower chamber 210 and an upper chamber 220 which is detachably coupled to an upper portion of the lower chamber 210. Since the hot air drying oven chamber 100 has a structure in which the upper chamber 220 is open, structures such as the roller 202, the hot air supply and discharge part 270, etc. can be installed in the lower chamber 210 and the upper chamber 220.

[0108] A sealing member 215 is disposed between the lower chamber 210 and the upper chamber 220. Accordingly, hot air does not escape from the hot air drying oven chamber 200.

[0109] A plurality of rollers 202 are arranged inside the hot air drying oven chamber 200. The metal foil subjected to drying is dried while moving inside the hot air drying oven chamber 200 by the operation of the rollers 202. For the entry and exit of the metal foil, a foil inlet 211 is formed on one side of the hot air drying oven chamber 200 and a foil outlet 212 is formed on the other side of the hot air drying oven chamber 200, the metal foil before drying is input through the foil inlet 211, and the metal foil that has been dried is discharged through the foil outlet 212.

[0110] The hot air supply and discharge part 270 is provided in the hot air drying oven chamber 200, and supplies hot air to the metal foil moving inside the hot air drying oven chamber 200 to dry the metal foil, and also discharges the hot air used during drying. In other words, the metal foil is substantially dried by high-temperature hot air by the operation of the hot air supply and discharge part 270. Since the structure, function, and role of the hot air supply and discharge part 270 are the same as those shown in the above-described embodiment, only the reference numerals are distinguished and no further description is made.

[0111] When the metal foil is dried at high temperature only by the operation of hot air, many problems such as the caking problem of the solvent component as described above can occur, and the risk of explosion can also increase, thereby reducing productivity.

[0112] Therefore, in order to safely and stably perform the drying process of the metal foil (Meta Foil) of the secondary battery electrode, especially the high-speed drying process, while eliminating or significantly reducing the caking problem of the solvent component and the risk of explosion, in the present system, the unit installation operation part 230 is applied to the hot air drying oven chamber 200. The unit installation operation part 230 can include a unit external installation part 240 and a heat source penetration window 250.

[0113] On the other hand, the explosive substance forced discharge part 260 is provided in the area of the unit installation operation part 230, and is a device for forcibly discharging explosive substances that can be generated during the high-speed drying of the metal foil.

[0114] As in the present embodiment, when explosive substances can be forcibly discharged to the outside by the operation of the explosive substance forced discharge part 260, high-speed drying of the metal foil of the secondary battery electrode can be performed while preventing the diffusion of explosive substances, and also eliminating or significantly reducing the risk of explosion.

[0115] The explosive substance forced discharge part 260 can include a first conduit 262 and a second conduit 263 of a conduit structure. The first conduit 262 and the second conduit 263 can be a symmetrical structure.

[0116] The first conduit 262 is a conduit extending from a side region of the unit exterior mounting portion 240 toward the metal foil and then bent in an end region parallel to the metal foil, and includes a first flow path 262a formed therein along which air flows.

[0117] The second conduit 263 is a conduit extending from the other side region of the unit exterior mounting portion 240 toward the metal foil and then bent in an end region parallel to the metal foil. In other words, in the present embodiment, the second conduit 263 is disposed symmetrically with the first conduit 262, and includes a second flow path 263a formed therein along which air flows.

[0118] The first flow path 262a of the first conduit 262 and the second flow path 263a of the second conduit 263 are formed as one integral opening. Therefore, it is convenient to manufacture.

[0119] In addition to the first conduit 262 and the second conduit 263, the explosive substance forced discharge portion 260 further includes a forced convection device 265 connected to the first conduit 262 and generating forced convection toward the first flow path 262a, and a capturing device 266 connected to the second conduit 263 and capturing foreign matter in air discharged via the second flow path 263a.

[0120] During operation of the forced convection device 265 and the capturing device 266, forced convection is carried out from the first flow path 262a of the first conduit 262 via the second flow path 263a of the second conduit 263 at a height not affecting the electrode, so that the explosive substance can be forcedly discharged to the outside. In other words, in the present embodiment, the first conduit 262 and the second conduit 263 are mounted on both sides of the unit exterior mounting portion 240 to introduce outside air, thereby forcing NMP as the explosive substance to be discharged to the outside, thereby significantly reducing the risk of explosion. In this state, it is preferable to mount the first conduit 262 and the second conduit 263 so that convection is carried out at a height not affecting the electrode, rather than carrying out convection in the entire region of the unit exterior mounting portion 240.

[0121] On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, a system controller 290 for controlling the system is also applied to the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode. The system controller 290 controls the operation of the hot air supply and discharge portion 270, the high-speed drying unit 10, the forced convection device 265, and the capturing device 266 in an organic mechanism to automatically proceed with the drying process for the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 200. The system controller 290 functioning as such can include a central processing unit (CPU) 291, a memory 292, and a support circuit 293.

[0122] Hereinafter, the operation of the hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to the present embodiment is described.

[0123] First, the metal foil is introduced into the hot air drying oven chamber 200 via the foil inlet 211 and then moved by the roller 202. In this state, the hot air supply and exhaust portion 270 is operated. In other words, hot air is supplied to the lower supply tank 271 and the upper supply tank 274 and then high-temperature drying of the metal foil is performed. The solvent generated during drying of the slurry is exhausted via the lower exhaust conduit 273 and the upper exhaust conduit 276.

[0124] As the hot air supply and exhaust portion 270 is operated, the high-speed drying unit 10 starts to operate. In this state, since the high-speed drying unit 10 is disposed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 200, the heat source generated from the high-speed drying unit 10 travels toward the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber 200 via the heat source penetration window 250 and helps high-speed drying of the metal foil.

[0125] Accordingly, by the operation of the hot air supply and exhaust portion 270 and the operation of the high-speed drying unit 10 disposed outside the hot air drying oven chamber 200, the dried metal foil can be exhausted via the foil outlet 212.

[0126] On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, since the explosive substance forced exhaust portion 260 is disposed around the metal foil adjacent to the high-speed drying unit 10 to forcibly exhaust the explosive substance, diffusion of the explosive substance can be prevented during the high-speed drying process of the metal foil. Accordingly, the risk of explosion can be significantly reduced.

[0127] According to the present embodiment operated with the above structure, high-speed drying of the metal foil (Meta Foil) of the secondary battery electrode can be performed while preventing diffusion of the explosive substance and also eliminating or significantly reducing the risk of explosion, thereby significantly improving productivity compared to the conventional art.

[0128] Figure 21 is a magnified view of a unit-external installation portion region in a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a third embodiment according to the present inventive concept. Figure 22 is a flowchart illustrating application of a high-speed drying unit to Figure 21 . Figure 23 is a structure sectional view illustrating a flow path of a first conduit and a second conduit applied to Figure 21 . Figure 24 is an example of modification of the flow path of the first conduit and the second conduit illustrated in Figure 23 .

[0129] For reference, in the present embodiment, '3' is used before each reference number to distinguish the present embodiment from the above-described embodiments. However, the same elements are not described again.

[0130] Referring to the drawings, in the case of the present embodiment, an explosive substance forced discharge portion 360 is applied, and the explosive substance forced discharge portion 360 includes a first conduit 362 and a second conduit 363, a forced convection device 365, and a capturing device 366. The functions and roles of the elements are the same as those in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, they are not described again.

[0131] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first flow path 362a and the second flow path 363a of the first conduit 362 and the second conduit 363 can be a plurality of separate openings having a rectangular cross section, or as shown in FIG. 4C, the first flow path 362a' and the second flow path 363a' of the first conduit 362' and the second conduit 363' can be a plurality of separate openings having a circular cross section. Any shape can perform the same functions as the above-described embodiments. Figure 23 Figure 24 Therefore, when the forced convection device 365 and the capturing device 366 are operated as the process proceeds, forced convection can be performed from the first flow path 362a of the first conduit 362 via the second flow path 363a of the second conduit 363 without affecting the height H of the electrode. Therefore, when the explosive substance is forcedly discharged to the outside, the risk of explosion can be eliminated or significantly reduced.

[0132] In the present embodiment, high-speed drying can be performed on the metal foil (Meta Foil) of the secondary battery electrode, while preventing the diffusion of the explosive substance and eliminating or significantly reducing the risk of explosion, thereby significantly improving productivity compared to conventional technology.

[0133]

[0134] Figure 25 is a structural view of a unit external mounting portion region in a hybrid drying system for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode according to a fourth embodiment of the present inventive concept.

[0135] For reference, in the present embodiment, '4' is used before each reference number to distinguish the present embodiment from the above-described embodiments. However, the same elements are not described again.

[0136] Referring to the drawings, in the case of the present embodiment, since the explosive substance forced discharge portion 460 having the structure in the third embodiment is adopted, the explosive substance is forcedly discharged to the outside so that the diffusion of the explosive substance can be prevented.

[0137] ​​On the other hand, in addition to the above-described elements, in the case of the present embodiment, a cooling fluid flow portion 480 is further applied to the region of the heat source penetration window 450. The cooling fluid flow portion 480 is connected to the heat source penetration window 450 in the upper chamber 420 and enables the cooling fluid to flow through the gap G formed between the inner window 451 and the outer window 452 of the heat source penetration window 450. In other words, the cooling fluid flow portion 480 is provided to block the hot heat source. The cooling fluid can variously include air, water, coolant, etc.

[0138] The cooling fluid flow portion 480 includes a cooling fluid supply conduit 481 connected to one side of the heat source penetration window 450 and supplying the cooling fluid via the gap G formed between the inner window 451 and the outer window 452 of the heat source penetration window 450, and a cooling fluid discharge conduit 482 connected to the other side of the heat source penetration window 450 and discharging the cooling fluid flowing via the gap G formed between the inner window 451 and the outer window 452 of the heat source penetration window 450. The cooling fluid flow portion 470 can further include a blower, an air inlet, etc. for the supply and discharge of the cooling fluid. It can be seen that all of these items belong to the scope of the inventive concept.

[0139] In the present embodiment, high-speed drying can be performed on the metal foil (Meta Foil) of the secondary battery electrode, while preventing the diffusion of explosive substances, and also eliminating or significantly reducing the risk of explosion, thereby significantly improving productivity compared to conventional technology.

[0140] Therefore, although the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments of the inventive concept, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the scope of the inventive concept is not limited by the detailed description of the inventive concept, but is defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents are to be interpreted as being included in the inventive concept.

[0141] Industrial applicability

[0142] The inventive concept can be used in the field of manufacturing secondary battery electrodes.

Claims

1. A hybrid drying system for manufacturing electrodes for secondary batteries, characterized in that, The mixing and drying system includes: A hot air drying chamber is formed to dry the slurry applied to the metal foil forming the electrode of the secondary battery with hot air. A hot air supply and exhaust unit is provided in the hot air drying oven chamber, and supplies hot air to the metal foil moving inside the hot air drying oven chamber to dry the metal foil, and exhausts the hot air used during the drying process; as well as A unit installation operation unit is provided in the hot air drying oven chamber, wherein a predetermined high-speed drying unit for high-speed drying of the metal foil in the hot air drying oven chamber is installed in the unit installation operation unit and operates.

2. The mixing and drying system as claimed in claim 1, wherein... The unit installation operation unit includes The unit installation section is located in the hot air drying oven chamber and forms a place for installing the high-speed drying unit.

3. The mixing and drying system as described in claim 2, wherein... The unit mounting section includes an external unit mounting section, which enables the high-speed drying unit to be installed outside the hot air drying oven chamber.

4. The mixing and drying system as described in claim 3, wherein... The unit installation operation unit further includes: A heat source penetration window is installed on the wall of the hot air drying chamber in the external mounting part of the unit, and guides the heat source of the high-speed drying unit toward the metal foil in the hot air drying chamber; and An opening shielding portion that shields the opening of the external mounting portion of the unit.

5. The mixing and drying system as described in claim 4, wherein... The external mounting portion of the unit is formed by a groove machined into one side of the hot air drying oven chamber, and The opening shielding portion detachably shields the opening of the external mounting portion of the unit from the outside of the unit's external mounting portion.

6. The mixing and drying system of claim 4, wherein... The heat source penetration window includes: An inner window is located adjacent to the metal foil in the hot air drying chamber; An outer window forms a gap with the inner window and is arranged adjacent to the high-speed drying unit; as well as A window cap supports the inner window and the outer window so that they are coupled at corresponding positions.

7. The mixing and drying system of claim 4, wherein The unit installation operation unit also includes A cooling fluid flow section is located in the hot air drying oven chamber and connected to the heat source penetration window, allowing the cooling fluid to flow through the gap between the inner window and the outer window that forms the heat source penetration window.

8. The mixing and drying system of claim 7, wherein The cooling fluid flow section includes: A cooling fluid supply conduit is connected to one side of the heat source penetration window and supplies the cooling fluid via the gap between the inner and outer windows forming the heat source penetration window; and A cooling fluid discharge conduit is connected to the other side of the heat source penetration window and discharges the cooling fluid flowing out through the gap between the inner window and the outer window that form the heat source penetration window.

9. The mixing and drying system as claimed in claim 1, wherein The hot air drying chamber includes: Lower section; and The upper chamber is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the lower chamber. The unit installation and operation unit is located in the upper chamber, and Multiple rollers are arranged in the hot air drying chamber and move the metal foil.

10. The mixing and drying system of claim 9, wherein The hot air supply and exhaust unit includes: A lower supply tank is arranged in the lower chamber and includes a lower hot air nozzle through which hot air is supplied from below; Multiple lower discharge conduits are located in the lower chamber and arranged around the lower supply tank, and discharge the hot air in the lower chamber toward the lower chamber; An upper supply tank is arranged in the upper chamber and includes an upper hot air nozzle through which hot air is supplied from above; as well as Multiple upper discharge conduits are located in the upper chamber and arranged around the upper supply tank, and discharge the hot air in the upper chamber toward the upper chamber.

11. The mixing and drying system of claim 10, wherein... The lower supply tank, the lower discharge conduit, the upper supply tank, and the upper discharge conduit are each arranged in multiples within the hot air drying oven chamber, and A foil inlet is formed on one side of the hot air drying chamber and a foil outlet is formed on the other side of the hot air drying chamber. The metal foil before drying is input through the foil inlet, and the dried metal foil is discharged through the foil outlet.

12. The mixing and drying system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes The system controller is configured to control the operation of the hot air supply and exhaust section and the high-speed drying unit through an organic mechanism, so that the drying process of the metal foil in the hot air drying chamber is carried out automatically.

13. The mixing and drying system of claim 1, wherein The high-speed drying unit is selected from near-infrared laser unit, high-intensity pulsed light unit and infrared lamp unit.

14. The mixing and drying system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes An explosive material forced discharge unit is provided in the area of ​​the unit installation and operation unit, and forcibly discharges the explosive material generated during the high-speed drying of the metal foil to the outside.

15. The mixing and drying system of claim 14, wherein... The forced venting unit for explosive substances includes: A first conduit extends from one side region of the unit mounting portion toward the metal foil and then bends in an end region parallel to the metal foil, and includes a first flow path formed therein, along which air flows; and The second conduit is symmetrically disposed with respect to the first conduit in the region on the other side of the unit mounting portion, and includes a second flow path formed therein, along which air flows.

16. The mixing and drying system of claim 15, wherein The first flow path or the second flow path is formed as an integral opening.

17. The mixing and drying system of claim 15, wherein The forced discharge unit for explosive materials also includes a forced convection device connected to the first conduit and generating forced convection toward the first flow path.

18. The mixing and drying system of claim 17, wherein... The forced discharge unit for explosive materials also includes a capture device connected to the second duct and capturing foreign matter in the air discharged via the second flow path.

19. The mixing and drying system of claim 18, wherein... During operation of the forced convection device and the capture device, forced convection is performed from the first flow path of the first conduit through the second flow path of the second conduit at a height that does not affect the electrodes, so that the explosive material is forcibly discharged to the outside.

20. The mixing and drying system of claim 19, wherein... The slurry includes a cathode material slurry.

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