Method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode foil arrangement
By using a heat-melting separator foil with a polymer coating and controlled pressing, the method optimizes adhesion and electrolyte uptake in electrode foil arrangements, addressing handling and aging issues, leading to enhanced cell performance and quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for manufacturing electrode foil arrangements in electrochemical cells face challenges in optimizing adhesion between electrode films and separator films, leading to suboptimal electrolyte uptake and performance, while also causing temperature-related aging effects and complicating the handling and stacking process.
A method involving a separator foil with a heat-melting coating, such as a polymer, is used, and the film stack is pressed at a predetermined temperature and pressure after each separator film placement, creating a material-bonded connection between the separator and electrode films, thereby optimizing adhesion and reducing the need for high pressure and temperature in the final pressing step.
This approach enhances electrolyte uptake, improves the quality and accuracy of the electrode foil arrangement, reduces temperature-related aging, and simplifies handling, resulting in improved performance and quality of the single cell.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode foil arrangement for a single cell, wherein a separator foil is arranged between one electrode foil and another electrode foil. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.
[0002] A method for manufacturing an electrode foil assembly for a single electrochemical cell is generally known. In this method, a separator foil is placed between one electrode foil and another. The electrode foils of one electrical polarity are then metallurgically bonded to a current collector, and the electrode foils of the other electrical polarity are metallurgically bonded to another current collector, in particular by welding. The electrode foil assembly is placed in a cell housing, which can also be formed from a so-called pouch film, and which is filled with an electrolyte after the electrode foil assembly has dried.
[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for manufacturing an electrode foil arrangement and a device for carrying out the method.
[0004] The problem is solved according to the invention by a method which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a device which has the features specified in claim 3.
[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0006] A method for producing an electrode foil arrangement for a single cell, wherein a separator foil is arranged between an electrode foil of one electrical polarity and an electrode foil of another electrical polarity, provides according to the invention that the separator foil has a heat-melting coating, in particular a polymer, and that after each arrangement of a separator foil on a stack of foils, it is pressed by means of a pressure device heated to a predetermined temperature value, in particular with a predetermined pressure force for a predetermined period of time.
[0007] By applying this method, it is possible to use a separator film designed in this way, whereby the adhesion of the electrode films to the separator film can be optimized by continuously pressing the film stack. This improves electrolyte uptake by the electrode film assembly, thereby optimizing the performance of the individual cell.
[0008] By pressing the film stack after each separator film has been placed, less pressure and a comparatively lower temperature are required for pressing the film stack. This reduces temperature-related aging effects, especially of the electrode films.
[0009] In the production of a single cell, the use of such a separator film enables simplified handling of the film stack and can lead to an increase in the accuracy of the stacking and thus to an improvement in the quality of the electrode film arrangement and therefore of the single cell.
[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.
[0011] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically an electrode foil arrangement for a single cell and Fig. 2. Schematic cross-sectional view of a printing device.
[0012] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.
[0013] Fig. Figure 1 shows an electrode foil arrangement 1 for a single electrochemical cell, in particular a lithium-ion cell.
[0014] Such an electrode foil arrangement 1 comprises electrode foils 2, in particular cathode foils, and further electrode foils 3, in particular anode foils, each of which is electrically insulated from one another by means of a separator foil 4. The respective separator foil 4 has a heat-activated, i.e., meltable, coating, in particular a polymer. Such a separator foil 4 is also referred to as a multifunctional separator.
[0015] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a printing device 6 comprising a stacking device 5 for the production of an electrode foil arrangement 1, wherein the printing device 6 with the stacking device 5 also has a heatable punch 7.
[0016] The stacking device 5 has a receptacle A in which the films 2, 3, 4 are arranged sequentially to form a film stack. After each separator film 4 has been arranged, the film stack in the receptacle A of the stacking device 5 is pressed by means of the punch 7, which is heated to a predetermined temperature. This melts the coating of the respective separator film 4, thus creating adhesion, i.e., a material-bonded connection, between the separator film 4 and the respective electrode films 2, 3, between which the separator film 4 is arranged. The film stack is therefore pressed by applying a hot-pressing process.
[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the coating can also be an adhesive coating, which is activated by heat and thus creates a material-bonded connection between the separator film 4 and the respective electrode films 2, 3.
[0018] The pressing of the film stack after each arrangement of a separator film 4 is carried out with comparatively less pressure and a lower temperature value of the punch 7 than if the pressing only takes place after completion of the electrode film arrangement 1.
[0019] In particular, the punch 7 has a PCT element as a heating device, whereby the heating device can also be designed in other ways, for example by heating pins that are integrated into the punch 7.
[0020] After each compression of the foil stack within the receptacle A, the punch 7 is automatically moved upwards, so that the foil stack is again accessible for the arrangement of a next electrode foil 2, 3.
[0021] After completion of the electrode foil arrangement 1 in the stacking device 5, the electrode foil arrangement 1 is finally pressed together using the stamp 7 of the pressure device 6, which is heated to the specified temperature value.
[0022] The electrode foil arrangement 1 is subsequently provided with current collectors, arranged in a cell housing of the single cell, in which the electrode foil arrangement 1, in particular the adhesive coating, dries, and the cell housing is then filled with an electrolyte. Reference symbol list 1 Electrode foil arrangement 2 Electrode foil 3 more electrode foil 4 separator film 5 Stacking device 6 Printing device 7 stamps A recording