DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COATING AN ELECTRODE

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0153050 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 9, 2021.

[0002] The present specification relates to an electrode coating apparatus and an electrode coating method.[Background Art]

[0003] Recently, prices of energy sources have been raised because of the depletion of fossil fuels, and the interest in environmental pollution is increasing. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for environmental-friendly alternative energy sources. Therefore, research on various power production technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power is being continuously conducted. In addition, interest in power storage devices for more efficiently using the produced energy is high.

[0004] In particular, as the development of technologies and demands for mobile devices are increased, there is a rapidly increasing demand for batteries as energy sources. Many studies are being conducted on the batteries in order to meet these needs.

[0005] Representatively, regarding a shape of the battery, there is a high demand for an angular or pouch-type secondary battery that may have a small thickness and be applied to products such as mobile phones. Regarding a material, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries or lithium-ion polymer batteries that have advantages such as a high energy density, a discharge voltage, and output stability.

[0006] In general, the secondary battery is structured to include an electrode assembly made by stacking a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive and negative electrodes are each manufactured by applying slurry containing an active material onto a current collector.

[0007] Among the methods of coating a slurry containing an active material on a current collector, in the case of a slot die, it is difficult to uniformly apply the coating material due to high pressure at the central portion where the electrode slurry is injected.

[0008] Document KR 2012 0117067 A discloses such a method and an electrode coating apparatus in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. Document KR 2016 0147653 A discloses a coating device using liquid feeding device and a method for manufacturing an optical film.

[0009] Document JP 2015 058368 A discloses a electrode coating apparatus comprising the features of preamble of claim 1.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need to uniformize a distribution of a velocity of a coating material transferred from a supply tank to an injection port of the slot die.[Detailed Description of the Invention][Technical Problem]

[0011] The present specification is intended to provide an electrode coating apparatus and an electrode coating method.[Technical Solution]

[0012] The invention is defined in the claims.

[0013] One embodiment of the present specification provides an electrode coating apparatus including: a die coater configured to apply an electrode slurry onto a substrate; an injection port configured to receive supply of the electrode slurry to the die coater; a flow path having an end coupled to the injection port and configured to receive movement therethrough of the electrode slurry to the die coater; and a turbulent flow generator provided within the flow path and configured to generate a turbulent flow in the electrode slurry within the flow path, the turbulent flow generator has a cross-section pattern that is a mesh pattern or a honeycomb structure in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flow path.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present specification provides an electrode coating method including: generating a turbulent flow in a flow of an electrode slurry by passing the electrode slurry through a turbulent flow generator, the turbulent flow generator has a cross-section pattern that is a mesh pattern or a honeycomb structure; then injecting the electrode slurry, which has passed through the turbulent flow generator, into a die coater; and then applying the electrode slurry from the die coater onto the substrate.[Advantageous Effects]

[0015] According to the electrode coating apparatus and the electrode coating method according to the embodiment of the present specification, it is possible to uniformize the distribution of the velocity of the coating material transferred from the supply tank to the injection port of the slot die.

[0016] According to the electrode coating apparatus and the electrode coating method according to the embodiment of the present specification, it is possible to reduce the width direction deviation of the coating material transferred from the supply tank to the injection port of the slot die.[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an electrode coating apparatus. FIG. 2A is a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a turbulent flow generator having a mesh pattern according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a turbulent flow generator having a honeycomb structure according to another embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electrode coating apparatus. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode coating apparatus in the related art, illustrating a path through which electrode slurry moves to a tip of the slot die and a flow velocity in a flow path. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode coating apparatus according to the embodiment, illustrating a path through which electrode slurry moves to a tip of the slot die and a change in flow velocity in a flow path caused by the turbulent flow generator. FIG. 6A is a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a turbulent flow generator having a mesh pattern according to still another embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a turbulent flow generator having a honeycomb structure according to yet another embodiment. [Explanation of Reference Numerals and Symbols]

[0018] 1: Substrate 2: Electrode slurry 10: Die coater 20: Injection port 30: Flow path 40 Turbulent flow generator 41: Minimum unit 50: Supply tank 60: Supply pipe for electrode slurry 100: Electrode coating apparatus [Best Mode]

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are intended to illustratively describe the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an electrode coating apparatus 100. The electrode coating apparatus 100 includes a supply tank 50, a die coater 10, an injection port 20, a flow path 30, and a turbulent flow generator 40. One end of the injection port 20 may be fastened to the electrode slurry flow path 30 through which electrode slurry moves from the supply tank 50. By such fastening, a flow path 30 through which the electrode slurry moves from the supply tank 50 to the die coater 10 is formed, and a turbulent flow generator40 is provided in the flow path 30.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electrode coating apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the injection port 20 is a pipe protruding from a lateral surface of the die coater. One end of the turbulent flow generator 40 is fastened to an end of the pipe, and the other end of the turbulent flow generator 40 is fastened to an end of a supply pipe 60 for the electrode slurry. The flow path 30 may be a path through which the electrode slurry moved from the supply pipe for the electrode slurry passes through the turbulent flow generator and is injected into the pipe.

[0022] FIG. 2A is a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the turbulent flow generator having a mesh pattern according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a turbulent flow generator having a honeycomb structure according to another embodiment.

[0023] The turbulent flow generator 40 is provided in the flow path 30. The turbulent flow generator 40 may be mounted as a module integrated with the flow path 30. Alternatively, the turbulent flow generator 40 may be mounted as a replaceable module and separable from the flow path 30. In particular, in case that the turbulent flow generator 40 is mounted as a replaceable module, the turbulent flow generator 40 is conveniently installed and easily replaced and maintained. In contrast, in case that the turbulent flow generator 40 is positioned in the die coater 10, there is an inconvenience of having to disassemble and separate the die coater 10 or replacing the die coater 10 to replace the turbulent flow generator 40 in the die coater 10.

[0024] The turbulent flow generator 40 generates a turbulent flow in the electrode slurry moving along the flow path 30. The turbulent flow generator 40 may have a shape selected to minimize a pressure drop caused by an additional structure in the flow path 30. The use of a shape, which blocks fluidity in the flow path 30, i.e., the use of a plate, which is not parallel to a flow direction, is not preferable. Specifically, the turbulent flow generator 40 may uniformize a distribution of the velocity while minimizing a pressure drop as long as the turbulent flow generator 40 may form a turbulent flow that is separated by an additional structure. The structure constituting the turbulent flow generator 40 is provided in the form of a non-claimed thin metal yarn or a claimed plate parallel to the flow direction to uniformize the distribution of the velocity while minimizing the pressure drop, such that the moving electrode slurry 2 is affected by the edge of the plate, that is, the thickness of the plate, and the flow is divided, reducing the velocity deviation.

[0025] As illustrated in a cross-sectional view of an electrode coating apparatus in the related art in FIG. 4, it can be ascertained that a deviation between a flow velocity at a wall side of the flow path and a flow velocity at a central portion increases as the electrode slurry 2 moves to the tip of the slot die. In case that the deviation between the flow velocities is large as described above, the pressure at the central portion increases, and the electrode slurry 2 is not equally applied onto the substrate 1.

[0026] In contrast, the electrode coating apparatus 100 according to the present specification includes the turbulent flow generator 40 to uniformize the distribution of the velocity of the coating material transferred to an injection port 20 of the slot die. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the electrode slurry 2 passes through the turbulent flow generator while moving to the tip of the slot die, a turbulent flow reduces a deviation between the flow velocities, and the electrode slurry 2 with the uniformized distribution of the velocity is more equally applied.

[0027] A cross-section of the turbulent flow generator 40 may have a pattern having a plurality of polygons disposed adjacent to one another in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flow path. The polygon in the pattern, which has the plurality of polygons disposed adjacent to one another, is a figure having three or more vertices in a plan view. Specifically, the polygon may have three to ten vertices. For example, the polygon may be a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, or the like.

[0028] The turbulent flow generator 40 may include a plate for defining the polygon or include a metal yarn for defining the polygon.

[0029] The plate may be a metal plate. The material of the plate is not particularly limited as long as the plate may maintain sufficient strength for maintaining a shape of the plate without affecting the electrode slurry or being affected by the electrode slurry. The material of the plate may be stainless steel such as SUS304. A thickness of the plate is not particularly limited as long as the plate may maintain sufficient strength for maintaining a shape of the plate. For example, a thickness of the plate may be 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0030] The material of the metal yarn is not particularly limited as long as the metal yarn may maintain sufficient strength for maintaining a shape of the metal yarn without affecting the electrode slurry or being affected by the electrode slurry. The material of the metal yarn may be stainless steel such as SUS304. A thickness of the metal yarn, i.e., a diameter of a vertical cross-section of the metal yarn in a longitudinal direction is not particularly limited as long as the metal yarn may maintain sufficient strength for maintaining a shape of the metal yarn. For example, a thickness of the metal yarn may be 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a cross-section of the turbulent flow generator 40 has a mesh pattern or honeycomb structure in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a cross-section of the turbulent flow generator 40 has a mesh pattern in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path 30. In this case, in case that a density of the mesh pattern is too high, i.e., in case that a quadrangular area of a minimum unit 41 is too small, a pressure drop increases. Therefore, a density of the mesh pattern may be low. The quadrangular area of the minimum unit 41 of the mesh pattern may be 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 9% or more, or 10% or more, and 20% or less, and specifically, 10% or more and 20% or less of an overall area of the cross-section of the flow path 30. In case that the above-mentioned range is satisfied, it is possible to uniformize the flow velocity by means of the turbulent flow generator while minimizing the pressure drop. In the cross-section of the flow path 30 in the longitudinal direction, the number of minimum units 41, i.e., the number of quadrangles is ten or less. In this case, the number of minimum units is the number of closed figures that maintains the repeated quadrangular shapes.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, in the cross-section of the flow path 30 in the longitudinal direction, the number of minimum units 41, i.e., the number of quadrangles may be ten. In this case, the number of minimum units is the number of closed figures that maintains the repeated quadrangular shapes.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the cross-section of the turbulent flow generator 40 has a honeycomb structure in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path. In this case, in case that a density of the honeycomb structure is too high, i.e., an area of the hexagon of the minimum unit 41 is too small, a pressure drop increases. Therefore, a density of the honeycomb structure may be low. Specifically, an area of the hexagon of the minimum unit 41 of the honeycomb structure may be 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 9% or more, or 10% or more, and 20% or less, and specifically, 10% or more and 20% or less of the overall area of the cross-section of the flow path 30. In case that the above-mentioned range is satisfied, it is possible to uniformize the flow velocity by means of the turbulent flow generator 40 while minimizing the pressure drop. In the cross-section of the flow path 30 in the longitudinal direction, the number of minimum units 41, i.e., the number of hexagons is ten or less. In this case, the number of minimum units is the number of closed figures that maintains the repeated hexagonal shapes.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, in the cross-section of the flow path 30 in the longitudinal direction, the number of minimum units 41, i.e., the number of hexagons may be seven. In this case, the number of minimum units is the number of closed figures that maintains the repeated hexagonal shapes.

[0036] The die coater 10 applies the electrode slurry 2 onto the substrate 1. The configuration of the die coater includes a first die, a second die, and a shim provided between the first and second dies and configured to discharge the electrode slurry. The injection port 20 for the electrode slurry penetrates a lateral surface of at least one of the first and second dies. A non-claimed injection port 20 may be a simple hole. According to the invention, the injection port 20 protrudes from the lateral surface of the die coater. The injection port 20 may be a pipe that penetrates the lateral surface of at least one of the first and second dies and protrudes from the lateral surface.

[0037] One end of the injection port 20 may be fastened to the electrode slurry supply pipe 60 through which the electrode slurry moves from the supply tank 50. By such fastening, a flow path 30 through which the electrode slurry moves from the supply tank 50 to the die coater 10 is formed. In this flow path, a turbulent flow generator 40 may be provided in a pipe protruding from a lateral surface of the die coater or a supply pipe 60 for the electrode slurry.

[0038] Another embodiment of the present specification provides an electrode coating method, which uses the die coater 10 configured to apply the electrode slurry 2 onto the substrate 1, the electrode coating method including: generating a turbulent flow in a flow of the electrode slurry by allowing the electrode slurry to pass through the turbulent flow generator 40 before the electrode slurry is injected into the die coater 10; injecting the electrode slurry, which has passed through the turbulent flow generator, into the die coater 10; and applying, by the die coater 10, the electrode slurry 2 onto the substrate 1.

[0039] The description of the electrode coating method may be replaced with the description of the electrode coating apparatus.

Claims

1. An electrode coating apparatus (100) comprising: a die coater (10) configured to apply an electrode slurry (2) onto a substrate (1); an injection port (20) configured to receive supply of the electrode slurry (2) therethrough to the die coater (10); and a flow path (30) having an end coupled to the injection port (20) and configured to receive movement therethrough of the electrode slurry (2) to the die coater (10); the electrode coating apparatus (100) further comprises a turbulent flow generator (40) provided within the flow path (30) and configured to generate a turbulent flow in the electrode slurry (2) within the flow path (30), and characterised in that the turbulent flow generator (40) has a cross-section pattern that is a mesh pattern or a honeycomb structure in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flow path (30), wherein the injection port (20) is an injection pipe protruding from a lateral surface of the die coater (10), wherein a first end of the turbulent flow generator (40) is fastened to an end of the injection pipe, and a second end of the turbulent flow generator (40) is fastened to an end of a supply pipe configured to supply the electrode slurry (2) therefrom, wherein the flow path (30) is a path configured to receive movement therethrough of the electrode slurry (2) from the supply pipe, through the turbulent flow generator (40), and into the injection pipe, and wherein the turbulent flow generator (40) comprises plates that form the mesh pattern or the honeycomb structure, the plates extending parallel to longitudinal direction of the flow path (30).

2. An electrode coating method, comprising: generating a turbulent flow in a flow of an electrode slurry (2) by passing the electrode slurry (2) through a turbulent flow generator (40), the turbulent flow generator (40) having a cross-section pattern that is a mesh pattern or a honeycomb structure, then injecting the electrode slurry (2), which has passed through the turbulent flow generator (40), into a die coater (10); via an injection port (20) which is an injection pipe protruding from a lateral surface of the die coater (10), wherein a first end of the turbulent flow generator (40) is fastened to an end of the injection pipe, and a second end of the turbulent flow generator (40) is fastened to an end of a supply pipe configured to supply the electrode slurry (2) therefrom, and wherein the flow path (30) is a path configured to receive movement therethrough of the electrode slurry (2) from the supply pipe, through the turbulent flow generator (40), and into the injection pipe, then applying the electrode slurry (2) from the die coater (10) onto a substrate (1), and wherein the turbulent flow generator (40) comprises plates that form the mesh pattern or the honeycomb structure, the plates extending parallel to longitudinal direction of the flow path (30).