Electrode patterning method and electrode manufacturing method

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for forming a pattern on a running electrode on which an active material is provided includes the steps of: (A) moving a doctor blade toward the running electrode so that the tip of the doctor blade faces the current collector; (B) maintaining the doctor blade in a state where it is moved toward the running electrode for a first predetermined period of time; and (C) moving the doctor blade in the opposite direction from the electrode.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0024346, filed February 23, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0018640, filed February 7, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for forming an electrode pattern and a method for manufacturing a patterned electrode, and more particularly to a method for forming an electrode pattern and a method for manufacturing an electrode, which are capable of neatly processing boundary portions of a pattern when forming an electrode pattern in an electrode process and for uniforming the thickness of an active material provided on a current collector. [Background technology]

[0003] In modern society, as the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, video cameras, and digital cameras has become commonplace, there has been active development of technologies related to these mobile devices. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are a solution to the air pollution caused by existing gasoline-powered vehicles that use fossil fuels, and are used as the power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc., so there is an increasing need for the development of secondary batteries.

[0004] Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention because they have the advantages of being able to be charged and discharged freely since they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, an extremely low self-discharge rate, and a high energy density.

[0005] The manufacturing process of such lithium secondary batteries is roughly divided into three stages: electrode process, assembly process, and chemical formation process. The electrode process is further divided into active material mixing process, electrode coating process, rolling process, slitting process, and winding process. Among these, the electrode coating process is divided into a wet process in which active material slurry is provided to the electrode current collector, and a dry process in which active material in a solid state is provided to the current collector.

[0006] A more effective method is needed to cleanly process the boundary portions of the pattern when forming an electrode pattern and to uniformly apply the thickness of the active material provided on the current collector. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a method for forming an electrode pattern and a method for manufacturing a patterned electrode, which method cleanly processes the boundary areas of the pattern when forming an electrode pattern after providing an active material on a current collector and makes the thickness of the provided active material uniform.

[0008] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for forming a pattern on a running electrode on which an active material is provided may include the steps of: (A) moving a doctor blade toward the running electrode so that the tip of the doctor blade faces the current collector; (B) maintaining the doctor blade in a state where it is moved toward the running electrode for a first predetermined period of time; and (C) moving the doctor blade in the opposite direction from the electrode.

[0010] (D) rotating the doctor blade at a predetermined angle around the end of the tip as a central axis so that the doctor blade is tilted; and (E) maintaining the doctor blade in the tilted state for a second predetermined period of time, wherein the tip of the doctor blade may be positioned downstream and the body of the doctor blade may be positioned upstream relative to the running direction of the electrode.

[0011] (F) The method may further include a step of rotating the inclined doctor blade in the opposite direction at the predetermined angle with the end of the tip as a central axis.

[0012] The steps (A) to (F) may be repeated.

[0013] In the step (A), the tip of the doctor blade may contact the current collector, and in the step (B), the active material provided on the traveling electrode may be removed.

[0014] In step (C), the tip of the doctor blade may be spaced a predetermined distance from the current collector, and in step (E), the active material provided on the electrode may be flattened.

[0015] The active material provided on the traveling electrode may be removed, and the exposed area of ​​the current collector may become an uncoated portion of the electrode, and the area where the active material is flattened may become a grounded portion of the electrode, with the uncoated portions and the grounded portions alternately arranged to form a pattern of the electrode.

[0016] In steps (A) to (C), the doctor blade may be vertical to the traveling electrode.

[0017] In steps (A) to (C), the doctor blade may be perpendicular to the traveling electrode.

[0018] The body and tip of the doctor blade may be integrally formed, and the tip may include an inclined flat surface.

[0019] The tilted flat surface of the tip may be oriented towards the active material of the oncoming electrode.

[0020] The tilt angle of the tilted plane of the tip may be any one selected from the range of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees from the current collector of the running electrode.

[0021] The tip of the doctor blade may further include a curved surface at an end thereof, and the curved surface and the inclined plane may be connected to each other.

[0022] The inclined plane of the tip of the doctor blade may comprise at least two planes having different inclination angles.

[0023] The method may be used in a dry electrode process, with the active material being provided as a powder on the current collector.

[0024] The method for manufacturing a patterned electrode according to the above-described embodiment may include the step of feeding an active material onto a current collector of the electrode through a feeder.

[0025] If the active material remains in the uncoated portion of the electrode, the method may further include the step of removing the active material by blowing air with an air blower.

[0026] The method may further include rolling the electrode, in which the active material has been planarized, with a rolling member.

[0027] A secondary battery including an electrode patterned by the method according to the above-described embodiment can be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the embodiment of the present invention, there are advantages in that the boundary portion of the pattern can be neatly processed when forming the electrode pattern in the electrode process, and the thickness of the provided active material can be planarized to make the thickness uniform.

[0029] Furthermore, by using the electrode patterning method and the method for manufacturing a patterned electrode according to the embodiments of the present invention, defects in the electrodes manufactured thereby can be prevented or significantly reduced, thereby improving the performance of the batteries manufactured thereby. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an electrode manufacturing apparatus that can be used in the electrode pattern forming method and the method for manufacturing an electrode on which a pattern is formed according to the present invention, and is a simplified diagram showing the electrode manufacturing apparatus as viewed from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing a doctor blade included in the electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the doctor blade of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3(b) is a transparent view of FIG. 3(a). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of one of the doctor blades of FIG. 2 in use. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing another embodiment of the doctor blade included in the electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a reference diagram of the doctor blade of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of the doctor blade of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 9(a). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of one of the doctor blades of FIG. 5 in use. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a method for forming an electrode pattern according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a reference diagram to FIG. 9 and shows the steps subsequent to FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing an electrode that includes a method of forming the electrode pattern of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the embodiments. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms other than those described below, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0032] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts not necessary for the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0033] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for the convenience of explanation, and it is obvious that the content of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings. In the following drawings, the thickness of each layer is enlarged to clearly show various layers and regions. In the following drawings, the thickness of some layers and regions is exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0034] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other portion is described as being "on" or "above" another portion, this should be interpreted as including not only the case where the layer, film, region, plate, or other portion is "directly above" the other portion, but also the case where there are other portions therebetween. Conversely, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other portion is described as being "directly above" the other portion, it means that there are no other portions therebetween. Furthermore, being "on" or "above" a reference portion means being located above or below the reference portion, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" the opposite direction of gravity. Meanwhile, descriptions of being "on" or "above" another portion, as well as descriptions of being "below" or "below" another portion, should be understood with reference to the above content.

[0035] Furthermore, since the top and bottom surfaces of a particular component may be determined differently depending on the reference direction, throughout this specification, "top surface" or "bottom surface" is defined to mean the two surfaces of the component that face each other along the z-axis.

[0036] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this does not mean that it excludes other elements, but that it may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0037] Furthermore, throughout the specification, the term "on a plane" means when the part in question is viewed from above, and the term "on a cross section" means when the part in question is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0038] Hereinafter, a method for forming an electrode pattern and a method for manufacturing an electrode having a pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0039] First, FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an electrode manufacturing apparatus that can be used in the electrode pattern forming method and the method for manufacturing an electrode on which a pattern is formed according to the present invention, and is a simplified diagram showing the electrode manufacturing apparatus as viewed from the front.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a feeder 10, a doctor blade 100, an air blower 20, and a rolling member 30. If necessary, a drying unit, an inspection unit, etc. may be further included, and the other components may include sub-components that are included in a typical electrode manufacturing apparatus.

[0041] A feeder 10 supplies the electrode active material 3 to the electrode current collector 2. In the case of a dry electrode manufacturing process, the active material 3 is supplied as a powder. The uncoated areas are areas on the electrode current collector 2 where the electrode active material 3 is not provided or where the active material 3 has been removed with a doctor blade, as described below. The air blower 20 blows air to blow away any remaining electrode active material 3 on the electrode current collector 2 where the electrode active material 3 is not provided or where the active material 3 has been removed with a doctor blade (i.e., uncoated areas), thereby preventing any electrode active material 3 from remaining on the current collector. The rolling member 30 may be, for example, a rolling roll, and rolls the electrode active material 3 provided on the electrode current collector 2. The electrode active material 3 supplied through the feeder 10 may be selectively mixed with a conductive material, an organic binder polymer, an additive, and the like, as needed. Furthermore, other specific details of the feeder 10, air blower 20, and rolling member 30 are the same as those of the feeder, air blower, and rolling member provided in a normal electrode manufacturing apparatus, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of a doctor blade provided in the electrode manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the doctor blade of Figure 2, and Figure 3(b) is a transparent view of Figure 3(a). Figure 4 shows one of the doctor blades of Figure 2 in use.

[0043] 2 and 3, a doctor blade 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body 110 and a tip 111 located at one end of the body (the end facing the electrode). The body 110 and the tip 111 may be integrally formed. The lower portion of the doctor blade 100, including the tip 111, forms a pattern on the electrode 1 and flattens the active material 3, as described below.

[0044] The inclination angle θ of the inclined plane 111a from the electrode current collector 2 may be, for example, any one selected from the range of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, or may be, for example, any one selected from the range of 10 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, or may be, for example, any one selected from the range of 10 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less.

[0045] The tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 is made up of an inclined plane 111a, and has a sharp end. The tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 also includes the inclined plane 111a. The inclined plane 111a faces in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the electrode 1. In other words, the inclined plane 111a of the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 faces the active material 3 of the approaching electrode.

[0046] When the doctor blade 100 is arranged vertically relative to the electrode 1, it is advantageous to form an electrode pattern (i.e., form a boundary portion of the active material 3 provided on the electrode current collector 2) at the end of the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100. Pattern formation will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 9(a) to 9(f).

[0047] When the doctor blade 100 is tilted obliquely relative to the electrode 1, more specifically, when the tip 111 faces the traveling direction of the electrode 1 and the body 110 is disposed behind the tip 111 in the traveling direction of the electrode 1, that is, when the tip 111 is disposed downstream in the traveling direction of the electrode and the body 110 is disposed upstream in the traveling direction of the electrode, it is advantageous to make uniform (flatten) the thickness of the active material 3 provided on the electrode current collector 2. In other words, the inclined plane 111a as shown in Figure 4 reduces the resistance when the active material 3 contacts the tip 111 compared to when the tip is a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0048] Figure 5 is a front view schematically showing another embodiment of the doctor blade of the electrode manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a reference diagram of the doctor blade of Figure 5. Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the doctor blade of Figure 5, and Figure 7(b) is a transparent view of Figure 9(a). Figure 8 shows one state of use of the doctor blade of Figure 5.

[0049] The doctor blade 100' of Fig. 5 is an embodiment in which the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 shown in Fig. 2 is partially modified. Fig. 6 explains the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' of Fig. 5 in more detail.

[0050] 5 to 8, a doctor blade 100' according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a body 110 and a tip 111' located at one end of the body (the end facing the electrode). The body 110 and the tip 111' may be integrally formed. The lower portion of the doctor blade 100' including the tip 111' forms a pattern on the electrode 1 and flattens the active material 3, as described below.

[0051] More specifically, the tip 111' includes at least one inclined plane 111a and one curved surface 111b. Among these, the curved surface 111b is located at the end of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100'. For example, it refers to the surface between P3 and P4 in FIG. 6. In other words, the end of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' is rounded. Because the end of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' is formed with the curved surface 111b, excessive pressure concentration on the end of the tip when the end contacts the current collector 2 or active material 3 of the electrode can be prevented, thereby preventing the end from being worn or partially damaged.

[0052] The tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' has an inclined plane 111a connected to a curved surface 111b located at its end. That is, the curved surface 111b and the inclined plane 111a are connected to each other. The inclined plane 111a may be a single plane, or may be two inclined planes 111a-1 and 111a-2 having different intersection angles θ1 and θ2, as shown in the present specification. In this case, the intersection angle θ2 of the inclined plane 111a-2, which is located closer to the end of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' than the inclined plane 111a-1, is greater than the intersection angle θ1 of the inclined plane 111a-1. When the doctor blade 100' contacts the active material 3, the resistance it receives from the active material 3 can be reduced. This allows the active material 3 to be more effectively planarized.

[0053] 6, the intersection angle θ2 refers to the angle between an extension line connecting P1 and P2 corresponding to the inclined plane 111a-1 and an extension line connecting P2 and P3 corresponding to the inclined plane 111a-2 in FIG. 5. Also, the intersection angle θ1 refers to the angle between an extension line connecting P1 and P2 corresponding to the inclined plane 111a-1 and a line extending in the overall height (length) direction of the doctor blade 100'. The intersection angle θ1 has a value selected from the range of more than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees, and the intersection angle θ2 has a value selected from the range of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and in this case, the intersection angle θ2 may be greater than the intersection angle θ1.

[0054] Meanwhile, the number of inclined planes is not limited to the above and can be adjusted according to the environment in which the present invention is implemented, and the ratio of the size of the inclined planes is not limited to the illustrated example and can be adjusted according to the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0055] The curved surface 111b has a radius of curvature R and a central angle α, which can be variously adjusted according to the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0056] The inclined flat surface 111a and curved surface 111b of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' face in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the electrode 1. In other words, the inclined flat surface 111a and curved surface 111b of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' face toward the approaching active material 3 of the electrode.

[0057] When the doctor blade 100' is positioned vertically relative to the electrode 1, the end of the tip 111' of the doctor blade 100' forms an electrode pattern, i.e., a boundary portion of the active material 3 provided on the electrode current collector 2 (see FIGS. 9(a) to 9(d)).

[0058] Furthermore, when the doctor blade 100' is tilted obliquely relative to the electrode 1, more specifically, when the tip 111' faces the direction of travel of the electrode 1 and the body 110 is positioned behind the tip 111' in the direction of travel of the electrode 1, the thickness of the active material 3 provided on the electrode current collector 2 is made uniform (flattened). In this regard, please refer to the usage state diagram of FIG. 8, FIG. 9(e), and FIG. 10.

[0059] Other explanations and process details regarding the doctor blade 100' overlap with the explanation regarding the doctor blade 100 of FIG. 2, so please refer to those described above with reference to FIGS.

[0060] Fig. 9 shows a method for forming an electrode pattern according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a reference view of Fig. 9, showing a step subsequent to Fig. 9. After the step of planarizing the active material of the electrode shown in Fig. 9(e), the doctor blade is returned to its original position, returning to the state shown in Fig. 9(a). Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an electrode, including the method for forming the electrode pattern shown in Fig. 9.

[0061] 9 and 10, a method for forming an electrode pattern using a doctor blade (see steps S120 to S170) and a method for manufacturing an electrode including the step of forming an electrode pattern (see steps S110 to S190) will be described.

[0062] A step (S110) is performed in which electrode active material 3 is supplied onto electrode current collector 2 through feeder 10 (see FIG. 1). At this time, electrode 1 travels in the travel direction (see the electrode travel direction arrow in FIG. 9).

[0063] Among the methods for manufacturing electrodes, the method for forming an electrode pattern corresponds to steps S120 to S170 and is as follows.

[0064] 9(b), a step (S120) is performed in which the doctor blade 100 moves (e.g., downward) toward the traveling electrode so that the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 moves toward the current collector 2 of the electrode 1. For example, the tip 111 (end of the tip) of the doctor blade 100 comes into contact with the current collector 2 of the electrode 1. At this time, the point where the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 begins to come into contact with the current collector 2 of the electrode 1 is the starting point of the uncoated portion, which will be described later, i.e., the boundary between the coated and uncoated portions.

[0065] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(c), a step (S130) is performed in which the doctor blade 100 is maintained in a state of being moved to the traveling electrode 1 (i.e., the state of being moved to the traveling electrode in step S120) for a first predetermined period of time to remove the active material 3 provided on the current collector of the traveling electrode 1.

[0066] For example, in step S130, the active material 3 provided on the current collector 2 is removed by a doctor blade 100, forming an exposed region of the current collector 2. The first predetermined period can be variously modified and changed depending on various environments in which the present invention is embodied and the electrode to be manufactured.

[0067] Additionally, the current collector 2 of the electrode 1 continues to travel in the travel direction D. However, the active material 3 of the electrode 1 is blocked by the doctor blade 100 and cannot travel. This is because, as described in step S120, the end of the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 abuts against the surface of the current collector 2 of the electrode. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the active material 3 is removed, forming a non-coated area where the current collector 2 is exposed.

[0068] 9(d), step S140 is performed in which the doctor blade 100 moves in the opposite direction (e.g., upward) from the electrode. That is, the formation of the uncoated portion is completed by completing step S130 of removing the active material 3.

[0069] In steps S120 to S140, the doctor blade 100 is in a vertical position relative to the traveling electrode 1. For example, the doctor blade 100 may be in a vertical position as shown in Figures 9(b) to 9(d). When the electrode 1 travels horizontally, the doctor blade 100 may be in a vertical position. Alternatively, the doctor blade 100 may be perpendicular to the traveling direction of the electrode 1.

[0070] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the doctor blade 100 may be arranged to have an inclination angle of up to 90 degrees relative to the traveling electrode 1, with the angle being partially adjusted to suit the environment in which the present invention is embodied, or within the allowable error range.

[0071] Following step S140 or simultaneously with step S140, step S150 is performed in which the doctor blade 100 is rotated at a predetermined angle around the tip 111 as a central axis so that the doctor blade 100 is tilted, as shown in FIG. 9(e). By tilting the doctor blade 100 downward toward the electrode 1 with the end of the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 as the central axis, the doctor blade 100 tilts obliquely relative to the electrode 1. At this time, the tip 111 faces the traveling direction of the electrode 1, and the body 110 is positioned behind the tip 111. In other words, the tip 111 is positioned downstream in the traveling direction of the electrode, and the body 110 is positioned upstream in the traveling direction of the electrode.

[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(f), a step (S160) is performed in which the doctor blade 100 maintains the tilted state from step S150 for a second predetermined period to planarize the active material provided on the current collector 2 of the electrode 1. At this time, the electrode 1 continues to travel in the traveling direction, and the end of the tip 111 of the doctor blade 100 is spaced a predetermined distance from the current collector 2 of the traveling electrode 1. The distance may be, for example, the thickness of the active material 3 to be planarized and is determined in advance depending on the environment in which the present invention is embodied and / or the electrode to be manufactured. The portion of the active material 3 provided on the current collector 2 of the electrode 1 that is planarized in step S160 becomes the ground portion of the electrode 1.

[0073] Through the above steps, a pattern in which the regions formed in steps S120 to S140 and the regions formed in steps S150 to S160 are alternately formed on the electrode 1. For example, a pattern in which uncoated areas and coated areas are alternately formed on the electrode 1 is formed.

[0074] Next, as shown in Figure 10, step S170 is performed in which the doctor blade 100 rotates in the opposite direction by a predetermined angle from that rotated in step S140, with the end of the tip 111 as the central axis. This results in the doctor blade 100 being in the state shown in Figure 9(a). As described above in step S110, the supply of active material 3 onto the electrode current collector 2 through the feeder 10 (see Figure 1) is continued, and steps S120 to S170 are repeated sequentially again while the electrode 1 continues to travel in the traveling direction. By repeating steps S120 to S170 sequentially several times in this manner, an electrode 1 having, for example, a pattern in which coated and uncoated areas are alternately formed can be manufactured.

[0075] If active material 3 remains in the uncoated portion of electrode 1 after steps S120 through S170, the method further includes a step (S180) of removing the active material by blowing air using air blower 20 (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, the method further includes a step (S190) of rolling electrode 1, in which the active material 3 has been planarized, using rolling member 30 (see FIG. 1). Step S180 may be performed between steps S170 and S190, as shown in FIG. 11, or may be performed after step S190.

[0076] 9 to 11, the process of forming a pattern on the electrode 1 using the doctor blade 100 of FIG. 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be equally applied to the process of forming a pattern on the electrode 1 using the doctor blade 100' shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, various modifications and variations are possible, such as the same application to doctor blades other than the doctor blade 100 or doctor blade 100', which are modified or altered.

[0077] The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be applied to, for example, a manufacturing process for a dry electrode.

[0078] The electrode according to the present invention may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode. That is, the electrode manufacturing process according to the present invention is not particularly limited to a positive electrode or a negative electrode, but can be easily applied to the manufacture of any electrode, and different electrodes can be manufactured depending on the material (e.g., positive electrode active material or negative electrode active material) used in the manufacture of each electrode. Therefore, the term "electrode" used in this specification, such as "electrode," "electrode active material 3," and "electrode current collector 2," can refer to both positive and negative electrodes unless otherwise defined.

[0079] In the process for producing a dry electrode of the present invention, the electrode active material 3, the binder polymer, and the like are dry-mixed to obtain a mixture.

[0080] The positive electrode active material can be any material that contains lithium and can absorb and release lithium ions. For example, the positive electrode active material can be a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; 1+x Mn 2-x Lithium manganese oxides such as LiMnO4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, LiMnO2); lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiFe3O4, V2O5, Cu2V2O7; 1-x M x Ni-site lithium nickel oxide represented by the chemical formula LiMnO2 (where M=Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x=0.01 to 0.3). 2-x M x Lithium manganese composite oxides represented by Li2Mn3MO8 (wherein M=Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x=0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (wherein M=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiNi x Mn 2-xThe positive electrode may include, but is not limited to, lithium manganese composite oxides with a spinel structure represented by the formula LiMnO4; LiMnO4 in which part of the Li in the chemical formula is replaced with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; Fe(MoO4)3, etc. The positive electrode may also include a positive electrode mixture layer containing lithium metal, a carbon material, a metal compound, or a mixture thereof. The metal compound may be a compound containing one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, P, Sb, Bi, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Mg, Sr, and Ba, or a mixture thereof.

[0081] The negative electrode may be manufactured by providing a negative electrode active material on a negative electrode current collector and rolling the resulting material, or may be manufactured by a dry method similar to the manufacturing process of the positive electrode described above. If necessary, the negative electrode may further include a conductive material, an organic binder polymer, an additive, and the like, as in the positive electrode.

[0082] The negative electrode active material may include, for example, a carbon material and a silicon material. The carbon material refers to a carbon material primarily composed of carbon atoms. Examples of such carbon materials include graphite, which has a completely layered crystalline structure like natural graphite; soft carbon, which has a low-crystalline layered crystalline structure (graphene structure; a structure in which hexagonal honeycomb-shaped carbon planes are arranged in layers); hard carbon, in which such a structure is mixed with amorphous portions; artificial graphite; expanded graphite; carbon fiber; non-graphitizable carbon; carbon black; acetylene black; ketjen black; carbon nanotubes; fullerenes; activated carbon; graphene; and carbon nanotubes. Preferably, the carbon material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, artificial graphite, and carbon nanotubes. More preferably, the carbon material includes natural graphite and / or artificial graphite, and may include at least one of carbon black and carbon nanotubes together with the natural graphite and / or artificial graphite. In this case, the carbon material may contain 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of carbon black and / or carbon nanotubes relative to 100 parts by weight of the total carbon material, more specifically, 0.1 to 5 parts by weight or 0.1 to 2 parts by weight of carbon black and / or carbon nanotubes relative to 100 parts by weight of the total carbon material.

[0083] The silicon material is a particle containing silicon (Si) as a metal component as a main component, and includes silicon (Si) particles and silicon oxide (SiO X , 1≦X≦2) particles. As one example, the silicon material may include silicon (Si) particles, silicon monoxide (SiO) particles, silicon dioxide (SiO2) particles, or a mixture of these particles.

[0084] In the present invention, the current collector is an electrically conductive material such as a metal plate, and any suitable material known in the field of secondary batteries can be used depending on the polarity of the current collector electrode.

[0085] In the present invention, the conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it does not induce chemical changes in the battery and has conductivity.

[0086] In the present invention, the binder resin is not particularly limited as long as it is a component that assists in bonding the active material to the conductive material and the like and in bonding to the current collector.

[0087] According to the embodiments of the present invention, when a pattern is to be formed on the surface of an electrode, an additional process for pattern formation is not required, thereby improving process efficiency. Furthermore, by using the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention, the specific surface area of ​​the electrode can be effectively increased, and more electrolyte ions can be stored during battery charging, thereby improving battery performance.

[0088] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are used, but these terms are used only for convenience of explanation and may change depending on the position of the object or the position of the observer, etc.

[0089] The electrode manufactured by applying the control method of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be included in a secondary battery, and a plurality of such secondary batteries can be assembled to form a battery module. The battery module can be mounted with various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS) and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0090] The secondary battery, battery module, or battery pack can be applied to a variety of devices. Specifically, the present invention can be applied to transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid vehicles, but is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that use secondary batteries.

[0091] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1: Electrode 2: Current collector 3: Active material 10: Feeder 20: Air blower 30: Rolled member 100: Doctor Blade 110, 110': Doctor blade 111, 111': Chip 111a: Inclined plane 111b: Curved surface

Claims

1. A method for forming a pattern on a running electrode by providing an active material on a current collector, comprising: (A) moving the doctor blade toward the traveling electrode so that the end of the tip of the doctor blade faces the current collector; (B) maintaining the doctor blade moving toward the traveling electrode for a first predetermined period of time; (C) moving the doctor blade in an opposite direction from the electrode.

2. (D) rotating the doctor blade at a predetermined angle around the end of the tip as a central axis so that the doctor blade is tilted; (E) maintaining the doctor blade in the tilted position for a second predetermined period of time; 2. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the doctor blade is arranged downstream and the body of the doctor blade is arranged upstream with respect to the running direction of the electrode.

3. 3. The electrode patterning method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: (F) rotating the tilted doctor blade in the opposite direction at the predetermined angle with the end of the tip as a central axis.

4. 4. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 3, wherein steps (A) to (F) are repeatedly performed.

5. 3. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 2, wherein in step (A), the tip of the doctor blade contacts the current collector, and in step (B), the active material provided on the traveling electrode is removed.

6. 6. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 5, wherein in step (C), the tip of the doctor blade is spaced a predetermined distance from the current collector, and in step (E), the active material provided on the current collector of the electrode is planarized.

7. The active material provided on the current collector of the running electrode is removed, and the exposed area of ​​the current collector becomes a non-coated portion of the electrode; The area where the active material is planarized becomes a ground portion of the electrode, 7. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 6, wherein the uncoated portions and the coated portions are arranged alternately to form the electrode pattern.

8. 2. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 1, wherein in steps (A) to (C), the doctor blade is in a vertical state with respect to the traveling electrode.

9. 2. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 1, wherein in steps (A) to (C), the doctor blade is perpendicular to the traveling electrode.

10. 2. The electrode patterning method according to claim 1, wherein the body and tip of the doctor blade are integrally formed, and the tip includes an inclined flat surface.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the tilted plane of the tip is positioned toward the active material of the oncoming electrode.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tilt angle of the tilted plane of the tip is selected from the range of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees from the current collector of the running electrode.

13. the doctor blade tip further includes a curved surface at its terminal end; The electrode pattern forming method according to claim 10 , wherein the curved surface and the inclined plane are connected to each other.

14. 14. The method for forming an electrode pattern according to claim 13, wherein the inclined plane of the tip of the doctor blade comprises at least two planes having different inclination angles.

15. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used in a dry electrode process, and the active material is provided on the current collector as a powder.

16. A method for manufacturing an electrode patterned by the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of: A method for manufacturing an electrode, comprising the step of supplying an active material onto a current collector of the electrode through a feeder.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of removing the active material by blowing air with an air blower when the active material remains in the uncoated portion of the electrode.

18. The electrode manufacturing method according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of rolling the electrode, in which the active material has been planarized, with a rolling member.

19. A secondary battery comprising an electrode patterned by the method of claim 1.

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