Electrode coating device and electrode coating method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode coating apparatus and an electrode coating method using the same, comprising: a roller for running an electrode current collector; a slurry spray unit located adjacent to the roller and supplying an active material to one side of the electrode current collector; a first chamber located on one side of the slurry spray unit and creating a negative pressure state; a second chamber located between the slurry spray unit and the first chamber, with a certain region located below the first chamber; and a pressure reducing member for creating a negative pressure state in the first chamber, wherein the first chamber has one or more partition walls inside.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0182386, filed December 14, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode coating apparatus and an electrode coating method using the same, and more particularly to an electrode coating apparatus for applying an active material to an electrode current collector to form a coating layer, and an electrode coating method using the same. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices continues to grow, rechargeable secondary batteries are being used as energy sources for various mobile devices. Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as energy sources for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are being proposed as alternatives to existing gasoline-powered vehicles and diesel-powered vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0004] Depending on the shape of the battery case, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-shaped case made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0005] The electrode process for manufacturing positive and negative electrodes of secondary batteries includes a mixing process for mixing raw materials, a coating process for applying the mixed slurry to an electrode current collector and drying it, and a rolling process for passing the electrode between two rolls to flatten and press the slurry.

[0006] In particular, the coating process is a process in which a slurry containing an active material is applied to an electrode current collector and dried to form an electrode, and plays a very important role in the electrochemical characteristics and performance of the battery.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the state in which a slurry is applied to an electrode current collector using an electrode coating device according to the prior art.

[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, to manufacture an electrode 10, a slurry is sprayed from a slurry spray unit 20 onto one side of an electrode current collector 11 to form a coating layer 12.

[0009] However, when performing so-called pattern coating, in which coating layers 12 are formed at regular intervals on the electrode current collector 11, a sloped portion 12b is generated outside the flat portion 12a at the tip of each coating layer 12 due to the viscosity and surface tension of the slurry.

[0010] Such a sloped portion 12b may affect battery performance, such as increasing resistance due to defects in the subsequent tab welding process and causing the tab to fall off. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 10-2040511 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an electrode coating apparatus and an electrode coating method using the same, which can achieve a low defect rate of electrodes by forming a coating layer consisting of only flat portions with a uniform thickness during the coating process, or by minimizing the length of any sloped portions that may be formed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] As a technical means for achieving the above object, an electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a roller (100) for moving an electrode current collector (11), a slurry spray unit (200) located adjacent to the roller (100) for supplying an active material to one side of the electrode current collector (11), a first chamber (300) located on one side of the slurry spray unit (200) for creating a negative pressure state, a second chamber (400) located between the slurry spray unit (200) and the first chamber (300), with a certain region located below the first chamber (300), and a pressure reducing member (500) for creating a negative pressure state in the first chamber (300), and is characterized in that the first chamber (300) is provided with one or more partition walls (360) inside.

[0014] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber (300) is provided at a predetermined distance from the slurry spraying unit (200), and the second chamber (400) is provided to contact one side of the slurry spraying unit (200).

[0015] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber (300) includes a first plate (310), a second plate (320) extending upward from the front edge of the first plate (310), a third plate (330) extending upward from the rear edge of the first plate (310), a pair of fourth plates (340) extending upward from both side edges of the first plate (310), and a fifth plate (350) connecting the second plate (320) and the pair of fourth plates (340), and the second plate (320) is provided with a plurality of exhaust pipes (321) communicating with the pressure reducing member (500).

[0016] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the partition (360) comprises two or more partitions fixed to the first plate (310), and the exhaust pipe (321) is located between the partitions (360) and / or between the partition (360) and the fourth plate (340) so as not to overlap with the partitions (360).

[0017] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the partition wall (360) is spaced apart from the fifth plate (350) by a predetermined distance.

[0018] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the partition wall (360) is spaced apart from the second plate (320) by a predetermined distance.

[0019] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fifth plate (350) includes a fifth plate (351) that connects the second plate (320) and the pair of fourth plates (340), and a fifth plate (352) that is connected to the fifth plate (351) and configured to be movable forward or backward.

[0020] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second chamber (400) has a box-like structure with an open top and a discharge pipe at the bottom for discharging the active material.

[0021] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second chamber (400) includes a 2a chamber (410) and a 2b chamber (420), and has an inclined bottom surface.

[0022] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge pipes include a second discharge pipe (411) provided in the second chamber (410) and a second discharge pipe (421) provided in the second chamber (420), and the second discharge pipe (411) and the second discharge pipe (421) are provided at the lowest portions of the bottom surfaces of the second chamber (410) and the second chamber (420), respectively.

[0023] In addition, the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a photographing unit (600) positioned adjacent to the roller (100) for photographing one side of the electrode current collector (11) that has passed through the slurry spraying unit (200), and a control unit (700) for adjusting the negative pressure of the vacuum chamber (300) based on information received from the photographing unit (600).

[0024] In addition, in the electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure reducing member (500) includes an intake member (510) that generates negative pressure, and a valve (520) provided between the intake member (510) and the exhaust pipe (321), and the control unit (700) adjusts at least one of the output of the intake member (510) and the opening / closing angle of the valve (520).

[0025] In addition, an electrode coating method using an electrode coating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: (S1) creating a negative pressure state at a certain level in the first chamber (300); (S2) spraying an active material onto one side of the electrode current collector (11) to form a coating layer (12); (S3) photographing the coating layer (12) formed on the electrode current collector (11); and (S4) transmitting information from the photographing unit (600) to the control unit.

[0026] In addition, the electrode coating method according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes the step of (S5) adjusting the negative pressure of the first chamber (300) according to information transmitted from the photographing unit (600).

[0027] In the electrode coating method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the information in the step (S5) is information on the inclined portion (12b) forming the coating layer (12). [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As described above, the electrode coating apparatus and electrode coating method using the same according to the present invention are provided with a first chamber that creates a negative pressure state on one side of the slurry spray unit, so that the coating layer consists of only flat portions or the length of the sloped portions can be minimized, thereby achieving a low electrode defect rate.

[0029] In addition, according to the electrode coating apparatus and the electrode coating method using the same according to the present invention, a plurality of partition walls are provided inside the chamber, and the top and front of each partition wall are connected to each other, thereby minimizing the negative pressure deviation inside the chamber.

[0030] Furthermore, in the electrode coating device and the electrode coating method using the same according to the present invention, the bottom surface of the second chamber that contains the slurry removed by negative pressure is inclined, so that the removed slurry can be quickly discharged. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a slurry is applied to an electrode current collector using an electrode coating device according to the prior art. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electrode coating device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a roller, a slurry spray unit, a first chamber, and a second chamber are combined in an electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electrode coating device shown in FIG. 3, seen from another direction. [Figure 5]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrode coating device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view of the electrode coating device shown in FIG. 3 as seen from one side. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view of the electrode coating device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a slurry spray unit, a first chamber, and a second chamber are combined in an electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first chamber and a second chamber are coupled together in an electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention that will enable a person skilled in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, in describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, if it is determined that a detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0033] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

[0034] Also, in the drawing, the front is the direction in which the slurry injection unit 200 faces the first chamber 300 (the 3 o'clock direction in FIG. 2), and the rear is the direction in which the first chamber 300 faces the slurry injection unit 200 (the 9 o'clock direction in FIG. 2).

[0035] An electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention will now be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the roller, slurry injection unit, first chamber, and second chamber combined in the electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the electrode coating apparatus shown in Fig. 3 from another direction, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electrode coating apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the electrode coating apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode 10 by forming a coating layer 12 on an electrode current collector 11, and includes a roller 100, a slurry injection unit 200, a first chamber 300, a second chamber 400, a pressure reducing member 500, a photographing unit 600, and a control unit 700.

[0037] First, the electrode 10 can be a positive electrode or a negative electrode. These positive and negative electrodes include an electrode current collector 11 and a coating layer 12 provided on one side of the electrode current collector 11.

[0038] On the other hand, a positive electrode current collector constituting a positive electrode is mainly made of an aluminum material or the like, and a slurry in which a positive electrode active material and a binder are mixed is applied to such a positive electrode current collector.

[0039] Positive electrode active materials include layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or compounds 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, and LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, V2O5, and Cu2V2O7; and the chemical formula LiNi 1-x Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide represented by MxO2 (where M=Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x=0.01 to 0.3); chemical formula LiMn 2-x M xLithium manganese composite oxides represented by O2 (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn or Ta and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn); LiMn2O4 in which part of Li in the chemical formula is substituted with alkaline earth metal ions; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3, etc. can be used, but are not limited thereto.

[0040] In addition, the negative electrode current collector constituting the negative electrode is mainly made of a copper material or the like. A slurry in which a negative electrode active material and a binder are mixed is applied to such a negative electrode current collector. Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon such as graphitizable carbon and graphite-based carbon; Li x Fe2O3(0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Li x WO2(0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Sn x [[ID=I0]]Me 1-x Me’ y O z Metal composite oxides such as (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me’: Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≦ 1; 1 ≦ y ≦ 3; 1 ≦ z ≦ 8); lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4, Bi2O5; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials; Si-based materials that are Si, SiO, SiO2 alone or mixtures thereof, etc. can be used, but are not limited only thereto.

[0041] Each of the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector described above has a maintenance part coated with an active material and a plain part not coated with an active material. It is common to notch the plain part to form an electrode. Since such positive and negative electrodes correspond to known configurations, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0042] The roller 100 may be configured to run the electrode current collector 11. In other words, the roller 100 may be in contact with the other surface of the electrode current collector 11 and support the electrode current collector 11 so that it continues to run.

[0043] Here, the roller 100 may determine the running direction so that the electrode current collector 11 moves due to the rotational force of the electrode roller that winds up the electrode 10 in which the active material is applied to the electrode current collector 11 to form the coating layer 12.

[0044] The slurry spraying unit 200 is located adjacent to the roller 100 and can supply slurry to one side of the electrode current collector 11. The slurry spraying unit 200 can include a nozzle unit 210 to supply slurry to one side of the electrode current collector 11 that is moved by the roller 100.

[0045] The nozzle unit 210 may apply the slurry supplied from a slurry storage tank (not shown) to one surface of the electrode current collector 11 to form the coating layer 12 on the electrode current collector 11 .

[0046] Here, the slurry spraying unit 200 can continuously supply the slurry to one side of the electrode current collector 11 through the nozzle part 210 to form a continuous coating layer 12, and can also intermittently supply the slurry to one side of the electrode current collector 11 to form a patterned coating layer 12, if necessary.

[0047] The slurry injection unit 200 having such a nozzle part 210 corresponds to a configuration known in the art, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] In addition, the slurry injection unit 200 may further include a protruding member 220 extending forward by a certain length on the front surface (3 o'clock direction in FIG. 3) of the slurry injection unit 200 to support the first chamber 300 and the second chamber 400. This will be described in detail later.

[0049] Figure 6 is a view from one side of the electrode coating apparatus shown in Figure 3, and Figure 7 is a view from the front of the electrode coating apparatus shown in Figure 3. Also, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the slurry injection unit, the first chamber, and the second chamber are combined in the electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention, and Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first chamber and the second chamber are combined in the electrode coating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0050] Referring to Figures 2 and 5 to 9 together, the first chamber 300 is located on one side of the slurry injection unit 200 (at the 3 o'clock position in Figure 6) and creates a negative pressure state, thereby inducing all parts of the coating layer to have flat portions.

[0051] The first chamber 300 may include a first plate 310, a second plate 320, a third plate 330, a fourth plate 340, and a fifth plate 350. More specifically, the first plate 310 may be the bottom surface of the first chamber 300 (6 o'clock direction in FIG. 6), the second plate 320 may be the front surface of the first chamber 300 (3 o'clock direction in FIG. 6), the third plate 330 may be the rear surface of the first chamber 300 (9 o'clock direction in FIG. 6), the fourth plate 340 may be a pair of side surfaces of the first chamber 300 (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock direction in FIG. 7), and the fifth plate 330 may be the top surface of the first chamber 300 (12 o'clock direction in FIG. 6).

[0052] The first plate 310 may be provided as a lower surface of the first chamber 300 and may be provided to be spaced a predetermined distance from the slurry injection unit 200 .

[0053] The second plate 320 may be provided to extend upward from the front edge of the first plate 310. The third plate 330 may be provided to extend upward from the rear edge of the first plate 310. Here, the third plate 330 may extend to have a length that is shorter than the length by which the second plate 320 extends upward.

[0054] The fourth plate 340 may be composed of a pair of plates extending upward from both side edges of the first plate 310 .

[0055] In addition, the pair of fourth plates 340 may extend from both side edges of the second plate 320 toward the slurry spraying unit 200 and may be provided to block at least a portion of both side surfaces of the slurry spraying unit 200 and the roller 100. The pair of fourth plates 340 may serve as shielding plates that prevent the slurry from scattering sideways when the slurry spraying unit 200 supplies the slurry to one side of the electrode current collector 11.

[0056] The fifth plate 350 may connect the second plate 320 and the pair of fourth plates 240. The fifth plate 350 extends from the second plate 320 toward the slurry injection unit 200, but may extend a predetermined length so as not to come into contact with the roller 100.

[0057] The fifth plate 350 includes a 5a plate 351 and a 5b plate 352. The 5a plate 351 is configured to connect the second plate 320 and the pair of fourth plates 340, and the 5b plate 352 is connected to the 5a plate 351 and can be configured to be movable forward or backward.

[0058] A plurality of oval holes 352a may be formed in the 5b plate 352. The plurality of holes 352a may be configured to allow a connecting member (not shown) that connects the 5a plate 351 and the 5b plate 352 to pass through.

[0059] In addition, the holes 352a may be configured to allow the 5b plate 352 to move forward or backward relative to a connecting member (not shown). That is, the holes 352a may be formed to allow the distance between the rear surface of the 5b plate 352 and the roller 100 to be adjusted.

[0060] For example, the 5b plate 352 can adjust the gap between the 5b plate 352 and the roller 100 by sliding from the 5a plate 351 depending on the thickness of the electrode current collector 11 running through the gap between the 5b plate 352 and the roller 100. The 5b plate 352 can slide from the 5a plate 351 by the length of the oval hole 352a.

[0061] The 5b plate 352 slides according to the thickness of the electrode current collector 11 to adjust the gap between the 5b plate 352 and the roller 100, thereby maximizing the negative pressure formed inside the first chamber 300.

[0062] Meanwhile, it is preferable that one or more partition walls 360 are provided inside the first chamber 300, and more preferably, two or more partition walls 360 are fixed to the first plate 310. For example, if the partition walls 360 consist of three partition walls, the internal space of the first chamber 300 can be divided into four spaces S1, S2, S3, and S4.

[0063] Here, the upper end of the partition wall 360 is spaced apart from the fifth plate 350 by a certain distance, and the front surface is also spaced apart from the second plate 320. Therefore, the partition wall 360 separates the internal space of the first chamber 300 into a first space S1, a second space S2, a third space S3, and a fourth space S4, and these spaces are interconnected.

[0064] For example, the partition wall 360 may be disposed so that its rear surface is in contact with the third plate 330, and its upper end and front surface are spaced apart from the fifth plate 350 and the second plate 320 at a predetermined distance, respectively.

[0065] In addition, the rectangular plate-shaped partition wall 360 may have an upper corner that extends toward the roller 100 cut at an angle. Here, the cut area may be cut in a straight or curved shape. For example, the partition wall 360 may have a partially cut shape to prevent damage to the traveling electrode current collector 11.

[0066] In addition, the second plate 320 of the first chamber 300 includes an exhaust pipe 321 , and the exhaust pipe 321 may be made up of a plurality of pipes so as to communicate with the pressure reducing member 500 .

[0067] The exhaust pipes 321 may be located between the partition walls 360 and / or between the partition wall 360 and the fourth plate 340 so as not to overlap with the partition walls 360. For example, the exhaust pipes 321 may be arranged relative to the first space S1, the second space S2, the third space S3, and the fourth space S4 formed by the partition walls 360.

[0068] As a result, the exhaust pipes 321 are arranged in the first space S1, the second space S2, the third space S3, and the fourth space S4, respectively, so that the negative pressure deviations in the spaces can be reduced independently.

[0069] Furthermore, even if multiple partitions 360 are provided, the upper ends and front surfaces of the partitions 360 are connected to each other, so the internal pressures of the first space S1 to the fourth space S4, i.e., the first chamber 300, can be adjusted to be the same or approximately the same.

[0070] Next, the second chamber 400 may be located between the slurry injection unit 200 and the first chamber 300, and a certain region may be located below the first chamber 300. More specifically, the first chamber 300 may be provided at a predetermined distance from the slurry injection unit 200, while the second chamber 400 may be provided to contact one side of the slurry injection unit 200.

[0071] The second chamber 400 may have a box-like structure with an open top, including a pair of chambers 2a and 2b 410 and 420. For example, the second chamber 400 may have an open top at a distance where the first chamber 300 is spaced apart from the slurry injection unit 200, and the slurry corresponding to the sloped portion is received through the open area.

[0072] In other words, the slurry contained in the second chamber 400 is removed by the negative pressure generated in the first chamber 300 when the slurry jetting unit 200 supplies the slurry to the electrode current collector 11 .

[0073] On the other hand, it is preferable that the pair of chambers 2a (410) and 2b (420) have inclined bottom surfaces, and it is preferable that the bottoms of chambers 2a (410) and 2b (420) are provided with discharge pipes for discharging the slurry.

[0074] Here, the discharge pipes may include a 2a discharge pipe 411 and a 2b discharge pipe 412, and the 2a discharge pipe 411 may be provided in the 2a chamber 410, and the 2b discharge pipe 412 may be provided in the 2b chamber 420.

[0075] These second a discharge pipes 411 and second b discharge pipes 421 may be provided at the lowest portions of the bottom surfaces of second a chamber 410 and second b chamber 420. For example, when the bottom surfaces of second a chamber 410 and second b chamber 420 are inclined so as to become lower as they go outward (9 o'clock direction for second a chamber and 3 o'clock direction for second b chamber with reference to FIG. 7), second a discharge pipes 411 and second b discharge pipes 421 may be provided on the bottom surfaces of second a chamber 410 and second b chamber 420 facing outward, respectively.

[0076] In this way, the bottom of the second chamber 400 that contains the removed slurry is inclined and equipped with a discharge pipe, so that the removed slurry can be quickly discharged to the outside before it hardens.

[0077] The second chamber 400 may include a connecting portion 430 connecting the 2a chamber 410 and the 2b chamber 420. The connecting portion 430 may be configured to connect the highest portions of the bottom surfaces of the 2a chamber 410 and the 2b chamber 420, and may be configured to have a groove formed on the upper side. For example, the groove may be configured to seat the protruding member 220 provided in the slurry injection unit 200, thereby connecting the second chamber 400 and the slurry injection unit 200 to each other.

[0078] In addition, the second chamber 400 may further include a contact member 440 disposed on the other side thereof that contacts one side of the slurry spraying unit 200. For example, the contact member 440 may be provided so that no gap is generated between the slurry spraying unit 200 and the second chamber 400.

[0079] Next, the pressure reducing member 500 may include an intake member 510 that generates negative pressure and a valve 520 that is provided between the intake member 510 and the exhaust pipe 321, and may be provided to create a negative pressure state in the first chamber 300. For example, the intake member 510 may be a known intake means such as a vacuum pump that creates a negative pressure state inside the first chamber 300.

[0080] The valve 520 can be configured to precisely adjust the negative pressure of the suction member 510 by adjusting the opening and closing angle.

[0081] In addition, the pressure reducing member 500 is connected to each of the plurality of exhaust pipes 321, and can create a negative pressure state in the internal space of the first chamber 300. More specifically, the pressure reducing member 500 is connected to the plurality of exhaust pipes 321 arranged for the first space S1, the second space S2, the third space S3, and the fourth space S4, and can adjust the negative pressure in each of these spaces, thereby making the internal negative pressure of the first chamber 300 uniform.

[0082] The photographing unit 600 is positioned adjacent to the roller 100 and can photograph one surface of the electrode current collector 11 that has passed through the slurry spraying unit 200. In other words, the photographing unit 600 can photograph one surface of the electrode current collector 11 on which the coating layer 12 has been formed by the slurry spraying unit 200, and can transmit the photographed information to the control unit 700.

[0083] In addition, the control unit 700 can adjust the negative pressure in the first chamber 300 by adjusting at least one of the output of the suction member 510 and the opening / closing angle of the valve 520 according to the received information.

[0084] In other words, the control unit 700 receives information about the presence and length of the inclined portion 12b of the coating layer 12 obtained by the photographing unit 600 photographing in real time one surface of the electrode current collector 11 on which the coating layer 12 is formed by the slurry injection unit 200, and can control the pressure reducing member 500 based on the received information.

[0085] For example, if an inclined portion 12b is formed on one side of the flat portion 12a or is formed longer than a predetermined length, the control unit 700 can increase the negative pressure in the first chamber 300 by adjusting the output of the suction member 510 or the opening / closing angle of the valve 520 based on information received via the imaging unit 600, thereby completely eliminating or reducing the inclined portion 12b.

[0086] It is preferable that the photographing unit 600 continuously photographs one surface of the electrode current collector 11 that has passed through the slurry injection unit 200 so that the control unit 700 can control the pressure reducing member 500 in real time, but it is also possible to photograph at set intervals.

[0087] The control unit 700 may be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The control unit may be implemented in the form of a computing device (arithmetic unit) such as a microprocessor, but is not limited thereto, and may be implemented in various forms that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0088] Next, a method for coating an electrode current collector using the electrode coating device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0089] The electrode coating method according to the present invention may include the steps of (S1) creating a negative pressure state at a certain level in the first chamber 300, (S2) spraying an active material onto one side of the electrode current collector 11 to form a coating layer 12, (S3) photographing the coating layer 12 formed on the electrode current collector 11, (S4) transmitting information from the photographing unit 600 to the control unit, and (S5) adjusting the negative pressure in the first chamber 300 based on the information transmitted from the photographing unit 600.

[0090] Here, the information in step (S5) may be information on the sloped portion 12b forming the coating layer 12.

[0091] Although specific portions of the contents of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such specific techniques are merely preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope and technical idea of ​​the present invention, and it goes without saying that such changes and modifications also fall within the scope of the accompanying claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 electrodes 11 Electrode current collector 12 Coating Layer 12a Flat area 12b Inclined section 100 Rollers 200 Slurry Injection Unit 210 Nozzle section 220 Protruding member 300 First Chamber 310 First Plate 320 Second Plate 321 Exhaust pipe 330 Third Plate 340 4th Plate 350 5th Plate 351 5a Plate 352 5b Plate Hall 352a 360 Bulkhead 400 Second Chamber 410 Chamber 2a 411 No. 2a discharge pipe 420 Chamber 2b 421 No. 2b discharge pipe 430 Connection section 440 Adhesion material 500 Pressure reducing member 510 Intake member 520 Valve 600 Photography Department 700 control section S1 1st space S2 2nd space S3 3rd space S4 4th space

Claims

1. a roller for running the electrode current collector; a slurry injection unit positioned adjacent to the roller and supplying an active material to one surface of the electrode current collector; a first chamber located at one side of the slurry injection unit and forming a negative pressure state; a second chamber located between the slurry injection unit and the first chamber, the second chamber having a certain area below the first chamber; a pressure reducing member for creating a negative pressure state in the first chamber, The electrode coating apparatus includes one or more partitions inside the first chamber.

2. The first chamber is spaced a predetermined distance from the slurry injection unit, The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is provided to contact one side of the slurry injection unit.

3. the first chamber includes a first plate, a second plate extending upward from a front edge of the first plate, a third plate extending upward from a rear edge of the first plate, a pair of fourth plates extending upward from both side edges of the first plate, and a fifth plate connecting the second plate and the pair of fourth plates; The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second plate includes a plurality of exhaust pipes communicating with the pressure reducing member.

4. 4. The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the partition wall comprises two or more partition walls fixed to the first plate, and the exhaust pipe is positioned between the partition walls and / or between the partition wall and the fourth plate so as not to overlap with the partition walls.

5. 5. The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an upper end of the partition wall is spaced apart from the fifth plate by a predetermined distance.

6. The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the front surface of the partition wall is spaced apart from the second plate by a predetermined distance.

7. The fifth plate is a 5a plate connecting the second plate and the pair of fourth plates; 4. The electrode coating apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a 5b plate coupled to the 5a plate and configured to be movable forward or backward.

8. 2. The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber has a box-like structure with an open top and a discharge pipe at the bottom for discharging the active material.

9. The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the second chamber includes a second a chamber and a second b chamber, and has an inclined bottom surface.

10. 10. The electrode coating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the discharge pipe comprises a second discharge pipe provided in the second chamber a and a second discharge pipe provided in the second chamber b, and the second discharge pipe and the second discharge pipe are provided at the lowest portions of the bottom surfaces of the second chamber a and the second chamber b, respectively.

11. an imaging unit positioned adjacent to the roller and configured to image one surface of the electrode current collector that has passed through the slurry injection unit; The electrode coating apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising: a control unit that adjusts the negative pressure of the vacuum chamber according to information received from the imaging unit.

12. the pressure reducing member includes an intake member that generates a negative pressure, and a valve provided between the intake member and the exhaust pipe, The electrode coating apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the control unit adjusts at least one of an output of the suction member and an opening / closing angle of a valve.

13. A method for coating an electrode current collector using the electrode coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: (S1) forming a negative pressure state at a certain level in the first chamber; (S2) spraying an active material onto one surface of the electrode current collector to form a coating layer; (S3) taking an image of the coating layer formed on the electrode current collector; (S4) transmitting information from the imaging unit to the control unit.

14. The electrode coating method of claim 13, further comprising: (S5) adjusting the negative pressure in the first chamber according to the information transmitted from the imaging unit.

15. The electrode coating method of claim 14, wherein the information in step (S5) is information on an inclined portion on which the coating layer is to be formed.

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