Method and apparatus for manufacturing electrodes

Abstract

The electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: an electrode film manufacturing step of manufacturing a sheet-like electrode film by passing a powdery mixture between sheet rollers and supplying the electrode film at a predetermined speed; an electrode manufacturing step of further feeding in electrode foil and passing the electrode film and electrode foil, in a laminated state, between rolling rollers to bond them together to manufacture an electrode; a rolling roller control step of sensing the thickness of the electrode before the electrode is recovered and controlling the gap size between the rolling rollers and the rotation speed of the rolling rollers; and a feedback control step of feedback controlling the electrode film manufacturing step so that the thickness of the electrode film and the supply speed are adjusted according to the gap size between the rolling rollers or the rotation speed of the rolling rollers. The manufacturing method according to the present invention can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0119020 filed on September 7, 2023 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0121915 filed on September 6, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode capable of suppressing or minimizing variations in the thickness and generation of wrinkles of the electrode and further increasing production efficiency.

Background Art

[0003] Batteries for storing electrical energy can generally be classified into primary batteries and secondary batteries. A primary battery is a disposable consumable battery, while a secondary battery is a rechargeable battery manufactured using a material in which the process of oxidation and reduction between current and matter can be repeated.

[0004] That is, when a reduction reaction with respect to the material is performed by current, it is charged, and when an oxidation reaction with respect to the material is performed, it is discharged. Such charging and discharging are repeated to generate electricity.

[0005] Generally, types of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries. Such secondary batteries are not only used in small products such as digital cameras, P-DVDs, MP3Ps, mobile phones, PDAs, portable game devices, power tools, and e-bikes, but also in large products that require high power such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, as well as power storage devices for storing surplus generated power and renewable energy and backup power storage devices.

[0006] In general, lithium secondary batteries are manufactured by housing an electrode assembly, which consists of a stacked positive electrode (cathode), separator, and negative electrode (anode), in a case such as a cylindrical can or a rectangular pouch.

[0007] Each of the positive and negative electrodes is manufactured by applying electrode slurry to both sides (or one side) of an electrode foil, which is a current collector. There are various methods for manufacturing the electrode slurry and adhering it to the electrode foil, but a known method involves manufacturing the electrode slurry into an electrode film by making it thin like a film, and then laminating and bonding them together.

[0008] At this time, the electrode film and electrode foil are manufactured into electrodes by rolling after or simultaneously with bonding, and subsequent processing is carried out in which electrode tabs are formed (in the areas where the electrode film is not covered and the electrode foil is exposed).

[0009] On the other hand, a known method for manufacturing the electrode film involves forming a sheet from a powdery mixture mainly composed of an active material, a carbon material, and a binder.

[0010] In other words, as shown in Figure 1a, which simplifies the powder sheet process and the calender process, the powder sheet process is carried out by feeding a powdered mixture C between sheet rollers 10 (11, 12). The mixture C fed between the sheet rollers 10 is subjected to pressure and shear force (due to the difference in rotational speed between the sheet rollers) and is formed into a sheet-like electrode film S.

[0011] Following the powder sheet process, a calendering process is continuously performed to thin the electrode film S to the target thickness.

[0012] In the calendering process, the electrode film S passes continuously between adjacent calender rollers 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) to form a thin film. At this time, the ratio of the gap between adjacent calender rollers 20 to the difference in rotational speed (peripheral speed ratio) and the temperature of the calender rollers 20 are process variables.

[0013] This allows for the production of electrode films S with a target thickness and density by appropriately adjusting the gap between the calender rollers 20 and the rotation speed.

[0014] Then, as shown in the simplified Figure 1b, the electrode film S and electrode foil F are bonded and rolled together through a rolling process to produce an electrode. The electrode film S is recovered in a roll shape, then unwound together with the electrode foil F and laminated. In this laminated state, it passes between rolling rollers 30 (31, 32) to be bonded and rolled. Rolling here means that the electrode film S and electrode foil F are compressed to have a predetermined thickness and density so that the bonding force is increased.

[0015] Furthermore, depending on the process design, the powder sheet process, calendering process, and rolling process may be configured to be carried out in a continuous sequence.

[0016] In this case, the rollers 10, 20, and 30 are controlled so that the thickness of the electrode film S and the thickness of the electrode film S and electrode foil F are individually controlled in each process.

[0017] However, if a difference in the thickness (and / or density) of the electrode film S occurred in the preceding processes (powder sheet process, calendering process), it was necessary to control the rolling rollers 30 in the rolling process to compensate for this difference.

[0018] However, if changes occurred in the gap between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 or in the rotational speed during the rolling process, there was a high probability that wrinkles would form near the boundary between the electrode foil F and the electrode film S (see Figure 6). [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0019] Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing electrodes in which the powder sheet process, calendering process, and rolling process can be carried out continuously to increase production efficiency, and the occurrence of wrinkles can be suppressed by controlling the other processes based on the rolling roller (the rotation speed of the rolling roller is kept constant, but instead the gap and rotation speed of the rollers in the other processes are feedback controlled to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles). [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing electrodes and an apparatus for manufacturing electrodes.

[0021] The electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: an electrode film manufacturing step of manufacturing and supplying a sheet-like electrode film; an electrode manufacturing step of further introducing electrode foil and passing the electrode film and electrode foil, in a laminated state, between a pair of rolling rollers to bond them together to manufacture an electrode; a rolling roller control step of sensing the thickness of the electrode before the electrode is recovered and controlling at least one of the gap size between the rolling rollers or the rotation speed of the rolling rollers; and a feedback control step of feedback controlling the electrode film manufacturing step so that the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film are adjusted in accordance with the gap size between the rolling rollers or the rotation speed of the rolling rollers.

[0022] In the rolling roller control stage, even when the rotational speed of the rolling roller is controlled, the rotational speed ratio of the rolling rollers on both sides is adjusted so that the peripheral speed ratio remains constant.

[0023] In the electrode film manufacturing stage, a powdery mixture passes between sheet rollers to be manufactured into a sheet-shaped electrode film. The electrode film manufacturing stage includes a calendar stage in which the thickness of the electrode film is adjusted while the electrode film manufactured in a sheet shape passes between a plurality of calendar rollers.

[0024] The feedback control stage controls at least one of the gap size between the calendar rollers or the rotational speed of the calendar rollers to control the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film.

[0025] The feedback control stage controls the operation of at least one of the gap size between the sheet rollers or the rotational speed of the sheet rollers to control the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film.

[0026] The electrode film manufacturing stage includes a stage of sensing the thickness of the electrode film before entering the calendar rollers after passing through the sheet rollers, and a stage of sensing the thickness of the electrode film and the electrode foil before entering the rolling rollers in a state where the electrode film and the electrode foil are laminated after the electrode film passes through the calendar rollers. Then, the sensed data is transmitted to a feedback control unit that performs the feedback control stage.

[0027] In the feedback control stage, the change in thickness on the path where the electrode film moves in the electrode film manufacturing stage is measured and compared to determine whether to control the operation of the sheet rollers or whether to control the operation of the calendar rollers.

[0028] The electrode film includes a first electrode film laminated on one side of the electrode foil with the electrode foil sandwiched therebetween, and a second electrode film laminated on the other side of the electrode foil. [[ID=​In the electrode film manufacturing stage, a first electrode film is supplied to one side of the electrode foil at a predetermined speed, and a second electrode film is supplied to the other side of the electrode foil at a predetermined speed.

[0030] In the electrode manufacturing stage, the electrode foil passes between rolling rollers with the first electrode film and the second electrode film laminated on each of one side and the other side.

[0031] The electrode film manufacturing stage includes a stage of sensing at least one or more of the thickness of the first electrode film before reaching the rolling roller or the thickness of the second electrode film before reaching the rolling roller. The feedback control stage determines whether to adjust the thickness of the first electrode film or whether to adjust the thickness of the second electrode film.

[0032] The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode according to the present invention includes a sheet roller that applies pressure and shear force to a powder-like mixture to process it into a sheet-like electrode film when the mixture is input, and a calendar roller that applies pressure to the electrode film passing through the sheet roller to process it into a target thickness. When the electrode film manufactured by the electrode film manufacturing apparatus and the electrode foil are supplied in a laminated state, a rolling roller that applies pressure to perform adhesion and manufacture an electrode, and an electrode thickness sensor that is disposed before the electrode reaches the recovery unit, receives data sensing the thickness of the electrode, and a feedback control unit that controls the gap size between the rolling rollers and the rotational speed of the rolling rollers. The feedback control unit is characterized in that it performs feedback control on the electrode film manufacturing apparatus so that the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film are adjusted according to the gap size between the rolling rollers and the rotational speed of the rolling rollers.

[0033] The feedback control unit can individually control the gap size between the sheet rollers, the rotational speed of the sheet rollers, the gap size between the calendar rollers, and the rotational speed of the calendar rollers.

[0034] The electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes a first electrode film manufacturing apparatus that manufactures and supplies a first electrode film to be laminated on one side of the electrode foil, and a second electrode film manufacturing apparatus that manufactures and supplies a second electrode film to be laminated on the other side of the electrode foil, wherein the first electrode film manufacturing apparatus and the second electrode film manufacturing apparatus are arranged on one side and the other side of the rolling roller, respectively, with the rolling roller in between.

[0035] The first electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes a first electrode film thickness sensor for sensing the thickness of the first electrode film, and the second electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes a second electrode film thickness sensor for sensing the thickness of the second electrode film. The first electrode film thickness sensor and the second electrode film thickness sensor are connected to each other so as to enable data transmission with a feedback control unit.

[0036] The first electrode film thickness sensor includes a front-side first electrode film thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the first electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller and enters the calender roller, and a rear-side first electrode film thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the first electrode film and electrode foil after the first electrode film has passed through the calender roller and before it enters the rolling roller in a laminated state with the first electrode film and electrode foil.

[0037] The second electrode film thickness sensor includes a front second electrode film thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the second electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller and enters the calender roller, and a rear second electrode film thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the second electrode film after it has passed through the calender roller and before it enters the rolling roller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0038] The present invention, having the configuration described above, maintains a constant rotational speed (and peripheral speed ratio) between the rolling rollers even while the electrode film thickness is being adjusted, thereby eliminating the problem of wrinkles forming on the electrode foil.

[0039] In other words, in this invention, the thickness and density of the electrode film are feedback-controlled while the electrode foil and electrode film are being rolled, making it possible to manufacture electrodes of consistent quality.

[0040] In this invention, feedback control can be performed individually in both the powder sheeting process, which manufactures an electrode film from a powdered mixture, and the calendering process, which reduces the thickness of the electrode film. This allows for more precise control of the thickness and density of the electrode film. In particular, individual automatic correction can be performed separately for the operator side (OS) and the driver side (DS). For example, using Figure 3 as a reference, the left (L) gap and the right (R) gap between the rollers can be adjusted independently, allowing for a more accurate balance of the left and right thicknesses of the electrode film. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1a] This diagram shows a simplified representation of the powder sheet process and the calendering process. [Figure 1b] This diagram provides a simplified illustration of how electrode films and electrode foils are bonded and rolled together during the rolling process to produce electrodes. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a simplified overall view of an electrode manufacturing apparatus for producing electrodes in which an electrode film is laminated on one surface of an electrode foil. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the arrangement of the sheet roller, calender roller, and rolling roller. [Figure 4a] This is a simplified diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrode manufacturing apparatus for producing electrodes in which electrode films are laminated on both sides of an electrode foil. [Figure 4b] Figure 4a shows the different configurations of the rollers when their arrangement is deformed. [Figure 4c] Figure 4a shows the different configurations of the rollers when their arrangement is deformed. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the feedback control procedure in the electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows how wrinkles form when the peripheral speed ratio of the rolling roller changes, and how wrinkle formation is suppressed when the peripheral speed ratio of the rolling roller is kept constant. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] The present invention will be described in detail below, based on the attached drawings, so that it can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. However, the present invention can be realized in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0043] To clearly explain the present invention, irrelevant parts have been omitted, and the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.

[0044] Furthermore, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0045] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing electrodes in which the powder sheet process, calendering process, and rolling process are carried out continuously, thereby increasing production efficiency and suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the electrodes. Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] [First Embodiment] The present invention provides, as a first embodiment, an electrode manufacturing apparatus that can manufacture electrodes (E1: an electrode in which an electrode film is laminated on only one side of the electrode foil, E2: an electrode in which an electrode film is laminated on both sides of the electrode foil), that is, an electrode manufacturing apparatus in which a powder sheet process, a calendering process, and a rolling process can be carried out in a continuous manner.

[0047] Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrode manufacturing apparatus for producing electrodes in which an electrode film is laminated on one side of an electrode foil. Figure 3 shows the arrangement of a sheet roller, a calender roller, and a rolling roller. Figure 4 is a simplified diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrode manufacturing apparatus for producing electrodes in which an electrode film is laminated on both sides of an electrode foil.

[0048] The electrode manufacturing apparatus provided in this embodiment comprises an electrode film manufacturing apparatus, a rolling roller 30, and a feedback control unit 40. The feedback control unit 40 is characterized by feedback-controlling the electrode film manufacturing apparatus in accordance with the operating state of the rolling rollers 31 and 32 and the thickness (and / or density) of the electrodes E1 and E2. Here, "feedback control" means controlling the electrode film manufacturing apparatus to adjust the thickness (and density) of the input electrode film S based on the output electrodes E1 and E2.

[0049] The electrode film manufacturing apparatus produces an electrode film S in the form of a sheet having a predetermined thickness from a powdered mixture C. At this time, the electrode film manufacturing apparatus adjusts the thickness (and density) of the electrode film S in accordance with the rolling roller 30.

[0050] The electrode film apparatus includes a pair (or more) of sheet rollers 10 (11, 12) that, upon input of a powdery mixture C, apply pressure and shear force to process the mixture C into a sheet-like electrode film S. The pair of sheet rollers 11 and 12 are positioned such that a gap g1 is formed between them by a predetermined distance, and are heated to a predetermined temperature range. While the powdery mixture C is being fed between the sheet rollers 11 and 12, the pair of sheet rollers 11 and 12 rotate such that a speed difference is created between them. As a result, pressure and shear force are applied to the powdery mixture C, and it is formed into a sheet-like electrode film S.

[0051] At this point, the formed electrode film S has uneven thickness and density and cannot achieve the target thickness, thus requiring a calendering process. Specifically, the electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes calender rollers 20 (21, 22, 23) that apply pressure to the electrode film S after it has passed through the sheet rollers 11, 12 to process it to the target thickness. For reference, as will be described later, the number of calender rollers 20 is determined by the specifications of the electrode film required according to the process specifications, and they can be selectively added or removed.

[0052] On the other hand, in the powder sheet process, the greater the peripheral speed ratio between the sheet rollers (the greater the difference in rotational speed between the sheet rollers), the thinner the electrode film becomes, and the smaller the gap g1 between the sheet rollers, the higher the density.

[0053] At least two of the calender rollers 21, 22, and 23 are provided and are cooled or heated to have a predetermined temperature range, and are arranged so that gaps g2 and g3 are formed between adjacent calender rollers 21, 22, and 23 within a predetermined range. The calender rollers also rotate such that a speed difference is generated between adjacent ones.

[0054] As a result, the electrode film S, having passed between the sheet rollers 11 and 12, is processed to have the target thickness and density while passing between the calender rollers 21, 22, and 23. At this time, the gap g3 is arranged so that it is the same as or smaller than the gap g2 formed on the front side, so that the thickness of the electrode film S gradually decreases (or the density gradually increases), and the peripheral speed ratio of adjacent calender rollers 21, 22, and 23 also changes gradually.

[0055] Similar to the powder sheet process described above, in the calendering process, the greater the peripheral speed ratio between the calender rollers 21, 22, and 23 (the greater the difference in rotational speed between the calender rollers), the thinner the electrode film S becomes, and the smaller the gaps g2 and g3 between the calender rollers 21, 22, and 23, the greater the density.

[0056] Furthermore, the sheet rollers 11, 12 and the calender rollers 21, 22, 23 are coupled to external devices (not shown) so that their temperature and rotational speed can be adjusted, and are also coupled to sliding devices 13, 29 consisting of screw devices or cylinders that slide by a motor, pneumatics, or hydraulics so that the sizes of the gaps g1, g2, g3 between adjacent rollers can be adjusted.

[0057] The sliding devices 13, 29, and 33 can be controlled individually and are positioned on both sides of the rollers, respectively. This allows for separate automatic correction of the operator side (OS) and the driver side (DS). In other words, the gaps on the left side L and the right side R between the rollers can be adjusted independently, preventing a difference in thickness between the left and right sides of the electrode film. These external devices and sliding devices 13, 29, and 33 are controlled by a feedback control unit 40, which will be described later.

[0058] In this embodiment, the rolling rollers 30 (31, 32) provided are supplied with the electrode film S and electrode foil F manufactured and supplied by the electrode film manufacturing apparatus in a laminated state. Pressure is applied to these rollers so as to cause adhesion and compression in a direction that reduces the thickness, thereby manufacturing the electrode E1.

[0059] On the other hand, one of the rolling rollers 30 (31, 32), the rolling roller 31, is positioned with a predetermined gap between it and the outermost calender roller 23. In this case, the rolling roller 31 may be positioned completely separated from the calender roller 23 depending on the size of the gap, or it may be selectively positioned to be used as one of the calender rollers. The other rolling roller 32 is configured to slide using a sliding device 33 so that the gap can be adjusted. Of course, the rolling roller 31 positioned toward the outermost calender roller can also be coupled with a sliding device (not shown).

[0060] The electrode film is fed between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 in a state where it is aligned (laminated) with the electrode foil F. That is, between the rolling rollers 31 and 32, the electrode film S and the electrode foil F are bonded together under a predetermined pressure and simultaneously compressed to achieve the target thickness.

[0061] The rolling rollers 31 and 32 are also connected to an external device (not shown) so that their temperature and rotational speed can be adjusted. The sliding device 33 is operated by a motor, pneumatics, or hydraulics, and both the external device and the sliding device 33 are controlled by a feedback control unit 40, which will be described later.

[0062] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, an electrode thickness sensor 50 is positioned to sense the thickness of the electrode E1 before the electrode E1, which is manufactured by passing between rolling rollers 31 and 32 in a laminated state with the electrode film S and electrode foil F, reaches the recovery section W.

[0063] The thickness data sensed by the electrode thickness sensor 50 is transmitted to the feedback control unit 40. The feedback control unit 40 controls the gap size between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 and the rotational speed of the rolling rollers 31 and 32 according to the thickness data.

[0064] For reference, as shown in Figure 6, it is known that the wrinkles that occur are more significantly affected by changes in the rotational speed difference between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 (changes in the peripheral speed ratio) than by changes in the gap size between the rolling rollers 31 and 32. Therefore, the feedback control unit 40 can be controlled so that the gap size between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 changes more than the peripheral speed ratio between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 changes.

[0065] The feedback control unit 40 then provides feedback control to the electrode film manufacturing apparatus so that the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film S are adjusted in accordance with the gap size between the rolling rollers 31 and 32, and the rotational speed and peripheral speed ratio of the rolling rollers 31 and 32.

[0066] In other words, the feedback control unit 40 controls the gap size between the sheet rollers 11 and 12 and the rotation speed of the sheet rollers 11 and 12, as well as the gap size between the calender rollers 21, 22, and 23 and the rotation speed of the calender rollers 21, 22, and 23, based on the rotation speed of the rolling rollers 31 and 32.

[0067] Therefore, when it is necessary to reduce or increase the thickness of the electrode E1, and when it is necessary to increase or decrease the feeding speed of the electrode film S, the feedback control unit 40 can adjust the thickness of the electrode E1 by maintaining the rotational speed (and peripheral speed ratio) of the rolling rollers 31 and 32 at a constant level, and by adjusting the gap size and rotational speed of the sheet roller 10 and the calender roller 20.

[0068] Therefore, by minimizing or preventing changes in the peripheral speed ratio of the rolling rollers 31 and 32, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles in the electrode where the electrode foil is exposed (without being covered by the electrode film), as shown in Figure 6.

[0069] For reference, Figure 2 shows that three calender rollers 20 (21, 22, 23) are provided, and Figure 3 shows that four calender rollers 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) are provided. That is, the number of calender rollers 20 (21, 22, 23) can be determined according to the process conditions and specifications, or according to the target specifications of the electrode film and electrode, and the calender rollers 24 can be selectively added or removed. Furthermore, the gaps g2, g3, g4, g5, g6 between the calender rollers 21, 22, 23, 24 and the rolling rollers 31, 32 can also be independently adjusted.

[0070] The above-described configuration produces an electrode E1 in which the electrode film S is laminated on only one side of the electrode foil F. However, the electrode manufacturing apparatus provided in this embodiment can produce an electrode E2 in which the electrode film S is laminated on both sides of the electrode foil F.

[0071] Specifically, referring to Figure 4a, which shows a simplified overall view of an electrode manufacturing apparatus for producing an electrode E2 in which an electrode film S is laminated on both sides of an electrode foil F, and to Figures 4b and 4c, which show a modified roller configuration in Figure 4a, the film manufacturing apparatus includes a first electrode film manufacturing apparatus 100 and a second electrode film manufacturing apparatus 200 such that the electrode film S is supplied individually on each side of the electrode foil F.

[0072] The first electrode film manufacturing apparatus 100 is configured to manufacture and supply a first electrode film (an electrode film supplied from the left in Figure 4) which is laminated on one side of the electrode foil F. As described above, it includes sheet rollers 10 (11, 12) for processing the powder mixture C into a sheet-like electrode film S, and calender rollers 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) for thinning the electrode film S. A roller 25 for guiding the alignment of the electrode film S and the electrode foil F may also be added.

[0073] The second electrode film manufacturing apparatus 200 is configured to manufacture and supply a second electrode film (an electrode film supplied from the left and right sides in Figure 4) which is laminated on the other side of the electrode foil F. Like the first electrode film manufacturing apparatus 100, it includes sheet rollers 110 (111, 112) for processing the powder mixture C into a sheet-like electrode film, and calender rollers 120 (121, 122, 123) for thinning the electrode film S.

[0074] In other words, the first electrode film manufacturing apparatus 100 and the second electrode film manufacturing apparatus 200 are positioned on one side and the other side of the rolling rollers 31 and 32, respectively, with the rolling rollers 31 and 32 in between, and continuously supply the first electrode film and the second electrode film.

[0075] The first electrode film manufacturing apparatus 100 includes first electrode film thickness sensors 60 and 61 for sensing the thickness of the first electrode film, and the second electrode film manufacturing apparatus 200 includes second electrode film thickness sensors 160 and 161 for sensing the thickness of the second electrode film. Each of the first electrode film thickness sensors 60 and 61 and the second electrode film thickness sensors 160 and 161 is connected to enable data transmission with the feedback control unit 40.

[0076] The first electrode film thickness sensor includes a front-side first electrode film thickness sensor 60 that senses the thickness of the first electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller 10 and enters the calender roller 20, and a rear-side first electrode film thickness sensor 61 that senses the thickness of the first electrode film and electrode foil after the first electrode film has passed through the calender roller 20 and before it enters the rolling roller 30 in a laminated state with the first electrode film and electrode foil F.

[0077] Therefore, the feedback control unit 40 can sense the thickness of the first electrode film that has passed through the sheet roller 10 and the thickness of the first electrode film that has passed through the calender roller 20, and decide whether or not to control the sheet roller 10, or the calender roller 20, or both, according to a predetermined logic. Next, it can adjust the gap and / or rotational speed of the determined rollers 10 and 20 to adjust the thickness of the first electrode film fed into the rolling rollers 31 and 32.

[0078] Similarly, the second electrode film thickness sensor also includes a front second electrode film thickness sensor 160 that senses the thickness of the second electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller 110 and enters the calender roller 120, and a rear second electrode film thickness sensor 161 that senses the thickness of the second electrode film after it has passed through the calender roller 120 and before it enters the rolling roller 30.

[0079] The feedback control unit 40 then senses the thickness of the second electrode film that has passed through the sheet roller 110 and the thickness of the second electrode film that has passed through the calender roller 120, and decides whether or not to control the sheet roller 110, or the calender roller 120, or both, according to a predetermined logic. Next, it can adjust the gap and / or rotational speed of the determined rollers 110 and 120 to adjust the thickness of the second electrode film fed into the rolling roller 30.

[0080] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4a, the calender rollers may be arranged continuously so that the thickness of the electrode film is adjusted as it passes through each roller. However, depending on the arrangement of the process, and for the purpose of more accurately monitoring the thickness adjustment, they may also be arranged separately for the additional placement of the second electrode film thickness sensor 161, or they may be arranged at a distance from the rolling rollers.

[0081] That is, as shown in Figure 4b, in order to further arrange the second electrode film thickness sensor 161, the calender rollers 121, 122, and 123 may be arranged at a distance from the rolling rollers 31 and 32.

[0082] Furthermore, to adjust the tension of the electrode film entering the rolling rollers by spacing them apart, tension adjustment rollers may be selectively added between adjacent calender rollers 121 and rolling rollers 32, as shown in Figure 4c. Of course, other types of tension adjustment devices (not shown) may be selectively added instead of the tension adjustment rollers.

[0083] Therefore, in order to manufacture an electrode E2 in which electrode films S are laminated on both sides of electrode foil F, the configuration of the apparatus provided in this embodiment is based on the arrangement of calender rollers continuously (so that a predetermined gap is formed) as shown in Figure 4a, but the calender rollers may be divided into two (or possibly more) parts, and the divided parts may be spaced apart as shown in Figures 4b and 4c.

[0084] Furthermore, when the electrodes are arranged continuously (as shown in Figure 4a), the second electrode film thickness sensor 161 is omitted due to spatial constraints. However, when they are separated, the second electrode film thickness sensor 161 and / or tension adjustment devices may be selectively added as needed.

[0085] Furthermore, the first electrode film thickness sensors 60, 61 for sensing the thickness of the first electrode film, the second electrode film thickness sensors 160, 161 for sensing the thickness of the second electrode film, and the electrode thickness sensor 50 may be devices of the same specifications, but their specifications may change depending on the environment in which they are installed. They measure the thickness of the left and right sides of the roller (see the "L" and "R" labels in Figure 3) and transmit the results to the feedback control unit 40. The feedback control unit 40 also individually controls the left and right gaps between adjacent rollers.

[0086] [Second Embodiment] The present invention provides, as a second embodiment, a method for manufacturing electrodes that can be manufactured using the electrode manufacturing apparatus provided as the first embodiment above.

[0087] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the feedback control procedure in the electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention, and Figure 6 shows the state in which wrinkles occur when the peripheral speed ratio of the rolling roller changes, and the state in which wrinkles are suppressed when the peripheral speed ratio of the rolling roller is kept constant.

[0088] The electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention is carried out in the following order: manufacturing of an electrode film S, matching (laminating) the electrode film S and electrode foil F, rolling of the matched electrode film S and electrode foil F, and recovery of the electrodes E1 and E2 manufactured by rolling. Feedback control of the preceding steps is performed according to the thickness of the manufactured electrodes.

[0089] The electrode manufacturing method provided in this embodiment includes an electrode film manufacturing step, an electrode manufacturing step, a rolling roller control step, and a feedback control step.

[0090] In the electrode film manufacturing stage, the powdered mixture C is passed between the sheet rollers 10 to produce a sheet-like electrode film S, and the electrode film S is supplied at a predetermined speed. At this time, as described above, the electrode film S passes through the calender roller 20 before reaching the rolling roller 30.

[0091] Therefore, the electrode film manufacturing step includes a calendering step in which the thickness of the electrode film S is adjusted while the electrode film S, which has been manufactured in sheet form, passes between a plurality of calender rollers 20.

[0092] Furthermore, the electrode film manufacturing step includes a step of sensing the thickness of the electrode film S before it passes through the sheet roller 10 and enters the calender roller 20, and a step of sensing the thickness of the electrode film S and electrode foil F after the electrode film has passed through the calender roller 20 and before it enters the rolling roller 30 in a laminated state with the electrode film S and electrode foil F. The sensed data is then transmitted to a feedback control unit 40 that performs a feedback control step described later.

[0093] In the electrode manufacturing stage, electrode foil F is further fed in such a way that the electrode film S and electrode foil F, which have passed through the calender roller 20, match (are laminated). The electrode film S and electrode foil F, in their laminated state, pass between the rolling rollers 30 to be bonded together and manufactured as electrode E1. The electrode is then wound into a roll and recovered in the recovery section W.

[0094] At this time, the electrode passes through an electrode thickness sensor 50 that senses the thickness of the electrode before reaching the recovery section. The electrode thickness sensor 50 senses the thickness of the electrode and transmits the sensed data to the feedback control unit 40.

[0095] In the rolling roller control stage, the feedback control unit 40 controls the gap size between the rolling rollers 30 and the rotational speed of the rolling rollers according to the thickness of the electrode sensed before the electrode is recovered. At this time, there is no change in the rotational speed of the rolling rollers 31 and 32, or it is kept to a minimum, but the thickness of the electrode is adjusted by adjusting the gap size. In other words, in the rolling roller control stage, even if the rotational speed of the rolling rollers is controlled, the rotational speed ratio of the rolling rollers on both sides is kept constant, and the rotational speed is adjusted accordingly.

[0096] In other words, the gap size between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 and the rotational speed of the rolling rollers 31 and 32, which are controlled in the rolling roller control stage, are preferably kept as constant as possible, as long as large variations (in electrode thickness) do not occur in order to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles. If adjustment is necessary, it is preferable that the adjustment be made so as to change gradually within a minimum range.

[0097] In the feedback control stage, the electrode film manufacturing stage is feedback controlled so that the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film S are adjusted in accordance with the rotational speed (or peripheral speed ratio) of the rolling rollers 31 and 32.

[0098] The feedback control step controls the thickness of the electrode by adjusting at least one of the calender rollers 20 or sheet rollers 10 (by adjusting the thickness and density of the electrode film) based on the operating state of the rolling roller 30.

[0099] In other words, in the feedback control stage, the feedback control unit 40 measures and compares the change in thickness along the path in which the electrode film S moves during the electrode film manufacturing stage, and decides whether or not to control the operation of the sheet roller 10 or the operation of the calender roller 20.

[0100] The feedback control unit then controls the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film by adjusting either "the gap size between the calender rollers or the rotation speed of the calender rollers" or "the gap size between the sheet rollers or the rotation speed of the sheet rollers".

[0101] At this time, the feedback control unit 40 separately acquires information regarding the gap on the left side L and the gap on the right side R for each of the sheet roller, calender roller, and rolling roller, and adjusts the gap on the left side L and the gap on the right side R independently. This prevents a difference in thickness between the left and right sides of the electrode film.

[0102] On the other hand, as mentioned above, in the present invention, the electrode film S can be laminated on both sides of the electrode foil F to produce an electrode E2.

[0103] In other words, the electrode film S includes a first electrode film laminated on one side of the electrode foil F with the electrode foil F in between, and a second electrode film laminated on the other side of the electrode foil.

[0104] In this process, during the electrode film manufacturing stage, the first electrode film is supplied to one side of the electrode foil F at a predetermined speed, and the second electrode film is supplied to the other side of the electrode foil at a predetermined speed.

[0105] Therefore, during the electrode manufacturing stage, the electrode foil F passes between the rolling rollers 31 and 32 with the first electrode film and the second electrode film laminated on one side and the other side, respectively.

[0106] The electrode film manufacturing step includes a step of sensing at least one of the thicknesses of the first electrode film before it reaches the rolling roller 30, or the thickness of the second electrode film before it reaches the rolling roller 30. At this time, the feedback control unit 40 determines which electrode film's thickness to measure, so the decision of whether or not to adjust the thickness of the first electrode film, or whether or not to adjust the thickness of the second electrode film, is made in the feedback control step.

[0107] In this embodiment, the feedback control unit 40 is configured to sense the thickness of the electrodes and adjust the gap size between the rolling rollers, select the electrode film that requires control according to the thickness of the first electrode film or the second electrode film, and control the sheet rollers and / or calender rollers included in the first electrode film manufacturing apparatus 100 or the second electrode film manufacturing apparatus 200 in accordance with the rotational speed of the rolling rollers 30 (or the peripheral speed ratio of the rolling rollers) to adjust the thickness of the electrode film. The above process is continuously repeated while the first electrode film or the second electrode film is being supplied.

[0108] With the configuration described above, the present invention can maintain a constant rotational speed and peripheral speed ratio of the rolling rollers 31 and 32 even while the thickness of the electrode film is being adjusted. As a result, the problem of wrinkles forming on the electrode foil can be eliminated, as shown in the comparison in Figure 6.

[0109] In other words, in this invention, the thickness and density of the electrode film are feedback-controlled during the rolling of the electrode foil and electrode film, making it possible to manufacture electrodes of consistent quality.

[0110] In this invention, feedback control can be performed individually in both the powder sheeting process, which manufactures an electrode film from a powdery mixture, and the calendering process, which reduces the thickness of the electrode film. This allows for more precise control of the thickness and density of the electrode film. In particular, individual automatic correction can be performed separately for the operator side (OS) and the driver side (DS). For example, using Figure 3 as a reference, the gaps on the left side L and the right side R between the rollers can be adjusted independently, allowing for a more accurate balance of the thickness of the electrode film on both sides.

[0111] As described above, the present invention has been explained by limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims described below. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0112] 10: Seat roller 20: Calendar Roller 30: Rolling roller 40: Feedback control unit 50: Electrode thickness sensor C: Powdered mixture F: Electrode film E1, E2: Electrode

Claims

1. The electrode film manufacturing stage involves manufacturing and supplying sheet-shaped electrode films, An electrode manufacturing step involves further adding electrode foil and passing the electrode film and the electrode foil, in a laminated state, between rolling rollers to bond them together, thereby manufacturing an electrode. Before the electrode is recovered, a rolling roller control step is performed in which the thickness of the electrode is sensed and at least one of the gap size between the rolling rollers or the rotational speed of the rolling rollers is controlled. A feedback control step that provides feedback control to the electrode film manufacturing step so that the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film are adjusted in accordance with the gap size between the rolling rollers or the rotation speed of the rolling rollers, A method for manufacturing electrodes, including

2. In the electrode film manufacturing step, the powdered mixture is passed between sheet rollers to form the electrode film in sheet form. The electrode film manufacturing step includes a calendering step in which the thickness of the electrode film is adjusted while the electrode film, which has been manufactured in sheet form, passes between a plurality of calender rollers. The method for manufacturing an electrode according to claim 1, wherein the feedback control step controls the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film by controlling at least one of the gap size between the calender rollers or the rotation speed of the calender rollers.

3. The method for manufacturing an electrode according to claim 2, wherein the feedback control step controls the operation of at least one of the gap size between the sheet rollers or the rotational speed of the sheet rollers to control the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film.

4. The electrode film manufacturing step is, A step of sensing the thickness of the electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller and enters the calender roller, After the electrode film has passed the calender roller, the thickness of the electrode film and electrode foil is sensed before they enter the rolling roller in a laminated state. A method for manufacturing an electrode according to claim 3, including the method described in claim 3.

5. In the feedback control stage, the change in thickness along the path in which the electrode film moves during the electrode film manufacturing stage is measured and compared. A method for manufacturing an electrode according to claim 4, which determines whether or not to control the operation of the sheet roller or whether or not to control the operation of the calendar roller.

6. The electrode film includes a first electrode film laminated on one side of the electrode foil, sandwiching the electrode foil, and a second electrode film laminated on the other side of the electrode foil. In the electrode film manufacturing step, the first electrode film is supplied to one side of the electrode foil at a predetermined speed, and the second electrode film is supplied to the other side of the electrode foil at a predetermined speed. The method for manufacturing an electrode according to claim 2, wherein, in the electrode manufacturing stage, the electrode foil passes between the rolling rollers with the first electrode film and the second electrode film laminated on one side and the other side, respectively.

7. The electrode film manufacturing step includes sensing at least one of the thickness of the first electrode film before it reaches the rolling roller, or the thickness of the second electrode film before it reaches the rolling roller. The method for manufacturing an electrode according to claim 6, wherein the feedback control step determines whether or not to adjust the thickness of the first electrode film, or whether or not to adjust the thickness of the second electrode film.

8. An electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes a sheet roller that applies pressure and shear force to a powdery mixture when it is introduced, and a calender roller that applies pressure to the electrode film that has passed through the sheet roller to process it to a target thickness. When the electrode film and electrode foil manufactured and supplied by the electrode film manufacturing apparatus are supplied in a laminated state, a rolling roller applies pressure to bond them together to form an electrode, A feedback control unit is positioned before the electrode reaches the recovery section, receives data from an electrode thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the electrode, and controls the gap size between the rolling rollers and the rotational speed of the rolling rollers. Includes, An electrode manufacturing apparatus wherein the feedback control unit provides feedback control to the electrode film manufacturing apparatus so that the thickness and supply speed of the electrode film are adjusted in accordance with the gap size between the rolling rollers and the rotation speed of the rolling rollers.

9. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the feedback control unit is capable of individually controlling the gap size between the sheet rollers and the rotational speed of the sheet rollers, and the gap size between the calender rollers and the rotational speed of the calender rollers.

10. The electrode film manufacturing apparatus is configured such that the electrode film is supplied individually on each side of the electrode foil. A first electrode film manufacturing apparatus that manufactures and supplies a first electrode film to be laminated on one side surface of an electrode foil, A second electrode film manufacturing apparatus that manufactures and supplies a second electrode film to be laminated on the other side of the electrode foil, Includes, The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first electrode film manufacturing apparatus and the second electrode film manufacturing apparatus are arranged on one side and the other side of the rolling roller, respectively, with the rolling roller in between.

11. The first electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes a first electrode film thickness sensor for sensing the thickness of the first electrode film. The second electrode film manufacturing apparatus includes a second electrode film thickness sensor for sensing the thickness of the second electrode film. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the first electrode film thickness sensor and the second electrode film thickness sensor is connected to enable data transmission with the feedback control unit.

12. The first electrode film thickness sensor is A front-side first electrode film thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the first electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller and enters the calender roller, After the first electrode film has passed the calender roller, and with the first electrode film and electrode foil stacked, a rear-side first electrode film thickness sensor senses the thickness of the first electrode film and electrode foil before they enter the rolling roller, An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, including the following:

13. The second electrode film thickness sensor is A front-side second electrode film thickness sensor that senses the thickness of the second electrode film before it passes through the sheet roller and enters the calender roller, A rear-side second electrode film thickness sensor senses the thickness of the second electrode film after it has passed the calender roller and before it enters the rolling roller, An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, including the following:

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