Electrode manufacturing apparatus, electrode manufacturing method, and electrode manufactured thereby

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus, an electrode manufacturing method, and an electrode manufactured thereby, and in a battery having a high capacity due to a high electrode density, an ion path is structurally and forcibly formed in an electrode including a positive electrode or a negative electrode to improve ion conductivity and reduce tortuosity, thereby realizing high output characteristics of the battery. In the process, no change in the physical properties of the electrode current collector (foil) due to heat or the like occurs, and the present invention relates to a stable electrode manufacturing apparatus, an electrode manufacturing method, and an electrode manufactured thereby. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pattern forming mechanism for forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode current collector and a coating portion formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector, and the pattern forming mechanism pressurizes a surface of the coating portion to form an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0058201, filed May 4, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus, an electrode manufacturing method, and an electrode manufactured thereby, and in a battery having a high capacity due to a high electrode density, an ion path is structurally and forcibly formed in an electrode including a positive electrode or a negative electrode to improve ion conductivity and reduce tortuosity, thereby realizing high output characteristics of the battery. In the process, no change in the physical properties of the electrode current collector (foil) due to heat or the like occurs, and the present invention relates to a stable electrode manufacturing apparatus, an electrode manufacturing method, and an electrode manufactured thereby. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, the depletion of fossil fuels has led to rising energy prices and growing concern over environmental pollution, making the need for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources an essential factor for future life. As a result, research into various power generation technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal power has been ongoing, and there has also been great interest in power storage devices such as batteries to use the electrical energy produced in this way more efficiently.

[0004] Furthermore, as technological development and demand for battery-based electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles increases, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and as a result, much research is being conducted on batteries that can meet various needs.

[0005] In particular, in terms of materials, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries, which have advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

[0006] In addition, as interest in environmental issues grows, much research is being conducted on electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, etc. that can replace vehicles that use fossil fuels, such as gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles, which are one of the main causes of air pollution. Research and application of lithium secondary batteries with high energy density and discharge voltage as a power source for such electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, etc. is also being actively conducted.

[0007] As the demand for lithium secondary batteries has increased and the usage time of secondary batteries has increased, the capacity of secondary batteries has increased and the electrode density has also increased. However, when the capacity of a battery increases and the electrode density increases, the porosity decreases and the tortuosity increases, increasing the path of lithium ions, which decreases the ion conductivity and thus reduces the output characteristics. In other words, in secondary batteries, there is generally a trade-off between battery capacity and battery output.

[0008] However, as the range of applications for lithium-ion secondary batteries increases, two factors, high capacity and high output, must be considered. This necessitates the development of batteries capable of high output by forcibly increasing ion conductivity.

[0009] As discussed above, high electrode density reduces porosity and increases tortuosity, which increases the number of lithium ion paths and reduces ion conductivity. Therefore, a method is needed to improve output characteristics by forming structural and forced ion paths to increase ion conductivity.

[0010] One method is to use a laser to form a pattern that reduces the ion path and improves ion conductivity, but this is difficult to apply to the positive electrode when forming a laser pattern, and problems arise because the physical properties of the electrode foil can change due to high heat. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus and method, and an electrode manufactured thereby, which is stable in a battery having a high capacity due to a high electrode density, by structurally and forcibly forming an ion path in an electrode including a positive electrode or a negative electrode, thereby improving ion conductivity and reducing tortuosity, thereby realizing high output characteristics of the battery, and in the process, without causing any change in the physical properties of the electrode current collector (foil) due to heat, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pattern forming mechanism for forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode current collector and a coating portion formed of an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector, and the pattern forming mechanism pressurizes a surface of the coating portion to form an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion.

[0013] The pattern forming mechanism can use ultrasonic vibration in the process of forming the pattern grooves.

[0014] The pattern grooves may have at least one of a line type, a dot type, and a grid type based on a plan view of the electrode.

[0015] The pattern forming mechanism includes a press tool having a pressure plane, which is a flat plane positioned opposite the coating portion, and a pressure protrusion that protrudes from the pressure plane toward the coating portion, the pressure protrusion applying pressure to the coating portion to form a pattern groove, and the pressure protrusion can be vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pattern groove is formed.

[0016] The patterning mechanism may further include a lower support that supports the electrode below the electrode.

[0017] The pattern forming mechanism includes a roller tool having a rotating body positioned a predetermined distance away from the coating portion and rotating, and a pressure protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, the pressure protrusion applying pressure to the coating portion as the rotating body rotates to form a pattern groove, and the pressure protrusion can be vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pattern groove is formed.

[0018] The pattern forming mechanism may further include a lower support portion that supports the electrode at a lower portion of the electrode and moves in a direction from one side to the other side with respect to the rotating body.

[0019] The pattern forming mechanism includes a rotating body that rotates while positioned a predetermined distance away from the coating portion, a roller tool having pressure protrusions protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, and a lower support part that supports the electrode at a lower part of the electrode and moves in a direction from one side to the other based on the rotating body, and the pressure protrusions pressurize the coating portion as the rotating body rotates to form pattern grooves, and the lower support part can vibrate by ultrasonic waves when the pressure protrusions form the pattern grooves in the coating portion.

[0020] The electrode current collector may further include a roller-shaped unwinder around which the electrode current collector is wound, a transport unit that transports the electrode current collector unwound from the unwinder, a coater that forms a coating unit by applying an electrode active material to at least one surface of the electrode current collector transported by the transport unit, a drying unit that dries the coating unit using a drying mechanism, and a rolling unit that rolls the coating unit outputted from the drying unit using a pair of rollers, and the pattern forming mechanism may pressurize the coating unit outputted from the rolling unit using ultrasonic vibration to form a pattern groove in the coating unit.

[0021] The pattern forming mechanism may further include a roller-shaped rewinder that rewinds the electrode having the pattern groove formed in the coating portion.

[0022] The method for manufacturing an electrode according to the present invention includes a pattern forming step of forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode current collector and a coating portion formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector, and the pattern forming step may be a step of pressing a surface of the coating portion to form an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion.

[0023] The pattern formation step can use ultrasonic vibration in the process of forming the pattern grooves.

[0024] The method may further include an unwinding step in which the roll-shaped electrode collector is released and unwound, a transporting step in which the unwound electrode collector is transported, a coating portion forming step in which an electrode active material is applied to at least one surface of the transported electrode collector to form a coating portion, a drying step in which the coating portion is dried, and a rolling step in which the coating portion obtained after the drying step is rolled, and the pattern forming step may be a step of applying ultrasonic vibration to the coating portion obtained after the rolling step to form a pattern groove in the coating portion.

[0025] The method may further include a winding step of unwinding and winding the electrode having the pattern groove formed in the coating portion by the pattern forming step.

[0026] The electrode according to the present invention includes an electrode current collector and a coating portion formed of an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector, and an engraved pattern groove is formed on the coating portion, and a trace generated by ultrasonic vibration of a mechanism that formed the pattern groove may be formed on an inner wall surface of the pattern groove.

[0027] The trace may include at least one of an uneven shape, a stepped staircase shape, a wave shape, and a zigzag shape based on a cross-sectional view.

[0028] The pattern groove may have at least one of a line type, a dot type, and a grid type based on flatness. Effect of the Invention

[0029] The electrode manufacturing apparatus, the electrode manufacturing method, and the electrode manufactured thereby according to the present invention have an effect of forming an ion path structurally and forcibly in an electrode including a positive electrode or a negative electrode in a battery having a high electrode density and a high capacity, improving ion conductivity, and reducing tortuosity, thereby realizing high output characteristics of the battery, and in the process, there is no change in the physical properties of the electrode current collector (foil) due to heat, etc., and the electrode can be stable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pattern forming mechanism of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing an example of an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a perspective view. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are views showing another example of an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a perspective view. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view showing still another example of an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing, in comparison, the cutting of an electrode when ultrasonic waves are not being generated and the cutting of an electrode when ultrasonic waves are being generated, where FIG. 5A is a diagram when ultrasonic waves are not being generated and FIG. 5B is a diagram when ultrasonic waves are being generated. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic overall view of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a pattern forming mechanism of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a pattern forming mechanism of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating each step in a method for producing an electrode according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing an electrode manufactured by an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0032] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and when adding reference symbols to components in each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference symbols will be used for the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms or words used in this specification and the claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to describe his / her invention in the best possible manner.

[0034] EMBODIMENT 1 Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pattern formation mechanism of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 2(a) is a plan view and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing another example of an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 3(a) is a plan view and Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing yet another example of an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 1, the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a pattern forming mechanism 110 for forming a pattern groove 13 in the coating portion 12 of the electrode 10. Specifically, the pattern forming mechanism 110 may be configured to form the pattern groove 13 in the electrode 10 including the electrode current collector 11 and the coating portion 12 formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector 11. The pattern forming mechanism 110 may be configured to apply pressure to the surface of the active material coating portion 12 to form an intaglio pattern groove 13 on the coating portion 12. The pattern forming mechanism 110 may use ultrasonic vibration in the process of forming the pattern groove 13.

[0036] The manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can form the pattern groove 13 in the coating portion 12 of the electrode 10 in this manner, which structurally and forcibly forms an ion path in the electrode 10 to improve ion conductivity and reduce tortuosity, thereby realizing high output characteristics of the battery. If the electrode 10 in which the pattern groove 13 is formed is a battery electrode 10 formed with a high density and thus having high capacity, both of the two elements of high capacity and high output can be achieved through the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 of the present invention.

[0037] Furthermore, since the manufacturing apparatus for electrode 10 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention can form pattern groove 13 without using a heat-generating means such as a laser, no changes in the physical properties of electrode current collector 11 (foil) due to heat or the like occur during the process of forming pattern groove 13, enabling stable manufacturing of electrode 10.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, the pattern forming mechanism 110 may include a press tool 111. The press tool 111 may include a press plane 111-1 and a press protrusion 111-2. The press plane 111-1 may be a plane positioned to face the coating portion 12, and the press protrusion 111-2 may be a protrusion protruding toward the coating portion 12 on the press plane 111-1. When the press tool 111 is moved toward the electrode 10, the press plane 111-1 and the press protrusion 111-2 approach toward the electrode 10, and at this time, the press protrusion 111-2 may press the coating portion 12 to form a pattern groove 13 in the coating portion 12. In the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the press protrusion 111-2 may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pattern groove 13 is formed. The direction of ultrasonic vibration of the press protrusion 111-2 is indicated by V in FIG. 1.

[0039] In this case, the press tool 111 itself may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves so that the pressure projections 111-2 may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves, or only the pressure projections 111-2 may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves.

[0040] When ultrasonic vibration is applied to the coated electrode 10 or the dried and rolled electrode 10, a pattern groove 13 can be formed in the electrode 10 with low pressure through a pattern forming mechanism 110. In this case, a low tortuosity cell (LTC) with reduced tortuosity can be manufactured.

[0041] In other words, when a pattern is formed using ultrasound, the pressure applied to the electrode 10 by the ultrasound is smaller, and therefore, unlike when a pattern is formed by rolling (simple pressing), the density of the electrodes 10 on the pattern surface does not increase locally, thereby improving the output characteristics.

[0042] The pattern forming mechanism 110 of the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower support part 112 that supports the electrode 10 at a lower part of the electrode 10. The lower support part 112 may play a role of supporting the electrode 10 at a lower part of the electrode 10 when the press tool 111 presses the electrode 10. The lower support part 112 may be fixed or may be moving slowly in the transfer direction of the electrode 10. When the lower support part 112 moves, the pattern groove 13 can be formed in the coating part 12 of the electrode 10 during the transfer of the electrode 10, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0043] 2 to 4, the shape of the pattern grooves 13 formed in the coating portion 12 of the electrode 10 by the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention may be at least one of a line type, a dot type, or a grid type based on a plan view of the electrode 10.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrode 10 in which pattern grooves 13 are formed in a dot shape. FIG. 2(a) is a plan view, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view. In the plan view of FIG. 2(a), small circular pattern grooves 13 may be arranged side by side in the horizontal and vertical directions. This shape may be regular. And, in the cross-sectional view of pattern groove 13 shown in FIG. 2(b), a cross-sectional shape may be formed like an inverted cone.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrode 10 in which pattern grooves 13 are formed in a line shape. FIG. 3(a) is a plan view, and FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view. In the plan view of FIG. 3(a), lines may be arranged in the vertical direction. A plurality of vertical lines may be formed at predetermined intervals. This shape may be regular. And, in the cross-sectional view of pattern groove 13 shown in FIG. 3(b), the cross-sectional shape may be formed in the shape of an inverted triangle.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an electrode 10 in which pattern grooves 13 are formed in a lattice pattern. In the plan view, lines may be arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. The vertical and horizontal lines may cross each other, and in particular, may cross at 90 degrees. A plurality of vertical lines may be formed at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of horizontal lines may be formed at a predetermined interval. This pattern may be regular. That is, if the line pattern in FIG. 3 is a pattern in which only vertical or horizontal lines are formed, the lattice pattern in FIG. 4 can be said to be a pattern in which both vertical and horizontal lines are formed.

[0047] The pattern grooves 13 formed in the coating portion 12 of the electrode 10 by the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may have various shapes as described above. When the pattern grooves 13 are formed in this manner, the wetting property of the electrolyte can be improved after the electrolyte is injected, and the surface area is reduced during the lamination process for attaching the separator and the electrode 10, and the pressure applied thereto is increased, resulting in better lamination.

[0048] The order of impregnation may be advantageous in the dot type, line type, and grid type. The reverse order, i.e., grid type, line type, and dot type, may be advantageous in terms of the amount of loading of the electrode active material. In this case, the effect of increasing the output characteristics with respect to loss of the electrode 10 may also be advantageous.

[0049] The electrode 10 in which the pattern grooves 13 are formed by the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode. When the pattern grooves 13 are formed in the positive electrode 10, a higher power can be generated at a higher output, and when the pattern grooves 13 are formed in the negative electrode 10, an improvement in rapid charging performance can be expected.

[0050] On the other hand, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the cutting of electrode 10 when ultrasonic waves are not being generated and the cutting of electrode 10 when ultrasonic waves are being generated, in which Figure 5(a) is a diagram when ultrasonic waves are not being generated and Figure 5(b) is a diagram when ultrasonic waves are being generated.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 5, when an external force is applied to cut the electrode 10 or to dig a groove in the electrode 10, the form in which shock waves are transmitted into the electrode 10 is shown by arrows. Referring to FIG. 5(a) showing a state in which ultrasonic waves are not oscillated, it can be seen that the impact of the cutting external force is transmitted all over the thickness of the electrode 10 at once, and high pressure acts on the electrode 10. In this case, there is a possibility that a lot of deformation of the material occurs. In contrast, referring to FIG. 5(b) showing a state in which ultrasonic waves are oscillated, it can be seen that the impact of the cutting external force is not transmitted all over the thickness of the electrode 10 at once, but is divided into several short regions and each is applied with a small pressure. In this case, it can be advantageous in that deformation of the material is kept to a minimum.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic overall manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, the manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a winder 120, a conveying section 130, a coating section 12, a drying section 150, and a rolling section 160, which may be arranged before the pattern forming mechanism 110 in the manufacturing process of the electrode 10, and may further include a winder 170, which may be arranged after the pattern forming mechanism 110.

[0054] 6, the unwinder 120 may have a roller-like configuration around which the electrode current collector 11 is wound. Such an unwinder 120 can unwind the electrode current collector 11 and transport the electrode current collector 11 by a transport unit 130.

[0055] The transfer unit 130 can receive the electrode collector 11 unwound from the unwinder 120 and transfer the electrode collector 11 to the winder 170 via the coating unit 12, the drying unit 150, the rolling unit 160, and the pattern forming mechanism 110.

[0056] Here, the conveying unit 130 may be a roll. By using the conveying unit 130, the electrode current collector 11 may be conveyed at a speed of, for example, 40 m / min to 80 m / min, and more particularly, at a speed of 60 m / min to 80 m / min.

[0057] The transport speed of the electrode current collector 11 can be commercially meaningful when it falls within the speed range. If it is carried out at an excessively high speed outside the range, problems may occur when carrying out each process. For example, the application and drying of the electrode active material slurry, or the rolling of the coating portion 12, may not be performed sufficiently. On the other hand, if it is carried out at an excessively slow speed, it may not be preferable because a commercially meaningful manufacturing speed for the electrode 10 cannot be obtained.

[0058] Next, the electrode current collector 11 unwound from the unwinder 120 and transferred by the transfer unit 130 is transferred to the coater 140 by the transfer unit 130. The coater 140 coats at least one surface of the electrode current collector 11 with an electrode active material slurry to form a coating unit 12. At this time, the coater 140 is not limited as long as it has a form capable of coating the electrode active material slurry, and may be a conventionally known coating device such as a coating die 141, a coating roll, or a slide slot. FIG. 6 shows a structure in which the electrode active material slurry is coated through a coating die 141 as an example.

[0059] Specifically, the coater 140 may have a structure including a coating die 141 having an outlet slot through which the electrode active material slurry flows out toward the electrode collector 11, and a coater roll 142 that is spaced a predetermined distance from the outlet slot of the die and transports the electrode collector 11 by rotation so that the electrode active material slurry can be applied to the electrode collector 11 by the coating die 141.

[0060] Thereafter, the electrode current collector 11 coated with the electrode active material slurry may be transferred to the drying unit 150 by the transfer unit 130.

[0061] The drying section 150 is not limited to any device that can evaporate the solvent in the electrode active material slurry to dry the coating section 12, and may have any conventionally known structure, for example, a heating type or hot air type.

[0062] After passing through the drying section 150, a dried coating section 12 in which the solvent has evaporated is formed on the electrode current collector 11, and the coating section 12 can be rolled through the rolling section 160 to have an appropriate porosity and density of the electrode 10.

[0063] The rolling unit 160 is not limited in terms of its device or structure as long as it is capable of rolling the coating unit 12. For example, the rolling unit 160 may be configured to roll the coating unit 12 by adjusting the separation distance between a pair of rolling rollers 161.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, the pattern forming mechanism 110 may pressurize the coating portion 12 coming out of the rolling portion 160 with ultrasonic vibration to form a pattern groove 13 in the coating portion 12 .

[0065] The manufacturing apparatus for the electrode 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a rewinder 170 disposed after the pattern forming mechanism 110. The rewinder 170 may be configured in a roller shape to rewind the electrode 10 having the pattern groove 13 formed in the coating unit 12 by the pattern forming mechanism 110 in a roll form. The rewinder 170 may have the same or similar shape as the unwinder 120.

[0066] EMBODIMENT 2 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a pattern formation mechanism of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that a roller tool 211 can be used to form the pattern grooves in the electrode instead of a press tool.

[0068] The contents common to the first embodiment will be omitted as much as possible, and the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly described. In other words, if contents not described in the second embodiment are necessary, it is self-evident that they can be regarded as contents of the first embodiment.

[0069] 7, a pattern forming mechanism 210 of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a roller tool 211. The roller tool 211 may include a rotating body 211-1 and a pressure protrusion 211-2.

[0070] The rotating body 211-1 may be configured to rotate at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the coating portion of the electrode, and the pressure projection 211-2 may be configured as a projection protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 211-1.

[0071] The pressure projection 211-2 may be configured to pressurize the coating portion when the rotating body 211-1 rotates to form the pattern groove. The pressure projection 211-2 may be configured to vibrate by ultrasonic waves when forming the pattern groove. The direction of ultrasonic vibration of the pressure projection 211-2 is indicated by V in FIG. 7.

[0072] In this case, the roller tool 211 itself may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves so that the pressure projection 211-2 may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves, or only the pressure projection 211-2 may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves.

[0073] When ultrasonic vibration is applied to a coated electrode or a dried and rolled electrode, a pattern groove can be formed in the electrode with low pressure through the pattern forming mechanism 210. In this case, a low tortuosity cell (LTC) with reduced tortuosity can be manufactured.

[0074] In other words, when a pattern is formed using ultrasound, the pressure applied to the electrodes by the ultrasound is smaller, and therefore, unlike when a pattern is formed by rolling (simple pressing), the electrode density on the pattern surface does not increase locally, thereby improving the output characteristics.

[0075] The pattern formation mechanism 210 of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower support part 212 that supports the electrode from below the electrode. The lower support part 212 may play a role in supporting the electrode from below when the roller tool 211 presses the electrode.

[0076] The lower support part 212 supports the electrode at a lower part of the electrode, and can move in a direction F from one side to the other side based on the rotating body 211-1. In this case, the lower support part 212 can move in synchronization with the rotation speed of the rotating body 211-1. Of course, the lower support part 212 can be fixed as necessary, but it may be more efficient if it moves rather than being fixed. When the lower support part 212 moves, a pattern groove can be formed in the coating part of the electrode while the electrode is being transported, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0077] EMBODIMENT 3 FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a pattern forming mechanism of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the second embodiment in that a pattern groove can be formed in the electrode using an ultrasonically vibrating lower support.

[0079] The third embodiment will be described focusing on the differences and omitting the contents common to the first and second embodiments as much as possible. In other words, if contents not explained in the third embodiment are necessary, it is self-evident that they can be regarded as the contents of the first and second embodiments.

[0080] 8, a pattern forming mechanism 310 of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a roller tool 311 and a lower support 312. The roller tool 311 may include a rotating body 311-1 and a pressure protrusion 311-2.

[0081] The rotating body 311-1 may be configured to rotate at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the coating portion of the electrode. The pressure projection 311-2 may be configured to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 311-1. The pressure projection 311-2 may be configured to pressurize the coating portion when the rotating body 311-1 rotates, forming a pattern groove.

[0082] The lower support 312 may be a member that supports the electrode at a lower portion of the electrode and moves in a direction F from one side to the other side based on the rotating body 311-1. Of course, the lower support 312 may be fixed as necessary, but it may be more efficient if it is movable rather than fixed.

[0083] In the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the lower support part 312 may be vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pressure protrusion 311-2 forms a pattern groove in the coating part. That is, if the pressure protrusion 311-2 in the second embodiment is configured to perform ultrasonic vibration, the lower support part 312 in the third embodiment is configured to perform ultrasonic vibration. The direction of ultrasonic vibration of the lower support part 312 is indicated by V in FIG.

[0084] EMBODIMENT 4 FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the steps in a method for producing an electrode according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the first to third embodiments in that it relates to a method for producing an electrode.

[0086] The contents common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted as much as possible, and the differences will be mainly described in the fourth embodiment. In other words, if contents not described in the fourth embodiment are necessary, it is self-evident that the contents of the first to third embodiments can be regarded as the contents of the first to third embodiments.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 9, the method for manufacturing an electrode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may include an unwinding step, a transporting step, a coating portion forming step, a drying step, a rolling step, a pattern forming step, and a winding step.

[0088] The unwinding step may be a step of releasing and unwinding the roll-shaped electrode current collector by a winding machine. The transporting step may be a step of transporting the unwound electrode current collector. The coating portion forming step may be a step of forming a coating portion by applying an electrode active material to at least one surface of the transported electrode current collector. The drying step may be a step of drying the coating portion of the electrode. The rolling step may be a step of rolling the coating portion obtained through the drying step. And, the pattern forming step may be a step of applying pressure to the coating portion obtained through the rolling step by ultrasonic vibration to form a pattern groove in the coating portion. The winding step may be a step of rewinding and winding the electrode having the pattern groove formed in the coating portion by the pattern forming step.

[0089] Specifically, the pattern forming step may be a step of forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode collector and a coating portion formed of an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode collector, and applying pressure to a surface of the coating portion to form an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion.

[0090] In the method for manufacturing an electrode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the pattern formation step may use ultrasonic vibration in the process of forming pattern grooves.

[0091] When ultrasonic vibration is applied to a coated electrode or a dried and rolled electrode, a pattern groove can be formed in the electrode with low pressure through a pattern formation mechanism, so in this case, a low tortuosity cell (LTC) with reduced tortuosity can be manufactured. This means that the electrode density on the surface of the pattern groove does not increase locally, improving the output characteristics.

[0092] EMBODIMENT 5 FIG. 10 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view showing an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] The fifth embodiment of the present invention differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that it relates to an electrode manufactured according to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0094] The content common to the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted as much as possible, and the differences will be mainly described in the fifth embodiment. In other words, if content not described in the fifth embodiment is necessary, it is self-evident that the content of the first to fourth embodiments can be regarded as the content.

[0095] 10, an electrode 10 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode current collector 11 and a coating portion 12 formed of an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector 11, and an engraved pattern groove 13 is formed on the coating portion 12. Furthermore, a trace 14 caused by ultrasonic vibration by a mechanism that formed the pattern groove 13 may be formed on the inner wall surface of the pattern groove 13.

[0096] The trace 14 of ultrasonic vibration may have at least one of an uneven shape, a stepped staircase shape, a wave shape, and a zigzag shape based on a cross-sectional view.

[0097] In other words, when a pattern is formed using ultrasound, the pressure applied to the electrodes by the ultrasound is smaller, and therefore, unlike when a pattern is formed by rolling (simple pressing), the electrode density on the pattern surface is lower, resulting in improved output characteristics.

[0098] Meanwhile, in the electrode 10 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the pattern groove 13 may have at least one of a line type, a dot type, and a grid type in a plan view. Specific advantages and explanations of the case where the pattern groove 13 has a line type, a dot type, or a grid type in a plan view have been described in detail in the description of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted in the fifth embodiment.

[0099] The present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10: Electrode 11: Electrode current collector 12: Coating section 13: Pattern groove 14:Trace 110:Pattern formation mechanism 111: Press Tool 111-1: Pressurized plane 111-2: Pressure protrusion 112: Lower support part 120: Unwinding machine 130:Transfer section 140: Coating machine 141: Coating die 142: Coating roll 150:Drying section 160: Rolling section 161: Roller 170: Winder 210:Pattern formation mechanism 211: Roller tool 211-1: Rotating body 211-2: Pressure protrusion 212: Lower support part 310:Pattern formation mechanism 311: Roller tool 311-1: Rotating body 311-2: Pressure protrusion 312: Lower support part V: ultrasonic vibration direction

Claims

1. a pattern forming mechanism for forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode current collector and a coating portion formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector; the pattern forming mechanism presses a surface of the coating portion to form an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion; The pattern formation mechanism includes: a roller tool having a rotating body that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the coating section and rotates, and a pressure projection that projects from an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, the pressure projection presses the coating portion when the rotating body rotates to form the pattern groove; The pressure projection is vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pattern groove is formed. Electrode manufacturing equipment.

2. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern forming mechanism uses ultrasonic vibration in the process of forming the pattern grooves.

3. The electrode manufacturing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pattern grooves have at least one of a line type, a dot type, and a grid type on the basis of a plan view of the electrode.

4. The pattern formation mechanism includes: a press tool having a pressurizing plane that is a plane positioned to face the coating part and a pressurizing protrusion that protrudes from the pressurizing plane toward the coating part, the pressure protrusion presses the coating portion to form the pattern groove; The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure projection is vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pattern groove is formed.

5. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the pattern forming mechanism further includes a lower support portion that supports the electrode at a lower portion of the electrode.

6. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern forming mechanism further comprises a lower support part that supports the electrode at a lower part of the electrode and moves in a direction from one side to the other side based on the rotating body.

7. A pattern forming mechanism for forming a pattern groove on an electrode including an electrode current collector and a coating portion formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode current collector, the pattern forming mechanism presses a surface of the coating portion to form an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion; The pattern formation mechanism includes: a roller tool having a rotating body that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the coating portion and rotates and a pressure projection that projects from an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body; a lower support part that supports the electrode at a lower part of the electrode and moves in a direction from one side to the other side based on the rotating body, the pressure projection presses the coating portion when the rotating body rotates to form the pattern groove; The lower support portion is vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pressure protrusion forms the pattern groove in the coating portion.

8. a roller-shaped unwinder around which the electrode current collector is wound; a transfer unit that transfers the electrode current collector unwound from the unwinder; a coating machine that coats at least one surface of the electrode current collector transported by the transport unit with an electrode active material to form a coating unit; a drying section that dries the coating section through a drying mechanism; and a rolling section for rolling the coating section discharged from the drying section using a pair of rollers.

2. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern forming mechanism pressurizes the coating portion coming out of the rolling section with ultrasonic vibration to form the pattern grooves in the coating portion.

9. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a roller-shaped rewinder that rewinds the electrode having the pattern groove formed in the coating portion by the pattern forming mechanism.

10. A pattern forming step of forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode collector and a coating portion formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode collector, The pattern forming step is a step of forming an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion by pressing a surface of the coating portion, The pattern forming step includes: The coating process is performed by a pattern forming mechanism including a roller tool having a rotating body that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the coating section and rotates, and a pressure projection that projects from an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, the pressure projection presses the coating portion when the rotating body rotates to form the pattern groove; The pressure projection is vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pattern groove is formed. A method for manufacturing an electrode.

11. A pattern forming step of forming a pattern groove in an electrode including an electrode collector and a coating portion formed by an electrode active material coated on at least one surface of the electrode collector, The pattern forming step is a step of forming an intaglio pattern groove on the coating portion by pressing a surface of the coating portion, The pattern forming step includes: a roller tool having a rotating body that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the coating portion and rotates and a pressure projection that projects from an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body; a lower support part that supports the electrode at a lower part of the electrode and moves in a direction from one side to the other side based on the rotating body, the pressure projection presses the coating portion when the rotating body rotates to form the pattern groove; the lower support portion is vibrated by ultrasonic waves when the pressure protrusion forms the pattern groove in the coating portion. A method for manufacturing an electrode.

12. an unwinding step in which the roll-shaped electrode current collector is released and unwound; a transport step in which the unwound electrode current collector is transported; forming a coating portion by applying an electrode active material to at least one surface of the transferred electrode current collector; a drying step of drying the coating portion; and rolling the coating portion obtained after the drying step. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the pattern forming step comprises applying ultrasonic vibration to the coating portion obtained by the rolling step to form the pattern grooves in the coating portion.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of unwinding and winding the electrode in which the pattern groove is formed in the coating portion by the pattern forming step.

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