Coating apparatus

Abstract

Provided is a coating apparatus comprising: a coating die including a first internal flow path; a supply tank for storing a first coating liquid; a first supply line extending from the supply tank and configured to deliver the first coating liquid; a first flow path switching valve connected to the first supply line and including a first input terminal into which the first coating liquid flows, a first output terminal which discharges the first coating liquid, and a second output terminal which discharges the first coating liquid; a second supply line extending between the first output terminal of the first flow path switching valve and the first internal flow path of the coating die; a recovery line extending between the second output terminal of the first flow path switching valve and the supply tank; and a first flow rate control valve installed in at least one of the second supply line and the first internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid.

Description

coating device

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating device.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0037944, filed March 19, 2024, and all contents of the document in that Republic of Korea Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and these secondary batteries essentially include an electrode assembly, which is a power generation element. The electrode assembly has a form in which a positive electrode, a separator, and an anode are laminated at least once, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode are manufactured by applying a coating solution to a current collector made of aluminum foil and copper foil, respectively. The coating solution may include an electrode slurry (positive electrode active material slurry or negative electrode active material slurry) and / or an insulating solution applied to both sides of the electrode slurry layer to insulate the electrode slurry layer coated with the electrode slurry. In a coating process of applying a coating solution onto a substrate, the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the coating solution discharged onto the substrate are required to be maintained within a predetermined target range.

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a coating device.

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a coating device including a coating die including a first internal flow path; a supply tank storing a first coating liquid; a first supply line extending from the supply tank and configured to deliver the first coating liquid; a first flow path switching valve connected to the first supply line and including a first input end for introducing the first coating liquid, a first output end for discharging the first coating liquid, and a second output end for discharging the first coating liquid; a second supply line extending between the first output end of the first flow path switching valve and the first internal flow path of the coating die; a return line extending between the second output end of the first flow path switching valve and the supply tank; and a first flow rate control valve installed in at least one of the second supply line and the first internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control a flow rate of the first coating liquid.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, the invention further comprises: a second flow path switching valve connected to the first supply line and including a second input terminal for introducing the first coating liquid, a third output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a fourth output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; a third supply line extending between the third output terminal of the second flow path switching valve and the second internal flow path of the coating die; and a second flow rate control valve installed in at least one of the third supply line and the second internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control a flow rate of the first coating liquid.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the fourth output terminal of the second flow switching valve is connected to the supply tank via the return line, and the first coating liquid discharged from the second output terminal of the first flow switching valve and the first coating liquid discharged from the fourth output terminal of the second flow switching valve are merged in the return line and delivered to the supply tank.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the recovery line is characterized by including a first segment connected to the second output terminal of the first flow diverter valve, a second segment connected to the fourth output terminal of the second flow diverter valve, and a third segment connected to the supply tank and connected to each of the first segment and the second segment.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die is characterized by including a die block having a first internal flow path, a second internal flow path, and a manifold receiving a second coating liquid; and a coating shim disposed within the die block, the coating shim including a first flow path communicating with the first internal flow path, a second flow path communicating with the second internal flow path, and a third flow path communicating with the manifold.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid comprises an insulating liquid, and the second coating liquid comprises an electrode slurry.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the die block comprises a first block including the first internal flow path and the second internal flow path; and a second block including the manifold; wherein the coating core is interposed between the first block and the second block.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the first flow control valve is characterized in that it is mounted on the coating die.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the invention further comprises a pump installed in the first supply line.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the first euro switching valve is characterized by comprising a three-way valve.

[0015] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention comprises: a coating die including a first internal flow path and a second internal flow path; a supply tank storing a first coating liquid; a first supply line extending from the supply tank and configured to deliver the first coating liquid; a pump installed in the first supply line; a first flow path switching valve connected to the first supply line and including a first input terminal for introducing the first coating liquid, a first output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a second output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; a second supply line extending between the first output terminal of the first flow path switching valve and the first internal flow path of the coating die; a second flow path switching valve connected to the first supply line and including a second input terminal for introducing the first coating liquid, a third output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a fourth output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; a third supply line extending between the third output terminal of the second flow path switching valve and the second internal flow path of the coating die; And a return line extending from each of the second output terminal of the first flow switching valve and the fourth output terminal of the second flow switching valve to the supply tank; wherein the first coating liquid discharged from the second output terminal of the first flow switching valve and the first coating liquid discharged from the fourth output terminal of the second flow switching valve are combined in the return line and delivered to the supply tank.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the invention further comprises a first flow control valve installed in the second supply line and configured to control a flow rate of the first coating liquid; and a second flow control valve installed in the third supply line and configured to control a flow rate of the first coating liquid.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die is further characterized by including a first flow control valve installed in the first internal passage and configured to control a flow rate of the first coating liquid; and a second flow control valve installed in the second internal passage of the coating die and configured to control a flow rate of the first coating liquid.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die is characterized by including a die block including the first internal flow path, the second internal flow path, and a manifold containing the second coating liquid; and a coating shim disposed within the die block, the coating shim including a first flow path communicating with the first internal flow path, a second flow path communicating with the second internal flow path, and a third flow path communicating with the manifold.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid comprises an insulating liquid, and the second coating liquid comprises an electrode slurry.

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments, by controlling the flow rate of the first coating liquid with the first and second flow rate control valves installed in the coating die or in the piping close to the coating die, along with controlling the operating speed of the pump, the time required to form the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid into a target range can be reduced, ultimately reducing process loss and improving productivity.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments, by using the first and second flow switching valves that determine the flow direction of the first coating liquid, it is possible to determine whether the first coating liquid provided from the supply tank is to be supplied to the coating die or returned to the supply tank.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments, the first and second flow switching valves can be controlled to return the first coating liquid to the supply tank when the first coating liquid has not reached a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate, and to discharge the first coating liquid through the coating die when the first coating liquid has reached a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate. By blocking the first coating liquid from being discharged onto the substrate when the first coating liquid has not reached a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate, process loss can be reduced and productivity can be improved.

[0023] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a coating device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating die of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0026] Figures 3a to 3c are cross-sectional views showing a flow control valve according to exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Figures 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams showing a coating method using a coating device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a coating device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0030] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0031] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0032] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0033]

[0034] (Example 1)

[0035] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating die (110) of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a coating device (10) may apply a coating solution on a substrate by discharging a coating solution toward a substrate moving by a coating roll. The substrate may be a current collector, and the coating solution may include electrode slurry and / or an insulating solution. The electrode slurry may include a positive electrode active material slurry and a negative electrode active material slurry. In exemplary embodiments, the coating device (10) may be configured to simultaneously apply the electrode slurry and the insulating solution on one surface of the substrate. In exemplary embodiments, the coating device (10) may be configured to apply only one of the electrode slurry and the insulating solution on one surface of the substrate. The insulating solution may be applied on the substrate so as to cover both sides of the electrode slurry coated on the substrate. The insulating solution may be referred to as a first coating solution, and the electrode slurry may be referred to as a second coating solution.

[0037] The coating device (10) may include a coating die (110), a supply tank (211), a pump (213), a first flow switching valve (220), a second flow switching valve (230), a first flow control valve (240), and a second flow control valve (250).

[0038] The coating die (110) may be configured to receive a first coating liquid and a second coating liquid and to discharge the first coating liquid and the second coating liquid toward the substrate. The coating die (110) may include a die block (120) and a coating shim (130). The die block (120) may include a first block (121) and a second block (123). The coating shim (130) may be interposed between the first block (121) and the second block (123). The coating shim (130) may be fastened to at least one of the first block (121) and the second block (123) by a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0039] The first block (121) may include a first internal flow path (141) and a second internal flow path (143). The first internal flow path (141) and the second internal flow path (143) may each transfer a first coating liquid provided from the outside of the coating die (110) toward the coating core (130). The second block (123) may include a manifold (1231) that receives a second coating liquid provided from the outside.

[0040] The coating core (130) may include a first euro (131), a second euro (133), and a third euro (135).

[0041] The first flow path (131) of the coating core (130) may be connected to the first internal flow path (141), and a first discharge port (132) for discharging a first coating liquid may be provided at an end of the first flow path (131). A portion of the first flow path (131) may be aligned with the first internal flow path (141) of the first block (121) in one direction (for example, the Z direction). The first coating liquid provided from the outside may be sequentially transferred to the first discharge port (132) of the coating core (130) through the first internal flow path (141) of the first block (121) and the first flow path (131) of the coating core (130), and may be discharged toward a substrate on one side of a die lip of the coating die (110) through the first discharge port (132).

[0042] The second flow path (133) of the coating core (130) may be connected to the second internal flow path (143), and a second discharge port (134) for discharging the first coating liquid may be provided at an end of the second flow path (133). A portion of the second flow path (133) may be aligned with the second internal flow path (143) of the first block (121) in one direction (e.g., the Z direction). The first coating liquid provided from the outside may be sequentially transferred to the second discharge port (134) of the coating core (130) through the second internal flow path (143) of the first block (121) and the second flow path (133) of the coating core (130), and may be discharged toward a substrate on one side of a die lip of the coating die (110) through the second discharge port (134).

[0043] The third flow path (135) may be connected to the manifold (1231) of the second block (123), and a third discharge port (136) for discharging the second coating liquid may be provided at an end of the third flow path (135). The first flow path (131) and the second flow path (133) may be spaced apart in the width direction (e.g., X direction) of the third flow path (135) with the third flow path (135) therebetween. The horizontal width of the third flow path (135) may be defined by the coating core (130), and the vertical length of the third flow path (135) may be defined by the first block (121) and the second block (123). A portion of the third flow path (135) may be aligned with the manifold (1231). The second coating liquid provided from the outside can be sequentially delivered to the third discharge port (136) of the coating shim (130) through the manifold (1231) of the second block (123) and the third flow path (135) of the coating shim (130), and can be discharged toward the substrate on one side of the die lip of the coating die (110) through the third discharge port (136).

[0044] The supply tank (211) can store and supply the first coating liquid. The supply tank (211) can be connected to the coating die (110) via a supply line (270). The supply line (270) can include a pipe having a flow path for guiding the liquid. The first coating liquid supplied from the supply tank (211) can be delivered to the first internal flow path (141) and the second internal flow path (143) of the coating die (110) via the supply line (270). The pump (213) can provide power to deliver the first coating liquid to the coating die (110). By controlling the operating speed (e.g., revolutions per minute (rpm)) of the pump (213), the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid discharged from the coating die (110) can be controlled.

[0045] A first flow switching valve (220) and a second flow switching valve (230) may be installed in a supply line (270). Each of the first flow switching valve (220) and the second flow switching valve (230) may include a three-way valve. The first flow switching valve (220) and the second flow switching valve (230) may be configured to be operated by an electronic signal.

[0046] The first flow switching valve (220) may include a first input terminal (221) through which a first coating liquid is introduced, a first output terminal (223) through which the first coating liquid is discharged, and a second output terminal (225) through which the first coating liquid is discharged. The first input terminal (221), the first output terminal (223), and the second output terminal (225) of the first flow switching valve (220) may be switched between an open state that allows the flow of the first coating liquid and a closed state that blocks the flow of the first coating liquid, respectively. The first flow switching valve (220) may discharge the first coating liquid introduced through the first input terminal (221) to the first output terminal (223) or the second output terminal (225).

[0047] The second flow switching valve (230) may include a second input terminal (231) through which the first coating liquid is introduced, a third output terminal (233) through which the first coating liquid is discharged, and a fourth output terminal (235) through which the first coating liquid is discharged. The second input terminal (231), the third output terminal (233), and the fourth output terminal (235) of the second flow switching valve (230) may be switched between an open state that allows the flow of the first coating liquid and a closed state that blocks the flow of the first coating liquid, respectively. The second flow switching valve (230) may discharge the first coating liquid introduced through the second input terminal (231) to the third output terminal (233) or the fourth output terminal (235).

[0048] The supply line (270) may include a first supply line (271), a second supply line (273), and a third supply line (275).

[0049] A first supply line (271) may extend between the supply tank (211) and the first input terminal (221) of the first flow switching valve (220) and between the supply tank (211) and the second input terminal (231) of the second flow switching valve (230). A pump (213) may be installed in the first supply line (271). The first coating liquid provided from the supply tank (211) may be delivered to the first flow switching valve (220) and the second flow switching valve (230) through the first supply line (271).

[0050] The second supply line (273) can extend between the first output terminal (223) of the first flow switching valve (220) and the inlet of the first internal flow channel (141) of the coating die (110). The first coating liquid discharged from the first output terminal (223) of the first flow switching valve (220) can be delivered to the first internal flow channel (141) of the coating die (110) through the second supply line (273).

[0051] The third supply line (275) can extend between the third output terminal (233) of the second flow switching valve (230) and the inlet of the second internal flow channel (143) of the coating die (110). The first coating liquid discharged from the third output terminal (233) of the second flow switching valve (230) can be delivered to the second internal flow channel (143) of the coating die (110) through the third supply line (275).

[0052] A recovery line (280) may extend from each of the first flow switching valve (220) and the second flow switching valve (230) to the supply tank (211). The recovery line (280) may include a pipe having a flow path for guiding the liquid. The recovery line (280) may transfer the first coating liquid discharged from the second output terminal (225) of the first flow switching valve (220) and the fourth output terminal (235) of the second flow switching valve (230) to the supply tank (211).

[0053] The recovery line (280) may include a first segment (281) connected to the second output terminal (225) of the first flow switching valve (220), a second segment (283) connected to the fourth output terminal (235) of the second flow switching valve (230), and a third segment (285) connected to the supply tank (211) and connected to each of the first segment (281) and the second segment (283). The first coating liquid discharged from the second output terminal (225) of the first flow switching valve (220) and the first coating liquid discharged from the fourth output terminal (235) of the second flow switching valve (230) may be merged in the third segment (285) and delivered to the supply tank (211) through the third segment (285).

[0054] The first flow rate control valve (240) may be installed in at least one of the second supply line (273) and the first internal flow path (141) of the coating die (110). The first flow rate control valve (240) may control the flow rate of the first coating liquid discharged from the first flow rate control valve (240), thereby controlling the flow rate of the first coating liquid supplied to the first flow path (131) of the coating core (130). The second flow rate control valve (250) may be installed in at least one of the second supply line (273) and the second internal flow path (143) of the coating die (110). The second flow rate control valve (250) may control the flow rate of the first coating liquid discharged from the second flow rate control valve (250), thereby controlling the flow rate of the first coating liquid supplied to the second flow path (133) of the coating core (130). The first flow control valve (240) and the second flow control valve (250) can be configured to be operated by an electronic signal.

[0055] The coating device (10) may further include a controller configured to control the entire coating process using the coating device (10). The controller may be connected to components of the coating device (10) in a signal transmission manner, such as a pump (213), first and second flow switching valves (220, 230), first and second flow control valves (240, 250), etc. The controller may include at least one processor and at least one memory device. The processor may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Micro Processor Unit (MPU), and / or a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). For example, the memory device may include a Random Access Memory (RAM) and / or a Read Only Memory (ROM).

[0056] According to exemplary embodiments, by using the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) that determine the flow direction of the first coating liquid, it is possible to determine whether the first coating liquid provided from the supply tank (211) is to be supplied to the coating die (110) or returned to the supply tank (211).

[0057] Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid discharged from the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) can be delivered to the supply tank (211) through a single recovery line (280). If a plurality of flow switching valves are each recovered to the supply tank (211) through independent pipes, there is a problem that the complexity of the pipe design increases and the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase due to the increase in parts. However, according to exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid discharged from the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) is recovered to the supply tank (211) through a single recovery line (280), so that the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost can be reduced.

[0058] In general, in order to control the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid, the operating speed (e.g., rpm) of the pump (213) was controlled. The method of controlling the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid by the operating speed of the pump (213) had low responsiveness, and thus required a relatively long stabilization time until the first coating liquid was discharged at the desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate. The longer the stabilization time, the greater the process loss.

[0059] According to exemplary embodiments, the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid can be quickly adjusted using the first and second flow rate control valves (240, 250) installed in the coating die (110) or in a pipe close to the coating die (110). For example, when the flow rate of the first coating liquid discharged from the coating die (110) is greater than a target value, the first and second flow rate control valves (240, 250) can reduce the flow rate of the first coating liquid. For example, when the flow rate of the first coating liquid discharged from the coating die (110) is less than a target value, the first and second flow rate control valves (240, 250) can increase the flow rate of the first coating liquid. By controlling the flow rate of the first coating liquid with the first and second flow rate control valves (240, 250) installed directly on the coating die (110) and / or in the pipes close to the coating die (110) and / or by controlling the operating speed of the pump (213), the time required to form the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid into the target range can be reduced, ultimately reducing process loss and improving productivity.

[0060]

[0061] FIGS. 3A to 3C are cross-sectional views showing a flow control valve (310) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the flow control valve (310) may include a valve body (311) having an internal flow path, and a plug (315) inserted into the internal flow path of the valve body (311). The flow control valve (310) may correspond to the first and second flow control valves (240, 250) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3a, the flow control valve (310) may be in a fully open state that fully opens the internal flow path of the valve body (311). Referring to FIG. 3b, the flow control valve (310) may be in a partially open state that partially opens the internal flow path of the valve body (311). The open state of the flow control valve (310) is defined to include both a fully open state and a partially open state. Referring to FIG. 3c, the flow control valve (310) may be in a closed state that closes the internal flow path to block the flow of the first coating liquid through the internal flow path.

[0064] The flow control valve (310) can control the flow rate of the first coating liquid by controlling the opening rate of the internal flow path of the valve body (311). The flow control valve (310) can move the plug (315) to make the flow control valve (310) in a fully open state, a partially open state, or a closed state. In the closed state of the flow control valve (310), the plug (315) can block the flow of the first coating liquid by closing the connecting flow path (3112) between the inlet flow path (3111) and the outlet flow path (3113). In the partially open state of the flow control valve (310), the plug (315) can partially open the connecting flow path (3112). In the fully open state of the flow control valve (310), the plug (315) can fully open the connecting flow path (3112).

[0065]

[0066] Figures 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams showing a coating method using a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments. In Figures 4a and 4b, the flow path of the first coating liquid (L1) is indicated by an arrow.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4A, the coating device (10) can perform a liquid discharging process of discharging a first coating liquid (L1) from a coating die (110) to apply the first coating liquid (L1) onto a substrate. In the liquid discharging process, when the pump (213) is operated at a predetermined operating speed, the first coating liquid (L1) can be discharged to the substrate on one side of the coating die (110) through the supply line (270), the first internal flow path (141) and the second internal flow path (143) of the coating die (110), and the first flow path (131) and the second flow path (133) of the coating core (130).

[0068] In the liquid discharging process, the first flow switching valve (220) and the second flow switching valve (230) each discharge the first coating liquid toward the coating die (110), and the first flow control valve (240) and the second flow control valve (250) can each open the internal flow path. In the first flow switching valve (220), the first input terminal (221) and the first output terminal (223) can be opened, and the second output terminal (225) can be closed. The first flow control valve (240) can be in a fully open state or a partially open state. In the second flow switching valve (230), the second input terminal (231) and the third output terminal (233) can be opened, and the fourth output terminal (235) can be closed. The second flow control valve (250) can be in a fully open state or a partially open state.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4b, the coating device (10) can perform a liquid recovery process of recovering the first coating liquid (L1) to the supply tank (211) through the recovery line (280). In the liquid recovery process, the first flow switching valve (220) and the second flow switching valve (230) can each discharge the first coating liquid toward the supply tank (211). During the liquid recovery process, in the first flow switching valve (220), the first input terminal (221) and the second output terminal (225) can be opened, and the first output terminal (223) can be closed. During the liquid recovery process, in the second flow switching valve (230), the second input terminal (231) and the fourth output terminal (235) can be opened, and the third output terminal (233) can be closed.

[0070] In general, if the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the coating liquid discharged from the coating die (110) is outside the target range, the thickness and / or profile of the coating layer applied on the substrate will deviate from the normal range, causing process loss. In particular, there is a concern that the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the coating liquid discharged from the coating die (110) may be lower than the target value for a certain period of time immediately after the pump (213) is operated to initiate the coating process and / or for a certain period of time immediately after the pump (213) is stopped to stop the coating process, causing process loss.

[0071] According to exemplary embodiments, the coating device (10) can control the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) to recover the first coating liquid (L1) to the supply tank (211) when the first coating liquid has not reached a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate, and to discharge the first coating liquid (L1) through the coating die (110) when the first coating liquid (L1) has reached a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate. Since the coating device (10) can control the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) to discharge the first coating liquid (L1) having a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate from the coating die (110), process loss can be reduced and productivity can be improved.

[0072] In exemplary embodiments, when the pump (213) is operated to initiate a coating process, the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) may be controlled to recover the first coating liquid (L1) to the supply tank (211) until the discharge pressure of the first coating liquid (L1) reaches a target value, and after the discharge pressure of the first coating liquid (L1) reaches the target value, the first coating liquid (L1) may be supplied to the coating die (110). In this case, since the first coating liquid (L1) having a desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate is discharged from the coating die (110), process loss may be reduced and productivity may be improved.

[0073] In exemplary embodiments, when the pump (213) is operated to initiate a coating process, the first output end (223) of the first flow switching valve (220) and the second output end (225) of the second flow switching valve (230) may be opened at a first time point, and the first and second flow control valves (240, 250) may be switched from a closed state to an open state at a second time point after a certain period of time has elapsed from the first time point. In this case, the pressure of the first coating liquid (L1) that reaches the first and second flow control valves (240, 250) that are in the closed state between the first time point and the second time point may increase, and the first coating liquid discharged from the coating die (110) after the second time point when the first and second flow control valves (240, 250) are switched to the open state may have a discharge pressure and / or flow rate within a target range. In this case, since the first coating liquid (L1) having the desired discharge pressure and / or flow rate is discharged from the coating die (110), process loss can be reduced and productivity can be improved.

[0074] In exemplary embodiments, when the coating process of applying the first coating liquid (L1) onto the substrate is stopped, the operation of the pump (213) is stopped, and the first and second flow switching valves (220, 230) can open the output terminals connected to the recovery line (280) so that the first coating liquid (L1) can be recovered to the supply pump (213) through the recovery line (280). In this case, after the operation of the pump (213) is stopped, the first coating liquid (L1) remaining in the supply line (270) flows to the supply tank (211) rather than the coating die (110), so that process loss due to unnecessary discharge of the first coating liquid (L1) can be reduced.

[0075]

[0076] (Example 2)

[0077] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a coating device (10A) according to exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, the coating device (10A) illustrated in Fig. 5 will be described, focusing on differences from the coating device (10) described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, in the coating device (10A), a first flow control valve (240) and a second flow control valve (250) may be mounted on the die block (120). The first flow control valve (240) may be installed in the first internal flow path (141) of the first block (121) and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid flowing along the first internal flow path (141). The first flow control valve (240) may be configured to switch between a fully open state, a partially open state, and a closed state. The second flow control valve (250) may be installed in the second internal flow path (143) of the second block (123) and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid flowing along the second internal flow path (143). The second flow control valve (250) may be configured to switch between a fully open state, a partially open state, and a closed state.

[0079] According to exemplary embodiments, by controlling the flow rate of the first coating liquid using the first and second flow rate control valves (240, 250) mounted on the coating die (110), the time required to form the discharge pressure and / or flow rate of the first coating liquid into a target range can be reduced, ultimately reducing process loss and improving productivity.

[0080] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. A coating die including a first internal euro; A supply tank storing the first coating liquid; A first supply line extending from the supply tank and configured to deliver the first coating liquid; A first flow switching valve including a first input terminal connected to the first supply line and into which the first coating liquid is introduced, a first output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a second output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; A second supply line extending between the first output terminal of the first euro switching valve and the first internal euro of the coating die; a return line extending between the second output terminal of the first euro switching valve and the supply tank; and A first flow rate control valve installed in at least one of the second supply line and the first internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid; A coating device including:

2. In paragraph 1, A second flow path switching valve including a second input terminal connected to the first supply line and into which the first coating liquid is introduced, a third output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a fourth output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; a third supply line extending between the third output terminal of the second euro switching valve and the second internal euro of the coating die; and A second flow rate control valve installed in at least one of the third supply line and the second internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid; A coating device characterized by further including:

3. In paragraph 2, The fourth output terminal of the second euro switching valve is connected to the supply tank through the return line, A coating device characterized in that the first coating liquid discharged from the second output terminal of the first euro switching valve and the first coating liquid discharged from the fourth output terminal of the second euro switching valve are merged in the recovery line and delivered to the supply tank.

4. In paragraph 3, A coating device, characterized in that the recovery line comprises a first segment connected to the second output terminal of the first flow switching valve, a second segment connected to the fourth output terminal of the second flow switching valve, and a third segment connected to the supply tank and connected to each of the first segment and the second segment.

5. In paragraph 2, The above coating die, A die block having a manifold for receiving the first internal flow path, the second internal flow path, and the second coating liquid; and A coating core disposed within the die block, the coating core including a first flow path communicating with the first internal flow path, a second flow path communicating with the second internal flow path, and a third flow path communicating with the manifold; A coating device characterized by including:

6. In paragraph 5, The above first coating liquid contains an insulating liquid, A coating device, characterized in that the second coating liquid comprises an electrode slurry.

7. In paragraph 5, The above die block is, A first block including the first internal flow path and the second internal flow path; and A second block including the above manifold; Including, A coating device characterized in that the coating core is interposed between the first block and the second block.

8. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that the first flow control valve is mounted on the coating die.

9. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that it further comprises a pump installed in the first supply line.

10. In paragraph 1, A coating device, characterized in that the first euro switching valve comprises a three-way valve.

11. A coating die including a first internal flow path and a second internal flow path; A supply tank storing the first coating liquid; A first supply line extending from the supply tank and configured to deliver the first coating liquid; A pump installed in the first supply line; A first flow switching valve including a first input terminal connected to the first supply line and into which the first coating liquid is introduced, a first output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a second output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; A second supply line extending between the first output terminal of the first euro switching valve and the first internal euro of the coating die; A second flow path switching valve including a second input terminal connected to the first supply line and into which the first coating liquid is introduced, a third output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid, and a fourth output terminal for discharging the first coating liquid; a third supply line extending between the third output terminal of the second euro switching valve and the second internal euro of the coating die; and A return line extending from each of the second output terminal of the first euro switching valve and the fourth output terminal of the second euro switching valve to the supply tank; Including, A coating device in which the first coating liquid discharged from the second output terminal of the first euro switching valve and the first coating liquid discharged from the fourth output terminal of the second euro switching valve are merged in the recovery line and delivered to the supply tank.

12. In paragraph 11, A first flow control valve installed in the second supply line and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid; and A second flow control valve installed in the third supply line and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid; A coating device characterized by further including:

13. In paragraph 11, A first flow rate control valve installed in the first internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid; and A second flow rate control valve installed in the second internal flow path of the coating die and configured to control the flow rate of the first coating liquid; A coating device characterized by further including:

14. In paragraph 11, The above coating die, A die block including the first internal flow path, the second internal flow path, and a manifold containing the second coating liquid; and A coating core disposed within the die block, the coating core including a first flow path communicating with the first internal flow path, a second flow path communicating with the second internal flow path, and a third flow path communicating with the manifold; A coating device characterized by including:

15. In paragraph 14, The above first coating liquid contains an insulating liquid, A coating device, characterized in that the second coating liquid comprises an electrode slurry.

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