Coating apparatus

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides a coating apparatus comprising: a first coating die including a first groove, a manifold for accommodating a first coating liquid, and a first discharge port for discharging the first coating liquid; a coating shim inserted into the first coating die and having a first flow path communicating with the manifold and a second groove communicating with the first groove; and a second coating die disposed in the first groove of the first coating die and the second groove of the coating shim and including a second discharge port for discharging a second 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. 10-2024-0044440, filed April 2, 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 include electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies have 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.

[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 first coating die including a first groove, a manifold for receiving a first coating liquid, and a first discharge port for discharging the first coating liquid; a coating shim inserted into the first coating die and having a first flow path communicating with the manifold and a second groove communicating with the first groove; and a second coating die disposed in the first groove of the first coating die and the second groove of the coating shim and including a second discharge port for discharging a second coating liquid.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid is an electrode slurry, and the second coating liquid is an insulating liquid.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die is characterized in that it is configured to move within the first groove of the first coating die.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die is characterized in that it is configured to move in a first direction parallel to the discharge direction of the first coating liquid within the first groove of the first coating die.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the distance along the first direction between the first die lip of the first coating die provided with the first discharge port of the first coating die and the second die lip of the second coating die provided with the second discharge port of the second coating die is variable by movement of the second coating die along the first direction.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die is characterized in that it is configured to move in a second direction intersecting the discharge direction of the first coating liquid within the first groove of the first coating die.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the distance between the first discharge port of the first coating die and the second discharge port of the second coating die in the second direction is variable by movement of the second coating die in the second direction.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the invention further comprises an actuator for moving the second coating die within the first groove of the first coating die.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the actuator is characterized in that it is configured to move the second coating die in a first direction parallel to the discharge direction of the first coating liquid.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the actuator is characterized in that it is configured to move the second coating die in a second direction intersecting the discharge direction of the first coating liquid.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the coating core is characterized by separating the first euro from the second groove.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the invention further comprises a pipe disposed outside the first coating die and delivering the second coating liquid to the second coating die.

[0017] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a coating device including: a first coating die including a first groove and a first discharge port for discharging a first coating liquid; a second coating die disposed within the first groove of the first coating die and including a second discharge port for discharging a second coating liquid; and an actuator for moving the second coating die within the first groove of the first coating die.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the actuator is characterized in that it is configured to move the second coating die in a first direction parallel to the discharge direction of the first coating liquid and a second direction intersecting the discharge direction of the first coating liquid.

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

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a second coating die configured to discharge an insulating liquid is mounted on a first coating die configured to discharge an electrode slurry, and since a coating core for discharging an insulating liquid that requires precision machining is not required, the manufacturing cost of the coating device can be reduced.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a second coating die configured to discharge an insulating liquid is movably mounted on a first coating die configured to discharge an electrode slurry, so that factors affecting the dimensions of the insulating layer, such as a gap between the insulating liquid discharge port and the coating roll, and a distance between the insulating liquid discharge port and the electrode slurry discharge port, can be adjusted. The operating speed of the pump and the position of the second coating die can be used as control factors for controlling the dimensions of the insulating layer, thereby diversifying the control method of the coating process and reducing loss in adjusting the conditions of the coating process.

[0022] 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.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second coating die according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a portion of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing an example of operation of a second coating die of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of operation of a second coating die of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034]

[0035] (Example 1)

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a second coating die (300) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a portion of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a coating device (10) may spray a coating solution toward a substrate (610) moving by a coating roll (520) to apply the coating solution on the substrate (610). The substrate (610) 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 (610). 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 (610). The insulating solution may be applied on the substrate (610) so as to cover both sides of the electrode slurry coated on the substrate (610). The above electrode slurry may be referred to as a first coating solution, and the above insulating solution may be referred to as a second coating solution. The coating device (10) may perform a coating process for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery by applying the first coating solution and the second coating solution onto a substrate (610).

[0038] The coating device (10) may include a first coating die (100), a coating core (200), and a second coating die (300).

[0039] The first coating die (100) may be configured to receive a first coating liquid from the outside and discharge the first coating liquid toward the substrate (610). The first coating die (100) may include a first discharge port (141) configured to discharge the first coating liquid. Hereinafter, the first direction (e.g., X direction) is defined as a direction parallel to the discharge direction (DD) of the first coating liquid, the second direction (e.g., Y direction) is defined as a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the discharge direction (DD) of the first coating liquid, and the third direction (e.g., Z direction) is defined as a direction perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., X direction) and the second direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0040] The first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) may have a slit shape extending in a second direction (e.g., Y direction). The length of the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than the length of the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) along the third direction (e.g., Z direction). The first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) may be provided at the first die lip (140) of the first coating die (100) facing the coating roll (520).

[0041] The first coating die (100) may include a first block (110) and a second block (120). The first block (110) may include a manifold (130) that receives a first coating liquid. The second block (120) may be placed on the first block (110) so as to cover the manifold (130) of the first block (110). The first coating die (100) may include a first die lip (140) that includes a portion of the first block (110) and a portion of the second block (120), and a first discharge port (141) may be provided between an end of the first block (110) and an end of the second block (120).

[0042] The first coating die (100) may include a first groove (150) that accommodates a second coating die (300). The first groove (150) of the first coating die (100) may be defined by an outer wall surface of the first coating die (100). The first groove (150) of the first coating die (100) may extend in a third direction (e.g., a Z direction). The first groove (150) of the first coating die (100) may include a groove of a first block (110) and a groove of a second block (120) aligned in the third direction (e.g., a Z direction). The first coating die (100) may include a plurality of first grooves (150) spaced apart from each other in the second direction (e.g., a Y direction), and a second coating die (300) may be inserted into each of the plurality of first grooves (150) of the first coating die (100).

[0043] A coating shim (200) may be placed within the first coating die (100). The coating shim (200) may be inserted into a space provided between the first block (110) and the second block (120). The coating shim (200) may be fastened to at least one of the first block (110) and the second block (120) by a fastening member such as a bolt. The coating shim (200) may include a first flow path (210) that is connected to the manifold (130) and extends in a first direction (e.g., X direction) from the manifold (130) to the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100). The first flow path (210) of the coating shim (200) may guide the first coating liquid from the manifold (130) to the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100). The width of the first euro (210) of the coating core (200) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) can define the width of the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0044] The coating shim (200) may include a second groove (220) that accommodates a second coating die (300). The second groove (220) of the coating shim (200) may be in communication with the first groove (150) of the first coating die (100). When viewed in plan, the second groove (220) of the coating shim (200) may extend from an edge of the coating shim (200) facing the coating roll (520). The second groove (220) of the coating shim (200) may be between the groove of the first block (110) and the groove of the second block (120). The coating shim (200) may separate the first flow path (210) and the second groove (220) from each other so that the first coating liquid does not flow from the first flow path (210) of the coating shim (200) to the second groove (220) of the coating shim (200). The coating core (200) may include a plurality of second grooves (220) spaced apart from each other in a second direction (e.g., Y direction). Each of the plurality of second grooves (220) of the coating core (200) may be connected to each of the plurality of first grooves (150) of the first coating die (100). Each of the plurality of second grooves (220) of the coating core (200) may accommodate a second coating die (300).

[0045] The second coating die (300) may be disposed in the first groove (150) of the first coating die (100) and the second groove (220) of the coating core (200). The second coating die (300) may be configured to receive a second coating liquid from the outside and discharge the second coating liquid toward the substrate (610). The second coating die (300) may discharge the second coating liquid in a direction substantially parallel to the discharge direction (DD) of the first coating liquid. The second coating die (300) may include a second discharge port (320) configured to discharge the second coating liquid, and a second flow path (330 in FIG. 5) extended from the second discharge port (320). The second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) may have a slit shape extending in a second direction (for example, the Y direction). The length of the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than the length of the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) along the third direction (e.g., Z direction). The second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) may be provided at the second die lip (310) of the second coating die (300) facing the coating roll (520).

[0046] The second coating die (300) can be connected to a liquid supply unit that stores and supplies the second coating liquid through a liquid delivery pipe (510). The liquid delivery pipe (510) is located outside the first coating die (100), and a portion of the liquid delivery pipe (510) can extend within the first groove (150) of the first coating die (100).

[0047] The coating device (10) may include a plurality of second coating dies (300) mounted on the first coating device (10). The plurality of second coating dies (300) may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction (e.g., Y direction). In exemplary embodiments, a second coating die (300) may be disposed on each of both sides of the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100). In exemplary embodiments, a second coating die (300) may be disposed on each of both sides of the first flow path (210) of the coating core (200). In exemplary embodiments, the first coating die (100) may include a plurality of first discharge ports (141), and a second coating die (300) may be disposed on each of both sides of each of the first discharge ports (141). In exemplary embodiments, the coating core (200) may include a plurality of first flow paths (210), and a second coating die (300) may be positioned on each side of each of the first flow paths (210).

[0048] In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die (300) may be configured to move within the first groove (150) of the first coating die (100). In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die (300) may be configured to move in a first direction (e.g., X direction), a second direction (e.g., Y direction) and / or a third direction (e.g., Z direction). For example, the first coating die (100) may have a guide structure for guiding the movement of the second coating die (300). By the movement of the second coating die (300), the relative position of the second coating die (300) with respect to the first coating die (100) may be adjusted. The movement of the second coating die (300) may be performed automatically or manually.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die (300) may be configured to move in a first direction (e.g., X-direction). By movement of the second coating die (300) in the first direction (e.g., X-direction), a relative position of the second coating die (300) with respect to the first coating die (100) along the first direction (e.g., X-direction) may be adjusted. In exemplary embodiments, the second coating die (300) may be configured to move in a second direction (e.g., Y-direction). By movement of the second coating die (300) in the second direction (e.g., Y-direction), a relative position of the second coating die (300) with respect to the first coating die (100) along the second direction (e.g., Y-direction) may be adjusted.

[0050]

[0051] (Example 2)

[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIGS. 1 to 4, the coating device (10) may include an actuator (410) configured to move a second coating die (300) within a first groove (150) of a first coating die (100). The actuator (410) may be mounted within the first groove (150) of the first coating die (100). The actuator (410) may be configured to move the second coating die (300) in a first direction (e.g., X direction), a second direction (e.g., Y direction), and / or a third direction (e.g., Z direction). For example, the second coating die (300) may be mounted on a support block (450) provided within the first groove (150) of the first coating die (100), and the actuator (410) may move the support block (450) to adjust the position of the second coating die (300). For example, the actuator (410) may include at least one motor. For example, the actuator (410) may include at least one screw motor.

[0054] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing an example of the operation of a second coating die (300) of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the actuator (410) can move the second coating die (300) in a first direction (e.g., X-direction) to adjust the relative position of the second coating die (300) with respect to the first coating die (100). By the movement of the second coating die (300) in the first direction (e.g., X-direction), a distance in the first direction (e.g., X-direction) between an end of the second die lip (310) of the second coating die (300) and an end of the first die lip (140) of the first coating die (100) and a distance in the first direction (e.g., X-direction) between a second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and a first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) can be varied. The actuator (410) can move the second coating die (300) in a first direction (e.g., X direction) to adjust a first offset distance (D1) along the first direction (e.g., X direction) between the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100).

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the actuator (410) can adjust the position of the second coating die (300) so that the second die lip (310) of the second coating die (300) protrudes from the first die lip (140) of the first coating die (100) in the discharge direction (DD) of the first coating liquid. In this case, the distance between the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and the coating roll (520) can be set to be smaller than the distance between the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) and the coating roll (520).

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the actuator (410) can adjust the position of the second coating die (300) so that the first die lip (140) of the first coating die (100) protrudes from the second die lip (310) of the second coating die (300) in the discharge direction (DD) of the first coating liquid. In this case, the distance between the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and the coating roll (520) can be set to be greater than the distance between the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) and the coating roll (520).

[0058] According to exemplary embodiments, the distance between the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and the coating roll (520), which is an element for controlling the thickness and / or width of the insulating layer applied on the substrate (610), can be adjusted by moving the second coating die (300).

[0059] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of operation of a second coating die (300) of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, the actuator (410) can move the second coating die (300) in a second direction (e.g., Y direction) to adjust the relative position of the second coating die (300) with respect to the first coating die (100). By moving the second coating die (300) in the second direction (e.g., Y direction), the distance between the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100) in the second direction (e.g., Y direction) can be varied. The actuator (410) can move the second coating die (300) in a second direction (e.g., Y direction) to adjust a second offset distance (D2) in the second direction (e.g., Y direction) between the second discharge port (320) of the second coating die (300) and the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100).

[0061] According to exemplary embodiments, the distance between the first discharge port (141) of the first coating die (100), which is an element for controlling the thickness and / or width of the insulating layer applied on the substrate (610), and the second coating die (300) and the second discharge port (320) can be adjusted by moving the second coating die (300).

[0062]

[0063] In the coating device according to the comparative example, a coating core for discharging an insulating solution is required to be provided separately from a coating core for discharging an electrode slurry within the coating die. The coating core for discharging an insulating solution requires precision machining, which requires a considerable manufacturing time and cost.

[0064] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a second coating die (300) configured to discharge an insulating liquid is mounted on a first coating die (100) configured to discharge an electrode slurry, and since a coating core (200) for discharging an insulating liquid that requires precision machining is not required, the manufacturing cost of the coating device (10) can be reduced.

[0065] Meanwhile, the dimensions of the insulating layer applied on the substrate (610) (e.g., width and thickness of the insulating layer) are factors that affect the reliability of a secondary battery including an electrode manufactured through a coating process, such as suppression of lithium precipitation. As a control factor for controlling the dimensions of the insulating layer in the coating process, there is a method of controlling the discharge flow rate of the insulating liquid by controlling the operating speed (e.g., revolutions per minute (rpm)) of a pump installed in an insulating liquid supply line. However, it is difficult to control the dimensions of the insulating layer to a desired value only by controlling the operating speed of the pump, and it takes a lot of time to adjust the conditions of the coating process.

[0066] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since a second coating die (300) configured to discharge an insulating liquid is movably mounted on a first coating die (100) configured to discharge an electrode slurry, factors affecting the dimensions of the insulating layer, such as a gap between an insulating liquid discharge port and a coating roll (520), and a distance between an insulating liquid discharge port and an electrode slurry discharge port, can be adjusted. The operating speed of the pump and the position of the second coating die (300) can be used as control factors for controlling the dimensions of the insulating layer, thereby diversifying the control method of the coating process and reducing loss in adjusting the conditions of the coating process.

[0067]

[0068] 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 first coating die including a first home, a manifold for receiving a first coating liquid, and a first discharge port for discharging the first coating liquid; A coating core inserted into the first coating die and having a first flow path communicating with the manifold and a second groove communicating with the first groove; and A second coating die disposed within the first groove of the first coating die and the second groove of the coating die, and including a second discharge port for discharging a second coating liquid; A coating device including:

2. In paragraph 1, The above first coating liquid is an electrode slurry, A coating device characterized in that the second coating liquid is an insulating liquid.

3. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that the second coating die is configured to move within the first groove of the first coating die.

4. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that the second coating die is configured to move in a first direction parallel to the discharge direction of the first coating liquid within the first groove of the first coating die.

5. In paragraph 4, A coating device characterized in that the distance along the first direction between the first die lip of the first coating die provided with the first discharge port of the first coating die and the second die lip of the second coating die provided with the second discharge port of the second coating die is variable by movement of the second coating die along the first direction.

6. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that the second coating die is configured to move in a second direction intersecting the discharge direction of the first coating liquid within the first groove of the first coating die.

7. In paragraph 6, A coating device characterized in that the distance between the first discharge port of the first coating die and the second discharge port of the second coating die in the second direction is variable by movement of the second coating die in the second direction.

8. In paragraph 1, A coating device further comprising an actuator for moving the second coating die within the first groove of the first coating die.

9. In paragraph 8, A coating device characterized in that the actuator is configured to move the second coating die in a first direction parallel to the discharge direction of the first coating liquid.

10. In paragraph 8, A coating device, characterized in that the actuator is configured to move the second coating die in a second direction intersecting the discharge direction of the first coating liquid.

11. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that the coating core separates the first euro from the second groove.

12. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that it further includes a pipe arranged outside the first coating die and delivering the second coating liquid to the second coating die.

13. A first coating die including a first discharge port for discharging a first home and a first coating liquid; A second coating die disposed within the first groove of the first coating die and including a second discharge port for discharging a second coating liquid; and An actuator for moving the second coating die within the first groove of the first coating die; A coating device including:

14. In paragraph 13, A coating device characterized in that the actuator is configured to move the second coating die in a first direction parallel to the discharge direction of the first coating liquid and a second direction intersecting the discharge direction of the first coating liquid.

15. In paragraph 13, The above first coating liquid is an electrode slurry, A coating device characterized in that the second coating liquid is an insulating liquid.

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