Coating apparatus

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides a coating apparatus comprising: a coating die including a first electrode slurry discharge port for discharging a first electrode slurry, a first insulating liquid discharge port for discharging a first insulating liquid, a second electrode slurry discharge port for discharging a second electrode slurry, and a second insulating liquid discharge port for discharging a second insulating liquid; a first coating shim inserted into the coating die and including a first electrode slurry flow path communicating with the first electrode slurry discharge port and a first insulating liquid flow path communicating with the first insulating liquid discharge port; and a second coating shim inserted into the coating die and including a second electrode slurry flow path communicating with the second electrode slurry discharge port and a second insulating liquid flow path communicating with the second insulating liquid discharge port, wherein the solid content of the first insulating liquid is different from the solid content of the second insulating 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. 10-2024-0079153, filed June 18, 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 on the current collector so as to cover both sides of the electrode slurry applied on the current collector.

[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 electrode slurry discharge port for discharging a first electrode slurry, a first insulating liquid discharge port for discharging a first insulating liquid, a second electrode slurry discharge port for discharging a second electrode slurry, and a second insulating liquid discharge port for discharging a second insulating liquid; a first coating core inserted into the coating die and including a first electrode slurry channel communicating with the first electrode slurry discharge port and a first insulating liquid channel communicating with the first insulating liquid discharge port; and a second coating core inserted into the coating die and including a second electrode slurry channel communicating with the second electrode slurry discharge port and a second insulating liquid channel communicating with the second insulating liquid discharge port; wherein a solid content of the first insulating liquid is different from a solid content of the second insulating liquid.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die comprises a first die block including a first manifold for receiving the first electrode slurry and a first internal passage communicating with the first insulating liquid passage of the first coating shim; a second die block including a second manifold for receiving the second electrode slurry and a second internal passage communicating with the second insulating liquid passage of the second coating shim; and a third die block between the first die block and the second die block, wherein the first coating shim is between the first die block and the third die block, and the second coating shim is between the second die block and the third die block.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die further comprises a first insulating liquid supply unit for supplying the first insulating liquid to the coating die; and a second insulating liquid supply unit for supplying the second insulating liquid to the coating die; wherein the first insulating liquid supplied from the first insulating liquid supply unit and the second insulating liquid provided from the second insulating liquid supply unit have different solid contents.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises a coating roll for supporting a substrate being transported in a transport direction, wherein the first insulating liquid discharge port and the second insulating liquid discharge port are sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the substrate, and the solid content of the second insulating liquid is greater than the solid content of the first insulating liquid.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of the second insulating liquid is characterized by being greater than the viscosity of the first insulating liquid.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the solids content of the first insulating liquid is between 10 wt% and 20 wt%, and the solids content of the second insulating liquid is between 25 wt% and 30 wt%.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the first electrode slurry discharge port and the second electrode slurry discharge port are sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the substrate, and the first electrode slurry discharge port is arranged on one side of the first insulating liquid discharge port, and the second electrode slurry discharge port is arranged on one side of the second insulating liquid discharge port.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises a coating roll for supporting a substrate being transported in a transport direction, wherein the first insulating liquid discharge port and the second insulating liquid discharge port are sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the substrate, and the solid content of the first insulating liquid is greater than the solid content of the second insulating liquid.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of the first insulating liquid is characterized by being greater than the viscosity of the second insulating liquid.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die is characterized in that it is configured to simultaneously discharge the first electrode slurry, the second electrode slurry, the first insulating liquid, and the second insulating liquid toward the substrate.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the coating device is configured to apply a first electrode slurry layer formed from the first electrode slurry, a second electrode slurry layer formed from the second electrode slurry, a first insulating layer formed from the first insulating liquid, and a second insulating layer formed from the second insulating liquid onto a substrate, wherein the second electrode slurry layer is laminated on the first electrode slurry layer, and the second insulating layer is laminated on the first insulating layer.

[0016] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a first electrode slurry, a second electrode slurry, a first insulating liquid, and a second insulating liquid are simultaneously discharged toward a substrate, thereby manufacturing an electrode sheet having an electrode slurry layer having a laminated structure in which a first electrode slurry layer and a second electrode slurry layer are laminated, and an insulating layer having a laminated structure in which a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer are laminated.

[0017] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by forming one of the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer from an insulating liquid having a high solid content, the total thickness of the insulating layer can be increased. Since the total thickness of the insulating layer is increased, the contact area where the insulating layer in a wet state and the electrode slurry layer in a wet state meet increases, so that the sliding inhibition effect of the electrode slurry layer can be improved.

[0018] 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.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a coating device taken along line Ⅱ-Ⅱ' of Fig. 1.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coating device along line Ⅲ-Ⅲ' of Fig. 1.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating device along line IV-IV' of Fig. 2.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating device along line V-V' of Fig. 2.

[0024] Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing a coating process of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode sheet manufactured through coating of a coating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode manufacturing device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an electrode manufacturing method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032]

[0033] (Example 1)

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coating device (10) taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coating device (10) taken along line III-III' of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the coating device (10) taken along line IV-IV' of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the coating device (10) taken along line V-V' of FIG. 2.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a coating device (10) can perform a coating process for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery by applying a coating solution on a substrate (510). The coating solution can include electrode slurry and an insulating solution. The coating device (10) can discharge the electrode slurry and the insulating solution toward the substrate (510) moving by a coating roll (180). The electrode slurry applied on the substrate (510) can become an electrode slurry layer (540 in FIG. 8), and the insulating solution applied on the substrate (510) can become an insulating layer (550 in FIG. 8) covering the side of the electrode slurry layer (540).

[0036] The above-described substrate (510) may be a current collector. The current collector may be a positive current collector. For example, the positive current collector may include stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, etc. The current collector may be a negative current collector. For example, the negative current collector may include copper, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, etc.

[0037] The electrode slurry may include an electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent. The electrode active material may include a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material. For example, the positive electrode active material may include a lithium metal composite oxide including nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and manganese (Mn). For example, the negative electrode active material may include at least one of a carbon material and a silicon material. The carbon material may refer to a carbon material having carbon atoms as a main component. The silicon material is a particle including silicon (Si) as a metal component as a main component, and may include at least one of silicon (Si) particles and silicon oxide particles.

[0038] The conductive material may include artificial graphite, natural graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, Denka black, thermal black, channel black, carbon fiber, metal fiber, aluminum, tin, bismuth, silicon, antimony, nickel, copper, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, silver, gold, lanthanum, ruthenium, platinum, iridium, titanium oxide, polyaniline, polythiophene, polyacetylene, polypyrrole, or a combination thereof.

[0039] The binder can strengthen the bonding between particles of the electrode slurry, such as the electrode active material and the conductive material, and can strengthen the bonding between the particles of the electrode slurry and the substrate (510). For example, the binder may include polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride-pentafluoropropylene copolymer, propylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, vinylidene fluoride-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or combinations thereof.

[0040] The insulating solution may include inorganic particles, a phenolic compound, a binder, and a solvent. For example, the inorganic particles may include one or more aluminum minerals selected from the group consisting of boehmite, gibbsite, diaspore, alunite, and nepheline. The phenolic compound may increase the dispersibility of the inorganic particles included in the insulating solution. For example, the phenolic compound may include tannic acid, baicalein, luteolin, taxifolin, myricetin, quercetin, rutin, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, butein, piceatenol, pyrogallic acid, ellagic acid, amylose, amylopectin, xanthan gum, or a combination thereof.

[0041] The binder can strengthen the bonding between particles of the insulating liquid, such as inorganic particles and phenol compounds, and strengthen the bonding between particles of the insulating liquid and the substrate (510). The material of the binder of the insulating liquid can be the same as or similar to the material of the binder of the electrode slurry.

[0042] In exemplary embodiments, the coating device (10) may be configured to simultaneously apply electrode slurry and an insulating solution onto a substrate (510). The insulating solution may be applied onto the substrate (510) so as to cover both sides of the electrode slurry layer (540) applied onto the substrate (510). The insulating solution may be applied onto the substrate (510) so as to cover both sides of the electrode slurry layer, thereby suppressing or preventing a sliding phenomenon in which the thickness of the electrode slurry layer (540) gradually decreases at an outer portion of the electrode slurry layer (540), and reducing a thickness deviation of the electrode slurry layer (540) applied onto the substrate (510).

[0043] In exemplary embodiments, the coating device (10) may be configured to discharge a first electrode slurry (521 in FIG. 6) and a second electrode slurry (523 in FIG. 6) toward a substrate (510). The first electrode slurry (521) may be a first electrode slurry layer (541 in FIG. 8) applied on the substrate (510), and the second electrode slurry (523) may be a second electrode slurry layer (543 in FIG. 8) laminated on the first electrode slurry layer (541). The electrode slurry layer (540) may have a multilayer structure in which the first electrode slurry layer (541) and the second electrode slurry layer (543) are laminated. In exemplary embodiments, the first electrode slurry (521) and the second electrode slurry (523) may have different material compositions.

[0044] In exemplary embodiments, the coating device (10) may be configured to discharge a first insulating liquid (531 in FIG. 7) and a second insulating liquid (533 in FIG. 7) toward the substrate (510). The first insulating liquid (531) may become a first insulating layer (551 in FIG. 8) applied on the substrate (510), and the second insulating liquid (533) may become a second insulating layer (553 in FIG. 8) laminated on the first insulating layer (551). The first insulating layer (551) may primarily contact a side of the first electrode slurry layer (541). The second insulating layer (553) may primarily contact a side of the second electrode slurry layer (543). The insulating layer (550) may have a multilayer structure in which the first insulating layer (551) and the second insulating layer (553) are laminated. In exemplary embodiments, the first insulating liquid (531) and the second insulating liquid (533) may have different material compositions.

[0045] The coating device (10) may include a coating die (101), a first coating shim (150), a second coating shim (160), and a coating roll (180). The first coating shim (150) and the second coating shim (160) may be disposed within the coating die (101), and the coating roll (180) may be disposed outside the coating die (101) so as to face a die lip of the coating die (101) in a first direction (e.g., X direction). The coating roll (180) may transport and support a substrate (510). The coating roll (180) may be configured to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to the second direction (e.g., Y direction) and may support the substrate (510) being transported along the transport direction.

[0046] The coating die (101) can receive a first electrode slurry (521), a second electrode slurry (523), a first insulating liquid (531), and a second insulating liquid (533) from the outside, and can discharge the first electrode slurry (521), the second electrode slurry (523), the first insulating liquid (531), and the second insulating liquid (533) toward the substrate (510). The coating die (101) can include a first electrode slurry discharge port (141) configured to discharge the first electrode slurry (521), a second electrode slurry discharge port (143) configured to discharge the second electrode slurry (523), a first insulating liquid discharge port (145) configured to discharge the first insulating liquid (531), and a second insulating liquid discharge port (147) configured to discharge the second insulating liquid (533).

[0047] The first electrode slurry discharge port (141) and the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) may be sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the substrate (510). The first electrode slurry discharge port (141) and the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) may have a slit shape extending in the width direction of the substrate (510) parallel to the second direction (e.g., Y direction). The length of the first electrode slurry discharge port (141) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than the length of the first electrode slurry discharge port (141) along the third direction (e.g., Z direction), and the length of the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than the length of the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) along the third direction (e.g., Z direction). The first electrode slurry discharge port (141) and the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) can be provided on the die lip of the coating die (101) facing the substrate (510) supported on the coating roll (180).

[0048] The first insulating liquid discharge port (145) and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) may be sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the substrate (510). The first insulating liquid discharge port (145) may be arranged on one side of the first electrode slurry discharge port (141), and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) may be arranged on one side of the second electrode slurry discharge port (143). The first insulating liquid discharge port (145) may be aligned with the first electrode slurry discharge port (141) in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction), and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) may be aligned with the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction). The first insulating liquid discharge port (145) and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) may have a slit shape extending in the width direction of the substrate (510) parallel to the second direction (e.g., Y direction). The length of the first insulating liquid discharge port (145) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than the length of the first insulating liquid discharge port (145) along the third direction (e.g., Z direction), and the length of the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) along the second direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than the length of the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) along the third direction (e.g., Z direction). The first insulating liquid discharge port (145) and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) may be provided on the die lip of the coating die (101) facing the substrate (510) supported on the coating roll (180).

[0049] The coating die (101) may include a first die block (110), a second die block (120), and a third die block (130). The first die block (110), the second die block (120), and the third die block (130) may be coupled to each other by fastening members such as bolts. The third die block (130) may be disposed between the first die block (110) and the second die block (120). The die lips of the coating die (101) may include a die lip of the first die block (110) facing the substrate (510), a die lip of the second die block (120) facing the substrate (510), and a die lip of the third die block (130) facing the substrate (510). The first electrode slurry discharge port (141) and the first insulating liquid discharge port (145) may be provided between the die lip of the first die block (110) and the die lip of the third die block (130) in the third direction (e.g., the Z direction). The second electrode slurry discharge port (143) and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) may be provided between the die lip of the second die block (120) and the die lip of the third die block (130) in the third direction (e.g., the Z direction).

[0050] The first die block (110) may include a first manifold (111) that accommodates a first electrode slurry (521) and a first internal flow path (119) through which a first insulating liquid (531) flows. The first manifold (111) may include a space that accommodates the first electrode slurry (521) injected through an injection port provided in the first die block (110). The first internal flow path (119) may be configured to transfer the first insulating liquid (531) provided from the outside to a space between the first die block (110) and the third die block (130).

[0051] The second die block (120) may include a second manifold (121) that accommodates a second electrode slurry (523) and a second internal flow path (129) through which a second insulating liquid (533) flows. The second manifold (121) may include a space that accommodates the second electrode slurry (523) injected through an injection port provided in the second die block (120). The second internal flow path (129) may be configured to transfer the second insulating liquid (533) provided from the outside to a space between the second die block (120) and the third die block (130).

[0052] The first coating shim (150) can be inserted into a space provided between the first die block (110) and the third die block (130). For example, the first coating shim (150) can be fastened to the first die block (110) by a fastening member such as a bolt. The first coating shim (150) can include a first electrode slurry channel (151) communicating with the first electrode slurry discharge port (141) and a first insulating liquid channel (153) communicating with the first insulating liquid discharge port (145). The first electrode slurry channel (151) can extend between the first manifold (111) and the first electrode slurry discharge port (141), and can be configured to transfer the first electrode slurry (521) from the first manifold (111) to the first electrode slurry discharge port (141). The first insulating liquid passage (153) can extend between the outlet of the first internal passage (119) of the first die block (110) and the first insulating liquid discharge port (145), and can be configured to transfer the first insulating liquid (531) from the outlet of the first internal passage (119) of the first die block (110) to the first insulating liquid discharge port (145).

[0053] In exemplary embodiments, the first coating shim (150) may include a first body shim (158) and a first spacer shim (159). The first body shim (158) may include a center body extending along an edge of the first manifold (111) and a pair of side bodies spaced apart with the first manifold (111) therebetween. The first spacer shim (159) may extend between the first manifold (111) and a die lip of the first die block (110) and may include a first insulating fluid passage (153). The first coating shim (150) may include a plurality of first spacer shims (159) spaced apart along a second direction (e.g., a Y direction). Each first spacer shim (159) may include a first insulating fluid passage (153). A first electrode slurry passage (151) may be provided between two adjacent first spacer cores (159) among a plurality of first spacer cores (159). A first insulating liquid passage (153) may be provided on both sides of each first electrode slurry passage (151).

[0054] The second coating shim (160) may be inserted into a space provided between the second die block (120) and the third die block (130). For example, the second coating shim (160) may be fastened to the second die block (120) by a fastening member such as a bolt. The second coating shim (160) may include a second electrode slurry passage (161) communicating with the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) and a second insulating liquid passage (163) communicating with the second insulating liquid discharge port (147). The second electrode slurry passage (161) may extend between the second manifold (121) and the second electrode slurry discharge port (143), and may be configured to transfer the second electrode slurry (523) from the second manifold (121) to the second electrode slurry discharge port (143). The second insulating liquid passage (163) can extend between the outlet of the second internal passage (129) of the second die block (120) and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147), and can be configured to deliver the second insulating liquid (533) from the outlet of the second internal passage (129) of the second die block (120) to the second insulating liquid discharge port (147).

[0055] In exemplary embodiments, the second coating shim (160) may include a second body shim (168) and a second spacer shim (169). The second body shim (168) may include a center body extending along an edge of the second manifold (121) and a pair of side bodies spaced apart with the second manifold (121) therebetween. The second spacer shim (169) may extend between the second manifold (121) and a die lip of the second die block (120) and may include a second insulating fluid passage (163). The second coating shim (160) may include a plurality of second spacer shims (169) spaced apart along a second direction (e.g., a Y direction). Each second spacer shim (169) may include a second insulating fluid passage (163). A second electrode slurry passage (161) may be provided between two adjacent second spacer cores (169) among a plurality of second spacer cores (169). A second insulating liquid passage (163) may be provided on both sides of each second electrode slurry passage (161).

[0056] The coating device (10) may include a first electrode slurry supply unit (191), a second electrode slurry supply unit (193), a first insulating liquid supply unit (195), and a second insulating liquid supply unit (197).

[0057] The first electrode slurry supply unit (191) can supply the first electrode slurry (521) having a predetermined material composition and properties to the coating die (101), and the second electrode slurry supply unit (193) can supply the second electrode slurry (523) having a predetermined material composition and properties to the coating die (101). The first electrode slurry supply unit (191) can include a supply tank in which the first electrode slurry (521) is stored, and a pump installed in a supply line extending between the supply tank and the coating die (101). The second electrode slurry supply unit (193) can include a supply tank in which the second electrode slurry (523) is stored, and a pump installed in a supply line extending between the supply tank and the coating die (101). The first electrode slurry (521) provided from the first electrode slurry supply unit (191) can be discharged toward the substrate (510) sequentially through the first manifold (111) of the first die block (110), the first electrode slurry path (151) of the first coating shim (150), and the first electrode slurry discharge port (141) of the coating die (101). The second electrode slurry (523) provided from the second electrode slurry supply unit (193) can be discharged toward the substrate (510) sequentially through the second manifold (121) of the second die block (120), the second electrode slurry path (161) of the second coating shim (160), and the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) of the coating die (101).

[0058] The first insulating liquid supply unit (195) can supply a first insulating liquid (531) having a predetermined material composition and characteristics to the coating die (101), and the second insulating liquid supply unit (197) can supply a second insulating liquid (533) having a predetermined material composition and characteristics to the coating die (101). The first insulating liquid supply unit (195) can include a supply tank in which the first insulating liquid (531) is stored, and a pump installed in a supply line extending between the supply tank and the coating die (101). The second insulating liquid supply unit (197) can include a supply tank in which the second insulating liquid (533) is stored, and a pump installed in a supply line extending between the supply tank and the coating die (101). The first insulating liquid (531) provided from the first insulating liquid supply unit (195) can be discharged toward the substrate (510) sequentially through the first internal flow path (119) of the first die block (110), the first insulating liquid flow path (153) of the first coating shim (150), and the first insulating liquid discharge port (145) of the coating die (101). The second insulating liquid (533) provided from the second insulating liquid supply unit (197) can be discharged toward the substrate (510) sequentially through the second manifold (121) of the second die block (120), the second insulating liquid flow path (163) of the second coating shim (160), and the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) of the coating die (101).

[0059] Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing a coating process of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode sheet (500) manufactured through coating of a coating device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the coating device (10) can manufacture an electrode sheet (500) by coating an electrode slurry layer (540) and an insulating layer (550) on a substrate (510). More specifically, the coating device (10) can manufacture an electrode sheet (500) by coating an electrode slurry layer (540) having a multilayer structure in which a first electrode slurry layer (541) and a second electrode slurry layer (543) are laminated, and an insulating layer (550) having a multilayer structure in which a first insulating layer (551) and a second insulating layer (553) are laminated, on a substrate (510).

[0061] In order to manufacture the above electrode sheet (500), while the substrate (510) is transported along the transport direction (TD) by the coating roll (180), the coating die (101) of the coating device (10) can be configured to simultaneously discharge the first electrode slurry (521), the second electrode slurry (523), the first insulating liquid (531), and the second insulating liquid (533) toward the substrate (510). The first electrode slurry (521) discharged from the first electrode slurry discharge port (141) of the coating die (101) can form a first electrode slurry layer (541) extending along the substrate (510), and the second electrode slurry (523) discharged from the second electrode slurry discharge port (143) of the coating die (101) can form a second electrode slurry layer (543) extending along the first electrode slurry layer (541). The first insulating liquid (531) discharged from the first insulating liquid discharge port (145) of the coating die (101) can form a first insulating layer (551) extending along the substrate (510), and the second insulating liquid (533) discharged from the second insulating liquid discharge port (147) of the coating die (101) can form a second insulating layer (553) extending along the first insulating layer (551). The first insulating layer (551) mainly extends along the side of the first electrode slurry layer (541), and can suppress a sliding phenomenon of the first electrode slurry layer (541). The second insulating layer (553) mainly extends along the side of the second electrode slurry layer (543), and can suppress a sliding phenomenon of the second electrode slurry layer (543).

[0062] In exemplary embodiments, the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) may be different from each other. In the present disclosure, the content is understood to refer to weight percent unless otherwise defined. In exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of the first insulating liquid (531) and the viscosity of the second insulating liquid (533) may be different from each other.

[0063] If the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) are too small, the thickness of the insulating layer (550) may be reduced, and there is a concern that the sliding phenomenon of the electrode slurry layer (540) may not be sufficiently suppressed. If the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) are too large, the viscosity of the first insulating layer (551) and the viscosity of the second insulating layer (553) may be too large, and excessive pressure may be formed in the insulating liquid flow path of the coating die (101), and the first coating core (150) and the second coating core (160) may be damaged, and there is a concern that the first insulating liquid (531) and the second insulating liquid (533) may not be discharged from the coating die (101) at a sufficient flow rate. In exemplary embodiments, the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) may each range from 10 wt% to 30 wt%. In exemplary embodiments, the viscosity of the first insulating liquid (531) and the viscosity of the second insulating liquid (533) may each range from 900 cps to 5000 cps. The solid content and viscosity of the first insulating liquid (531) may be controlled by the first insulating liquid supply unit (195), and the solid content and viscosity of the second insulating liquid (533) may be controlled by the second insulating liquid supply unit (197).

[0064] In exemplary embodiments, the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) may be greater than the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531). At this time, the viscosity of the second insulating liquid (533) may be greater than the viscosity of the first insulating liquid (531). For example, when the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) is A wt% and the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) is B wt%, the difference between the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) (A wt%) and the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) (B wt%) may be between 5 wt%p and 15 wt%p. For example, the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) may be between 25 wt% and 30 wt%, and the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) may be between 10 wt% and 20 wt%.

[0065] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die (101) may be configured to simultaneously discharge a first insulating liquid (531) having a normal level of solids content and a second insulating liquid (533) having a relatively high level of solids content. In this case, the first insulating liquid (531) having a relatively high fluidity may be applied onto the substrate (510) so that the insulating layer (550) has an intended width, and the second insulating layer (553) formed from the second insulating liquid (533) having a high level of solids content may be applied onto the substrate (510) so that the second insulating layer (553) has a large thickness. The thickness of the second insulating layer (553) may be increased, thereby increasing the total thickness of the insulating layer (550). Since the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) increases, the contact area where the wet insulating layer (550) and the wet electrode slurry layer (540) meet increases, so that the sliding inhibition effect of the electrode slurry layer (540) can be improved.

[0066] In exemplary embodiments, the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) may be greater than the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533). At this time, the viscosity of the first insulating liquid (531) may be greater than the viscosity of the second insulating liquid (533). For example, when the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) is C wt% and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) is D wt%, the difference between the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) (C wt%) and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) (D wt%) may be between 5 wt%p and 10 wt%p. For example, the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531) may be between 25 wt% and 30 wt%, and the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) may be between 10 wt% and 20 wt%.

[0067] In exemplary embodiments, the coating die (101) may be configured to simultaneously discharge a second insulating liquid (533) having a general level of solid content and a first insulating liquid (531) having a relatively high level of solid content. In this case, a first insulating layer (551) formed from the first insulating liquid (531) having a high level of solid content may be applied on the substrate (510) to have a large thickness. As the thickness of the first insulating layer (551) increases, the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) may increase. As the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) increases, the contact area where the insulating layer (550) in a wet state and the electrode slurry layer (540) in a wet state increases, so that the sliding inhibition effect of the electrode slurry layer (540) may be improved.

[0068]

[0069] (Example 2)

[0070] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode manufacturing device (1000) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 9 together with FIGS. 1 to 8, the electrode manufacturing device (1000) may include a coating device (10) and a drying device (410). The coating device (10) and the drying device (410) may be sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the substrate (510).

[0072] The coating device (10) can perform a coating process for forming an electrode slurry layer (540) and an insulating layer (550). The coating device (10) can simultaneously discharge a first electrode slurry (521), a second electrode slurry (523), a first insulating liquid (531), and a second insulating liquid (533) toward the substrate (510) while the substrate (510) is being transported by the coating roll (180), thereby forming an electrode slurry layer (540) in which the first electrode slurry layer (541) and the second electrode slurry layer (543) are laminated, and an insulating layer (550) in which the first insulating layer (551) and the second insulating layer (553) are laminated.

[0073] The drying device (410) can perform a drying process on the electrode slurry layer (540) and the insulating layer (550). The drying device (410) can include a heat source configured to apply heat to the electrode slurry layer (540) and the insulating layer (550). For example, the drying device (410) can be configured to supply hot air to the electrode slurry layer (540) and the insulating layer (550).

[0074]

[0075] (Example 3)

[0076] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing an electrode according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing an electrode according to exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 10, a mixing process is performed to prepare a first electrode slurry (521), a second electrode slurry (523), a first insulating liquid (531), and a second insulating liquid (533) (S110). The first electrode slurry (521), the second electrode slurry (523), the first insulating liquid (531), and the second insulating liquid (533) can each be manufactured to have an intended material composition through the mixing process.

[0078] In exemplary embodiments, the first insulating liquid (531) and the second insulating liquid (533) may be manufactured to have different solid contents. In exemplary embodiments, the solid content of the second insulating liquid (533) may be greater than the solid content of the first insulating liquid (531).

[0079] In exemplary embodiments, the first electrode slurry (521) and the second electrode slurry (523) may be prepared to have different solid contents. In exemplary embodiments, the solid content of the first electrode slurry (521) may be greater than the solid content of the second electrode slurry (523). In exemplary embodiments, the binder content of the first electrode slurry (521) may be greater than the binder content of the second electrode slurry (523). In exemplary embodiments, the conductive material content of the first electrode slurry (521) may be greater than the conductive material content of the second electrode slurry (523).

[0080] After the first electrode slurry (521), the second electrode slurry (523), the first insulating liquid (531), and the second insulating liquid (533) are prepared, a coating process using a coating device (10) is performed to apply the first electrode slurry (521), the second electrode slurry (523), the first insulating liquid (531), and the second insulating liquid (533) on the substrate (510) (S120). The first electrode slurry (521) discharged from the coating die (101) can become a first electrode slurry layer (541) extending along the substrate (510), and the second electrode slurry (523) discharged from the coating die (101) can become a second electrode slurry layer (543) extending along the first electrode slurry layer (541). And, the first insulating liquid (531) discharged from the coating die (101) can become a first insulating layer (551) extending along the substrate (510), and the second insulating liquid (533) discharged from the coating die (101) can become a second insulating layer (553) extending along the first insulating layer (551).

[0081] In exemplary embodiments, the first insulating layer (551) may be formed from a first insulating liquid (531) having a general level of solid content, and the second insulating layer (553) may be formed from a second insulating liquid (533) having a relatively high level of solid content. In this case, the thickness of the second insulating layer (553) may be increased, so that the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) may be increased. Since the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) is increased, the contact area where the insulating layer (550) in a wet state and the electrode slurry layer (540) in a wet state meet may be increased, so that the sliding inhibition effect of the electrode slurry layer (540) may be improved.

[0082] After applying the electrode slurry layer (540) and the insulating layer (550) on the substrate (510) through a coating process, a drying process is performed on the electrode slurry layer (540) and the insulating layer (550) (S130). During the drying process, heat is applied to the electrode slurry layer (540) and the insulating layer (550), and the solvent of the electrode slurry layer (540) and the solvent of the insulating layer (550) can be removed.

[0083] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by simultaneously discharging a first electrode slurry (521), a second electrode slurry (523), a first insulating liquid (531), and a second insulating liquid (533) toward a substrate (510), an electrode sheet (500) having an electrode slurry layer (540) having a laminated structure in which a first electrode slurry layer (541) and a second electrode slurry layer (543) are laminated, and an insulating layer (550) having a laminated structure in which a first insulating layer (551) and a second insulating layer (553) are laminated can be manufactured.

[0084] In exemplary embodiments, the electrode manufacturing method may further include a roll pressing process for pressing the electrode sheet (500) by passing the electrode sheet (500) between a pair of rolling rolls, and a slitting and notching process for cutting the electrode sheet (500) into a predetermined shape and dimension.

[0085] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by forming one of the first insulating layer (551) and the second insulating layer (553) from an insulating liquid having a high solid content, the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) can be increased. Since the total thickness of the insulating layer (550) is increased, the contact area where the insulating layer (550) in a wet state and the electrode slurry layer (540) in a wet state meet increases, so that the sliding suppression effect of the electrode slurry layer (540) can be improved.

[0086] 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 electrode slurry discharge port for discharging a first electrode slurry, a first insulating liquid discharge port for discharging a first insulating liquid, a second electrode slurry discharge port for discharging a second electrode slurry, and a second insulating liquid discharge port for discharging a second insulating liquid; A first coating core inserted into the coating die and including a first electrode slurry channel communicating with the first electrode slurry discharge port and a first insulating liquid channel communicating with the first insulating liquid discharge port; and A second coating core inserted into the coating die and including a second electrode slurry channel communicating with the second electrode slurry discharge port and a second insulating liquid channel communicating with the second insulating liquid discharge port; Including, A coating device characterized in that the solid content of the first insulating liquid is different from the solid content of the second insulating liquid.

2. In paragraph 1, The above coating die, A first die block including a first manifold for receiving the first electrode slurry and a first internal passage communicating with the first insulating liquid passage of the first coating core; A second die block including a second manifold for receiving the second electrode slurry and a second internal passage communicating with the second insulating liquid passage of the second coating core; and A third die block located between the first die block and the second die block; Including, The first coating core is between the first die block and the third die block, A coating device characterized in that the second coating core is located between the second die block and the third die block.

3. In paragraph 1, A first insulating liquid supply unit for supplying the first insulating liquid to the coating die; and A second insulating liquid supply unit that supplies the second insulating liquid to the coating die; Including more, A coating device characterized in that the first insulating liquid supplied from the first insulating liquid supply unit and the second insulating liquid provided from the second insulating liquid supply unit have different solid contents.

4. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a coating roll for supporting the substrate being transported in the transport direction, The first insulating liquid discharge port and the second insulating liquid discharge port are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the substrate, A coating device characterized in that the solid content of the second insulating liquid is greater than the solid content of the first insulating liquid.

5. In paragraph 4, A coating device characterized in that the viscosity of the second insulating liquid is greater than the viscosity of the first insulating liquid.

6. In paragraph 4, The solid content of the first insulating liquid is between 10 wt% and 20 wt%, A coating device, characterized in that the solid content of the second insulating liquid is between 25 wt% and 30 wt%.

7. In paragraph 4, The first electrode slurry discharge port and the second electrode slurry discharge port are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the substrate, The first electrode slurry discharge port is arranged on one side of the first insulating liquid discharge port, A coating device characterized in that the second electrode slurry discharge port is arranged on one side of the second insulating liquid discharge port.

8. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a coating roll for supporting the substrate being transported in the transport direction, The first insulating liquid discharge port and the second insulating liquid discharge port are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the substrate, A coating device characterized in that the solid content of the first insulating liquid is greater than the solid content of the second insulating liquid.

9. In paragraph 8, A coating device characterized in that the viscosity of the first insulating liquid is greater than the viscosity of the second insulating liquid.

10. In paragraph 1, A coating device characterized in that the coating die is configured to simultaneously discharge the first electrode slurry, the second electrode slurry, the first insulating liquid, and the second insulating liquid toward the substrate.

11. In paragraph 10, The coating device is configured to apply a first electrode slurry layer formed from the first electrode slurry, a second electrode slurry layer formed from the second electrode slurry, a first insulating layer formed from the first insulating liquid, and a second insulating layer formed from the second insulating liquid onto a substrate, The second electrode slurry layer is laminated on the first electrode slurry layer, A coating device characterized in that the second insulating layer is laminated on the first insulating layer.

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