Slot die coater

Abstract

A slot die coater according to the present disclosure may comprise: a first die block including a manifold having an inner space filled with slurry; a second die block disposed to face the first die block; a discharge portion defined between the first die block and the second die block and including a discharge port through which the slurry filling the manifold is discharged; and a shim provided in the discharge portion, coupled to the first die block or the second die block, and configured to guide a slurry discharge pattern, wherein the shim comprises a first coupling portion configured to be elastically deformable to correspond to the structure of a counterpart when coupled to the first die block or the second die block.

Description

Slot die coater

[0001] The present invention relates to a slot die coater. The present application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0183053 filed on December 10, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of the specification.

[0002] 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 necessarily include electrode assemblies, which are power generation elements. The electrode assembly has a form in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are stacked at least once, and the positive electrode and negative electrode are manufactured by coating and drying a positive active material slurry and a negative active material slurry, respectively, onto a current collector made of aluminum foil and copper foil. As the positive active material for these secondary batteries, lithium-containing manganese oxides such as layered crystal structure lithium-containing cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), layered crystal structure LiMnO2, and spinel crystal structure LiMn2O4, as well as lithium-containing nickel oxide (LiNiO2), are generally used. In addition, carbon-based materials are mainly used as the negative active material; however, due to the recent increase in demand for high-energy lithium secondary batteries, the mixed use of silicon-based materials and silicon oxide-based materials, which have an effective capacity more than 10 times that of carbon-based materials, is being considered. In order to make the charge and discharge characteristics of a secondary battery uniform, the positive active material slurry and the negative active material slurry must be evenly coated on the current collector, and a slot die coater has been used conventionally.

[0003] These slot die coaters include an upper die block, a lower die block, and a shim that guides the discharge shape of the slurry from the upper die block and the lower die block.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a conventional core (30'). The core (30') includes a coupling hole (H') into which a pin (P') is inserted, and the core (30') is coupled by the coupling hole (H') being inserted into a pin (P') formed in an upper die or a lower die. Due to assembly tolerances in this coupling process, the position of the core is not consistent, resulting in differences in assembly quality among workers, excessive time required for position adjustment, or the core coupled to the upper die or lower die moving slightly.

[0005] The present invention was devised in consideration of the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a slot die coater comprising a shim configured to have enhanced fixing power and small assembly tolerance.

[0006] A slot die coater according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first die block including a manifold in which a slurry is filled in an internal space, a second die block disposed to face the first die block, a discharge section defined between the first die block and the second die block and including a discharge port through which the slurry filled in the manifold is discharged, and a shim provided in the discharge section and configured to guide the discharge shape of the slurry by being coupled to the first die block or the second die block, wherein the shim may have a first coupling section configured to be elastically deformed in correspondence with the structure of the mating object when coupled to the first die block or the second die block.

[0007] A first die block or a second die block coupled to a core is provided with a first coupling pin and a second coupling pin, and the core includes a second coupling hole configured to receive the second coupling pin, and the first coupling portion of the core may include a first coupling hole configured to receive the first coupling pin and a first peripheral hole spaced apart from the first coupling hole but formed to surround at least a portion of the first coupling hole to deform the first coupling hole.

[0008] The first coupling part may include a first elastic moving part that is elastically movable and provided between the first coupling hole and the first peripheral hole.

[0009] The first coupling hole may include a first center hole into which a first coupling pin is inserted and a first straight hole formed extending in opposite directions from the first center hole.

[0010] The first peripheral hole may include a first center peripheral hole provided to surround the first center hole and a second straight hole extending in opposite directions from the first center peripheral hole and parallel to the first straight hole.

[0011] The second coupling hole may have an elongated shape so that the second coupling pin inserted inside can move.

[0012] The first coupling hole of the first coupling part may be provided between the first peripheral hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling part.

[0013] The maximum distance between the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling part before elastic deformation may be shorter than the maximum distance between the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin.

[0014] The second coupling pin can be closely attached to the inner circumference of the second coupling hole, on the side further from the first coupling hole.

[0015] The first peripheral hole of the first coupling part may be provided between the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling part.

[0016] The minimum distance between the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling part before elastic deformation may be greater than the minimum distance between the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin.

[0017] The second coupling pin can be in close contact with the inner surface adjacent to the first peripheral hole of the second coupling hole.

[0018] The slot die coater may further include a second peripheral hole that is spaced apart from the second coupling hole and formed to surround at least a portion of the second coupling hole to deform the second coupling hole.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the shim is stably fixed to the die block without shaking, and the assembly tolerance can be reduced when the shim is coupled to the die block. Accordingly, the shim does not move on the die block, so the time required to adjust the position of the shim during the process of combining the first die block, the shim, and the second die block can be shortened, and the difference in assembly quality between workers can be minimized.

[0020] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a conventional core.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a slot die coater according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a slot die coater according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exemplary cross-section of a slot die coater according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a first die block included in a slot die coater according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIGS. 6 and 7 are drawings showing a core included in a slot die coater according to an embodiment of the present invention and the core in an elastically deformed state.

[0026] FIGS. 8 to 11 are drawings illustrating the process of a shim included in a slot die coater according to an embodiment of the present invention being coupled to a first die block.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a shim included in a slot die coater according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIGS. 13 to 16 are drawings illustrating the process of a shim included in a slot die coater according to another embodiment of the present invention being coupled to a first die block.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a shim included in a slot die coater according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Prior to the detailed description of the present invention, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, they should be interpreted in a sense and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. 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 aspects of the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications capable of replacing them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0031] Identical reference numbers or symbols in each drawing attached to this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function. For convenience of explanation and understanding, the same reference numbers or symbols may be used to describe different embodiments. That is, even if components having the same reference number are depicted in multiple drawings, the multiple drawings do not all represent a single embodiment.

[0032] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "comprising" or "constituting" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] In addition, it should be noted in advance that expressions such as upper side, top, lower side, bottom, side, front, and rear in the following description are based on the direction depicted in the drawings, and may be expressed differently if the direction of the object changes.

[0034] Additionally, in this specification and claims, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to distinguish between components. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from one another, and the meaning of the terms should not be limited by the use of such ordinal numbers. For example, the order of use or arrangement of components combined with such ordinal numbers should not be limited by the number. If necessary, each ordinal number may be used interchangeably.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented. For example, a person skilled in the art who understands the scope of the present invention may propose other embodiments that fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention by adding, changing, or deleting components, and such embodiments shall also be deemed to be within the scope of the concept of the present invention. In the drawings, the shapes and sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a slot die coater (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a slot die coater (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exemplary cross-section of a slot die coater (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the slot die coater (1) may include a die block and a shim (30).

[0038] A slot die coater (1) may be a device that coats a substrate (not shown) by discharging a slurry onto a substrate (not shown) through a discharge port (O). A coating roll (not shown) that is rotatable is arranged in front of the slot die coater (1). When the coating roll (not shown) rotates and the substrate (not shown) travels along the coating roll (not shown), the slurry is applied to the substrate (not shown) through the discharge port (O), thereby coating the substrate (not shown).

[0039] There may be two or more die blocks, and as shown in FIG. 2, they may include a first die block (10) and a second die block (20). The first die block (10) may be, for example, a block located at the bottom (negative direction of the Z-axis) of the die blocks (10, 20). The second die block (20) may be, for example, a block located at the top (positive direction of the Z-axis) of the die blocks (10, 20). The first die block (10) and the second die block (20) may be joined by a bolt (B). The die blocks (10, 20) may be provided with a fastening groove (H1, see FIG. 5) through which the bolt (B) can pass and / or be joined.

[0040] The first die block (10) may include a manifold (M) in which slurry is filled into the internal space. The manifold (M) may be connected to a slurry supply chamber (not shown) and a supply pipe (not shown) installed externally to receive slurry. The manifold (M) may be formed in at least one of at least two die blocks (10, 20). That is, the manifold (M) may be formed in the first die block (10) located at the bottom as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, or in another embodiment, it may be formed in the second die block (20) located at the top.

[0041] A discharge section (A) may be defined between the first die block (10) and the second die block (20). The discharge section (A) may be a space formed between the first die block (10) and the second die block (20). The discharge section (A) may be a space between the upper surface of the first die block (10) and the lower surface of the second die block (20). When the manifold (M) is filled with slurry, the slurry may be discharged to the outside through the discharge section (A). The discharge section (A) may include a discharge port (O) at its end through which the slurry is discharged. That is, the discharge port (O) may be the end of the discharge section (A) where the slurry finally flows out.

[0042] A shim (30) may be provided in the discharge section (A). The shim (30) may be coupled to the first die block (10) or the second die block (20). The shim (30) may be configured to guide the discharge shape of the slurry. The shim (30) may control the width (distance along the X-axis) and position where the slurry is discharged. For example, the distance between mutually adjacent shims (30) may be the width where the slurry is discharged, and when three shims (30) are provided as in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the position where the slurry is discharged may be two areas between mutually adjacent shims (30). The shim (30) may be in the shape of a plate. The shim (30) may have a thickness corresponding to the height of the discharge section (A). As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge section (A) may be formed through a step structure of at least one of the first die block (10) and the second die block (20), and the height of the step may be the height of the discharge section (A). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge section (A) may be formed by a body shim (C) additionally provided between the first die block (10) and the second die block (20), and the thickness of the body shim (C) may be the height of the discharge section (A).

[0043] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a first die block (10) included in a slot die coater (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, the first die block (10) or the second die block (20) may be provided with a first connecting pin (P1) and a second connecting pin (P2).

[0045] The first coupling pin (P1) and the second coupling pin (P2) may be provided on the upper surface of the first die block (10) where the discharge section (A) is defined, or on the lower surface of the second die block (20), that is, on the surface facing the opposite die block. The first coupling pin (P1) and the second coupling pin (P2) may be spaced apart from each other. The first coupling pin (P1) and the second coupling pin (P2) may be cylindrical in shape. There may be multiple first coupling pins (P1) and second coupling pins (P2).

[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 are drawings showing a core (30) included in a slot die coater (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention and the core (30) in an elastically deformed state. The core (30) shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown based on the core (30) coupled to the slot die coater (1) shown in FIG. 3, and by referring to the following description, it may be possible to anticipate the elastically deformed state of the core (30) included in the slot die coater (1) shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7, the shim (30) may include a first coupling part (310) and a second coupling hole (330).

[0048] The first coupling part (310) may be configured to be elastically deformed in response to the structure of the mating part when coupled to the first die block (10) or the second die block (20). The first coupling part (310) may include a first coupling hole (311), a first peripheral hole (313), and a first elastic moving part (315).

[0049] The first coupling hole (311) may be configured to allow the first coupling pin (P1) to be inserted. The first coupling hole (311) may include a first center hole (311A) and a first straight hole (311B). The first center hole (311A) may allow the first coupling pin (P1) to be inserted. The first center hole (311A) may correspond to the shape of the first coupling pin (P1). The first center hole (311A) may be circular. The first straight hole (311B) may be formed by extending in opposite directions from the first center hole (311A). There may be two first straight holes (311B). The first center hole (311A) and the first straight hole (311B) may be connected.

[0050] The first peripheral hole (313) may be spaced apart from the first coupling hole (311). The first peripheral hole (313) may be formed to surround at least a portion of the first coupling hole (311). The first peripheral hole (313) may deform the first coupling hole (311). The first peripheral hole (313) may include a first center peripheral hole (313A) and a second straight hole (313B). The first center peripheral hole (313A) may be formed to surround the first center hole (311A). The first center peripheral hole (313A) may be spaced apart from the first center hole (311A). The second straight hole (313B) may be formed extending in opposite directions from the first center peripheral hole (313A). The second straight hole (313B) may be parallel to the first straight hole (311B). The second straight hole (313B) may be spaced apart from the first straight hole (311B). There may be two second straight holes (313B). The first center peripheral hole (313A) and the second straight hole (313B) may be connected.

[0051] Due to the relative arrangement of the first coupling hole (311) and the first peripheral hole (313) as described above, the first elastic moving part (315) provided between the first coupling hole (311) and the first peripheral hole (313) can be elastically movable. The first elastic moving part (315) can move elastically between the first coupling hole (311) and the first peripheral hole (313). The first elastic moving part (315) moves elastically between the first coupling hole (311) and the first peripheral hole (313) and can deform the first coupling hole (311) and / or the first peripheral hole (313). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the first elastic moving part (315) can move downward (in the negative direction of the Y-axis) to deform the first coupling hole (311) so that it expands and the first peripheral hole (313) so that it contracts. The first elastic moving part (315) can move using two points between the end of the first straight hole (311B) and the end of the second straight hole (313B) as fixed axes.

[0052] The core (30) may be provided with a fastening hole (H2) through which a bolt (B, see FIG. 4) can pass and be joined.

[0053] The second coupling hole (330) may be configured to allow the second coupling pin (P2) to be inserted. The second coupling hole (330) may have an elongated shape so that the second coupling pin (P2) inserted inside can move. The elongated shape may be formed such that the extension of the long axis is positioned toward the first coupling hole (311).

[0054] According to this configuration of the present invention, the core (30) is stably fixed to the die block without shaking, and the assembly tolerance can be reduced when the core (30) is coupled to the die block. Hereinafter, the process of coupling the core (30) to the die block will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIGS. 8 to 11 are drawings showing the process of coupling the core (30) included in the slot die coater (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention to the first die block (10). The core (30) shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is shown based on the core (30) included in the slot die coater (1) shown in FIG. 3, and by referring to the following description, it is possible to anticipate the appearance of the core (30) included in the slot die coater (1) shown in FIG. 2 being coupled to the first die block (10). Referring to FIG. 8, the first coupling hole (311) of the first coupling part (310) may be provided between the first peripheral hole (313) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310). The maximum distance (L1) between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310) before elastic deformation may be shorter than the maximum distance (L2) between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1). However, since the core (30) is made of a metal material, the difference between the maximum distance (L1) between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310) and the maximum distance (L2) between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1) as shown in FIG. 8 may be exaggerated and may actually be a finer difference. Referring to FIG. 9, with the first coupling pin (P1) inserted into the first coupling hole (311), the shim (30) can be pulled upward (positive direction of the Y-axis) to move the first elastic moving part (315) downward (negative direction of the Y-axis).As a result, referring to FIG. 10, the maximum distance between the first coupling hole (311) of the first coupling part (310) and the second coupling hole (330) becomes greater than the maximum distance between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1), so that the second coupling pin (P2) can be inserted into the second coupling hole (330). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the force pulling the core (30) is released, the elastic force of the elastically moved first elastic moving part (315) acts on the first coupling pin (P1), and a reaction force can act on the second coupling pin (P2) that is in close contact with the inner circumference of the second coupling hole (330) far from the first coupling hole (311) by the amount of the elastic force. Accordingly, the maximum distance between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310) becomes equal to the maximum distance between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1), so that the shim (30) can be stably fixed and coupled to the first die block (10). Accordingly, the shim (30) does not move its position on the first die block (10), so the time required to adjust the position of the shim (30) during the process of coupling the first die block (10), the shim (30), and the second die block (20) can be shortened, and the difference in assembly quality between workers can be minimized.

[0055] Various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 17 will be described in more detail below.

[0056] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a shim (31) included in a slot die coater (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 to 16 are drawings showing the process of a shim (31) included in a slot die coater (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention being coupled to a first die block (10). The shim (30) shown in FIG. 12 to 16 is shown based on the shim (30) included in the slot die coater (1) shown in FIG. 3, and by referring to the following description, it may be possible to anticipate the appearance of the shim (30) included in the slot die coater (1) shown in FIG. 2 being coupled to the first die block (10).

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 16, in the above-described embodiment, the first peripheral hole (313) of the first coupling part (310) may be provided between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310), and the remaining components may be the same and thus the description thereof may be substituted.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 12, the first peripheral hole (313) of the first coupling part (310) may be provided between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310). The minimum distance (L4) between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310) before elastic deformation may be greater than the minimum distance (L3) between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1). Referring to FIG. 14, with the first coupling pin (P1) inserted into the first coupling hole (311), the shim (31) can be pulled downward (negative direction of the Y-axis) to move the first elastic moving part (315) upward (positive direction of the Y-axis). As a result, with reference to FIG. 15, the minimum distance between the first coupling hole (311) of the first coupling part (310) and the second coupling hole (330) becomes smaller than the minimum distance between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1), so that the second coupling pin (P2) can be inserted into the second coupling hole (330). Then, as shown in FIG. 16, when the force pulling the core (31) is released, the elastic force of the elastically moved first elastic moving part (315) acts on the first coupling pin (P1), and a reaction force can act on the second coupling pin (P2) that is in close contact with the inner circumference adjacent to the first peripheral hole (313) of the second coupling hole (330) by the amount of the elastic force. Accordingly, the maximum distance between the first coupling hole (311) and the second coupling hole (330) of the first coupling part (310) becomes equal to the maximum distance between the second coupling pin (P2) of the first coupling pin (P1), so that the shim (31) can be stably fixed and coupled to the first die block (10).

[0059] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a shim (35) included in a slot die coater (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 17, the slot die coater (1) may further include a second peripheral hole (333) that is spaced apart from the second coupling hole (330) but is formed to surround at least a portion of the second coupling hole (330) to deform the second coupling hole (330). Features regarding the second peripheral hole (333) can be anticipated from the description of the first peripheral hole (313) described above.

[0061] As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is evident to those skilled in the art that many various obvious variations are possible from this description without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be interpreted by the claims described to include examples of such many variations.

Claims

1. A first die block including a manifold in which a slurry is filled into the internal space; A second die block positioned to face the first die block; A discharge section defined between the first die block and the second die block, comprising a discharge port through which a slurry filled in the manifold is discharged; It includes a shim provided in the discharge section and coupled to the first die block or the second die block to guide the discharge shape of the slurry. The above core is, A slot die coater having a first coupling portion configured to be elastically deformed in correspondence with the structure of a mating object when coupled to the first die block or the second die block.

2. In Paragraph 1, The first die block or the second die block combined with the above core is, It is equipped with a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin, The above-mentioned core includes a second coupling hole configured to allow the second coupling pin to be inserted, and the first coupling portion of the core is, A first coupling hole configured to insert the first coupling pin; and A slot die coater comprising a first peripheral hole that is spaced apart from the first coupling hole and formed to surround at least a portion of the first coupling hole to deform the first coupling hole.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above first coupling part is, A slot die coater comprising a first elastic moving part provided between the first coupling hole and the first peripheral hole and capable of elastic movement.

4. In Paragraph 2, The above-mentioned first coupling hole is, A first center hole into which the first coupling pin is inserted; and A slot die coater comprising a first straight hole formed by extending in opposite directions from the first center hole.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above-mentioned first peripheral hole is, A first center peripheral hole provided to surround the first center hole; and A slot die coater comprising a second straight hole extending in opposite directions from the first center peripheral hole and parallel to the first straight hole.

6. In Paragraph 2, The above second coupling hole is, A slot die coater having an elongated hole shape so that the second coupling pin inserted inside can move.

7. In Paragraph 2, The first coupling hole of the first coupling part is, A slot die coater provided between the first peripheral hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling portion.

8. In Paragraph 2, The maximum distance between the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling part before elastic deformation is, A slot die coater shorter than the maximum distance between the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin.

9. In Paragraph 2, The above second connecting pin is, A slot die coater that is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second coupling hole that is far from the first coupling hole.

10. In Paragraph 2, The first peripheral hole of the first coupling part is, A slot die coater provided between the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling portion.

11. In Paragraph 2, The minimum distance between the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole of the first coupling part before elastic deformation is, A slot die coater with a minimum distance greater than the distance between the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin.

12. In Paragraph 2, The above second connecting pin is, A slot die coater that adheres to the inner surface adjacent to the first peripheral hole of the second coupling hole.

13. In Paragraph 2, A slot die coater further comprising a second peripheral hole that is spaced apart from the second coupling hole and formed to surround at least a portion of the second coupling hole to deform the second coupling hole.

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