Battery Electrode Insulation Coating with Wet Thickness Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery manufacturing methods face challenges in precisely controlling the thickness and position of insulation coatings on battery electrodes, leading to inefficiencies in material usage, time, and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for real-time estimation and control of insulation coating thickness by determining the indicative wet thickness of the insulator material during deposition, allowing for accurate adaptation of the deposition process to achieve precise positioning and deposition of the solid insulation coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional insulation coating deposition methods are used, then the coating can be applied to the substrate, but the thickness and position control of the insulation coating is imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness and position control of insulation coatingVSAvoidmeasurement capability during deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of the wet thickness during the deposition process itself, before the coating is fully dried. This allows the thickness to be measured and adjusted during application, ensuring precise final thickness and position control without requiring post-processing measurements or adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system provides real-time feedback on the wet thickness of the insulation coating during deposition. This feedback loop enables continuous adjustment of the deposition parameters to maintain the desired thickness and position, directly improving manufacturing precision through active control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If conventional deposition processes are used without real-time measurement, then the process is simpler, but material usage, time, and energy consumption are inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deposition system performs self-measurement of the coating thickness during the process using integrated sensors. This self-service capability allows the system to automatically monitor and adjust its own operation, improving efficiency through real-time optimization without requiring complex external measurement and control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical measurement and adjustment mechanisms with optical or electromagnetic sensing methods. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while enabling precise real-time measurement and control of the insulation coating deposition process, improving overall manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables precise control of insulation coating deposition, reducing material, time, and energy requirements while improving the quality of battery products, thereby enhancing manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

depositing an insulator material on the substrate and/or on the active material such as to extend over a boundary between the active material and the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

wherein the liquid component of the insulator material evaporates in the course of manufacturing a battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4333089A1Battery manufacturing method and system
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4333089A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4333089A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4333089A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a battery, particularly a secondary battery. An active material is deposited on a substrate. An insulator material is deposited on the substrate such as to extend over a boundary between the active material and the substrate. The insulator material includes an insulator component and a liquid component. A indicative wet thickness of the insulator material is determined at a position on the substrate that is offset from the boundary by a characteristic measurement distance. The depositing of the insulator material is adapted as a function of the indicative wet thickness.