Secondary Battery Electrode Crack Formation for Electrolyte Penetration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to form appropriate cracks in secondary battery electrodes, which affects electrolyte penetration and electrode capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving drying, baking, and bending a current collector to form cracks in the electrode paste, with specific temperature and time conditions, ensuring cracks are 10% or greater in depth without reaching the collector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing methods are used to form cracks in electrodes, then the electrode structure is maintained intact, but appropriate cracks cannot be formed affecting electrolyte penetration and electrode capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the drying conditions (temperature, humidity, time) of the electrode paste to generate cracks with specific depth (10% or more of paste thickness) that do not reach the current collector. This precise control of drying parameters enables formation of appropriate cracks that improve electrolyte penetration while maintaining electrode structural reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by forming cracks in the electrode paste during the drying process before subsequent electrode assembly and battery manufacturing. This preliminary crack formation ensures that the electrode structure is pre-configured with appropriate pathways for electrolyte penetration, addressing the technical problem before the electrode is put into service
2Strength
If the electrode paste is dried and baked without bending, then the paste structure remains intact, but cracks do not form reducing electrode capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized cracks within the electrode paste layer through controlled bending after drying and baking. These cracks are formed only in the active material layer (at depth of 10% or more of paste thickness) without penetrating the current collector, thereby maintaining overall paste integrity while locally improving electrode capacity through enhanced electrolyte access
3Reliability
If cracks are formed too deep in the electrode paste, then electrolyte penetration is improved, but the current collector may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by forming cracks that extend to a depth of 10% or more of the electrode paste thickness but explicitly preventing them from reaching the current collector. This partial crack formation is sufficient to improve electrolyte penetration while avoiding the harmful effect of current collector damage that would occur with excessive crack depth
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
Enables effective electrolyte penetration and increased electrode capacity by forming appropriate cracks in the active material layer.
Implementation Method 1
drying an electrode paste formed on a surface of a current collector
Implementation Method 2
baking the electrode paste at a higher temperature than during the drying
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a secondary battery electrode includes: drying an electrode paste formed on a surface of a current collector; after drying the electrode paste, baking the electrode paste at a higher temperature than during the drying; and after baking the electrode paste, bending the current collector around a roller surface such that the surface of the current collector on which the electrode paste is formed is disposed at an outer side.