Secondary Battery Electrode Lamination With Thermal Aging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing method for secondary batteries faces a challenge in balancing process performance and battery performance, as strong lamination improves bonding strength but can lead to defects, while weak lamination results in reduced separator bonding strength and battery deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the lamination of an electrode assembly at a pressure of 5 kgf/cm² or more, followed by high-temperature aging of the preliminary battery at 60°C to 100°C for 1 to 6 hours, which includes charging, discharging, and a degassing process to enhance ion conductivity and prevent battery degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If lamination is strengthened to improve bonding strength between electrode and separator, then process performance is improved, but battery performance is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength between electrode and separatorVSAvoidbattery performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the lamination pressure from conventional high pressure (10-20 kgf/cm²) to a lower range (5-15 kgf/cm²), and by introducing a specific thermal treatment process (aging at 60-100°C for 1-6 hours) to achieve optimal bonding strength without compromising battery performance. This resolves the contradiction by finding an optimal parameter range that satisfies both process performance and battery performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If lamination is weakened to maintain battery performance, then battery performance is maintained, but bonding strength between electrode and separator is reduced causing defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidbonding strength between electrode and separator
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing thermal treatment (aging) at 60-100°C for 1-6 hours after lamination. This preliminary thermal treatment enhances the bonding strength between electrode and separator, allowing the use of lower lamination pressure (5-15 kgf/cm²) while still achieving sufficient bonding strength and maintaining battery performance. The thermal treatment compensates for the reduced mechanical bonding from lower pressure lamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly increases bonding strength between the electrode and separator, improves ion conductivity, and extends the battery's lifespan by reducing concentration polarization resistance and open circuit voltage, thereby enhancing both process and battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

a step (b) of laminating the electrode assembly at a pressure of 5 kgf/cm 2 or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a step (e) of thermally treating the preliminary battery by aging the preliminary battery at a high temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP4030516B1Method for manufacturing secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4030516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4030516B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4030516B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to the present invention comprises: a step (a) of alternately stacking an electrode and a separator to manufacture an electrode assembly; a step (b) of laminating the electrode assembly at a pressure of 5 kgf/cm2 or more to bond the electrode and the separator, which are provided in the electrode assembly, to each other; a step (c) of accommodating the electrode assembly in a battery case and injecting an electrolyte into the battery case to seal the battery case, thereby manufacturing a preliminary battery; a step (d) of charging and discharging the preliminary battery to activate the preliminary battery; and a step (e) of aging the preliminary battery at a high temperature of 60°C to 100°C for 1 hour to 6 hours to thermally treat the preliminary battery.