Z-Fold Battery Cell Stacking With Adhesive-Guided Separator Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Z-folding type battery cell manufacturing processes face issues with electrodes separating from prescribed positions due to inadequate adhesion between electrodes and separator sheets, leading to reduced adhesive strength and heat transmission problems.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell manufacturing apparatus and method that includes a separator guide with a concave part, upper nozzles for applying adhesive to electrodes and separator sheets, and pressure rollers to ensure proper alignment and adhesion, preventing electrode separation by applying adhesive to both upper and lower portions of electrodes and separator sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an additional lamination process is performed after stacking the electrode and separator sheet in Z-folding type, then the adhesive strength between electrode and separator sheet is improved, but the overall thickness of the stacked body becomes thick, causing heat transmission problems and lowering adhesive strength
Solution Approach 1:
The lamination process is divided into multiple thin lamination sheets rather than one thick sheet, allowing heat to transmit through the gaps between sheets while maintaining adhesive strength through distributed bonding layers
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing thickness in the vertical direction to improve adhesion, the solution uses multiple thin sheets distributed in the vertical direction with spacing, effectively using the vertical dimension differently to maintain adhesion while enabling heat transmission
2Reliability
If an additional lamination process is performed to improve adhesive strength, then the electrode separation problem is solved, but the process complexity increases and electrode separation may occur during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The lamination sheets are integrated into the separator sheet structure itself, combining the separator function with the lamination/adhesion function into a single component, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining electrode alignment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The separator sheet serves multiple functions: it acts as both the separator between electrodes and as the lamination structure that provides adhesive strength and prevents electrode separation during handling and operation
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
The solution effectively prevents electrode separation, enhances process efficiency, and improves the stiffness and quality of battery cells by ensuring proper adhesion and alignment during the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of upper nozzles that apply an adhesive to at least a part of the separator sheet passing between the pair of separator guides
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell includes an electrode reel, a separator reel, a table, a pair of separator guides, and a pair of upper nozzles. An electrode sheet on which a plurality of electrodes is formed is configured to be unwound from the electrode reel. A separator sheet is configured to be unwound from the separator reel. The separator sheet is configured to be folded when the electrode is placed, to cover the electrode and to being-stacked with the electrode. The electrode and the separator sheet are placed to overlie the table. The pair of separator guides are configured to guide a folding direction of the separator sheet. The pair of upper nozzles are configured to apply an adhesive to at least a part of the separator sheet passing between the pair of separator guides.