Cylindrical Battery Electrode Drying via Hot Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing process for cylindrical batteries is time-consuming and costly due to the lengthy drying process of electrode assemblies, which requires specialized equipment and storage facilities, hindering efficient mass production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hot air circulating drying process within a vacuum chamber, where the electrode assembly is heated to 80° C. to 120° C. using dry air or nitrogen, significantly reducing drying time and equipment complexity, allowing for faster production and simpler setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the electrode assembly is dried using conventional vacuum drying at high temperature for a long time, then the drying effectiveness is improved, but the production time and equipment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the drying parameters by introducing hot air circulation in addition to vacuum heating. The hot air temperature is controlled at 80-120°C and circulated at specific flow rates (0.5-5 m/s) to enhance moisture evaporation and removal efficiency, thereby reducing drying time while maintaining drying effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hot air circulation system with fans and nozzles to deliver heated air directly to the electrode assembly surface. This pneumatic approach accelerates moisture removal by creating forced convection currents that rapidly transport water vapor away from the drying surface, significantly reducing the drying time compared to conventional static vacuum drying
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized vacuum drying equipment and storage facilities are provided, then the drying quality is improved, but the equipment complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the heating function and drying function into a single integrated vacuum drying chamber. The hot air circulation system is integrated within the vacuum chamber, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment and storage facilities. This merging of functions reduces equipment complexity while maintaining drying quality
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum drying chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: vacuum sealing, heating, hot air circulation, and drying. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for specialized separate equipment for each function, thereby reducing overall equipment complexity and production cost while maintaining high drying quality
3Loss of substance
If the electrode assembly is dried for a long duration in vacuum and high temperature, then the moisture removal is improved, but the production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hot air circulation system operates continuously throughout the drying process, maintaining constant moisture removal action. The fan continuously circulates hot air over the electrode assembly surface, ensuring uninterrupted evaporation and moisture removal. This continuous useful action achieves thorough drying in shorter time, thereby improving production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process employs periodic cycles of vacuum sealing and hot air circulation. The system alternates between vacuum phases for moisture evaporation and hot air circulation phases for moisture removal, creating an efficient periodic action that accelerates the overall drying process while maintaining thorough moisture removal
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 a shorter drying time for cylindrical battery electrode assemblies, reducing production costs and time while maintaining the structural integrity of the electrodes, thus enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
introducing hot air into the chamber during the vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
hot air circulating drying step
Implementation Method 3
exhausting an interior of a chamber of a drying apparatus to a vacuum state
Implementation Method 4
heating the interior of the chamber by a heater prior to introducing the hot air
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical includes manufacturing an electrode assembly having a jelly roll structure by preparing a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator, and by interposing the separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and then spiral-winding the positive electrode plate, the negative electrode plate, and the separator; and drying the electrode assembly after manufacturing the electrode assembly. The drying of the electrode assembly may include a hot air circulating drying step. A drying apparatus is also provided.