Direct Heating Transporter for Secondary Battery Lamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery lamination processes using indirect heating are inefficient, requiring longer times and increasing production costs, while direct heating for short durations leads to defects due to friction.

Innovation Solution

A lamination device that directly heats a transporter contacting the web, allowing simultaneous heating and transportation of the electrode assembly, using a pair of rollers and a rotation belt to control heating time and prevent adhesion, with a protective film to prevent material separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If indirect heating by radiation and convection is used, then the web can be heated during transport, but the heating time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating timeVSAvoidprocess rate

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional indirect heating system (radiation and convection) with a direct heating system where a heater is attached directly to the web. This substitution of the heating mechanism dramatically reduces heating time from minutes to seconds, directly resolving the contradiction between adequate heating and production speed requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a heater as an intermediary element that is attached to the web surface. This mediator enables direct thermal contact between the heat source and the web, allowing rapid heating without requiring long transport distances or complex heating chambers, thus improving productivity while ensuring proper heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If direct heating is used to reduce heating time, then productivity increases, but friction between the web and heating portion causes defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating timeVSAvoiddefect rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heater that attaches to the web surface as an intermediary between the heat source and the web material. This mediator enables direct heating for high productivity while the controlled attachment mechanism prevents excessive friction and defects, resolving the contradiction between speed and quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the heating parameters by adjusting the heater temperature, contact pressure, and heating duration. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves rapid heating for high productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision and preventing friction-induced defects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If the web is moved over a long distance for heating, then heating time increases, but the scale of the heating device must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating timeVSAvoidheating device scale

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional approach of moving the web through a large heating chamber with a stationary heater that attaches directly to the web. This substitution eliminates the need for long heating paths and large-scale heating devices, resolving the contradiction between adequate heating and device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a spatial heating approach (long distance through heating chamber) to a temporal heating approach (direct contact for short duration). By changing the dimension of the heating process from spatial extension to time-based contact, the system achieves effective heating without requiring large device scale

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces lamination time, prevents defects, and enhances process efficiency by enabling direct thermal bonding of the cathode, separator, and anode, improving the operational properties of secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

the heater directly heats a region of the transporter contacting the web and thereby transfers a thermal bonding energy to the web

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heater to heat the web and thereby induce thermal bonding between the cathode, the separator and the anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2648260B1Device for laminating a secondary battery and method

Publication Date: 2019.10.23 LG CHEM LTD

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Figure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is a device for laminating an electrode assembly including a cathode, an anode and a separator interposed therebetween laminated in this order by thermal bonding, the device including an inlet, through which a web having the cathode/separator/anode laminate structure is fed, a heater to heat the web and thereby induce thermal bonding between the cathode, the separator and the anode, an outlet through which the thermally bonded web is discharged, and a transporter to transport the web through the inlet, the heater and the outlet, wherein the transporter imparts a transport driving force to the web in a state that the transporter contacts at least one of the top and the bottom of the web and the heater directly heats a region of the transporter contacting the web and thereby transfers thermal bonding energy to the web.