Electrode Coating Apparatus with Localized Discharge Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrode coating apparatuses face issues with increased drying time and adhesion problems due to the fluidity of electrode slurry, leading to binder flow and reduced solid content, which affects the quality of secondary battery electrodes.

Innovation Solution

An electrode coating apparatus with a heating part that locally heats the discharge part to a temperature of 100° C to 130° C, starting the drying process from the initial discharge and reducing viscosity, thereby minimizing the drying zone and improving adhesion between the electrode and collector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrode slurry is applied using a slot die coater, then the slurry can be applied to the electrode sheet, but the drying time increases and the drying zone length increases, causing binder flow and adhesion deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating speedVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary heating to the discharge part of the slot die coater before the slurry is discharged. This pre-heating action prepares the discharge part to immediately begin drying the slurry upon discharge, eliminating the need for a long subsequent drying zone. The heating part heats the discharge part to a predetermined temperature, so that drying starts from the moment of discharge, thereby reducing overall drying time and preventing binder flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the drying zone is extended to ensure complete drying, then drying completeness is improved, but the apparatus length increases and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying completenessVSAvoiddrying zone length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge part is pre-heated to a predetermined temperature before slurry discharge, enabling immediate drying action at the discharge point. This preliminary heating ensures that drying begins instantly when slurry is discharged, achieving complete drying in a much shorter zone length compared to conventional methods where drying starts only after the slurry leaves the coater.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the discharge part to a predetermined high temperature, creating a thermal gradient that enables rapid evaporation of solvent from the slurry. This parameter change (temperature elevation) accelerates the drying rate significantly, allowing complete drying to occur in a compact space rather than requiring a long drying zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the discharge part is heated to high temperature, then drying efficiency is improved, but the heating energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidheating energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating part is designed to heat only the discharge part of the slot die coater to a predetermined temperature, rather than heating the entire apparatus or the slurry bulk. This localized heating approach concentrates energy input precisely where it is needed (at the discharge point where drying begins), achieving high drying efficiency while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to heating large volumes of material or entire processing zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 apparatus reduces overall drying time, minimizes binder flow, and increases solid content in the electrode slurry, enhancing the adhesion between the electrode and collector.

Implementation Method 1

The heating part may heat the discharge part by using a laser.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

When the heating part heats the discharge part, the storage part may be heated at a temperature less than that of the discharge part by heat conducted from the discharge part.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the drying of the electrode slurry may start from the initial discharge of the electrode slurry to reduce the overall drying time of the electrode slurry applied to the electrode collector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11024834B2Electrode coating apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode coating apparatus that is capable of adjusting a temperature of electrode slurry. Also, the electrode coating apparatus for applying electrode slurry to an electrode collector includes a storage part storing the electrode slurry, a discharge part discharging the electrode slurry stored in the storage part to the electrode collector, and a heating part heating the discharge part.