Belt-Shaped Electrode Plate Cooling Rolls for Wrinkle Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing belt-shaped electrode plates, such as those used in lithium-ion batteries, often result in wrinkles due to inadequate cooling techniques, leading to defects and inefficiencies in the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple cooling rolls that gradually cool the electrode plate while it is bent, with the contact length between the rolls and the plate being shorter as the temperature difference increases, to prevent sudden temperature drops and bending-induced wrinkles, and to minimize friction and powder formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the temperature of the guide roll is increased to prevent wrinkles, then wrinkle prevention is improved, but the electrode plate remains hot and requires longer cooling distance, resulting in apparatus elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling process is segmented into multiple stages by using multiple cooling rolls with different temperatures. The first cooling roll provides initial cooling with a larger temperature difference, followed by subsequent cooling rolls that progressively reduce the temperature. This segmentation allows effective wrinkle prevention without requiring excessive cooling distance, as each roll handles a specific portion of the cooling task.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the cooling rolls, specifically setting the first cooling roll to have a higher temperature than conventional single-stage cooling rolls. By controlling the temperature difference between the guide roll and the electrode plate to be within a specific range (5-50°C), the patent achieves effective wrinkle prevention while limiting the apparatus length.
2Reliability
If the guide roll is placed far from the drying furnace outlet, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the electrode plate bends downward due to gravity, causing wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The first cooling roll is positioned relatively close to the drying furnace outlet to provide preliminary cooling action while the electrode plate is still warm and more pliable. This preliminary cooling prevents excessive bending before the cooling process is fully effective, and subsequent cooling rolls continue the cooling process as the plate is supported and conveyed through the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling rolls act as intermediaries that progressively cool the electrode plate while providing mechanical support. The rolls are arranged to contact the plate at different positions, ensuring that the plate remains supported and does not bend downward due to gravity, while still achieving effective cooling.
3Device complexity
If a single cooling roll is used, then apparatus complexity is reduced, but wrinkle prevention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple rolls with different temperature characteristics. The first cooling roll has a specific temperature range (5-50°C difference from the plate) optimized for initial wrinkle prevention, while subsequent rolls provide additional cooling. This segmentation achieves superior wrinkle prevention compared to a single roll, while the overall system remains relatively simple in structure.
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 effectively prevents wrinkles and ensures a smooth, defect-free manufacturing process by stepwise cooling and proper alignment of cooling rolls, enhancing the quality and reliability of the electrode plates.
Implementation Method 1
n pieces of cooling rolls configured to cool down the belt-shaped electrode plate by making contact with the belt-shaped electrode plate
Implementation Method 2
drying the wet active material layer by heating in a drying furnace
Implementation Method 3
drying the wet active material layer by heating in a drying furnace
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method of a belt-shaped electrode plate includes: forming an active material layer by drying a wet active material layer by heating in a drying furnace; and bringing n pieces of cooling rolls or the like into contact with the belt-shaped electrode plate carried out from the drying furnace, so as to cool down the belt-shaped electrode plate by the cooling rolls or the like while the belt-shaped electrode plate is bent in the thickness direction and conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the cooling rolls or the like. The n pieces of cooling rolls or the like are disposed such that a contact length is shorter as a temperature difference of the belt-shaped electrode plate is larger.