Battery Electrode Drying Control for Foil Joint Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode drying processes lead to overdrying of uncoated foil connection portions during the manufacturing of battery electrodes, resulting in defects such as thermal wrinkles or cracking.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that control the operation of auxiliary heaters in the drying process by temporarily stopping and restarting them when a foil connection portion passes through the dryer, using a control unit to manage the heating elements based on coating stop and restart signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the auxiliary heater portion operates continuously in the drying process, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the uncoated foil connection portion becomes overdried causing thermal wrinkles or cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heater portion is controlled to dynamically adjust its operation state based on the position of the electrode sheet. It operates when coated portions pass through and stops when uncoated foil connection portions pass through, making the drying process adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives signals from the coating device about the position of the electrode sheet and uses this feedback information to control the auxiliary heater. When a stop signal is received indicating an uncoated portion is approaching, the auxiliary heater is controlled to stop operation to prevent overdrying.
2Reliability
If the auxiliary heater portion is stopped during foil connection portion passage, then overdrying is prevented, but the drying process time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The drying process applies different treatment to different parts of the electrode sheet. The auxiliary heater is selectively activated only when coated portions are in the drying portion, and deactivated when uncoated foil connection portions are present, providing localized quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary heater operates in a periodic manner, alternating between on and off states based on the periodic passage of coated and uncoated portions through the drying portion. This periodic control prevents continuous operation while maintaining overall drying efficiency.
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
Prevents overdrying of uncoated foil connection portions, thereby reducing defects like thermal wrinkles and cracking in battery electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary heater portion disposed in the drying portion and configured to dry the coated electrode sheet
Implementation Method 2
a drying portion for drying a coated electrode sheet; an auxiliary heater portion disposed in the drying portion and configured to dry the coated electrode sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for drying a battery electrode includes a drying portion for drying a coated electrode sheet; an auxiliary heater portion disposed in the drying portion and configured to dry the coated electrode sheet; and a control unit configured to control turning-off driving of the auxiliary heater portion in response that a coating stop is initiated for a foil connection portion of an electrode sheet to be coated, in which a prior foil and a subsequent foil are connected to each other, and to control redriving of the auxiliary heater portion in response that the foil connection portion passes through the drying portion and a coating restart is initiated.