Electrode Drying Oven Moisture Preconditioning for Stable Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed and high-loading electrode production leads to temperature instability in drying ovens, causing electrodes to peel or crack due to over-drying, resulting in decreased productivity and operational issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrode drying method and apparatus that includes a moisture supply unit to stabilize the internal temperature of the drying oven by measuring and adjusting the temperature using evaporation heat, ensuring the electrode is dried at a consistent reference value, preventing over-drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed and high-loading production is implemented, then productivity is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates causing electrode peeling or cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture supply unit operates before the electrode enters the drying oven to pre-cool the internal space. By supplying moisture in advance and allowing it to evaporate, the system pre-adjusts the temperature to the reference value, preventing temperature fluctuations during the actual drying process and eliminating electrode defects caused by temperature instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of evaporation heat (which causes temperature drops and electrode defects) into a beneficial pre-cooling mechanism. By intentionally supplying moisture before drying, the evaporation heat is used to lower the temperature to the optimal reference value, transforming a problem into a solution that ensures stable drying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Manufacturing precision

If the drying oven interior is thermally stabilized, then drying performance is improved, but the hot air temperature drops by 5°C to 10°C below the set temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying performanceVSAvoidhot air temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature adjustment by supplying moisture before the electrode enters. This pre-action ensures that when the electrode undergoes drying, the temperature remains stable at the reference value without dropping below the set temperature, thereby maintaining both drying performance and temperature accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the internal temperature of the drying oven and adjusts the moisture supply rate accordingly. When the temperature deviates from the reference value, the controller modifies the moisture supply to restore temperature stability, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains precise temperature control throughout the drying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If moisture is supplied to cool the accommodation space, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture supply unit is integrated into the existing drying apparatus structure, serving multiple functions: cooling the accommodation space, adjusting temperature to reference values, and preventing electrode defects. This multi-functional design adds minimal structural complexity while achieving comprehensive temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the evaporation heat of supplied moisture itself to achieve cooling, eliminating the need for separate cooling mechanisms. The moisture supply unit leverages the natural evaporation process to lower and stabilize temperature, reducing the need for additional active cooling components and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method effectively maintains a stable drying environment, preventing electrode peeling or cracking and ensuring consistent drying performance by adjusting the internal temperature before the drying process begins, thereby enhancing productivity.

Implementation Method 1

spraying, by a moisture supply unit, moisture into the accommodation space to cool the accommodation space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation heat: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

determining, by a controller, whether or not the internal temperature of the accommodation space has reached the reference value by evaporation heat of the moisture supplied into the accommodation space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation heat of moisture: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4001815B1Electrode drying device equipped with water supply part, and method for drying electrode using same
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4001815B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4001815B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4001815B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electrode drying apparatus including a moisture supply unit capable of setting the internal temperature of a drying oven to a reference value, which is a level at which the drying of an electrode to be dried is stabilized, before an electrode drying process using hot air is started, thereby preventing the electrode from being fractured by over-drying at the early stage of drying the electrode in the drying oven, and an electrode drying method using the same.