Integrated Electrode Drying and Slitting for Continuous Battery Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing secondary battery manufacturing process is inefficient due to the need for a separate drying process after slitting, which disrupts the continuous flow of operations and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
An integrated apparatus that combines drying and slitting functions within a single device, allowing for continuous processing of electrode sheets from unwinding to rewinding, thereby eliminating the need for additional drying steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate drying process is performed after slitting, then the electrode can be properly dried, but the manufacturing process becomes discontinuous and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying device and slitting device into a single integrated apparatus where the electrode sheet undergoes both drying and slitting in one continuous process. The drying unit dries the electrode sheet while the slitting unit simultaneously cuts it into unit electrode sheets, eliminating the need for separate drying and slitting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus enables continuous processing where the electrode sheet moves continuously through the drying unit and then through the slitting unit without interruption. This continuous action eliminates the discontinuous nature of separate processes, improving productivity while maintaining drying quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate processes are used for electrode manufacturing, then each process can be optimized independently, but the overall manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent processes (drying and slitting) into a single integrated apparatus that performs both functions simultaneously in one continuous operation, reducing total manufacturing time while maintaining process control through coordinated operation of both units.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying unit performs the drying action preliminarily before the slitting unit cuts the electrode sheet. This preliminary drying ensures that the electrode sheet is properly dried before slitting, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling continuous processing that reduces overall manufacturing time.
3Reliability
If separate drying and slitting facilities are used, then each facility can be optimized for its specific function, but the facility complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate drying and slitting facilities into a single integrated apparatus that houses both the drying unit and slitting unit. This integration reduces facility complexity and space requirements while maintaining the specialized functions of each unit through their coordinated operation within the same apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus serves multiple functions by incorporating both drying and slitting capabilities in one device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized facilities, reducing overall facility complexity while maintaining process reliability through dedicated functional units.
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 integrated approach significantly enhances productivity by reducing processing time, improving yield, and simplifying the manufacturing facility, leading to cost savings and increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating members provided in the drying space configured to directly heat a surface of the electrode sheet so as to dry moisture remaining on the electrode sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery may include an unwinding part configured to unwind an electrode sheet on which an electrode active material is applied and dried, a drying part provided behind the unwinding part and configured to receive the electrode sheet from the unwinding part so as to dry the electrode sheet, a slitting part provided behind the drying part and configured to receive the electrode sheet from the drying part so as to cut the electrode sheet, thereby forming a plurality of unit electrode sheets, and a rewinding part provided behind the slitting part and configured to receive the plurality of unit electrode sheets from the slitting part so as to wind the plurality of unit electrode sheets. Additionally, another example of the present invention includes a method for manufacturing a secondary battery.