Electrode Drying Thermal Imaging for Widthwise Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the drying quality of electrodes in secondary batteries are insufficient, as they cannot accurately assess the drying quality across the entire electrode surface, leading to potential defects and inefficiencies in the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

An electrode drying system and method using a thermal imaging camera to capture real-time temperature distribution data in the width direction of the electrode, allowing for evaluation of drying quality and adjustment of drying conditions based on this data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single thermometer or infrared thermometer is used to measure surface temperature, then the measurement is simple, but the drying quality evaluation is insufficient and cannot cover the entire electrode surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying quality evaluation accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from point-based temperature measurement (1D/0D) to area-based temperature measurement (2D) by using a thermal imaging camera. This allows the entire electrode surface to be measured simultaneously, providing comprehensive drying quality evaluation across the width direction without requiring multiple thermometers arranged in a grid pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal imaging camera creates a thermal image copy of the electrode surface, which represents the temperature distribution across the entire surface. This visual copy allows operators to intuitively assess drying quality by observing temperature variations in different regions, eliminating the need for physical contact with multiple measurement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple thermometers are arranged to improve measurement coverage, then more regions can be measured, but it is still impossible to measure portions where thermometers are not arranged and cannot intuitively determine drying quality in the width direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying quality evaluation accuracyVSAvoiddrying quality assessment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal imaging camera provides a 2D visual representation of temperature distribution across the electrode width, allowing operators to intuitively assess drying quality by observing the thermal image. This eliminates the need to interpret data from multiple discrete thermometer readings and provides immediate visual feedback on drying uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal imaging camera uses color variations to represent different temperature levels across the electrode surface. This visual encoding makes it easy to identify regions with inadequate drying (lower temperatures) versus properly dried regions (higher temperatures), significantly improving the ease of operation and drying quality assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If conventional temperature measurement methods are used, then the process is simple, but real-time evaluation of drying quality across the entire electrode surface is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoiddrying quality evaluation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal imaging camera continuously captures thermal images of the electrode during the drying process, enabling real-time monitoring of drying quality. This continuous measurement approach allows for immediate detection of drying defects and及时调整 of drying parameters, improving both productivity through faster defect detection and measurement precision through comprehensive surface coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses thermal imaging to provide real-time feedback on drying quality by visualizing temperature distribution across the electrode surface. This feedback mechanism enables operators to immediately identify regions with inadequate drying and adjust drying conditions accordingly, improving both manufacturing efficiency and drying quality evaluation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables real-time evaluation of electrode drying quality, reducing process defects and losses by detecting deviations in drying across the electrode surface, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal imaging camera which photographs a surface of the electrode in real time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4106041B1Electrode drying system and electrode drying method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4106041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4106041B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4106041B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for drying an electrode, and the system includes: a drying unit which dries an electrode which is moving on a transfer line; a thermal imaging camera which photographs a surface of the electrode in real time; a calculation unit which stores an image taken by the thermal imaging camera, and generates temperature distribution data in a width direction of the electrode from the image; and an output unit which outputs the image and the temperature distribution data in a width direction of the electrode.