Electrode Sheet Drying Roll Layout for Non-Coated Wrinkle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode sheet drying apparatuses generate thermal wrinkles in the non-coated portions of electrodes due to differences in dryness and temperature, leading to reduced rigidity and potential defects.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a guide roll with a concave recess to maintain a predetermined distance from the non-coated portion and incorporates a cooling pipe to regulate temperature, preventing thermal wrinkles by spacing the non-coated portion from direct contact with the guide roll and providing targeted cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the entire electrode sheet is heated during drying, then uniform drying is achieved, but thermal wrinkles are generated in the non-coated portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying uniformityVSAvoidthermal wrinkles
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of coated and non-coated portions. The non-coated portion is selectively cooled using a cooling device (such as a cooling roll or air cooling system) while the coated portion undergoes normal heating drying. This localized differential treatment prevents thermal wrinkles in the non-coated area while maintaining drying uniformity in the coated area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by applying cooling to the non-coated portion before thermal wrinkles can fully develop. The cooling device is positioned to act on the non-coated area during the drying process, preemptively counteracting the thermal expansion and rigidity reduction that would otherwise cause wrinkle formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the non-coated portion is cooled selectively, then thermal wrinkles are prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal wrinklesVSAvoidcooling system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling function with the existing drying apparatus structure. The cooling device is integrated into the drying line, sharing space and operational control with the heating system. This consolidation reduces the overall device complexity compared to having completely separate cooling and drying systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device is designed to serve multiple purposes: preventing thermal wrinkles in the non-coated portion, controlling the temperature gradient across the electrode sheet, and potentially influencing the drying rate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

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

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 design effectively reduces thermal wrinkles and minimizes defects in the non-coated portions by maintaining a distance and cooling the non-coated areas, ensuring uniform drying and reducing migration phenomena.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling pipe (330) disposed and extending in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the guide roll (300) is located at the second concave recess (320)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heating means (200) provided at an upper part of the chamber (100), the heating means (200) being configured to adjust a temperature in the chamber (100) to a temperature necessary to dry the electrode sheet S

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4258376B1Electrode sheet drying apparatus capable of preventing thermal wrinkles in non-coated portion
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4258376B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4258376B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4258376B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode sheet drying apparatus capable of preventing thermal wrinkles in a non-coated portion, and more particularly to an electrode sheet drying apparatus for drying an electrode sheet including a pair of coated portions each having an electrode active material applied to one surface of metal foil and a non-coated portion located between the pair of coated portions, the non-coated portion having no electrode active material applied thereto, the electrode sheet drying apparatus including a chamber configured to dry the electrode sheet therein, the chamber having a rectangular structure, a heating means provided at an upper part of the chamber, the heating means being configured to adjust the temperature in the chamber to a temperature necessary to dry the electrode sheet, and at least one guide roll configured to guide movement of the electrode sheet in the chamber and to maintain a tension of the electrode sheet, the apparatus being configured such that a part of the electrode sheet is moved in a state of being spaced apart from the guide roll by a predetermined distance.