Electrode Dryness Inspection Using Tilted Diffuse Reflectance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrode dryness measurement methods are affected by changes in measurement angle due to electrode shaking during drying, leading to inaccurate reflectance measurements and difficulties in assessing dryness, especially when specular reflection is used.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing diffuse reflection with a collimating lens tilted at 10 to 20 degrees relative to the electrode transport direction, combined with a spectrometer and optical fiber, to measure electrode reflectance in real time, eliminating the effects of measurement angle changes caused by shaking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If specular reflection measurement is used to evaluate electrode dryness, then the measurement method is simple, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to angle changes caused by electrode shaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement method simplicityVSAvoidreflectance measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from specular reflection to diffuse reflection. By measuring diffuse reflection instead of specular reflection, the system eliminates sensitivity to angle changes caused by electrode shaking, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while keeping the method simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical alignment system required for specular reflection measurement with a diffuse reflection measurement system. This substitution eliminates the need for precise angular alignment, making the measurement robust against electrode movement and shaking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If vertical light irradiation is used for reflectance measurement, then the measurement setup is straightforward, but the effective measurement angle range becomes extremely narrow causing noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement setup complexityVSAvoidreflectance measurement noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from vertical specular reflection to diffuse reflection at oblique angles (10-20 degrees from vertical). This parameter change expands the effective measurement angle range and reduces noise while maintaining relatively simple device setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the collimating lens diameter is set to 5 mm for vertical irradiation, then the device size is compact, but the measurement angle changes by 2-4 degrees due to electrode shaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmeasurement angle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement approach from vertical specular reflection to diffuse reflection at oblique angles. This allows using a compact 5 mm collimating lens while achieving angle-insensitive measurements, as diffuse reflection inherently averages over a range of angles rather than requiring precise single-angle measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 accurate and real-time assessment of electrode dryness, allowing for efficient and precise control of drying conditions, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of electrode manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

an optical fiber that irradiates a light source through the collimating lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and transmission through optical fiber: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

utilizing diffuse reflection with a collimating lens tilted at 10 to 20 degrees relative to the electrode transport direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4711745A1Apparatus for inspecting dryness of electrode, method for inspecting dryness of electrode, and method for manufacturing electrode and secondary battery

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a device for inspecting the dryness of an electrode, comprising: a transport unit that transports the electrode to an electrode drying zone, an irradiation unit including a collimating lens which is fixed in a state of being tilted by 10 to 20 degrees with respect to the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the electrode at an upper part separated from the electrode, and an optical fiber that irradiates a light source through the collimating lens, a measurement unit including a spectrometer and a light source respectively connected to the irradiation unit, and a spectrometer hub connected to the spectrometer, and a control unit including a display device connected to the spectrometer hub, a method for inspecting the electrode dryness that predicts electrode dryness from the measured reflectance through the device for inspecting the dryness of an electrode, a method for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery to which the electrode dryness inspecting method is applied, and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery including the same.