Electrode Forming by Friction-Controlled Jetting for Uniform Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing electrodes, particularly for lithium ion batteries, often result in non-uniform mass distribution due to powder adherence to equipment surfaces, leading to reduced battery performance and increased productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the jetting of electrode material onto a first support while controlling the wall friction angles between the contact surface of a contact member and the electrode material, and between the support surface and the electrode material, to ensure uniform application and minimize adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If powder is transported and pressed using conventional members (hopper, pressing roll, belt), then the powder can be supplied to the electrode, but the powder adheres to these members causing non-uniform mass distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical contact-based powder handling (hopper, pressing roll, belt) with a jetting system that uses fluid dynamics to transport and deposit electrode material. The jetting apparatus uses a jetting member to喷射 electrode material onto the support, eliminating mechanical contact that causes powder adherence and non-uniform distribution.
2Manufacturing precision
If coating liquid is used to manufacture electrode, then the electrode material can be applied, but the coating liquid must be dried and solvent may remain reducing battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the solvent component from the electrode manufacturing process. Instead of using coating liquid that requires drying (which may leave residual solvent affecting battery performance), the invention uses direct jetting of electrode material without solvent, thereby removing the harmful solvent residue issue while maintaining uniform mass distribution.
3Productivity
If conventional powder supply methods are used, then powder can be transported, but transportability and formability are locally reduced due to powder adherence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based powder handling with a jetting system that uses fluid dynamics. The jetting member喷射 electrode material without mechanical contact, eliminating powder adherence to transport members and maintaining both transportability and formability throughout the process.
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 approach enables the production of electrodes with excellent in-plane uniformity of mass distribution, reducing the need for material removal operations and enhancing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
in a case where a wall friction angle between the contact surface FB of the contact member and the electrode material is denoted by θ1, and a wall friction angle between the surface FA of the first support and the electrode material is denoted by θ2
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a formed body for an electrode including: a step of jetting an electrode material containing an electrode active material from an outlet toward a surface FA of a first support while relatively moving the outlet jetting the electrode material and the first support in a plane direction of the first support, in which in the step, a contact member having a contact surface FB that is brought into contact with the electrode material is used, and in a case where a wall friction angle between the contact surface FB of the contact member and the electrode material is denoted by θ1, and a wall friction angle between the surface FA of the first support and the electrode material is denoted by θ2, a relationship (1) 1°≤θ1<15° and a relationship (2) 15°≤θ2 are satisfied.