Electrode Lamination Heating Control to Prevent Separator Shrinkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing electrode assemblies are prone to defects due to separator shrinkage when heat is applied during the lamination process, leading to structural issues and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that incorporate a heater unit for heating the laminate of electrodes and separators, a lamination device for laminating them, and a moving unit to maintain a predetermined distance from the heater when stopped, reducing heat transfer and preventing shrinkage by injecting air for cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lamination device is stopped during the heating process, then the laminate can be held in position for maintenance or operation changes, but the separator continues to be exposed to heat causing shrinkage and defects
Solution Approach 1:
A moving unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the heater unit and the laminate. This moving unit controls the distance between the heater and laminate, allowing the system to stop operation without continuous heat exposure. The moving unit acts as a mediator that enables operation stopping while preventing the harmful effect of continuous heating on the separator.
2Temperature
If the heater unit continuously heats the laminate during operation stopping, then the heating function is maintained, but the separator shrinks and defects occur in the electrode assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static heating arrangement to a dynamic one where the distance between the heater unit and laminate can be adjusted. The moving unit enables this dynamic adjustment, allowing the heater to be positioned closer during normal operation for effective heating, and farther away during operation stopping to prevent overheating and separator shrinkage, thus maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the laminate is kept in contact with the heater unit during operation stopping, then the heating process is continuous, but the separator experiences excessive heat exposure causing shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The moving unit implements preliminary anti-action by proactively increasing the distance between the heater and laminate before excessive heat exposure can occur. When operation stopping is detected or anticipated, the moving unit adjusts the position in advance to reduce heat transfer, preventing the harmful shrinkage effect before it can significantly impact the separator.
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 effectively prevents separator shrinkage and associated defects, ensuring consistent electrode assembly quality and performance by controlling heat exposure and cooling the laminate.
Implementation Method 1
a heater unit configured to heat a laminate of an electrode and a separator when the laminate passes therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a moving unit configured to allow the laminate to be spaced a predetermined distance from the heater unit so that heat transferred from the heater unit to the laminate is reduced or blocked when an operation of the lamination device is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed are an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The apparatus for manufacturing the electrode assembly includes a heater unit configured to heat a laminate of an electrode and a separator when the laminate passes therethrough, a lamination device configured to laminate the laminate that is heated while passing through the heater unit, and a moving unit configured to allow the laminate to be spaced a predetermined distance from the heater unit so that heat transferred from the heater unit to the laminate is reduced or blocked when an operation of the lamination device is stopped.