Electrode Lamination Roll Control for Uniform Active Material Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing electrodes in secondary batteries face challenges in controlling the thickness and combining force of active materials with binders, affecting battery performance.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilizes a laminating roll unit with adjustable positioning and a pressurizing roll to combine an active material with a binder on an electrode current collector, incorporating a thickness measurement system to ensure precise control over the active material thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional method is used to combine active material with binder, then the electrode can be manufactured, but the thickness and combining force of the active material cannot be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness control of active materialVSAvoidcomplexity of manufacturing device
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the pre-electrode sheet with binder on the current collector before introducing the active material. The laminating roll unit is prepared with the pre-electrode sheet in place, and the active material is then combined under controlled conditions. This sequence ensures that the binder layer is already positioned correctly, enabling precise thickness control of the final active material layer while using a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the pre-electrode sheet as an intermediary between the current collector and the active material. This intermediate layer facilitates controlled combination by providing a stable substrate with binder that can precisely receive and hold the active material at controlled thicknesses, thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex direct combination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the active material thickness is not controlled, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the secondary battery performance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecondary battery performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an electrode thickness measurement device that provides feedback on the thickness of the active material layer during the manufacturing process. This measurement system allows real-time monitoring and adjustment, ensuring that the active material thickness meets specified requirements for reliable battery performance while maintaining efficient production through automated control rather than manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If a laminating roll unit with adjustable positioning is used, then the active material thickness can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness uniformity of active materialVSAvoidcomplexity of laminating roll unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable positioning mechanisms in the laminating roll unit that allow dynamic adjustment of parameters during operation. The first and second inner housings can be positioned at different locations along the rotation axis, enabling flexible control of the laminating process to achieve uniform active material thickness while keeping the overall device structure adaptable rather than overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the production of electrodes with consistent and controlled thickness, enhancing the performance of secondary batteries by improving the combination of active materials with binders.

Implementation Method 1

a laminating roll unit including a laminating roll, the laminating roll being provided with a pre-electrode sheet forming a face and another face, and rotating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Implementation Method 2

a pressurizing roll facing the laminating roll and pressurizing the pre-electrode sheet and the active material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4629306A1Device and method for manufacturing electrode
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4629306A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4629306A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4629306A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device and method for manufacturing an electrode are disclosed. An electrode manufacturing device (10) includes a laminating roll unit (400) including a laminating roll (410), wherein the laminating roll (410) is provided with a pre-electrode sheet forming a face and another face and rotates; an active material supply roll facing the laminating roll (410) and providing an active material (53) to the laminating roll (410); and a pressurizing roll (600) facing the laminating roll (410) and pressurizing the pre-electrode sheet and the active material (53). The laminating roll unit (400) further includes a first coupling shaft (420a) and a second coupling shaft (420b) that are respectively coupled to both ends of a rotation axis of the laminating roll (410); a first inner housing (430a) to which the first coupling shaft (420a) is rotatably coupled; a second inner housing (430b) to which the second coupling shaft (420b) is rotatably coupled; a first inner housing mover (440a) coupled to the first inner housing (430a) and adjusting a position of the first inner housing (430a); and a second inner housing mover (440b) coupled to the second inner housing (430b) and adjusting a position of the second inner housing (430b).