Electrode Laser Etching With Moisture Cooling for Uniform Layer Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode manufacturing methods face challenges in uniformly forming the active material layer, leading to sliding and mismatching portions, and the laser etching method causes active material deterioration due to heat.

Innovation Solution

A method involving laminating an active material layer on a current collector and irradiating a laser beam after supplying moisture to the layer to prevent sliding and mismatching, and minimize heat-induced deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If laser etching method is used to uniformly form the active material layer end, then sliding portion and mismatching portion are prevented, but active material is deteriorated by heat of laser beam

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of active material layer endVSAvoidheat-induced deterioration of active material
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cooling gas (nitrogen or air) is introduced as an intermediary medium between the laser beam and the active material layer. The cooling gas absorbs and dissipates the heat generated by laser irradiation, preventing thermal deterioration of the active material while maintaining the laser's ability to uniformly etch the active material layer end and prevent sliding/mismatching portions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the environment around the active material layer is changed by introducing cooling gas. This parameter change (from ambient air to controlled cooling gas flow) modifies the thermal characteristics during laser processing, enabling precise heat management that prevents material deterioration while maintaining etching effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional coating method is used to apply active material slurry, then manufacturing process is simple, but uniform surface cannot be formed at distal end due to drag lines and islands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of coating processVSAvoiduniformity of active material layer surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical coating process (slurry application and drying) is supplemented or replaced by laser etching to achieve uniform surface formation. The laser beam precisely removes excess material at the distal end, eliminating drag lines and islands that form during conventional coating, while the overall manufacturing process remains relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The method achieves uniform active material layer formation without sliding or mismatching, and reduces active material deterioration by using moisture during laser etching.

Implementation Method 1

removing a portion of the active material layer by irradiating a laser beam on the surface of the active material layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

before irradiating the laser beam to the active material layer in step (b), a process of supplying moisture to the active material layer is performed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4207340B1Method for manufacturing electrode and electrode manufacturing system used in same
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4207340B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4207340B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4207340B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode, comprising the steps of (a) laminating an active material layer on the surface of the current collector; and (b) removing a portion of the active material layer by irradiating a laser beam on the surface of the active material layer, wherein before irradiating the laser beam to the active material layer in step (b), a process of supplying moisture to the active material layer is performed, and a system for manufacturing an electrode, which is used in the above method.