Electrode Active Material Layer Width Control With Stock Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing electrode active material layers in batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, often result in insufficient smoothness at the end portions and low yield due to granulated particles flowing beyond the desired forming width during the leveling process.
Innovation Solution
The use of plate-like stock guide units disposed on both sides of the squeegee unit, with specific positioning and curvature ratios relative to the support unit, to control the flow and leveling of granulated particles, ensuring the desired forming width and preventing particle flow outside the desired region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a squeegee unit is used to level granulated particles, then the granulated particles can be leveled to form a uniform layer, but the granulated particles may flow to the outer side beyond the desired forming width, resulting in insufficient smoothness at the end portions
Solution Approach 1:
Stock guide units are introduced as intermediary components positioned on both sides of the squeegee unit. These guide units act as mediators that physically constrain the granulated particles within the desired forming width during the leveling process, preventing particle flow to the outer side while allowing the squeegee to level the particles effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The stock guide units provide localized constraint only at the critical regions (side surfaces) where particle flow needs to be controlled, while the rest of the leveling process continues uninterrupted. This localized intervention maintains smoothness at the end portions without affecting the overall leveling quality.
2Productivity
If the forming width is increased to improve yield, then more granulated particles can be utilized, but the smoothness at the end portions deteriorates due to particle flow beyond the desired width
Solution Approach 1:
The stock guide units serve as intermediary structures that define and maintain the precise forming width. By positioning these guide units on both sides of the squeegee unit, the system can maximize the utilization of granulated particles within the controlled width while preventing overflow that would compromise end portion smoothness.
3Productivity
If the squeegee unit is positioned closer to the support unit to improve leveling efficiency, then the granulated particles can be leveled more effectively, but the granulated particles may flow to the outer side more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The stock guide units are positioned as intermediaries between the squeegee unit and the granulated particles. They provide physical boundaries that prevent particle flow to the outer side, allowing the squeegee unit to be positioned optimally for efficient leveling without compromising forming width control.
Data Source
AI summary
A production apparatus of an electrode active material layer comprises: a feeding unit feeding granulated particles; a conveying unit conveying the particles; a support unit supporting the particles; a squeegee unit spaced above the support unit and leveling the particles to form a granulated particle layer; a rolling unit rolling the granulated particle layer to form an electrode active material layer; and a pair of stock guide units each having a plate shape. The stock guide units are respectively disposed to be parallel to the squeegee unit. An upstream end of the stock guide unit is located upstream of a position of a gap between the support unit and the squeegee unit. A downstream end of the stock guide unit is located downstream of the position of the gap. A distance between side surfaces of the stock guide units is equivalent to the electrode active material layer's width.