Electrode Insulating Liquid Supply With Bubble Sensing and Defoaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode insulating liquid supply systems face challenges in removing bubbles from the supply line, leading to pin hole defects that compromise the insulation performance and increase the risk of short circuits between electrodes, due to insufficient bubble monitoring and defoaming technologies.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that includes a storage tank, a coating die, a supply line, a defoaming tank, a vacuum pump, a bubble sensor, and a controller to monitor and adjust the operating conditions for efficient bubble removal, using a separate defoaming tank and clean dry air to manage bubble levels and prevent pin hole defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If insulating liquid is supplied through the supply line from the storage tank to the coating die, then the insulating liquid can be delivered to coat the electrode, but bubbles are generated and mixed in the insulating liquid leading to pin hole defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating liquid supply efficiencyVSAvoidcoating quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent installs a defoaming tank connected to the supply line where bubbles are removed from the insulating liquid before it reaches the coating die. This preliminary defoaming action prevents bubble-related pin hole defects in the coating while maintaining continuous supply efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The defoaming tank acts as an intermediary component between the storage tank and coating die. It receives insulating liquid through the supply line, removes bubbles, and returns defoamed liquid to the storage tank, thereby mediating the harmful effect of bubbles on coating quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If bubbles are present in the insulating liquid in the supply line, then the insulating liquid can flow freely, but pin hole defects are generated at positions where bubbles have evaporated after coating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow smoothnessVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a bubble sensor that detects bubbles in the supply line and provides feedback to a control system. When bubbles are detected, the system automatically activates the defoaming tank to remove them, ensuring reliable insulation performance while maintaining smooth liquid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual monitoring and defoaming operations with an automated system comprising a bubble sensor and controlled defoaming tank. This mechanical/automated substitution ensures consistent bubble removal and maintains both flow smoothness and insulation reliability.

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

3Device complexity

If a conventional supply system is used without a separate defoaming tank, then the device complexity is low, but bubbles cannot be effectively removed leading to pin hole defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply system structureVSAvoidcoating defect rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the insulating liquid supply system into distinct functional components: a storage tank, a supply line, a separate defoaming tank, and a coating die. This segmentation allows the defoaming function to be performed separately and effectively without overly complicating the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively reduces pin hole defects by real-time bubble monitoring and controlled defoaming, ensuring the quality of the insulation coating layer and enhancing battery safety by minimizing bubble-related issues in the insulating liquid supply.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pump that defoams bubbles of the insulating liquid in the defoaming tank by applying vacuum to the defoaming tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4102616B1Electrode insulation liquid supply device and electrode insulation liquid supply method
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4102616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4102616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4102616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to an apparatus for supplying insulating liquid for forming an insulation coating layer on an electrode of a battery, including: a storage tank where insulating liquid is stored; a coating die where the insulating liquid is coated on an electrode; a supply line which is connected to the storage tank and supplies the insulating liquid to the coating die; a pump which is installed on the supply line; a defoaming tank which is connected to the storage tank and supplies defoamed insulating liquid to the storage tank; a vacuum pump which defoams bubbles of the insulating liquid in the defoaming tank by applying vacuum to the defoaming tank; a bubble sensor which is installed on the supply line and senses generation of bubbles in the supply line in real time; and a controller which adjusts an operating condition of the apparatus based on an amount of bubbles sensed by the bubble sensor. According to the present technology, it is possible to reduce a pin hole defect of an insulation coating layer by suppressing the mixing of bubbles of the insulating liquid supply line. The present technology also relates to a method for supplying insulating liquid to an electrode using the above-mentioned apparatus for supplying insulating liquid.