Electrode Plate Metal Layering to Prevent Uncoated Portion Wrinkles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The uncoated portions of electrode plates in secondary batteries wrinkle due to differences in rigidity caused by the absence of active material, leading to manufacturing defects.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and method that includes a coating unit to apply a metal layer to the uncoated portions of electrode plates, increasing their rigidity and reducing the difference in rigidity with coated portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the uncoated portion is left without metal layer application, then the manufacturing process is simpler and faster, but the uncoated portion wrinkles due to rigidity difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the metal layer only to the uncoated portion of the electrode plate, not the entire surface. This localized treatment increases rigidity precisely where needed to prevent wrinkling, while leaving the coated portions unchanged. The coating unit is configured to selectively deposit metal material on the uncoated region, achieving differential rigidity enhancement without requiring complete surface coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal layer is applied to the uncoated portion before the electrode plate undergoes subsequent manufacturing processes such as winding or stacking. This preliminary reinforcement of the uncoated portion prevents wrinkling from occurring during later handling and processing steps, addressing the rigidity issue before it manifests as a defect.
2Strength
If a metal layer is applied to the uncoated portion, then the rigidity of the uncoated portion increases, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coating unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a metal layer application device for reinforcing the uncoated portion, and simultaneously functions as part of the overall electrode plate manufacturing system. The same coating infrastructure is utilized to deposit metal material, eliminating the need for a completely separate reinforcement device and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the uncoated portion by adding a metal layer, which fundamentally alters the rigidity characteristic. This parameter change transforms the uncoated portion from a weak, wrinkle-prone region to a structurally sound area that can withstand subsequent manufacturing processes without deformation.
3Reliability
If the uncoated portion has low rigidity, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but wrinkles occur during electrode plate processing
Solution Approach 1:
The solution targets only the specific region with quality issues - the uncoated portion - by applying metal layer locally. This approach improves reliability by preventing wrinkles exactly where they occur, without requiring complex modifications to the entire coating process or adding unnecessary steps to regions that already have adequate rigidity from the active material coating.
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
Prevents wrinkles in the uncoated portions of electrode plates during manufacturing, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing electrical resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an uncoated portion rigidity increasing unit configured to apply a metal layer to the uncoated portion of the electrode plate to increase a rigidity of the uncoated portion
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus includes: a coating unit configured to coat a mixture on a substrate of an electrode plate of an electrode assembly of a secondary battery such that the electrode plate has a coated portion and an uncoated portion; and an uncoated portion rigidity increasing unit configured to apply a metal layer to the uncoated portion of the electrode plate to increase a rigidity of the uncoated portion.