Electrode Film Laser Notching With Dual-Laser Dross Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser notching apparatuses for secondary battery electrode plates struggle to efficiently remove molten materials that can cause internal shorts during battery assembly or operation.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual-laser system where a first laser notches the electrode film and a second laser, angled relative to the first, efficiently removes the molten material from the surface, preventing internal shorts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a laser notching apparatus is used to form electrode tabs, then production efficiency is improved and damage to the electrode is reduced, but molten material is melted along the cutting path and dross is formed on the coated part surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiddross formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a second laser beam to treat the harmful molten material and dross by melting and removing them from the coated part surface. This converts the harmful effect of molten material accumulation into a beneficial cleaning process, eliminating the root cause of internal shorts while maintaining the efficiency benefits of laser notching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces oxygen gas to the laser processing zone to accelerate the oxidation and removal of molten material. The oxygen assists the laser beam in efficiently removing dross by creating an exothermic oxidation reaction that enhances the melting and ejection of contaminated material from the coated part surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Productivity

If dross is formed on the coated part surface during laser notching, then production efficiency is maintained, but internal short occurs during battery assembly or operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidinternal short prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the second laser beam and oxygen treatment immediately after the first laser cutting process to prevent molten material from solidifying and causing internal shorts. This preliminary action removes dross before it can create harmful conductive paths, ensuring both production efficiency and battery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces oxygen gas as an intermediary substance to facilitate the removal of molten material. The oxygen acts as a mediator between the laser beam and the dross, enabling efficient removal through oxidation-assisted melting and ejection, thereby preventing internal shorts without compromising production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If cleaning units with air spraying are used to remove scraps, then fumes and scraps can be removed, but molten material on the electrode film surface cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidmolten material removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical air spraying cleaning method with a laser-based thermal processing system. The second laser beam, combined with oxygen assistance, provides a non-contact method to melt and remove molten material that mechanical cleaning cannot effectively address, while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated processing.

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

This approach effectively prevents internal shorts by quickly and efficiently removing molten materials, while also allowing for the formation of electrode tabs in various shapes without spatial limitations.

Implementation Method 1

a first laser radiation unit (20) that radiates a first laser beam (L1) in a first direction (-Z-axis direction) perpendicular to an electrode film (10) located between rollers of a transfer device to notch at least a portion of the electrode film (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

a second laser radiation unit (30) that radiates a second laser beam (L2) to a notched area of the electrode film (10), which is notched by the first laser radiation unit (20), to remove a material of a surface of the electrode film (10) melted by the first laser beam (L1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

when the electrode tab is formed through the laser notching apparatus, a material of an uncoated part is melted along a laser cutting path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4545240A1Electrode plate manufacturing apparatus, electrode plate manufactured using the same, and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 PHILENERGY CO LTD
  • EP4545240A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4545240A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4545240A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrode plate manufacturing apparatus comprising: a first laser radiation unit (20) configured to radiate a first laser beam (L1) in a first direction (-Z-axis direction) perpendicular to an electrode film (10) located between rollers of a transfer device to notch at least a portion of the electrode film (10); and a second laser radiation unit (30) configured to radiate a second laser beam (L2) to a notched area of the electrode film (10), which is notched by the first laser radiation unit (20), to remove a material of a surface of the electrode film (10) melted by the first laser beam (L1).