Electrode Press Apparatus with Relief Surface Guide Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the manufacturing of electrodes for batteries, existing technologies face challenges in achieving high-density electrode compression while preventing distortion, wrinkling, and cracking, especially in the transition zones between coated and non-coated regions, which affects the quality and longevity of the electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A press apparatus comprising a press unit, stretching unit, and take-up unit, where the stretching unit includes guide rollers with specific diameter profiles and a relief surface to concentrate tension on non-coated regions, reducing distortion and stress concentration, and a heater for bend-straightening during the stretching process to correct electrode sheet distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the electrode sheet is densely compressed to increase electrode density, then the electrode density is improved, but distortion and wrinkling occur in the transition zones between coated and non-coated regions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is designed with different surface profiles (projecting surface, retracted surface, and relief surface) that create localized variations in tension distribution. The retracted surface specifically targets the transition zones between coated and non-coated regions, applying differentiated local quality to prevent distortion while maintaining overall compression density.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide roller acts as an intermediary device between the compression process and the electrode sheet. By introducing this intermediate element with specific surface geometry, the patent mediates the compression force distribution to prevent direct contact-induced distortion in vulnerable transition zones while achieving the desired compression density.
2Ease of manufacture
If tension is applied uniformly across the electrode sheet during stretching, then the stretching process is simplified, but stress concentration occurs at edge portions causing cracking and fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller's surface profile creates non-uniform tension distribution across the electrode sheet width. The relief surface at edge portions reduces local tension, preventing stress concentration and cracking, while the projecting surface maintains adequate tension in central regions. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between simple uniform stretching and prevention of edge cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief surface on the guide roller provides beforehand cushioning to edge portions of the electrode sheet. By pre-reducing tension at vulnerable edge areas before the stretching process completes, the design prevents stress concentration and subsequent cracking, cushioning against potential damage in advance.
3Productivity
If the electrode sheet is compressed without preliminary stretching, then the manufacturing process is faster, but distortion occurs during the compression process
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller performs preliminary stretching and tension distribution adjustment before the electrode sheet enters the main compression process. By pre-positioning the sheet with proper tension and reducing potential distortion points in advance, the subsequent compression can proceed faster without causing distortion, thus resolving the productivity-precision contradiction.
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 improves electrode density, corrects distortions, and prevents cracking and fracture, resulting in high-quality electrodes with enhanced production efficiency and extended lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for bend-straightening during the stretching process to correct electrode sheet distortions
Implementation Method 2
The stretching unit comprises a stretching member, which comprises a projecting surface, a retracted surface, and a relief surface... configured to apply tension to the non-coated region
Implementation Method 3
The press unit is configured to compress an electrode sheet
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a press apparatus for an electrode, includes, a press unit configured to compress an electrode sheet includes a first region formed with an electrode layer on a surface thereof and a second region on which the electrode layer is not formed, and a stretching unit includes a stretching member, which comprises a projecting surface located opposite the electrode sheet and projecting toward the electrode sheet, in a position corresponding to the second region, a retracted surface retracted from the electrode sheet relative to the projecting surface, in a position corresponding to the first region, and a relief surface retracted away from the electrode sheet, in a position corresponding to an edge portion of the electrode sheet.