Electrode Sheet Rolling Direction for Uniform Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing electrode assemblies result in non-uniform electrode sheets due to uneven pressure application during the rolling process, leading to inconsistent electrode shapes and dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving coating an electrode mixture on a metal sheet with multiple coated layers parallel to a first direction, rolling the sheet perpendicular to these layers to ensure uniform pressure, and then slitting and cutting to produce uniform electrode sheets, allowing for uniform stretching and processing of electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the electrode sheet is rolled in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the electrode lines, then the rolling process can be performed, but the pressure is applied only to the electrode lines and not to the non-coated portions, resulting in non-uniform stretching of the entire electrode sheet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling processVSAvoiduniformity of electrode sheet
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rolling direction from the longitudinal direction (parallel to electrode lines) to the lateral direction (perpendicular to electrode lines). This dimensional change ensures that the rolling roller contacts and applies pressure uniformly across the entire width of the electrode sheet, including both coated and non-coated portions, thereby eliminating non-uniform stretching while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the electrode sheet is stretched non-uniformly during rolling, then the rolling process completes, but the shapes of the electrodes cut from the non-uniformly stretched electrode sheet become slightly different

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode sheet productionVSAvoidelectrode shape consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the rolling direction to the lateral direction (perpendicular to electrode lines), the patent ensures uniform pressure distribution across the entire electrode sheet width during rolling. This uniform stretching in the lateral direction maintains consistent electrode shapes after cutting, thereby improving manufacturing precision without sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If multiple electrode mixture coated layer lines are formed between non-coated portions, then the electrode sheet structure is created, but rolling in the longitudinal direction causes non-uniform pressure application across different coated layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode sheet structureVSAvoidpressure uniformity across layers
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rolling direction from longitudinal to lateral (perpendicular to electrode lines). This dimensional change allows the rolling roller to apply pressure uniformly across all coated layer lines and non-coated portions simultaneously in the lateral direction, ensuring consistent pressure distribution throughout the multi-layer electrode sheet structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3370283B1Method of preparing electrodes having uniform quality and electrode assembly preparation method including the same
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3370283B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370283B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370283B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of preparing an electrode for an electrode assembly having a structure in which electrodes are laminated, including: (i) a process of coating an electrode mixture on at least one surface of a metal sheet so that n (n ≧ 2) electrode mixture coated layer lines are formed between non-coated portions parallel to a first direction; (ii) a process of rolling the metal sheet sequentially from a first electrode mixture coated layer line to an nth electrode mixture coated layer line using a rolling roller rotated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; (iii) a process of slitting the rolled metal sheet at least twice in the second direction to prepare electrode plate base materials having n electrode mixture coated layers formed thereon; and (iv) a process of cutting each of the electrode plate base materials in the first direction to obtain n single sheet electrodes.