Electrode Slurry Circulation Control for Low-Shear Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode slurry supply and control systems face challenges in precisely controlling the supply and stoppage of slurry, leading to issues such as shear stress, non-uniform coating, and potential changes in slurry properties during intermittent or long-term coating processes.
Innovation Solution
An electrode slurry control device with a main body, supply tube, first and second circulation tubes, and opening/closing members with specific diameter and cone angle configurations, allowing for precise control of slurry flow and minimizing shear stress through bypass mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If slurry supply is precisely controlled using conventional systems, then coating precision is improved, but shear stress increases causing non-uniform coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the slurry circulation system into multiple independent circulation tubes (first circulation tube, second circulation tube, third circulation tube) with different path lengths and resistance characteristics. This segmentation allows the slurry to be divided into multiple flow paths, reducing the shear stress in each individual path while maintaining precise control over the total slurry supply to the coater.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a circulation system with multiple tubes acting as intermediaries between the slurry storage and the coater. These circulation tubes serve as buffer pathways that reduce direct shear stress on the slurry while maintaining supply control, effectively mediating between the need for precise control and the need to minimize shear stress.
2Stability of the object's composition
If slurry circulation path is extended to reduce shear stress, then slurry property maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circulation tubes with different characteristics (varying lengths, resistances, and path configurations) into a unified circulation system. This merging allows the system to achieve extended effective circulation paths for shear stress reduction while consolidating control functions, thereby managing device complexity through integrated design rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system is designed with multi-functionality where the same set of circulation tubes serves multiple purposes: maintaining slurry properties through extended circulation, enabling precise supply control via opening/closing members, and providing redundancy for continuous operation. This universal design reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate systems for each function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple circulation tubes with different diameters are used, then shear stress distribution is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different diameter specifications to different circulation tubes based on their specific functions and positions in the system. Each tube's diameter is optimized for its local requirements regarding shear stress reduction and flow characteristics, rather than using a uniform diameter throughout, thereby optimizing shear stress distribution while managing manufacturing complexity through localized differentiation.
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 device reduces shear stress, ensures uniform slurry loading, and maintains slurry properties by minimizing friction and shear stress, thereby improving coating quality and safety in battery production.
Implementation Method 1
a first connection tube (22) having a first opening/closing member (21)... a second connection tube (32) having a second opening/closing member (31)... a third connection tube (42) having a third opening/closing member (41)
Implementation Method 2
the first opening/closing member (21) has a conical shape, a diameter of a conical lateral surface (23) facing the first connection tube (22) may gradually decrease toward the first connection tube (22), and a cone angle of the conical lateral surface (23) may be 110 to 150 degrees
Implementation Method 3
a first circulation tube (30) configured to move a part of the electrode slurry introduced into the main body (10) to the storage (60)... a second circulation tube (40) configured to move a part of the electrode slurry in the main body (10) to the storage (60)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present specification relates to an electrode slurry control device including a main body having a receiving port configured to receive electrode slurry from an outside storage, a coater configured to discharge electrode slurry onto a substrate, a supply tube configured to supply the electrode slurry in the main body to the coater and connected to the main body through a first connection tube having a first opening/closing member, a first circulation tube configured to move a part of the electrode slurry introduced into the main body to the storage, the first circulation tube being connected to the main body through a second connection tube having a second opening/closing member; and a second circulation tube configured to move a part of the electrode slurry in the main body to the storage and connected to the main body through a third connection tube having a third opening/closing member, in which an average diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the second connection tube is smaller than an average diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the first circulation tube, and in which an average diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the third connection tube is larger than an average diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the second connection tube.