Electrode Stack Lamination With Simultaneous Heat and Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode assembly manufacturing processes suffer from separate heating and pressing zones, leading to damage and inadequate adhesion between electrodes and separators, without effectively simplifying the process.

Innovation Solution

An integrated method involving simultaneous application of heat and pressure using a series of adjustable heating rollers to laminate electrodes and separators, with varying temperatures and pressures, followed by cold-rolling to stabilize the thermoplastic material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating and pressing zones are separated, then heating can be performed, but the pressing zone length is shortened causing high pressure damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidpressure damage to electrode assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating zone and pressing zone into a single integrated zone, allowing simultaneous heating and pressing operations. This eliminates the need for separate zones, maintains adequate pressing zone length, and prevents high pressure damage while achieving effective lamination through coordinated thermal and mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If heating and pressing zones are separated, then heating can be performed, but separate space must be provided increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidnumber of zones and space requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates heating and pressing functions into a single zone with unified structural components, eliminating the need for separate heating zone, pressing zone, and associated transfer mechanisms. This reduces device complexity, minimizes space requirements, and simplifies the overall manufacturing system while maintaining both heating and pressing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate heating and pressing processes are used, then process steps can be defined, but lamination efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess definitionVSAvoidlamination efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous simultaneous heating and pressing operations within a single zone, eliminating the sequential nature of separate processes. The electrode assembly undergoes both thermal treatment and mechanical compression concurrently in one continuous operation, significantly improving lamination efficiency and productivity while maintaining process control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 minimizes damage and enhances adhesion between electrodes and separators, simplifies the manufacturing process, and improves product quality by uniformly distributing pressure and adjusting material states.

Implementation Method 1

a process of melting a thermoplastic material of the separator sheet and a thermoplastic material of the electrode is performed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a process of melting a thermoplastic material of the separator sheet and a thermoplastic material of the electrode is performed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

the separator sheet and the electrode, which are in a stacked state, are laminated while passing through a pressing zone using pressing rolls, whereby the electrode and the separator sheet are adhered to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4027421B1Electrode assembly production method comprising step for simultaneous application of heat and pressure
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4027421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4027421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4027421B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention including a step of stacking an electrode and separator to form an electrode stack and a step of laminating the electrode stack while heating the electrode stack in order to manufacture an electrode assembly having increased force of coupling between the electrode and the separator while preventing damage to the electrode assembly.