Tape Lamination on Rechargeable Battery Electrode Ends

Solution Overview

Problem

In rechargeable batteries, increased tension in the electrode assembly can lead to electric short circuits due to the sharp end portions of active material layers extending through the separator, causing stability and reliability issues, especially in cylindrical batteries where the active material expands during charging and discharging.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for laminating tape on the end portions of the electrode active materials to prevent short circuits, involving a supplying section, buffering sections, laminating sections, feeding sections, and a winding section, which use motors, rollers, and vision systems to apply tape at precise positions and tensions, ensuring accurate and stable lamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tension of the electrode assembly is increased to increase capacity, then the area of the electrode assembly that can be wound within the same volume increases, but the sharp end portion of the active material layer may extend through the separator causing electric short circuit

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidelectric short circuit risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by laminating tape on the end portions of active material layers before the electrode assembly is wound. This preventive measure ensures that even when high tension is applied during winding to increase capacity, the taped end portions will not extend through the separator and cause short circuits. The buffering sections maintain appropriate tension during the lamination process to ensure proper tape adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces tape as an intermediary substance between the active material layer and the separator. This tape acts as a protective barrier that prevents the sharp end portions of active material from penetrating the separator under tension, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while allowing the electrode assembly to be wound with high tension for increased capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the electrode assembly is wound with increased tension, then more electrode area fits in the same volume, but the rigidity of the separator decreases at high temperature allowing end portions to easily cut through

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode assembly densityVSAvoidseparator integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by laminating tape on the end portions of active material layers before the electrode assembly is wound. This preventive measure ensures that even when high tension is applied during winding to increase capacity, the taped end portions will not extend through the separator and cause short circuits. The buffering sections maintain appropriate tension during the lamination process to ensure proper tape adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces tape as an intermediary substance between the active material layer and the separator. This tape acts as a protective barrier that prevents the sharp end portions of active material from penetrating the separator under tension, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while allowing the electrode assembly to be wound with high tension for increased capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If buffering sections are added to control tension and positioning, then lamination precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetape lamination accuracyVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrode supply and conveyance system into multiple functional sections: a supplying section that unwinds the electrode, first and second buffering sections that control tension and positioning, a laminating section that applies tape, and a feeding section that transports the laminated electrode. Each section is independently controlled to achieve precise lamination while managing overall system complexity through modular functional division.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the tension and movement parameters of the electrode by adjusting the rotational speeds of rollers in the buffering sections. By dynamically changing these motion parameters, the system achieves precise positioning of the electrode during lamination without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8137492B2Apparatus and method for laminating tape on electrode of rechargeable battery

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for laminating tape on an electrode for a rechargeable battery includes a supplying section for supplying an electrode having a current collector with surfaces on which active materials are coated at constant distances from each other. The electrode is wound a plurality of times on the supplying section. The apparatus also includes a first buffering section for carrying the electrode from the supplying section at a constant rate and a laminating section for receiving the electrode from the first buffering section and stopping movement of the electrode for a predetermined time. The laminating section laminates tape on end portions of the active materials after stopping the movement. A feeding section conveys the electrode from the laminating section at a desired pitch. A second buffering section carries the electrode from the feeding section at a predetermined rate and a winding section receives the electrode from the second buffering section.