Hydrophobic Edge Coating for Uniform Battery Electrode Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable battery electrode plates face issues with uneven thickness and difficulty in meeting target external specifications due to localized thickness variations during manufacturing, particularly in stacking-type batteries.
Innovation Solution
The electrode plate design includes a hydrophobic coating layer on the active material layer with an insulating portion at the boundary between the active material layer and the substrate, using a hydrophobic functional group like fluorine or silane, to control the spread of an insulating solution and maintain uniform thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insulating solution is discharged to the boundary between active material layer and substrate, then insulating portion is formed to prevent short circuit, but localized thickness variations occur causing uneven electrode plate thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a hydrophobic coating layer specifically at the edge portion of the active material layer, rather than uniformly across the entire layer. This localized treatment causes the insulating solution to be repelled at the edges, forming the insulating portion only where needed at the boundary between the active material layer and substrate, thereby preventing short circuits while avoiding thickness variations in the central regions.
2Reliability
If insulating portion is formed at the boundary, then short circuit prevention is achieved, but stacking flatness deteriorates due to localized thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating the hydrophobic coating treatment specifically at the edge portions of the active material layer, the insulating solution is directed to form insulating portions only at the boundaries where short circuit prevention is needed. The central regions remain unaffected, maintaining their original thickness and ensuring flat stacking without localized thickness variations.
3Manufacturing precision
If hydrophobic coating layer is applied to edge portion, then insulating solution spread is controlled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the active material layer by applying a hydrophobic coating layer with lower surface energy than the active material. This parameter change creates a surface that repels the insulating solution, automatically controlling its spread to form insulating portions at the edges without requiring complex coating equipment or multi-step processes.
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 design ensures improved stacking flatness and uniform thickness of the electrode plate, enabling the rechargeable battery to meet precise external specifications.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic coating layer on at least an edge of the active material layer, the hydrophobic coating layer having a hydrophobic functional group
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrode plate includes a substrate, an active material layer on the substrate, a hydrophobic coating layer on at least an edge of the active material layer, the hydrophobic coating layer having a hydrophobic functional group, and an insulating portion at a boundary between the active material layer and the substrate, the insulating portion covering at least a part of a side surface of the active material layer below the hydrophobic coating layer.