Infrared Electrode Heating for Wrinkle-Free Battery Preheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of wrinkles on electrodes during the heating process and temperature inconsistencies due to equipment operation speed and electrode type in secondary battery manufacturing, along with high nip pressure, are unresolved issues in existing pre-heating methods.

Innovation Solution

An electrode heating device comprising heating lamps, a heating chamber, and a control module to adjust temperature, distance, and nip pressure, utilizing infrared lamps and pneumatic cylinders to maintain consistent electrode heating without direct contact, and an exhaust device to manage moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a roll press is used for pre-heating the electrode, then the electrode can be heated, but wrinkles form on the electrode due to temperature differences caused by equipment operation speed and electrode type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode temperatureVSAvoidelectrode surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical roll press heating system with a non-contact infrared heating system. The infrared heater applies thermal energy directly to the electrode without mechanical contact, eliminating the nip pressure that causes wrinkles while maintaining effective heating. This substitution of mechanical heating with radiant heating resolves the contradiction between achieving temperature rise and maintaining surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces infrared radiation as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy to the electrode. Instead of direct mechanical contact through rollers, the infrared heater acts as an intermediary that delivers heat energy through radiation, allowing temperature control without the harmful mechanical pressure that causes surface defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a roll press is used for pre-heating, then heating can be performed, but high nip pressure is applied to the electrode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode temperatureVSAvoidnip pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical roll press system that applies high nip pressure with a non-contact infrared heating system. The infrared heater transfers thermal energy through radiation without requiring mechanical contact, thereby completely eliminating or significantly reducing the nip pressure applied to the electrode while still achieving the required heating effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heating function from the mechanical roll press system and separates it from the mechanical contact component. By using infrared radiation for heating, the harmful nip pressure is removed from the process while retaining the essential heating capability, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature rise and pressure reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If roll press heating is used, then the electrode can be pre-heated, but temperature differences occur depending on equipment operation speed and electrode type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode temperatureVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical roll press heating system with an infrared heating system that provides more uniform and controllable temperature distribution. The infrared heater can be precisely controlled in terms of power and duration, and the non-contact nature of the heating ensures consistent thermal energy delivery regardless of electrode type or equipment speed variations, thereby improving temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic control system that can adjust the infrared heater's power output and heating duration based on real-time process conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain optimal temperature uniformity across different electrode types and equipment operation speeds, resolving the stability issue associated with fixed mechanical heating systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Prevents electrode wrinkles, ensures uniform heating to a constant temperature, and reduces nip pressure, enhancing process efficiency and yield by minimizing direct contact and optimizing heating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heating lamp disposed to face the electrode... the heating lamp may be an infrared lamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4708371A1Device for heating electrodes
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4708371A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708371A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4708371A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heating device for heating an electrode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one heating lamp disposed to face the electrode; a heating chamber having an internal receiving space accommodating the heating lamp and configured to allow the electrode to pass through; and a control module configured to adjust the temperature of the electrode.