Inline Degassing of Battery Electrode Coating Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing battery cell coatings require lengthy degassing processes, incur high costs, and necessitate significant space and maintenance due to the use of separate degassing tanks, which can lead to gas inclusions and defects in the electrode.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that integrates a degassing device directly after the extrusion device and potentially within a buffer tank or before the coating device, allowing for continuous degassing and preventing air inclusions, using a multi-screw extruder and inline vacuum degassing to produce a bubble-free coating mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate degassing tanks are used for the coating mixture, then sufficient degassing can be achieved, but the process time is long and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the degassing function directly into the extrusion device by integrating a degassing chamber and vacuum system into the extruder. This eliminates the need for separate degassing tanks and allows degassing to occur during the extrusion process itself, significantly reducing process time while maintaining effective degassing through the integrated vacuum system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs degassing as a preliminary action during the extrusion process itself, before the coating mixture is applied to the substrate. The integrated degassing chamber removes gases and air inclusions from the coating mixture while it is being extruded, ensuring the mixture is ready for immediate application without requiring subsequent separate degassing steps.
2Reliability
If separate degassing tanks are used for the coating mixture, then sufficient degassing can be achieved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the degassing function into the extrusion device by integrating a degassing chamber, vacuum system, and heating elements directly into the extruder. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate degassing tanks and associated piping, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective degassing through the integrated vacuum and heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The extrusion device is designed to perform multiple functions: mixing, extruding, heating, and degassing. The integrated system uses the same mechanical and thermal energy for both extrusion and degassing processes, making the device more versatile and reducing the need for separate specialized equipment.
3Reliability
If separate degassing tanks are used for the coating mixture, then sufficient degassing can be achieved, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the degassing chamber within the extrusion device housing, eliminating the need for separate large-volume degassing tanks. The degassing function is integrated into the existing extrusion equipment footprint, significantly reducing the overall space required for the coating mixture preparation system while maintaining effective gas removal through the integrated vacuum system.
4Reliability
If separate degassing tanks are used for the coating mixture, then sufficient degassing can be achieved, but the maintenance effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the degassing chamber and vacuum system into the extrusion device, creating a unified system with fewer separate components and connections. This integration reduces the number of joints, seals, and interfaces that require cleaning and maintenance, while the compact integrated design allows for easier access and servicing of all degassing components through the existing extrusion device structure.
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 significantly shortens the degassing process time, eliminates the need for separate degassing tanks, reduces maintenance and space requirements, and ensures a bubble-free coating mixture, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of battery cell production.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two treatment element shafts can be extruder screws. The housing can be a cylindrical housing in which the at least two treatment element shafts are accommodated. For feeding the components of the coating mixture into the multi-shaft screw extruder
Implementation Method 2
The system can be designed to produce a substantially bubble-free coating mixture for an electrode, in particular to avoid gas and/or air inclusions in the electrode coating
Data Source
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AI summary
Plant (100, 200, 300) and method for producing a homogenized coating mixture for an electrode of a battery cell, wherein the plant (100, 200, 300) comprises an extrusion unit (102) for producing the homogeneous coating mixture; a transfer point (106) for providing the coating mixture homogenized by the extrusion unit (102); and a degassing unit (104) downstream of the extrusion unit (102) and upstream of the transfer point (106), which is configured for continuously degassing the coating mixture homogenized by the extrusion unit (102), as well as coating mixture, electrode and battery cell.