Magnetized Roller Drying for Uniform Secondary Battery Electrodes

Solution Overview

Problem

The migration of binders and conductors during the drying process of secondary battery electrodes leads to reduced bonding strength and impaired lithium ion movement, affecting battery performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a magnetized roller in the electrode manufacturing device to create a magnetic field that attracts and evenly distributes the conductor and binder components, preventing their migration to the surface of the active material layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the electrode slurry is applied and dried using conventional drying methods, then the solvent evaporates and the active material layer is formed, but the binder and conductor components migrate towards the top surface, causing non-uniform distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of binder and conductor distributionVSAvoidcompositional uniformity of active material layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal drying with magnetic field-based drying. A magnet is positioned near the drying surface to generate a magnetic field that attracts magnetic particles (conductor and binder) toward the drying surface, counteracting the natural migration caused by solvent evaporation and maintaining uniform composition throughout the active material layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field strength as a new parameter to control the distribution of binder and conductor. By adjusting the magnetic field strength and the position of the magnet, the patent optimizes the attraction force on magnetic particles, preventing their migration and maintaining uniform distribution during the drying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If conventional drying is used without magnetic field application, then the drying process is simple, but the bonding strength between current collector and active material layer is reduced due to binder migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strength between current collector and active material layerVSAvoidcomplexity of drying device

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal drying with magnetic field-based drying. A magnet is positioned near the drying surface to generate a magnetic field that attracts magnetic particles (conductor and binder) toward the drying surface, counteracting the natural migration caused by solvent evaporation and maintaining uniform composition throughout the active material layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary component that mediates the interaction between the drying process and the magnetic particles (conductor and binder). The magnet generates a magnetic field that acts as a controlling force, preventing particle migration and enhancing bonding strength without significantly complicating the overall drying system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If binder and conductor are allowed to migrate during drying, then the drying process proceeds quickly, but the electrical conductivity and battery performance are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoiddrying process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal drying with magnetic field-based drying. A magnet is positioned near the drying surface to generate a magnetic field that attracts magnetic particles (conductor and binder) toward the drying surface, counteracting the natural migration caused by solvent evaporation and maintaining uniform composition throughout the active material layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field strength as a new parameter to control the distribution of binder and conductor. By adjusting the magnetic field strength and the position of the magnet, the patent optimizes the attraction force on magnetic particles, preventing their migration and maintaining uniform distribution during the drying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively suppresses the migration of binders and conductors, maintaining a uniform distribution and enhancing the bonding strength and electrical conductivity of the electrode, thereby improving battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a magnetized roller in the electrode manufacturing device to create a magnetic field that attracts and evenly distributes the conductor and binder components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20240274821A1Electrode Manufacturing Apparatus, Electrode Manufacturing Method, and Electrode for Secondary Battery

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A roller including a magnet among the rollers driving the conveyor line suppresses the phenomenon of binder migration during the drying process, thereby improving the adhesion between the active material layer and the electrode current collector, and improving the ionic conductivity of lithium ion.