Separator Plasma Patterning for Battery Lamination and Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face issues with reduced electrolyte impregnation force and inefficient gas discharge due to poor bonding between the positive and negative electrodes and the separator, leading to non-uniform electrode assembly quality.
Innovation Solution
A plasma generator with a transfer roller and plasma generation part forms a patterned adhesive surface on the separator, using a blocking member to create alternating adhesive and non-adhesive regions, enhancing bonding and gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a lamination process is performed to improve bonding between electrodes and separator, then bondability increases, but electrolyte impregnation force is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separator surface is divided into adhesive regions and non-adhesive regions through the blocking member. The blocking member creates a patterned structure where plasma treatment is applied only to specific areas, segmenting the surface properties to simultaneously achieve bonding in some areas and electrolyte penetration in others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the separator surface are given different properties: adhesive regions with enhanced bonding capability through plasma treatment, and non-adhesive regions that maintain original properties for electrolyte impregnation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between uniform bonding and electrolyte penetration.
2Strength
If a lamination process is performed to improve bonding between electrodes and separator, then bondability increases, but gas discharge becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member creates segmented adhesive and non-adhesive regions on the separator. The non-adhesive regions serve as pathways for gas discharge, allowing trapped gas to escape efficiently while the adhesive regions maintain structural bonding between electrodes and separator.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific regions of the separator are treated to have different adhesive properties. The non-adhesive regions locally provide gas discharge channels, while adhesive regions provide bonding strength, resolving the contradiction between bonding and gas discharge efficiency.
3Strength
If the entire separator surface is treated with plasma to enhance adhesion, then bondability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of treating the entire separator surface uniformly, the plasma generation part is segmented into active plasma generation regions and blocked regions. The blocking member creates this segmentation, allowing plasma to be generated only where adhesion is needed, simplifying the overall structure compared to full-surface treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element that controls plasma generation. By strategically placing blocking members, the system achieves selective surface treatment without requiring complex plasma generation equipment, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective adhesion.
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
The solution increases adhesive force between electrodes and separators, improves electrolyte impregnation, and facilitates efficient gas discharge, resulting in improved electrode assembly quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma generation member provided to be spaced apart from the transfer roller and configured to generate plasma by mutual reaction with the metal member and thereby to form the adhesive surface having the adhesive force on the portion of the surface of the separator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a plasma generator for a secondary battery. The plasma generator comprises: a transfer roller configured to transfer a separator; and a plasma generation part configured to form an adhesive surface having adhesive force on a portion of a surface of the separator, which is transferred by the transfer roller, and a non-adhesive surface having no adhesive force on a remaining portion, wherein the plasma generation part comprises: a metal member embedded in the transfer roller; a plasma generation member provided to be spaced apart from the transfer roller and configured to generate plasma by mutual reaction with the metal member and thereby to form the adhesive surface having the adhesive force on the portion of the surface of the separator; and a blocking member provided on an outer circumferential surface of the transfer roller and configured to block the mutual reaction between the metal member and the plasma generation member and thereby to form the non-adhesive surface having no adhesive force on the remaining portion of the surface of the separator.