Separator Preheating and Cold Lamination for Battery Electrode Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing electrical energy storage devices, particularly planar batteries, face issues such as high energy consumption, increased costs, safety concerns due to static electricity, and performance degradation from thermal expansion differences between electrodes, requiring additional protective layers and ceramic coatings for separators.
Innovation Solution
A method and machine for laminating strips of material that involves cold lamination, where electrodes are not heated and only separator strips are pre-heated before lamination, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for protective layers and ceramic coatings, thus avoiding thermal expansion issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hot lamination is used to laminate electrode and separator strips, then lamination bonding is achieved, but thermal expansion differences cause electrode bending and separator stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from hot lamination to cold lamination (room temperature), eliminating thermal expansion effects while maintaining lamination bonding through pressure application alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the heating function from the lamination function by pre-heating only the separator strip independently before lamination, rather than heating all layers together during the lamination process
2Ease of manufacture
If protective layers are added during lamination to protect rollers and strips, then lamination process is enabled, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the protective layers from the lamination process entirely by using cold lamination with pressure-only application, eliminating the need for additional protective materials and their associated handling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of protecting the rollers and strips with additional layers during hot lamination, the patent inverts the approach by using cold lamination where pressure alone enables bonding without requiring protective intermediaries
3Strength
If ceramic coating is applied to separator strips, then separator strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ceramic coating step from the manufacturing process by using cold lamination that maintains separator integrity without requiring additional strengthening layers, simplifying the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of strengthening the separator through ceramic coating before lamination, the patent inverts the approach by using cold lamination conditions that preserve the separator's natural properties without requiring additional strengthening treatments
4Strength
If hot lamination is used for energy storage device production, then lamination bonding is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from elevated temperatures to room temperature cold lamination, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining bonding through pressure application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating function from the lamination function, pre-heating only the separator strip locally before lamination rather than heating all layers during the bonding process, reducing overall energy requirements
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 reduces energy costs, simplifies process control, enhances lamination speed, and improves product performance by preventing electrode bending and separator stress, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective production process.
Implementation Method 1
heating at least one of the two opposite faces of the separator strip prior to the cold lamination of the electrode strip and the separator strip together
Implementation Method 2
cold laminating the electrode strip and the separator strip together
Data Source
AI summary
Method for laminating strips of material, in particular for the production of electrical energy storage devices, the strips comprising a first separator strip and at least a first electrode strip, the first separator strip comprising a first face and a second face, the method comprising the sequential steps of: conveying the first separator strip along a feeding path in a first direction; heating at least the first face of the first separator strip, the first face of the first separator strip being configured to face a respective face of the first electrode strip; introducing the first separator strip and the first electrode strip in a lamination unit; and cold laminating, via the lamination unit, the first separator strip and the first electrode strip together.