Shimmed Nozzle Assembly for Uniform Micron Adhesive Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to achieve uniform and extremely thin adhesive coatings on electrode sheets of electric vehicle batteries, with current products unable to maintain a thickness of 10-20 µm and prone to defects like missing adhesive or uneven application, while also requiring zero tolerance for exposed metals and continuous coating performance.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle assembly with a lip plate, cover plate, and shim design, combined with a coating system including a metering assembly and heating block, to precisely control fluid distribution, achieving micron-level coatings through a slit nozzle with a shim and dam structure, reducing hydraulic pressure drop and eliminating fluid hammerheads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional coating methods are used to apply adhesive to electrode sheets, then the coating process can be performed, but the adhesive thickness cannot be controlled uniformly at 10-20 μm and defects such as missing adhesive or uneven application occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive thickness uniformityVSAvoidcoating defect rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a precisely engineered nozzle assembly as an intermediary device between the adhesive source and the electrode sheet. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body with a controlled internal channel, a nozzle plate with a precisely positioned opening, and a distance control member that maintains a fixed gap between the nozzle plate and the electrode sheet surface. This intermediary structure ensures uniform adhesive distribution at the required 10-20 μm thickness without defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the adhesive coating parameters by precisely defining the geometry of the nozzle components. The distance control member maintains a specific gap distance (10-20 μm) between the nozzle plate and the electrode sheet. The nozzle plate opening dimensions and the internal channel geometry are designed to control the adhesive flow rate and distribution pattern, ensuring uniform coating thickness and preventing defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high production line speeds (up to 120 m/min) are used to replace traditional adhesive tape bonding, then productivity increases, but the coating uniformity and thickness control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction line speedVSAvoidadhesive thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the nozzle assembly to be dynamically stable at high speeds. The distance control member ensures that the gap between the nozzle plate and the electrode sheet remains constant even during high-speed movement (up to 120 m/min). The nozzle assembly can be quickly positioned and secured, allowing the system to maintain precision coating application during rapid production cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle assembly is pre-configured with the correct gap distance and orientation before the coating process begins. The distance control member is pre-adjusted to maintain the required 10-20 μm gap, and the nozzle plate opening is pre-positioned to ensure proper adhesive distribution. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for real-time adjustments during high-speed production, maintaining coating uniformity at elevated speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the nozzle assembly components (lip plate, cover plate, shim) are designed with precise dimensions and fit tolerances, then coating precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating thickness controlVSAvoidnozzle assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a lip plate (or nozzle body) containing the adhesive channel, a cover plate with a precisely positioned opening, and a shim (distance control member) to maintain the gap. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and adjusted independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining precise coating control through the coordinated fit of the parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables precise and stable application of extremely thin adhesive layers, meeting the stringent requirements for electric vehicle battery coatings with improved responsiveness and reduced defects, suitable for high-speed production lines.

Implementation Method 1

the shim has a cutout extending upwards from a bottom side of the shim, and a height of a topmost portion of the cutout is greater than or equal to a height of a topmost portion of the lip plate channel of the lip plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control through geometric constraint:

Data Source

PatentEP4714561A1Nozzle assembly and coating system comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 NORDSON CORP
  • EP4714561A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4714561A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4714561A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application relates to a nozzle assembly and a coating system comprising the same. The nozzle assembly (5) comprises: a lip plate (51) that has a lip plate channel (51a) extending through the lip plate in a thickness direction of the lip plate and a receiving groove (51b) located on one side of the lip plate in the thickness direction and used for receiving a fluid from outside of the nozzle assembly, the lip plate channel (51a) and the receiving groove (51b) being in fluid communication with each other; a cover plate (52) that is connected to the lip plate on the other side of the lip plate (51) opposite to the receiving groove (51b); and a shim (53) that is located between the lip plate and the cover plate, wherein the shim has a cutout (53a) extending upwards from a bottom side of the shim, and a height of a topmost portion of the cutout is greater than or equal to a height of a topmost portion of the lip plate channel of the lip plate.