Slit-Inlet Drying Nozzle for Uniform Electrode Plate Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the drying process of electrode plates for secondary batteries, deviations in the flow rate and/or flow velocity of drying gas can lead to uneven drying, resulting in defects such as cracks and bending, particularly for wide electrode plates.

Innovation Solution

A gas injection nozzle and drying apparatus designed to reduce deviations in flow rate and/or flow velocity across the electrode plate, featuring a nozzle body with a flow space between plates, inlet holes with a slit shape, and injection holes, optionally with a deflector to change the flow direction of the drying gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional gas injection nozzle is used for drying wide electrode plates, then the drying process can be completed, but large deviations in flow rate and flow velocity occur between the center and side parts, resulting in uneven drying quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying quality uniformityVSAvoidflow rate deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle body is divided into multiple injection holes distributed across the width of the electrode plate. Each injection hole independently injects drying gas, allowing localized control of flow distribution. This segmentation enables uniform drying across the entire width by addressing flow deviations at specific locations rather than treating the entire width as a single zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements local quality control by positioning injection holes at different locations (center and side parts) with potentially different configurations. Each region receives drying gas tailored to its specific flow characteristics, compensating for the natural tendency of gas flow to concentrate at the center and diminish at the sides. This localized adjustment ensures uniform drying quality across the entire electrode plate width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If drying gas is injected onto wide electrode plates, then the active material can be dried, but cracks and bending occur due to large flow rate and flow velocity deviations depending on position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode plate qualityVSAvoidflow velocity deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle body is divided into multiple injection holes distributed across the width of the electrode plate. Each injection hole independently injects drying gas, allowing localized control of flow distribution. This segmentation enables uniform drying across the entire width by addressing flow deviations at specific locations rather than treating the entire width as a single zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements local quality control by positioning injection holes at different locations (center and side parts) with potentially different configurations. Each region receives drying gas tailored to its specific flow characteristics, compensating for the natural tendency of gas flow to concentrate at the center and diminish at the sides. This localized adjustment ensures uniform drying quality across the entire electrode plate width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces deviations in drying efficiency and quality, improving the uniformity of drying and reducing defects like cracks and bending, even for wide electrode plates, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the electrode plates.

Implementation Method 1

at least one inlet hole (130) formed in the first plate (111) and configured to allow the drying gas to flow into the flow space (120) from the outside of the nozzle body (110), and a plurality of injection holes (140) formed in the second plate (112) and configured to inject the drying gas from inside of the flow space (120) to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow distribution:

Implementation Method 2

a deflector (150) disposed between the first plate (111) and the second plate (112) and configured to change a flow direction of the drying gas introduced through the at least one inlet hole (130)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow direction control:

Implementation Method 3

drying gas such as hot air is injected onto a sheet of the current collector coated with the active material to dry the active material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4549862A1Gas injection nozzle for drying electrode plate and drying apparatus for electrode plate including the same
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SK INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP4549862A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4549862A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4549862A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a gas injection nozzle (100) for drying an electrode plate including: a nozzle body (110) having a flow space (120) through which drying gas flows, the flow space being formed between a first plate (111) and a second plate (112) spaced apart from the first plate (111) in a first direction; at least one inlet hole (130) formed in the first plate (111) and configured to allow the drying gas to flow into the flow space (120) from the outside of the nozzle body (110); and a plurality of injection holes (140) formed in the second plate (112) and configured to inject the drying gas from inside of the flow space (120) to the outside, wherein the at least one inlet hole (130) has a slit shape crossing the first plate (111) in a second direction, a longitudinal direction of the nozzle body (110).