Secondary Battery SLMP Layer Bonding for Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face limitations in increasing energy density due to low charging/discharging efficiency, despite using materials with higher capacity than graphite for the negative electrode.

Innovation Solution

A stabilized lithium metal powder (SLMP) layer is bonded to the surface of the negative electrode plate in the electrode assembly, improving charging/discharging efficiency and energy density, with a manufacturing apparatus and method that includes lamination and heating steps to ensure strong adhesion and optimal thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If materials with higher capacity than graphite (such as Si, Sn, SiO) are used for the negative electrode to improve energy density, then the capacity per weight increases, but the charging/discharging efficiency becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity per weightVSAvoidcharging/discharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining high-capacity materials (Si, Sn, SiO) with graphite in the negative electrode structure. This composite approach allows the battery to achieve higher capacity per weight while maintaining acceptable charging/discharging efficiency, as graphite provides structural stability and efficient lithium ion transport pathways while the high-capacity materials contribute additional capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating a core-shell structure where the central part contains high-capacity materials (Si, Sn, SiO) for maximum capacity, while the outer layer uses graphite for structural stability and efficient ion transport. This localized differentiation allows different regions of the electrode to perform specialized functions, resolving the contradiction between high capacity and good charging/discharging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If a thick electrode structure is used to increase energy density, then the capacity increases, but the charging/discharging efficiency decreases due to longer ion transport paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcharging/discharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrode into multiple thin layers stacked in sequence, rather than using a single thick electrode. This segmentation creates shorter ion transport paths within each layer while maintaining high energy density through increased layer count, effectively resolving the contradiction between energy density and charging/discharging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar electrode structure to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with multiple layers. This dimensional change allows the electrode to achieve high energy density through increased vertical stacking while maintaining short ion transport paths within each individual layer, thus improving both energy density and charging/discharging efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If lithium metal powder is added to improve charging/discharging efficiency, then the efficiency increases, but the electrode thickness increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging/discharging efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin film technology by applying lithium metal powder as a thin coating layer on the electrode surface rather than bulk material. This thin film approach provides the benefits of improved charging/discharging efficiency while minimizing the increase in electrode thickness, effectively resolving the contradiction between efficiency improvement and thickness control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the thickness and concentration of the lithium metal powder layer. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves improved charging/discharging efficiency while keeping the electrode thickness increase within acceptable limits, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and thickness.

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

The bonding of the SLMP layer significantly enhances the charging/discharging efficiency and energy density of the secondary battery, while maintaining a thin structure to prevent excessive thickness and reduce manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a film sheet pressing part that presses the film sheet to be closely attached to each of the top and bottom surfaces of the semi-finished radical unit sheet to be bonded to the semi-finished radical unit sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Implementation Method 2

The lamination apparatus may further comprise a radical unit sheet heating part that heats the semi-finished radical unit sheet on which the film sheet is laminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11424474B2Secondary battery, and apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2022.08.23 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • US11424474B2 patent drawing
  • US11424474B2 patent drawing
  • US11424474B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery, the apparatus comprising a radical unit sheet supply part that supplies a semi-finished radical unit sheet on which a first electrode sheet is laminated on an outermost portion thereof, a film sheet supply part that supplies a film sheet coated with a stabilized lithium metal power (SLMP) layer to attach the film sheet to each of top and bottom surfaces of the semi-finished radical unit sheet, a film sheet pressing part that allows the SLMP layer applied to the film sheet to be bonded to each of the top and bottom surfaces of the semi-finished radical unit sheet, and a film sheet removing part that removes the film sheet from the SLMP layer bonded to the semi-finished radical unit sheet to manufacture a finished radical unit sheet.