Integrated Slot Die Coater for Multi-Lane Double Battery Coating

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-lane double coating devices for secondary batteries have complex equipment layouts and high investment costs due to the number of insulating coating solution dies, supply pipes, and pumps, which complicates the process and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A slot die coater with integrated slots for both electrode active material slurry and insulating coating solution, using a single shim plate to form layers on both sides of the electrode active material coating, simplifying the device layout and reducing the number of required components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple insulating coating solution dies, supply pipes, and pumps are used for multi-lane double coating, then coating functionality is achieved, but equipment complexity and investment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating functionalityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple coating functions (electrode active material coating and insulating coating on both sides) into a single integrated slot die coater. The device uses one die block with multiple slots to simultaneously discharge different coating solutions, eliminating the need for separate dies, supply pipes, and pumps for each coating lane. This merging approach maintains full coating functionality while dramatically reducing equipment complexity and investment cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slot die coater is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple coating operations through a single unit. The die block incorporates slots for discharging both electrode active material slurry and insulating coating solution to multiple locations on the current collector. This multi-functional design allows one piece of equipment to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple insulating coating solution dies, supply pipes, and pumps are used for multi-lane double coating, then coating functionality is achieved, but investment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating functionalityVSAvoidinvestment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple coating functions (electrode active material coating and insulating coating on both sides) into a single integrated slot die coater. The device uses one die block with multiple slots to simultaneously discharge different coating solutions, eliminating the need for separate dies, supply pipes, and pumps for each coating lane. This merging approach maintains full coating functionality while dramatically reducing equipment complexity and investment cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slot die coater is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple coating operations through a single unit. The die block incorporates slots for discharging both electrode active material slurry and insulating coating solution to multiple locations on the current collector. This multi-functional design allows one piece of equipment to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows simultaneous coating of electrode active material and insulating layers on both sides, improving efficiency and yield while reducing equipment complexity and investment costs.

Implementation Method 1

an electrode active material slurry discharged from the slot die coater is applied to a current collector transported by a coating roll to form an electrode active material coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSlot coating:

Implementation Method 2

a ceramic-based insulating coating solution may be simultaneously coated on both sides of the electrode active material coating layer, which is a so-called multi-lane double coating process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMulti-lane double coating:

Data Source

PatentEP4321262B1Slot die coater and multi-lane double coating device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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AI summary

A slot die coater includes a lower die block including a first manifold in which an electrode active material slurry is accommodated, an upper die block including a second manifold in which an insulating coating solution is accommodated, and a shim plate located between the lower die block and the upper die block to form a slot communicating with a discharge port, wherein the shim plate includes a first concave portion provided in an upwardly concave shape on a first surface located to cover the first manifold of the lower die block, and a second concave portion provided in a downwardly concave shape on a second surface located to cover the second manifold of the upper die block, wherein the second concave portion is configured to be located one by one on both sides of the first concave portion in a width direction.