Electrode Slurry Coating with Residual Oil Detection on Metal Foil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the remaining oil level on metal foils used as current collectors in secondary batteries are inaccurate due to variations in reagents and contamination, leading to potential electrode slurry coating issues such as collapse or disconnection.
Innovation Solution
An electrode slurry coating apparatus and method that includes a coater, a remaining oil level measuring unit, and a controller. The measuring unit measures the spread degree and contact angle of the electrode slurry dropped on the metal foil, allowing the controller to determine if the remaining oil level is excessive and decide whether to coat the electrode slurry or clean the foil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional dyne test is performed to measure the remaining oil level, then the measurement process can be completed, but the measurement precision is poor due to reagent variations and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional chemical-based dyne test with a non-contact optical measurement system using a vision camera. The camera captures images of the metal foil surface, and image processing algorithms analyze the reflected light patterns to detect and measure remaining oil levels. This substitution eliminates reagent-related errors and provides more precise, repeatable measurements without physical contact with the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the metal foil surface characteristics to infer the remaining oil level. By capturing the light reflection pattern from the foil surface and analyzing it through image processing, the system indirectly measures the oil level without directly interacting with the oil or requiring chemical reagents. This copying approach enables precise measurement while avoiding contamination issues.
2Manufacturing precision
If rolling oil is used during the rolling process to planarize the metal foil surface, then the planarization quality is improved, but harmful factors increase due to remaining oil causing electrode slurry collapse or disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the remaining oil level on the metal foil surface before the electrode slurry coating process. By measuring the oil level in advance using the vision-based system, the process can determine whether the oil content is within acceptable ranges for subsequent coating operations, allowing for preventive measures to be taken if necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measured remaining oil level information is used to control whether electrode slurry coating should proceed. The system compares the measured oil level against predetermined thresholds and provides feedback to the coating process, enabling dynamic adjustment or prevention of coating operations when oil levels are excessive, thereby preventing slurry collapse or disconnection.
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 solution enables more accurate recognition of the remaining oil level, preventing coating defects and ensuring the quality of the electrode mixture layer by determining the optimal coating conditions based on measured parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The remaining oil level measuring unit measures at least one of a spread degree and a contact angle of the electrode slurry dropped on the metal foil
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for coating an electrode slurry, and the apparatus includes: a coater which coats an electrode slurry on a metal foil; a remaining oil level measuring unit which measures a remaining oil level on a surface of the metal foil before coating the electrode slurry; and a controller which determines whether the remaining oil level is excessive from a measurement value of the remaining oil level, and determines whether to coat the electrode slurry therefrom.