Unit Cell Stacking With Adhesive Bonding for Electrode Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing unit cells in secondary batteries, which involve laminating electrodes and separators using heat and pressure, can result in electrode misalignment, damage, and irregular adhesion forces due to non-uniform heating.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for manufacturing unit cells where electrodes are bonded to separators using an adhesive, rather than heat and pressure, ensuring precise alignment and minimizing the risk of electrode damage or misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If heat and pressure are used to laminate electrodes and separators, then bonding strength is improved, but electrode misalignment and damage occur due to non-uniform heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidelectrode alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical lamination system (heat and pressure) with a mechanical bonding system using adhesive tapes. The adhesive tapes are applied to the separators and electrodes at specific positions, providing bonding strength without requiring uniform heat distribution. This substitution eliminates the electrode misalignment and damage issues caused by non-uniform heating while maintaining adequate bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If heat and pressure are used to laminate electrodes and separators, then adhesion force is improved, but adhesion becomes irregular due to non-uniform heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion forceVSAvoidadhesion uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal bonding with adhesive bonding using tapes applied at predetermined positions on separators and electrodes. This mechanical bonding approach ensures uniform adhesion force distribution without the irregularities caused by non-uniform heat distribution in traditional lamination methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If electrodes are heated and pressed during lamination, then bonding is achieved, but electrode distortion and deformation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidelectrode shape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heating and pressing process with adhesive tape bonding. The adhesive tapes are applied to the separators and electrodes at specific positions, providing sufficient bonding strength without subjecting the electrodes to thermal stress and pressure that cause distortion and deformation. This maintains the original shape and dimensions of the electrodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach prevents distortion and deformation of electrodes and separators, maintains their integrity, and ensures consistent adhesion, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency and quality of unit cells.

Implementation Method 1

an electrode is bonded (laminated) to a separator by an adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3951972B1Method and apparatus for manufacturing a unit cell
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3951972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3951972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3951972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a unit cell in which a certain number of separators and electrodes are alternately stacked, the method comprising: an adhesive applying step of continuously providing a lower separator located at a relatively lower position and an upper separator located at a relatively upper position and applying an adhesive to a surface of at least one separator of the lower separator or the upper separator; an electrode inputting step of inputting an electrode onto the lower separator; and a stacking step of positioning and stacking the electrode between the lower separator and the upper separator. The adhesive applied on the separator allows the electrode to be bonded to the separator or the other separator to be bonded to the separator, thereby preventing the electrode from moving.