Vacuum Guide Roller Drying for Flat Electrode Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrode sheet drying processes lead to creases in the non-coated part and cracks at the boundary between the coated and non-coated parts due to uneven drying, causing the current collector to lift and disrupt subsequent manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An electrode sheet drying device with a guide roller featuring perforated holes on its outer surface, which applies vacuum suction to maintain close contact with the electrode sheet, preventing lifting and ensuring even drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional drying method is used, then drying process is simple, but creases occur in non-coated part and cracks occur at boundary between coated and non-coated parts
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a suction section with perforated holes for vacuum suction, a heating section for thermal drying, and a coating section. This segmentation allows each section to address specific drying issues independently, preventing creases and cracks while maintaining overall device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the guide roller provide different local conditions: the suction section applies vacuum only where needed to prevent lifting, the heating section provides thermal energy for drying, and the coating section maintains proper adhesion. This localized treatment prevents uniform overheating and localized defects
2Productivity
If hot air is sprayed upward to accelerate drying, then drying speed increases, but current collector lifting phenomenon is intensified
Solution Approach 1:
The suction section with perforated holes applies vacuum suction to the guide roller surface before and during the drying process, creating a holding force that counteracts the upward lifting force generated by hot air spray. This preliminary anti-action prevents the current collector from lifting while maintaining high drying speed
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum pump connected to the perforated holes in the guide roller creates negative pressure, generating a suction force that holds the electrode sheet firmly against the guide roller surface. This pneumatic mechanism prevents lifting caused by hot air spray while maintaining continuous contact for even drying
3Productivity
If coated part region adjacent to non-coated part dries faster, then drying efficiency improves, but non-coated part is stretched and creases occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller with suction and heating sections creates uniform drying conditions across the entire electrode sheet surface. The vacuum suction ensures consistent contact pressure, while the heating section provides uniform thermal distribution, preventing the weight difference and uneven drying that causes creases in the non-coated part
4Manufacturing precision
If vacuum suction is applied through perforated holes in guide roller, then electrode sheet clings to guide roller preventing lifting, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is designed with perforated holes (porous structure) that allow vacuum suction to be applied uniformly across its surface. This porous design enables the guide roller to cling the electrode sheet effectively while maintaining a relatively simple cylindrical structure, avoiding the need for complex clamping mechanisms
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 device effectively mitigates creases in the non-coated part and prevents cracks at the boundary between coated and non-coated regions, enhancing the overall efficiency of the electrode manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump for applying a negative pressure to an inside of the guide roller, so that an electrode sheet clings to the guide roller
Implementation Method 2
a process of coating and drying an electrode slurry in which an electrode active material, a binder, and a solvent are mixed on a current collector is performed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein relates to an electrode sheet drying device including a guide roller having a plurality of perforated holes formed on the outer circumferential surface, and the guide roller is configured to vacuum cling an electrode sheet to prevent an electrode sheet from being lifted from the guide roller during a drying process, thereby having an effect of mitigating the occurrence of creases in a non-coated part and preventing lifting of a current collector and the occurrence of cracks.