CN218078763U - Coating device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to a coating device and a coating system, wherein in the coating process, a first feeding mechanism is used for providing first slurry for a first coating piece, and the first slurry is coated in a first area of a current collector by the first coating piece; and providing the second slurry to the second coating part by using a second feeding mechanism, and coating the second slurry in a second area of the current collector by using the second coating part to form the pole piece with different slurries in different areas. So, the coating unit of this application utilizes two coating equipment, is responsible for the thick liquids in the different regions of the mass flow body of coating separately, avoids single coating equipment to make a round trip to switch thick liquids and lead to the coating position to take place the deviation, is favorable to the coating operation of different thick liquids in accurate, the effective different region of realization.

Description

Coating device and system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly, to a coating apparatus and system.

Background

With the continuous prosperity of the new energy automobile market, the power battery industry is rapidly expanding and growing, the battery technology is increasingly refined, and higher requirements are put forward on the safety performance of the power battery. To reduce or avoid the occurrence of lithium deposition problems, different slurries need to be applied in different areas of the current collector. However, the method is limited by the design defects of the conventional coating system, so that the coating operation of different slurries in different areas cannot be accurately and effectively realized.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of the above, there is a need for a coating apparatus and system that can accurately and effectively coat different slurries in different areas.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a coating apparatus comprising: the first coating equipment comprises a first feeding mechanism and a first coating piece, wherein the first feeding mechanism is used for providing at least first slurry for the first coating piece, and the first coating piece is used for coating the first slurry in a first area of the current collector; the second coating equipment comprises a second supply mechanism and a second coating piece, wherein the second supply mechanism is used for supplying second slurry to the second coating piece, and the second coating piece is used for coating the second slurry on a second area of the current collector; wherein the gram volume of the first slurry is different from the gram volume of the second slurry.

The coating device is respectively provided with the first coating equipment and the second coating equipment to form double coating equipment. In the coating process, a first slurry is supplied to a first coating piece by a first supply mechanism, and the first slurry is coated on a first area of a current collector by the first coating piece; and providing the second slurry to the second coating part by using a second feeding mechanism, and coating the second slurry in a second area of the current collector by using the second coating part to form the pole piece with different slurries in different areas. So, the coating unit of this application utilizes two coating equipment, is responsible for the thick liquids in the different regions of the mass flow body of coating respectively, avoids single coating equipment to make a round trip to switch thick liquids and lead to the coating position to take place the deviation, is favorable to the coating operation of different thick liquids in accurate, the effective different regions of realization.

In some embodiments, the first supply mechanism is further configured to supply a second slurry to the first coating member such that the first coating member coats a mix of the first slurry and the second slurry at least at an interface of the first region and the second region. So, coating mixture in the juncture for the juncture all keeps partial the same with the thick liquids composition in first region, the second region respectively, guarantees that the thick liquids of juncture no matter can fully bond with the thick liquids homoenergetic in first region or the second region, and difficult separation splits.

In some embodiments, the first feeding mechanism includes a first feeding assembly for feeding the first slurry, a second feeding assembly for feeding the second slurry, and a dispenser having a first flow channel and a second flow channel both leading to the first coating member, the first feeding assembly is in communication with the first flow channel, and the second feeding assembly is in communication with the second flow channel. So, utilize the batcher, can be in real time to two kinds of thick liquids of difference according to arbitrary proportion compounding, satisfy the coating on the juncture between first region and the second area.

In some embodiments, the first transporting assembly includes a first buffer body and a first transporting pump, the first buffer body is connected to the first flow channel through the first transporting pump, and the first buffer body is used for storing the first slurry. Therefore, the first slurry is conveyed to the first flow channel from the first buffer body through the first conveying pump, and stable feeding of the first slurry is guaranteed.

In some embodiments, the second material transporting assembly includes a second buffer body and a second delivery pump, the second buffer body is communicated with the second flow channel through the second delivery pump, and the second buffer body is used for storing the second slurry. Therefore, the second slurry is conveyed to the second flow channel from the second buffer body through the second conveying pump, and the stability of the feeding of the second slurry is ensured.

In some embodiments, the first coating apparatus further comprises a first controller and a first on-off valve in communication with the first controller, the first on-off valve being configured to control an operating state of the first coating material, the first controller controlling the first on-off valve to open when the first coating material is in the first region; when the first painting member is located outside the first area, the first controller controls the first on-off valve to close. So, utilize first controller and first on-off valve, the operating condition of first coating spare of effective control guarantees that thick liquids are accurate to be coated in first region, promotes coating quality.

In some embodiments, the first coating apparatus further comprises a first timer communicatively connected to the first controller, the first controller controlling the opening of the first on-off valve for a first period of time and controlling the closing of the first on-off valve for a second period of time according to a feedback signal of the first timer; wherein the first length of time is configured to be the time required for the first zone to pass under the first coating member and the second length of time is configured to be the time required for the second zone to pass under the first coating member. Therefore, in the uniform-speed coating process, the coating beat is mastered through the first timer, the first area is accurately positioned, and the first area and the second area are strictly distinguished.

In some embodiments, the first coating apparatus further comprises a first sensor in communication with the first controller, the first sensor configured to obtain a thickness of the coating in the first area, and the first controller configured to adjust a coating height of the first coating member above the first area based on a signal fed back from the first sensor. Therefore, the thickness of the slurry in the first area is monitored in real time by using the first sensor, so that the thickness of the obtained pole piece is uniform and consistent.

In some embodiments, the second feeding mechanism includes a third buffer body and a third delivery pump, the third buffer body is communicated with the second painting member through the third delivery pump, and the third buffer body is used for storing the second slurry. Therefore, the second slurry is conveyed to the second coating part from the third buffer body through the third conveying pump, and the stable feeding of the second slurry is ensured.

In some embodiments, the second coating apparatus further comprises a second controller and a second on-off valve in communication with the second controller, the second on-off valve is used for controlling the working state of the second coating material, and when the second coating material is located in the second area, the second controller controls the second on-off valve to open; when the second painting member is located outside the second area, the second controller controls the second cut-off valve to close. So, utilize second controller and second on-off valve, the operating condition of effective control second coating spare guarantees that thick liquids are accurate to be coated in the second region, promotes coating quality.

In some embodiments, the second coating apparatus further comprises a second timer communicatively connected to the second controller, and the second controller controls the opening of the second on-off valve for a third period of time and controls the closing of the second on-off valve for a fourth period of time according to a feedback signal of the second timer; wherein the third length of time is configured to be the time required for the second region to pass under the second piece of paint and the fourth length of time is configured to be the time required for the first region to pass under the second piece of paint. Therefore, in the uniform-speed coating process, the coating beat is mastered through the second timer, the second area is accurately positioned, and the first area and the second area are strictly distinguished.

In some embodiments, the second coating apparatus further comprises a second sensor in communication with the second controller, the second sensor being configured to obtain a thickness of the coating in the second area, and the second controller is configured to adjust a coating height of the second coating material above the second area based on a signal fed back from the second sensor. Therefore, the thickness of the slurry in the second area is monitored in real time by the second sensor, so that the thickness of the obtained pole piece is uniform and consistent.

In some embodiments, the first painting member and the second painting member are spaced apart, the spacing between the first painting member and the second painting member is equal to the length of the second region, and the first region is contiguous with the second region. Therefore, the positions of the first coating part and the second coating part are reasonably distributed, and the first coating device and the second coating device are convenient to control.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a coating system comprising: a coating apparatus as in any above; the current collector is alternately provided with a first area and a second area along the length direction, the first coating piece is used for coating the first slurry in the first area, and the second coating piece is used for coating the second slurry in the second area.

In some embodiments, the current collector participates in winding to form an electrode assembly, the first region corresponds to a bending region of the electrode assembly, and the second region corresponds to a flat region of the electrode assembly. Therefore, the pastes with different gram volumes are coated on the bending area and the straight area, so that the CB value corresponding to the bending area is higher than that corresponding to the straight area, and the problem of lithium precipitation at the bending area is favorably solved.

The above description is only an overview of the technical solutions of the present application, and the present application may be implemented in accordance with the content of the description so as to make the technical means of the present application more clearly understood, and the detailed description of the present application will be given below in order to make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood.

Drawings

Various additional advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the application. Moreover, like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the structure of an electrode assembly in some embodiments of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a coating system in some embodiments of the present application.

100. A first coating device; 10. a first feeding mechanism; 11. a first feeding assembly; 111. a first buffer body; 112. a first delivery pump; 12. a second feeding assembly; 121. a second buffer body; 122. a second delivery pump; 13. a dispenser; 131. a first flow passage; 132. a second flow passage; 133. a third flow path; 134. a first feed port; 135. a second feed port; 14. a first painting member; 15. a first sensor; 200. a second coating device; 20. a second feeding mechanism; 21. a third buffer body; 22. a third delivery pump; 23. a second painting member; 24. a second sensor; 300. a current collector; 310. a first region; 320. a second region; 400. a first slurry; 500. a second slurry; 600. an electrode assembly; 610. a bending section; 611. a bending zone; 620. a straight portion; 621. a flat zone.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following examples are merely used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and therefore are only examples, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereby.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application; the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof in the description and claims of this application and the description of the figures above, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", and the like are used only for distinguishing different objects, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order, or primary-secondary relationship of the technical features indicated. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically defined otherwise.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "and/or" is only one kind of association relationship describing an associated object, and means that three relationships may exist, for example, a and/or B, and may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "plurality" refers to two or more (including two), and similarly, "plural sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), "plural pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", and the like, indicate orientations and positional relationships that are based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are used for convenience in describing the embodiments of the present application and for simplification of the description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "fixed," and the like are used in a broad sense, and for example, may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrated; mechanical connection or electrical connection is also possible; they may be directly connected or indirectly connected through intervening media, or may be connected through the use of two elements or the interaction of two elements. Specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to specific situations.

At present, the application of the power battery is more and more extensive from the development of market situation. The power battery is not only applied to energy storage power supply systems such as hydraulic power, firepower, wind power and solar power stations, but also widely applied to electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and electric automobiles, and a plurality of fields such as military equipment and aerospace. With the continuous expansion of the application field of the power battery, the market demand is also continuously expanded.

The applicant has noticed that, in order to reduce or avoid the occurrence of the problem of lithium deposition, different slurries need to be applied in different areas of the current collector, such as: in the positive plate, the gram capacity of the sizing agent coated on the area of the electrode assembly bending area corresponding to the current collector is lower than that coated on the area of the electrode assembly straight area corresponding to the current collector; or in the negative plate, the gram capacity of the slurry coated on the area of the electrode assembly bending area corresponding to the current collector is higher than that coated on the area of the electrode assembly straight area corresponding to the current collector, so that the CB value of the electrode assembly bending area is higher than that of the straight area, and the risk of lithium precipitation is reduced.

Referring to fig. 1, the straight region 621 and the bent region 611 of the electrode assembly 600 respectively refer to: the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab are wound together to form a flat structure including bent portions 610 at both sides and a flat portion 620 connected between the bent portions 610 at both sides, at which time the flat portion 620 is located at a flat region 621 of the electrode assembly 600, and the bent portion 610 is located at a bent region 611 of the electrode assembly 600. In addition, the CB value is an abbreviation for Cell Balance, which is interpreted as an equilibrium ratio of the electrode assembly 600, i.e., a ratio of the capacity of the active paste on the negative electrode sheet to the capacity of the active paste on the positive electrode sheet. The volume of the slurry is the product of the gram volume of the active slurry and the unit area weight of the active slurry; gram volume refers to the ratio of the amount of capacitance that can be released by the active paste to the mass of the active paste.

However, to achieve a coating operation in which different slurries are applied in different areas, conventional single coating equipment needs to switch the different slurries back and forth. When the slurry is switched back and forth, the slurry is easily coated untimely, so that the slurry cannot be accurately and completely coated in a corresponding area, and the coating quality of the pole piece is influenced.

Based on this, in order to solve the problem that the coating operation of different slurries in different areas cannot be accurately and effectively realized due to the design defect of the conventional coating system, the applicant has designed a coating apparatus. The coating apparatus includes a first coating device 100 and a second coating device 200, the first coating member 14 in the first coating device 100 coating the first slurry 400 in the first region 310 of the current collector 300; the second coating member 23 in the second coating apparatus 200 coats the second slurry 500 in the second region 320 of the current collector 300.

In the coating process, the first slurry 400 is supplied to the first painting member 14 by the first supply mechanism 10, and the first slurry 400 is coated in the first region 310 of the current collector 300 by the first painting member 14; the second slurry 500 is supplied to the second coating member 23 by the second supply mechanism 20, and the second slurry 500 is coated in the second region 320 of the current collector 300 by the second coating member 23 to form a pole piece having different slurries in different regions. So, the coating unit of this application utilizes two coating equipment, is responsible for the thick liquids in the coating mass flow body 300 different regions separately, avoids single coating equipment to make a round trip to switch thick liquids and lead to the coating position to take place the deviation, is favorable to the coating operation of accurate, effectively realizing different thick liquids in the different regions.

According to some embodiments herein, there is provided a coating apparatus. The coating device includes: a first coating apparatus 100 and a second coating apparatus 200. The first coating apparatus 100 includes a first supply mechanism 10 and a first coating member 14. The first feeding mechanism 10 is configured to supply at least the first slurry 400 to the first painting member 14, and the first painting member 14 is configured to coat the first slurry 400 in the first region 310 of the current collector 300. The second coating apparatus 200 includes a second supply mechanism 20 and a second coating member 23. The second supply mechanism 20 is configured to supply the second slurry 500 to the second painting member 23, and the second painting member 23 is configured to coat the second slurry 500 in the second region 320 of the current collector 300. Wherein the gram capacity of the first slurry 400 is different from the gram capacity of the second slurry 500.

The first feeding mechanism 10 refers to a device having a slurry storage function and capable of providing power for slurry transportation, such as: the first feeding mechanism 10 can be, but not limited to, a combination of a tank and a pump, etc. The first supply mechanism 10 providing at least the first slurry 400 to the first applicator member 14 should be understood as: the first supply mechanism 10 may supply the first paste 400 only to the first painting member 14, or may supply other pastes, etc. in addition to the first paste 400.

The first paste 400 refers to an active material coated on the current collector 300; the current collector 300 refers to a member or a part that can support an active material and can collect and output current generated from an electrode active material. The materials of the two are selected differently according to the polarity difference of the pole pieces, such as: in the positive plate, the main active components of the first slurry 400 can be lithium cobaltate, lithium manganate, lithium nickelate, lithium iron phosphate, etc., or can be ternary materials such as NCM811, NCM622, etc., and the current collector 300 can be metal materials such as aluminum, nickel, etc., or can be composite materials such as conductive resin, titanium-nickel shape memory alloy, carbon-coated aluminum foil, etc.; in the negative electrode sheet, the main active component of the first paste 400 may be, but not limited to, graphite, lithium titanate, silicon oxide, and the like, and the current collector 300 may be, but not limited to, a metal material such as copper, and may also be a composite material such as a conductive resin and a titanium-nickel shape memory alloy.

The first painting member 14 refers to a member capable of applying the first paste 400 in the first region 310, for example: the first coating member 14 can be, but is not limited to, a doctor blade, a coating roll, or a coating die.

The second feeding mechanism 20 is a device that has a function of storing slurry and can provide power for slurry transportation, such as: the second feeding mechanism 20 can be, but is not limited to, a combination of a tank and a pump, and the like.

The second slurry 500 refers to an active material coated on the current collector 300. Similarly, the material of the second paste 500 is selected differently according to the polarity of the pole pieces, such as: in the positive plate, the main active ingredients of the second slurry 500 may be selected from, but not limited to, lithium cobaltate, lithium manganate, lithium nickelate, lithium iron phosphate, ternary materials, and the like; in the negative electrode sheet, the main active ingredient of the second slurry 500 may be selected from, but not limited to, graphite, lithium titanate, silicon oxide, and the like.

The second painting member 23 refers to a member capable of applying the second paste 500 in the second area 320, for example: the second coating member 23 can be, but is not limited to, a doctor blade, a coating roll, or a coating die.

Gram volume refers to the ratio of the amount of capacitance that can be released by the active paste to the mass of the active paste. The difference between the gram volume of the first slurry 400 and the gram volume of the second slurry 500 indicates that the two regions on the same pole piece have different slurry volumes. Taking the positive electrode sheet as an example, if the gram volume of the first paste 400 is smaller than the gram volume of the second paste 500, and the negative electrode sheet matched with a single paste forms the electrode assembly 600, the CB value of the electrode assembly 600 corresponding to the first region 310 (i.e., the CB value of the bending region 611 of the electrode assembly 600) is higher than the CB value corresponding to the second region 320 (i.e., the CB value of the straight region 621 of the electrode assembly 600), so that the lithium intercalation kinetics is improved, and the lithium precipitation risk is reduced.

In addition, in the positive electrode sheet, when the gram volume of the first slurry 400 is smaller than that of the second slurry 500, for example, the gram volume of the first slurry 400 is smaller than that of the second slurry 500 by 30% or more, the main material of the second slurry 500 may be a ternary material such as NCM811, NCM622, and one of LFP, LTO, and the like may be used as the main material of the first slurry 400; of course, the first paste 400 may not contain any main material, but PVDF, a conductive agent, etc. may be used as a filler of the bending region 611. In the negative electrode sheet, when the gram volume of the first slurry 400 is greater than that of the second slurry 500, for example, the gram volume of the first slurry 400 is greater than that of the second slurry 500 by more than 30%.

By utilizing the double coating devices, the double coating devices are respectively responsible for coating the slurry in different areas of the current collector 300, so that the coating position deviation caused by the slurry back and forth switching of the single coating device is avoided, and the coating operation of different slurries in different areas is accurately and effectively realized.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, referring to fig. 2, the first feeding mechanism 10 is further configured to provide a second slurry 500 to the first painting member 14, so that the first painting member 14 coats a mixture of the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500 at least at an interface of the first area 310 and the second area 320.

The first supply mechanism 10 can supply the second slurry 500 in addition to the first slurry 400 to the first painting member 14. Such as: when the interface between the first area 310 and the second area 320 moves below the first painting member 14, the first feeding mechanism 10 simultaneously feeds the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500 to the first painting member 14, ensuring that the mixture of the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500 is applied at the interface between the first area 310 and the second area 320.

The mixture is coated at the junction of the first area 310 and the second area 320, so that the components of the slurry in the junction are respectively kept partially the same as those of the slurry in the first area 310 and the slurry in the second area 320, the phenomena of splitting, stripping, substrate leakage and the like of the two slurries caused by the difference of the physical and chemical properties of the slurries in the first area 310 and the second area 320 are avoided, and the slurries at the junction can be fully bonded with the slurries in the first area 310 and the second area 320 and are not easy to separate and crack.

After the first feeding mechanism 10 provides the mixture of the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500 at the interface, the delivery of the second slurry 500 may be stopped to coat the first slurry 400 in the first area 310.

The mixture is coated on the junction, so that the components of the slurry in the junction and the slurry in the first area 310 and the second area 320 are respectively kept the same, and the slurry in the junction can be fully bonded with the slurry in the first area 310 or the slurry in the second area 320 and is not easy to separate and crack.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the first feeding mechanism 10 may optionally comprise a first feeding assembly 11 for feeding the first slurry 400, a second feeding assembly 12 for feeding the second slurry 500, and a dispenser 13. The dispenser 13 is provided with a first flow path 131 and a second flow path 132 both leading to the first painting member 14. The first feeder module 11 is connected to the first channel 131, and the second feeder module 12 is connected to the second channel 132.

The first transporting assembly 11 is a device capable of storing the first slurry 400 and actively transporting the first slurry 400 outward, for example: the first material transporting assembly 11 can be a pump and a tank.

The second transporting component 12 is a device capable of storing the second slurry 500 and actively transporting the second slurry 500 outwards, such as: the second feeding assembly 12 may be a pump and a tank.

The dispenser 13 is intended to dispense different slurries to the first applicator member 14, depending on the relative positions of the first and second applicator members 11, 12, for example: when the first delivery assembly 11 is opened, the first slurry 400 may be dispensed separately to the first painting member 14; when the first and second delivery members 11, 12 are simultaneously opened, the first application member 14 may dispense a mixture of the first and second slurries 400, 500, etc.

The first flow path 131 and the second flow path 132 are two independent flow paths on the dispenser 13 to provide the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500 to the first coating material 14, respectively. In order to improve the mixing degree between the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500, a third runner 133 may be provided on the batcher 13, and both the first runner 131 and the second runner 132 communicate with the third runner 133. When the mixture is provided, the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500 enter the third flow channel 133 through the first flow channel 131 and the second flow channel 132, respectively, and are fully mixed; the mixed slurry is output from the third flow channel 133 toward the first painting member 14.

The first flow channel 131 has a first inlet 134 formed at one end on the surface of the dispenser 13, and the first inlet 134 is connected to the first feeding module 11. The second flow path 132 has a second inlet 135 formed at one end of the dispenser 13, the second inlet 135 being in communication with the second delivery assembly 12.

By using the batcher 13, two different slurries can be mixed in real time in any proportion to meet the requirement of the coating on the boundary between the first area 310 and the second area 320.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the first material delivery assembly 11 includes a first buffer body 111 and a first delivery pump 112. The first buffer body 111 is communicated with the first flow channel 131 through the first transfer pump 112, and the first buffer body 111 is used for storing the first slurry 400 therein.

The first buffer 111 refers to a device capable of storing the first slurry 400, and has various structures, such as: it can be designed into a tank body or a box body and the like.

The first transfer pump 112 is a device capable of pumping the first slurry 400 in the first buffer 111 and transferring the first slurry 400 to the first flow channel 131. In order to ensure that the output first slurry 400 is relatively pure, a filter may be disposed in the first delivery pump 112, and the filter is used to filter out impurities and the like in the first slurry 400.

The first slurry 400 is transferred from the first buffer 111 to the first flow channel 131 by the first transfer pump 112, so that the supply of the first slurry 400 is ensured to be stable.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, referring to fig. 2, the second material delivery assembly 12 includes a second buffer body 121 and a second delivery pump 122. The second buffer body 121 is communicated with the second flow passage 132 through the second transfer pump 122, and the second buffer body 121 stores the second slurry 500 therein.

The second buffer 121 refers to a device capable of storing the second slurry 500, and the structure thereof has various designs, such as: it can be designed into a tank body or a box body and other structures.

The second transfer pump 122 is a device capable of pumping the second slurry 500 in the second buffer body 121 and transferring the second slurry 500 to the second flow channel 132. In order to ensure that the output second slurry 500 is relatively pure, a filter may be disposed in the second delivery pump 122, and the filter is used to filter out impurities and the like in the second slurry 500.

The second slurry 500 is transferred from the second buffer body 121 to the second flow channel 132 by the second transfer pump 122, so that the feeding of the second slurry 500 is ensured to be stable.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the first coating apparatus 100 further comprises a first controller and a first on-off valve in communication with the first controller. The first on-off valve is used to control the operating state of the first painting member 14. When the first painting member 14 is located in the first area 310, the first controller controls the first on-off valve to be opened; when the first painting member 14 is outside the first zone 310, the first controller controls the first on-off valve to close.

The first controller refers to a device capable of having analysis and calculation capabilities, such as: a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a single chip microcomputer or an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and the like.

The working state of the first coating material part 14 under the control of the first on-off valve means that when the first on-off valve is opened, the first coating material part 14 can work normally to coat in the first area 310; when the first on-off valve is closed, the first painting member 14 stops working and no more painting is performed into the first area 310.

During the coating process, the current collector 300 is continuously transported by a structure such as a roll. When the first area 310 of the current collector 300 moves below the first painting member 14, the first controller controls the first on-off valve to open, allowing the first painting material to paint into the first area 310; when the first region 310 of the current collector 300 moves out below the first painted piece 14, the first controller controls the first on-off valve to close, restricting the first paint from painting into the first region 310.

In order to accurately judge the positional relationship between the first painting member 14 and the first region 310, a CCD vision assembly or the like may be added to the first coating apparatus 100.

By using the first controller and the first on-off valve, the working state of the first coating member 14 is effectively controlled, the slurry is accurately coated in the first area 310, and the coating quality is improved.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the first coating apparatus 100 further comprises a first timer in communication with the first controller. The first controller controls the opening of the first on-off valve to keep a first time length and controls the closing of the first on-off valve to keep a second time length according to a feedback signal of the first timer; wherein the first time period is configured to be the time required for the first zone 310 to pass under the first paint 14 and the second time period is configured to be the time required for the second zone 320 to pass under the first paint 14.

The first timer is used for acquiring the time length of the opening or closing of the first on-off valve, such as: when the first timer obtains that the opening time of the first on-off valve reaches a first time length, feeding back an electric signal to the first controller, and controlling the first on-off valve to close by the first controller; when the first timer obtains that the closing time of the first on-off valve reaches a second duration, an electric signal is fed back to the first controller, and at the moment, the first controller controls the first on-off valve to be opened.

The time required for the first region 310 to pass under the first painting member 14, and the time required for the second region 320 to pass under the first painting member 14 should be understood as: as the current collector 300 moves at a constant speed, the first region 310 and the second region 320 sequentially pass under the first coating member 14, and the time taken from when one end of the first region 310 starts to enter under the first coating member 14 to when the other end of the first region 310 leaves under the first coating member 14 is a first time period; similarly, the time taken from when one end of the second region 320 begins to enter directly beneath the first painted component 14 to when the other end of the second region 320 exits directly beneath the first painted component 14 is a second length of time.

In the uniform coating process, the coating tempo is mastered through the first timer, so that the first area 310 is accurately positioned, and the first area 310 and the second area 320 are strictly distinguished.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, referring to fig. 2, the first coating apparatus 100 further includes a first sensor 15 in communication with the first controller, the first sensor 15 is used for acquiring the thickness of the coating in the first area 310, and the first controller adjusts the coating height of the first coating member 14 above the first area 310 according to the signal fed back by the first sensor 15.

The first sensor 15 is a device capable of acquiring the thickness of the paint in the first area 310, such as: magnetic thickness sensors, capacitive thickness sensors, ultrasonic thickness sensors, nuclear X-ray thickness sensors, and the like.

The first controller can adjust the height of the first painting member 14 according to the thickness information acquired by the first sensor 15, such as: when the thickness of the first sensor 15 is thinner than the desired thickness, the first controller controls the first painting member 14 to be raised, reserving more space between the first painting member 14 and the first area 310; when the thickness of the first sensor 15 is thicker than a desired thickness, the first controller controls the first painting member 14 to be lowered, reducing the space between the first painting member 14 and the first region 310. Among them, there are various ways to adjust the height of the first painting member 14, such as: the first coating material piece 14 is driven to lift by an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder and the like.

The thickness of the slurry in the first zone 310 is monitored in real time using the first sensor 15 to ensure that the thickness of the acquired pole pieces is uniform.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the second feeding mechanism 20 includes a third buffer body 21 and a third delivery pump 22, the third buffer body 21 is communicated with the second painting member 23 through the third delivery pump 22, and the third buffer body 21 is used for storing the second slurry 500 therein.

The third buffer 21 is a device capable of storing the second slurry 500, and has various structures, such as: it can be designed into a tank body or a box body and the like.

The third transfer pump 22 is a device capable of pumping the second slurry 500 in the third buffer body 21 and transferring the second slurry 500 to the second painting member 23. In order to ensure that the output second slurry 500 is relatively pure, a filter may be disposed in the third transfer pump 22, and the filter is used to filter out impurities and the like in the second slurry 500.

The second slurry 500 is transferred from the third buffer body 21 to the second painting member 23 by the third transfer pump 22, so as to ensure the stable supply of the second slurry 500.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the second coating apparatus 200 further comprises a second controller and a second on-off valve in communication with the second controller. The second on-off valve is used for controlling the working state of the second painting member 23, and when the second painting member 23 is positioned in the second area 320, the second controller controls the second on-off valve to be opened; when the second painting member 23 is located outside the second area 320, the second controller controls the second cut-off valve to be closed.

The second controller refers to a device capable of having analysis and calculation capabilities, such as: a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a single chip microcomputer or an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and the like.

The second on-off valve controls the working state of the second painting member 23, that is, when the second on-off valve is opened, the second painting member 23 can work normally to paint in the second area 320; when the second cut-off valve is closed, the second painting member 23 stops working and does not paint any more into the second area 320.

During the coating process, the current collector 300 is continuously transported by a structure such as a roll. When the second area 320 of the current collector 300 moves below the second painting member 23, the second controller controls the second cut-off valve to open, allowing the second painting material to paint into the second area 320; when the second area 320 of the current collector 300 moves out below the second painting member 23, the second controller controls the second shut-off valve to close, restricting the second painting from painting into the second area 320.

In order to accurately judge the positional relationship between the second painting member 23 and the second area 320, a CCD vision assembly or the like may be added to the second coating apparatus 200.

By using the second controller and the second on-off valve, the working state of the second coating member 23 is effectively controlled, the slurry is accurately coated in the second area 320, and the coating quality is improved.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the second coating apparatus 200 further comprises a second timer communicatively connected to the second controller. The second controller controls the opening of the second on-off valve to be kept for a third time length and controls the closing of the second on-off valve to be kept for a fourth time length according to a feedback signal of the second timer; wherein the third period of time is configured to be the time required for the second zone 320 to pass under the second painting member 23 and the fourth period of time is configured to be the time required for the first zone 310 to pass under the second painting member 23.

The second timer is a time period for acquiring the opening or closing of the second on-off valve, such as: when the second timer obtains that the opening time of the second on-off valve reaches a third duration, feeding back an electric signal to the second controller, and controlling the second on-off valve to be closed by the second controller; and when the second timer obtains that the closing time of the second on-off valve reaches the fourth duration, feeding back an electric signal to the second controller, and controlling the second on-off valve to be opened by the second controller.

The time required for the first zone 310 to pass under the second painting member 23 and the time required for the second zone 320 to pass under the second painting member 23 should be understood as: as the current collector 300 moves at a constant speed, the first region 310 and the second region 320 sequentially pass under the second coating member 23, and the time spent from when one end of the second region 320 starts to enter under the second coating member 23 to when the other end of the second region 320 leaves under the second coating member 23 is a third time period; similarly, the time taken from when one end of the first region 310 starts to enter directly under the second painting member 23 to when the other end of the first region 310 leaves directly under the second painting member 23 is a fourth period of time. In some embodiments, the first duration is equal to the fourth duration, and the second duration is equal to the third duration.

In the uniform coating process, the coating tempo is mastered through the second timer, so that the second area 320 is accurately positioned, and the first area 310 and the second area 320 are strictly distinguished.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, referring to fig. 2, the second coating apparatus 200 further comprises a second sensor 24 in communication with the second controller. The second sensor 24 is used for acquiring the thickness of the coating in the second area 320, and the second controller adjusts the coating height of the second coating material 23 above the second area 320 according to the signal fed back by the second sensor 24.

The second sensor 24 refers to a device capable of acquiring the thickness of the coating in the second area 320, such as: magnetic thickness sensors, capacitive thickness sensors, ultrasonic thickness sensors, nuclear X-ray thickness sensors, and the like.

The second controller can adjust the height of the second painting member 23 according to the thickness information obtained by the second sensor 24, such as: when the thickness of the second sensor 24 is thinner than the desired thickness, the second controller controls the second painting member 23 to be raised, and more space is reserved between the second painting member 23 and the second area 320; when the thickness of the second sensor 24 is thicker than the desired thickness, the second controller controls the second painting member 23 to be lowered, reducing the space between the second painting member 23 and the second region 320. Among them, there are various ways to adjust the height of the second painting member 23, such as: the second painting member 23 is driven to ascend and descend by a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder and the like.

The thickness of the slurry in the second region 320 is monitored in real time using the second sensor 24 to ensure that the thickness of the acquired pole pieces is uniform.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, the first painting member 14 and the second painting member 23 are spaced apart, the spacing between the first painting member 14 and the second painting member 23 is equal to the length of the second region 320, and the first region 310 is adjacent to the second region 320.

The distance between the first painting member 14 and the second painting member 23 is equal to the length of the second region 320, so that the first painting member 14 can be positioned at the end of the second region 320, i.e., the beginning of the first region 310, and the second painting member 23 can be positioned at the beginning of the second region 320 during the coating process, so that the first painting member 14 and the second painting member 23 can be operated simultaneously.

The proper distribution of the positions of the first and second painting members 14 and 23 facilitates control of the first and second coating apparatuses 100 and 200.

Referring to fig. 2, according to some embodiments of the present application, a coating system is provided. The coating system includes: a current collector 300 and a coating apparatus as in any of the above aspects. The current collector 300 is alternately provided with first regions 310 and second regions 320 along the length direction thereof. The first painting member 14 is used to apply the first paste 400 in the first region 310, and the second painting member 23 is used to apply the second paste 500 in the second region 320.

The alternating arrangement of the first regions 310 and the second regions 320 on the current collector 300 may be understood as: the area distribution on the current collector 300 is: \8230 @, a first region 310, a second region 320, a structure of \8230;, wherein "\8230;" represents one of the first region 310 and the second region 320. Specifically, in one embodiment, the first region 310 and the second region 320 are contiguous with each other.

The coating system adopts the coating device, utilizes the double coating devices, and is respectively responsible for coating the slurry in different areas of the current collector 300, so that the coating position deviation caused by the slurry switching of the single coating device is avoided, and the coating operation of different slurries in different areas can be accurately and effectively realized.

According to some embodiments of the present application, optionally, referring to fig. 1 and fig. 2, the current collector 300 participates in winding to form the electrode assembly 600, the first region 310 corresponds to the bending region 611 of the electrode assembly 600, and the second region 320 corresponds to the flat region 621 of the electrode assembly 600.

The flat region 621 and the bent region 611 of the electrode assembly 600 respectively refer to: the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab are wound together to form a flat structure including bent portions 610 at both sides and a flat portion 620 connected between the bent portions 610 at both sides, at which time the area where the flat portion 620 is located is a flat region 621 of the electrode assembly 600, and the area where the bent portion 610 is located is a bent region 611 of the electrode assembly 600.

The paste with different gram volumes is coated on the bending area 611 and the straight area 621, so that the CB value corresponding to the bending area 611 is higher than that corresponding to the straight area 621, and the problem of lithium precipitation at the bending area 611 is improved.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, according to some embodiments of the present application, a coating system is provided, which uses an intermittent coating method for coating a pole piece. When the second region 320 of the current collector 300 (corresponding to the flat region 621 of the electrode assembly 600) is coated, the second slurry 500 is used, at which time the second coating apparatus 200 is started. When the coating proceeds to the first region 310 of the current collector 300 (corresponding to the bending region 611 of the electrode assembly 600), the second cut-off valve is closed, and the coating is suspended until the second region 320 moves below the second coating apparatus 200 again. The first slurry 400 is used when coating the first region 310 of the current collector 300 (corresponding to the bending region 611 of the electrode assembly 600), at which time the first coating apparatus 100 is started. When the coating proceeds to the second region 320 of the current collector 300 (corresponding to the flat region 621 of the electrode assembly 600), the first on-off valve is closed, and the coating is suspended until the first region 310 moves below the first coating apparatus 100 again.

In order to avoid the phenomena of splitting, stripping, substrate leakage and the like of the two slurries caused by the difference of the physical and chemical properties of the slurry between the active material coated on the bending area 611 and the material coated on the flat area 621, a first flow passage 131 and a second flow passage 132 are arranged in the dispenser 13 to respectively convey the first slurry 400 and the second slurry 500, and the two different slurries are mixed according to any proportion.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; these modifications and substitutions do not depart from the spirit of the embodiments of the present application, and they should be construed as being included in the scope of the claims and description of the present application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way as long as there is no structural conflict. The present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein but is to cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A coating apparatus, comprising:

a first coating apparatus (100) comprising a first feeding mechanism (10) and a first painting member (14), the first feeding mechanism (10) being configured to provide at least a first slurry (400) to the first painting member (14), the first painting member (14) being configured to coat the first slurry (400) in a first region (310) of a current collector (300);

a second coating apparatus (200) comprising a second supply mechanism (20) and a second painting member (23), the second supply mechanism (20) being configured to supply a second slurry (500) to the second painting member (23), the second painting member (23) being configured to coat the second slurry (500) in a second region (320) of the current collector (300),

wherein the gram volume of the first slurry (400) is different from the gram volume of the second slurry (500).

2. Coating device according to claim 1, wherein said first feed mechanism (10) is further adapted to supply said second slurry (500) to said first application member (14) so that said first application member (14) applies a mix of said first slurry (400) and said second slurry (500) at least at the interface of said first zone (310) and said second zone (320).

3. A coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first feeding mechanism (10) comprises a first feeding member (11) for feeding said first slurry (400) outwardly, a second feeding member (12) for feeding said second slurry (500) outwardly, and a dispenser (13), said dispenser (13) being provided with a first flow path (131) and a second flow path (132) both leading to said first coating member (14), said first feeding member (11) being in communication with said first flow path (131), said second feeding member (12) being in communication with said second flow path (132).

4. A coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first feeding assembly (11) comprises a first buffer body (111) and a first delivery pump (112), said first buffer body (111) is connected to said first flow channel (131) via said first delivery pump (112), and said first buffer body (111) is used for storing said first slurry (400).

5. The coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second feeding assembly (12) comprises a second buffer body (121) and a second delivery pump (122), said second buffer body (121) is connected to said second flow channel (132) via said second delivery pump (122), and said second buffer body (121) is used for storing said second slurry (500).

6. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first coating device (100) further comprises a first controller and a first on-off valve in communication with said first controller, said first on-off valve being adapted to control the operating state of said first coating member (14), said first controller controlling said first on-off valve to open when said first coating member (14) is located in said first region (310); the first controller controls the first on-off valve to close when the first painting member (14) is located outside the first region (310).

7. The coating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first coating device (100) further comprises a first timer communicatively connected to said first controller, said first controller controlling the opening of said first on-off valve for a first period of time and controlling the closing of said first on-off valve for a second period of time based on a feedback signal of said first timer;

wherein the first duration is configured to be a time required for the first region (310) to pass under the first painting member (14), and the second duration is configured to be a time required for the second region (320) to pass under the first painting member (14).

8. The coating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first coating device (100) further comprises a first sensor (15) in communication with said first controller, said first sensor (15) being adapted to obtain a thickness of the coating in said first area (310), said first controller being adapted to adjust a coating height of said first coating member (14) above said first area (310) based on a signal fed back by said first sensor (15).

9. Coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said second feeding mechanism (20) comprises a third buffer body (21) and a third delivery pump (22), said third buffer body (21) being in communication with said second coating member (23) through said third delivery pump (22), said third buffer body (21) being adapted to store said second slurry (500) therein.

10. The coating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second coating device (200) further comprises a second controller and a second on-off valve in communication with said second controller, said second on-off valve being configured to control an operating state of said second coating member (23), said second controller controlling said second on-off valve to open when said second coating member (23) is located in said second area (320); when the second painting member (23) is located outside the second area (320), the second controller controls the second cut-off valve to be closed.

11. The coating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second coating device (200) further comprises a second timer communicatively connected to said second controller, said second controller controlling the opening of said second on-off valve for a third duration and controlling the closing of said second on-off valve for a fourth duration in accordance with a feedback signal of said second timer;

wherein the third time period is configured to be a time required for the second area (320) to pass under the second painting member (23), and the fourth time period is configured to be a time required for the first area (310) to pass under the second painting member (23).

12. The coating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second coating device (200) further comprises a second sensor (24) in communication with said second controller, said second sensor (24) being adapted to obtain a thickness of the coating in said second area (320), said second controller being adapted to adjust a coating height of said second coating member (23) above said second area (320) in response to a signal fed back by said second sensor (24).

13. Coating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said first applicator member (14) is spaced from said second applicator member (23), the spacing between said first applicator member (14) and said second applicator member (23) being equal to the length of said second zone (320), and said first zone (310) is contiguous with said second zone (320).

14. A coating system, comprising:

a coating apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13;

a current collector (300) alternately provided with first regions (310) and second regions (320) along the length direction thereof, the first coating member (14) being used for coating the first slurry (400) in the first regions (310), and the second coating member (23) being used for coating the second slurry (500) in the second regions (320).

15. The coating system according to claim 14, wherein said current collector (300) participates in winding to form an electrode assembly (600), said first region (310) corresponding to a bending zone (611) of said electrode assembly (600), said second region (320) corresponding to a flat zone (621) of said electrode assembly (600).

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