EP4610405A1

EP4610405A1 - Positive electrode assembly for manufacturing copper foil

Info

Publication number: EP4610405A1
Application number: EP24179915.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sang Wook Kim; Sang Soo Kim; Mi Jung Park; Jong Yeob Kim
Original assignee: Wesco Electrode Co Ltd
Current assignee: Wesco Electrode Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-27
Filing date: 2024-06-04
Publication date: 2025-09-03
Also published as: KR20250131513A

Abstract

Disclosed is a positive electrode assembly for manufacturing copper foil capable of providing uniform electrical properties for electrolytic copper foil manufacture. The positive electrode assembly includes a positive electrode having a concave, partially cylindrical shape corresponding to a drum-shaped negative electrode and a base configured to support the positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a plurality of positive electrode segments disposed in each of a circumferential direction (R) and an axial direction (X). Adjacent ones of the plurality of positive electrode segments disposed in the axial direction (X) are successively disposed while having arrow shapes (Sa and Sb).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a positive electrode assembly constituting an apparatus for manufacturing electrolytic copper foil, and more particularly to a positive electrode assembly including a plurality of positive electrode segments configured to efficiently manufacture copper foil having a uniform thickness.

Description of the Related Art

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0038325 discloses manufacture of copper foil using electrolytic reaction. As shown in FIG. 1, an electroplating apparatus including an insoluble positive electrode assembly 20 immersed in an electrolytic solution 12 of an electrolytic bath 10 and a rotary drum-shaped negative electrode assembly 30 is used to manufacture electrolytic copper foil.
The insoluble positive electrode assembly 20 is installed so as to face the drum-shaped negative electrode assembly 30 and has a partially cylindrical shape with a concave shape corresponding to a circular circumference of the drum-shaped negative electrode assembly 30. When energization occurs between the insoluble positive electrode assembly 20 and the drum-shaped negative electrode assembly 30, copper foil may be grown on the surface of the drum-shaped negative electrode assembly 30.
The copper foil thus formed may be peeled off the drum-type negative electrode assembly 30, whereby the copper foil may be continuously obtained. A front surface of the positive electrode assembly 20 corresponding to the negative electrode assembly 30 may be said to be a part for causing substantive electrolytic reaction. The positive electrode assembly 20 generally includes a positive electrode 22 installed so as to correspond to the negative electrode assembly 30 and a base 24 disposed at the rear of the positive electrode 22 to support the positive electrode 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, positive electrodes 22, which are currently in common use, are disposed as one in a transverse direction (an axial direction of a cylindrical negative electrode) and as a plurality in a longitudinal direction (a circumferential direction of the negative electrode). When copper foil is formed using the plurality of positive electrodes 22 disposed as described above, overall uniform copper foil is not formed with respect to one positive electrode 22, and the thickness of copper foil formed at the part corresponding to the entire border of the positive electrode 22 including four corners (edges) and the thickness of copper foil formed at the negative electrode corresponding to a middle part of the positive electrode 22 are different from each other, resulting in stains on the entirety of the copper foil, whereby there are some problems in terms of uniformity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to efficiently dispose a plurality of positive electrode segments in order to manufacture a uniform copper foil product.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a positive electrode assembly for manufacturing copper foil, the positive electrode assembly including a positive electrode having a concave, partially cylindrical shape corresponding to a drum-shaped negative electrode and a base configured to support the positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a plurality of positive electrode segments disposed in each of a circumferential direction and an axial direction. Adjacent ones of the plurality of positive electrode segments disposed in the axial direction are successively disposed while having arrow shapes.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the direction of the arrow shapes of the positive electrode segments disposed in the axial direction may be different from the directions of arrow shapes of positive electrode segments disposed thereabove and therebelow so as to be adjacent thereto.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the arrow shape of each of the positive electrode segments may be asymmetrical in an upward-downward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional electrolytic copper foil manufacturing apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating conventional disposition of a plurality of positive electrodes;
FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating disposition of a positive electrode according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of a positive electrode support structure according to the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the positive electrode support structure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
In the present invention, a positive electrode corresponds to a drum-shaped negative electrode, as described above. The positive electrode has a concave, partially cylindrical shape. For example, the positive electrode may have a semi-cylindrical shape, which is practically widely used and thus a detailed description of which will be omitted.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the positive electrode in an unfolded state. As shown, a plurality of positive electrode segments is disposed in a circumferential direction R, and a plurality of positive electrode segments is also disposed in an axial direction X. The positive electrode is formed as a quadrangular shape in a state of being fully unfolded.
In the following description, the axial direction X and the circumferential direction R are based on the cylindrical negative electrode. In FIG. 3, in which the positive electrode assembly is shown in an unfolded state, the axial direction X may be referred to as a leftward-rightward direction, and the circumferential direction R may be referred to as an upward-downward direction.
The plurality of positive electrode segments S disposed in the axial direction X will be described. The plurality of positive electrode segments S disposed in the axial direction X has an overall quadrangular shape. In each row of segments in the axial direction, the segments, one end of each of which has an arrow shape, are successively disposed.
That is, in a first row of segments, a right end of a first segment S1, which is located on the leftmost side, is formed so as to have a convex arrow shape Sa, and a left end of a second segment S2, which is connected to the first segment having the arrow shape Sa is formed so as to have a concave arrow shape Sb. Consequently, the first segment S1 and the second segment S2 are successively disposed such that the ends having the arrow shapes Sa and Sb are connected to each other.
In this specification, each of the arrow shapes Sa and Sb means a shape having a vertex or an edge (E) in the middle of the upward-downward direction, as shown. That an arrow-shaped edge is formed in each of parts at which a plurality of segments forming an axial row is connected to each other means that another edge E is further formed in a middle part of each segment in the circumferential direction in addition to four corners (edges) of the segment.
In the positive electrode assembly according to the present invention, segments in each row of segments in the axial direction X are connected to each other through arrow-shaped connection. In the present specification, that adjacent ones of a plurality of segments disposed in the axial direction X have arrow shapes means that the convex arrow shape Sa and the concave arrow shape Sb are successively disposed, as described above.
In the positive electrode assembly according to the invention, a plurality of segments S is disposed in the circumferential direction R as well as in the axial direction X. Segments in a second row of segments in the axial direction X, which are disposed under the first row of segments, are connected to each other through arrow-shaped connection, wherein the edge of each arrow is oriented in the direction opposite the direction in which the edge of each arrow in the first row of segments is oriented. That is, the uppermost row of segments in the axial direction X has arrow shapes facing in the rightward direction, whereas the row of segments in the axial direction X disposed under the uppermost row of segments has arrow shapes facing in the leftward direction. When edges of segments disposed above and below in a state of being adjacent to each other are disposed so as to face in opposite directions as described above, the edges of the segments disposed above and below do not substantially overlap each other in position, which is more favorable for formation of uniform copper foil.
Here, the middle part of each of the arrow shapes Sa and Sb substantially forms an edge E, as described above. The edge is formed substantially at the middle part of each segment in the upward-downward direction. Each segment S has upwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces extending from the edge E.
Each of the arrow shapes Sa and Sb preferably has an asymmetrical shape in the upward-downward direction. That is, it is preferable for the upwardly inclined surface and the downwardly inclined surface extending from the edge E to be formed asymmetrical to each other. Asymmetry includes both the difference in inclination and difference in length between the upwardly inclined surface and the downwardly inclined surface extending from the edge E.
In the positive electrode having the above configuration, each of the segments S disposed in the same axial direction X has a plurality of edges, such as four edges formed at upper and lower ends of the segment S, and the edge E is also formed at the middle part of the segment according to the arrow shape.
Therefore, each segment disposed in the axial direction has edges that are overall uniformly distributed. Consequently, a plurality of segments disposed in the axial direction may exhibit substantially overall uniform electrical properties, whereby it is possible to form the thickness of copper foil as uniformly as possible.
A plurality of segments disposed in the axial direction located under the segments disposed in the axial direction described above may also have the same effects as mentioned above. Here, when the arrow shapes are oriented in the direction opposite the direction in which the arrow shapes of the segments in the axial direction X thereabove are oriented, as shown in FIG. 3, the edge of each of the upper and lower ends of the arrow shapes Sa and Sb does not completely coincide with the edge of each of the segments thereabove and therebelow, as shown.
That is, the edges formed at the upper and lower ends of the arrow shapes Sa and Sb of the segments S are overall uniformly disposed, which is advantageous for formation of uniform copper foil. This means that, if the edges are concentrated on one part, current is concentrated on that part, which is unfavorable for formation of uniform copper foil. In the embodiment shown, therefore, the arrow shapes of the segments disposed above and below are disposed so as to be oriented in different directions in order to prevent concentration of the edges.
When each of the arrow shapes Sa and Sb is asymmetrical in the upward-downward direction, as described above, even if the arrow shapes are disposed so as to be directed in the same direction, it is possible to prevent concentration of the edges of the segments disposed above and below. As such, in the present invention, a plurality of segments is disposed in the axial and circumferential directions, and edges are evenly distributed, whereby concentration of the edges is eliminated, whereby it is possible to form copper foil having a more uniform thickness.
In addition, as shown, the segments of the present invention have, for example, three types of shapes, and therefore compatibility of the segments is sufficiently high. Therefore, the segments S disposed, for example, at opposite borders, each of which has a short lifespan, may be easily exchanged, and regeneration of the segments may be conveniently accomplished by recoating the damaged segments.
The positive electrode according to the present invention having the above configuration is fixed to a base 4, wherein, in the most basic configuration, a through-hole may be formed in each segment and a bolt may be inserted through the through-hole, whereby each segment may be fastened to the base.
Hereinafter, a configuration for supporting the positive electrode on the base will be described with reference to FIGs. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, stud bolts 6 are fixed to a rear surface of the positive electrode 2 by welding. The base 4 is provided with through-holes 4b, through each of which a corresponding one of the stud bolts 6 is inserted. The stud bolts 6 are coupled to the through-holes 4b in a state of being inserted therethrough.
Each of the stud bolts 6 has a length that does not protrude outward from the base 4, and is preferably installed in a coupling recess 4a so as not to protrude outward therefrom, as in the embodiment shown. In the coupling recess 4a, a fastening nut 10 is screwed onto the stud bolt 6. The fastening nut 10 is also preferably disposed in the coupling recess 4a so as not to protrude outward from the base 4. Here, an outer threaded portion of the stud bolt 6 is in contact with the base, and an inner end of the stud bolt 6 is in contact with the positive electrode 2.
Therefore, current transmitted through the base 4 may be uniformly supplied to the positive electrode 2 through a surface contact portion of the end of each stud bolt 6, which means that current is partially transmitted to the positive electrode 2 through the stud bolts 6. An O-ring 2a for watertightness is installed at the part of each stud bolt 6 in contact with the positive electrode 2.
The O-ring 2a is configured to prevent leakage of water from the side of an electrolysis apparatus through the through-hole 4b and the coupling recess 4a. In the first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the stud bolts 6 are fixed to the rear surface of the positive electrode in contact by welding, and the positive electrode 2 is coupled to the base 4 via the stud bolts 6.
Referring to FIG. 5, which shows another embodiment, fixing nuts 24 fixed to an outer surface of the positive electrode 2 by welding. A stud bolt 22 is screwed into each of the fixing nuts 24. A fastening nut 20 is screwed on the stud bolt 22. The fastening nut 20 is installed in a state of being inserted through a coupling recess 4a and a through-hole 4b of the base 4.
Even in this embodiment, it is possible to achieve advantages in electrical terms, since the stud bolts 22 are used and the stud bolts 22 and the base are in surface contact with each other. The above description has been made of the configuration to support the positive electrode of an electrolytic copper foil manufacturing apparatus on the base. In this embodiment, the stud bolt 22 and the fastening nut 20 have substantially the same shapes as general bolts and nuts.
As is apparent from the above description, in the present invention, a positive electrode including a plurality of segments is configured such that corners of adjacent segments are not concentrated and an edge shape is formed at a middle part of each segment, whereby it is possible to form copper foil having overall uniform quality.
Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications are possible within the scope of the basic technical ideas of the present invention as described above. In addition, it is a matter of course in the spirit of the provisions of the Patent Act that the scope of protection of the present invention should be construed on the basis of the description in the claims.

Claims

A positive electrode assembly for manufacturing copper foil, comprising, a positive electrode having a concave, partially cylindrical shape corresponding to a drum-shaped negative electrode, and a base configured to support the positive electrode, characterized in that;
the positive electrode comprises a plurality of positive electrode segments disposed in each of a circumferential direction (R) and an axial direction (X), and

adjacent ones of the plurality of positive electrode segments disposed in the axial direction (X) are successively disposed while having arrow shapes (Sa and Sb).
The positive electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a direction of the arrow shapes (Sa and Sb) of the positive electrode segments disposed in the axial direction (X) is different from directions of arrow shapes of positive electrode segments disposed thereabove and therebelow so as to be adjacent thereto.
The positive electrode assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the arrow shape of each of the positive electrode segments is asymmetrical in an upward-downward direction.