Patent Application
20240271870
The present application relates to the technical field of electrode plate production system production, and more particularly to an electrode plate heating device and an electrode plate production system and method.
Because lithium-ion and other batteries have the advantages of high energy density, high power density, multiple cycles, and long storage time, and the like, they have been widely used in electric vehicles.
The electrode assembly in the battery includes an electrode plate. The electrode plate has a current collector, and active material is coated over the surface of the current collector. After coating, it enters an oven for drying. However, the current drying efficiency of the electrode plate is still the main factor prohibiting speeding up of electrode plate coating.
The present application proposes an electrode plate heating device and an electrode plate production system and method, which are capable of improving the drying efficiency of the electrode plate.
According to a first aspect of the present application, an electrode plate heating device is provided, including:
In some embodiments, each roller group includes a plurality of first guide rollers spaced apart along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.
In this embodiment, two roller groups are provided in the box, and the electrode plate is alternately wound around the plurality of first guide rollers in the two roller groups successively to form a curved extension path, which can extend the extension length of the electrode plate in the box. If the electrode plate is to run at the same speed, then the electrode plate is enabled to stay longer in the box during heating, which can optimize the drying effect and improve the drying efficiency. If the same drying effect is to be achieved for the electrode plate, then the running speed of the electrode plate can be increased. Therefore, this type of electrode plate heating device can optimize the drying effect and improve the drying efficiency, thereby indirectly increasing the coating speed of the electrode plate.
Moreover, the electrode plate is supported by the first guide roller in the box and can remain in a stable position, which prevents deviation, curling or scratching, and improves the process performance of the dried electrode plate. In addition, the support from the first guide roller keeps the electrode plate in a tightened state under a certain tension force, preventing the electrode plate from wrinkling during the heating process. Moreover, the electrode plate can be in a moving state during the heating process without easily becoming bent and shaped, which facilitates subsequent windup.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first guide rollers of the two roller groups are staggered along the second direction.
This embodiment provides a wavy shape of the extension path of the electrode plate, which can reduce the bending degree of the electrode plate and facilitate windup of the heated electrode plate. Wrinkles on the placed electrode plate will affect the performance of the electrode assembly.
In some embodiments, the axis of the first guide roller is arranged along a third direction, the third direction being perpendicular to the first direction.
This arrangement facilitates installation of the first guide rollers, and after the electrode plate enters the box perpendicular to the first direction, it can be smoothly wound around the first guide rollers, preventing the electrode plate from twisting, and allowing the electrode plate to move more smoothly in the box, so that various positions in the electrode plate are heated uniformly.
In some embodiments, the first guide roller is rotatably arranged about its own axis, and the rotation direction of the first guide roller in one roller group is opposite to that of the first guide roller in the other roller group.
In this embodiment, the first guide roller is rotatably arranged around its own axis, so that the electrode plate and the first guide roller are in rolling friction, which can reduce the friction force experienced by the electrode plate during its movement and prevent scratches or wears to the active material coated over the electrode plate, and can control the tension force experienced by the electrode plate, enabling more uniform heating of the electrode plate. Optionally, the first guide roller may also be kept fixed so that the electrode plate and the first guide roller are in sliding friction.
In some embodiments, the box is provided with an inlet and an outlet, where the inlet and outlet are respectively located at two ends of the box perpendicular to the second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.
The electrode plate heating device further includes a second guide roller and a third guide roller. The second guide roller is arranged at the inlet to guide the electrode plate, and the third guide roller is arranged at the outlet to guide the electrode plate.
In some embodiments, the second guide roller is located between the two roller groups and the inlet along the second direction at a position corresponding to the inlet along the first direction, and is configured to guide the length section of the electrode plate from the inlet to the first one of the first guide rollers; and/or the third guide roller is located between the two roller groups and the outlet along the second direction at a position corresponding to the outlet along the first direction, and is configured to guide the length section of the electrode plate from the last one of the first guide rollers to the outlet.
In this embodiment, by arranging the second guide roller and the third guide roller, the electrode plate can be guided when it enters the box through the inlet or is led out through the outlet, preventing the electrode plate from contacting the inlet or outlet, which causes wears of the active material, and the electrode plate can be guided to the first one of the first guide rollers or out from the last one of the first guide rollers in a suitable path, while maintaining the tension force on the electrode plate.
In some embodiments, the heating assembly includes multiple sets of heating components. The multiple sets of heating components are located between the two roller groups along a first direction and are spaced apart along a second direction. Each roller group includes a plurality of first guide rollers spaced apart along the second direction. In the second direction, at least one set of heating components is provided between every two adjacent first guide rollers in the same roller group. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
In some embodiments, the heating component is configured to heat the length section of the electrode plate located on both sides of the heating component along the second direction.
The heating component in this embodiment is located between two adjacent length sections of the electrode plate so that the heating component can heat the length sections on both sides at the same time. Compared with the heating method where the heating component is located at the top or bottom of the box to heat one side of the electrode plate, the heat emitted by the heating assembly can be fully utilized to enable uniform distribution of the energy of the heating assembly, increase the heating time for the electrode plate in the box, and consequently improve the drying efficiency of the electrode plate.
In some embodiments, each set of heating components includes a plurality of heating components arranged side by side along the first direction.
In this embodiment, a larger area of the electrode plate can be dried, thereby enabling more uniform drying of the electrode plate and improving the drying efficiency.
In some embodiments, each of the roller groups includes a plurality of first guide rollers spaced apart along the second direction, and the plurality of first guide rollers in one roller group and the plurality of first guide rollers in the other roller group are alternately arranged and staggered along the second direction, and in the second direction, one set of the heating components is provided in correspondence with each of the first guide rollers.
In some embodiments, each set of heating components includes at least one heating component, and each heating component includes a heating element and a protective cover, and the heating element is sleeved with the protective cover.
In this embodiment, by providing a protective cover for the heating element, the high-temperature area of the heating element can be prevented from direct high-temperature heating of the electrode plate or the components in the box, so that the heating temperature can be better controlled, thereby improving the safety in operation of the heating component, and the heating temperature for the electrode plate can be reliably controlled within the appropriate process temperature range, while preventing damage to other components in the box as well.
In some embodiments, the heating element is an infrared heating element, the protective cover is made of light-transmitting material, and at least one of the protective cover and the infrared heating element is provided with light-blocking layers at both ends along the first direction, so that the infrared light emitted by the infrared heating element irradiates toward both sides along the second direction.
In this embodiment, by providing a light-transmitting protective cover and providing light-blocking layers at both ends of at least one of the protective cover and the infrared heating element along the first direction, not only the need for the infrared heating element to irradiate infrared light for heating toward the length sections of the electrode plate at both its sides is satisfied, but also the infrared light can be prevented from irradiating other components in the box, thereby improving the reliability and safety in operation of the electrode plate heating device while ensuring the drying effect of the electrode plate.
In some embodiments, the first direction is the height direction of the box.
In this embodiment, the electrode plate is enabled to have an up and down wavy shape, that is, the amplitude of the extension curve of the electrode plate is along the height direction of the box, and the extension direction of the electrode plate can be adapted to the extension direction of the electrode plate in the two processes of the current electrode plate coating device and electrode plate drying device, enabling smoother movement of the electrode plate, preventing wrinkles on the electrode plate, and improving the process performance of the dried electrode plate.
In some embodiments, the electrode plate heating device further includes a cooling assembly located outside the box and configured to cool the heated electrode plate.
In this embodiment, the temperature of the electrode plate can be quickly lowered after drying of the electrode plate, thereby preventing impact on the subsequent measurement and windup processes of the electrode plate.
In some embodiments, the cooling assembly includes a cooling roller configured to cool the electrode plate wound around it.
In this embodiment, by arranging the cooling roller so that the electrode plate can be fitted to the outer surface of the cooling roller for cooling, the cooling effect can be improved through good fitting and with lower cost.
In some embodiments, a recovery port is provided on the box, and the electrode plate heating device further includes a collection component configured to collect steam and chemical gases generated in the box during the heating process through the recovery port.
In this embodiment, considering the fact that the electrode plate will generate water vapor and chemical gases during the heating process, the water vapor and chemical gases in the box are collected by the collection component through negative pressure during heating or after heating is completed, which can keep a dry environment in the box, improve drying efficiency, and prevent chemical gases from corroding the electrode plate or other components in the box, thereby ensuring the process performance of the dried electrode plate and extending the service life of the electrode plate heating device.
According to a second aspect of the present application, an electrode plate production system is provided, including:
The electrode plate production system of this embodiment provides an electrode plate heating device downstream of the electrode plate drying device. The electrode plate can be preliminarily dried by the electrode plate drying device, and then enters the electrode plate heating device for secondary drying. It can optimize the drying effect of the electrode plate, shorten the residence time of the electrode plate in the electrode plate drying device, increase the movement speed of the electrode plate, and consequently increase the coating rate of the electrode plate.
According to a third aspect of the present application, an electrode plate production method is provided, including:
In some embodiments, the electrode plate is in the moving state during the coating, baking, and reheating processes of the electrode plate.
The drawings described herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the present application, which constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and the description thereof are for explaining the present application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present application. In the drawings:
In the accompanying drawings, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Embodiments of the present application are described in further detail below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. The following detailed description of the embodiments and the drawings are configured to illustrate the principles of the present application by way of example, but should not be configured to limit the scope of the present application, that is, the present application is not limited to the described embodiments.
In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, “plurality of” means two or more; the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “inner” and “outer” are only for facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the apparatus or element referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore will not be interpreted as limiting the present application.
In addition, the terms “first”, “second” and “third” are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. “Perpendicular” is not strictly perpendicular, but within the allowable range of errors. “Parallel” is not strictly parallel, but within the allowable range of errors. Orientation words appearing in the following description are all directions shown in the drawings, and do not limit the specific structure of the present application.
In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms “mount,” “connected,” and “connecting” should be broadly understood, for example, they may be a fixed connection or a detachable connection or be an integrated connection; or may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application may be understood according to specific circumstances.
Reference herein to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those 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 “a plurality of” refers to two or more (including two), and similarly, “a plurality of groups” refers to two or more (including two) groups, and “a plurality of sheets” refers to two or more (including two) sheets.
The orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “inner”, “outer” and the like are used in the present application only for facilitating the description of the present application, rather than indicating or implying that the device referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore shall not be interpreted as limiting the protection scope of the present application.
In this disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B, or C” both mean only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C.
The battery cell may include a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion primary battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, a magnesium-ion battery, or the like, which will not be limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cell may be in a cylindrical shape, a flat shape, a cuboid shape or another shape, which is also not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cells are generally classified into three types depending on the encapsulating manners: cylindrical battery cells, prismatic cells battery and pouch battery cells, which is also not limited in the embodiments of the present application.
Current battery cells usually include a casing and an electrode assembly housed in the casing, and the casing is filled with electrolyte. The electrode assembly is mainly formed by stacking or winding a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate of opposite polarities, and a separator is usually provided between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. The portions of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate coated with active material constitute a main body part of the electrode assembly, and the portions of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate not coated with the active material respectively constitute a first tab and a second tab. In a lithium-ion battery, the first electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate, including a positive current collector and a positive electrode active material layer arranged on both sides of the positive current collector. The material of the positive current collector may be, for example, aluminum, and the positive electrode active material may be, for example, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganate, or the like. The second electrode plate may be a negative electrode plate, including a negative current collector and a negative electrode active material layer arranged on both sides of the negative current collector. The material of the negative current collector may be, for example, copper, and the negative electrode active material may be, for example, graphite, silicon or the like. The first tab and the second tab may be located at one end of the main body part jointly or at two ends of the main body part respectively. In the charging and discharging process of the battery cell, the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material react with the electrolyte, and the tabs are connected to the terminals to form a current loop.
After the surface of the current collector is coated with active material, the electrode plate of the electrode assembly needs to be dried in an oven. During the drying process of the electrode plate, air pressure on the two opposite surfaces is controlled to keep the electrode plate in a suspended state.
The inventor noticed that currently, in order to ensure the drying effect of the coating layer, the coated portion of the electrode plate needs to stay in the oven for a long time, resulting in low drying efficiency of the electrode plate. Moreover, coating and drying are two successive process steps. During this process, the electrode plate is always in the moving state, so low drying efficiency is also the main factor prohibiting speeding up of electrode plate coating. Moreover, during the drying process, the electrode plate is prone to problems such as scratches, curling or deviation.
In order to solve the problem of low drying efficiency, the inventor thought of adding both a hot air device and an infrared device in the oven, and using thermal oil as the heating source of the hot air device. At the same time, the thermal oil will also stimulate the infrared device to emit infrared rays to dry the electrode plate. Although this method can optimize the drying effect of the coating layer to a certain extent and improve the drying efficiency of the coating layer, it will lead to a complex structure of the heating device, and the introduction of thermal oil will also affect the safety in operation of the oven, and easily contaminate the internal environment of the oven. Moreover, this method cannot solve the problems such as scratching, curling or deviation of the electrode plate during the drying process.
In order to avoid excessively increasing the structural complexity of the heating part, the inventor thought of increasing the time the electrode plate stays in the oven, so that the heating time of the electrode plate can be extended without lowering the coating speed. This requires extending the running path of the electrode plate in the box. Moreover, the electrode plate can be supported to maintain a stable position, so that the risk of problems such as scratching, curling or deviation of the electrode plate may be decreased during the drying process.
According to this idea, the present application provides an improved electrode plate heating device, including: a box, two roller groups and a heating assembly. The two roller groups are installed in the box. The two roller groups are spaced apart along the first direction. Each roller group includes a plurality of first guide rollers spaced apart along the second direction for the electrode plate to be alternately wound around all the first guide rollers in the two roller groups successively, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The heating assembly is installed in the box and configured to heat the electrode plate after coated.
In this electrode plate heating device, by arranging a plurality of first guide rollers in the box and winding the electrode plate around the first guide rollers, the extension length of the electrode plate in the box can be extended, so that the electrode plate can stay longer in the box, which can optimize the drying effect and improve the drying efficiency, thereby indirectly increasing the coating speed of the electrode plate.
As shown in
The electrode plate coating device 20 is configured to apply an active material onto the electrode plate 4 by coating, and, for example, may be a coater. If the electrode plate 4 is a positive electrode plate, then positive electrode active material is coated. If the electrode plate 4 is a negative electrode plate, then positive electrode active material is coated. The electrode plate drying device 30 is arranged downstream of the electrode plate coating device 20 and configured to bake the coated electrode plate 4, such as using an oven. The electrode plate heating device 10 is arranged downstream of the electrode plate drying device 30 and configured to reheat the baked electrode plate 4.
The electrode plate 4 may be of a long strip-shaped structure. During the coating and heating process of the electrode plate 4, the electrode plate 4 can be controlled by the electrode plate coating device 20 to move at a preset coating speed. The electrode plate coating device 20, the electrode plate drying device 30 and the electrode plate heating device 10 are arranged in sequence along the movement direction of the electrode plate 4.
In this electrode plate production system, the electrode plate heating device 10 is provided downstream of the electrode plate drying device 30. The electrode plate 4 can be preliminarily dried by the electrode plate drying device 30, and then enters the electrode plate heating device 10 for secondary drying. In this way, the drying effect of the electrode plate 4 can be improved, the residence time of the electrode plate 4 in the electrode plate drying device 30 can be shortened, the movement speed of the electrode plate 4 can be increased, and consequently the coating rate of the electrode plate 4 is improved.
Optionally, this electrode plate heating device 10 can also be directly used as the electrode plate drying device 30. The electrode plate drying device 30 using the improvements of the present application can also improve the drying efficiency of the electrode plate 4.
In some embodiments, the electrode plate production system may also include a windup device that is provided downstream of the electrode plate heating device 10 and configured to wind up the heated and dried electrode plate 4 for use in preparing the electrode assembly.
The structure of the electrode plate heating device 10 will be described below.
In some embodiments, as shown in
The box 1 may be of a cuboid or other shape, and the plurality of first guide rollers 21 in each roller group 2 can be fixed to the box 1 through its ends. For example, an installing hole is provided on the inner wall of the box 1. The end of the first guide roller 21 is inserted into the installation hole to achieve installation. The first guide roller 21 may be of a cylindrical shape and includes at least a guide section along its axial direction. The outer surface of the guide section may be wound around by the electrode plate 4 to provide stable support for the electrode plate 4.
Optionally, the roller group 2 is provided with one first guide roller 21, or each roller group 2 may include a plurality of first guide rollers 21 spaced apart along the second direction y, including the case where the centers of the plurality of first guide rollers 21 are situated in the same straight line and the case where the centers of the plurality of first guide rollers 21 are deviated from the same straight line along the first direction x. The second direction y is perpendicular to the first direction x.
The distance between two adjacent first guide rollers 21 in the same roller group 2 may be equal, or the distance between two adjacent first guide rollers 21 in one roller group 2 may be the same as the distance between two adjacent first guide rollers 21 in the other roller group 2, so that the electrode plate 4 remains in a uniform extension path, thereby maintaining a uniform tension force on the electrode plate 4. Along the second direction y and from one end of the box 1 to the other end, the electrode plate 4 is alternately wound around all the first guide rollers 21 in the two roller groups 2 successively, so that the electrode plate 4 extends in a wavy shape.
The heating assembly 3 is installed in the box 1 and configured to heat the electrode plate 4 after coated. The heating assembly 3 may adopt electric heating, infrared heating, hot air heating or the like.
In this embodiment, two roller groups 2 are provided in the box 1, and the electrode plate 4 is alternately wound around the plurality of first guide rollers 21 in the two roller groups 2 successively to form a curved extension path, which can extend the extension length of the electrode plate 4 in the box 1. If the electrode plate 4 is to run at the same speed, then the electrode plate 4 is allowed to stay longer in the box 1 during heating, which can optimize the drying effect and improve the drying efficiency. If the same drying effect is to be achieved for the electrode plate 4, then the running speed of the electrode plate 4 can be increased. Therefore, this electrode plate heating device 10 can optimize the drying effect and improve the drying efficiency, thereby indirectly increasing the coating speed of the electrode plate 4.
Moreover, the electrode plate 4 is supported by the first guide roller 21 in the box 1 and can remain in a stable position, which prevents deviation, curling or scratching, and improves the process performance of the dried electrode plate 4. In addition, the support from the first guide roller 21 keeps the electrode plate 4 in a tightened state under a certain tension force, preventing the electrode plate 4 from wrinkling during the heating process. Moreover, the electrode plate 4 can be in a moving state during the heating process without easily becoming bent and shaped, which facilitates subsequent windup.
In some embodiments, the plurality of guide rollers 21 in the respective two roller groups 2 are arranged to be staggered along the second direction y. For example, in the second direction y, the first guide roller 21 in one roller group 2 may be located at the middle position between two adjacent first guide rollers 21 in the other roller group 2.
This embodiment provides a wavy shape of the extension path of the electrode plate 4, which can reduce the bending degree of the electrode plate 4 and facilitate windup of the heated electrode plate 4. Wrinkles on the placed electrode plate 4 affect the performance of the electrode assembly.
Alternatively, the plurality of first guide rollers 21 of the respective two roller groups 2 may also be arranged directly opposite to each other along the second direction y.
In some embodiments, the axis of the first guide roller 21 is arranged along a third direction z, the third direction z being perpendicular to the first direction x and the second direction y.
This arrangement facilitates installation of the first guide rollers 21, and after the electrode plate 4 enters the box 1 perpendicular to the first direction x, it can be smoothly wound around the first guide rollers 21, preventing the electrode plate 4 from twisting, and allowing the electrode plate 4 to move more smoothly in the box 1, so that various positions in the electrode plate 4 are heated uniformly.
In some embodiments, the first guide rollers 21 are rotatably arranged around their own axes, and the first guide rollers 21 in the two roller groups 2 rotate in opposite directions. For example, all the first guide rollers 21 in the two roller groups 2 can maintain the same rotation rate, so that the tension force on the electrode plate 4 is consistent along the length direction.
In order to rotate the first guide roller 21, as shown in
The portion of the first guide roller 21 mated with the flexible transmission component 92 and the portion mated with the electrode plate 4 are staggered along the axis of the first guide roller 21. For example, the portion of the first guide roller 21 mated with the flexible transmission component 92 is located in the end area, and the portion mated with the electrode plate 4 is located in the middle area. This structure can separate the driving of the first guide roller 21 from the guiding of the electrode plate 4, preventing mutual interference during operation and improving the reliability in operation of the electrode plate heating device 10.
In one structure, the flexible transmission component 92 and the electrode plate 4 are wound around the first guide roller 21 in the same path, that is, the same power component 91 drives all the first guide rollers 21 to rotate, and the first guide rollers 21 in the two roller groups 2 rotate in opposite directions. This structure can synchronize the rotation of all the first guide rollers 21, maintain a uniform tension force on the electrode plate 4 along the length direction, and reduce the number of power components 91. In another structure, the two roller groups 2 are respectively provided with a power component 91 and a flexible transmission component 92. Such a structure can reduce the installation difficulty of the flexible transmission component 92.
In this embodiment, the first guide roller 21 is rotatably arranged around its own axis, so that the electrode plate 4 and the first guide roller 21 are in rolling friction, which can reduce the friction force experienced by the electrode plate 4 during its movement and prevent scratches or wears to the active material coated over the electrode plate 4, and can control the tension force experienced by the electrode plate 4, enabling more uniform heating of the electrode plate 4. Optionally, the first guide roller 21 may also be kept fixed so that the electrode plate 4 and the first guide roller 21 are in sliding friction.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the second guide roller 5 is located between the two roller groups 2 and the inlet 11 along the second direction y at a position corresponding to the inlet 11 along the first direction x, and is configured to guide the length section of the electrode plate 4 from the inlet 11 to the first one of the first guide rollers 21; and/or the third guide roller 6 is located between the two roller groups 2 and the outlet 12 along the second direction y at a position corresponding to the outlet 12 along the first direction x, and is configured to guide the length section of the electrode plate 4 from the last one of the first guide rollers 21 to the outlet 12.
The structure and installation pattern of the second guide roller 5 and the third guide roller 6 may be similar to those of the first guide roller 21. The second guide roller 5 is at a position corresponding to the inlet 11 along the first direction x. The electrode plate 4 may be guided to enter the box 1 in a preset direction (e.g., parallel to the second direction y) via the inlet 11 and can be wound around the first one of the first guide rollers 21 more easily after passing by the second guide roller 5. The third guide roller 6 is at a position corresponding to the outlet 12 along the first direction x. The electrode plate 4 may be guided to arrive at the outlet 12 after passing by the last one of the first guide rollers 21 and is led out via the outlet 12 in a preset direction (e.g., parallel to the second direction y).
In
Their positions are determined based on the entry and exit positions of the electrode plate 4 in upstream and downstream devices.
In this embodiment, by arranging the second guide roller 5 and the third guide roller 6, the electrode plate 4 can be guided when it enters the box 1 through the inlet 11 or led out through the outlet 12, preventing the electrode plate 4 from contacting the inlet 11 or outlet 12, which causes wears of the active material, and the electrode plate 4 can be guided to the first one of the first guide rollers 21 or out from the last one of the first guide rollers 21 in a suitable path, while maintaining the tension force on the electrode plate 4.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the heating components 3′ are configured to heat the length section of the electrode plate 4 located on both sides of the heating components 3′ along the second direction y.
The plurality of heating components 3′ may adopt the same structure. The heating components 3′ are located between the two roller groups 2 along the first direction x. For example, they may be located in the middle area between the two roller groups 2. For one of the roller groups 2, a heating component 3′ is provided between two adjacent first guide rollers 21. For the other roller group 2, a heating component 3′ is also provided between two adjacent first guide rollers 21.
Further, a heating component 3′ is provided between the second guide roller 5 and the two first guide rollers 21 located at the outermost end of the two roller groups 2 and close to the second guide roller 5, and/or a heating component 3′ is provided between the third guide roller 6 and the two first guide rollers 21 located at the outermost ends of the two roller groups 2 and close to the third guide roller 6.
The heating component 3′ in this embodiment is located between two adjacent length sections of the electrode plate 4 so that the heating component 3′ can heat the length sections on both sides at the same time. Compared with the heating method where the heating component is located at the top or bottom of the box to heat one side of the electrode plate, the heat emitted by the heating assembly 3 can be fully utilized to enable uniform distribution of the energy of the heating assembly 3, increase the heating time for the electrode plate 4 in the box 1, and consequently improve the drying efficiency of the electrode plate 4.
Moreover, the heating components 3′ are relatively close to the length sections of the electrode plate 4 on both sides of the heating components 3′, so that various heating components 3′ can heat different positions of the electrode plate 4 uniformly, so that the drying effect for the electrode plate 4 is consistent along the extension direction, thereby ensuring the process performance of the electrode plate 4.
In addition, for the length section of the electrode plate 4 wound around the two adjacent first guide rollers 21, the heating components 3′ are provided on both sides of the electrode plate 4, so that both sides of the electrode plate 4 can be heated at the same time to achieve rapid drying and improve the drying efficiency. Moreover, the inner side and outer side of the coated active material layer can be dried at the same time to prevent the adhesive from floating during the drying process, making the composition of the active material layer uniform, which is beneficial to improving the fitting and binding between the active material layer and the current collector, thereby improving the drying effect of the active material layer.
In some embodiments, each set of heating components 3′ includes a plurality of heating components 3′ arranged side by side along the first direction x. A single heating component 3′ can extend along the third direction z and be installed on the side wall of the box 1 perpendicular to the third direction z. The heating area of the heating component 3′ along the third direction z may have a width close to that of the electrode plate 4.
In this embodiment, a larger area of the electrode plate 4 can be dried, thereby enabling more uniform drying of the electrode plate and improving the drying efficiency.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
For a negative electrode plate, the oily solvent NMP (N-methyl pyrrolidone) is used as the coating carrier and releases NMP gas when heated at high temperature. NMP may deflagrate at high temperature. By providing the protective cover 32, deflagration of NMP gas due to direct contact with the high temperature generated by the internal heating element 31 can be prevented, which improves the safety of the heating component 3′, thereby extending the service life of the heating component 3′ and facilitating installation thereof. In order to isolate the heating element 31 completely from the generated NMP gas, the protective cover 32 needs to have sealing property.
For a positive electrode plate, a water-based solvent is used as the coating carrier and no NMP gas will be released when heated at high temperature. The protective cover 32 is only provided to protect the heating element 31, improve the safety of the heating element 3′, and prevent the heating element 31 from overheating and impacting other components in the box 1, thereby extending the service life of the heating component 3′ and facilitating installation thereof. There are no critical requirements for the sealing property of the protective cover 32.
In this embodiment, by providing the protective cover 32 for the heating element 31, the high-temperature area of the heating element 31 can be prevented from direct high-temperature heating of the electrode plate 4 or the components in the box 1, so that the heating temperature can be better controlled, thereby improving the safety in operation of the heating component 3′, and the heating temperature for the electrode plate 4 can be reliably controlled within the appropriate process temperature range, thereby preventing damage to other components in the box 1 as well.
In some embodiments, as shown in
For example, the infrared heating element may be an infrared lamp tube or an infrared electric heating element which facilitates control of the heating temperature and is relatively simple in structure and use. The protective cover 32 may be made of quartz material or the like and the light-blocking layer 33 may be a gold-plated layer or the like. Since the infrared heating element heats by emitting infrared light, by providing the light-blocking layers 33 at both ends of the protective cover 32 or the infrared heating element, a non-irradiation surface is formed to block infrared light from being emitted toward both ends along the first direction x and prevent infrared light from affecting various components in the box 1. The infrared heating element forms an irradiation surface in the area on both sides without the light-blocking layer 33, so that the infrared light is only irradiated toward the length sections of the electrode plate 4 located on both sides of the infrared heating element.
For example, the infrared lamp tube may be in the shape of “8”, and the light blocking layers 33 are respectively arranged on the arced surfaces of the two ends of the infrared lamp tube along the first direction x, and the light blocking layers 33 at the two ends are arranged opposite to each other. Tungsten filaments 311 are provided in both cylindrical areas of the “8” shaped infrared lamp tube. The irradiation areas on both sides can be set symmetrically, each of about 120°.
In this embodiment, the light-transmitting protective cover 32 is provided, and light-blocking layers 33 are provided at both ends of at least one of the protective cover 32 and the infrared heating element along the first direction x, which can not only meet the requirement that the infrared heating element irradiates infrared light to the length sections of the electrode plate 4 on both sides for heating, but also prevent infrared light from irradiating other components in the box 1, and improve the reliability and safety in operation of the electrode plate heating device 10 while ensuring the drying effect of the electrode plate 4.
In some embodiments, the first direction x is the height direction of the box 1. Accordingly, the second direction y is the length direction of the box 1, which is consistent with the advancing direction of the electrode plate 4, and the third direction z is the width direction of the box 1, that is,
Therefore, the two roller groups 2 are spaced apart along the height direction of the box 1 , and the plurality of first guide rollers 21 in each roller group 2 can be spaced apart along the length direction of the box 1. The heating components 3′ can extend along the width direction of the box 1. In order to increase the heating area, the plurality of heating components 3′ in each heating assembly 3 can be arranged side by side along the height direction of the box 1.
This embodiment provides an up and down wavy shape of the electrode plate 4, that is, the amplitude of the extension curve of the electrode plate 4 is along the height direction of the box 1, and the extension direction of the electrode plate 4 can be adapted to the extension direction of the electrode plate 4 in the two processes of the current electrode plate coating device 20 and electrode plate drying device 30, enabling smoother movement of the electrode plate 4, preventing wrinkles on the electrode plate 4, and improving the process performance of the dried electrode plate 4.
Optionally, the first direction x is the width direction of the box 1. Accordingly, the second direction y is the length direction of the box 1, which is consistent with the advancing direction of the electrode plate 4, and the third direction z is the height direction of the box 1, that is,
In some embodiments, as shown in
In this embodiment, the temperature of the electrode plate 4 can be quickly lowered after drying of the electrode plate 4, thereby preventing impact on the subsequent measurement and windup processes of the electrode plate 4.
In some embodiments, the cooling assembly 7 includes a cooling roller 72 configured to cool the electrode plate 4 wound around it.
One or more cooling rollers 72 can be provided, and the electrode plate 4 is led out from the box 1 and then sequentially wound around various cooling rollers 72 for cooling. Cooling liquid or gas can be passed into the cooling rollers 72.
As shown in
In this embodiment, by arranging the cooling roller 72 so that the electrode plate 4 can be fitted to the outer surface of the cooling roller 72 for cooling, the cooling effect can be improved through good fitting and with lower cost.
Optionally, the cooling assembly 7 may also use an air nozzle, such as an elongated air nozzle extending along the width direction of the electrode plate 4, to achieve cooling by blowing cold air.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In this embodiment, considering the fact that the electrode plate 4 will generate water vapor and chemical gases during the heating process, the water vapor and chemical gases in the box 1 are collected by the collection component 8 through negative pressure during heating or after heating is completed, which can keep a dry environment in the box 1, improve drying efficiency, and prevent chemical gases from corroding the electrode plate 4 or other components in the box 1, thereby ensuring the process performance of the dried electrode plate 4 and extending the service life of the electrode plate heating device 10.
The structure of the electrode plate heating device 10 of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
The two side walls 1A of the box 1 perpendicular to the second direction y are respectively provided with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12. The inlet 11 is provided with a second guide roller 5, and the outlet 12 is provided with a third guide roller 6. The electrode plate 4 enters via the inlet 11 and then is wound around the second guide roller 5, all the first guide rollers 21 and the third guide roller 6 in sequence, and thereafter is led out via the outlet 12. The led-out electrode plate 4 enters the cooling assembly 7 for cooling, so as to facilitate subsequent measurement and windup. The box 1 has a top wall 1B and a bottom wall 1C perpendicular to the first direction x, and both the power component 91 and the recovery port 13 can be provided on the top wall 1B.
The heating assembly 3 is installed in the box 1. The heating assembly 3 may include a plurality of heating components 3′. The portion between every two adjacent first guide rollers 21 on the extension path of the electrode plate 4 may be called a length section. The portion between the first guide roller 21 and the second guide roller 5 and the portion between the first guide roller 21 and the third guide roller 6 may be called length sections. Then a heating component 3′ may be provided between every two adjacent length sections of the electrode plate 4 along the second direction y, so that the length sections on both sides can be heated by the heating component 3′ at the same time, thereby improving the drying efficiency. Further, a plurality of heating components 3′ may be provided between every two adjacent length sections, and the plurality of heating components 3′ may be arranged side by side along the first direction x to expand the heating range and improve heating uniformity. The heating component 3′ can extend along the third direction z to realize heating of the entire area along the width of the electrode plate 4.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
By arranging light-blocking layers 33 at both ends of the infrared heating element, a non-irradiation surface is formed to block infrared light from being emitted toward both ends along the first direction x and prevent the infrared light from affecting various components in the box 1. The infrared heating element forms an irradiation surface in the area on both sides without the light-blocking layer 33, so that the infrared light is only irradiated toward the length sections of the electrode plate 4 located on both sides of the infrared heating element.
Optionally, since the heating component 3′ has a relatively high operating temperature, cold air can be introduced for cooling. In addition, a temperature sensor may also be provided on the surface of the heating component 3′ to detect the operating temperature of the heating component 3′ and give an alarm when the operating temperature exceeds a preset temperature. The heating may also be stopped by cutting off the power to meet explosion-proof requirements. By measuring the surface temperature of the heating component 3′, the operating temperature of the heating component 3′ can be obtained more accurately.
Secondly, the present application provides an electrode plate production method. In some embodiments, as shown in
The steps S101˜S103 are executed sequentially. In this electrode plate production method, the electrode plate 4 is preliminarily dried by the electrode plate heating device 10 provided downstream of the electrode plate drying device 30, and then enters the electrode plate heating device 10 again for secondary drying. As such, this method can optimize the drying effect of the electrode plate 4, shorten the residence time of the electrode plate 4 in the electrode plate drying device 30, increase the movement speed of the electrode plate 4, and consequently increase the coating rate of the electrode plate 4.
In some embodiments, the electrode plate 4 is in the moving state during the coating, baking, and reheating processes of the electrode plate 4. This method can make the coating process of the electrode plate 4 more continuous, coat the active material over the matrix more uniformly, and improve the coating efficiency.
Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely used for illustrating rather than limiting the technical solutions of the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above various embodiments can be modified, or some of the technical features therein can be equivalently substituted. However, such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202210124891.6 | Feb 2022 | CN | national |
The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2023/071713, filed on Jan. 10, 2023, which is based on and claims priority to Chinese Application No. 202210124891.6, filed on Feb. 10, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/CN2023/071713 | Jan 2023 | WO |
| Child | 18642322 | US |
