Electrode material sintering device

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrode material sintering device. The electrode material sintering device comprises a sintering furnace that forms a reaction space to produce an electrode material active material by applying heat and gas to an electrode material raw material; a plurality of transfer rollers that are extended in a first direction within the sintering furnace and arranged parallel to a second direction that intersects the first direction; a plurality of saggers that receive the electrode material raw material and are arranged in a plurality of rows along the first direction, are fed into the sintering furnace, and are transported in the second direction by riding the transfer rollers; and a plurality of guide rollers mounted on the transfer rollers that support both sides of the sagger in the first direction to induce the sagger to proceed in the second direction. The guide rollers may be arranged asymmetrically on both sides of the first direction with respect to the second direction for a single sagger, and may consist of at least three.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode material firing apparatus for firing a secondary battery electrode material. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and are currently the subject of extensive research and development due to their potential for miniaturization and high capacity. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rising rapidly.

[0003] Secondary batteries are classified into coin batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch batteries according to the shape of the battery case. Secondary batteries house an electrode assembly and an electrolyte. In a secondary battery, the electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case is a rechargeable power generation device consisting of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0004] Electrode assemblies can be roughly classified into a jelly-roll type, which is wound with a separator interposed between a sheet-type positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an electrode active material, and a stack type, which is formed by sequentially stacking multiple positive and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0005] Here, in order to produce an electrode material which is an electrode active material, raw materials for the electrode material were introduced into a calcination furnace and heated to produce the electrode active material. The electrode material calcination furnace introduces raw materials for the electrode material and applies heat to produce the electrode active material. The raw materials for the electrode material are placed in a sagger, and the sagger is introduced into the calcination furnace.

[0006] At this time, the electrode material undergoes a long-term sintering process, and the material proceeds in one direction by the conveying unit. At this time, due to various causes, meandering may occur in the movement of the material. As a result, production volume may be reduced. The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention provides an electrode material firing apparatus that prevents the meandering of the saga receiving the raw material of the electrode material. means of solving the problem

[0008] An electrode material calcination device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a calcination furnace forming a reaction space to produce an electrode material active material by applying heat and gas to an electrode material raw material; a plurality of transfer rollers extended in a first direction within the calcination furnace and arranged parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of saggers that receive the electrode material raw material and are arranged in a plurality of rows along the first direction, fed into the calcination furnace, and transported in the second direction by riding the transfer rollers; and a plurality of guide rollers mounted on the transfer rollers to support both sides of the sagger in the first direction and induce the sagger to proceed in the second direction, wherein the guide rollers are arranged asymmetrically on both sides of the first direction with respect to the second direction for one sagger and consist of at least three.

[0009] For one saga, at least two of the guide rolls may be arranged on one side of the first direction and at least one on the other side of the first direction, based on the second direction.

[0010] One saga is supported by at least three transfer rollers spaced apart in the second direction among the transfer rollers, and can be guided to at least one on one side of the first direction and at least two on the other side among the guide rollers.

[0011] One of the first guide rolls spaced apart in the first direction can be positioned one on each side for every two threads in the first direction to guide only one side of each thread.

[0012] The next second guide roll, positioned adjacent to the first guide roll, is positioned one between two slats in the first direction and can guide the two slats facing each other on both sides.

[0013] The guide roller may include a boss portion having a first diameter (D1) having a through hole coupled to the transfer roller, and an inclined portion having a second diameter (D2) on the outer edge of the boss portion and symmetrically inclined on both sides in the thickness direction from the thickness center of the boss portion.

[0014] The diameters of the above transfer rollers are the same, the distance between the axes is the same, and the distance between the axes (L) of two adjacent guide rollers may be smaller than the second diameter (D2).

[0015] The boss portion is parallel to the wall surface of the saga, and the inclined portion has a set angle with respect to the wall surface of the saga, thereby allowing the saga to be controlled and removed.

[0016] The above-mentioned inclined portion may be formed by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

[0017] The above-mentioned inclined portion may be formed with the first convex surface and the second convex surface.

[0018] The above-mentioned inclined portion may be formed with the first concave surface and the second concave surface.

[0019] The above transfer roller may further include two support rollers arranged per saga to support a single saga proceeding in the second direction from both sides of the first direction.

[0020] The guide roll comprises a boss portion having a first diameter having a through hole coupled to the transfer roller, and an inclined portion having a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface having a second diameter on the outer edge of the boss portion and symmetrically inclined on both sides in the thickness direction from the thickness center of the boss portion, and the support roll may have a third diameter smaller than the first diameter.

[0021] The number of guide rollers installed on the above transfer roller may be installed to be less than the number of rows of the above saga.

[0022] The number of guide rollers installed on the two transfer rollers that are continuous in the second direction may be one more than the number of rows. Effects of the invention

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, for a single saga, guide rolls are arranged asymmetrically on both sides of the first direction with respect to the second direction in which the saga proceeds, and are composed of at least three, so that the saga receiving the raw material can be prevented from meandering. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrode material firing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial side view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a bottom view of Figure 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a guide roll in an electrode material firing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guide roll in an electrode material firing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an electrode material firing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of Fig. 6. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted to clearly explain the present invention, and the same reference numerals have been used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.

[0026] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0027] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0028] Throughout the specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Accordingly, when a part is said to “comprising” a certain component, unless specifically stated otherwise, this means that it may include additional components rather than excluding other components.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrode material firing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the electrode material firing apparatus (1) of the first embodiment includes a firing furnace (10), a plurality of transfer rollers (20), a plurality of saggers (30), and a plurality of guide rollers (40).

[0030] The electrode material calcination device (1) can manufacture an electrode material by applying heat and gas to the electrode material raw material to react the electrode material raw material. The electrode material raw material may consist of a positive active material raw material. At this time, the electrode material calcination device (1) can manufacture a positive active material by applying heat and gas to the positive active material raw material.

[0031] A plurality of transfer rollers (20) are extended in a first direction (y-axis direction) within the kiln (10) and arranged in parallel in a second direction (x-axis direction) that intersects the first direction (y-axis direction). For example, the kiln (10) and the transfer rollers (20) are configured to calcine electrode material raw materials while transporting a plurality of rows of sacs (30). The first embodiment illustrates a kiln (10) and transfer rollers (20) that transport six rows of sacs (30).

[0032] Multiple saggers (30) are configured to receive electrode material raw materials and be arranged in multiple rows along the first direction (y-axis direction) and fed into a kiln (10) and transported by means of conveying rollers (20).

[0033] A plurality of guide rolls (40) are mounted on the transfer rollers (20) and configured to support both sides of the saga (30) in the first direction (y-axis direction) to induce the saga (30) to proceed in the second direction (x-axis direction).

[0034] Guide rolls (40) are arranged asymmetrically on both sides of the first direction (y-axis direction) with respect to the second direction (x-axis direction) for a single saga (30), and consist of at least three. The saga (30), supported by three points on both sides of the first direction (y-axis direction), proceeds in a straight line along the second direction (x-axis direction). Thus, the saga (30) can be prevented from meandering in the second direction (x-axis direction).

[0035] For one saga (30), at least two guide rolls (40) are arranged on one side of the first direction (y-axis direction) with respect to the second direction (x-axis direction), and at least one is arranged on the other side of the first direction (y-axis direction).

[0036] The saga (30) is supported by a minimum number of guide rolls (40) and transported along the transport roller (20) in a second direction (x-axis direction). Thus, the saga (30) can be prevented from drifting. In addition, as the number of guide rolls (40) decreases, the load acting on the transport roller (20) transporting the saga (30) can be reduced.

[0037] One saga (30) is supported by at least three transfer rollers (20) spaced apart in the second direction (x-axis direction) among the transfer rollers (20). Additionally, the saga (30) is guided by at least one on one side and at least two on the other side of the first direction (y-axis direction) among the guide rollers (40).

[0038] One of the first guide rolls (41) among the guide rolls (40) spaced apart in the first direction (y-axis direction) is positioned one on each side for every two saga (30) in the first direction and guides only one side of each saga (30).

[0039] The next second guide roll (42), positioned adjacent to the first guide roll (41), is positioned one between two saga (30) in the first direction (y-axis direction) to guide the two saga (30) facing each other on both sides.

[0040] The first guide roll (41) and the second guide roll (42) are repeatedly arranged in the first direction (y-axis direction) on a single transfer roller (20). For convenience, the transfer roller (20) on which the first guide roll (41) and the second guide roll (42) are arranged is called the first transfer roller (21).

[0041] The first guide roll (41) and the second guide roll (42) provided on another transfer roller (20) are shifted by one saga (30) in the first direction (y-axis direction). For convenience, the transfer roller (20) in which the first guide roll (41) and the second guide roll (42) are shifted by one saga (30) in the first direction is called the second transfer roller (22).

[0042] That is, the first and second transfer rollers (21, 22) are repeatedly arranged in the second direction (x-axis direction). The saga (30) can be transported in the second direction (x) by the first and second transfer rollers (21, 22) which are arranged in a shifted state on the first and second transfer rollers (21, 22).

[0043] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide roll (40) has a boss portion (401) and an inclined portion (402). The boss portion (401) is formed with a first diameter (D1) having a through hole (403) that is coupled to the transfer roller (20). The inclined portion (402) has a second diameter (D2) on the outer edge of the boss portion (401) and is formed symmetrically at an angle to both sides in the thickness direction from the center of the thickness of the boss portion (401).

[0044] Since the diameters of the transfer rollers (20) are the same and the axis distance (L2) is the same, the saga (30) can be transferred stably. The axis distance (L4) of two adjacent guide rolls (40) is set to a size that is smaller than the second diameter (D2) and does not hinder the rotation of the guide roll (40).

[0045] The boss portion (401) is parallel to the wall surface of the saga (30), and the inclined portion (402) is at a set angle to the wall surface of the saga (30), thereby controlling and eliminating the swaying of the saga (30). When the saga (30) comes into contact with the inclined portion (402), the side of the saga (30) changes direction to be parallel to the boss portion (401) due to the guidance of the inclined portion (402), thereby controlling and eliminating the swaying.

[0046] The inclined section (402) is formed with a first inclined surface (412) and a second inclined surface (422) facing both sides of the first direction (y-axis direction). Accordingly, the saga (30) being transported in the second direction (x-axis direction) from both sides of the first direction (y-axis direction) of the guide rolls (40) is adjusted by the angle of inclination (θ) of the first inclined surface (412) and the second inclined surface (422) to the degree of deviation from the second direction.

[0047] Referring again to FIG. 1, the number of guide rolls (40) installed on the transfer roller (20) is less than the number of rows of the saga (30). When the saga (30) has 6 rows, one transfer roller (20) is equipped with 4 or 3 guide rolls (40).

[0048] The number of guide rolls (40) installed on two transfer rollers (20) that are continuous in the second direction is one more than the number of rows of the saga (30). When there are 6 rows of the saga (30), 7 guide rolls (40) are provided on the two transfer rollers (20).

[0049] Therefore, as the saga (30) is prevented from drifting and the number of guide rolls (40) is reduced, the load acting on the transfer roller (20) that transports the saga (30) can be greatly reduced.

[0050] Various embodiments of the present invention are described below. Compared to the first embodiment and the previously described embodiments, descriptions of identical components are omitted, and descriptions of different components are provided.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a guide roll in an electrode material firing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, in the electrode material firing apparatus of the second embodiment, the guide roll (50) has a boss portion (501) that is mounted to a transfer roller (20) through a through hole (503) and an inclined portion (502) connected to the boss portion (501). The inclined portion (502) is formed with a first convex surface (512) and a second convex surface (522).

[0052] In the first embodiment, the meandering of the saga (30) is controlled according to the inclination angle (θ) of the first inclined surface (412) and the second inclined surface (422). In contrast, in the second embodiment, the meandering of the saga (30) is controlled according to the inclination angle (θ2) of the first convex surface (512) and the second convex surface (522). The inclination angle (θ2) varies depending on the convex position.

[0053] Therefore, since the angle of inclination (θ2) is maximized at the end portions of the first convex surface (512) and the second convex surface (522), the meandering of the saga (30) at the end portions is greatly controlled. And since the angle of inclination (θ2) is minimized at the center portions of the first convex surface (512) and the second convex surface (522), the meandering of the saga (30) at the center portion is greatly controlled.

[0054] In this way, the inclined portion (502) of the guide roll (50) of the second embodiment controls the meandering at a large angle at the initial end portion that contacts the saga (30), and controls the meandering at a smaller angle as it gradually moves toward the center portion.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guide roll in an electrode material firing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, in the electrode material firing apparatus of the third embodiment, the guide roll (60) has a boss portion (601) that is mounted to a transfer roller (20) through a through hole (603) and an inclined portion (602) connected to the boss portion (601). The inclined portion (602) is formed with a first concave surface (612) and a second concave surface (622).

[0056] In the first embodiment, the first inclined surface (412) and the second inclined surface (422) control the meandering of the saga (30) according to the inclination angle (θ). In contrast, in the third embodiment, the first concave surface (612) and the second concave surface (622) control the meandering of the saga (30) according to the inclination angle (θ3). The inclination angle (θ3) varies depending on the concave position.

[0057] Therefore, since the angle of inclination (θ3) is formed to a minimum at the end portions of the first concave surface (612) and the second concave surface (622), the meandering of the saga (30) at the end portions is controlled to be small. And since the angle of inclination (θ3) is formed to a maximum at the center portions of the first concave surface (612) and the second concave surface (622), the meandering of the saga (30) at the center portion is controlled to be large.

[0058] In this way, the inclined portion (602) of the guide roll (60) of the third embodiment controls the meandering at a small angle at the initial end portion that contacts the saga (30), and controls the meandering at a larger angle as it gradually moves toward the center portion.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an electrode material firing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in the electrode material firing apparatus (4) of the fourth embodiment, the guide roll (40) has a boss portion (401) and an inclined portion (402).

[0060] The boss portion (401) is formed with a first diameter (D1) having a through hole (403) that is coupled to the transfer roller (20). The inclined portion (402) has a second diameter (D2) on the outer edge of the boss portion (401) and is formed symmetrically at an angle to both sides in the thickness direction from the thickness center of the boss portion (401).

[0061] The inclined section (402) is formed with a first inclined surface (412) and a second inclined surface (422) facing both sides of the first direction (y-axis direction). Accordingly, the saga (30) being transported in the second direction (x-axis direction) from both sides of the first direction (y-axis direction) of the guide rolls (40) is adjusted by the angle of inclination (θ) of the first inclined surface (412) and the second inclined surface (422) to the degree of deviation from the second direction.

[0062] The transfer roller (20) further includes support rollers (35). Two support rollers (35) are arranged per saga (30) to support one saga (30) advancing in the second direction (x-axis direction) from both sides in the first direction (y-axis direction).

[0063] The support roll (35) has a third diameter (D3) that is smaller than the first diameter (D1). Since the support roll (35) has a third diameter (D3) and supports from both sides in the first direction (y-axis direction), the contact area between the saga (30) and the transfer roller (20) is minimized, thereby enabling more effective prevention of saga (30) by the inclined portion (402) of the guide roll (40).

[0064] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and it is obvious that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0065] 1: Electrode material firing device 4: Electrode material firing device 10: Kiln 20: Transfer roller 21: Guide 1 Roll 22: Guide 2 Roll 30: Sagger 35: Zizi Roll 40: Guide Roll 41: 1st Guide Roll 42: Second Guide Roll 50: Guide Roll 60: Guide Roll 401: Boss Section 402: Inclined section 403: Penetration hole 412: 1st slope 422: 2nd slope 501: Boss Section 502: Slope Section 503: Penetration hole 512: First convex surface 522: Second convex surface 601: Boss section 602: Inclined section 603: Penetration hole 612: 1st Omok-myeon 622: 2nd Omok-myeon D1: 1st diameter D2: 2nd diameter D3: Third diameter L2: Inter-axle distance L4: Inter-axis distance θ: Angle of inclination θ2: Angle of inclination θ3: Angle of inclination

Claims

Claim 1 A calcination furnace forming a reaction space to manufacture an electrode active material by applying heat and gas to an electrode material raw material; a plurality of transfer rollers extended in a first direction within the calcination furnace and arranged parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of saggers receiving the electrode material raw material and arranged in multiple rows along the first direction, fed into the calcination furnace, and transported in the second direction by riding the transfer rollers; The electrode material firing apparatus comprises a plurality of guide rolls mounted on the transfer rollers to support both sides of the saga in the first direction and induce the saga to proceed in the second direction, wherein the guide rolls are arranged asymmetrically on both sides of the first direction with respect to the second direction for one saga and consist of at least three, wherein the transfer roller further comprises a support roll that supports one saga proceeding, wherein the guide roll comprises a boss portion formed with a first diameter and an inclined portion formed with a second diameter on the outer edge of the boss portion, and the support roll has a third diameter smaller than the first diameter. Claim 2 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, for one saga, at least two guide rolls are arranged on one side of the first direction and at least one is arranged on the other side of the first direction with respect to the second direction. Claim 3 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one saga is supported by at least three transfer rollers spaced apart in the second direction among the transfer rollers, and is guided to at least one on one side of the first direction and at least two on the other side among the guide rollers. Claim 4 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the guide rolls spaced apart in the first direction is arranged one on each side for every two strands in the first direction, and guides only one side of each strand. Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the next second guide roll positioned adjacent to the first guide roll is positioned one between two slats in the first direction to guide the two slats facing each other on both sides, forming an electrode material firing device. Claim 6 An electrode material firing device according to claim 1, wherein the boss portion has a through hole coupled to the transfer roller, and the inclined portion is symmetrically inclined on both sides in the thickness direction from the thickness center of the boss portion. Claim 7 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the diameters of the transfer rollers are the same, the axis distance (L2) is the same, and the axis distance (L4) of two adjacent guide rollers is smaller than the second diameter (D2). Claim 8 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the boss portion is parallel to the wall surface of the saga and the inclined portion has a set angle with respect to the wall surface of the saga, thereby controlling and removing the meandering of the saga. Claim 9 An electrode material firing device according to claim 6, wherein the inclined portion is formed by a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface facing both sides of the first direction. Claim 10 An electrode material firing device according to claim 6, wherein the inclined portion is formed with a first convex surface and a second convex surface facing both sides of the first direction. Claim 11 An electrode material firing device according to claim 6, wherein the inclined portion is formed with a first concave surface and a second concave surface facing both sides of the first direction. Claim 12 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support rolls are arranged in pairs per saga to support a single saga advancing in the second direction from both sides of the first direction. Claim 13 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the boss portion has a through hole coupled to the transfer roller, and the inclined portion has a second diameter on the outer edge of the boss portion and has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that are symmetrically inclined toward both sides in the thickness direction from the thickness center of the boss portion. Claim 14 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of guide rolls installed on the transfer roller is less than the number of rows of the saga. Claim 15 An electrode material firing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of guide rolls installed on the two transfer rollers that are continuous in the second direction is one more than the number of rows.

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