Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for battery slurry

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a slurry for a battery, which can accurately detect the state of a slurry in the middle of stirring under non-atmospheric exposure conditions without exposure to the atmosphere. In order to solve the above problem, the manufacturing apparatus for a slurry for a battery has a stirring tank, a stirring device, an observation container, a circulating device, and a detection device. The stirring tank contains a slurry for a battery under non-atmospheric exposure conditions without exposure to the atmosphere. The stirring device stirs the slurry in the stirring tank. The observation container is connected to the stirring tank. The circulating device circulates the slurry between the stirring tank and the observation container under non-atmospheric exposure conditions. The detection device irradiates X-rays to the slurry in the observation container, and detects the X-rays that have passed through the slurry, thereby detecting the state of the slurry.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a slurry for a battery, that is, a slurry of a material that becomes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, or the like of a battery. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, from the viewpoint of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, reducing adverse effects on the global environment, and the like, the spread of electric vehicles such as electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) is progressing. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a battery mounted on an electric vehicle or the like, and a technology for manufacturing a slurry for a battery with high quality becomes important.

[0003] [Prior Art Documents]

[0004] (Patent Document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-129472 SUMMARY

[0006] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] In order to manufacture a slurry for a battery with high quality, it is required to optimize the dispersion state of each substance that constitutes the slurry, and specifically, it is required to optimize the dispersion state of an active material, a solid electrolyte, a binder, a conductive aid, a solvent, an additive, and the like. This is because if the optimization is not performed, in a completed battery, it can not be possible to exert the intended electrical performance, and it can not be possible to exert the intended initial performance and durability. Therefore, it is required to grasp the state of the slurry in detail during the middle of stirring of the slurry.

[0008] However, in a slurry for a battery, there are substances such as a sulfur-based solid electrolyte that are not suitable for contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, it is difficult to take out the slurry from a stirring tank during the middle of stirring to confirm the state of the slurry.

[0009] Therefore, in the past, the state of the slurry was inferred based on torque, viscosity, temperature, visual observation, and the like during the stirring of the slurry. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the state of the slurry in detail.

[0010] The present application was completed in view of the above circumstances, and aims to enable the state of a slurry during the middle of stirring to be detected with good precision under non-atmosphere exposure conditions that are not exposed to the atmosphere.

[0011] [Technical Means to Solve the Problems]

[0012] The present inventors found that if the slurry is circulated between the stirring tank and the observation container under non-atmospheric exposure conditions, and the state of the slurry in the observation container is detected by irradiating X-rays to the slurry, the state of the slurry during stirring under non-atmospheric exposure conditions can be observed with good accuracy, thereby completing the present invention. The present invention is a manufacturing apparatus of (1) to (4) below and a manufacturing method of (5) below.

[0013] (1) A manufacturing apparatus of a slurry for a battery, comprising:

[0014] a stirring tank that houses a slurry for a battery under non-atmospheric exposure conditions that are non-exposure to atmosphere;

[0015] a stirring device that stirs the slurry in the aforementioned stirring tank;

[0016] an observation container that is connected to the aforementioned stirring tank;

[0017] a circulation device that circulates the aforementioned slurry between the aforementioned stirring tank and the aforementioned observation container under the aforementioned non-atmospheric exposure conditions; and

[0018] a detection device that irradiates X-rays to the slurry in the aforementioned observation container, and detects the aforementioned X-rays that have passed through the aforementioned slurry, thereby detecting the state of the aforementioned slurry.

[0019] According to the present constitution, by circulating the slurry between the stirring tank and the observation container under non-atmospheric exposure conditions, and irradiating X-rays to the slurry in the observation container, the state of the slurry during stirring under non-atmospheric exposure conditions can be detected. Moreover, since the state of the slurry is detected using X-rays, the state of the slurry can be detected with good accuracy compared to cases where the state of the slurry is inferred based on torque, viscosity, temperature, visual observation, etc. during stirring of the slurry. Thus, the state of the slurry during stirring under non-atmospheric exposure conditions can be detected with good accuracy.

[0020] (2) The manufacturing apparatus of a slurry for a battery according to the aforementioned (1), wherein,

[0021] the inside of the aforementioned observation container is formed in a tapered shape that is tapered as it advances in the circulation direction of the aforementioned slurry.

[0022] According to the present constitution, since the inside of the observation container is tapered, when analyzing the state of the slurry, a portion of the inside diameter of the observation container with good X-ray resolution can be selected. Thus, the state of the slurry can be detected with high resolution.

[0023] (3) The manufacturing apparatus of a slurry for a battery according to the aforementioned (1) or (2), wherein,

[0024] The aforementioned detection device has: a main body portion that irradiates and detects X-rays; and a rotating device that relatively rotates one of the aforementioned main body portion and the aforementioned observation container with respect to the other;

[0025] The aforementioned detection device irradiates the slurry in the aforementioned observation container with X-rays from a plurality of angles different from each other by the cooperation of the aforementioned rotating device and the aforementioned main body portion, and detects the state of the aforementioned slurry from the plurality of angles,

[0026] The aforementioned detection device irradiates the slurry in the aforementioned observation container with X-rays from a plurality of angles different from each other by the cooperation of the aforementioned rotating device and the aforementioned main body portion, and detects the state of the aforementioned slurry from the plurality of angles,

[0027] According to the present configuration, the state of the slurry can be grasped with higher accuracy and better precision based on the three-dimensional analysis.

[0028] (4) The manufacturing device for a battery slurry according to the aforementioned (3), wherein a stirring control device is provided that determines a timing at which to end stirring of the slurry based on a result of the aforementioned three-dimensional analysis.

[0029] According to the present configuration, the timing at which to end stirring of the slurry is determined based on a result of the three-dimensional analysis, so that stirring can be appropriately ended at an appropriate timing.

[0030] (5) A manufacturing method for a battery slurry, comprising:

[0031] a stirring step of stirring a slurry housed in a stirring tank under non-atmosphere-exposed conditions that are not exposed to the atmosphere;

[0032] a circulation step of circulating the aforementioned slurry between the aforementioned stirring tank and an observation container under the aforementioned non-atmosphere-exposed conditions at a midpoint of the aforementioned stirring step; and

[0033] a detection step of irradiating the aforementioned slurry that has flowed from the aforementioned stirring tank into the aforementioned observation container by the aforementioned circulation with X-rays, and detecting the aforementioned X-rays that have passed through the aforementioned slurry, thereby detecting a state of the aforementioned slurry.

[0034] According to the present method, as well as the device of the aforementioned (1), the state of the slurry at a midpoint of stirring can be detected with higher accuracy and better precision under non-atmosphere-exposed conditions.

[0035] (EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION)

[0036] As described above, according to the device of the aforementioned (1) and the method of the aforementioned (5), the state of the slurry at a midpoint of stirring can be detected with higher accuracy and better precision under non-atmosphere-exposed conditions. Further, according to the configurations of the aforementioned (2) to (4) that cite the aforementioned (1), respective additional effects can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a manufacturing apparatus of a slurry for a battery of a first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 2 is a view illustrating an observation container and a detection apparatus.

[0039] Figure 3 is a view illustrating an example of a three-dimensional image of a slurry.

[0040] Figure 4 is a view illustrating an image of analysis of a peripheral portion of a slurry.

[0041] Figure 5 is a view illustrating an image of analysis results of a peripheral portion.

[0042] Figure 6 is a view illustrating an image of analysis of a central portion of a slurry.

[0043] Figure 7 is a view illustrating an image of analysis results of a central portion.

[0044] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method of a slurry for a battery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present application.

[0046] [First Embodiment]

[0047] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a manufacturing apparatus 100 of a slurry SL for a battery of the present embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 100 has a stirring apparatus 10, a stirring tank 20, an observation container 30, a circulation apparatus 40, a detection apparatus 50, a three-dimensional analysis apparatus 60, and a stirring control apparatus 70.

[0048] The slurry SL contains, for example, an active material, a binder, a conductive aid, a solvent, an additive, and the like, and contains a sulfur-based solid electrolyte and the like which is not suitable for contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, the slurry SL needs to be handled under a non-atmosphere exposure condition without exposure to the atmosphere.

[0049] The stirring tank 20 accommodates the slurry SL under a non-atmosphere exposure condition. The stirring apparatus 10 is an apparatus that stirs the slurry SL in the stirring tank 20, and is controlled by the stirring control apparatus 70. A heater 25 for heating the slurry SL is provided on the inside of the stirring tank 20. The observation container 30 is a cylindrical container, and is connected to the stirring tank 20 by the circulation apparatus 40.

[0050] The circulation device 40 has an inflow pipe 41, an inflow valve 42, a connection pipe 43, a pump 44, an outflow pipe 45, and an outflow valve 46. One end of the inflow pipe 41 is connected to the stirring tank 20, and the other end is connected to one end of the observation container 30. The inflow valve 42 is provided in an intermediate portion of the inflow pipe 41, and opens and closes the inflow pipe 41. One end of the connection pipe 43 is connected to the other end of the observation container 30, which is opposite to the side to which the inflow pipe 41 is connected, and the other end is connected to a suction port of the pump 44. One end of the outflow pipe 45 is connected to a discharge port of the pump 44, and the other end is connected to the stirring tank 20. The outflow valve 46 is provided in an intermediate portion of the outflow pipe 45, and opens and closes the outflow pipe 45.

[0051] Hereinafter, the inflow valve 42 and the outflow valve 46 are collectively referred to as "valves 42, 46". The circulation device 40 causes the pump 44 to operate after opening the valves 42, 46, and thereby circulates the slurry SL between the stirring tank 20 and the observation container 30 under non-atmospheric exposure conditions.

[0052] Figure 2 Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the observation container 30 and the detection device 50. Hereinafter, a direction in which the slurry SL is circulated is simply referred to as "circulation direction". The inside of the observation container 30 is tapered so as to be reduced in diameter as it advances in the circulation direction. The average inner diameter of the observation container 30 is about 7 mm.

[0053] The detection device 50 has a main body portion 53 and a rotating device 57, and the main body portion 53 has an irradiation portion 51 and a detection portion 52. The irradiation portion 51 irradiates the slurry SL in the observation container 30 with X-rays. The detection portion 52 detects the X-rays that have passed through the slurry SL, and thereby detects the state of the slurry SL.

[0054] The rotating device 57 relatively rotates one of the main body portion 53 and the observation container 30 with respect to the other, with the circulation direction as an axis. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the main body portion 53 is fixed, and the rotating device 57 rotates the observation container 30. However, instead of this, the observation container 30 can be fixed, and the main body portion 53 can be rotated by the rotating device 57.

[0055] The detection device 50 repeatedly performs a series of cooperative actions by the rotating device 57 and the main body portion 53, which rotate the observation container 30 by a predetermined angle by the rotating device 57 and detect the state of the slurry SL by the main body portion 53. Thereby, the detection device 50 irradiates the slurry SL in the observation container 30 with X-rays from a plurality of angles different from each other, and detects the state of the slurry SL from a plurality of angles.

[0056] As Figure 1As shown, the three-dimensional analysis device 60 has an image generation section 61 and an image analysis section 62. The image generation section 61 generates a three-dimensional image based on the state of the slurry SL from the detected plurality of angles. The image analysis section 62 analyzes the state of the slurry SL based on the generated three-dimensional image. The stirring control device 70 determines whether to end the stirring of the slurry SL based on the analysis result.

[0057] Next, the analysis by the three-dimensional analysis device 60 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7 to FIGS. 9 to 12.

[0058] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional image of the slurry SL generated by the image generation section 61. Here, the slurry SL contains the active material P. Hereinafter, a region around the center line of the slurry SL in the observation container 30 will be referred to as a "center portion Ac", and a region further outward than the center portion Ac will be referred to as an "outer peripheral portion Ao". Specifically, in each cross section of the slurry SL cut by a plane orthogonal to the circulation direction, the center portion Ac and the outer peripheral portion Ao each occupy 45% of the area.

[0059] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an image of the analysis of the outer peripheral portion Ao by the image analysis section 62. Specifically, it is a diagram of a mesh in which the centers of gravity of the active material P detected in the outer peripheral portion Ao are connected by straight lines, as viewed from the circulation direction. Thus, the intersections of the mesh indicate the presence of the active material P, and the three-dimensional intervals between the intersections indicate the center-to-center distances D between the active material P.

[0060] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an image of the analysis result of the outer peripheral portion Ao by the image analysis section 62, indicating the distribution of the center-to-center distances D in the outer peripheral portion Ao. Specifically, Figure 5 the horizontal axis indicates the center-to-center distance D, and the vertical axis indicates the number of active material P belonging to the center-to-center distance D.

[0061] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an image of the analysis of the center portion Ac by the image analysis section 62. Specifically, it is a diagram of a mesh in which the centers of gravity of the active material P detected in the center portion Ac are connected by straight lines, as viewed from the circulation direction. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an image of the analysis result of the center portion Ac by the image analysis section 62, indicating the distribution of the center-to-center distances D in the center portion Ac.

[0062] From Figure 5 and Figure 7As a result of comparison, it is found that the deviation of the center-of-gravity distance D in one of the outer peripheral portion Ao and the central portion Ac is larger than that in the other. In this case, the stirring control device 70 considers that the state of the slurry SL does not reach the target state, and the stirring of the slurry SL is insufficient, and thus continues the stirring of the slurry SL. On the other hand, in a case where there is no large difference in the distribution degree of the center-of-gravity distance D between the outer peripheral portion Ao and the central portion Ac, the stirring control device 70 considers that the state of the slurry SL reaches the target state, and the stirring of the slurry SL is sufficient, and thus ends the stirring of the slurry SL.

[0063] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method of a slurry SL for a battery using the manufacturing device 100 shown above. In addition, "S" shown in front of a number below is an abbreviation of "step" hereinafter.

[0064] First, in S11, an operator or the like puts the slurry SL into the stirring tank 20 under a non-atmospheric exposure condition, and presses a stirring start button of the manufacturing device 100, thereby starting the stirring of the slurry SL.

[0065] Next, S21, S22, which are performed after S11 as a stirring process, will be described. First, in S21, the stirring control device 70 sets a stirring condition. Specifically, for example, in the first S21 in the flow, a prescribed stirring condition is set, and in the S21 after the second time, the stirring condition is sequentially updated. Next, in S22, the stirring control device 70 controls the stirring device 10 based on the set stirring condition, to perform the stirring.

[0066] Next, S41, S42, S43, which are performed after S22 as a circulation process, will be described. First, in S41, the circulation device 40 opens the valves 42, 46. Next, in S42, the circulation device 40 operates the pump 44 to introduce the slurry SL in the stirring tank 20 into the observation container 30. Next, in S43, the circulation device 40 closes the valves 42, 46.

[0067] Next, S51, which is performed after S43 as a detection process, will be described. In S51, the aforementioned common operation of the rotating device 57 and the main body portion 53 is performed to detect the state of the slurry SL in the observation container 30 from a plurality of angles.

[0068] Next, S61, S62, which are performed after S51 as an analysis process, will be described. First, in S61, the image generation portion 61 generates a three-dimensional image based on the detected state of the slurry SL from a plurality of angles. Next, in S62, the image analysis portion 62 analyzes the current state of the slurry SL, that is, the distribution of the center-of-gravity distance D, based on the generated three-dimensional image.

[0069] Next, S71 to S73, which are performed after S62 as the stirring control process, will be described. First, in S71, the stirring control device 70 sets a target state of the slurry SL based on information other than the three-dimensional image, such as past battery test results, raw material data, and stirring state information.

[0070] Next, in S72, the stirring control device 70 determines whether the state of the current slurry SL, that is, the distribution of the center-of-gravity distance D, reaches the target state. In the case of a negative determination, the process returns to S11, and the stirring conditions are set again. Specifically, for example, the stirring conditions are set again in such a manner that the smaller the deviation of the state of the current slurry SL from the target state, the smaller the stirring torque. On the other hand, in the case of an affirmative determination in S72, the process proceeds to S73, and the stirring is ended.

[0071] In S81 after S73, the operator or the like takes out the completed slurry SL for the battery from the stirring tank 20 under the non-atmosphere-exposed condition. Thereby, the process ends.

[0072] Hereinafter, the effects of the present embodiment will be summarized. The circulating device 40 circulates the slurry SL between the stirring tank 20 and the observation container 30 under the non-atmosphere-exposed condition. The detecting device 50 irradiates the slurry SL in the observation container 30 with X-rays and detects the X-rays that have passed through the slurry SL, thereby detecting the state of the slurry SL. Therefore, it is possible to detect the state of the slurry SL midway through the stirring under the non-atmosphere-exposed condition. Moreover, since the state of the slurry SL is detected using X-rays, it is possible to detect the state of the slurry SL with good accuracy, as compared with a case where the state of the slurry SL is inferred based on torque, viscosity, temperature, visual observation, or the like during the stirring of the slurry. Thereby, it is possible to detect the state of the slurry SL midway through the stirring under the non-atmosphere-exposed condition with good accuracy.

[0073] Moreover, the inside of the observation container 30 is formed in a conical shape that is tapered as it advances in the circulating direction. Therefore, when analyzing the state of the slurry SL, it is possible to select an inner diameter portion in the observation container 30 where the resolution of the X-rays is good. Therefore, it is possible to detect the state of the slurry SL with high resolution.

[0074] Moreover, the detecting device 50 detects the state of the slurry SL from a plurality of angles, and the three-dimensional analyzing device 60 performs three-dimensional analysis of the slurry SL based on the state of the slurry SL from the plurality of angles. With this three-dimensional analysis, it is possible to grasp the state of the slurry SL with even better accuracy.

[0075] Moreover, the stirring control device 70 determines the timing at which to end the stirring of the slurry SL based on the result of the three-dimensional analysis. Therefore, it is easy to properly end the stirring at an appropriate timing.

[0076] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0077] 10 stirring device

[0078] 20 stirring tank

[0079] 30 observation container

[0080] 40 circulating device

[0081] 50 detecting device

[0082] 53 main body

[0083] 57 rotating device

[0084] 60 three-dimensional analyzing device

[0085] 70 stirring control device

[0086] 100 manufacturing device of slurry for battery

[0087] SL slurry

Claims

1. A manufacturing apparatus for a battery slurry, comprising: a stirring tank that houses a battery slurry under non-atmosphere exposure conditions in which the battery slurry is not exposed to the atmosphere; a stirring device that stirs the battery slurry in the stirring tank; an observation container that is connected to the stirring tank; a circulating device that circulates the battery slurry between the stirring tank and the observation container under the non-atmosphere exposure conditions; and a detection device that irradiates X-rays to the battery slurry in the observation container and detects the X-rays that have passed through the battery slurry, thereby detecting a state of the battery slurry, wherein an inner side of the observation container is tapered in a direction in which the battery slurry is circulated. The detection device has a main body that irradiates and detects the X-rays, and a rotating device that relatively rotates one of the main body and the observation container with respect to the other. The detection device irradiates the X-rays to the battery slurry in the observation container from a plurality of angles different from each other by the cooperation of the rotating device and the main body, and detects the state of the battery slurry from the plurality of angles. The manufacturing apparatus for the battery slurry has a three-dimensional analysis device that performs three-dimensional analysis of the battery slurry based on the state of the battery slurry from the plurality of angles detected.

3. A manufacturing apparatus for a battery slurry, comprising: a stirring tank that houses a battery slurry under non-atmosphere exposure conditions in which the battery slurry is not exposed to the atmosphere; a stirring device that stirs the battery slurry in the stirring tank; an observation container for slurry observation that is connected to the stirring tank; a circulating device that circulates the battery slurry between the stirring tank and the observation container under the non-atmosphere exposure conditions; and a detection device that irradiates X-rays to the battery slurry in the observation container and detects the X-rays that have passed through the battery slurry, thereby detecting a state of the battery slurry, wherein the detection device has a main body that irradiates and detects the X-rays, and a rotating device that relatively rotates one of the main body and the observation container with respect to the other. The detection device irradiates the X-rays to the battery slurry in the observation container from a plurality of angles different from each other by the cooperation of the rotating device and the main body, and detects the state of the battery slurry from the plurality of angles. The manufacturing apparatus for the battery slurry has a three-dimensional analysis device that performs three-dimensional analysis of the battery slurry based on the state of the battery slurry from the plurality of angles detected. The manufacturing apparatus for the battery slurry has a stirring control device that determines a timing at which to end stirring of the battery slurry based on a result of the three-dimensional analysis.

2. The manufacturing apparatus for slurry for batteries according to claim 1, wherein 5. The manufacturing apparatus for a battery slurry according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the battery slurry contains an active material, The three-dimensional analysis device has an image generation section that generates a three-dimensional image of the battery slurry based on the state of the battery slurry from the plurality of angles detected, and an image analysis section that analyzes the state of the battery slurry based on a distance between centers of gravity of the active materials in the generated three-dimensional image.

6. A manufacturing method for a battery slurry, comprising: a stirring step of stirring a battery slurry housed in a stirring tank under non-atmosphere exposure conditions in which the battery slurry is not exposed to the atmosphere; ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 4. The manufacturing apparatus for a slurry for a battery according to claim 2 or 3, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ a circulating step of circulating the slurry between the stirring tank and an observation vessel under the non-atmospheric exposure condition at a middle of the stirring step; and a detecting step of irradiating X-rays to the slurry flowing from the stirring tank to the observation vessel by the circulation and detecting the X-rays transmitted through the slurry, thereby detecting a state of the slurry, an inside of the observation vessel is formed in a conical shape which is tapered as proceeding in a circulating direction of the slurry.

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