Pressurization formation device

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of battery cell formation device, and particularly relates to a pressurized formation device, which comprises a cabinet, a plurality of trays and a plurality of work channels. The cabinet is of an upper opening structure. The plurality of trays are arranged at intervals to divide the cabinet into a plurality of formation cavities. The interval between two adjacent trays is the thickness of a battery cell. The tray has a deformation capacity. A plurality of work channels are arranged in each tray, and both ends of the plurality of work channels pass through the tray from the side wall of the tray. All the work channels are connected with one of a high-pressure gas source and a cooling medium. Alternatively, part of the work channels are connected with the high-pressure gas source, and part of the work channels are connected with the cooling medium. According to the pressurized formation device, the work channels are arranged in the tray, and the cooling medium or the high-pressure gas can be selectively introduced according to the actual situation. The cooling medium is introduced to achieve cooling, and the high-pressure gas is introduced to expand the tray to extrude the battery cell. The heat dissipation function and the gap adjustment function are combined into one, and the structure is simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of battery cell formation equipment, and particularly relates to a pressure formation device. Background Technology

[0002] Formation is an activation process for lithium-ion batteries, used for pre-charging and activation. During formation, lithium ions are released from the positive electrode to form free lithium ions, increasing the lithium ion concentration. Due to the potential difference, these lithium ions intercalate into the graphite of the negative electrode. During this intercalation, the interlayer spacing of the graphite changes, causing the electrode to thicken. If no external force is applied to restrain the electrode, this thickening can lead to uncontrollable deformation, resulting in wrinkles, bending, or even breakage. Furthermore, the formation process generates heat.

[0003] Existing formation devices fall into two categories: one is a fixed cabinet divided into several layers, with the gap between the inner cavities of each layer used to house the battery cells being non-adjustable; the other type is a cabinet with movable shelves, where external force (such as cylinders or hydraulic cylinders) is used to move the shelves within the cabinet to achieve gap adjustment. Both types of formation devices generally use air cooling for heat dissipation.

[0004] The existing formation device has separate and independent gap adjustment and heat dissipation functions. Air cooling cannot directly affect the battery cell, and the gap adjustment function has a negative impact on the heat dissipation function. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the gap adjustment function and heat dissipation function of the existing formation device are set separately and independently, the air cooling heat dissipation is difficult to directly affect the cell, and the gap adjustment function has a negative impact on the heat dissipation function. The present invention provides a pressurized formation device.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a pressurized formation apparatus, comprising a cabinet, multiple trays, and multiple operating channels;

[0007] Multiple trays are connected to the cabinet;

[0008] Multiple trays are spaced apart inside the cabinet to divide the inner cavity of the cabinet into multiple formation cavities for placing battery cells, and the trays are elastic;

[0009] Each of the trays is provided with multiple working channels, and both ends of the multiple working channels extend out of the tray from the side wall of the tray;

[0010] All of the operating channels are used for introducing gas; or, all of the operating channels are used for introducing refrigerant; or, a portion of the operating channels are used for introducing gas, and another portion of the operating channels are used for introducing refrigerant.

[0011] Optionally, the spacing between two adjacent trays is equal to the thickness of the battery cell.

[0012] Optionally, the cabinet is a box-type structure with an opening at the top.

[0013] Optionally, the side wall of the cabinet is provided with multiple flow channels, which are arranged along the thickness direction of the cabinet. The two ends of the flow channels extend out of the cabinet, and the middle part of the flow channels surrounds the cabinet. The number of the multiple flow channels is the same as the number of working channels in the tray and corresponds one-to-one. Each flow channel connects to the corresponding working channel in the tray of each layer. One end of the flow channel is an inlet for connecting to a high-pressure air source or cooling medium, and the other end is an outlet.

[0014] Optionally, the two ends of the working channel are respectively located on opposite sides of the tray and the cabinet, and multiple working channels are arranged in rows, with the plane of each row of working channels parallel to the surface of the tray located in the formation cavity.

[0015] Optionally, the pressurized formation apparatus includes multiple pressure sensors disposed on the inner wall surface of the formation chamber for monitoring the compressive force applied to the tray.

[0016] Optionally, the cabinet is provided with a plurality of charging holes, each corresponding to a formation cavity, and the plurality of charging holes are respectively provided on opposite sides of the cabinet, and the charging holes are connected to the formation cavity.

[0017] Optionally, a temperature sensor is provided inside the charging port, and the temperature sensing head of the temperature sensor extends into the formation cavity.

[0018] Optionally, the pressurized formation apparatus further includes a control system, a water pump, and an air pump. The pressure sensor signal is connected to the control system, and the air pump is connected to the control system. The control system can receive the signal from the pressure sensor and send a control signal to the air pump to control the air supply pressure of the air pump.

[0019] The temperature sensor signal is connected to the control system, and the water pump is connected to the control system. The control system can receive the temperature sensor signal and send a control signal to the water pump to control the water supply flow rate of the water pump.

[0020] Optionally, both ends of each of the working channels are located on the side of the tray away from the formation chamber, and the projections of the multiple working channels on the surface of the tray are all U-shaped. Along the direction from the edge of the tray to the center, the projections of adjacent working channels are proportionally reduced.

[0021] According to the pressurized formation apparatus of the present invention, by setting up working channels in two adjacent trays, the operator can selectively introduce refrigerant or high-pressure gas according to the actual situation. Introducing cooling medium achieves the cooling effect of the battery cell, while introducing high-pressure gas causes the tray to expand and squeeze the battery cell, thereby realizing the gap adjustment function. The heat dissipation function and the gap adjustment function are combined into one, and the structure is simple. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the pressurized formation apparatus provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the pressurized formation apparatus provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the pressurized formation apparatus provided in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0026] 1. Cabinet; 11. Formation chamber; 12. Charging port; 13. Flow channel; 2. Tray; 21. Work channel. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0028] First Embodiment

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pressurized formation apparatus provided in the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 1, multiple trays 2, and multiple working channels 21. The cabinet 1 has a box-like structure with an upper opening, that is, the cabinet 1 has an upper-opening inner cavity. Multiple trays 2 are spaced apart inside the cabinet 1, dividing the cabinet 1 into multiple formation cavities 11 for placing battery cells. Each tray 2 is connected to the cabinet 1. In this embodiment, the tray 2 and the cabinet 1 are fixedly connected, for example, by welding the tray 2 to the cabinet 1. The interval between two adjacent trays 2 is the thickness of the battery cell. The tray 2 is elastic. In this embodiment, the tray 2 is made of aluminum and has the ability to deform slightly.

[0030] Each tray 2 is provided with multiple working channels 21. Both ends of each working channel 21 extend out of the side wall of the tray 2; that is, the working channel 21 enters from one end of the tray 2 and exits from the other. In this embodiment, the working channels 21 are constructed by drilling holes directly inside the tray 2; these holes serve as the working channels 21. In other embodiments, high-pressure resistant pipes can be used to run through the tray 2. All working channels 21 are connected to either a high-pressure air source or a cooling medium. Alternatively, some of the working channels 21 are connected to the high-pressure air source, and others are connected to the cooling medium.

[0031] First, as is well known, the battery cell will generate heat during the battery formation process. In this embodiment, a cooling medium is introduced into the working channel 21, and the low temperature is conducted to the surface of the battery cell through the tray 2. Compared with the air cooling in the prior art, the heat dissipation efficiency is high.

[0032] Secondly, during the charging and formation process, lithium ions from the positive electrode are released to form free lithium ions, increasing the lithium ion concentration. Due to the potential difference, the lithium ions embed into the graphite of the negative electrode. During embedding, the interlayer spacing of the graphite changes, resulting in a thicker electrode. In this embodiment, during the electrode thickening process, high-pressure gas is introduced into the working channel. The high-pressure gas expands outward, causing the tray 2 to expand outward, increasing the thickness of the tray 2. This, in turn, compresses the battery cell within the tray 2, limiting the thickness of the battery cell and preventing uncontrollable deformation of the electrode due to thickening, which could lead to wrinkles, bending, or even breakage. This also changes the gap between two adjacent trays 2, effectively compressing the battery cell.

[0033] Third, in this embodiment, the working channel 21 can be vented with either gas or cooling medium, and the choice can be made according to the actual situation.

[0034] In this embodiment, multiple flow channels 13 are provided on the side wall of the cabinet 1. These flow channels 13 are arranged along the thickness direction of the cabinet 1, with both ends extending out of the cabinet 1 and the middle portion surrounding the cabinet 1. The number of flow channels 13 is the same as the number of flow channels 13 within the tray 2, and they correspond one-to-one. That is, the cabinet 1 has multiple flow channels 13 along its thickness direction, while the tray 2 has multiple working channels 21 along its width direction. The number of flow channels 13 and working channels 21 is the same, and each flow channel 13 corresponds one-to-one with each working channel 21. Each flow channel 13 connects to the corresponding working channel 21 within each layer of the tray 2. One end of each flow channel 13 is an inlet end for connecting to a high-pressure gas source or cooling medium, and the other end is an outlet end. In this embodiment, flow channels 13 are provided within the cabinet 1, allowing gas or cooling medium to first enter the tray 2 from the cabinet 1. The diameter of the flow channels 13 and the working channels 21 are preferably the same, integrating the flow channels 13 into the cabinet 1 to reduce the connection of external pipelines.

[0035] In this embodiment, the two ends of the working channel are respectively located on opposite sides of the tray 2 and the cabinet 1. Multiple working channels are arranged in rows, and the plane of each row of working channels is parallel to the surface of the tray 2 located in the formation cavity 11. In this embodiment, the length of the working channel is the same as the length of the tray 2, and the long strip-shaped battery cell is compressed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the cabinet 1 is provided with multiple charging holes 12, each corresponding to a formation chamber 11. The charging holes 12 are respectively located on opposite sides of the cabinet 1 and are connected to the formation chambers 11. Furthermore, a temperature sensor is detachably installed inside each charging hole 12, with its sensing head extending into the formation chamber 11. Specifically, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor is directly inserted into the charging hole 12 to monitor the temperature inside the formation chamber 11 in real time. In this embodiment, the pressurized formation device also includes a pressure sensor, which is located on the inner wall of the tray 2. In this embodiment, only one pressure sensor is installed on each tray 2, resulting in one pressure sensor in each formation chamber 11. The pressure sensor is used to monitor the compressive force applied to the tray 2. In other embodiments, multiple pressure sensors can be respectively installed on the surfaces of two adjacent trays 2 facing each other to monitor the pressure from opposite sides of the battery cell. Alternatively, the pressure sensors can be arranged in an array along the length and width of the tray 2 to monitor multiple points of the battery cell, thereby improving the monitoring effect.

[0037] In conjunction with the aforementioned temperature and pressure sensors, the pressurized formation apparatus also includes a control system, a water pump, and an air pump. The pressure sensor signal is connected to the control system, and the air pump is connected to the control system, enabling the control system to receive the pressure sensor signal and send a control signal to the air pump to control the air pump's supply pressure.

[0038] The temperature sensor signal is connected to the control system, and the water pump is also connected to the control system. This allows the control system to receive the temperature sensor signal and send a control signal to the water pump to control the water pump's flow rate.

[0039] In this embodiment, the control system can be a PLC. The control system receives signals from the temperature sensor and makes judgments. If the temperature is too high, it controls the water pump to increase the flow rate of the cooling medium and lower the temperature of the battery cell. Furthermore, the control system can also judge based on signals from the pressure sensor to change the gas pressure in the working channel 21, adjusting the squeezing force on the battery cell so that the tray 2 always limits the thickness of the battery cell. The control system regulates the temperature and battery cell thickness during the formation process.

[0040] Second Embodiment

[0041] The pressurized formation apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention differs from that of the first embodiment in that both ends of each working channel 21 are located on the side of the tray 2 away from the formation chamber 11, and the projections of the multiple working channels 21 on the surface of the tray 2 are all U-shaped. The projections of adjacent working channels 21 along the edge of the tray 2 towards the center are proportionally reduced. The tray 2 and the working channels 21 are detachably connected. Since the cabinet 1 in this embodiment does not need to be equipped with a flow channel 13, the cooling medium and gas in this embodiment are connected using external pipelines.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressurized formation device characterized by, Includes cabinets, multiple pallets, and multiple work aisles; Multiple trays are connected to the cabinet; Multiple trays are spaced apart inside the cabinet to divide the inner cavity of the cabinet into multiple formation cavities for placing battery cells, and the trays are elastic; Each of the trays is provided with multiple working channels, and both ends of the multiple working channels extend out of the tray from the side wall of the tray; One part of the working channel is used to introduce gas, and another part of the working channel is used to introduce refrigerant; the pressurized formation device includes multiple pressure sensors, which are disposed on the inner wall surface of the formation chamber to monitor the compressive force on the tray; The cabinet is provided with a plurality of charging holes, each corresponding to a formation cavity. The plurality of charging holes are respectively located on opposite sides of the cabinet and are connected to the formation cavity. A temperature sensor is installed inside the charging port, and the temperature sensor's sensing head extends into the formation cavity.

2. The pressurized formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between two adjacent trays is equal to the thickness of the battery cell.

3. The pressurized formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabinet is a box-type structure with an opening at the top.

4. The pressurized formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple flow channels are provided on the side wall of the cabinet. The multiple flow channels are arranged along the thickness direction of the cabinet. The two ends of the flow channels extend out of the cabinet and the middle of the flow channels surrounds the cabinet. The number of multiple flow channels is the same as the number of working channels in the tray and corresponds one-to-one. Each flow channel connects to the corresponding working channel in the tray of each layer. One end of the flow channel is an inlet for connecting to a high-pressure air source or cooling medium, and the other end is an outlet.

5. The pressurized formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the working channel are respectively located on the opposite sides of the tray and the cabinet. Multiple working channels are arranged in rows, and the plane of each row of working channels is parallel to the surface of the tray located in the chemical formation cavity.

6. The pressurized formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressurized formation apparatus also includes a control system, a water pump, and an air pump. The pressure sensor signal is connected to the control system, and the air pump is connected to the control system. The control system can receive the signal from the pressure sensor and send a control signal to the air pump to control the air supply pressure of the air pump. The temperature sensor signal is connected to the control system, and the water pump is connected to the control system. The control system can receive the temperature sensor signal and send a control signal to the water pump to control the water supply flow rate of the water pump.

7. The pressurized formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both ends of each of the said working channels are located on the side of the tray away from the formation chamber. The projections of the multiple working channels on the surface of the tray are all U-shaped. Along the direction from the edge of the tray to the center, the projections of adjacent working channels are proportionally reduced.

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