Grinding and feeding device for graphene production and its working method

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of material feeding technology, specifically relating to storage containers for materials, and particularly to a grinding and feeding device for graphene production and its working method. One such grinding and feeding device for graphene production includes: a grinding mill with a storage bin at its bottom; a feeding pipe, which is inclined and fixed to the bottom wall of the storage bin; a limiting device, a plurality of which are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the feeding pipe for limiting the size of a packaging bag; a sealing ring with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the feeding pipe; and a packaging bag with its upper end turned outwards to form a turning portion. Before feeding, the turning portion and the sealing ring are fitted onto the outer wall of the feeding pipe, and the limiting components of the limiting devices turn outwards to clamp the sealing ring. After feeding, the packaging bag moves downwards, and the sealing ring tightens around the packaging bag wall, so that the inner wall of the packaging bag scrapes away the powder from the outer wall of the feeding pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of material feeding technology, specifically relating to storage containers for materials, and more particularly to a grinding and feeding device for graphene production and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] Graphene, a single-layer two-dimensional material composed of carbon atoms, possesses excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and mechanical strength, leading to its wide application in new energy batteries, composite materials, and biomedicine. Graphite ore is one of the raw materials for graphene production. In the graphite ore grinding process, mechanical grinding has become the mainstream technology for large-scale preparation due to its low cost, ease of operation, and lack of chemical pollution. However, existing grinding equipment has the following drawbacks in the material discharge stage:

[0003] The packaging bag is sealed to the outer wall of the feeding tube by a rubber ring. To improve the seal, the tip of the feeding tube needs to be inserted into the packaging bag about 5-10 cm during operation. However, due to its extremely high specific surface area and surface energy, graphite powder easily adheres to the outer wall of the feeding tube, resulting in some graphite powder remaining on the outer wall of the feeding tube at the end of the discharge process. This residual graphite powder on the outer wall of the feeding tube causes dust pollution after the packaging bag separates from the tube.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a grinding and feeding device for graphene production and its working method to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background technology of this application concept, and therefore, the above description is not considered to constitute information related to the technology. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides at least one grinding and feeding device for graphene production and its working method.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a grinding and feeding apparatus for graphene production, comprising:

[0008] The grinding mill has a storage bin at its bottom;

[0009] The feeding pipe is fixed at an angle to the bottom wall of the storage silo;

[0010] A limiting device, wherein several of the limiting devices are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the feeding tube, for limiting the packaging bag;

[0011] The sealing ring has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the feed pipe.

[0012] The packaging bag has its upper end turned outwards to form a folded section;

[0013] Before feeding, the flipping part and the sealing ring are sleeved on the outer wall of the feeding tube, and the limiting part of the limiting device flips outward to clamp the sealing ring.

[0014] After the material feeding is completed, the packaging bag moves down, and the sealing ring tightens the packaging bag wall so that the powder on the outer wall of the feeding tube is scraped off the inner wall of the packaging bag.

[0015] In one optional implementation, the limiting device includes:

[0016] The limiting block is located on the outer wall of the feed pipe and is L-shaped.

[0017] The sliding block is slidably disposed on the outer wall of the feed pipe and located inside the limiting block;

[0018] A limiting member is hinged to the lower end of the sliding block, and the abutting surface of the limiting member is parallel to the inner sidewall of the limiting block.

[0019] In one alternative embodiment, the limiting member is connected to the sliding block via a hinge shaft, and a torsion spring sleeved on the hinge shaft pushes the limiting member to flip outward.

[0020] In one optional embodiment, when the sliding block slides downward to disengage from the limiting block, the torsion spring drives the limiting member to flip by an angle α = 40°-50°.

[0021] In one alternative implementation, the sliding stroke S of the sliding block is 1.2-1.5 times the height of the limiting block.

[0022] In one alternative embodiment, the inclination angle θ between the feed pipe and the storage bin is 30°-45°.

[0023] In one alternative embodiment, the height H of the flipping portion is 2-3 times the width of the sealing ring.

[0024] In one optional embodiment, the sealing ring is made of silicone rubber with a Shore hardness of 50±5HA.

[0025] In one optional embodiment, the surface of the feed tube is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating with a thickness of 50±5μm.

[0026] In one optional embodiment, the outer wall of the feed tube is provided with a guide groove along the length direction of the limiting block, and the side wall of the sliding block is provided with a slider adapted to the guide groove, and the sliding block is adapted to move along the guide groove.

[0027] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a method for operating a grinding and feeding device, the method comprising:

[0028] The top of the packaging bag is turned outward to form a flip-over section, which is then fitted into the feeding tube along with the sealing ring.

[0029] The sliding block moves downward, causing the limiting component to flip and clamp the sealing ring;

[0030] After the material is unloaded, the packaging bag moves downwards, and the flipping part pulls the limiting piece away;

[0031] The sealing ring tightens around the packaging bag and scrapes the outer wall of the feeding pipe.

[0032] The beneficial effects of this invention are that it provides a grinding and feeding device for graphene production. By combining the packaging bag that flips upward to form a flipping part with a sealing ring, the sealing ring contracts radially when the packaging bag moves downward, squeezing the inner wall of the packaging bag tightly against the outer wall of the feeding tube, thereby achieving the effect of scraping off the powder from the outer wall of the feeding tube. This not only avoids powder residue on the outer wall of the feeding tube, but also avoids powder pollution of the environment.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention are realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the drawings.

[0034] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments or related technologies of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] Figure 1 A perspective view of a grinding and feeding apparatus for graphene production provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 A perspective view of the feeding tube and the limiting device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 3 A perspective view of the packaging bag being fixed by a limiting device according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the state of the packaging bag when it is not fitted onto the feeding tube, as provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the packaging bag being limited by the limiting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the packaging bag falling off the feed tube according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0042] In the picture:

[0043] 1. Grinding machine; 10. Storage silo; 2. Feed pipe; 20. Guide groove;

[0044] 3. Limiting device; 31. Limiting block; 32. Sliding block; 33. Limiting component; 34. Hinge shaft; 4. Packaging bag; 40. Flipping part; 5. Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] In this document, when it is mentioned that a first component is located on a second component, this can mean that the first component can be directly formed on the second component, or that a third component can be inserted between the first and second components. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the thickness of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for the purpose of effectively describing the technical content.

[0047] In this document, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of…” modify an entire column of elements when following a column of elements. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be understood to include only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may also be intended to include plural forms unless otherwise clearly stated herein. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as such. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0049] As used herein, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” etc., generally refer to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase can be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic can be included in more than one embodiment of this disclosure, such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., are used to “serve as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation, aspect, or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other implementations, aspects, or designs. Rather, the use of the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0050] Research has found that graphene, as a single-layer two-dimensional material composed of carbon atoms, possesses excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength, and is widely used in new energy batteries, composite materials, and biomedicine. Graphite ore is one of the raw materials for graphene production. In the grinding process of graphite ore, mechanical grinding has become the mainstream technology for large-scale preparation due to its low cost, simple operation, and lack of chemical pollution. However, existing grinding equipment has the following drawbacks in the material discharge stage:

[0051] The packaging bag is sealed to the outer wall of the feeding tube by a rubber ring. To improve the seal, the tip of the feeding tube needs to be inserted into the packaging bag about 5-10 cm during operation. However, due to its extremely high specific surface area and surface energy, graphite powder easily adheres to the outer wall of the feeding tube, resulting in some graphite powder remaining on the outer wall of the feeding tube at the end of the discharge process. This residual graphite powder on the outer wall of the feeding tube causes dust pollution after the packaging bag separates from the tube.

[0052] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a grinding and feeding device for graphene production and its working method to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0053] In this embodiment, grinding graphite ore is a crucial step in graphene production. The graphite powder has a particle size in the micrometer range (D50≤5μm) and a specific surface area >500m² / g. Direct pipeline transportation easily leads to electrostatic adsorption and agglomeration, resulting in a 30% increase in pipeline blockage rate. Therefore, in the graphene production process, graphite ore is usually ground into powder separately and stored and transported in packaging bags.

[0054] The defects in the above solutions and the reasons for their occurrence are the results of the inventors' practice and careful research. Therefore, the discovery process of the above problems and the solutions proposed in this disclosure should be considered as the inventors' contributions to this disclosure.

[0055] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0056] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, at least one embodiment provides a grinding and feeding device for graphene production, including: a grinding mill 1 with a storage bin 10 at its bottom; a feeding pipe 2, which is inclined and fixed to the bottom wall of the storage bin 10; the inclination angle θ between the feeding pipe 2 and the storage bin 10 is 30°-45°, preferably θ=40°, which optimizes the powder flowability and the efficiency of packaging bag 4 insertion; the surface of the feeding pipe 2 is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating with a coating thickness of 50±5μm. The coating on the surface of the feeding pipe 2 helps to reduce the powder adsorption force and also meets the industry requirements for corrosion resistance and easy cleaning.

[0058] Reference Appendix Figure 2 The limiting device 3 is evenly distributed on the outer wall of the feeding pipe 2 to limit the packaging bag 4; preferably, there are four limiting devices 3, spaced 90° apart in the circumference.

[0059] The limiting device 3 includes: a limiting block 31, which is disposed on the outer wall of the feeding tube 2 and is L-shaped; the limiting block 31 is made of stainless steel 304; a sliding block 32, which is slidably disposed on the outer wall of the feeding tube 2 and located inside the limiting block 31; a guide groove 20 is formed on the outer wall of the feeding tube 2 along the length direction of the limiting block 31, and a slider adapted to the guide groove 20 is provided on the side wall of the sliding block 32, and the sliding block 32 is adapted to move along the guide groove 20. The sliding stroke S of the sliding block 32 is 1.2-1.5 times the height of the limiting block 31. Preferably, the sliding stroke S of the sliding block 32 is 1.3 times the height of the limiting block 31 to ensure smooth movement. A limiting member 33 is hinged to the lower end of the sliding block 32 and is adapted to abut against the inner side wall of the limiting block 31. The limiting member 33 is connected to the sliding block 32 through a hinge shaft 34, and a torsion spring is sleeved on the hinge shaft 34 to push the limiting member 33 to flip outward. When the sliding block 32 slides downwards to disengage from the limiting block 31, the torsion spring drives the limiting member 33 to flip by an angle α = 40°-50°; preferably, the flip angle α = 45°.

[0060] Reference Appendix Figure 3 and Figure 4The sealing ring 5 has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the feeding pipe 2. The sealing ring 5 is made of silicone rubber with a Shore hardness of 50±5HA and an elastic modulus of 1.5 MPa, ensuring moderate clamping force and preventing damage to the packaging bag 4. The packaging bag 4 has its upper end turned outwards to form a flipped section 40; the height H of the flipped section 40 is 2-3 times the width of the sealing ring 5. Preferably, the packaging bag 4 uses a multi-layer composite film, and the flipped section 40 is designed for quick insertion, reducing the risk of dust exposure.

[0061] The working principle is as follows:

[0062] Reference Appendix Figure 4 In the initial state, the flipping part 40 and the sealing ring 5 are fitted onto the outer wall of the feeding tube 2. The sliding block 32 slides downward until the hinge shaft 34 disengages from the limiting block 31. The limiting member 33 is driven by the torsion spring to flip outward by 70°, so that the flipping part 40 and the sealing ring 5 are inserted into the inner side of the limiting member 33. The sliding block 32 moves upward to reset, and the limiting member 33 simultaneously flips inward to clamp the sealing ring 5 and the packaging bag 4 against the outer wall of the feeding tube 2, forming a seal. This state ensures no dust leakage. Before feeding, the flipping part 40 and the sealing ring 5 are fitted onto the outer wall of the feeding tube 2, and the limiting member 33 of the limiting device 3 flips outward to clamp the sealing ring 5.

[0063] Reference Appendix Figure 6 After the feeding is completed, the packaging bag 4 moves downward. The flipping part 40 and the sealing ring 5 move downward, pulling the limiting part 33 downward synchronously. The sliding block 32 slides downward until the hinge shaft 34 disengages from the limiting block 31. The limiting part 33 is driven by the torsion spring to flip outward by 45°, so that the flipping part 40 and the sealing ring 5 are disengaged from the clamping limit of the limiting part 33. The packaging bag 4 and the sealing ring 5 move downward along the outer wall of the feeding pipe 2. At this time, the sealing ring 5 clamps the wall of the packaging bag 4. The inner wall of the packaging bag 4 moves tightly against the outer wall of the feeding pipe 2 under the clamping of the sealing ring 5, scraping off the powder on the outer wall of the feeding pipe 2. The sealing ring 5 clamps the wall of the packaging bag 4 so that the inner wall of the packaging bag 4 scrapes off the powder on the outer wall of the feeding pipe 2. Figure 6 In the diagram, F1 indicates the downward direction of the packaging bag 4; a indicates the flipping angle of the limiting component 33.

[0064] At least one embodiment provides a method for operating a grinding and feeding device, the method comprising:

[0065] The upper end of the packaging bag 4 is turned outward to form a flipping part 40, which is fitted into the feeding tube 2 along with the sealing ring 5; the sliding block 32 moves down to cause the limiting part 33 to flip and clamp the sealing ring 5; after the feeding is completed, the packaging bag 4 moves down, and the flipping part 40 pulls the limiting part 33 to disengage; the sealing ring 5 tightens the packaging bag 4 and scrapes the outer wall of the feeding tube 2.

[0066] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0067] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence unless expressly indicated herein. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed above may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or segment.

[0068] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A grinding and discharging device for graphene production, characterized in that, The application relates to a grinding and discharging device for graphene production. The grinding machine (1) is provided with a storage bin (10) at the bottom; A discharging pipe (2) is fixedly arranged on the bottom wall of the storage bin (10) in an inclined mode; A plurality of limiting devices (3) are uniformly arranged on the outer wall of the discharging pipe (2) and used for limiting a packaging bag (4); A sealing ring (5) has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the discharging pipe (2); The upper end of the packaging bag (4) is outwardly turned to form a turning part (40); Before discharging, the turning part (40) and the sealing ring (5) are arranged on the outer wall of the discharging pipe (2), and the limiting member (33) of the limiting device (3) is outwardly turned to clamp the sealing ring (5); After discharging, the packaging bag (4) moves downwards, the sealing ring (5) tightly clamps the outer wall of the packaging bag (4), and the inner wall of the packaging bag (4) is scraped to remove the powder on the outer wall of the discharging pipe (2) during the moving process; The limiting device (3) comprises: A limiting block (31) is arranged on the outer wall of the discharging pipe (2) and has an "L" shape; A sliding block (32) is slidingly arranged on the outer wall of the discharging pipe (2) and located on the inner side of the limiting block (31); A limiting member (33) is hingedly connected to the lower end of the sliding block (32), and the abutting surface of the limiting member (33) is parallel to the inner side wall of the limiting block (31); The limiting member (33) is connected to the sliding block (32) through a hinge shaft (34), the hinge shaft (34) is sleeved with a torsional spring to outwardly turn the limiting member (33) by an angle alpha=40-50 degrees.

2. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein when the sliding block (32) slides downwards to be separated from the limiting block (31), the torsional spring drives the limiting member (33) to outwardly turn by an angle alpha=40-50 degrees.

3. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein the sliding stroke S of the sliding block (32) is 1.2-1.5 times the height of the limiting block (31).

4. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle theta between the discharging pipe (2) and the storage bin (10) is 30-45 degrees.

5. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein the height H of the turning part (40) is 2-3 times the width of the sealing ring (5).

6. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein the sealing ring (5) is made of silicone rubber and has a Shore hardness of 50+5HA.

7. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the discharging pipe (2) is sprayed with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, and the coating thickness is 50+5 micrometers.

8. The grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to claim 1, wherein a guide groove (20) is formed in the outer wall of the discharging pipe (2) along the length direction of the limiting block (31), the side wall of the sliding block (32) is provided with a sliding block matched with the guide groove (20), and the sliding block (32) is adapted to move along the guide groove (20). The working method of the grinding and discharging device for graphene production according to any one of claims 1-8 comprises: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 9. A method of operating a grinding feed device, characterized in that ​ The upper end of the packaging bag (4) is turned over to form a turning part (40), which is sleeved into the discharge pipe (2) with the sealing ring (5); The sliding block (32) moves downward to make the limiting piece (33) turn over and clamp the sealing ring (5); After the discharging is finished, the packaging bag (4) moves downward, and the turning part (40) pulls the limiting piece (33) to separate; The sealing ring (5) clamps the packaging bag (4) and scrapes the outer wall of the discharge pipe (2).

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