A sodium-ion battery electrode processing device

Abstract

This invention discloses a sodium-ion battery electrode processing device, including a coating head, a feeding mechanism, and a transfer roller. The coating head has interconnected slits, a connecting portion, and a slurry chamber. A reciprocating pushing assembly is provided within the coating head, including a pushing rod. The pushing rod moves within the connecting portion to form a suction chamber for drawing slurry from the slit. A synchronization mechanism is provided at the end of the coating head to drive the slurry to move with an aluminum foil when the slurry input stops. A limiting rebound mechanism is also provided at the end of the coating head to drive it back to its original position. This invention can retract the slurry in the slit when the slurry pumping stops, coordinating with the synchronous movement of the coating head with the aluminum foil, achieving rapid and smooth slurry separation. This solves the problem of uneven slurry coating edges caused by stringing due to the relative displacement between the slit and the aluminum foil during slurry separation, effectively ensuring the edge quality of the slurry coating.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sodium-ion battery electrode processing technology, specifically to a sodium-ion battery electrode processing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Slurry coating is an important process in the processing of sodium-ion battery plates. The uniformly mixed slurry is fed into the slurry chamber of the coating head through a slurry conveying device, and then the slurry is extruded onto the surface of the aluminum foil through a slit. As the aluminum foil is continuously conveyed, a continuous slurry coating is formed on the surface of the aluminum foil.

[0003] During the slurry coating process, deviations in various factors, such as the precision and condition of the coating equipment, the rheology and stability of the slurry, the conveying speed, gap parameters, aluminum foil tension, and feeding speed, can all lead to poor edge quality in the slurry coating. This is especially true when using intermittent coating methods, where the slit stops discharging slurry each time, but the aluminum foil continues to be conveyed continuously. In contrast, existing coating heads are typically fixed, which causes relative movement between the slit and the continuously conveying aluminum foil after the slurry output stops. If the slurry has high viscosity, it cannot quickly separate from the slurry coating on the aluminum foil surface after discharging, resulting in stringing between the slit and the coating. This relative movement between the slit and the conveying aluminum foil increases the length of the stringing and causes it to adhere to the aluminum foil surface, ultimately resulting in an uneven slurry coating edge with stringy slurry.

[0004] If the coating edges are not smooth, it will affect the performance and quality of the electrode. Therefore, in order to make up for the above defects, after the slurry is coated, dried and rolled, a smooth edge can be obtained by cutting. However, the main purpose of cutting is to form an electrode sheet that meets the production expectations. If the edges of the slurry coating are cut in a targeted manner, it will not only increase the equipment investment cost, but also increase the generation of edge waste and increase the recycling cost.

[0005] Therefore, after the slurry conveying equipment stops conveying slurry into the slurry chamber, the problem of uneven slurry coating edges caused by the complete and uniform separation of slurry at the slit and the adhesion of slurry due to the relative movement of the slit and the aluminum foil is a quality control problem that cannot be ignored by those in the field. It not only presents certain technical difficulties, but also has positive significance for improving the smoothness of slurry coating edges and reducing waste from cutting edges. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sodium-ion battery electrode processing apparatus to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a sodium-ion battery electrode processing device, comprising a coating head, a feeding mechanism and a transfer roller, wherein the coating head has interconnected slits, a connecting portion and a slurry chamber;

[0008] The coating head is provided with a reciprocating pusher assembly, which includes a pusher rod. The pusher rod moves within the connecting part to form a suction chamber for sucking in the slurry in the slit.

[0009] The coating head end is equipped with a synchronization mechanism that drives the slurry to move with the aluminum foil when the slurry input stops;

[0010] The coating head end is also provided with a limit rebound mechanism to drive it to reset.

[0011] Preferably, the coating head is provided with multiple buffer cavities that communicate with the slurry chamber;

[0012] The pushing assembly also includes multiple plungers and multiple elastic components, the ends of which are all connected to the pushing rod;

[0013] The elastic component pushes the plunger to move within the buffer chamber, forming a suction chamber 3 that draws in the slurry from the slurry chamber.

[0014] Preferably, the surface of the push rod is provided with a slope to divert the slurry output from the connecting part.

[0015] Preferably, the end of the transfer roller has an engagement portion.

[0016] Preferably, the synchronization mechanism includes a rack connected to a propulsion mechanism that drives it to engage with the meshing part.

[0017] Preferably, the limiting and rebounding mechanism includes a slide bar with the same axis as the aluminum foil conveying direction. The slide bar is slidably disposed inside both ends of the coating head, and each slide bar is fitted with an elastic component II that pushes the coating head in the opposite direction of the aluminum foil conveying direction.

[0018] Preferably, a plurality of diversion pipes are provided between the slurry chamber and the slurry output port of the conveying mechanism, and the spacing between each diversion pipe is the same;

[0019] The output port of the shunt pipe is tilted towards the connecting part.

[0020] Preferably, the pusher rod moves within the connecting portion to form a second suction chamber for drawing in slurry from the slurry chamber.

[0021] Preferably, the slit is provided with a plurality of guide vanes whose gap direction is the same as the slurry output direction.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0023] 1. By setting up a pusher assembly, the present invention enables the suction chamber formed by the retraction mechanism after the slurry injection stops to be uniformly sucked back the slurry in the slit, thereby achieving rapid and uniform separation of the slurry at the slit opening from the slurry coated on the aluminum foil surface, reducing the phenomenon of slurry stringing.

[0024] 2. By setting up a synchronization mechanism, this invention achieves the effect of synchronously moving the coating head and the aluminum foil, eliminating the relative movement between the coating head and the aluminum foil in the transmission state. That is, during the separation process of the slurry, the coating head and the aluminum foil remain relatively stationary, which allows the slurry sufficient separation time, improves the comprehensiveness of slurry separation, completely eliminates the possibility of slurry stringing, and improves the smoothness of the slurry coating edge. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the coating head structure from below according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal cross-sectional structure of the coating head of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the slurry retraction state within the slit of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 5 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the slurry output state structure within the slurry chamber of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 Enlarged structural diagram at point B.

[0033] In the picture:

[0034] 100. Coating head; 101. Slit; 102. Connecting part; 1021. Suction chamber one; 1022. Suction chamber two; 103. Slurry chamber; 104. Buffer chamber; 1041. Suction chamber three; 110. Guide vane;

[0035] 200. Pushing assembly; 210. Pushing rod; 220. Plunger; 230. Elastic component one;

[0036] 300. Material conveying mechanism;

[0037] 400. Limiting and rebounding mechanism; 410. Slide rod; 420. Elastic component two;

[0038] 500. Transfer roller; 510. Engaging part;

[0039] 600. Synchronization mechanism; 610. Rack and pinion; 620. Propulsion mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments 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, and 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.

[0041] Please see Figures 1 to 8 One embodiment provided by the present invention:

[0042] Please see Figures 1 to 4 A sodium-ion battery electrode processing device includes a coating head 100, a feeding mechanism 300, and a transfer roller 500.

[0043] The coating head 100 has an interconnected slit 101, a connecting part 102, and a slurry chamber 103. The slit 101 is provided with a plurality of guide vanes 110 with the same gap direction as the slurry output direction. The guide vanes 110 are used to guide the slurry output from the connecting part 102, prevent the slurry flow in the slit 101 from being disturbed, and keep the slurry flow in a straight line to the opening of the slit 101 and squeeze it out.

[0044] The conveying mechanism 300 uses a single screw pump or a twin screw pump. This type of transfer pump is suitable for viscous fluids and can handle the slurry transfer in this solution. The conveying mechanism 300 outputs slurry into the slurry chamber 103. The slurry enters the slit 101 through the connecting part 102 and is extruded from the slit 101 onto the surface of the aluminum foil. With the continuous transfer of the aluminum foil by the transfer roller 500, a continuous slurry coating is finally formed on the surface of the aluminum foil. After drying and rolling, a dense and stable electrode is formed.

[0045] It is worth noting that, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 Multiple diversion pipes are provided between the slurry chamber 103 and the slurry output port of the conveying mechanism 300. The spacing between each diversion pipe is the same, and the output port of the diversion pipe is inclined to the connecting part 102. The slurry input into the slurry chamber 103 through the diversion pipe can directly push the push rod 210 to move downward, which has a guiding function.

[0046] Please see Figure 5 The coating head 100 is provided with a reciprocating pusher assembly 200, which includes a pusher rod 210.

[0047] It is worth noting that the outer wall of the push rod 210 slides against the inner wall of the connecting part 102, that is, when the push rod 210 contacts the inner wall of the connecting part 102, the slurry cannot flow in the gap.

[0048] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 6 The coating head 100 is provided with multiple buffer chambers 104 that communicate with the slurry chamber 103. The pusher assembly 200 also includes multiple plungers 220 and multiple elastic components 230, all of which are located inside the buffer chambers 104. The ends of the plungers 220 are all connected to the pusher rod 210. The multiple plungers 220 and the pusher rod 210 form a mutually restrictive relationship, that is, they move synchronously and have the same stroke, which prevents the pusher rod 210 from tilting and ensures that the pusher rod 210 can uniformly push out or suck in the slurry when it moves.

[0049] Specifically, when the slit 101, the connecting portion 102, and the slurry chamber 103 are filled with slurry, the conveying mechanism 300 delivers slurry into the slurry chamber 103, causing an increase in pressure within the slurry chamber 103. During this process, the slurry pushes the pusher rod 210 downward in the connecting portion 102, and drives the plunger 220 to move downward synchronously against the rebound force of the elastic member 230, squeezing the slurry flowing into the buffer chamber 104 into the slurry chamber 103 until the inlet of the buffer chamber 104 is closed.

[0050] During this process, the push rod 210 passes through the connecting part 102. The push rod 210 moves within the connecting part 102 to form a suction chamber 1022 for sucking in the slurry from the slurry chamber 103, thus forming a slurry drainage channel. This allows the slurry to be introduced into the connecting part 102 evenly and synchronously, and then flows into the slit 101 from the connecting part 102. Next, the push rod 210 moves downward, pushing the slurry retained in the slit 101 to be squeezed out evenly from the opening, ensuring that each part of the slit 101 outputs an equal amount of slurry, thereby forming a smooth edge of the slurry coating.

[0051] Please see Figure 5 The elastic component 230 pushes the plunger 220 to move within the buffer chamber 104 to form a suction chamber 3 1041 for sucking slurry from the slurry chamber 103. The elastic component 230 is a spring, and the top of the buffer chamber 104 passes through the coating head 100 and communicates with the outside space.

[0052] The surface of the push rod 210 is provided with a slope to divert the slurry output from the connecting part 102, which is used to divert the slurry and avoid disturbance of the slurry flow direction.

[0053] Specifically, when the feeding mechanism 300 stops feeding slurry, the pressure in the slurry chamber 103 decreases. The pressure in the slurry chamber 103 can no longer maintain the compressed state of the elastic component 230, causing the elastic component 230 to push the plunger 220 upward under the action of the rebound force. During this process, on the one hand, the plunger 220 is pushed to form a suction chamber 3 1041 with a gradually increasing volume in the buffer chamber 104. The suction chamber 3 1041 draws the slurry in the slurry chamber 103 into the interior to compensate for the volume of slurry squeezed out of the connecting part 102 by the upward movement of the push rod 210.

[0054] Please see Figure 6 On the other hand, the plunger 220 drives the push rod 210 to move upward, and the push rod 210 moves in the connecting part 102 to form a suction chamber 1021 for sucking in the slurry in the slit 101.

[0055] The elastic component 230 synchronously pushes the plunger 220 and the push rod 210 upwards smoothly. As the push rod 210 passes through the connecting part 102, it pushes the slurry in the connecting part 102 into the slurry chamber 103. On the other hand, it forms a suction chamber 1021 with a gradually increasing volume in the connecting part 102, which indirectly increases the internal space volume of the slit 101. With the slurry volume in the slit 101 remaining unchanged, the negative pressure generated by the increase in the volume of the suction chamber 1021 draws the slurry in the slit 101 into the interior, achieving the effect of causing the slurry in the slit 101 to retract. This causes the slurry at the opening of the slit 101 to retract and separate, reducing the residue of slurry at the opening of the slit 101 and improving the separation speed and uniformity between the slurry and the slurry coating.

[0056] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The transfer roller 500 has an engagement part 510 at its end, and the coating head 100 is provided with a synchronization mechanism 600 at its end that drives the slurry to move with the aluminum foil when the slurry stops being fed.

[0057] The synchronizing mechanism 600 includes a rack 610, which is connected to a propulsion mechanism 620 that drives it to mesh with the meshing part 510.

[0058] Specifically, while the PLC controller transmits a stop signal to the conveying mechanism 300, it also transmits an ejection signal to the pushing mechanism 620. That is, the conveying mechanism 300 stops rotating and stops conveying slurry into the slurry chamber 103. At the same time, the pushing mechanism 620 ejects the rack 610 to the position of the meshing part 510, so that the rack 610 meshes with the meshing part 510. As the conveying roller 500 drives the meshing part 510 to rotate synchronously, it drives the rack 610 and the coating head 100 to move synchronously with the aluminum foil. That is, the push rod 210 moves upward to form a suction chamber 1021 with a gradually increasing volume in the connecting part 102. At the same time, the slurry in the slit 101 is sucked into the suction chamber 1021, and the slit 101 and the aluminum foil move synchronously to form a relatively stationary state.

[0059] After the slurry is sucked into the suction chamber 1021, the slurry at the opening of the slit 101 retracts, causing the slurry to separate from the edge of the slurry coating formed on the aluminum foil surface. There is no relative displacement during the separation process, which provides sufficient time for slurry separation and solves the problem of slurry stringing caused by the pulling of unseparated slurry due to relative displacement during the slurry separation process.

[0060] Finally, during the slurry separation process at the outlet of slit 101, slit 101 moves synchronously with the aluminum foil, forming a relatively stationary state. After the slurry is completely separated, there is no stringing or excessive slurry residue at the edge of the slurry coating, forming a smooth and uniformly thick slurry coating edge.

[0061] It is worth noting that the length of the rack 610 can be adjusted according to actual production needs, and the propulsion mechanism 620 adopts an electromagnetic push rod. The timing of the electromagnetic push rod's ejection is controlled by a PLC controller, which controls the time when the coating head 100 moves synchronously with the aluminum foil and the spacing of the slurry coating. This allows for adaptation to the slurry separation time based on the slurry viscosity, ultimately ensuring that the coating head 100 moves synchronously with the aluminum foil until the slurry is completely separated. This completely eliminates the problem of slurry stringing caused by relative movement pulling on unseparated slurry during the slurry separation process, ensuring smooth slurry edges.

[0062] After the set ejection time of the electromagnetic push rod ends, the electromagnetic push rod immediately resets and retracts, releasing the state in which the coating head 100 moves synchronously with the aluminum foil.

[0063] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The coating head 100 is also provided with a limit spring mechanism 400 for driving its reset. When the electromagnetic push rod is reset and retracted, it drives the rack 610 to disengage from the meshing part 510, releasing the state in which the coating head 100 moves synchronously with the aluminum foil. At this time, the limit spring mechanism 400 resets the coating head 100 to the initial coating position.

[0064] Specifically, the limiting and rebounding mechanism 400 includes a slide bar 410 with the same axis as the aluminum foil conveying direction. The slide bar 410 is slidably disposed inside both ends of the coating head 100. The slide bar 410 can limit the movement of the coating head 100, so that the slit 101 and the aluminum foil surface remain parallel during the movement of the coating head 100.

[0065] Each slide bar 410 is fitted with a second elastic component 420 that pushes the coating head 100 in the opposite direction of aluminum foil conveying. When the rack 610 engages with the meshing part 510, the coating head 100 moves along the surface of the slide bar 410, compressing the second elastic component 420. The second elastic component 420 is also a spring. The second elastic component 420 is gradually compressed, and its elastic potential energy gradually increases until the rack 610 and the meshing part 510 separate. The elastic potential energy in the second elastic component 420 is released, pushing the coating head 100 to move in the opposite direction along the slide bar 410, resetting the coating head 100. During the resetting process, no slurry is output from the slit 101.

[0066] Based on the total time required for the electromagnetic push rod to eject and the time required for the limit rebound mechanism 400 to reset the coating head 100, the interval time for the material conveying mechanism 300 to pump slurry again is set. That is, the material conveying mechanism 300 will only start pumping slurry again after the coating head 100 has been completely reset.

[0067] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sodium-ion battery electrode processing device, comprising a coating head (100), a material conveying mechanism (300) and a transmission roller (500), wherein the coating head (100) is provided with a slit (101), a communication part (102) and a slurry cavity (103) which are in communication with each other, characterized in that: a reciprocating pushing assembly (200) is arranged in the coating head (100), the pushing assembly (200) comprises a pushing rod (210), the pushing rod (210) moves in the communication part (102) to form a suction cavity one (1021) for sucking slurry in the slit (101), and a plurality of guide vanes (110) are arranged in the slit (101) and have the same direction as the slurry output direction; the coating head (100) is provided with a plurality of buffer cavities (104) which are in communication with the slurry cavity (103); the pushing assembly (200) further comprises a plurality of plungers (220) and a plurality of elastic components one (230), and the plungers (220) are connected to the pushing rod (210) at the ends; the elastic components one (230) push the plungers (220) to move in the buffer cavities (104) to form a suction cavity three (1041) for sucking slurry in the slurry cavity (103), and the surface of the pushing rod (210) is provided with a slope for dividing the slurry output from the communication part (102); a plurality of shunt pipes are arranged between the slurry cavity (103) and the slurry output port of the material conveying mechanism (300), the spacing between each shunt pipe is the same, and the output port of the shunt pipe is inclined to the communication part (102); the pushing rod (210) moves in the communication part (102) to form a suction cavity two (1022) for sucking slurry in the slurry cavity (103); the end of the coating head (100) is provided with a synchronization mechanism (600) for driving the coating head (100) to move along with the aluminum foil when the slurry input is stopped; the end of the coating head (100) is further provided with a limiting rebound mechanism (400) for driving the coating head (100) to reset; the transmission roller (500) is provided with an engaging part (510) at the end, the synchronization mechanism (600) comprises a rack (610), and the rack (610) is connected with a propulsion mechanism (620) for driving the rack (610) to engage with the engaging part (510); the limiting rebound mechanism (400) comprises a slide rod (410) which has the same axis as the aluminum foil transmission direction, the slide rod (410) is respectively arranged in the interior of the two ends of the coating head (100), and the slide rod (410) is respectively sleeved with an elastic component two (420) for driving the coating head (100) to move in the opposite direction of the aluminum foil transmission direction.

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