Drying device for battery preparation

Abstract

The drying device comprises at least one heat exchange unit, the heat exchange unit comprises a first box body and a second box body, the first box body is located above the second box body, a first containing cavity is formed in the first box body, and a second containing cavity is formed in the second box body; the upper end of the first pipeline is communicated with the first box body, the lower end of the first pipeline is communicated with the second box body, one end of the second pipeline is communicated with the first box body, the other end of the second pipeline is communicated with the second box body, and the first box body, the second pipeline, the first box body and the first pipeline form a loop. According to the drying device for battery preparation, waste heat can be recycled from hot gas and used for heating reversely-input cold gas, that is, waste heat in the gas is absorbed, heat storage and heat preservation are achieved, and the drying device is used for heating other gas; and self-circulation and efficient heat exchange of the heat storage working medium can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of lithium-ion batteries, vacuum ovens are frequently used to perform negative pressure baking to quickly reduce the moisture content of electrodes or cores. However, this negative pressure baking process involves heating the materials before vacuuming, which generates a large amount of high-temperature gas emissions, wasting significant heat. Furthermore, if these emitted gases are directly drawn into the vacuum pump without cooling, they will severely impact the pump's performance and lifespan. Therefore, an additional cooling device is typically installed at the front end of the vacuum pump to prevent damage from the high-temperature gases. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing, which can at least solve the problems of complex structure and high cost of drying structures in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0005] A drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one heat exchange unit, the heat exchange unit comprising: a first housing and a second housing, the first housing being located above the second housing, the first housing having a first receiving cavity and the second housing having a second receiving cavity, the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity being respectively used to contain a heat storage medium; a first pipeline, the first pipeline being located between the first housing and the second housing, the upper end of the first pipeline being connected to the first housing and the lower end of the first pipeline being connected to the second housing, the first pipeline being used to heat or cool an external gas to be heat exchanged; and a second pipeline, one end of the second pipeline being connected to the first housing and the other end of the second pipeline being connected to the second housing, the first housing, the second pipeline, the first housing, and the first pipeline forming a loop.

[0006] Optionally, the second pipeline is located on the same side of the first housing and the second housing. The drying device for battery preparation further includes a frame, which is located on the same side of the first housing and the second housing. The frame is connected to both the first housing and the second housing. The frame has an installation channel, and the second pipeline is located within the installation channel.

[0007] Optionally, the cross-section of the first pipeline is rectangular or circular.

[0008] Optionally, when the cross-section is rectangular, the long axis of the cross-section is parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be heat exchanged.

[0009] Optionally, the drying device for battery manufacturing further includes: heat exchange fins, which are disposed on the outer surface of the first pipeline.

[0010] Optionally, at least a portion of the heat exchange fins extends in a direction that is not parallel to the extension direction of the first pipeline but is parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be heat exchanged.

[0011] Optionally, the heat exchange fins are flat and are wrapped around and fixed to the outer periphery of the first pipeline, or the heat exchange fins are arranged in a "Z" shape between two adjacent first pipelines.

[0012] Optionally, the heat exchange units may be multiple and connected in series.

[0013] Optionally, a heat insulation layer is provided between the two heat exchange units.

[0014] Optionally, the drying apparatus for battery manufacturing further includes: a housing having a receiving space, and the heat exchange unit located within the receiving space.

[0015] The drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to this application can not only recover waste heat from hot gas and use it to heat cold gas input in the opposite direction, that is, absorb waste heat from the gas, store heat and keep warm, and use it to heat other gases; but also facilitate the self-circulation of the heat storage working fluid and efficient heat exchange.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a drying apparatus for battery manufacturing according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a partial exploded view of a drying apparatus for battery fabrication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the flow direction of the working fluid in a drying apparatus for battery fabrication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the flow direction of the working fluid in a drying apparatus for battery fabrication according to an embodiment of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Drying apparatus 100 for battery manufacturing;

[0027] Heat exchange unit 10;

[0028] First housing 11; Second housing 12; First pipeline 13; Second pipeline 14; Heat exchange fins 15; Insulation layer 16; Frame 17;

[0029] 20. Outer shell. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0031] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0033] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0034] 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 discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the accompanying drawings, the drying apparatus 100 for battery preparation according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0036] A drying apparatus 100 for battery preparation according to an embodiment of this application includes at least one heat exchange unit 10, the heat exchange unit 10 including: a first housing 11, a second housing 12, a first pipeline 13 and a second pipeline 14.

[0037] Specifically, the first housing 11 is located above the second housing 12. The first housing 11 has a first receiving cavity, and the second housing 12 has a second receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity can be used to contain the heat storage medium. The first pipe 13 is located between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. The upper end of the first pipe 13 is connected to the first housing 11, and the lower end of the first pipe 13 is connected to the second housing 12. The first pipe 13 is used to heat or cool the gas to be exchanged on the outside. One end of the second pipe 14 is connected to the first housing 11, and the other end of the second pipe 14 is connected to the second housing 12. The first housing 11, the second pipe 14, the first housing 11, and the first pipe 13 form a loop.

[0038] In other words, the drying apparatus 100 for battery fabrication according to the embodiments of this application includes at least one heat exchange unit 10. That is, the drying apparatus 100 for battery fabrication according to the embodiments of this application may include one or more heat exchange units 10. By setting up multiple heat exchange units 10, the temperature of the hot zone can be increased and the temperature of the cold zone can be reduced, resulting in a better heat exchange effect. In addition, each heat exchange unit 10 may mainly consist of a first housing 11, a second housing 12, a first pipeline 13, and a second pipeline 14.

[0039] The heat exchange unit 10 comprises a first housing 11 with a first receiving cavity and a second housing 12 with a second receiving cavity. Both cavities can be used to hold the heat storage medium. The first housing 11 is located above the second housing 12. In other words, the heat exchange unit 10 has one housing (first housing 11) and one housing (second housing 12). The first housing 11 can be defined as the upper housing, and the second housing 12 as the lower housing. In this embodiment, by positioning the first housing 11 above the second housing 12, the gravity of the high-density working medium and the rising characteristic of the low-density working medium can be utilized to facilitate the self-circulation of the heat storage medium, thereby reducing production costs.

[0040] The upper end of the first pipe 13 is connected to the first housing 11, and the lower end of the first pipe 13 is connected to the second housing 12. One end of the second pipe 14 is connected to the first housing 11, and the other end of the second pipe 14 is connected to the second housing 12. That is, the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 14 are respectively connected to the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity. The first housing 11, the second pipe 14, the first housing 11, and the first pipe 13 form a loop. Optionally, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are arranged in parallel, and the first housing 11 is located directly above the second housing 12, which facilitates the installation of the first pipe 13.

[0041] The working principle of the heat exchange unit 10 in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0042] Scenario 1

[0043] like Figure 7 As shown, the working fluid in the first pipe 13 absorbs heat and its density decreases. Due to this decrease in density, the hot working fluid rises along the first pipe 13 into the upper first receiving cavity. Simultaneously, the cold working fluid in the upper first receiving cavity is compressed by the rising hot working fluid and moves towards the low-pressure area. That is, the cold working fluid can return to the lower second receiving cavity through the second pipe 14, compensating for the heated working fluid that rose in the first pipe 13. Furthermore, due to the pressure difference, the cold working fluid in the second receiving cavity moves upward to fill the space left by the rising working fluid, continuing to be heated, forming a cycle. In other words, the working fluid moves from the lower second receiving cavity to the upper first receiving cavity through the first pipe 13, and then flows back to the lower second receiving cavity through the second pipe 14, realizing the recovery of waste heat from the hot gas.

[0044] Scenario 2

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown, the working fluid descends from the first upper chamber through the first pipe 13 into the second chamber, and then flows back to the first upper chamber through the second pipe 14, which can achieve the heating of the cold gas input in the opposite direction.

[0046] It can be seen that the working fluid can be circulated by the cooperation of the first chamber 11, the second chamber 12, the first pipeline 13 and the second pipeline 14, and can be self-circulated under the action of pressure difference; in addition, the first pipeline 13 can be used to heat or cool the gas to be exchanged on the outside.

[0047] Therefore, the drying apparatus 100 for battery preparation according to this application can not only recover waste heat from hot gas and use it to heat cold gas input in the opposite direction, that is, absorb waste heat from the gas, store heat and keep warm, and use it to heat other gases; but also facilitate the self-circulation of the heat storage working fluid and efficient heat exchange.

[0048] In some specific embodiments of this application, the second pipeline 14 is located on the same side of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. The drying device 100 for battery preparation also includes a frame 17, which is located on the same side of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. The frame 17 is connected to both the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. The frame 17 has an installation channel, and the second pipeline 14 is located in the installation channel.

[0049] In other words, such as Figure 4 As shown, the second pipe 14 can be located on the side of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, for example, connected to both the right side of the first housing 11 and the right side of the second housing 12. Furthermore, the drying apparatus 100 for battery fabrication also includes a frame 17 with an installation channel. The second pipe 14 can be located within the frame 17. Additionally, the frame 17 can be connected to both the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 simultaneously, improving overall integration and structural stability.

[0050] In this embodiment, two boxes, upper and lower, are provided to contain the liquid heat storage medium. The first box 11 and the second box 12 are connected by a first pipe 13, and an additional second pipe 14 is provided on the side. During operation, the heat storage medium in the first pipe 13 is heated and flows upward into the box, or it is cooled and flows downward into the box. The upper and lower boxes can form a self-circulating loop through the second pipe 14, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of a single heat exchange unit 10.

[0051] According to one embodiment of this application, the cross-section of the first pipe 13 is rectangular or circular, meaning that various pipe shapes can be used as the first pipe 13, thus having a wide range of applications. Furthermore, by using a first pipe 13 with a rectangular or circular cross-section, a larger cross-sectional area can be ensured, thereby improving the heat exchange effect.

[0052] In some specific embodiments of this application, when the cross-section is rectangular, the long axis of the cross-section is parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be heat exchanged. For example, the flow direction of the gas exchanging heat with the first housing 11 is along the left-right direction. Figure 2 As indicated by the arrows, the long axis of the cross-section also points left to right. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the cross-section of the first pipe 13 is elongated, the long axis of the cross-section can be the same as the inlet and outlet directions, so that the projected area of ​​the first pipe 13 in the inlet and outlet directions is minimized, thereby reducing resistance.

[0053] According to one embodiment of this application, the drying apparatus 100 for battery preparation further includes: heat exchange fins 15, which are disposed on the outer surface of the first pipeline 13. By setting the heat exchange fins 15, the surface area can be larger and the heat exchange effect can be better.

[0054] In some specific embodiments of this application, at least a portion of the heat exchange fins 15 extend in a direction that is not parallel to the extension direction of the first pipe 13 but is parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be heat exchanged. It is understood that having the extension direction of the heat exchange fins 15 parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be heat exchanged, i.e., the heat exchange fins 15 being in the same direction as the inlet and outlet gas flow, can reduce resistance. Optionally, there may be multiple first pipes 13, and each first pipe 13 may also have multiple heat exchange fins 15, with the multiple heat exchange fins 15 spaced apart along the extension direction of the first pipe 13.

[0055] In addition, outside the air duct area (first pipe 13 and heat exchange fins 15), a second pipe 14 is provided on the side to connect the upper and lower boxes, which facilitates the circulation of the heat storage working fluid.

[0056] In some specific embodiments of this application, the heat exchange fins 15 are flat and are wrapped around and fixed to the outer periphery of the first pipe 13, or the heat exchange fins 15 are arranged in a "Z" shape between two adjacent first pipes 13. That is to say, the heat exchange fins 15 can take various forms, and regardless of the shape of the structure, the resistance can be reduced by designing the direction of the heat exchange fins 15.

[0057] According to one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are multiple heat exchange units 10 connected in series. That is, multiple heat exchange units 10 can form a heat exchanger, and multiple heat exchange units 10 connected in series can achieve multi-stage series connection, with the air inlet direction consistent with the series connection direction. The multi-stage series connection of heat exchange units can increase the temperature of the hot zone and decrease the temperature of the cold zone, resulting in a larger temperature gradient. For example, in a single-stage heat exchange scheme, assuming the inlet temperature is 80°C and the outlet temperature is 45°C, the highest temperature of the heat storage medium will not exceed 45°C, and the maximum temperature of the input cold gas should not exceed 45°C. However, with a multi-stage heat exchange scheme, the inlet temperature can be 80°C, the outlet temperature 45°C, the temperature of the heat storage medium near the outlet slightly higher than 45°C, and the temperature of the input cold gas slightly lower than 80°C, allowing the temperature of the input cold gas to approach 80°C.

[0058] In some specific embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, a heat insulation layer 16 is provided between the front and rear heat exchange units 10. For example, multiple heat exchange units 10 are connected in series, and a heat insulation layer 16 is provided in the interval area outside the air duct between the front and rear heat exchange units 10. In this embodiment, the heat exchange units 10 are connected in multiple stages in series, and a heat insulation layer 16 is provided between each heat exchange unit 10, which can increase the temperature of the high-temperature section, reduce the temperature of the low-temperature section, and improve the cooling / heating effect.

[0059] According to one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the drying apparatus 100 for battery fabrication further includes a housing 20 having a receiving space within which the heat exchange unit 10 is located. For example, the heat exchange units 10 connected in series are placed within the housing 20. In this embodiment, using the housing 20 helps to avoid heat loss and facilitates the integration of multiple heat exchange units 10 into one unit.

[0060] Optionally, sealant may be filled in the gap between the housing 20 and the heat exchange unit 10 to ensure that no air leakage occurs.

[0061] In summary, the drying apparatus 100 for battery preparation according to the embodiments of this application can be used in the lithium-ion battery production process. The drying apparatus 100 for battery preparation according to the embodiments of this application can be used to recover the waste heat in the exhaust gas generated by vacuum baking, reduce its temperature before it enters the vacuum pump, and use the collected waste heat to heat other required gases.

[0062] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing, characterized in that, Includes at least one heat exchange unit (10), said heat exchange unit (10) comprising: A first box (11) and a second box (12), the first box (11) being located above the second box (12), the first box (11) having a first receiving cavity, and the second box (12) having a second receiving cavity, the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity being respectively used to contain heat storage working fluid; The first pipe (13) is located between the first box (11) and the second box (12). The upper end of the first pipe (13) is connected to the first box (11), and the lower end of the first pipe (13) is connected to the second box (12). The first pipe (13) is used to heat or cool the gas to be exchanged on the outside. The second pipe (14) is connected at one end to the first box (11) and at the other end to the second box (12). The first box (11), the second pipe (14), the first box (11) and the first pipe (13) form a loop.

2. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second pipeline (14) is located on the same side of the first housing (11) and the second housing (12), and the drying device (100) for battery preparation further includes: A frame (17) is located on the same side of the first box (11) and the second box (12). The frame (17) is connected to both the first box (11) and the second box (12). The frame (17) has an installation channel, and the second pipe (14) is located in the installation channel.

3. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the first pipeline (13) is rectangular or circular.

4. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the cross-section is rectangular, the long axis of the cross-section is parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be heat exchanged.

5. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Heat exchange fins (15) are disposed on the outer surface of the first pipeline (13).

6. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least a portion of the heat exchange fins (15) extend in a direction that is not parallel to the extension direction of the first pipe (13) and is parallel to the flow direction of the gas to be exchanged.

7. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat exchange fins (15) are flat and are wrapped around and fixed to the outer periphery of the first pipe (13), or the heat exchange fins (15) are arranged in a "Z" shape between two adjacent first pipes (13).

8. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange units (10) are multiple and connected in series.

9. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 8, characterized in that, A heat insulation layer (16) is provided between the two heat exchange units (10) at the front and back.

10. The drying apparatus (100) for battery manufacturing according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that, Also includes: The outer casing (20) has a receiving space, and the heat exchange unit (10) is located within the receiving space.

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