A continuous production device for a fiber battery of an ultraviolet curing electrolyte and an operation process thereof
By integrating continuous production equipment for feeding, electrode coating, curing, lamination and encapsulation processes, the problem of uniformity in electrolyte coating and curing during high-speed movement of fiber batteries has been solved, achieving efficient, green and large-scale manufacturing, and improving the performance and production efficiency of fiber batteries.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING FUTURE ENERGY SYST RES INST OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies cannot achieve continuous production of fiber batteries, especially in the process of high-speed fiber movement, where the coating and UV curing of electrolyte slurry cannot be completed dynamically and uniformly, resulting in weak interfacial bonding and affecting the consistency of battery performance and production efficiency.
Design a continuous production device for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes, integrating processes such as feeding, electrode coating, curing, fiber composite, electrolyte coating and encapsulation. Employ a ring-shaped arrangement of UV lamps and inert gas protection to achieve fully automated production of fiber batteries. Control the layer thickness and independently regulate the speed through a pointed hollow channel to ensure uniform curing.
It enables efficient and large-scale production of fiber batteries, improves production efficiency and product consistency, reduces interlayer interface defects, avoids thermal damage, and has the advantages of low energy consumption and no pollution, meeting the needs of high-end applications such as wearable devices.
Smart Images
Figure CN122136456A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of battery production technology, specifically relating to a continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with ultraviolet-cured electrolytes and its operating process. Background Technology
[0002] As an emerging flexible energy storage device, fiber batteries possess characteristics such as weavability, lightweight, and high safety, enabling seamless integration with textiles. This provides an ideal energy solution for wearable electronic devices, smart clothing, medical monitoring, and portable electronic devices. Compared to traditional rigid lithium batteries, fiber batteries are better suited for applications requiring flexibility and deformation, representing an important development direction for future miniaturized and flexible energy devices.
[0003] However, the transition of fiber batteries from laboratory to large-scale production still faces significant challenges. Current mainstream preparation methods largely rely on intermittent coating processes. This involves manually or semi-automatically coating layers of positive and negative electrode active material slurries (such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and carbon-based materials) onto the surface of metal current collector fibers (e.g., copper or nickel wire). The solvent in the slurry then evaporates and the binder solidifies to form the electrode layer through heating. Afterward, a separator is manually or with the aid of simple equipment, and a gel electrolyte is introduced through impregnation. Finally, the battery is cured and encapsulated again. This step-by-step, intermittent operation mode not only results in low production efficiency and difficulty in achieving continuous and stable output, but also easily leads to weak interfacial bonding between functional layers, affecting the battery's cycle life and the consistency of its electrochemical performance, severely hindering its industrialization process.
[0004] Ultraviolet (UV) curing technology offers new insights into improving the efficiency and consistency of electrolyte layer preparation due to its advantages such as fast curing speed, low energy consumption, no solvent evaporation, and environmental friendliness. In existing technologies, UV curing has been explored for the preparation of various solid or gel electrolytes. For example, Chinese patent application CN115020802A discloses a method for preparing nanofiber composite solid electrolytes using in-situ UV curing. This method involves obtaining a nanofiber membrane through electrospinning, followed by curing with a solution containing monomers, lithium salts, and photoinitiators in a mold under UV irradiation. This method focuses on the preparation and performance optimization of the electrolyte material itself, but it is a static, batch laboratory preparation process and cannot be adapted to the continuous, dynamic production of fibrous matrices. Chinese patent application CN119481242A provides a solid electrolyte containing nanoscale borosilicate glass fibers and its UV curing preparation method, aiming to improve mechanical properties and ionic conductivity. However, its process is also based on static curing after coating the precursor solution, and does not involve continuous production lines. Chinese patent application CN120199920A discloses a modified silk amino acid-based gel electrolyte and its preparation method by ultraviolet light curing, and mentions its potential application in fibrous zinc-ion batteries. However, this application is still limited to local curing after electrolyte filling of the assembled battery structure, and is not completed during the continuous movement of the fiber.
[0005] In summary, while existing technologies have demonstrated the effectiveness of UV curing in improving electrolyte performance, their applications are limited to static, batch production modes or localized treatment of pre-formed battery modules. These methods and the equipment used cannot solve the core problem in the continuous production of fiber batteries: how to dynamically and uniformly complete the precise coating, thickness control, and rapid, all-around UV curing of the electrolyte slurry during the high-speed, continuous movement of the fibers, while ensuring the uniformity of the curing process, avoiding heat accumulation damage to the fibers, and maintaining the inert atmosphere and process stability of the entire production system.
[0006] Therefore, developing a dedicated production device that can be deeply integrated with a continuous fiber production line to achieve a complete, integrated process from current collector supply, electrode coating and curing, fiber composite, to continuous electrolyte coating and dynamic UV curing, and finally encapsulation and collection, is of urgent practical significance and important industrial value for breaking through the production bottleneck of fiber batteries and realizing their efficient, green, and large-scale manufacturing. Summary of the Invention
[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a continuous production apparatus and operating process for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes. By integrating UV curing technology with continuous line processing, it achieves fully automated production of fiber batteries from materials to finished products. While significantly improving production efficiency and product consistency, it ensures a strong bond between multiple interfaces. It has advantages such as high speed, low energy consumption, no pollution, and zero recycling, providing an efficient and reliable manufacturing solution for the industrialization breakthrough of fiber batteries.
[0008] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0009] A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-curable electrolytes, comprising:
[0010] The feeding rollers include a positive current collector fiber supply roller and a negative current collector fiber supply roller, which are used to supply positive current collector fibers and negative current collector fibers, respectively;
[0011] An active material deposition tank includes a positive electrode material deposition tank and a negative electrode material deposition tank, which are respectively located downstream of the positive electrode current collector fiber supply wheel and the negative electrode current collector fiber supply wheel; the active material deposition tank is equipped with a traction wheel and contains active material slurry for coating an active material layer on the surface of the corresponding current collector fiber.
[0012] An electrode curing device includes a positive electrode curing device and a negative electrode curing device, which are respectively located downstream of the positive electrode material deposition tank and the negative electrode material deposition tank. The inlet of the electrode curing device is provided with a pointed hollow channel for controlling the thickness of the active material layer, and the inside is provided with a heating wire for heating and curing the active material and a temperature control device.
[0013] The packaging machine is located downstream of the negative electrode curing device and is used to wrap the cured negative electrode fibers with a diaphragm.
[0014] The winding machine, located downstream of the positive electrode curing device and the packaging machine, is used to twist the negative electrode fiber and the positive electrode fiber after wrapping the diaphragm into a composite fiber.
[0015] An electrolyte chamber is located downstream of the winding machine. The electrolyte chamber is equipped with a traction wheel and contains gel electrolyte for coating an electrolyte layer on the surface of the composite fiber.
[0016] An ultraviolet curing device is installed inside the electrolyte chamber. The inlet of the ultraviolet curing device is provided with a hollow channel with a pointed nozzle for controlling the thickness of the electrolyte layer. The device is equipped with multiple rows of ultraviolet curing lamps inside for ultraviolet curing of the coated electrolyte layer.
[0017] The drawing machine, located at the end of the production line, is used to draw, wind, and collect the cured fiber batteries.
[0018] Preferably, the device further includes a second packaging machine, located downstream of the UV curing device and upstream of the stretching machine, for coating the outermost layer of the cured fiber battery with an insulating polymer film.
[0019] Preferably, each traction wheel in the device is connected to a motor and a speed control device to independently control the forward speed of the fiber in each section.
[0020] Preferably, both the active material deposition tank and the electrolyte chamber are equipped with hydraulic sensors and liquid pumps for replenishing materials.
[0021] Preferably, all traction wheels in the feeding rollers and device are smooth ceramic wheels.
[0022] Preferably, both the active material deposition tank and the electrolyte tank are made of stainless steel with an inert coating.
[0023] Preferably, the multiple rows of UV curing lamps in the UV curing device are arranged in a ring, the switch and power of each row of UV curing lamps can be controlled individually, and the length of the UV curing lamp area is adjustable.
[0024] Preferably, the UV curing device further includes a copper sheet and a cooling device; the copper sheet is located at the tail end of the UV curing lamp and is used to conduct heat generated by the lamp body; the cooling device is connected to the copper sheet and is used to dissipate the conducted heat; preferably, the cooling device is an air-cooled device or a liquid-cooled device.
[0025] Preferably, the electrolyte chamber is equipped with an electric retractable door and an inert gas curtain at both the inlet and outlet, and the top of the electrolyte chamber is equipped with a gas control device, a pipeline for extracting and venting gases, and an oxygen analyzer.
[0026] The operating process of the above-mentioned continuous production apparatus for UV-cured electrolyte fiber batteries includes the following steps:
[0027] Step 1) Release the current collector fibers from the positive electrode feeding roller and the negative electrode feeding roller respectively, and let them pass through the corresponding active material deposition tank to uniformly coat the fiber surface with active material slurry;
[0028] Step 2) The coated positive and negative electrode fibers are passed through the corresponding electrode curing devices. After the thickness of the slurry is controlled by the hollow channel of the inlet nozzle, it is heated and cured inside the device to form a stable electrode layer.
[0029] Step 3) Pass the cured negative electrode fiber through a packaging machine and wrap a diaphragm on its surface; then, feed the diaphragm-wrapped negative electrode fiber and positive electrode fiber together into a winding machine and twist them into a composite fiber.
[0030] Step 4) The composite fiber is introduced into the electrolyte chamber and its surface is coated with gel electrolyte. Then, the fiber is passed through an ultraviolet curing device. The thickness of the electrolyte layer on the fiber surface is controlled by the hollow channel of the inlet nozzle and then cured into a gel state under ultraviolet light.
[0031] Step 5) The UV-cured fibers are passed through a packaging machine to cover the outermost layer with an insulating polymer film to form a complete fiber battery; finally, the fiber battery is stretched, straightened and wound and collected using a stretching machine.
[0032] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:
[0033] (1) This invention integrates key processes such as positive and negative electrode current collector feeding, active material coating and curing, separator wrapping, fiber composite, electrolyte coating and UV curing, outer layer encapsulation and finished product collection into a series device, and realizes continuous and synchronous fiber routing through a traction wheel system. It completely changes the traditional intermittent, multi-step independent operation production mode, significantly shortens the production cycle, reduces manual intervention and process changeover time, and provides a reliable equipment foundation for realizing efficient and large-scale manufacturing of fiber batteries.
[0034] (2) By setting precise pointed hollow channels at the inlet of each coating process (electrode slurry, electrolyte), the thickness of the coating layer can be effectively and consistently controlled. Combined with independently adjustable traction speed and curing parameters (temperature, ultraviolet light intensity and duration), each functional layer can be uniformly formed and firmly adhered under optimized process conditions. This controllable continuous coating and curing process greatly reduces interlayer interface defects, ensuring the consistency of the fiber battery structure and the reliability of its electrochemical performance.
[0035] (3) This invention innovatively applies ultraviolet curing technology to the continuous dynamic production process of fibrous workpieces. By employing a ring-shaped arrangement of ultraviolet lamps with individually controllable power and switches, combined with an adjustable curing zone, it achieves all-round, uniform, and rapid curing of the electrolyte on the surface of high-speed moving fibers. Compared with traditional thermal curing methods, ultraviolet curing has outstanding advantages such as instant curing, significantly reduced energy consumption, no solvent evaporation, and environmental friendliness, while avoiding the thermal damage that may be caused to the fiber matrix and the formed electrode layer by prolonged high temperature.
[0036] (4) In the device of the present invention, each section of the traction wheel is equipped with an independent motor and speed control device, which can realize the coordination of the overall line speed and the precise control of the local speed ratio. The electrolyte tank is equipped with an inert gas protection system (air curtain, gas replacement and oxygen content monitoring), which effectively isolates the influence of water and oxygen on active materials and electrolytes, and provides a stable production environment for key processes. In addition, the liquid level monitoring and automatic replenishment function of the material tank further ensures the stable operation of continuous production.
[0037] (5) The continuous production solution provided by this invention not only solves the bottleneck of production efficiency, but also creates conditions for the preparation of fiber battery products with strong interface bonding, uniform structure and excellent performance through its precise process control capabilities. The produced fiber batteries have greater potential in terms of flexibility, energy density and cycle life, and can better meet the stringent requirements of high-end application scenarios such as wearable devices and smart textiles for energy storage devices. Attached Figure Description
[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a continuous production unit for fiber batteries with UV-curable electrolytes;
[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the electrode curing device;
[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the UV curing device;
[0041] Figure 1-3 The components are as follows: 1. Negative electrode current collector fiber supply wheel; 2. Positive electrode current collector fiber supply wheel; 3. First traction wheel; 4. Second traction wheel; 5. Negative electrode material deposition tank; 6. Positive electrode material deposition tank; 7. Negative electrode curing device; 8. Positive electrode curing device; 9. Third traction wheel; 10. Fourth traction wheel; 11. First packaging machine; 12. Winding machine; 13. Electrolyte tank; 14. Gas detection and control device; 15. Fifth traction wheel; 16. Sixth traction wheel; 17. Seventh traction wheel; 18. Ultraviolet curing device; 19. Second packaging machine; 20. Stretching machine; 21. First pointed hollow channel; 22. Heating wire; 23. Temperature sensor; 24. Ultraviolet curing lamp; 25. Copper sheet; 26. Cooling device; 27. Second pointed hollow channel.
[0042] Figure 4 This is a process flow diagram for producing fiber batteries. Detailed Implementation
[0043] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0044] In the description of this invention, terms such as "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "front," and "rear" that indicate orientation or positional relationship are used only based on the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.
[0045] Example 1
[0046] 1. Device Composition
[0047] A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes, such as Figure 1 As shown, the fiber routing direction includes the following parts in sequence:
[0048] The feeding unit includes a negative electrode current collector fiber supply wheel 1 and a positive electrode current collector fiber supply wheel 2, which are used to supply negative electrode current collector fibers and positive electrode current collector fibers, respectively. In this embodiment, the current collector fibers are nickel-plated copper wire (negative electrode) and aluminum wire (positive electrode) with a diameter of 200 μm.
[0049] Electrode preparation unit: includes active material deposition tank (negative electrode material deposition tank 5, positive electrode material deposition tank 6) and electrode curing device (negative electrode curing device 7, positive electrode curing device 8).
[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the negative electrode material deposition tank 5 and the positive electrode material deposition tank 6 are respectively located downstream of the negative electrode current collector fiber supply wheel 1 and the positive electrode current collector fiber supply wheel 2 in the production line. Figure 1 The diagram shows the negative electrode current collector fiber supply wheel 1 and the positive electrode current collector fiber supply wheel 2 connected to the first traction wheel 3 and the second traction wheel 4 within the negative electrode material deposition tank 5 and the positive electrode material deposition tank 6, respectively. In this embodiment, the active material deposition tank has a volume of 10 L and is made of stainless steel lined with polytetrafluoroethylene. It contains a ceramic traction wheel that holds the active material slurry for coating the corresponding current collector fiber surface with an active material layer.
[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the negative electrode curing device 7 and the positive electrode curing device 8 are respectively located downstream of the negative electrode material deposition tank 5 and the positive electrode material deposition tank 6 in the production line. Figure 1 The image shows the positions respectively located after the first traction wheel 3 and the second traction wheel 4. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the electrode curing device has a first nozzle hollow channel 21 at its inlet for controlling the thickness of the active material layer. Inside, there is a heating wire 22 for heating and curing the active material, and a temperature control device (including a PID temperature controller and a temperature sensor 23). In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the first nozzle hollow channel 21 is adjustable, typically 300~1000 μm, used to scrape off excess slurry and control the thickness of the wet film of the active material adhering to the fiber surface. This can be achieved by replacing nozzle modules of different specifications or adjusting the precision thread pair. The internal heating wire 22 has a power of 300 W and is controlled by the PID temperature controller and temperature sensor 23, with the operating temperature set at 120±5℃.
[0052] Composite and isolation unit: including third traction wheel 9, fourth traction wheel 10, first packaging machine 11 and wrapping machine 12.
[0053] like Figure 1As shown, the first packaging machine 11 is located downstream of the negative electrode curing device 7 on the production line. Figure 1 The image shows a negative electrode curing device 7 connected to a first packaging machine 11 via a third traction wheel 9, used to wrap the cured negative electrode fibers with a diaphragm. In this embodiment, the first packaging machine 11 uses a polyethylene (PE) porous diaphragm tape with a width of 20 mm and a thickness of 25 μm to spirally wrap the negative electrode fibers.
[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the wrapping machine 12 is located downstream of the production line shared by the positive electrode curing device 8 and the first packaging machine 11. Figure 1 The diagram shows that the positive electrode curing device 8 is connected to the winding machine 12 via the fourth traction wheel 10, and the first packaging machine 11 is also connected to the winding machine 12. The winding machine 12 is used to twist the negative electrode fiber and the positive electrode fiber after wrapping the diaphragm into a composite fiber. In this embodiment, the winding machine 12 is a double-twist type, which twists the positive and negative electrode fibers together into a composite fiber with a twist pitch of 10 twists / meter.
[0055] Electrolyte coating and curing unit: includes electrolyte tank 13, gas detection and control device 14, fifth traction wheel 15, sixth traction wheel 16, seventh traction wheel 17 and ultraviolet curing device 18.
[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrolyte tank 13 is located downstream of the production line of the winding machine 12. Figure 1 The image shows a winding machine 12 connected to a fifth traction wheel 15 inside an electrolyte chamber 13 via its inlet. The electrolyte chamber 13 contains a gel electrolyte for coating the surface of the composite fibers with an electrolyte layer. In this embodiment, the electrolyte chamber 13 is a sealed stainless steel (lined with polytetrafluoroethylene) cavity with a volume of 20 L. The bottom is filled with a gel electrolyte (composed of a mixed solution of polyethylene glycol diacrylate, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), and photoinitiator TPO-L). The chamber's inlet and outlet are equipped with electrically operated retractable doors, and a nitrogen gas curtain is installed outside the doors.
[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the gas detection and control device 14 is located at the top of the electrolyte chamber 13 and is used for gas intake and exhaust as well as for detecting the oxygen content inside the chamber. In this embodiment, the gas detection and control device 14 includes a vacuum pump, a nitrogen inlet valve, an oxygen analyzer, a water analyzer, and a PLC controller, and is used to maintain the oxygen content inside the chamber below 0.1 ppm.
[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, the UV curing device 18 is located inside the electrolyte chamber 13, above the electrolyte liquid level. Figure 1The diagram shows that the fifth traction wheel 15 is connected to the UV curing device 18 via the seventh traction wheel 17 (located below the electrolyte level), and then to the outlet of the electrolyte tank 13 via the sixth traction wheel 16. (Example) Figure 3 As shown, the UV curing device 18 has a second-nozzle hollow channel 27 at its inlet for controlling the thickness of the electrolyte layer. Inside, multiple rows of UV curing lamps 24 are arranged in a ring. The switching and power of each row of UV curing lamps 24 can be controlled independently, and the length of the UV curing lamp area is adjustable. A copper plate 25 is located at the tail end of each UV curing lamp 24 to conduct heat generated by the lamp body. The copper plate 25 is connected to a cooling device 26 to dissipate the conducted heat. The cooling device 26 can be an air-cooled device connected to a cooling fan or a liquid-cooled device filled with coolant. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the second-nozzle hollow channel 27 is adjustable, typically 600~1200 μm, to control the coating thickness of the gel electrolyte layer. This can be achieved by replacing nozzle modules of different specifications or adjusting precision thread pairs. Inside, three rows of UV-LED lamps (wavelength 365 nm, single lamp power 10 W) are arranged in a ring, with each row of lamps independently switched and dimmed. The tail of the lamp assembly is tightly bonded to the copper sheet 25 with thermally conductive silicone. The copper sheet 25 is connected to a cooling device 26 (liquid cooling device, the coolant is deionized water, ethylene glycol water or fluorinated liquid, etc.) to control the working temperature of the lamp body below 40℃.
[0059] Packaging and collection unit: including a second packaging machine 19 and a stretching machine 20.
[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the second packaging machine 19 is located downstream of the UV curing unit 18 and upstream of the stretching machine 20 production line. Figure 1 The diagram shows the sixth traction wheel 16 connected to the second packaging machine 19 via the outlet of the electrolyte chamber 13, and then to the stretching machine 20. The second packaging machine 19 is used to coat the outermost layer of the cured fiber battery with an insulating polymer film. In this embodiment, the second packaging machine 19 uses polyethylene (PE) heat shrink tubing for simultaneous packaging, and uses a built-in hot air blower with a heating temperature of 120°C and a power of 300 W to shrink and wrap the cured fibers.
[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, the drawing machine 20 is located at the end of the production line and is used to draw, wind, and collect the cured fiber batteries. In this embodiment, the drawing machine 20 is equipped with a motor and a tension controller to draw the fibers in the device, so that the fibers can pass through each process section at a uniform speed, and to wind and store the finished fiber batteries.
[0062] In a preferred embodiment, all traction wheels are made of alumina ceramic with a polished surface to reduce wear on the flexible fibers caused by friction during guidance. All traction wheels are equipped with motor drives and are speed-controlled by individual tension controllers for independent control of the fiber's forward speed in each section.
[0063] In a preferred embodiment, both the active material deposition tank and the electrolyte tank 13 are equipped with hydraulic sensors and liquid pumps for replenishing materials.
[0064] 2. Production process flow
[0065] Based on the operating process of the above-mentioned continuous production equipment for fiber batteries using UV-cured electrolytes, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the specific steps are as follows:
[0066] (1) System preparation and material loading
[0067] Close the electric door of electrolyte chamber 13, start the gas detection and control device 14, evacuate the chamber to -0.1 MPa, and then fill it with high-purity nitrogen to a slightly positive pressure of 0.01 MPa. Repeat this process three times.
[0068] The prepared lithium iron phosphate positive electrode slurry and graphite negative electrode slurry are injected into the negative electrode material deposition tank 5 and the positive electrode material deposition tank 6, respectively. The gel electrolyte precursor solution is injected into the electrolyte tank 13.
[0069] The positive and negative current collector fibers are guided to their respective supply wheels and pass through the pre-set path of the multi-stage traction wheels.
[0070] (2) Electrode preparation
[0071] Start all traction wheel motors and set the cable running speed to 0.5 m / min.
[0072] Select positive and negative current collector fibers with a diameter of 200 μm (positive electrode is aluminum wire, negative electrode is copper wire) and immerse them in the corresponding active material deposition tanks, and uniformly coat the fiber surface with active material slurry.
[0073] The coated positive and negative electrode fibers are passed through their respective electrode curing devices. First, excess slurry is scraped off through the hollow channel 21 of the first nozzle, controlling the wet film thickness to approximately 70 μm. Then, the fibers are cured in hot air at 120°C for 10 minutes, allowing the solvent to evaporate and forming a robust electrode layer.
[0074] (3) Fiber isolation and composite
[0075] The cured negative electrode fiber is tightly wrapped by a PE diaphragm belt as it passes through the first packaging machine 11.
[0076] The wrapped negative electrode fiber and positive electrode fiber enter the winding machine 12 together and are twisted and plied into a composite fiber with a diameter of about 450μm. At this time, the positive and negative electrodes are physically separated by the diaphragm.
[0077] (4) Electrolyte coating and UV curing
[0078] The composite fibers are guided by the fifth traction wheel 15 and the seventh traction wheel 17 and immersed in the gel electrolyte solution in the electrolyte chamber 13, forming a uniform electrolyte film on the surface.
[0079] The fiber then passes vertically upward through the UV curing unit 18. As it passes through the hollow channel 27 of the second nozzle at the inlet, the electrolyte film is precisely controlled to be approximately 200 μm thick.
[0080] The fibers are placed in the ultraviolet irradiation zone. All three rows of ring-shaped UV-LED lamps are turned on, with a total power of 200W, and the irradiation time is approximately 5-15 seconds. Under the action of ultraviolet light, the photoinitiator in the electrolyte precursor solution initiates a polymerization reaction, rapidly solidifying into a semi-solid gel electrolyte layer that tightly coats the surface of the composite fibers.
[0081] The entire curing process is carried out under nitrogen protection. The copper sheet 25 and the liquid cooling system ensure stable lamp temperature and prevent heat accumulation from damaging the fibers or causing uneven curing of the electrolyte.
[0082] (5) Final packaging and collection
[0083] After UV curing, the fiber battery enters the second packaging machine 19, where a PE heat shrink tube with a diameter of about 1000 μm is wrapped around its outermost layer. Heat shrinking is then performed under 120°C hot air to achieve final encapsulation and physical protection.
[0084] The finished fiber battery is finally wound onto a roll with constant tension by the drawing machine 20, completing continuous production.
[0085] 3. Beneficial effects
[0086] Through the above-described apparatus and process, this embodiment successfully achieved:
[0087] (1) Continuous and efficient: The entire process from current collector to finished battery is uninterrupted, with stable production line speed and theoretical daily output far exceeding that of intermittent processes.
[0088] (2) Excellent structure: The pointed structure ensures that the electrode layer and electrolyte layer have uniform thickness; UV dynamic curing ensures that the electrolyte layer is fully cured and free of bubbles; the multi-layer structure interface is firmly bonded.
[0089] (3) Stable performance: The inert atmosphere protection avoids oxidation of active materials; low temperature UV curing avoids thermal damage; the parameters of the whole process are controllable and have good repeatability.
[0090] (4) Energy saving and environmental protection: UV curing replaces high-temperature baking, reducing energy consumption by about 95% and increasing the rate by about 90%; there is no solvent evaporation during the curing process, and the production environment is clean.
[0091] The embodiments described above are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the scope claimed in the claims. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with ultraviolet-cured electrolytes, characterized in that, include: The feeding rollers include a positive current collector fiber supply roller and a negative current collector fiber supply roller, which are used to supply positive current collector fibers and negative current collector fibers, respectively; An active material deposition tank includes a positive electrode material deposition tank and a negative electrode material deposition tank, which are respectively located downstream of the positive electrode current collector fiber supply wheel and the negative electrode current collector fiber supply wheel; the active material deposition tank is equipped with a traction wheel and contains active material slurry for coating an active material layer on the surface of the corresponding current collector fiber. An electrode curing device includes a positive electrode curing device and a negative electrode curing device, which are respectively located downstream of the positive electrode material deposition tank and the negative electrode material deposition tank. The inlet of the electrode curing device is provided with a pointed hollow channel for controlling the thickness of the active material layer, and the inside is provided with a heating wire for heating and curing the active material and a temperature control device. The packaging machine is located downstream of the negative electrode curing device and is used to wrap the cured negative electrode fibers with a diaphragm. The winding machine, located downstream of the positive electrode curing device and the packaging machine, is used to twist the negative electrode fiber and the positive electrode fiber after wrapping the diaphragm into a composite fiber. An electrolyte chamber is located downstream of the winding machine. The electrolyte chamber is equipped with a traction wheel and contains gel electrolyte for coating an electrolyte layer on the surface of the composite fiber. An ultraviolet curing device is installed inside the electrolyte chamber. The inlet of the ultraviolet curing device is provided with a hollow channel with a pointed nozzle for controlling the thickness of the electrolyte layer. The device is equipped with multiple rows of ultraviolet curing lamps inside for ultraviolet curing of the coated electrolyte layer. The drawing machine, located at the end of the production line, is used to draw, wind, and collect the cured fiber batteries.
2. The continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second packaging machine, located downstream of the UV curing device and upstream of the stretching machine, for coating the outermost layer of the cured fiber battery with an insulating polymer film.
3. The continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each traction wheel in the device is connected to a motor and a speed control device to independently control the forward speed of the fiber in each section.
4. The continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the active material deposition tank and the electrolyte tank are equipped with hydraulic sensors and liquid pumps for replenishing materials.
5. A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, All traction wheels in the feeding rollers and device are smooth ceramic wheels.
6. A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the active material deposition tank and the electrolyte tank are made of stainless steel with an inert coating.
7. A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UV curing device contains multiple rows of UV curing lamps arranged in a ring. The switch and power of each row of UV curing lamps can be controlled individually, and the length of the UV curing lamp area is adjustable.
8. A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UV curing device also includes a copper sheet and a cooling device; the copper sheet is located at the tail end of the UV curing lamp and is used to conduct heat generated by the lamp body; the cooling device is connected to the copper sheet and is used to dissipate the conducted heat; preferably, the cooling device is an air-cooled device or a liquid-cooled device.
9. A continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrolyte chamber is equipped with an electric retractable door and an inert gas curtain at both the entrance and exit. The top of the electrolyte chamber is equipped with a gas control device, pipelines for exhausting gas, and an oxygen analyzer.
10. An operating process for a continuous production apparatus for fiber batteries with UV-cured electrolytes as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1) Release the current collector fibers from the positive electrode feeding roller and the negative electrode feeding roller respectively, and let them pass through the corresponding active material deposition tank to uniformly coat the fiber surface with active material slurry; Step 2) The coated positive and negative electrode fibers are passed through the corresponding electrode curing devices. After the thickness of the slurry is controlled by the hollow channel of the inlet nozzle, it is heated and cured inside the device to form a stable electrode layer. Step 3) Pass the cured negative electrode fiber through a packaging machine and wrap a diaphragm on its surface; then, feed the diaphragm-wrapped negative electrode fiber and positive electrode fiber together into a winding machine and twist them into a composite fiber. Step 4) The composite fiber is introduced into the electrolyte chamber and its surface is coated with gel electrolyte. Then, the fiber is passed through an ultraviolet curing device. The thickness of the electrolyte layer on the fiber surface is controlled by the hollow channel of the inlet nozzle and then cured into a gel state under ultraviolet light. Step 5) The UV-cured fibers are passed through a packaging machine to cover the outermost layer with an insulating polymer film to form a complete fiber battery; finally, the fiber battery is stretched, straightened and wound and collected using a stretching machine.