Automatic unloading equipment for lithium battery positive electrode material

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of lithium-ion battery material preparation technology, specifically referring to an automatic unloading device for lithium-ion battery cathode materials. The device includes a base, an unloading platform, a sagger conveying mechanism, and a cold liquid lubrication mechanism. The unloading platform is located on the upper wall of the base. The sagger conveying mechanism includes a drive assembly, a transfer assembly, and a conveying assembly. The drive assembly is located on the upper wall of the unloading platform, the transfer assembly is located on the drive assembly, and the conveying assembly is located on the transfer assembly. This invention provides an automatic unloading device for lithium-ion battery cathode materials. This device utilizes the radiant heat of the high-temperature material to generate electricity through thermoelectricity. The generated electricity drives a refrigeration system to cool the lubrication system of the transmission components, thereby achieving stable and automatic unloading under high-temperature conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of lithium-ion battery material preparation technology, specifically referring to an automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode materials. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process of lithium-ion battery cathode materials (such as NCM, LFP, etc.), the materials usually need to undergo high-temperature solid-state reaction in roller kilns or pusher kilns. After sintering, the saggers containing the materials are moved out of the kiln by conveyor belt. At this time, the temperature of the materials and saggers is extremely high (usually several hundred degrees Celsius).

[0003] The existing unloading equipment has the following problems: 1. High-temperature crucibles will transfer heat to the moving parts of the unloading equipment (such as chains, bearings, and rollers) through heat conduction and heat radiation, causing ordinary lubricating grease to carbonize and evaporate, which in turn leads to increased wear and jamming of transmission parts and affects the life of the equipment; 2. The enormous heat energy carried by high-temperature materials is usually directly lost into the environment, and there is a lack of effective heat recovery and utilization structures.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for equipment that can adapt to high-temperature working conditions, recover heat energy, and automatically complete unloading. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the above situation and to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, this solution provides an automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode materials. This device utilizes the radiant heat of the high-temperature material to generate electricity through temperature difference. The generated electricity drives a refrigeration system to cool the lubrication system of the transmission components, thereby achieving stable and automatic unloading under high-temperature conditions.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this solution is as follows: This solution proposes an automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode materials, including a base, an unloading platform, a sagger conveying mechanism, and a cold liquid lubrication mechanism. The unloading platform is located on the upper wall of the base. The sagger conveying mechanism includes a drive component, a transfer component, and a conveying component. The drive component is located on the upper wall of the unloading platform, the transfer component is located on the drive component, and the conveying component is located on the transfer component. The cold liquid lubrication mechanism includes a heat collection component, a temperature conduction component, and a cooling component. The heat collection component is located on the upper wall of the base below the unloading platform, the temperature conduction component is located on both sides of the unloading platform, and the cooling component is located on the temperature conduction component.

[0007] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adapter assembly includes a drive seat, an insulating sleeve, an annular groove, and a rotating corner block. Multiple drive seats are disposed on the upper wall of the unloading platform. The insulating sleeve is disposed on the side wall of the drive seat. The annular groove is located at the end of the insulating sleeve away from the drive seat. The rotating corner block is rotatably disposed on the inner wall of the annular groove. The conveying assembly includes a heat-insulating block, a heat-resistant sealing ring, and a conveying roller. The heat-insulating block penetrates the opening of the insulating sleeve and is disposed on the side wall of the rotating corner block. The heat-resistant sealing ring is located on the outer side of the heat-insulating block near the rotating corner block, and is used to seal the heat-insulating sleeve. The gap between the hot block and the opening of the insulation sleeve; the driving assembly includes a driven gear ring, a drive motor, a drive gear, a heat-resistant conveyor belt and a heat-resistant drive belt. The driven gear ring is located on the outside of the heat insulation block. The drive motor is located on the bottom wall of one end of the unloading platform. The drive gear is located at the output end of the drive motor. The heat-resistant conveyor belt is wrapped around the outside of the driven gear ring and meshes with the driven gear ring. The heat-resistant drive belt is wrapped between the driven gear ring and the drive gear at the end of the unloading platform near the drive motor and meshes with both the driven gear ring and the drive gear.

[0008] During use, in the process of unloading lithium battery cathode material, the sintered high-temperature crucible is placed on the conveyor roller, and the drive motor drives the conveyor roller to rotate, transporting the crucible to the designated position for automatic unloading (the material is poured out by a robotic arm or a flipping mechanism).

[0009] Preferably, the heat collection assembly includes a heat collection frame, a thermoelectric generator assembly, a rectifier, an energy storage battery, a heat insulation plate, a thermoelectric copper ring, and a thermoelectric copper block. The heat collection frame is mounted on the upper wall of the base, multiple sets of thermoelectric generator assemblies are mounted on the upper wall of the heat collection frame, the heat insulation plate is mounted on the upper wall of the heat collection frame above the thermoelectric generator assemblies, the thermoelectric copper block penetrates the heat insulation plate and is mounted on the upper wall of the thermoelectric generator assemblies, and the thermoelectric copper ring is mounted on the outside of the conveyor roller and is in contact with the upper wall of the thermoelectric copper block. The temperature conduction assembly includes a pipe seat, a cold source cylinder, and a cooling pipe. The pipe seats are symmetrically arranged in pairs on both sides of the unloading platform, the cold source cylinder is located between the pipe seats, and the cooling pipe penetrates the drive seat and is connected between the insulation sleeve and the cold source cylinder. The cooling assembly includes a cooling seat and a thermoelectric cooling fin assembly. Multiple sets of cooling seats are mounted on the bottom wall of the cold source cylinder, the thermoelectric cooling fin assembly is mounted on the bottom wall of the cooling seat, and the cooling end of the thermoelectric cooling fin assembly extends into the interior of the cold source cylinder.

[0010] During operation, as the high-temperature crucible moves on the conveyor rollers, heat is radiated to the thermoelectric generator array, generating and storing electrical energy. This stored energy drives the thermoelectric cooling array, while cool air from the cooling source cylinder circulates through cooling pipes to the interior of the insulation sleeve, cooling the lubricating oil between the rotating corner block and the annular groove. The insulation sleeve, in conjunction with the cool air cooling, ensures that the moving parts remain well-lubricated and do not jam even in high-temperature environments.

[0011] Specifically, a controller is provided on the side wall of the unloading platform.

[0012] The controller is electrically connected to both the drive motor and the thermoelectric cooling chip assembly.

[0013] The beneficial effects achieved by this solution using the above structure are as follows: Compared with existing technologies, this solution combines a crucible conveying mechanism with a cold liquid lubrication mechanism. Through the setting of transfer components, drive components, conveying components, heat collection components, temperature conduction components, and cooling components, it can ensure the lubrication performance between moving parts when conveying crucibles containing lithium battery cathode materials. This reduces the probability of increased wear or even seizing or jamming of moving parts due to lack of oil, thus ensuring the stability of crucible conveying containing lithium battery cathode materials. Furthermore, the heat radiated during the process of conveying the crucibles containing lithium battery cathode materials creates a temperature difference effect on both sides of the thermoelectric cooling unit. This temperature difference generates electricity to cool the lubricating oil between moving parts, thereby improving the conveying efficiency of crucibles containing lithium battery cathode materials. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this solution; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the driver component and the adapter component in this solution; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the components used in this solution; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heat collection component in this solution; Figure 5 This is the main view of this solution; Figure 6 This is a side view of the design. Figure 7 This is a top view of the plan; Figure 8 for Figure 5 Sectional view of AA section; Figure 9 for Figure 2 Enlarged structural view of section I; Figure 10 for Figure 8 Enlarged structural view of Part II.

[0015] The components are as follows: 1. Base, 2. Unloading platform, 3. Sagger conveyor mechanism, 4. Drive assembly, 5. Drive seat, 6. Driven gear ring, 7. Drive motor, 8. Drive gear, 9. Heat-resistant conveyor belt, 10. Transfer assembly, 11. Insulation sleeve, 12. Annular groove, 13. Rotating corner block, 14. Conveying assembly, 15. Heat insulation block, 16. Heat-resistant sealing ring, 17. Conveying roller, 18. Cold liquid lubrication mechanism, 19. Heat collection assembly, 20. Heat collection frame, 21. Thermoelectric generator assembly, 22. Rectifier, 23. Energy storage battery, 24. Temperature conduction assembly, 25. Pipe seat, 26. Cold source cylinder, 27. Cooling pipe, 28. Cooling assembly, 29. Cooling seat, 30. Thermoelectric cooling assembly, 31. Controller, 32. Heat-resistant drive belt, 33. Heat insulation plate, 34. Thermoelectric copper ring, 35. Thermoelectric copper block.

[0016] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the present solution and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present solution to explain the present solution and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions in this embodiment will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this solution, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this solution without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this solution.

[0018] In the description of this solution, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this solution and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this solution.

[0019] like Figures 1-10 As shown, the automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode materials proposed in this solution includes a base 1, an unloading platform 2, a sagger conveying mechanism 3, and a cold liquid lubrication mechanism 18. The unloading platform 2 is located on the upper wall of the base 1. The sagger conveying mechanism 3 includes a drive assembly 4, a transfer assembly 10, and a conveying assembly 14. The drive assembly 4 is located on the upper wall of the unloading platform 2. The transfer assembly 10 is located on the drive assembly 4. The conveying assembly 14 is located on the transfer assembly 10. The cold liquid lubrication mechanism 18 includes a heat collection assembly 19, a temperature conduction assembly 24, and a cooling assembly 28. The heat collection assembly 19 is located on the upper wall of the base 1 below the unloading platform 2. The temperature conduction assembly 24 is located on both sides of the unloading platform 2. The cooling assembly 28 is located on the temperature conduction assembly 24.

[0020] The adapter assembly 10 includes a drive base 5, an insulating sleeve 11, an annular groove 12, and a rotating corner block 13. Multiple sets of drive bases 5 are disposed on the upper wall of the unloading platform 2. The insulating sleeve 11 is disposed on the side wall of the drive base 5. The annular groove 12 is located at the end of the insulating sleeve 11 away from the drive base 5. The rotating corner block 13 is rotatably disposed on the inner wall of the annular groove 12. The conveying assembly 14 includes a heat insulation block 15, a heat-resistant sealing ring 16, and a conveying roller 17. The heat insulation block 15 penetrates the opening of the insulating sleeve 11 and is disposed on the side wall of the rotating corner block 13. The heat-resistant sealing ring 16 is located on the outer side of the heat insulation block 15 near the rotating corner block 13 and is used for sealing. The gap between the heat insulation block 15 and the opening of the heat insulation sleeve 11; the drive assembly 4 includes a driven gear ring 6, a drive motor 7, a drive gear 8, a heat-resistant conveyor belt 9 and a heat-resistant drive belt 32. The driven gear ring 6 is located on the outside of the heat insulation block 15. The drive motor 7 is located on the bottom wall of one end of the unloading platform 2. The drive gear 8 is located at the output end of the drive motor 7. The heat-resistant conveyor belt 9 is wrapped around the outside of the driven gear ring 6 and meshes with the driven gear ring 6. The heat-resistant drive belt 32 is wrapped between the driven gear ring 6 and the drive gear 8 at the end of the unloading platform 2 near the drive motor 7 and meshes with the driven gear ring 6 and the drive gear 8 respectively.

[0021] The heat collection assembly 19 includes a heat collection frame 20, a thermoelectric generator array 21, a rectifier 22, an energy storage battery 23, a heat insulation plate 33, a thermoelectric copper ring 34, and a thermoelectric copper block 35. The heat collection frame 20 is located on the upper wall of the base 1. Multiple thermoelectric generator arrays 21 are located on the upper wall of the heat collection frame 20. The heat insulation plate 33 is located on the upper wall of the heat collection frame 20 above the thermoelectric generator arrays 21. The thermoelectric copper block 35 penetrates the heat insulation plate 33 and is located on the upper wall of the thermoelectric generator arrays 21. The thermoelectric copper ring 34 is located on the outside of the conveyor roller 17 and is attached to the upper wall of the thermoelectric copper block 35. The rectifier 22 is located on the side wall of the unloading platform 2, and the thermoelectric generator arrays 21 and the rectifier 23 are connected. 2. Electrical connection: The energy storage battery 23 is located on the side wall of the unloading platform 2 on one side of the rectifier 22; The temperature conduction component 24 includes a pipe seat 25, a cold source cylinder 26, and a cooling pipe 27. The pipe seats 25 are symmetrically arranged in pairs on both sides of the unloading platform 2. The cold source cylinder 26 is located between the pipe seats 25. The cooling pipe 27 passes through the drive seat 5 and is connected between the insulation sleeve 11 and the cold source cylinder 26; The cooling component 28 includes a cooling seat 29 and a thermoelectric cooling element group 30. Multiple cooling seats 29 are located on the bottom wall of the cold source cylinder 26. The thermoelectric cooling element group 30 is located on the bottom wall of the cooling seat 29, and the cooling end of the thermoelectric cooling element group 30 extends into the interior of the cold source cylinder 26.

[0022] The unloading platform 2 is equipped with a controller 31 on its side wall.

[0023] The controller 31 is electrically connected to the drive motor 7 and the thermoelectric cooling chip assembly 30, respectively.

[0024] In practical use, the operator places the sintered high-temperature sagger above the conveyor roller 17 between the heat insulation blocks 15. The bottom wall of the high-temperature sagger contacts the temperature difference copper ring 34. The controller 31 controls the drive motor 7 to start. The output end of the drive motor 7 drives the drive gear 8 to rotate. The drive gear 8 drives the driven gear ring 6 to rotate through the heat-resistant drive belt 32. The driven gear ring 6 drives the rotating corner block 13 to rotate along the inner wall of the annular groove 12 through the heat insulation block 15. The heat insulation block 15 drives the conveyor roller 17 to rotate. The conveyor roller 17 conveys the lithium battery positive electrode material on its upper wall through the temperature difference copper ring 34. During the conveying process, the heat insulation plate 33 isolates the heat conduction between the top and bottom of the conveying roller 17, while the high-temperature sagger uses the residual heat to heat the temperature difference copper block 35 through the copper ring 34, so that a temperature difference is generated between the upper and lower surfaces of the thermoelectric generator assembly 21. The current generated by the temperature difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator assembly 21 is rectified by the rectifier 22 and conducted to the energy storage battery 23 for storage. The energy storage battery 23 supplies power to the thermoelectric cooling assembly 30. The controller 31 controls the thermoelectric cooling assembly 30 to start. The thermoelectric cooling assembly 30 cools the air inside the cold source cylinder 26 through the cooling end. With the insulation sleeve 11 isolating the rotating corner block 13 of the moving parts from external heat, the cold source cylinder 26 uses cold air through the cooling pipe 27 to cool the lubricating oil between the annular groove 12 and the rotating corner block 13 inside the insulation sleeve 11. This ensures the lubrication of the rotational fit between the rotating corner block 13 and the annular groove 12, and prevents the lubricating grease from carbonizing and evaporating due to high temperature. This would cause the bearings and other moving parts to wear more severely due to lack of oil, or even seize or jam. This ensures the smooth transport of the crucible containing the lithium battery positive electrode material, and facilitates the automatic unloading of the high-temperature crucible to the designated position. The above operation can be repeated for the next use.

[0025] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0026] The present solution and its implementation methods have been described above. This description is not restrictive, and the accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the present solution; the actual structure is not limited to this. In conclusion, if a person skilled in the art, inspired by this description, designs a similar structure and embodiment without departing from the inventive intent of this solution, such design should fall within the protection scope of this solution.

Claims

1. An automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode materials, comprising a base and an unloading platform, characterized in that: It also includes a sagger conveying mechanism and a cold liquid lubrication mechanism. The unloading platform is located on the upper wall of the base. The sagger conveying mechanism includes a drive assembly, a transfer assembly, and a conveying assembly. The drive assembly is located on the upper wall of the unloading platform, the transfer assembly is located on the drive assembly, and the conveying assembly is located on the transfer assembly. The cold liquid lubrication mechanism includes a heat collection assembly, a temperature conduction assembly, and a cooling assembly. The heat collection assembly is located on the upper wall of the base below the unloading platform, the temperature conduction assembly is located on both sides of the unloading platform, and the cooling assembly is located on the temperature conduction assembly. The adapter assembly includes a drive base, an insulation sleeve, an annular groove, and a rotating corner block. Multiple drive bases are located on the upper wall of the unloading platform, the insulation sleeve is located on the side wall of the drive base, the annular groove is located at the end of the insulation sleeve away from the drive base, and the rotating corner block is rotatably located on the inner wall of the annular groove. The conveying assembly includes a heat insulation block, a heat-resistant sealing ring, and a conveying roller. The heat insulation block is located through the opening of the heat insulation sleeve on the side wall of the rotating corner block, and the heat-resistant sealing ring is located on the outer side of the end of the heat insulation block near the rotating corner block. The heat collection assembly includes a heat collection frame, thermoelectric generator sets, a rectifier, an energy storage battery, a heat insulation plate, a thermoelectric copper ring, and a thermoelectric copper block. The heat collection frame is located on the upper wall of the base, multiple thermoelectric generator sets are located on the upper wall of the heat collection frame, the heat insulation plate is located on the upper wall of the heat collection frame above the thermoelectric generator sets, the thermoelectric copper block penetrates the heat insulation plate and is located on the upper wall of the thermoelectric generator sets, and the thermoelectric copper ring is located on the outside of the conveyor roller.

2. The automatic unloading equipment for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes a driven gear ring, a drive motor, a drive gear, a heat-resistant conveyor belt, and a heat-resistant drive belt. The driven gear ring is located on the outside of the heat insulation block. The drive motor is located on the bottom wall of one end of the unloading platform. The drive gear is located at the output end of the drive motor. The heat-resistant conveyor belt is wrapped around the outside of the driven gear ring and meshes with the driven gear ring. The heat-resistant drive belt is wrapped between the driven gear ring and the drive gear at the end of the unloading platform near the drive motor.

3. The automatic unloading equipment for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat-resistant drive belt meshes with the driven gear ring and the driving gear, respectively.

4. The automatic unloading equipment for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature difference copper ring is attached to the upper wall of the temperature difference copper block.

5. An automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thermoelectric generator assembly is electrically connected to the rectifier.

6. An automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature conducting component includes a pipe seat, a cold source cylinder, and a cooling pipe. The pipe seats are arranged symmetrically in pairs on both sides of the unloading platform. The cold source cylinder is located between the pipe seats. The cooling pipe passes through the drive seat and is connected between the insulation sleeve and the cold source cylinder.

7. An automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cooling assembly includes a cooling base and a thermoelectric cooling fin assembly. Multiple cooling bases are disposed on the bottom wall of the cold source cylinder, and the thermoelectric cooling fin assembly is disposed on the bottom wall of the cooling base, with the cooling end of the thermoelectric cooling fin assembly extending into the interior of the cold source cylinder.

8. An automatic unloading device for lithium battery cathode material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-resistant sealing ring is used to seal the gap between the heat insulation block and the opening of the heat insulation sleeve.

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