Electrolyte wicking structures, devices, and methods
By combining centrifugal force and vacuum negative pressure in the electrolyte wetting method, the problem of uneven wetting of large cylindrical batteries has been solved, achieving rapid, uniform, and deep wetting, improving cell performance and production efficiency, and reducing energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YUNSA POWER (NINGBO) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Large cylindrical batteries suffer from problems such as insufficient wetting, difficulty in gas expulsion, and uneven wetting in certain areas during the electrolyte immersion process. Existing technologies require long-term high-temperature static placement, resulting in low production efficiency.
By combining a load-bearing component and a conveying component with centrifugal force and vacuum negative pressure technology, the battery is driven to rotate by a rotary motor. The electrolyte is injected by centrifugal force and the air is degassed by vacuum, so as to achieve rapid and uniform wetting of the electrolyte.
The soaking time has been shortened from 48 hours to 0.5 hours, improving cell performance and production efficiency, reducing space and energy consumption, and ensuring uniform electrolyte distribution.
Smart Images
Figure CN122393579A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of large cylindrical battery fabrication technology, and in particular to an electrolyte wetting structure, apparatus and method. Background Technology
[0002] The internal core of a large cylindrical battery is cylindrical, formed by circular winding. Compared to stacking and square winding processes, the core structure formed by circular winding is more dense. During the electrolyte impregnation process, relying on traditional capillary action is insufficient to guarantee adequate wetting of the internal electrodes, easily leading to incomplete wetting. Simultaneously, gas inside the cell is not easily released, and the electrolyte can trap gas inside, resulting in uneven wetting in certain areas. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address at least the above-mentioned technical problems in the prior art, this application provides an electrolyte wetting structure and method.
[0004] This application provides an electrolyte wetting structure, including a support component and a delivery component. The support component includes a support platform for fixing a battery to be treated. The delivery component is connected to the support component and includes an injection channel and a vacuum channel. The injection channel is used to introduce electrolyte into the battery to be treated, and the vacuum channel is used to draw the battery to be treated, creating a negative pressure environment inside the battery. The support component is connected to a drive component, and the support component and the battery to be treated are driven to rotate by the drive component, causing the electrolyte in the battery to be treated to generate centrifugal force and wet into the cell of the battery.
[0005] In some embodiments, the carrier component includes an upper circular disk and a lower circular disk, which are parallel and spaced apart; the upper circular disk is connected to the conveying component, and the side of the lower circular disk facing the upper circular disk is the carrier platform, which is provided with a battery fixing groove.
[0006] In some embodiments, the delivery assembly includes a delivery pipe; the delivery pipe integrates the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel, one end of the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel are connected to the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed, and valves are respectively provided on the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel.
[0007] In some embodiments, the plurality of conveying pipes are evenly distributed circumferentially around the center of the upper circular disk, and the plurality of battery fixing slots are evenly distributed circumferentially around the center of the lower circular disk; and / or the plurality of conveying pipes are arranged radially along the upper circular disk, and the plurality of battery fixing slots are arranged radially along the lower circular disk.
[0008] In some embodiments, one end of the delivery pipe connected to the liquid injection port of the battery to be treated is provided with a tapered head, and the inner diameter of the tapered head gradually decreases along the direction from the upper circular disk to the lower circular disk; the inner diameter of the port of the tapered head is not less than the inner diameter of the liquid injection port of the battery to be treated.
[0009] In some embodiments, the upper circular disk has an input channel on the side away from the lower circular disk, and the outer wall of the input channel has a plurality of first through holes; the upper circular disk has a plurality of second through holes communicating with the conveying pipe, and the first through holes and the second through holes are connected by a pipeline.
[0010] In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes a rotary motor; the rotary motor is connected to the upper circular disk and the lower circular disk, and is used to drive the upper circular disk and the lower circular disk to rotate around their center as an axis.
[0011] This application also provides an electrolyte wetting device, including the above-described electrolyte wetting structure and a driving component; the driving component is connected to the supporting component and is used to drive the supporting component to rotate around its center axis.
[0012] In another aspect, this application also provides an electrolyte immersion method, the method comprising: performing a vacuum operation on the battery to be treated to create a negative pressure environment inside the battery; injecting electrolyte into the battery to be treated; driving the battery to be treated to rotate, and continuously performing a vacuum operation during the rotation, so that the electrolyte is immersed into the cell of the battery to be treated under the action of centrifugal force.
[0013] In some embodiments, the vacuuming operation method includes: continuously vacuuming for a set time, then stopping vacuuming for a set time, and repeating the above operation.
[0014] In some embodiments, the vacuum range of the negative pressure environment is -20 kPa to -50 kPa; the centrifugal acceleration of the rotating battery to be processed is 2000 g to 4000 g.
[0015] This application provides an electrolyte wetting structure, apparatus, and method. Using centrifugal force generated by high-speed rotation as the core driving force, the electrolyte is rapidly pressed into the micropores and gaps of the core electrode sheet. Simultaneously, a vacuum negative pressure method is used to quickly expel residual air from the pores, synergistically ensuring thorough wetting. Furthermore, when combined with a negative pressure environment, the centrifugal force amplifies the pressure difference effect, further shortening the wetting time and improving the wetting uniformity inside and outside the core. This technical solution enables rapid, uniform, and deep electrolyte wetting, improving cell performance and production efficiency while reducing space and energy consumption. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of this application will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this application are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:
[0017] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolyte wetting structure provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 A reference diagram showing the usage state of the electrolyte wetting structure provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper circular disk in the electrolyte wetting structure provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the electrolyte wetting method provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0019] In the picture: 10: Load-bearing component; 20: Conveying component; 30: Battery to be processed; 11: Support platform; 12: Upper circular disc; 13: Lower circular disc; 14: Battery fixing slot; 15: Input channel; 16: First through hole; 17: Second through hole; 21: Delivery pipe; 22: Conical head; 23: Pipeline. Detailed Implementation
[0020] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0021] Currently, the main way to solve the problem of immersion in large cylindrical batteries is to adjust the internal pressure of the battery and combine it with a high-temperature, long-term static environment to evenly fill the electrode space of the cell with electrolyte.
[0022] This immersion method requires a relatively long settling time for the battery cells, typically 48 hours at a high temperature of 45°C to achieve the desired immersion effect. The high temperature and prolonged settling time extend the battery production cycle, impacting production efficiency. Furthermore, it necessitates matching a high-temperature storage area, wasting space and energy. Additionally, the pressurization operation after electrolyte injection can easily cause electrode powder shedding, affecting battery performance.
[0023] This application provides an electrolyte immersion structure, including a support component and a delivery component. The support component fixes the battery to be processed, and the delivery component can input electrolyte and perform vacuum processing on the battery to be processed. The support component is rotated under the drive component, and the electrolyte is immersed into the gaps inside the battery cell under the action of centrifugal force, realizing an electrolyte injection method that combines vacuum and centrifugal force.
[0024] The following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provides a detailed description of the components of the electrolyte wetting structure provided in the embodiments of this application, as well as the positional and connection relationships between the components.
[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the carrier assembly 10 includes a carrier platform 11 for fixing the battery 30 to be processed; for example, the carrier assembly 10 includes an upper circular disk 12 and a lower circular disk 13, which are parallel and spaced apart; wherein the upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 have the same shape, and the vertical projection of the upper circular disk 12 onto the lower circular disk 13 is completely superimposed on the lower circular disk 13.
[0026] The upper circular disk 12 is connected to the conveying assembly 20. The lower circular disk 13, facing the upper circular disk 12, forms a support platform 11, on which a battery fixing groove 14 is provided. The battery fixing groove 14 has a certain depth to accommodate the installation and fixing of the battery 30 to be processed. For example, a damping layer, such as rubber, is provided on the inner wall of the battery fixing groove 14. When the battery 30 to be processed is placed in the battery fixing groove 14, greater friction is generated between the damping layers on the outer wall of the battery 30, thereby helping to maintain stability.
[0027] For example, the upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 are fixedly connected by a fixed structure, allowing them to rotate synchronously during subsequent rotation. Alternatively, the fixed structure can be a telescopic frame, which includes a connecting part and a telescopic part. The upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 are respectively connected to the connecting part (e.g., a flange), and the connecting parts are connected by the telescopic part (e.g., a telescopic rod). The upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 can move closer or further apart using the telescopic frame. When they move away, the battery 30 to be processed can be loaded and unloaded; when they move closer, electrolyte injection and vacuuming operations can be completed.
[0028] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the conveying component 20 is connected to the carrying component 10 and includes an injection channel and a vacuum channel (not shown in the figure). The injection channel is used to introduce electrolyte into the battery to be treated 30, and the vacuum channel is used to draw the battery to be treated 30 to create a negative pressure environment inside the battery to be treated 30.
[0029] Both the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel can be connected to the liquid injection port to complete the corresponding liquid injection or vacuuming operation. For example, the delivery assembly 20 includes a delivery pipe 21; the delivery pipe 21 integrates a liquid injection channel and a vacuum channel, one end of which is connected to the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed 30, and valves are respectively installed on the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel.
[0030] The injection channel and the vacuum channel are integrated into a single structure, forming a delivery pipe 21. For example, the inner diameters of the injection channel and the vacuum channel can be the same or different, such as the inner diameter of the injection channel being larger than that of the vacuum channel.
[0031] During different operations, the valve opening and closing is adjusted to switch channels. For example, during liquid injection, the valve in the injection channel is open, and the valve in the vacuum channel is closed; during vacuum operation, the valve in the vacuum channel is open, and the valve in the injection channel is closed. For instance, the valves are solenoid valves, and at least the solenoid valve in the injection channel is a corrosion-resistant solenoid valve.
[0032] The delivery pipe 21 connects to the pipeline 23, and one end of the pipeline 23 is switched according to the current operational requirements. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the upper circular disk 12 has an input channel 15 on the side away from the lower circular disk 13, and the outer wall of the input channel 15 has a plurality of first through holes 16; the upper circular disk 12 has a plurality of second through holes 17 that communicate with the conveying pipe 21, and the first through holes 16 and the second through holes 17 are connected by a pipe 23.
[0033] For example, input channel 15 connects the vacuum generator and the electrolyte delivery device. When electrolyte needs to be injected, the valve in the injection channel opens and the valve in the vacuum channel closes. The electrolyte delivery device is connected to input channel 15, and the electrolyte enters the battery through input channel 15, pipeline 23, and injection channel. When vacuuming is required, the valve in the vacuum channel opens and the valve in the injection channel closes. The vacuum generator is connected to input channel 15, and the air inside the battery is extracted through the vacuum channel, pipeline 23, and input channel 15. During vacuuming, the injection channel is completely sealed to prevent air leakage.
[0034] In this embodiment, the structures in contact with the electrolyte, such as the injection pipe, input channel 15, and pipeline 23, are made of corrosion-resistant materials. For example, corrosion-resistant materials include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), stainless steel (316L), titanium alloy, Hastelloy, etc. The above materials have excellent resistance to acids and alkalis, organic solvents, and electrochemical corrosion, which can effectively prevent the electrolyte from causing corrosion, swelling, or contamination to pipeline 23 and channel structures, and ensure long-term stable operation of the system.
[0035] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, for example, the end of the delivery pipe 21 connected to the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed 30 is provided with a conical head 22. Along the direction from the upper circular disk 12 to the lower circular disk 13, the inner diameter of the conical head 22 gradually decreases; the inner diameter of the port of the conical head 22 is not less than the inner diameter of the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed 30.
[0036] Inside the conical head 22, the channel is also conical. Electrolyte injection is carried out through a conical channel. The channel has a gradually narrowing structure from the inlet to the outlet, which has the advantages of smooth injection, stable flow rate, and good venting effect. It can effectively reduce residual air bubbles and improve the uniformity of electrolyte wetting of electrodes and diaphragms. At the same time, the conical structure can reduce injection impact, avoid damage to the internal materials of the cell, reduce the risk of electrolyte backflow and leakage, reduce residue in the channel, improve injection efficiency and cell manufacturing consistency, and is suitable for precision injection processes such as vacuum injection, significantly improving the assembly quality and performance stability of electrochemical devices.
[0037] In this embodiment, multiple conveying pipes 21 are evenly distributed around the center of the upper circular disk 12, and multiple battery fixing slots 14 are evenly distributed around the center of the lower circular disk 13; and multiple conveying pipes 21 are arranged radially along the upper circular disk 12, and multiple battery fixing slots 14 are arranged radially along the lower circular disk 13.
[0038] When setting a larger number of batteries to be processed 30, the batteries to be processed 30 are evenly arranged on the lower circular disk 13, so that the weight of the batteries to be processed 30 is evenly distributed, avoiding the situation of excessive local mass, improving the uniformity of the overall weight distribution of the electrolyte wetting structure, and providing rotational stability during centrifugal rotation.
[0039] In this embodiment of the application, the electrolyte wetting device includes the above-mentioned electrolyte wetting structure and driving component. The driving component (not shown in the figure) is connected to the support component 10 and is used to drive the support component 10 and the battery to be treated 30 to rotate, so that the electrolyte in the battery to be treated 30 generates centrifugal force.
[0040] For example, the drive assembly includes a rotary motor; the rotary motor is connected to the upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 and is used to drive the upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 to rotate around their center.
[0041] For example, a fixed structure is provided between the upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 to form an integral structure. The drive motor is connected to the lower circular disk 13, and the axis of the drive shaft coincides with the center of the lower circular disk 13. The rotation of the drive shaft drives the upper circular disk 12 and the lower circular disk 13 to rotate, thereby causing the electrolyte inside the battery 30 to be processed to generate centrifugal acceleration.
[0042] like Figure 4 As shown in the figure, this application provides an electrolyte wetting method, which includes the following steps: Step S10: Perform a vacuuming operation on the battery to be processed to create a negative pressure environment inside the battery.
[0043] For example, the vacuum setting range is between -60kPa and -90kPa, and the vacuuming time is between 10 and 30 seconds. After the gas inside the battery to be processed is extracted, the subsequent steps can be carried out.
[0044] Step S20: Inject electrolyte into the battery to be treated; the amount of electrolyte injected should meet the requirements of the large cylindrical battery setting. Multiple injections can also be performed.
[0045] Step S30: Drive the battery to be treated to rotate, so that the electrolyte is immersed into the cell of the battery under the action of centrifugal force.
[0046] For example, for centrifugal accelerations ranging from 2000g to 4000g, the formula for calculating centrifugal force is: ; Rotation radius (D is the diameter of the disk) Substituting, we get: ; Relationship between angular velocity and rotational speed (n is in r / min), the formula for calculating rotational speed is derived simultaneously: .
[0047] in: Centrifugal force (N) Rotational mass (kg) Angular velocity (rad / s) The linear velocity is (m / s). Let be the radius of rotation (m), D be the diameter of the disk (m), and n be the rotational speed (r / min).
[0048] Simultaneously, a continuous vacuum operation is performed during rotation. The simultaneous vacuuming and rotation ensure effective electrolyte wetting. The vacuum range is between -20kPa and -50kPa. The vacuum setting should not be too low to avoid extracting the electrolyte already injected into the battery to be treated.
[0049] In this embodiment, the vacuuming operation method includes: continuously vacuuming for a set time, then stopping vacuuming for a set time, and repeating the above operation. By using intermittent vacuuming, continuous oscillation is generated inside the battery to be processed. For example, vacuuming for 30 seconds, stopping, letting it stand for 30 seconds, and then vacuuming again, repeating this process, with the overall rotation matching the vacuuming time within the range of 20 to 30 minutes, can ensure uniform electrolyte wetting.
[0050] This application provides an electrolyte wetting structure and method that utilizes centrifugal force generated by high-speed rotation as the core driving force to rapidly press the electrolyte into the micropores and gaps of the core electrode sheet. Simultaneously, a vacuum negative pressure method is used to quickly expel residual air from the pores, synergistically ensuring thorough wetting. Furthermore, when combined with a negative pressure environment, the centrifugal force amplifies the pressure difference effect, further shortening the wetting time and improving the wetting uniformity inside and outside the core. This technical solution enables rapid, uniform, and deep electrolyte wetting, improving cell performance and production efficiency while reducing space and energy consumption.
[0051] Based on the electrolyte wetting structure and method, the wetting time during the electrolyte wetting process is shortened from the existing 48 hours to 0.5 hours. At the same time, the space and environment required for wetting are reduced. Taking a diameter of 46mm, a height of 120mm, and a capacity of 1GWh as an example, the space required can be reduced by 1200 cubic meters, the energy consumption per hour is expected to be reduced by 70KW, and the annual energy consumption is reduced by 500,000KW.
[0052] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of those different embodiments or examples.
[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0054] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An electrolyte wetting structure, characterized in that, Includes a load-bearing component (10) and a conveying component (20); The carrier component (10) includes a carrier platform (11) for fixing the battery (30) to be processed. The delivery assembly (20) is connected to the carrier assembly (10) and includes an injection channel and a vacuum channel. The injection channel is used to introduce electrolyte into the battery to be treated (30), and the vacuum channel is used to draw out the battery to be treated (30) to create a negative pressure environment inside the battery to be treated (30). The carrier component (10) is used to connect the drive component. The carrier component (10) and the battery to be treated (30) are driven to rotate by the drive component, so that the electrolyte in the battery to be treated (30) generates centrifugal force and wets into the cell of the battery to be treated (30).
2. The electrolyte wetting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting component (10) includes an upper circular disk (12) and a lower circular disk (13), the upper circular disk (12) and the lower circular disk (13) being parallel and spaced apart; The upper circular disk (12) is connected to the conveying assembly (20), and the lower circular disk (13) facing the upper circular disk (12) is the bearing platform (11), and the bearing platform (11) is provided with a battery fixing groove (14).
3. The electrolyte wetting structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The conveying assembly (20) includes a conveying pipe (21); The liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel are integrated inside the delivery pipe (21). One end of the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel are connected to the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed (30), and valves are respectively provided on the liquid injection channel and the vacuum channel.
4. The electrolyte wetting structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multiple delivery pipes (21) are evenly distributed circumferentially around the center of the upper circular disk (12), and the multiple battery fixing slots (14) are evenly distributed circumferentially around the center of the lower circular disk (13); and / or Multiple delivery pipes (21) are arranged radially along the upper circular disk (12), and multiple battery fixing slots (14) are arranged radially along the lower circular disk (13).
5. The electrolyte wetting structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the delivery pipe (21) connected to the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed (30) is provided with a conical head (22), and the inner diameter of the conical head (22) gradually decreases along the direction from the upper circular disk (12) to the lower circular disk (13); The inner diameter of the conical head (22) port is not less than the inner diameter of the liquid injection port of the battery to be processed (30).
6. The electrolyte wetting structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper circular disk (12) has an input channel (15) on the side away from the lower circular disk (13), and the outer wall of the input channel (15) has a plurality of first through holes (16). The upper circular disk (12) is provided with a plurality of second through holes (17) that communicate with the conveying pipe (21), and the first through hole (16) and the second through hole (17) are connected by a pipe (23).
7. An electrolyte wetting device, characterized in that, Includes the electrolyte wetting structure and drive assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; The drive component is connected to the support component (10) and is used to drive the support component (10) to rotate around its center.
8. An electrolyte wetting method, characterized in that, The method includes: A vacuuming operation is performed on the battery (30) to be processed, so that a negative pressure environment is generated inside the battery (30); Electrolyte is injected into the battery (30) to be treated; Drive the battery to be treated (30) to rotate, and continuously perform vacuum operation during the rotation process so that the electrolyte is immersed into the cell of the battery to be treated (30) under the action of centrifugal force.
9. The electrolyte wetting method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The vacuuming operation method includes: Continue vacuuming for the set time, then stop vacuuming for the set time, and repeat the above operation.
10. The electrolyte wetting method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The vacuum range of the negative pressure environment is -20kPa to -50kPa; the centrifugal acceleration of the rotating battery (30) is 2000g to 4000g.