A metal lithium automatic casting guide device and a method of using the same

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of metal lithium automatic casting flow guide device and its using method, including storage tank, control valve, flow guide pipeline assembly, lifting mechanism, mould and casting platform;Control valve is installed in the discharge port of storage tank;Flow guide pipeline assembly includes sequentially connected first straight pipe, flexible metal hose and second straight pipe, and flexible metal hose is connected between first straight pipe and second straight pipe;The upper end of first straight pipe is communicated with the discharge port of control valve;Lifting mechanism is drivingly connected with second straight pipe, for driving second straight pipe to move up and down along vertical direction;Mould is placed on casting platform, for receiving metal lithium liquid and forming;Mould is located below second straight pipe;Second straight pipe can extend into or exit the cavity of mould under the driving of lifting mechanism.The present application realizes the accurate positioning casting of lithium liquid, effectively reduces splashing and vibration, has high degree of automation, strong adaptability, improves production efficiency and safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lithium metal processing technology, and more specifically to an automatic lithium metal casting and guiding device and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium metal, as an important strategic resource, is widely used in batteries, alloys, and pharmaceuticals. In the industrial production of lithium metal, molten lithium needs to be cast into cylindrical or other shaped ingots. Patent CN202701359U discloses a flow guiding device for casting lithium metal, including a flow guiding pipe with its top contacting the casting port, a support, and a sleeve. The sleeve blocks air bubbles from splashing, and grooves are set on the flow guiding pipe to expel air bubbles, solving the problem of rough product surface caused by air bubble splashing during the casting process. However, this device is a fixed structure and lacks automatic lifting function, making it impossible to achieve automated positioning casting. Patent CN220407090U discloses an ear-type flow guiding device for automatically casting lithium metal, including an ear-type connecting mechanism and an ear-type flow guiding pipe. L-shaped grooves and grooves prevent lithium solidification and expel air bubbles, and it features quick disassembly and installation, making it suitable for automated casting scenarios. However, this device relies on a fixed hanging method and lacks an active lifting mechanism and position deviation compensation function. Patent CN119328084A discloses a casting method for improving the surface quality of lithium metal. It employs a flow-guiding device including a guide sleeve, guide rod, and flow divider to reduce the lithium liquid flow rate and prevent splashing of small lithium beads. Simultaneously, an oiling mechanism improves mold lubrication, thus enhancing the surface quality of the ingot. However, this solution focuses on surface quality improvement and does not address the technical means of automatically lifting the guide tube into the mold cavity. Existing technologies have the following problems: 1. Positioning difficulties: It is difficult to accurately align the fixed pipeline with the center of the mold cavity, easily leading to lithium liquid splashing and leakage, causing material waste and safety hazards. 2. Vibration impact: During casting, the pipeline system is prone to vibration, causing the outlet position to shift, affecting the molding quality. 3. Poor adaptability: When the mold height or position changes, manual adjustment of the pipeline is required, resulting in low automation and limited production efficiency. 4. Safety issues: Lithium metal is chemically reactive and easily reacts with moisture and oxygen in the air at high temperatures, posing a high risk to manual operation.

[0003] Therefore, developing an automatic casting guide device that can achieve precise positioning, reduce vibration, has a high degree of automation, and is safe and reliable is of great significance for improving the casting quality and production efficiency of lithium metal. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic lithium casting and guiding device and its usage method, the purpose of which is to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automatic lithium metal casting and guiding device includes: a storage tank, a control valve, a guiding pipeline assembly, a lifting mechanism, a mold, and a casting platform; the control valve is installed at the outlet of the storage tank; the guiding pipeline assembly includes a first straight pipe, a flexible metal hose, and a second straight pipe that are sequentially sealed and connected from top to bottom, the flexible metal hose being connected between the first and second straight pipes to compensate for left-right deviations during pipeline alignment; the upper end of the first straight pipe is connected to the outlet of the control valve; the lifting mechanism is drivenly connected to the second straight pipe to drive the second straight pipe to move up and down vertically; the mold is placed on the casting platform to receive and shape the molten lithium metal; the mold is located below the second straight pipe; the lower outlet of the second straight pipe, driven by the lifting mechanism, can extend into or exit the cavity of the mold.

[0006] Preferably, a stainless steel clamp is fixedly fitted on the outer wall of the second straight pipe to enhance the structural rigidity of the second straight pipe and reduce pipe vibration during the casting process.

[0007] Preferably, the flexible metal hose is a stainless steel corrugated hose.

[0008] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a vertical guide rail, a sliding block, and a driving assembly; the second straight tube is fixedly connected to the sliding block; the sliding block is slidably connected to the vertical guide rail; and the driving assembly is used to drive the sliding block to move up and down along the vertical guide rail.

[0009] Preferably, the control valve is an automatic on / off control valve, which can automatically control the outflow of lithium liquid according to the casting rhythm.

[0010] A method of using the above-mentioned automatic lithium casting and guiding device includes the following steps: S1, In the initial state, the second straight tube remains raised, and its outlet is located above the cavity of the mold; S2, the second straight tube is driven to descend vertically by the lifting mechanism, so that the outlet of the second straight tube extends into the cavity of the mold. At this time, the flexible metal hose is in a straight state. S3, open the control valve, and the molten lithium metal in the storage tank flows into the mold cavity through the first straight pipe, the flexible metal hose and the second straight pipe to complete the casting; S4, After casting is completed, close the control valve to stop the lithium liquid from flowing out; S5, the second straight tube is driven to rise vertically by the lifting mechanism, so that the outlet of the second straight tube exits the mold cavity and moves to the initial position. At this time, the flexible metal hose is in a bent state.

[0011] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: 1) Precise positioning and reduced splashing: The outlet of the second straight tube can directly extend into the mold cavity, allowing the lithium liquid to flow along the tube wall, avoiding splashing and leakage caused by free fall, and improving material utilization and safety.

[0012] 2) Automatic compensation and strong adaptability: The flexible metal hose can compensate for the left and right deviations between the second straight pipe and the fixed pipe during the up and down movement, which improves the positional adaptability of the system and reduces the installation accuracy requirements.

[0013] 3) Stable structure and reduced vibration: The stainless steel clamps installed on the outer wall of the second straight pipe enhance the structural rigidity of the pipeline, effectively suppress vibration during the casting process, ensure the stability of the outlet position, and improve the casting quality.

[0014] 4) High degree of automation and improved efficiency: Through the linkage of lifting mechanism and control valve, the automatic lifting of the second straight pipe and the automatic on / off of lithium liquid are realized, which can quickly adapt to molds of different heights and significantly improve the automation level and production efficiency of the casting production line.

[0015] 5) Safe and reliable: The entire casting process is carried out in a closed pipeline, which reduces the contact time between molten lithium and air, reduces the risk of oxidation and reaction, and at the same time reduces human intervention, ensuring the safety of operators. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic lithium casting and guiding device according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic lithium metal casting guide device before casting according to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic lithium metal casting guide device during casting according to the present invention. In the diagram: 1. Storage tank; 2. Control valve; 3. First straight pipe; 4. Flexible metal hose; 5. Second straight pipe; 6. Stainless steel clamp; 7. Lifting mechanism; 8. Mold; 9. Casting platform. Detailed Implementation

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

[0018] Example

[0019] Reference Figure 1-3 As shown, this invention discloses an automatic lithium metal casting and guiding device, comprising: a storage tank 1, a control valve 2, a guiding pipeline assembly, a lifting mechanism 7, a mold 8, and a casting platform 9; the storage tank 1 is used to store molten lithium metal; the control valve 2 is installed at the lower outlet of the storage tank 1 and is used to control the outflow and shut-off of the lithium liquid, and can automatically switch on and off according to the casting rhythm; the guiding pipeline assembly includes a first straight pipe 3, a flexible metal hose 4, and a second straight pipe 5; the upper end of the first straight pipe 3 is connected to the outlet of the control valve 2 and is used to guide the lithium liquid from the control valve 2 into the flexible metal hose 4; the lower end of the first straight pipe 3 is sealed to the upper end of the flexible metal hose 4; the flexible metal hose 4 is disposed between the first straight pipe 3 and the second straight pipe 5. The flexible metal hose 4 has a certain bending capacity, which can compensate for left and right deviations when the pipeline is aligned, and improve the position adaptability of the discharge port at the lower end of the second straight pipe 5; the upper end of the second straight pipe 5 is sealed to the lower end of the flexible metal hose 4; the discharge port at the lower end of the second straight pipe 5 can extend into the cavity of the mold 8, so that the lithium liquid can directly enter the mold, reducing splashing and leakage; the lifting mechanism 7 is drivenly connected to the second straight pipe 5 and is used to drive the second straight pipe 5 to move up and down in the vertical direction; the mold 8 is placed on the casting platform 9 and is located below the second straight pipe 5; the casting platform 9 is used to stably support the mold 8 and facilitate mold positioning and replacement.

[0020] In this embodiment, a stainless steel clamp 6 is fixedly sleeved on the outer wall of the second straight pipe 5; the stainless steel clamp 6 hugs the outer wall of the second straight pipe 5, which can enhance the structural rigidity of the second straight pipe 5, reduce pipeline vibration during casting, and improve the stability of the lower end outlet position of the second straight pipe 5.

[0021] In this embodiment, the flexible metal hose 4 is a stainless steel corrugated hose.

[0022] In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 7 includes a vertical guide rail, a sliding block, and a driving assembly; the second straight tube 5 is fixedly connected to the sliding block; the sliding block is slidably connected to the vertical guide rail; the driving assembly is used to drive the sliding block to reciprocate along the vertical guide rail in the vertical direction; in use, the driving assembly drives the sliding block to move up and down along the vertical guide rail, and the sliding block drives the second straight tube 5 to move up and down as a whole, so that the lower end of the second straight tube 5 can accurately enter or leave the mold 8 according to the casting requirements.

[0023] In this embodiment, control valve 2 is an automatic on / off control valve.

[0024] In this embodiment, the diameter of the first straight pipe 3 is smaller than the diameter of the second straight pipe 5.

[0025] In some other embodiments, the drive assembly includes a motor and a lead screw; the lead screw is connected to the output end of the motor; a sliding block is threaded onto the lead screw; in use, the motor drives the lead screw to rotate, and the lead screw drives the sliding block to move up and down along the vertical guide rail.

[0026] In other embodiments, the diameters of the first straight pipe 3 and the second straight pipe 5 can be designed according to actual conditions.

[0027] The present invention also discloses a method of using the above-mentioned automatic lithium casting and guiding device, comprising the following steps: S1, In the initial state, the second straight pipe 5 remains raised, and its outlet is located above the cavity of the mold 8; S2, the second straight tube 5 is driven to descend vertically by the lifting mechanism 7, so that the outlet of the second straight tube 5 extends into the cavity of the mold 8; S3, open control valve 2, and the molten lithium metal in storage tank 1 flows into the cavity of mold 8 after being guided by the first straight pipe 3, the flexible metal hose 4 and the second straight pipe 5 to complete the casting; S4, After casting is completed, close control valve 2; S5, the second straight tube 5 is driven to rise vertically by the lifting mechanism 7, so that the outlet of the second straight tube 5 exits the cavity of the mold 8.

[0028] In this embodiment, the flexible metal hose 4 is in a straight state during the descent of the second straight pipe 5; and in a bent state during the ascent of the second straight pipe 5.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic lithium casting and diversion device, characterized in that, include: The material storage tank (1), control valve (2), flow guide pipe assembly, lifting mechanism (7), mold (8) and casting platform (9) are provided. The control valve (2) is installed at the outlet of the material storage tank (1). The flow guide pipe assembly includes a first straight pipe (3), a flexible metal hose (4) and a second straight pipe (5) connected from top to bottom. The upper end of the first straight pipe (3) is connected to the outlet of the control valve (2). The lifting mechanism (7) is connected to the second straight pipe (5) for driving the second straight pipe (5) to rise and fall in the vertical direction. The mold (8) is placed on the casting platform (9) and is located below the second straight pipe (5).

2. The automatic lithium casting and guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stainless steel clamp (6) is fixedly fitted on the outer wall of the second straight pipe (5).

3. The automatic lithium casting and diversion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible metal hose (4) is a stainless steel corrugated hose.

4. The automatic lithium casting and diversion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism (7) includes a vertical guide rail, a sliding block, and a driving assembly; the second straight tube (5) is fixedly connected to the sliding block; the sliding block is slidably connected to the vertical guide rail; the driving assembly is used to drive the sliding block to make vertical reciprocating motion along the vertical guide rail.

5. The automatic lithium casting and diversion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control valve (2) is an automatic on / off control valve.

6. A method of using the automatic lithium metal casting and guiding device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1, In the initial state, the second straight tube (5) remains raised, and its outlet is located above the cavity of the mold (8); S2, the second straight tube (5) is driven to descend vertically by the lifting mechanism (7), so that the outlet of the second straight tube (5) extends into the cavity of the mold (8); S3, open the control valve (2), and the molten lithium metal in the storage tank (1) flows into the cavity of the mold (8) after being guided by the first straight pipe (3), the flexible metal hose (4), and the second straight pipe (5) to complete the casting; S4, After casting is completed, close the control valve (2); S5, the second straight tube (5) is driven to rise vertically by the lifting mechanism (7), so that the outlet of the second straight tube (5) exits the cavity of the mold (8).

7. The automatic lithium casting and diversion device according to claim 6, characterized in that, During the descent of the second straight pipe (5) in step S2, the flexible metal hose (4) is in a straight state; during the ascent of the second straight pipe (5) in step S5, the flexible metal hose (4) is in a bent state.

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