Device for drying battery

Abstract

The utility model provides a device for drying a battery, which comprises a heating part and a gas extraction and injection part, a heating cavity for placing the battery is arranged in the heating part, the heating part can be abutted against the battery, one side of the heating part is provided with an opening and a liquid injection hole for exposing the battery, the gas extraction and injection part is arranged on the opening side of the heating part, and the liquid injection hole is communicated with the opening side of the heating part. And the gas extraction and injection part can be connected with a liquid injection hole of the battery, can vacuumize the battery through the liquid injection hole, and can inject inert gas into the battery through the liquid injection hole. The battery can be subjected to direct contact type heating through the heating part, the heating efficiency is greatly improved, meanwhile, the battery can be subjected to vacuumizing circulation and inert gas filling circulation through the gas extraction and injection part, the drying efficiency is improved, the drying time is shortened, the time cost invested during battery production is reduced, and the product quality is improved. The whole structure is relatively simple, the size is small, the investment of battery production equipment can be reduced, and the equipment cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of battery drying, and particularly relates to a device for battery drying. Background Art

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in many fields such as 3C consumer electronics, power batteries, and energy storage. Therefore, people pay more attention to the production quality of lithium-ion batteries. Among them, how to control and reduce the moisture content in the battery cells of lithium-ion batteries is one of the important factors that determine the production quality of lithium-ion batteries.

[0003] Existing lithium-ion batteries generally use vacuum oven equipment, and then perform multiple vacuum drying and nitrogen drying cycles to reduce the moisture content in the battery cells. However, in the above-mentioned battery cell drying method, the speed of heating and cooling the battery cells is slow, resulting in a long drying process. Generally, it takes more than twenty-four hours to complete the drying of the battery cells, which makes the battery production cycle too long and the time cost is high. In addition, the use of vacuum oven equipment to dry the battery cells requires a large equipment investment cost. At the same time, a large amount of nitrogen is also required to be consumed in the drying process of the battery cells, and there are strict requirements on the ambient humidity during the drying of the battery cells. The outlet of the vacuum oven generally needs to be in a humidity control environment of less than 10%, which requires a high energy consumption cost.

[0004] Therefore, the cost required to be invested or paid in the drying process of the battery cells of the existing lithium-ion batteries is relatively high. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above problems, the utility model proposes a device for drying batteries, comprising:

[0006] A heating part, wherein a heating cavity for placing a battery is provided in the heating part, and the heating part can abut against the battery;

[0007] An opening is formed on one side of the heating portion to expose the liquid injection hole of the battery;

[0008] A gas extraction and injection portion, which is disposed on the opening side of the heating portion and can be connected to the liquid injection hole of the battery;

[0009] The gas extraction and injection part can evacuate the battery through the liquid injection hole, and the gas extraction and injection part can also inject inert gas into the battery through the liquid injection hole.

[0010] In some specific embodiments, the heating unit includes:

[0011] There are at least two heating plates, one of which can be wrapped around the side surface of the battery along the circumference of the battery, and the other heating plate can be wrapped around the bottom surface of the battery.

[0012] In some specific embodiments, the heating unit further comprises:

[0013] A heat-insulating layer can be coated on a side of each heating plate facing away from the battery.

[0014] In some specific embodiments, the gas extraction and injection part includes:

[0015] A connecting component, one end of which can be connected to the liquid injection hole of the battery;

[0016] A gas extraction and injection component is connected to the other end of the connecting component.

[0017] In some specific embodiments, the connection component includes:

[0018] A pressing nozzle, the pressing nozzle can be pressed tightly on the liquid injection hole of the battery;

[0019] An air guide tube, one end of which is connected to the pressure nozzle.

[0020] In some specific embodiments, the gas extraction and injection component includes:

[0021] A tee piece, one end of which is connected to the connecting assembly;

[0022] The other two ends of the three-way piece are respectively connected to a vacuum source and an inert gas source.

[0023] In some specific embodiments, a first one-way valve is provided between the vacuum source and the three-way piece;

[0024] A second one-way valve is arranged between the inert gas source and the three-way piece.

[0025] In some specific embodiments, a heating strip is disposed in the heating plate, and the heating strip is connected to a power source for heating the battery.

[0026] In some specific embodiments, a temperature sensor is further provided in the heating plate for detecting the heating temperature of the battery.

[0027] In some specific embodiments, the heating portion is an integrated structure;

[0028] The gas extraction and injection part is also an integrated structure.

[0029] The battery drying device of the utility model can abut against the outer wall of the battery in the heating chamber through the heating part, so that the battery can be directly heated by contact, which greatly improves the heating efficiency. At the same time, the gas extraction and injection part can be connected to the injection hole of the battery, so that the battery can be vacuumed and filled with inert gas, which greatly shortens the drying time, improves the drying efficiency, and reduces the time cost of battery production. In addition, the above-mentioned structure is flexible in design, simple in structure, and small in size, which can greatly reduce the investment in battery production equipment and save equipment costs.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the utility model will be described in the following description, and partly become apparent from the description, or understood by implementing the utility model. The purpose and other advantages of the utility model can be realized and obtained by the structures indicated in the description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a device for drying batteries in an embodiment of the utility model is shown.

[0033] In the figure, 100, heating part; 110, heating plate; 120, insulation layer; 200, gas extraction and injection part; 210, connecting assembly; 211, pressure nozzle; 212, air guide tube; 220, gas extraction and injection assembly; 221, three-way piece; 222, first one-way valve; 223, vacuum tube; 224, second one-way valve; 225, nitrogen tube; 300, battery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the utility model clearer, the technical solution in the embodiment of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiment of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0035] Reference Figure 1, a device for battery drying is provided, which includes: a heating part 100 and a gas extraction and injection part 200. A heating cavity capable of placing a battery 300 is provided inside the heating part 100, and the size of the heating cavity is adapted to the size of the battery 300 placed in the heating cavity, so that the inner wall of the heating part 100 can abut against the outer wall of the battery 300, so that the battery 300 can be directly contacted and heated by the heating part 100, which greatly improves the heating efficiency of the battery 300. Among them, an opening is provided on one side of the top of the heating part 100, through which the injection hole of the battery 300 can be exposed to the outside world, so that it is convenient for the staff to perform gas extraction or gas injection operations on the injection hole, and because the heating part 100 directly contacts the battery 300, the opening setting of the heating part 100 has little effect on the heating efficiency of the battery 300. The gas extraction and injection section 200 is arranged on the top of the heating section 100, and is located on one side of the opening of the gas extraction and injection section 200, so that the gas extraction and injection section 200 can be connected to the injection hole of the battery 300, which is convenient for the battery 300 to be evacuated or injected. The gas extraction and injection section 200 can cyclically evacuate the battery 300 through the injection hole, and the gas extraction and injection section 200 can also cyclically inject inert gas into the battery 300 through the injection hole, thereby continuously vacuum drying and inert gas drying the battery 300. It can greatly improve the heating efficiency, shorten the drying time, improve the drying efficiency, and save the time cost of investment. The structural design is flexible, the structure is simple, and the size is small, which can reduce the investment in battery 300 production equipment and save equipment costs.

[0036] Furthermore, the inert gas may be nitrogen or helium, etc. The stability of nitrogen can ensure safety during the process of charging the battery 300 .

[0037] First of all, it should be noted that the battery 300 mentioned above and later refers to a square lithium battery 300 that has been assembled, but it does not mean that the structural setting of the heating unit 100 must be limited to a square shape. In actual operation, the specific structural setting of the heating unit 100 can be adjusted according to actual conditions. For example, if the battery 300 is a cylindrical structure, the heating unit 100 can also be a cylindrical structure, so that the heating cavity of the heating unit 100 can still be compatible with the battery 300, so as to ensure that the heating unit 100 can directly contact and heat the battery 300.

[0038] Secondly, it should be noted that an opening is provided on one side of the heating unit 100. The position of the opening is determined according to the placement angle and placement requirements of the battery 300, and its main purpose is to allow the injection hole of the battery 300 to be exposed to the outside world, so as to facilitate the connection of the pumping and injection unit 200. If the battery 300 needs to be arranged horizontally, openings can also be provided on both sides of the heating unit 100 in the body width direction.

[0039] In some specific embodiments of the utility model, the heating part 100 includes: at least two heating plates 110. One of the heating plates 110 is larger in size, and the heating plates 110 are arranged end to end, so that the heating plate 110 can be coated on the outer surface of the battery 300 along the circumference of the battery 300. The other heating plate 110 can be coated on the bottom surface of the battery 300, so that the coating setting of the battery 300 can be completed by two heating plates 110. Among them, the inner walls of each heating plate 110 are jointly enclosed to form a heating cavity, so that the battery 300 can be evenly heated and dried to ensure a good heating and drying effect. At the same time, the above-mentioned structure is flexible in design, simple in structure, small in size, and easy to use, which can greatly reduce the investment in production equipment of the battery 300 and save equipment costs.

[0040] Furthermore, there may be more than two heating plates 110, wherein some of the heating plates 110 are connected in sequence, so that some of the heating plates 110 can be coated on the outer surface of the battery 300 along the circumference of the battery 300, and another part of the heating plates 110 are connected in sequence, so that they can be coated on the bottom surface of the battery 300, so that the battery 300 can be coated by more than two heating plates 110. The inner wall of each heating plate 110 is enclosed together to form a heating cavity, and by providing more heating plates 110, the size of the heating cavity can be better adapted to the battery 300, so as to ensure a good heating effect.

[0041] Furthermore, the heating unit 100 may be an integrated structure. After the arrangement of the plurality of heating plates 110 is set according to the size and shape of the battery 300, the plurality of heating plates 110 may be connected and fixed by welding or the like for easy reuse. The plurality of heating plates 110 may also be connected and fixed by snap-fitting or the like, so that the arrangement of the plurality of heating plates 110 may be adjusted at any time according to the size change of the battery 300.

[0042] Furthermore, the heating plate 110 may be rectangular or arc-shaped, so that the heating plate 110 can meet the heating requirements of batteries 300 of various shapes.

[0043] Furthermore, the material of the heating plate 110 is generally composed of metal materials such as stainless steel, aluminum or copper, so as to ensure the stability of the setting of the heating plate 110. At the same time, the melting point of the heating plate 110 made of metal is relatively high. During the heating process of the battery 300, the heating plate 110 is not easily melted or deformed due to the temperature increase, thus avoiding the situation that the heating of the battery 300 is affected by the deformation of the heating plate 110, and ensuring the safety of the battery 300 during the heating and drying process.

[0044] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a heating strip is disposed inside the heating plate 110 , and the heating strip is connected to a power source. The heating strip can be controlled to heat by starting the power source, so that the battery 300 can be quickly heated.

[0045] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple heating strips, and the multiple heating strips are evenly arranged inside the heating plate 110, so that the heating of the battery 300 can be more uniform.

[0046] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a temperature sensor is also provided inside the heating plate 110, and the temperature sensor can detect the heating temperature of the battery 300. At the same time, the temperature sensor is also connected to a main controller arranged outside so that the staff can observe the heating temperature of the battery 300 at any time.

[0047] Furthermore, there are multiple temperature sensors, which are evenly distributed inside the heating plate 110 , so that the detected heating temperature of the battery 300 is more comprehensive and accurate.

[0048] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the heating unit 100 further includes: a heat preservation layer 120. The heat preservation layer 120 can be coated on the side of each heating plate 110 away from the battery 300 to prevent heat leakage when the heating plate 110 heats the battery 300, so that the heat generated by the heating plate 110 can be directly absorbed by the battery 300, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the heating plate 110 on the battery 300.

[0049] Furthermore, the heat-insulating layer 120 is generally composed of a heat-resistant porous material, a hollow fiber material, etc., so as to better ensure the heat-insulating effect of the heating plate 110 and the battery 300 and improve the heating effect of the battery 300 .

[0050] Furthermore, the insulation layer 120 may only be coated on the side of the heating plate 110 facing away from the battery 300, or after being coated on the side of the heating plate 110 facing away from the battery 300, the insulation layer 120 and the heating plate 110 may be connected and fixed by welding, clamping, etc., thereby further improving the overall setting stability and being more convenient for repeated use.

[0051] In some specific embodiments of the utility model, the gas extraction and injection part 200 includes: a connecting component 210 and a gas extraction and injection component 220. One end of the connecting component 210 can be connected to the injection hole of the battery 300 to complete the preparation work of gas extraction and injection. The gas extraction and injection component 220 is connected to the other end of the connecting component 210, and the gas extraction and injection component 220 is connected to the injection hole of the battery 300 through the connecting component 210, so that the battery cell of the battery 300 can be vacuum dried through the gas extraction and injection component 220, and nitrogen can also be injected into the battery cell of the battery 300 through the gas extraction and injection component 220 for nitrogen drying. Through the reciprocating operation, the drying time can be shortened and the drying efficiency can be improved.

[0052] In some specific embodiments of the utility model, the connection component 210 includes: a pressure nozzle 211 and an air guide tube 212. The pressure nozzle 211 can be pressed tightly on the injection hole of the battery 300. One end of the air guide tube 212 can be connected to the pressure nozzle 211, so that the air guide tube 212 and the injection hole can be connected, thereby facilitating the air pumping and injection component 220 to vacuum or fill the battery cell of the battery 300 with nitrogen. In addition, the structural design is flexible, the structure is simple, and the volume is small, which can reduce the investment in production equipment.

[0053] Furthermore, the pressure nozzle 211 is generally made of fluororubber, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, etc. The elasticity of rubber can improve the sealing between the air guide tube 212 and the injection hole, thereby preventing gas leakage.

[0054] It should be noted that the ability of the pressure nozzle 211 to be pressed tightly against the liquid injection hole of the battery 300 is a prior art. Various connection methods can be used, and even a binding rope can be used for connection and fixing, as long as the pressure nozzle 211 can be pressed tightly against the liquid injection hole of the battery 300.

[0055] Furthermore, the air duct 212 is made of a hard material, so that the air duct 212 can withstand a vacuum and an external pressure of one atmosphere, thereby ensuring the stability of the air duct 212 during the process of evacuating or filling the battery cells of the battery 300 with nitrogen.

[0056] In some specific embodiments of the utility model, the gas extraction and injection component 220 includes: a tee 221. One end of the tee 221 is connected to the air duct 212 of the connecting component 210, so that the tee 221 is connected to the injection hole through the connecting air duct 212. The other two ends of the tee 221 are respectively connected to a vacuum source and an inert gas source. When it is necessary to evacuate the battery cell of the battery 300, start the vacuum source, and when it is necessary to inject nitrogen into the battery cell of the battery 300, start the nitrogen source. The overall structure of the gas extraction and injection part 200 is made simpler and smaller in size, which can reduce the investment in production equipment.

[0057] Furthermore, the vacuum source and the three-way piece 221 are connected by a vacuum tube 223, and a first one-way valve 222 is also provided on the vacuum tube 223. By opening or closing the first one-way valve 222, it is convenient for the staff to start or end the vacuum pumping operation. The inert gas source and the three-way piece 221 are connected by a nitrogen tube 225, and a second one-way valve 224 is also provided on the nitrogen tube 225. By opening or closing the second one-way valve 224, it is convenient for the staff to start or end the nitrogen filling operation. It can greatly save nitrogen consumption, reduce energy consumption, and reduce carbon emissions.

[0058] Furthermore, the gas extraction and injection part 200 can be an integrated structure, and the air guide tube 212 and the pressure nozzle 211 of the connecting component 210 and the three-way piece 221, vacuum tube 223 and nitrogen tube 225 of the gas extraction and injection component 220 can be connected and fixed by welding or clamping for easy reuse.

[0059] Experimental data

[0060] Drying method of battery cells:

[0061] The assembled square lithium-ion battery is placed in a fixture composed of an aluminum alloy heating plate, and the outer periphery of the heating plate is coated with insulating porous fibers for thermal insulation.

[0062] The pressure nozzle is pressed tightly onto the injection hole of the lithium-ion battery cell, and then the air pipe is connected to the pressure nozzle. One end of the three-way piece is connected to the air pipe, and the other two ends of the three-way piece are connected to the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve respectively. The first one-way valve is connected to the vacuum tube, and the second one-way valve is connected to the nitrogen tube, and then the vacuum source and the nitrogen source are connected to the vacuum tube and the nitrogen tube respectively.

[0063] Connect the power supply and start the heating strip of the heating plate to electrically heat the fixture. The heating temperature is set to 88°C so that the temperature of the fixture can be maintained at 88±3°C.

[0064] Preheat the lithium-ion battery cells for 5 minutes.

[0065] Start the vacuum source, open the first one-way valve, evacuate the lithium-ion battery to a set pressure of 150 Pa, and maintain this state for 5 minutes.

[0066] Close the first one-way valve, start the nitrogen source, open the second one-way valve, fill the lithium-ion battery with nitrogen to a set pressure of 90 kPa, and maintain this state for 5 minutes.

[0067] Repeat the vacuuming and nitrogen filling operations for 15 times in total, and then turn off the vacuum source and nitrogen source.

[0068] Remove the lithium-ion battery and cool it to below 45°C to complete the drying step.

[0069] Comparison of experimental results:

[0070] The total drying time of the battery cell drying method is about 3 hours.

[0071] Control group conditions: The assembled square lithium-ion battery was dried in a vacuum oven with a preheating time of 2 hours. The vacuum and nitrogen filling operations were performed 15 times for a total of 18 hours. Cooling to 45°C took 6 hours. The total drying time was about 24 hours.

[0072] The moisture content of the baked soft-pack cells with two structures was measured using a Karl Fischer moisture analyzer. The results are as follows:

[0073] Serial number Using this device Control group 1 122ppm 142ppm 2 131ppm 129ppm 3 125ppm 158ppm

[0074] Table 1. Moisture content of lithium-ion batteries dried using this device and using traditional drying methods

[0075] By adopting the battery drying device of the utility model, the drying effect can be achieved while reaching a similar level, and the drying time is greatly shortened, which greatly saves the time investment cost.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for drying batteries, characterized in that: include: A heating part, wherein a heating cavity for placing a battery is provided in the heating part, and the heating part can abut against the battery; An opening is formed on one side of the heating portion to expose the liquid injection hole of the battery; A gas extraction and injection portion, which is disposed on the opening side of the heating portion and can be connected to the liquid injection hole of the battery; The gas extraction and injection part can evacuate the battery through the liquid injection hole, and the gas extraction and injection part can also inject inert gas into the battery through the liquid injection hole.

2. The device for drying batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating unit comprises: There are at least two heating plates, one of which can be wrapped around the side surface of the battery along the circumference of the battery, and the other heating plate can be wrapped around the bottom surface of the battery.

3. The device for drying batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating unit further comprises: A heat-insulating layer can be coated on a side of each heating plate facing away from the battery.

4. The device for drying batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas extraction and injection part comprises: A connecting component, one end of which can be connected to the liquid injection hole of the battery; A gas extraction and injection component is connected to the other end of the connecting component.

5. The device for drying batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connection component comprises: A pressing nozzle, the pressing nozzle can be pressed tightly on the liquid injection hole of the battery; An air guide tube, one end of which is connected to the pressure nozzle.

6. The device for drying batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gas extraction and injection assembly comprises: A tee piece, one end of which is connected to the connecting assembly; The other two ends of the three-way piece are respectively connected to a vacuum source and an inert gas source.

7. The device for drying batteries according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first one-way valve is provided between the vacuum source and the three-way piece; A second one-way valve is arranged between the inert gas source and the three-way piece.

8. The device for drying batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: A heating strip is arranged inside the heating plate, and the heating strip is connected to a power source for heating the battery.

9. The device for drying batteries according to claim 8, characterized in that: A temperature sensor is also provided in the heating plate for detecting the heating temperature of the battery.

10. The device for drying batteries according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The heating part is an integrated structure; The gas extraction and injection part is also an integrated structure.

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