Negative pressure control system for battery formation

Abstract

According to the negative pressure control system for battery formation, a vacuum pressure reducing valve comprises a valve body and an adjusting part, the valve body is provided with a first air inlet hole and a first air outlet hole, the first air inlet hole is used for being communicated with an inner cavity of a battery, and the first air outlet hole is used for being communicated with a negative pressure air source; the adjusting piece can rotate relative to the valve body so as to adjust the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole. The vacuum degree detection device is used for detecting the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole to generate a feedback signal; the controller is in communication connection with the vacuum degree detection device, the controller is used for receiving the feedback signal, and the controller is further used for sending out a control signal according to the feedback signal; the driving part is in communication connection with the controller, is used for driving the adjusting part to rotate relative to the valve body, and is further used for receiving a control signal to adjust the rotating direction of the adjusting part. According to the negative pressure control system for battery formation, automatic adjustment of the vacuum degree of the inner cavity of the battery can be realized at relatively low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of battery formation, and particularly to a negative pressure control system for battery formation. Background Art

[0002] During the negative pressure formation process of a battery, it is necessary to adjust the vacuum degree inside the battery cavity to avoid battery bulging and to optimize the electrical performance of the battery. Currently, there are two ways to adjust the vacuum degree inside the battery cavity.

[0003] First, install two knob-type vacuum pressure regulating valves, one for adjusting high vacuum (for example, the vacuum degree adjustment range is -60 kPa to -80 kPa), and the other for adjusting low vacuum (for example, the vacuum degree adjustment range is -30 kPa to -50 kPa). By switching the use of the two vacuum pressure regulating valves, the vacuum degree inside the battery cavity is stabilized. The structure of this solution is simple and it is not easy to have pipeline blockage, but manual adjustment is required when changing the battery type.

[0004] Second, install an electro-pneumatic proportional valve and a pneumatically controlled vacuum pressure reducing valve. The electro-pneumatic proportional valve controls the pneumatically controlled vacuum pressure reducing valve to achieve stepless adjustment of the vacuum degree. Manual adjustment is not required when changing the battery type, but this solution has a higher cost, more electrical components, and a more complex control process.

[0005] In summary, in the related art, the adjustment of the vacuum degree inside the battery cavity is either of low automation or high cost, and there is still room for improvement in the negative pressure control system for battery formation. Utility Model Content

[0006] The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. For this purpose, the present application provides a negative pressure control system for battery formation, which can automatically adjust the vacuum degree inside the battery cavity at a lower cost.

[0007] The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to the first aspect embodiment of the present application includes:

[0008] A vacuum pressure reducing valve, including a valve body and an adjusting member. The valve body is provided with a first air inlet hole and a first air outlet hole. The first air inlet hole is used to communicate with the battery cavity, and the first air outlet hole is used to communicate with a negative pressure air source; the adjusting member can rotate relative to the valve body to adjust the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole;

[0009] A vacuum degree detection device, used to detect the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole to generate a feedback signal;

[0010] A controller, communicatively connected to the vacuum degree detection device. The controller is used to receive the feedback signal, and the controller is also used to send a control signal according to the feedback signal;

[0011] A driving member, communicatively connected to the controller, for driving the adjusting member to rotate relative to the valve body, and further for receiving the control signal to adjust the rotation direction of the adjusting member.

[0012] The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to the embodiment of the present application has at least the following beneficial effects: The driving member directly drives the adjusting member to rotate relative to the valve body, thereby realizing the adjustment of the vacuum pressure reducing valve. The vacuum pressure reducing valve can adjust the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole, and further adjust the vacuum degree of the battery inner cavity. The adjustment structure is simple and the equipment cost is low; The controller combines the feedback signal of the vacuum degree detection device to control the vacuum degree of the battery inner cavity within the required range, with a high degree of automation.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, the driving member includes a stepper motor or a servo motor.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, it further includes:

[0015] A coupling, the driving member includes a rotating shaft, and both ends of the coupling are respectively connected to the rotating shaft and the adjusting member, and the coupling can compensate for axial displacement.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present application, the coupling includes one of a diaphragm coupling, a bellows coupling, a gear coupling, a universal coupling, a serpentine spring coupling, and an elastic sleeve pin coupling.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present application, it further includes:

[0018] A gas-liquid separator, provided with a second air inlet hole and a second air outlet hole, the second air inlet hole is used to communicate with the battery inner cavity, the second air outlet hole is communicated with the first air inlet hole, and the gas-liquid separator is used to filter the liquid in the gas.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present application, it further includes:

[0020] A negative pressure cup, provided with a third air inlet hole, a third air outlet hole and a collection cavity, both the third air inlet hole and the third air outlet hole are communicated with the collection cavity, the collection cavity is used to collect liquid, the third air inlet hole is used to communicate with the battery inner cavity, and the third air outlet hole is communicated with the second air inlet hole.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present application, the controller includes a programmable logic controller.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure air source includes a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump is provided with an air suction hole, and the air suction hole is communicated with the first air outlet hole.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present application, the vacuum degree detection device includes a barometer.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present application, it further includes:

[0025] A connecting pipe, one end of the connecting pipe is used to communicate with the inner cavity of the battery, the other end of the connecting pipe communicates with the first air inlet hole, and the material of the connecting pipe is one of plastic, ceramic and stainless steel.

[0026] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the following description, will become apparent in part from the following description, or will be understood through the practice of the present application. Description of the Drawings

[0027] The following further describes the present application in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, where:

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the negative pressure control system for battery formation of the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the driving member, coupling and vacuum pressure reducing valve of the negative pressure control system for battery formation in ;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the vacuum pressure reducing valve.

[0031] Reference numerals: negative pressure air source 100, vacuum pump 110, air suction hole 111;

[0032] Vacuum pressure reducing valve 200, valve body 210, first air inlet hole 211, first air outlet hole 212, atmosphere chamber 213, vacuum chamber 214, adjusting member 220, compression spring 230, diaphragm 240, atmosphere suction valve core 250, main valve core 260;

[0033] Vacuum degree detection device 300, barometer 310;

[0034] Gas-liquid separator 400, second air inlet hole 410, second air outlet hole 420;

[0035] Battery 500, battery inner cavity 510;

[0036] Negative pressure cup 600, third air outlet hole 610, collection cavity 620, third air inlet hole 630;

[0037] Controller 700;

[0038] Driving member 800, rotating shaft 810;

[0039] Coupling 900, connecting pipe 910. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0040] Embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0041] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. This is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0042] In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a number of" is one or more, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, "greater than", "less than", "exceeding", etc. are understood as not including the number itself, and "above", "below", "within", etc. are understood as including the number itself. If there is a description of "first" and "second", it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features or the sequence relationship of the indicated technical features.

[0043] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined, words such as "set", "installed", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above words in the present application in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0044] In the description of the present application, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0045] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, A negative pressure control system for battery formation according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application includes a vacuum pressure reducing valve 200, a vacuum degree detection device 300, a controller 700, and a driving member 800. The valve body 210 is provided with a first air inlet hole 211 and a first air outlet hole 212. The first air inlet hole 211 is used to communicate with the inner cavity 510 of the battery, and the first air outlet hole 212 is used to communicate with a negative pressure gas source 100. The vacuum pressure reducing valve 200 includes a valve body 210 and an adjusting member 220. The adjusting member 220 can rotate relative to the valve body 210 to adjust the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole 211.

[0046] The vacuum degree detection device 300 is used to detect the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole 211 to generate a feedback signal. The controller 700 is communicatively connected to the vacuum degree detection device 300. The controller 700 is used to receive the feedback signal, and the controller 700 is also used to issue a control signal according to the feedback signal. The driving member 800 is communicatively connected to the controller 700. The driving member 800 is used to drive the adjusting member 220 to rotate relative to the valve body 210, and the driving member 800 is also used to receive the control signal to adjust the rotation direction of the adjusting member 220.

[0047] The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to an embodiment of the present application has at least the following beneficial effects: The driving member 800 is directly used to drive the adjusting member 220 to rotate relative to the valve body 210, so as to realize the adjustment of the vacuum pressure reducing valve 200. The vacuum pressure reducing valve 200 can adjust the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole 211, and further adjust the vacuum degree of the inner cavity 510 of the battery. The adjustment structure is simple and the equipment cost is low; The controller 700 combines the feedback signal of the vacuum degree detection device 300 to control the vacuum degree of the inner cavity 510 of the battery within the required range, with a high degree of automation.

[0048] It should be noted that the communication connection between the controller 700 and the vacuum degree detection device 300 can be a wired communication connection (such as twisted pair, optical fiber, etc.) or a wireless communication connection (such as radio wave, infrared ray, Bluetooth, etc.). The communication connection between the driving member 800 and the controller 700 is the same as this.

[0049] It should be noted that the controller 700 is also used to issue a control signal according to the feedback signal. Usually, according to the comparison value between the feedback signal and the target value, a control signal is issued. For example, when the feedback signal is less than the target value, the controller 700 issues a control signal to make the adjusting member 220 rotate forward; when the feedback signal is greater than the target value, the controller 700 issues a control signal to make the adjusting member 220 rotate in reverse.

[0050] Refer to Figure 3 , The following describes the working process of the vacuum pressure reducing valve 200 to adjust and stabilize the vacuum degree of the inner cavity 510 of the battery (i.e., the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole 211).

[0051] Refer to Figure 3, specifically, the adjusting member 220 is in threaded engagement with the valve body 210. By rotating the adjusting member 220, the compression amount of the compression spring 230 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the pressure of the compression spring 230 on the diaphragm 240. In addition to the valve body 210 and the adjusting member 220, the vacuum pressure reducing valve 200 generally further includes a compression spring 230, a diaphragm 240, an atmospheric intake valve core 250, and a main valve core 260. The side of the diaphragm 240 is fixed to the valve body 210, and the two sides of the diaphragm 240 are respectively an atmospheric chamber 213 and a vacuum chamber 214. The compression spring 230 is located in the vacuum chamber 214. The upper end of the compression spring 230 abuts against the adjusting member 220, and the lower end of the compression spring 230 abuts against the diaphragm 240. The main valve core 260 is fixedly connected to the middle part of the diaphragm 240, and the main valve core 260 is also connected to the atmospheric intake valve core 250. The atmospheric intake valve core 250 is used to close or open the passage for the atmospheric chamber 213 to communicate with the outside atmosphere, and the vacuum chamber 214 is communicated with the first intake hole 211.

[0052] When the vacuum degree of the first intake hole 211 needs to be set to a certain value, rotate the adjusting member 220 to increase the compression amount of the compression spring 230 to an appropriate value. After that, the compression spring 230 will push the diaphragm 240 and the main valve core 260 to move downward together, and the main valve core 260 opens, so that the first intake hole 211 and the first outlet hole 212 are communicated. After the first outlet hole 212 is connected to the negative pressure gas source 100, the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 starts to increase.

[0053] During the process of increasing the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 (i.e., the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 changes towards absolute vacuum), the vacuum degree of the first intake hole 211 is conducted to the vacuum chamber 214. The resultant force of the atmospheric chamber 213 and the vacuum chamber 214 acting on the diaphragm 240 acts on the diaphragm 240, and the diaphragm 240 and the main valve core 260 move upward together until the resultant force of the atmospheric chamber 213 and the vacuum chamber 214 acting on the diaphragm 240 reaches an equilibrium with the thrust of the compression spring 230 acting on the diaphragm 240. At this time, the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 reaches the set value.

[0054] When the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 is greater than the set value, the resultant force of the atmospheric chamber 213 and the vacuum chamber 214 acting on the diaphragm 240 will be greater than the thrust of the compression spring 230 acting on the diaphragm 240. The diaphragm 240 will move upward, the main valve core 260 closes, and the atmospheric intake valve core 250 opens. The atmospheric chamber 213 is communicated with the outside atmosphere, and the atmosphere flows into the battery inner cavity 510 through the atmospheric chamber 213 and the first intake hole 211. The vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 decreases (i.e., the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 changes towards atmospheric pressure) until the resultant force of the atmospheric chamber 213 and the vacuum chamber 214 acting on the diaphragm 240 reaches an equilibrium with the thrust of the compression spring 230 acting on the diaphragm 240. At this time, the vacuum degree in the battery inner cavity 510 is maintained at the set value again.

[0055] When the vacuum degree of the battery inner cavity 510 is less than the set value, the resultant force of the atmosphere chamber 213 and the vacuum chamber 214 on the diaphragm 240 will be less than the thrust of the compression spring 230 on the diaphragm 240. The diaphragm 240 moves downward, the atmosphere intake valve core 250 closes, the main valve core 260 opens, the first air inlet hole 211 and the first air outlet hole 212 are communicated, and the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber 214 (i.e., the vacuum degree of the battery inner cavity 510) begins to increase until the resultant force of the atmosphere chamber 213 and the vacuum chamber 214 on the diaphragm 240 reaches an equilibrium with the thrust of the compression spring 230 on the diaphragm 240. At this time, the vacuum degree of the battery inner cavity 510 is maintained at the set value again.

[0056] Specifically, the battery 500 can be a square aluminum shell battery, a square steel shell battery, or an aluminum-plastic film soft package battery with a liquid injection nozzle.

[0057] Refer to Figure 2 , in some embodiments of the present application, the driving member 800 includes a stepping motor or a servo motor.

[0058] The stepping motor or the servo motor can precisely control the rotation amount of the adjusting member 220, whereby the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole 211 is adjusted more precisely.

[0059] Refer to Figure 2 , in some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure control system for battery formation further includes a coupling 900. The driving member 800 includes a rotating shaft 810. The two ends of the coupling 900 are respectively connected to the rotating shaft 810 and the adjusting member 220, and the coupling 900 can compensate for axial displacement.

[0060] When the adjusting member 220 is directly in threaded cooperation with the valve body 210, when the adjusting member 220 rotates relative to the valve body 210, the adjusting member 220 will move axially. By using the coupling 900 that can compensate for axial displacement, when the adjusting member 220 moves axially, the rotating shaft 810 of the driving member 800 can still transmit torque to the adjusting member 220, and the adjusting member 220 can normally complete its adjustment function.

[0061] It should be noted that when the adjusting member 220 is only rotationally connected to the valve body 210 (such as connected by a bearing), and the adjusting member 220 is in threaded cooperation with a nut, and the nut abuts against one end of the compression spring 230, the adjusting member 220 will only rotate and will not have axial displacement. At this time, there is no need to use the coupling 900 that can compensate for axial displacement.

[0062] In the improvement scheme of the above embodiment, the coupling 900 includes one of a diaphragm coupling, a bellows coupling, a gear coupling, a universal coupling, a serpentine spring coupling, and an elastic sleeve pin coupling.

[0063] Diaphragm couplings, bellows couplings, gear couplings, universal couplings, serpentine spring couplings, and elastic bushing pin couplings can all compensate for axial displacement, are relatively easy to obtain, and have low costs, thus helping to reduce the cost of the negative pressure control system for battery formation.

[0064] Referring to Figure 1 , in some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure control system for battery formation further includes a gas-liquid separator 400. The gas-liquid separator 400 is provided with a second air inlet hole 410 and a second air outlet hole 420. The second air inlet hole 410 is used to communicate with the battery inner cavity 510, and the second air outlet hole 420 is communicated with the first air inlet hole 211. The gas-liquid separator 400 is used to filter the liquid in the gas.

[0065] By adding the gas-liquid separator 400, the gas-liquid separator 400 can filter the electrolyte pumped out from the battery 500, which is beneficial to protecting the vacuum pressure reducing valve 200, extending the service life of the vacuum pressure reducing valve 200, and reducing the maintenance cost of the negative pressure control system for battery formation.

[0066] Referring to Figure 1 , in an improved solution of the above embodiment, the negative pressure control system for battery formation further includes a negative pressure cup 600. The negative pressure cup 600 is provided with a third air inlet hole 630, a third air outlet hole 610, and a collection cavity 620. Both the third air inlet hole 630 and the third air outlet hole 610 are communicated with the collection cavity 620. The collection cavity 620 is used to collect liquid. The third air inlet hole 630 is used to communicate with the battery inner cavity 510, and the third air outlet hole 610 is communicated with the second air inlet hole 410.

[0067] By first using the negative pressure cup 600 to collect the electrolyte flowing out from the battery 500, it is beneficial to recycle the electrolyte, reduce the working burden of the gas-liquid separator 400, and extend the service life of the gas-liquid separator 400.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present application, the controller 700 includes a programmable logic controller.

[0069] The programmable logic controller has the advantages of being programmable, easy to use, powerful in function, strong in adaptability, high in reliability, and strong in anti-interference ability, thus helping to improve the adaptability of the negative pressure control system for battery formation.

[0070] In other embodiments, the controller 700 can also be a microcontroller (MCU) or a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID controller).

[0071] Referring to Figure 1 , in some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure air source 100 includes a vacuum pump 110. The vacuum pump 110 is provided with an air suction hole 111, and the air suction hole 111 is communicated with the first air outlet hole 212.

[0072] The vacuum pump 110 is easily obtainable and has a relatively low cost, which is conducive to reducing the cost of the negative pressure control system for battery formation.

[0073] Referring to Figure 1 , in some embodiments of the present application, the vacuum degree detection device 300 includes a barometer 310.

[0074] The barometer 310 is easily obtainable and has a relatively low cost, which is conducive to reducing the cost of the negative pressure control system for battery formation.

[0075] Referring to Figure 1 , in some embodiments of the present application, the negative pressure control system for battery formation further includes a connecting pipe 910. One end of the connecting pipe 910 is used to communicate with the inner cavity 510 of the battery, and the other end of the connecting pipe 910 is communicated with the first air inlet hole 211. The material of the connecting pipe 910 is one of plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel.

[0076] Plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel are not easily corroded by the electrolyte. By using the connecting pipe 910 made of plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel materials, it is beneficial to reduce the maintenance cost of the negative pressure control system for battery formation.

[0077] The embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those of ordinary skill in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the purpose of the present application. In addition, without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

Claims

1. Negative pressure control system for battery formation, characterized in that Comprising: A vacuum pressure reducing valve, including a valve body and an adjusting member. The valve body is provided with a first air inlet hole and a first air outlet hole. The first air inlet hole is used to communicate with the inner cavity of the battery, and the first air outlet hole is used to communicate with a negative pressure air source; The adjusting member can rotate relative to the valve body to adjust the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole; A vacuum degree detection device for detecting the vacuum degree of the first air inlet hole to generate a feedback signal; A controller communicatively connected to the vacuum degree detection device. The controller is used to receive the feedback signal, and the controller is also used to send a control signal according to the feedback signal; A driving member communicatively connected to the controller. The driving member is used to drive the adjusting member to rotate relative to the valve body, and the driving member is also used to receive the control signal to adjust the rotation direction of the adjusting member.

2. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving member includes a stepper motor or a servo motor.

3. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, wherein Also comprising: A coupling. The driving member includes a rotating shaft. The two ends of the coupling are respectively connected to the rotating shaft and the adjusting member. The coupling can compensate for axial displacement.

4. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 3, wherein The coupling includes one of a diaphragm coupling, a bellows coupling, a gear coupling, a universal coupling, a serpentine spring coupling, and an elastic sleeve pin coupling.

5. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also comprising: A gas-liquid separator, provided with a second air inlet hole and a second air outlet hole. The second air inlet hole is used to communicate with the inner cavity of the battery, the second air outlet hole is communicated with the first air inlet hole, and the gas-liquid separator is used to filter the liquid in the gas.

6. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also comprising: A negative pressure cup, provided with a third air inlet hole, a third air outlet hole, and a collection cavity. The third air inlet hole and the third air outlet hole are both communicated with the collection cavity. The collection cavity is used to collect liquid. The third air inlet hole is used to communicate with the inner cavity of the battery, and the third air outlet hole is communicated with the second air inlet hole.

7. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, characterized in that The controller includes a programmable logic controller.

8. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, wherein The negative pressure air source includes a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is provided with an air suction hole, and the air suction hole is communicated with the first air outlet hole.

9. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, wherein The vacuum degree detection device includes a pressure gauge.

10. The negative pressure control system for battery formation according to claim 1, wherein Also comprising: A connecting pipe. One end of the connecting pipe is used to communicate with the inner cavity of the battery, and the other end of the connecting pipe is communicated with the first air inlet hole. The material of the connecting pipe is one of plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel.

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