Vacuum replacement chamber of kiln and sintering kiln for anode and cathode materials
By matching the inlet pipe flow rate with the sealed gas exchange chamber volume in the vacuum replacement chamber of the kiln, the problems of low gas replacement efficiency and high cost in existing kilns are solved, achieving efficient and low-cost gas replacement.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FOSHAN TAKASAGO IND KILNS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing kilns have large vacuum replacement chambers with long ventilation times, resulting in a mismatch between gas flow rate and volume, which leads to gas waste and increased costs, as well as the risk of impurity gases entering the kiln.
Design a vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln. By setting the air inlet pipe flow rate to match the volume of the sealed air exchange chamber, the gas is drawn out after the lifting gate falls to the bottom, and the gas is output through the air inlet pipe, ensuring gas replacement efficiency and sealing.
It improves gas replacement efficiency, reduces waiting time and the entry of impurity gases, and lowers gas consumption costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224151429U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sintering kilns, and in particular to a vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln and a sintering kiln for positive and negative electrode materials. Background Technology
[0002] The preparation of positive and negative electrode materials for lithium batteries requires high-temperature sintering and curing. For example, a full-atmosphere roller kiln is used during sintering. The full-atmosphere roller kiln is fully sealed, and gas exchange chambers are added at the furnace head and tail. The materials can be gas-replaced through the exchange chambers when entering and exiting the roller kiln.
[0003] Existing vacuum replacement chambers in kilns use a two-plate lifting control system to maintain connectivity before and after material feeding. For example, during feeding, the outer plate is driven upwards, allowing material to enter the replacement chamber. Simultaneously, both plates descend, sealing the chamber. A vacuum is then evacuated to remove impurities and introduce new inert gas. However, existing vacuum replacement chambers are large, and the time required to introduce new inert gas is long, sometimes requiring manual judgment based on experience to determine complete ventilation. This lack of consideration of gas flow rate in relation to the chamber's volume leads to long waiting times for gas exchange. Furthermore, gaps may exist between the plates and the inner wall of the chamber, allowing external impurities to enter. Moreover, the uncertain waiting time for gas exchange, or the need for more than three plates to control entry and exit, further prolongs ventilation time, resulting in an actual gas flow rate far exceeding the chamber's requirements. This leads to gas waste and increased operating costs. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to propose a vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln. The flow rate of the air inlet pipe is set based on the volume of the sealed air exchange chamber and the volume of the lifting gate. After the lifting gate falls to the bottom of the replacement chamber, the gas in the sealed air exchange chamber is removed by a vacuum mechanism. Then, the gas from the gas source device is output to the sealed air exchange chamber through the air inlet pipe. The flow rate of the air inlet pipe is matched with the volume of the sealed air exchange chamber.
[0005] This utility model also proposes a sintering kiln for positive and negative electrode materials, which uses the vacuum replacement chamber of the aforementioned kiln.
[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0007] A vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln includes: a replacement chamber, replacement gates, a vacuum extraction mechanism, and an air intake mechanism; the replacement chamber is provided with a replacement chamber body; a pair of replacement gates are respectively disposed at the front and rear positions of the replacement chamber body;
[0008] The replacement gate includes a lifting drive and a lifting gate plate; the output end of the lifting drive is connected to the lifting gate plate, which drives the lifting gate plate to rise and fall within the replacement chamber, and lowers the lifting gate plate completely to the bottom of the replacement chamber; the lifting gate plates of the two replacement gates are spaced apart and surround the inner wall of the replacement chamber to form a sealed ventilation chamber; the vacuum mechanism is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber and is used to remove the gas from the sealed ventilation chamber;
[0009] The volume of the sealed ventilation chamber is a; the local volume of the replacement chamber when the lifting gate plate abuts against the bottom of the replacement chamber is b.
[0010] The air intake mechanism includes: an air intake pipe, an air intake valve, and an air source device;
[0011] The input end of the air intake pipe is connected to the air source device, and the output end of the air intake pipe is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber; the air intake valve is set at the input end of the air source device or the air intake pipe, and is used to control the flow rate of the air intake pipe to be (a+b) / t~(a+2b) / t, where t is the preset air intake time.
[0012] Alternatively, the intake mechanism may further include: a gate tube;
[0013] The lifting gate has an internal channel; the outer surface of the lifting gate has exhaust holes in the area outside the sealed ventilation chamber, and the exhaust holes are connected to the output end of the internal channel; the output end of the gate tube is connected to the input end of the internal channel, and the input end of the gate tube is connected to the air inlet pipe.
[0014] Alternatively, some of the exhaust holes may be located near the bottom surface of the lifting gate.
[0015] Alternatively, the replacement chamber may be provided with a lifting slot; the lifting gate may be limited to the lifting slot in terms of its vertical movement.
[0016] Alternatively, the lifting gate may be provided with some of the exhaust holes within the lifting groove.
[0017] Optimally, the inner diameter of some of the exhaust orifices gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.
[0018] Alternatively, a valve body may be provided at the connection point between the gate tube and the intake tube.
[0019] Optimally, it may also include: a barometer;
[0020] The detection end of the barometer is located in the sealed ventilation chamber.
[0021] Ideally, the ratio of a to b should be (2-3):1.
[0022] A sintering kiln for positive and negative electrode materials is provided with a vacuum replacement chamber as described above.
[0023] Compared with the prior art, one of the above technical solutions has the following beneficial effects:
[0024] This solution provides a vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln. The flow rate of the inlet pipe is set based on the volume of the sealed ventilation chamber and the volume of the lifting gate. After the lifting gate descends to the bottom of the replacement chamber, a vacuum mechanism is used to remove the gas from the sealed ventilation chamber. Then, the gas from the gas source device is output to the sealed ventilation chamber via the inlet pipe. Since the flow rate of the inlet pipe matches the volume of the sealed ventilation chamber, this solution further improves the gas replacement efficiency. It solves the problems of long waiting times and easy introduction of impurities due to the mismatch between the volume of the existing replacement chamber and the lifting gate and the flow rate of the inlet pipe, as well as the increased cost due to the large amount of ambient gas used. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a vacuum replacement chamber;
[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of section A.
[0027] in:
[0028] Replacement chamber 1, replacement gate 2, vacuuming mechanism 3, air intake mechanism 4; barometer 5;
[0029] Replacement chamber 10; Sealed ventilation chamber 100; Lifting trough 11;
[0030] Lifting drive 21; lifting gate 22; internal channel 221; exhaust vent 222;
[0031] 41. Intake pipe; 42. Intake valve; 43. Air source device; 44. Gate pipe; 45. Valve body. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein 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 this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "inner side," "outer side," "inner end," "outer end," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features, used to distinguish descriptive features, without any order or emphasis. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.
[0034] like Figure 1-2 A vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln includes: a replacement chamber 1, a replacement gate 2, a vacuuming mechanism 3, and an air intake mechanism 4; the replacement chamber 1 is provided with a replacement chamber body 10; a pair of replacement gates 2 are respectively disposed at the front and rear positions of the replacement chamber body 10;
[0035] The displacement gate 2 includes a lifting driver 21 and a lifting gate 22; the output end of the lifting driver 21 is connected to the lifting gate 22, which is used to drive the lifting gate 22 to rise and fall within the displacement chamber 10, and to lower the lifting gate 22 completely to the bottom of the displacement chamber 10; the lifting gates 22 of the two displacement gates 2 are spaced apart and surround the inner wall of the displacement chamber 10 to form a sealed ventilation chamber 100; the vacuum mechanism 3 is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber 100 and is used to remove the gas from the sealed ventilation chamber 100;
[0036] The volume of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 is a; the local volume of the replacement chamber 10 when the lifting gate 22 abuts against the bottom of the replacement chamber is b.
[0037] The air intake mechanism 4 includes: an air intake pipe 41, an air intake valve 42, and an air source device 43;
[0038] The input end of the air intake pipe 41 is connected to the air source device 43, and the output end of the air intake pipe 41 is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber 100; the air intake valve 42 is provided at the input end of the air source device 43 or the air intake pipe 41, and is used to control the flow rate of the air intake pipe 41 to be (a+b) / t~(a+2b) / t, where t is the preset air intake time.
[0039] This solution provides a vacuum replacement chamber for a kiln. The flow rate of the inlet pipe 41 is set based on the volume of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 and the volume of the lifting gate 22. After the lifting gate 22 falls to the bottom of the replacement chamber 10, the vacuum mechanism 3 is used to remove the gas from the sealed ventilation chamber 100. Then, the gas from the gas source device 43 is output to the sealed ventilation chamber 100 through the inlet pipe 41. The flow rate of the inlet pipe 41 matches the volume of the sealed ventilation chamber 100. This solution further improves the gas replacement efficiency and solves the problems of long waiting time for gas replacement and easy entry of impurities due to the mismatch between the volume of the replacement chamber 1 and the lifting gate 22 and the flow rate of the inlet pipe 41, as well as the problem of increased cost due to the large amount of atmospheric gas used.
[0040] Specifically, before sintering, the positive and negative electrode materials require gas environment pretreatment in the kiln. This is typically done by introducing atmospheric gas (such as nitrogen, or other known atmospheric gases required for sintering positive and negative electrode materials) to replace residual air in the furnace. The vacuum replacement chamber is located at the kiln's feed inlet. When sintering the positive and negative electrode materials is required, the materials are first fed between the replacement gates 2. Before or after feeding the materials, the replacement gate 2 furthest from the kiln's feed inlet is activated, followed by the replacement gate 2 closest to the kiln's feed inlet. The lifting drive 21 drives its respective lifting mechanism. The lowering gate 22 descends to the bottom of the replacement chamber 10, thus forming a sealed ventilation chamber 100 between the front and rear lifting gates 22 and the two gates. A vacuum mechanism 3 is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber 100. Before gas replacement, the vacuum mechanism 3 is activated to remove impurities from the sealed ventilation chamber 100, creating a vacuum environment. Then, the vacuum mechanism 3 is closed, and the air intake mechanism 4 is activated. The air intake pipe 41 of the air intake mechanism 4 connects the air source device 43 to the sealed ventilation chamber 100. The air source device 43 stores... An atmospheric gas, such as nitrogen, is present. The atmospheric gas from the gas source device 43 is output to the sealed ventilation chamber 100 through the inlet pipe 41. The volume of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 is pre-measured as 'a', and the partial volume of the lifting gate 22 extending into the replacement chamber 10 is pre-measured as 'b'. The inlet valve 42 can adjust the gas flow rate of the inlet pipe 41. In this scheme, the flow rate of the inlet pipe 41 is controlled to be (a+b) / t to (a+2b) / t, meaning that the atmospheric gas can be output and fill the sealed ventilation chamber 100 within a unit time. 't' is the preset inlet time, which is the design time. The timing device sets the intake time; this application can install a timing device on the intake mechanism 4. The timing device is used to set a preset intake time for the intake of the intake mechanism 4, so as to output (a+b) to (a+2b) gas within the preset intake time. The time can be in seconds (s) (the corresponding flow rate can be L / s or L / 30s, etc.), or in minutes (min) (the corresponding flow rate can be L / min or L / 5min, etc.), or in hours (h) (the corresponding flow rate can be L / h or L / 0.(5h, etc.); Since there may be a gap between the lifting gate 22 and the inner wall of the replacement chamber 10, and the gas volume output to the sealed ventilation chamber 100 within time t in this scheme is a+b~a+2b, the gas volume entering within each preset air intake time is slightly larger than the volume a of the sealed ventilation chamber 100. The excess part can fill the gap between the lifting gate 22 and the inner wall of the replacement chamber 10, thereby forming an atmospheric gas barrier around the sealed ventilation chamber 100. External impurities cannot pass through the atmospheric gas barrier, thus ensuring the gas purity of the sealed ventilation chamber 100. At the same time, since the flow control of the air intake pipe 41 is (a+b) / t~(a+2b) / t, the operator only needs to keep the air intake mechanism 4 open for time t to ensure that the gas replacement of the replacement chamber 1 is completed, without relying on experience to judge whether the gas replacement is complete, and thus determine the output of the gas source device 43, avoiding the problem of high gas consumption leading to increased costs. Once the gas has been completely replaced, the replacement gate 2, located away from the kiln's feed inlet, rises, and the material is conveyed into the kiln.
[0041] The vacuuming mechanism 3 is a known mechanism with a vacuuming function, such as a vacuum pump; the lifting drive 21 is a known mechanism with a lifting function, such as a combination of a cylinder, motor, and lead screw, or a robotic arm. The inlet valve 42 is a known valve body with a function to regulate gas flow, such as a throttle valve or a regulating valve. The positive and negative electrode materials are transferred to the replacement chamber 10 in a known manner, such as by a transfer roller or transfer wheel.
[0042] Alternatively, the air intake mechanism 4 may further include: a gate tube 44;
[0043] The lifting gate 22 has an internal channel 221 inside; the outer surface of the lifting gate 22 has exhaust holes 222 in the area outside the sealed ventilation chamber 100, and the exhaust holes 222 are connected to the output end of the internal channel 221; the output end of the gate tube 44 is connected to the input end of the internal channel 221, and the input end of the gate tube 44 is connected to the output end of the air source device 43 or the air inlet pipe 41.
[0044] This solution can also utilize the gate tube 44 to output the ambient gas from the gas source device 43 or the air inlet pipe 41 to the lifting gate 22. Specifically, the lifting gate 22 is provided with an internal channel 221, and the gate tube 44 outputs the ambient gas from the output end of the gas source device 43 or the air inlet pipe 41 to the internal channel 221. Since the outer surface of the lifting gate 22 is provided with exhaust holes 222, and the position of the exhaust holes 222 is far away from the sealed ventilation chamber 100, the internal channel 221 can output the ambient gas through the exhaust holes 222. Thus, the lifting gate 22 can be provided with exhaust holes 222 in any area outside the sealed ventilation chamber 100, and the exhaust holes 222 can output the ambient gas to the outer surface of the lifting gate 22, thereby forming an ambient gas barrier on the outer surface of the lifting gate 22, which can prevent impurities around the lifting gate 22 from passing through the ambient gas barrier. In one embodiment, when the input end of the gate tube 44 is connected to the air intake pipe 41, that is, the gate tube 44 serves as a branch of the air intake pipe 41, the volume of the gate tube 44 is much smaller than that of the lifting gate 22. The gate tube 44 has no flow limit, and only the gate tube 44 is used to divert part of the atmospheric gas from the air intake pipe 41 to the inner channel 221. The atmospheric gas output from the sealed ventilation chamber 100 and the atmospheric gas output from the exhaust pore 222 are the same gas, which can ensure the stability of the external and internal environment of the sealed ventilation chamber 100.
[0045] Alternatively, some of the exhaust holes 222 may be located near the bottom surface of the lifting gate 22.
[0046] When the lifting gate 22 is fully lowered to the bottom of the replacement chamber 10, the exhaust hole 222 near the bottom of the lifting gate 22 outputs atmospheric gas. The exhaust hole 222 can be set on the bottom surface of the lifting gate 22 or on the outer wall of the lifting gate 22 near the bottom surface. The atmospheric gas output from the lifting gate 22 near the bottom surface can form an atmospheric gas barrier between the lifting gate 22 and the bottom of the replacement chamber 10. The sealing ventilation chamber 100 can be further filled by the atmospheric gas barrier when the bottom surface of the lifting gate 22 or the bottom of the replacement chamber 10 is uneven, thereby further improving the sealing degree of the sealing ventilation chamber 100.
[0047] Alternatively, the replacement chamber 1 may be provided with a lifting groove 11; the lifting gate 22 may be limited to the lifting groove 11 for vertical movement.
[0048] The lifting groove 11 is set in the replacement chamber 1. The lifting gate 22 can be lifted and lowered in the lifting groove 11. The lifting groove 11 provides a guiding function for the lifting gate 22, ensuring the smoothness of the lifting gate 22 during the lifting process.
[0049] Alternatively, the lifting gate 22 may be provided with a portion of the exhaust holes 222 within the lifting groove 11.
[0050] Impurities may enter the replacement chamber 10 through the gap between the lifting gate 22 and the lifting groove 11. In this solution, the lifting gate 22 can be provided with exhaust holes 222 in the lifting groove 11. The atmospheric gas output from the exhaust holes 222 exists in the gap between the lifting gate 22 and the lifting groove 11, which can prevent impurities from passing through the gap between the lifting gate 22 and the lifting groove 11 and entering the replacement chamber 10, thereby improving the sealing degree of the lifting groove 11.
[0051] Optimally, the inner diameter of some of the exhaust orifices 222 gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.
[0052] The maximum inner diameter of some exhaust orifices 222 is close to the inner channel 221, and its minimum inner diameter is located on the outer surface of the lifting gate 22. Therefore, the flow rate of the atmospheric gas when passing through the exhaust orifices 222 is increased, which can accelerate the output of the atmospheric gas to the outside of the lifting gate 22.
[0053] Alternatively, a valve body 45 may be provided at the connection point between the gate tube 44 and the air intake tube 41.
[0054] The valve body 45 can be adjusted to an open or closed state as needed, thereby adjusting the gate tube 44 to connect to the air inlet pipe 41 as needed, and thus allowing gas to be input as needed.
[0055] Optimally, it may also include: a barometer 5;
[0056] The detection end of the barometer 5 is located in the sealed ventilation chamber 100.
[0057] The barometer 5 is used to detect the air pressure of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 so as to confirm the air pressure of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 during the vacuuming process of the vacuuming mechanism 3, and also to confirm the air pressure change of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 during the output of atmospheric gas by the gas source device 43. The barometer 5 indicates that the sealed ventilation chamber 100 is filled with atmospheric gas.
[0058] Optimally, the volume of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 is a, and the local volume of the replacement chamber 10 when the lifting gate 22 abuts against the bottom of the replacement chamber is b, and the ratio between a and b is (2~3):1;
[0059] In this scheme, the preferred ratio between a and b is (2-3):1. For example, the volume design a of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 is 320-400L, the partial volume b of the lifting gate 22 fully extending into the replacement chamber 10 is designed to be 150-200L, and the flow rate control of the air inlet pipe 41 is (a+b) / t to (a+2b) / t. When the volume design a of the sealed ventilation chamber 100 is 400L, and the partial volume b of the lifting gate 22 fully extending into the replacement chamber 10 is designed to be 160L, the flow rate of the air inlet pipe 41 can be controlled to 720L / minute.
[0060] A sintering kiln for positive and negative electrode materials is provided with a vacuum replacement chamber as described above.
[0061] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A vacuum displacement chamber of a kiln, comprising: The system includes a replacement chamber, replacement gates, a vacuuming mechanism, and an air intake mechanism; the replacement chamber is equipped with a replacement chamber body; a pair of replacement gates are respectively located at the front and rear positions of the replacement chamber body. The replacement gate includes a lifting drive and a lifting gate plate; the output end of the lifting drive is connected to the lifting gate plate, which drives the lifting gate plate to rise and fall within the replacement chamber, and lowers the lifting gate plate completely to the bottom of the replacement chamber; the lifting gate plates of the two replacement gates are spaced apart and surround the inner wall of the replacement chamber to form a sealed ventilation chamber; the vacuum mechanism is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber and is used to remove the gas from the sealed ventilation chamber; The sealed ventilation chamber has a volume of a; and when the lifting gate plate abuts against the bottom of the replacement chamber, its partial volume within the replacement chamber is b. The air intake mechanism includes: an air intake pipe, an air intake valve, and an air source device; The input end of the air intake pipe is connected to the air source device, and the output end of the air intake pipe is connected to the sealed ventilation chamber; the air intake valve is set at the input end of the air source device or the air intake pipe, and is used to control the flow rate of the air intake pipe to be (a+b) / t~(a+2b) / t, where t is the preset air intake time.
2. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, The air intake mechanism also includes: a gate tube; The lifting gate has an internal channel; the outer surface of the lifting gate has exhaust holes in the area outside the sealed ventilation chamber, and the exhaust holes are connected to the output end of the internal channel; the output end of the gate tube is connected to the input end of the internal channel, and the input end of the gate tube is connected to the air inlet pipe.
3. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as claimed in claim 2, wherein, Some of the exhaust holes are located near the bottom surface of the lifting gate.
4. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The replacement chamber is equipped with a lifting slot; the lifting gate is located within the lifting slot.
5. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The lifting gate is provided with some of the exhaust holes in the lifting groove.
6. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The inner diameter of some of the exhaust pores gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.
7. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as defined in claim 2, wherein A valve body is provided at the connection point between the gate tube and the air intake tube.
8. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace as defined in claim 1, wherein Also includes: barometer; The detection end of the barometer is located in the sealed ventilation chamber.
9. A vacuum displacement chamber for a furnace according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that The ratio of a to b is (2-3):
1.
10. A sintering furnace for positive and negative electrode materials, characterized by comprising: The furnace is provided with a vacuum displacement chamber as described in any one of claims 1-9.