Die assembly and coating apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a die head subassembly and coating equipment relates to battery manufacturing technical field. Among them, die head subassembly includes die head body, feed pipe and buffer structure, and die head body is equipped with feed inlet, feed pipe is configured to communicate with feed inlet, and buffer structure is located in feed pipe and is configured to release pressure to slurry before entering feed inlet. The utility model technical scheme can improve the coating weight uniformity of the coating stage, and improve the inverted U recurrence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a die assembly and coating equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The battery manufacturing process includes the coating of electrode sheets. To provide higher quality batteries, extrusion coating dies are often used. After the slurry enters the die cavity from the feed port, it needs to flow to both sides to fill the die cavity, and then flow out from the discharge port of the coating die to coat the substrate.

[0003] In related technologies, when the coating machine starts coating, the pressure in the feed pipe is relatively high. The slurry entering from the feed pipe will first flow out quickly from the outlet area directly opposite the feed pipe. As the slurry needs time to flow, the outflow from other areas of the die head outlet is relatively small, which will lead to uneven coating weight in the initial coating stage. For example, a "U-shaped" or groove phenomenon may occur, where the middle is heavier and the sides are lighter. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a die head assembly designed to improve the uniformity of coating weight.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a mold head assembly comprising:

[0006] The die head body is equipped with a feed inlet;

[0007] The feed pipe is configured to communicate with the feed inlet; and

[0008] A buffer structure, located in the feed pipe, is configured to depressurize the slurry before it enters the feed inlet.

[0009] In the die head assembly of this application, by setting a buffer structure in the feed pipe, the slurry can be buffered and depressurized before entering the feed port, reducing the impact pressure of the slurry at the feed port, slowing down the flow speed of the slurry directly from the feed port to the discharge port, so that the slurry can flow to other areas of the die cavity more quickly, accelerating the casting process, and making the slurry flow out evenly from the die head body, improving the coating weight uniformity in the initial coating stage, and improving the U-shaped weight phenomenon.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure is configured as a shell structure with an internal expansion cavity, the expansion cavity being connected to the feed pipe, and the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity being larger than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe.

[0011] This design allows the slurry to flow from the feed pipe with a smaller cross-sectional area to the expansion cavity with a larger cross-sectional area, reducing the slurry flow rate and decreasing the fluid pressure of the slurry, thus achieving the purpose of depressurizing the slurry before it enters the feed port.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure is connected between the feed pipe and the feed port, the inlet end of the expansion cavity is connected to the outlet end of the feed pipe, and the outlet end of the expansion cavity is connected to the feed port.

[0013] With this design, the slurry flows out of the feed pipe and into the expansion chamber. Due to the increased cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion chamber, the flow velocity decreases, thereby achieving pressure relief. The slurry after pressure relief flows directly into the feed port through the outlet end of the expansion chamber. This reduces flow resistance on the one hand and avoids flow turbulence caused by sudden pressure changes on the other.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure is connected in series in the feed pipe.

[0015] This design eliminates the need for a separate design for the connection between the buffer structure and the feed inlet; instead, the existing connection between the feed pipe and the feed inlet can be used, simplifying assembly and structural design.

[0016] In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is gradually increased from the feed pipe toward the feed port.

[0017] This design allows the slurry to gradually decrease in velocity as it flows through the buffer structure, and the gradual increase in the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow avoids local eddies caused by abrupt changes in the flow channel.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is first increased and then decreased in the direction from the feed pipe toward the feed port.

[0019] In this design, the increased cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity in the direction of slurry flow first reduces the slurry velocity and allows for full diffusion, achieving initial pressure relief; subsequently, the reduced cross-sectional area constrains the diffused slurry, improving flow stability.

[0020] In one embodiment of this application, the outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe.

[0021] This design ensures that when the slurry first flows through a region with a large cross-sectional area to release pressure, and then passes through a region with a small cross-sectional area for rectification, it will not experience pressure backflow due to a sudden decrease in the cross-sectional area, thus ensuring a smooth transition in slurry flow rate.

[0022] In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional shape of the expansion cavity is set to be fan-shaped, rhomboid, circular, square, trapezoidal, or elliptical.

[0023] This design allows the expansion cavity to buffer and relieve pressure on the slurry.

[0024] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure and the feed pipe are an integral structure.

[0025] This design eliminates the gaps or sealing failures that may occur with separate connections, thereby ensuring the integrity and tightness of the slurry flow path and reducing flow resistance.

[0026] In one embodiment of this application, the die head body is provided with a die cavity and a discharge port, and the feed port is located in the middle of the die cavity.

[0027] This design allows the slurry to diffuse from the center outwards to both sides of the mold cavity when it enters from the feed port, avoiding the unilateral pressure buildup caused by side feeding.

[0028] To achieve the above objectives, this application also provides a coating device, including a feeding assembly and the aforementioned die assembly, wherein the feed pipe connects the feeding assembly and the feed port.

[0029] This design ensures that when the equipment is stopped and restarted, the slurry output by the feeding component is depressurized by the buffer structure and then evenly enters the mold cavity, thereby eliminating the phenomenon of slurry agglomeration in the middle.

[0030] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of this application are given below. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the mold head assembly of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the mold head assembly of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the mold head assembly of this utility model;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the mold head assembly of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the slurry flow within the die head body.

[0037] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0038] label name label name 100 Die body 103 discharge port 101 feed inlet 200 feed pipe 102 mold cavity 300 Buffer structure

[0039] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0041] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0042] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0043] Meanwhile, the meanings of "and / or" or "and / or" appearing throughout the text are as follows: including three options. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes option A, option B, or an option where both A and B are satisfied. Additionally, the character " / " in this text generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" relationship.

[0044] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0045] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0046] Currently, judging from market trends, the application of power batteries is becoming increasingly widespread. Power batteries are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also widely applied in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, as well as in aerospace and other fields. With the continuous expansion of power battery applications, market demand is also constantly increasing.

[0047] In the manufacturing process of power batteries, specifically in the electrode production process, coating equipment is needed to coat the electrode sheets. In related technologies, an extrusion die is used for coating operations. The slurry enters the die cavity from the feed port, flows to both sides to fill the die cavity, and then flows out from the discharge port of the coating die to coat the substrate.

[0048] However, when the coating machine starts coating, the pressure in the feed pipe is relatively high. The slurry entering from the feed pipe will first flow out quickly from the outlet area directly opposite the feed pipe. Since the slurry needs time to flow, the amount flowing out from other areas of the die head outlet is relatively small, which will lead to uneven coating weight in the initial coating stage. For example, a "U-shaped" or groove phenomenon may occur, where the middle is heavier and the sides are lighter.

[0049] Therefore, this utility model proposes a die head assembly for use in coating equipment. By buffering and depressurizing the slurry before it enters the die head inlet, the pressure of the slurry flowing in from the inlet is reduced, thereby slowing down the slurry ejection speed at the inlet. This prevents a large amount of slurry from flowing out from the outlet directly opposite the inlet, which could lead to uneven coating weight during the initial coating stage, thus improving the consistency of coating weight. The structure of this die head assembly will be described below with reference to an embodiment.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the die head assembly includes a die head body 100, a feed tube 200, and a buffer structure 300.

[0051] The die head body 100 is provided with a feed inlet 101; the feed pipe 200 is configured to communicate with the feed inlet 101; the buffer structure 300 is provided in the feed pipe 200 and is configured to depressurize the slurry before it enters the feed inlet 101.

[0052] The die head body 100 refers to the main structure constituting the die head assembly, and includes a die cavity 102, an inlet 101, and an outlet 103. Slurry enters the die cavity 102 through the inlet 101, is diverted by a coating gasket, and then flows out through the outlet 103 to coat the substrate. Optionally, the die cavity 102 within the die head body 100 can be one or more. Optionally, the die head body 100 can include an upper die head and a lower die head, with a coating gasket sandwiched between the upper and lower die heads, forming an outlet 103 for material discharge. In practical applications, the die head body 100 can be made of metal or non-metal materials.

[0053] The inlet 101 refers to the slurry injection channel opened on the die head body 100. It can be a circular, rectangular, square, trapezoidal or other shaped through hole structure. The channel can be set in the middle area or the side area of ​​the die head body 100. In actual application, in order to improve the coating uniformity, the inlet 101 is set in the middle area of ​​the die head body 100 so that the slurry can spread from the middle of the die cavity 102 to both sides.

[0054] The feed pipe 200 refers to the slurry conveying pipe connecting the external feeding assembly and the die head body 100. The slurry is pumped to the feed port 101 by the pump body, and can be a pressure-resistant metal pipe or a composite hose, etc. Optionally, the feed pipe 200 can be a straight pipe, a bent pipe, or some other pipe structure.

[0055] The buffer structure 300 refers to the structure installed in the feed pipe 200, whose purpose is to buffer and depressurize the slurry before it enters the die head, reducing the impact force when the slurry enters the die. Understandably, the specific structure of the buffer structure 300 is not limited; for example, it can use a dedicated pressure regulating device, a shell structure with an expanding cavity, or other pressure-changing structures. In practical applications, the buffer structure 300 can be installed on the body of the feed pipe 200, or it can be installed at the feed inlet 101.

[0056] In summary, in the die head assembly of this application, by setting a buffer structure 300 in the feed pipe 200, the slurry can be buffered and depressurized before entering the feed port 101, reducing the impact pressure of the slurry at the feed port 101, slowing down the flow rate of the slurry directly from the feed port 101 to the discharge port 103, allowing the slurry to flow to other areas of the die cavity 102 more quickly, accelerating the pressure stabilization speed of the die cavity 102, thereby reducing the flow rate difference at various locations during the initial coating stage, allowing the slurry to flow out of the die head body 100 evenly, improving the coating weight uniformity during the initial coating stage, and improving the U-shaped weight phenomenon.

[0057] Please see Figures 1 to 4 In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure 300 is configured as a shell structure with an internal expansion cavity, the expansion cavity being connected to the feed pipe 200, and the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity being larger than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe 200.

[0058] Understandably, the buffer structure 300 can be a shell structure with an internal expansion cavity, which can be achieved in various ways, such as using a reducing pipe structure, a box structure, etc. The connection method between the expansion cavity and the feed pipe 200 can include welding, flange connection, snap-fit, or other methods. Optionally, the flow cross-sectional shape of the expansion cavity can be fan-shaped, rhomboid, circular, square, trapezoidal, or elliptical, etc.

[0059] The flow cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is larger than that of the feed pipe 200. Understandably, on the path of the slurry flowing to the feed port 101, the slurry will first pass through the feed pipe 200 with a relatively small flow cross-sectional area, and then enter the expansion cavity with a larger flow cross-sectional area. Due to the increase in the flow cross-sectional area, the flow velocity of the slurry will decrease, and the fluid pressure of the slurry will decrease, so as to achieve the purpose of depressurizing the slurry before entering the feed port 101 and reducing the difference in slurry distribution caused by uneven pressure.

[0060] In practical applications, the specific location of the buffer structure 300 can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0061] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure 300 is connected between the feed pipe 200 and the feed port 101, the inlet end of the expansion cavity is connected to the outlet end of the feed pipe 200, and the outlet end of the expansion cavity is connected to the feed port 101.

[0062] Understandably, the feed pipe 200 and the feed inlet 101 are connected by a buffer structure 300. The inlet end of the expanded cavity of the buffer structure 300 is connected to the outlet end of the feed pipe 200, and the outlet end of the expanded cavity of the buffer structure 300 is connected to the feed inlet 101 of the die body 100. The buffer structure 300 and the feed pipe 200 can be connected by welding, flange connection, snap-fit, or other methods; the buffer structure 300 and the feed inlet 101 can also be connected by welding, flange connection, snap-fit, or other methods.

[0063] In this design, the slurry flows out of the feed pipe 200 and into the expansion cavity. Due to the increased cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity, the flow velocity decreases, thus achieving pressure relief. The depressurized slurry flows directly into the feed port 101 through the outlet end of the expansion cavity. This reduces flow resistance and avoids flow turbulence caused by sudden pressure changes. As a result, the slurry is depressurized before entering the mold cavity 102, improving the uniformity of pressure distribution inside the mold head and thus improving the consistency of coating weight.

[0064] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 4 In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure 300 is connected in series in the feed pipe 200.

[0065] Understandably, the buffer structure 300 is located in the middle section of the feed pipe 200. The buffer structure 300 can be a component of the feed pipe 200 section, and the inlet and outlet ends of the expansion cavity are directly connected to the upstream and downstream sections of the feed pipe 200, respectively. Optionally, the buffer structure 300 can be integrally connected to the feed pipe 200 or connected separately.

[0066] This design eliminates the need for a separate design for the connection between the buffer structure 300 and the feed inlet 101. Instead, the existing connection between the feed pipe 200 and the feed inlet 101 can be used, simplifying assembly and structural design.

[0067] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity gradually increases from the feed pipe 200 toward the feed port 101.

[0068] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is expanded through a continuous and gradual change, and its cross-sectional shape can be conical, arc-shaped, or stepped transition structure.

[0069] This design allows the slurry velocity to decrease gradually as it flows through the buffer structure 300. The gradual increase in the cross-sectional area avoids local eddies caused by abrupt changes in the flow channel, promoting stable pressure release and maintaining a laminar flow state. This diameter expansion design effectively suppresses pressure oscillations during the pressure relief process and improves the uniformity of the velocity distribution when the slurry enters the mold cavity 102.

[0070] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is first increased and then decreased in the direction from the feed pipe 200 toward the feed port 101.

[0071] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the expansion cavity is set to first expand and then shrink along the direction of slurry feeding. For example, it can be a thin-thick-thin pipeline, or it can be a cavity structure such as a circle or a sphere.

[0072] This design, in the direction of slurry flow, first increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity, which reduces the slurry velocity and allows for sufficient diffusion, achieving initial pressure relief. Subsequently, the decrease in the cross-sectional area constrains the diffused slurry, improving flow stability. This dual effect of first relieving pressure and then rectifying flow avoids sudden velocity changes caused by simple diameter expansion and prevents disordered slurry flow after pressure relief, resulting in a more uniform pressure and velocity distribution of the slurry when it enters the mold cavity 102.

[0073] Furthermore, the outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe 200.

[0074] This design ensures that when the slurry first flows through a region with a large cross-sectional area to release pressure, and then passes through a region with a small cross-sectional area for rectification, it will not experience pressure backflow due to a sudden decrease in the cross-sectional area, thus ensuring a smooth transition in slurry flow rate.

[0075] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer structure 300 and the feed pipe 200 are an integral structure.

[0076] This design eliminates potential gaps or sealing failures that could result from separate connections, thus ensuring the integrity and tightness of the slurry flow path and reducing flow resistance. Optionally, the buffer structure 300 and the feed pipe 200 can be formed into a continuous solid from the same material using casting, injection molding, or additive manufacturing processes, with no assembly seams at the connection.

[0077] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of this application, the die head body 100 is provided with a die cavity 102 and a discharge port 103, and the feed port 101 is correspondingly located in the middle of the die cavity 102.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the feed inlet 101 is located in the middle of the mold cavity 102, the slurry can diffuse from the center to both sides of the mold cavity 102 when it enters the mold cavity 102 from the feed inlet 101, thus avoiding the phenomenon of pressure accumulation on one side caused by side feeding.

[0079] This utility model also proposes a coating device, which includes a feeding assembly and a die assembly. The specific structure of the die assembly is as described in the above embodiments. Since this coating device adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here. Among them, the feed pipe 200 connects the feeding assembly and the feed port 101.

[0080] Understandably, the feeding component is the slurry supply source. The feed pipe 200 guides the slurry output from the feeding component into the feed port 101 of the mold cavity 102. Before entering the feed port 101, the slurry is buffered and depressurized by the buffer structure 300. When the equipment is stopped and restarted, the slurry output from the feeding component is depressurized by the buffer structure 300 and then enters the mold cavity 102 evenly, thereby eliminating the phenomenon of slurry aggregation in the middle.

[0081] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the concept of this utility model and the contents of the specification and drawings of this utility model, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A mold head assembly, characterized in that, include: The die head body is equipped with a feed inlet; A feed pipe is configured to communicate with the feed inlet; as well as A buffer structure, located in the feed pipe, is configured to depressurize the slurry before it enters the feed inlet.

2. The die head assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer structure is configured as a shell structure with an internal expansion cavity, the expansion cavity being connected to the feed pipe, and the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity being larger than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe.

3. The die head assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The buffer structure is connected between the feed pipe and the feed inlet, the inlet end of the expansion cavity is connected to the outlet end of the feed pipe, and the outlet end of the expansion cavity is connected to the feed inlet.

4. The die head assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The buffer structure is connected in series in the feed pipe.

5. The die head assembly as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity gradually increases from the feed pipe toward the feed inlet.

6. The die head assembly as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is first increased and then decreased from the direction of the feed pipe toward the feed inlet.

7. The die head assembly as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the expansion cavity is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe.

8. The die head assembly as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the expansion cavity is set to be fan-shaped, rhomboid, circular, square, trapezoidal, or elliptical.

9. The die head assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The buffer structure and the feed pipe are an integral structure.

10. The die head assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The die head body is provided with a die cavity and a discharge port, and the discharge port is located in the middle of the die cavity.

11. A coating apparatus, characterized in that, It includes a feeding assembly and a die assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the feed pipe connects the feeding assembly to the feed port.

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