A lithium battery electrode coating machine

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of lithium battery electrode coating technology and discloses a lithium battery electrode coating machine, including a slurry conveying unit, a coating unit, an electrode conveying unit, and a testing and drying unit. The slurry conveying unit includes a slurry tank, and a conveying pipe is connected to the outlet at the bottom of the slurry tank. The end of the conveying pipe is connected to the coating unit. The coating unit includes a back roller and a coating die. The end of the conveying pipe is connected to the coating die. An electrode substrate passes through the gap between the back roller and the coating die. The electrode substrate is conveyed through the gap between the back roller and the coating die by the electrode conveying unit, and the coating die coats the electrode substrate. The automated adjustment method can improve the accuracy of the gap. Compared with manual adjustment, it can effectively avoid the problem of inconsistent coating thickness caused by adjustment errors, ensure uniform electrode coating thickness and uniform surface density, and improve the quality of lithium battery electrodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lithium battery electrode coating technology, specifically to a lithium battery electrode coating machine. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries are a type of battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloys as the negative electrode material and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. Due to the highly reactive chemical properties of lithium metal, its processing, storage, and use require very strict environmental conditions. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries were not widely used for a long time. However, with the development of science and technology, lithium-ion batteries have now become the mainstream technology. Coating is an important process in lithium battery production, which involves uniformly coating the active material slurry onto the current collector (copper foil / aluminum foil) according to a certain weight. The coated electrode sheet is then used in the next process.

[0003] During the coating process, the coating die head of the coating machine needs to be adjusted because different electrodes have different coating thicknesses. The distance between the coating die head and the back roller electrode substrate needs to be adjusted. In the existing technology, this is usually adjusted manually, which has poor adjustment accuracy and wastes human resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application provides a lithium battery electrode coating machine.

[0005] To solve the above problems, this application provides the following technical solution: a lithium battery electrode coating machine, including a slurry conveying unit, a coating unit, an electrode conveying unit and a testing and drying unit, wherein the slurry conveying unit includes a slurry tank, the outlet at the bottom of the slurry tank is connected to a conveying pipe, and the end of the conveying pipe is connected to the coating unit for conveying coating slurry to the coating unit. The coating unit includes a back roller and a coating die. The end of the conveying pipe is connected to the coating die. The bottom of the coating die is provided with a feature for controlling the gap between the coating die and one side of the back roller. An electrode substrate passes through the gap between the back roller and the coating die. The electrode substrate is conveyed through the gap between the back roller and the coating die by the electrode conveying unit. The coating die then coats the electrode substrate. After the coating unit coats the electrode sheet, the coated electrode sheet is transported to the inspection and drying unit by the electrode sheet conveying unit for inspection and drying. After drying, the electrode sheet is conveyed and wound up by the electrode sheet conveying unit.

[0006] Preferably, the slurry tank is equipped with a stirring motor, and the output shaft of the stirring motor is connected to a stirring shaft via a coupling. The lower end of the stirring shaft is located inside the slurry tank, and the lower end of the stirring shaft is equipped with stirring blades for stirring the slurry inside the slurry tank.

[0007] Preferably, a conveying pipe is connected to the discharge port at the bottom of the slurry tank, and a discharge valve is provided on the side of the conveying pipe near the discharge port of the slurry tank to control the conveying of slurry inside the slurry tank. A conveying pump and a pressure regulating valve are provided on the side of the conveying pipe near the coating die head.

[0008] Preferably, the coating die head includes an upper die head, a gasket, and a lower die head. The upper die head and the gasket clamp the lower die head to form a material passage gap, and the slurry is sprayed onto the electrode substrate through the material passage gap at the outlet formed at the end of the upper die head and the gasket.

[0009] Preferably, the lower die head has a first cavity and a second cavity inside. The first cavity is connected to the conveying pipe, and the first cavity and the second cavity are connected by a gap. The second cavity is opened at an angle to the discharge port of the coating die head.

[0010] Preferably, two sets of adjustment mechanisms are provided below the lower die head, and the adjustment mechanisms are used to adjust the gap between the coating die head and the back roller.

[0011] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism includes a servo motor and a base plate. A slide rail is provided on the base plate, and a slider is slidably disposed on the slide rail. The slider contacts the bottom of the lower die head. The output shaft of the servo motor is connected to a screw, and the screw drives the slider to slide on the slide rail.

[0012] Preferably, the electrode conveying unit includes an unwinding roller, a winding roller, and a conveying roller. The unwinding roller is wound with an electrode substrate. The winding roller is used to wind the coated and dried electrode. Several sets of conveying rollers are provided, which are disposed on the electrode substrate and are used to adjust the conveying of the electrode substrate.

[0013] Preferably, a tensioning roller is disposed between the conveying roller and the back roller, and the tensioning roller is adjusted by a telescopic cylinder to adjust the tension of the electrode substrate.

[0014] Preferably, the detection and drying unit includes a detection mechanism and an electrode drying chamber. The detection mechanism includes a transmitted light source and a detection camera. The transmitted light source is used to provide light, and the detection camera is used to detect the coated electrode. The electrode drying oven is used to dry the coated electrodes.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application provides a lithium battery electrode coating machine, which has the following advantages: This lithium battery electrode coating machine features a modularly designed adjustment mechanism and coating die head, allowing for quick switching between different electrode specifications and compatibility with various coating processes to meet diverse production needs.

[0016] This lithium battery electrode coating machine features an automated adjustment method that improves gap precision. Compared to manual adjustment, it effectively avoids inconsistent coating thickness caused by adjustment errors, ensuring uniform electrode coating thickness and surface density, thus improving the quality of lithium battery electrodes.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery electrode coating machine according to this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the slurry tank in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the coating die head of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the regulating mechanism in this application.

[0019] Reference numerals: 100, electrode substrate; 200, conveying roller; 201, unwinding roller; 202, winding roller; 300, tensioning roller; 301, telescopic cylinder; 400, back roller; 500, coating die head; 501, upper die head; 502, gasket; 503, lower die head; 504, first cavity; 505, second cavity; 506, gap; 510, adjusting mechanism; 511, servo motor; 512, base plate; 513, slide rail; 514, slider; 515, screw; 600, slurry tank; 601, stirring motor; 602, stirring shaft; 603, stirring blade; 604, discharge valve; 605, conveying pipe; 610, conveying pump; 620, pressure regulating valve; 700, detection mechanism; 701, transmitted light source; 702, detection camera; 800, electrode drying oven. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification and claims of this application may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. Furthermore, "and / or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application 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 application.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0024] Please see Figures 1-4 This application provides a new technical solution: a lithium battery electrode coating machine, including a slurry conveying unit, a coating unit, an electrode conveying unit and a testing and drying unit. The slurry conveying unit includes a slurry tank 600, and a conveying pipe 605 is connected to the outlet at the bottom of the slurry tank 600. The end of the conveying pipe 605 is connected to the coating unit for conveying coating slurry to the coating unit. The coating unit includes a back roller 400 and a coating die 500. The end of the conveying pipe 605 is connected to the coating die 500. An adjustment mechanism 510 is provided at the bottom of the coating die 500 to control the gap between the coating die 500 and one side of the back roller 400. An electrode substrate 100 passes through the gap between the back roller 400 and the coating die 500. The electrode substrate 100 is conveyed through the gap between the back roller 400 and the coating die 500 by the electrode conveying unit. The coating die 500 coats the electrode substrate 100. After the coating unit coats the electrode sheet, the coated electrode sheet is transported to the inspection and drying unit by the electrode sheet conveying unit for inspection and drying. After drying, the electrode sheet is conveyed and wound up by the electrode sheet conveying unit.

[0025] In operation, the slurry is pumped from the slurry tank 600 through the conveying pipe 605 and the conveying pump 610 into the coating die 500. The electrode substrate 100, supported by the back roller 400, passes through the narrow gap of the die 500. After coating, the electrode is inspected in real time at 700 and then passes through the electrode drying oven 800. The clear division of labor and collaborative operation of each unit enables automated and continuous production of lithium battery electrode coating, improving production efficiency. Simultaneously, the connection between the slurry conveying unit and the coating unit ensures a stable supply of coating slurry, laying the foundation for consistent coating quality.

[0026] In some embodiments, a stirring motor 601 is provided on the slurry tank 600. The output shaft of the stirring motor 601 is connected to a stirring shaft 602 via a coupling. The lower end of the stirring shaft 602 is located inside the slurry tank 600, and a stirring blade 603 is provided at the lower end of the stirring shaft 602 for stirring the slurry inside the slurry tank 600. In use, the stirring motor 601 is energized and rotates the stirring shaft 602 via the coupling. The stirring blade 603 installed at the lower end of the stirring shaft 602 rotates accordingly, stirring the slurry inside the slurry tank 600. This effectively prevents slurry sedimentation and stratification, ensuring uniform slurry composition. Continuous stirring keeps the slurry in a uniformly mixed state, ensuring stable coating slurry performance, thereby improving the electrode coating quality and reducing coating defects caused by uneven slurry distribution.

[0027] In some embodiments, a conveying pipe 605 is connected to the discharge port at the bottom of the slurry tank 600. A discharge valve 604 is provided on the side of the conveying pipe 605 near the discharge port of the slurry tank 600 to control the slurry delivery within the slurry tank 600. A delivery pump 610 and a pressure regulating valve 620 are provided on the side of the conveying pipe 605 near the coating die 500. When the discharge valve 604 is open, the slurry in the slurry tank 600 flows into the conveying pipe 605 under gravity. The delivery pump 610 and the pressure regulating valve 620 work together to achieve precise monitoring and control of the slurry delivery process, ensuring that the coating die 500 receives a stable and appropriate flow rate and pressure of slurry, thus guaranteeing coating uniformity and stability.

[0028] In some embodiments, the coating die 500 includes an upper die 501, a gasket 502, and a lower die 503. The upper die 501 and the gasket 502 clamp the lower die 503 to form a material passage gap, and the slurry is sprayed onto the electrode substrate 100 along the material passage gap at the outlet formed at the end of the upper die 501 and the gasket 502. The slurry enters the coating die 500 through the conveying pipe 605, flows in the material passage gap formed by the upper die 501, the gasket 502, and the lower die 503, and is finally sprayed in a thin film from the outlet onto the moving electrode substrate 100 to achieve coating.

[0029] In some embodiments, the lower die head 503 is provided with a first cavity 504 and a second cavity 505. The first cavity 504 is connected to the conveying pipe 605, and the first cavity 504 and the second cavity 505 are connected by a gap 506. The second cavity 505 is inclined and extends to the outlet of the coating die head 500. The slurry enters the first cavity 504 from the conveying pipe 605, and then flows into the inclined second cavity 505 through the gap 506. In the second cavity 505, the slurry is further evenly distributed under the action of gravity and flow inertia, and finally sprayed onto the electrode substrate 100 from the outlet of the coating die head 500.

[0030] In some embodiments, two sets of adjustment mechanisms 510 are provided below the lower die head 503, and the adjustment mechanisms 510 are used to adjust the gap between the coating die head 500 and the back roller 400.

[0031] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 510 includes a servo motor 511 and a base plate 512. A slide rail 513 is provided on the base plate 512, and a slider 514 is slidably mounted on the slide rail 513. The slider 514 contacts the bottom of the lower die head 503. The output shaft of the servo motor 511 is connected to a screw 515, which drives the slider 514 to slide on the slide rail 513. When the servo motor 511 starts, it drives the screw 515 to rotate, and the slider 514, which cooperates with the screw 515, slides on the slide rail 513. Because the slider 514 contacts the bottom of the lower die head 503, it drives the lower die head 503 to move up and down, thereby achieving precise adjustment of the gap between the coating die head 500 and the back roller 400. The adjustment mechanism 510 can accurately and conveniently adjust the gap between the coating die head 500 and the back roller 400, meeting the coating requirements of electrode sheets of different thicknesses and improving the versatility and coating accuracy of the equipment.

[0032] In some embodiments, the electrode conveying unit includes an unwinding roller 201, a winding roller 202, and a conveying roller 200. An electrode substrate 100 is wound around the unwinding roller 201. The winding roller 202 is used to wind up the coated and dried electrode. Several sets of conveying rollers 200 are arranged on the electrode substrate 100 and are used to adjust the conveying of the electrode substrate 100. The unwinding roller 201 rotates slowly under the drive of a motor, releasing the electrode substrate 100. The electrode substrate 100 passes sequentially around several conveying rollers 200 and, guided and pulled by the conveying rollers 200, enters the coating unit and the inspection and drying unit, and is finally wound up by the winding roller 202.

[0033] In some embodiments, a tensioning roller 300 is disposed between the conveying roller 200 and the back roller 400. The tensioning roller 300 is adjusted by a telescopic cylinder 301 to adjust the tension of the electrode substrate 100. The telescopic cylinder 301 extends or retracts according to the control system command, driving the tensioning roller 300 to move up and down. When the tension of the electrode substrate 100 is insufficient, the tensioning roller 300 descends to increase the electrode tension; when the tension of the electrode substrate 100 is excessive, the tensioning roller 300 rises to decrease the electrode tension.

[0034] In some embodiments, the inspection and drying unit includes an inspection mechanism 700 and an electrode drying chamber 800. The inspection mechanism 700 includes a transmission light source 701 and an inspection camera 702. The transmission light source 701 provides light, and the inspection camera 702 inspects the coated electrode. The transmission light source 701 emits light that penetrates the coated electrode, and the inspection camera 702 captures an image of the electrode from the other side to inspect the coating thickness, uniformity, etc. The inspection mechanism 700 monitors the electrode coating quality in real time, promptly detects defects, and facilitates adjustments.

[0035] In this embodiment, the electrode drying box 800 is used to dry the coated electrode. The electrode drying box 800 uses hot air circulation or infrared heating to heat the coated electrode, so that the solvent in the slurry evaporates quickly and the electrode is dried.

[0036] Working principle: In use, a lithium battery electrode coating machine stores slurry in a slurry tank 600. After the valve 604 is opened, the slurry flows to the coating die head 500 through the conveying pipe 605 under the action of the conveying pump 610. The electrode substrate 100 is pulled by the electrode conveying unit and supported by the back roller 400. It passes through the gap between the coating die head 500 and the back roller 400. The slurry enters the first cavity 504 of the lower die head 503 of the coating die head 500, flows into the inclined second cavity 505 through the gap 506, and is evenly distributed before being coated onto the electrode substrate 100 from the discharge port.

[0037] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0038] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lithium battery electrode coating machine, characterized in that, It includes a slurry conveying unit, a coating unit, an electrode conveying unit, and a testing and drying unit. The slurry conveying unit includes a slurry tank, and a conveying pipe is connected to the outlet at the bottom of the slurry tank. The end of the conveying pipe is connected to the coating unit for conveying coating slurry to the coating unit. The coating unit includes a back roller and a coating die. The end of the conveying pipe is connected to the coating die. An adjustment mechanism is provided at the bottom of the coating die to control the gap between the coating die and one side of the back roller. An electrode substrate passes through the gap between the back roller and the coating die. The electrode substrate is conveyed through the gap between the back roller and the coating die by the electrode conveying unit. The coating die then coats the electrode substrate. After the coating unit coats the electrode sheet, the coated electrode sheet is transported to the inspection and drying unit by the electrode sheet conveying unit for inspection and drying. After drying, the electrode sheet is conveyed and wound up by the electrode sheet conveying unit.

2. The lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slurry tank is equipped with a stirring motor, and the output shaft of the stirring motor is connected to a stirring shaft via a coupling. The lower end of the stirring shaft is located inside the slurry tank, and the lower end of the stirring shaft is equipped with stirring blades for stirring the slurry inside the slurry tank.

3. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, A conveying pipe is connected to the discharge port at the bottom of the slurry tank. A discharge valve is provided on the side of the conveying pipe near the discharge port of the slurry tank to control the conveying of slurry inside the slurry tank. A conveying pump and a pressure regulating valve are provided on the side of the conveying pipe near the coating die head.

4. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coating die head includes an upper die head, a gasket, and a lower die head. The upper die head and the gasket clamp the lower die head to form a material passage gap, and the slurry is sprayed onto the electrode substrate through the material passage gap at the outlet formed at the end of the upper die head and the gasket.

5. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lower die head is provided with a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity is connected to the conveying pipe and the first cavity and the second cavity are connected by a gap. The second cavity is opened at an angle to the discharge port of the coating die head.

6. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, Two sets of adjustment mechanisms are provided below the lower die head, which are used to adjust the gap between the coating die head and the back roller.

7. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism includes a servo motor and a base plate. A slide rail is provided on the base plate, and a slider is slidably mounted on the slide rail. The slider contacts the bottom of the lower die head. The output shaft of the servo motor is connected to a screw, which drives the slider to slide on the slide rail.

8. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode conveying unit includes an unwinding roller, a winding roller, and a conveying roller. The unwinding roller is wound with an electrode substrate. The winding roller is used to wind the coated and dried electrode. Several sets of conveying rollers are provided, which are set on the electrode substrate and used to adjust the conveying of the electrode substrate.

9. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, A tensioning roller is positioned between the conveying roller and the back roller. The tensioning roller is adjusted by a telescopic cylinder to adjust the tension of the electrode substrate.

10. A lithium battery electrode coating machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection and drying unit includes a detection mechanism and an electrode drying chamber. The detection mechanism includes a transmission light source and a detection camera. The transmission light source is used to provide light, and the detection camera is used to detect the coated electrode. The electrode drying oven is used to dry the coated electrodes.

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