A microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process

Abstract

This application discloses a microwave-assisted heating device for a low-temperature annealing process, belonging to the technical field of heat treatment process equipment. It provides a microwave-assisted heating device for a low-temperature annealing process that achieves a more uniform temperature distribution. The device includes an open furnace body with a metal cover inside. A heat insulation plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the metal cover, and a driver is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the heat insulation plate. A turntable is fixedly connected to the output end of the driver, and a heating tank is mounted on the turntable. The heating tank has an outer concave cavity containing a material support. A furnace cover is located at the open end of the furnace body, and an electrical distribution box is located on the outside of the furnace body. This application utilizes the designed heating tank structure and fills it with water. Microwaves can rapidly heat the water to reach the set annealing temperature, and the water temperature rises relatively evenly, without creating a significant temperature gradient around the heating tank. Most of the microwave energy is absorbed by the water, resulting in lower energy consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of heat treatment process equipment technology, and in particular to a microwave-assisted heating device for a low-temperature annealing process. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional annealing processes rely on resistance wire heating, which has problems such as large temperature gradients, high energy consumption, and easy contamination of battery cells.

[0003] Existing low-temperature annealing equipment struggles to achieve rapid heating and precise temperature control, which affects the effectiveness of crystal defect repair. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a microwave-assisted heating device for a low-temperature annealing process with a more uniform temperature distribution.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a microwave-assisted heating device for a low-temperature annealing process: it includes a furnace body with an open front end, a metal cover installed inside the furnace body, a heat insulation plate fixedly connected to the bottom of the metal cover, a driver fixedly connected to the lower surface of the heat insulation plate, a turntable fixedly connected to the output end of the driver, a heating tank installed on the turntable, the heating tank being suitable for filling with water, the heating tank having an outer concave cavity, and a material support frame installed inside the outer concave cavity to provide support for the material to be annealed.

[0006] The furnace body has an open end with a furnace cover, and an electrical distribution box is located on the outside of the furnace body. The electrical distribution box contains a circuit board, and a temperature knob and a time knob are located outside the electrical distribution box. A temperature sensor is located outside the heating tank, and a microwave transmitting antenna is located on the top of the metal cover. The temperature knob, time knob, temperature sensor, and microwave transmitting antenna are all electrically connected to the circuit board to realize power supply and signal transmission.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the concave cavity is connected to the opposite outer side of the heated container, so that the heated container has a U-shaped shape.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the material support includes a base plate, and each of the opposite sides of the base plate has an upwardly extending side plate. The first side plate has a first support plate on the side facing the second side plate, and the second side plate has a second support plate on the side facing the first side plate. The first and second support plates are flush and are used together to provide support for the battery body that needs to be annealed.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, there are several first trays, which are arranged at equal intervals from bottom to top. The number and position of the second trays correspond to the first trays, and multiple battery cells that need to be annealed can be placed in the material rack at the same time.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the material support is an integral structure made of ceramic matrix composite material; the heating tank is made of ceramic material, which has good pressure resistance and high temperature resistance.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the top of the heating tank is connected to a buffer tank via a connecting pipe. Both ends of the buffer tank are connected to the interior of the heating tank via connecting pipes, forming a sealed space that allows the water inside the heating tank to reach a higher temperature.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the driver includes a motor and a reducer fixedly connected to the heat insulation plate. The output end of the reducer is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft, which passes through the heat insulation plate and is fixedly connected to the turntable, so that the heated tank can rotate or swing within a certain range, making the water temperature rise more uniform in all parts.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the furnace cover is rotatably connected to the furnace body, and a handle is provided on the outer side of the furnace cover for easy opening and closing.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: (1) By designing the structure of the heating tank and filling the heating tank with water, microwaves can quickly heat the water to reach the set temperature for annealing. The water is heated relatively evenly and will not generate an obvious temperature gradient around the heating tank. Most of the energy of the microwaves is absorbed by the water, so the energy consumption is relatively low. (2) By setting a temperature sensor to monitor the stability around the heated tank and using negative feedback adjustment, a high-precision annealing temperature control can be achieved, which can effectively improve the crystal defect repair effect of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure of the microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the furnace body back panel of the microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process after it has been opened.

[0017] Figure 3 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the driver and heated container of the microwave-assisted heating device for this low-temperature annealing process, arranged inside the furnace.

[0018] Figure 4 This diagram shows the positional relationship between the driver, the heated tank, and the metal cover of the microwave-assisted heating device for this low-temperature annealing process.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram showing the connection between the heated tank and the driver in the microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material support and the heated tank of the microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the material support and the heated tank of the microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material support of the microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Distribution box; 101. Temperature knob; 102. Time knob; 2. Furnace body; 3. Furnace cover; 301. Handle; 4. Metal cover; 5. Insulation plate; 6. Driver; 601. Motor; 602. Reducer; 603. Shaft; 604. Turntable; 7. Heating tank; 701. Outer cavity; 702. Temperature sensor; 703. Connecting pipe; 704. Buffer tank; 8. Microwave transmitting antenna; 9. Material support; 901. Base plate; 902. Side plate; 903. First support plate; 904. Second support plate. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the directional terms such as "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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. They should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this application.

[0026] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0027] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification and claims of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0028] like Figures 1-8 The microwave-assisted heating device for the low-temperature annealing process shown includes a furnace body 2 with an open front end. The furnace body 2 is made of a high-temperature resistant material, such as a metal fiber reinforced high-temperature composite material. A metal cover 4 is installed inside the furnace body 2 to reflect microwaves and concentrate them in the center of the metal cover 4. A heat insulation plate 5, usually made of ceramic fiber, is fixedly connected to the bottom of the metal cover 4 to prevent heat from being conducted downwards. A driver 6 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the heat insulation plate 5. A turntable 604 is fixedly connected to the output end of the driver 6. In fact, the driver 6 includes a motor 601 and a reducer 602 fixedly connected to the heat insulation plate 5. The motor 601 is driven by the input end of the reducer 602. A rotating shaft 603 is fixedly connected to the output end of the reducer 602. The rotating shaft 603 passes through the heat insulation plate 5 and is fixedly connected to the turntable 604. Both the turntable 604 and the rotating shaft 603 are coaxial with the output end of the reducer 602.

[0029] A heating tank 7 is mounted on the turntable 604. The heating tank 7 is made of ceramic material and is usually filled with water. The volume of water filled into the heating tank 7 shall not exceed 80% of the internal volume of the heating tank 7. Microwaves can pass through the heating tank 7 to rapidly heat the water inside. The heating tank 7 has an outer concave cavity 701, which connects to the opposite outer side of the heating tank 7 and extends to the top surface of the heating tank 7. Therefore, the heating tank 7 has a U-shaped appearance. The top of the heating tank 7 is connected to a buffer tank 704 through a connecting pipe 703. The water vapor generated after heating can enter the buffer tank 704 through the connecting pipe 703. Both ends of the buffer tank 704 are connected to the inside of the heating tank 7 through the connecting pipe 703. The buffer tank 704 is located on the top of the heating tank 7 to increase the sealing space at the top of the heating tank 7.

[0030] A U-shaped material support 9 is provided inside the concave cavity 701. The material support 9 includes a base plate 901 at the bottom of the concave cavity 701. Each side of the base plate 901 has an upwardly extending side plate 902. The two side plates 902 are parallel to each other. It should be noted that the side of the first side plate 902 facing the second side plate 902 has a first support plate 903, and the side of the second side plate 902 facing the first side plate 902 has a second support plate 904. The first support plate 903 and the second support plate 904 are flush, and there are several first support plates 903. These first support plates 903 are arranged at equal intervals from bottom to top. The number and position of the second support plates 904 correspond to the first support plates 903. The first support plates 903 and the second support plates 904 at the same height are used to provide support for the material to be annealed. The material support 9 is an integral structure made of ceramic matrix composite material, which can maintain its stability well at high temperatures.

[0031] An oven cover 3 is provided at the open end of the oven body 2 to cover the open end of the oven body 2, creating a relatively sealed environment inside the oven body 2. The oven cover 3 can also withstand high temperatures. The oven cover 3 is rotatably connected to the oven body 2, and can be rotated to open and close. A handle 301 is provided on the outer side of the oven cover 3. The handle 301 is usually made of a material with low thermal conductivity, such as aluminum nitride. The handle 301 makes it easier to apply force to open and close the oven cover 3. An electrical distribution box 1 is provided on the outside of the oven body 2. The electrical distribution box 1 contains a circuit board, with a circuit layout similar to that inside a microwave oven. Its main purpose is to generate microwaves. The microwave generating circuit is a mature existing technology and will not be described in detail here. A temperature knob 101 and a time knob 102 are installed outside the distribution box 1. A temperature sensor 702 is installed outside the heating tank 7 to monitor the temperature change of the heating tank 7. A microwave transmitting antenna 8 is installed on the top of the metal cover 4 to generate microwaves into the metal cover 4 to act on the water inside the heating tank 7. The temperature knob 101, time knob 102, temperature sensor 702 and microwave transmitting antenna 8 are all electrically connected to the circuit board. The temperature knob 101 is used to quickly set the annealing temperature, and the time knob 102 is used to conveniently set the annealing time.

[0032] Working principle: Since the buffer tank 704 and the heating tank 7 form a closed space, the water in the closed space is not restricted by the external atmospheric pressure. Under the action of microwaves, it can be raised to a higher temperature to meet a wider range of annealing temperatures. Before use, the annealing temperature is set by the temperature knob 101. The microwave transmitting antenna 8 emits microwaves that act on the water inside the heating tank 7, causing the water to heat up rapidly and the temperature around the heating tank 7 to rise evenly. Under the control of the program, the feedback signal of the temperature sensor 702 affects the output power of the microwave transmitting antenna 8, realizing negative feedback regulation, so that the heating tank 7 maintains a relatively stable temperature near the set temperature. When in use, open the furnace cover 3, place the material to be annealed on the first tray 903 and the second tray 904 in the material tray 9, and then close the furnace cover 3. Then, set the annealing time by the time knob 102. The material in the outer concave cavity 701 does not have a large temperature gradient, so the annealing process can be completed relatively evenly. After the time is up, the material is annealed and the furnace cover 3 can be opened to take out the annealed material.

[0033] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of this application have been described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely the principles of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made to this application without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection claimed by this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A microwave-assisted heating device for a low-temperature annealing process, characterized in that: The furnace includes an open-front furnace body (2), a metal cover (4) is provided inside the furnace body (2), a heat insulation plate (5) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the metal cover (4), a driver (6) is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the heat insulation plate (5), a turntable (604) is fixedly connected to the output end of the driver (6), a heating tank (7) is provided on the turntable (604), the heating tank (7) is suitable for filling with water, the heating tank (7) has an outer concave cavity (701), and a material support (9) is provided in the outer concave cavity (701). A furnace cover (3) is provided at the open end of the furnace body (2). A power distribution box (1) is provided on the outside of the furnace body (2). A circuit board is provided inside the power distribution box (1). A temperature knob (101) and a time knob (102) are provided outside the power distribution box (1). A temperature sensor (702) is provided outside the heating tank (7). A microwave transmitting antenna (8) is provided on the top of the metal cover (4). The temperature knob (101), time knob (102), temperature sensor (702) and microwave transmitting antenna (8) are all electrically connected to the circuit board.

2. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The concave cavity (701) is connected to the opposite outer side of the heated tank (7).

3. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The material tray (9) includes a base plate (901), and each side of the base plate (901) has an upwardly extending side plate (902). The first side plate (902) has a first support plate (903) on the side facing the second side plate (902), and the second side plate (902) has a second support plate (904) on the side facing the first side plate (902). The first support plate (903) and the second support plate (904) are flush.

4. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in claim 3, characterized in that: There are several first trays (903), which are arranged at equal intervals from bottom to top. The number and position of the second trays (904) correspond to the first trays (903).

5. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The material rack (9) is an integral structure made of ceramic matrix composite material; the heating tank (7) is made of ceramic material.

6. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The top of the heated tank (7) is connected to a buffer tank (704) via a connecting pipe (703), and both ends of the buffer tank (704) are connected to the interior of the heated tank (7) via connecting pipes (703).

7. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The driver (6) includes a motor (601) and a reducer (602) fixedly connected to the heat insulation plate (5). The output end of the reducer (602) is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft (603), which passes through the heat insulation plate (5) and is fixedly connected to the turntable (604).

8. The microwave-assisted heating device for low-temperature annealing process as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The furnace cover (3) is rotatably connected to the furnace body (2), and a handle (301) is provided on the outer side of the furnace cover (3).

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