Three-stage continuous vacuum drying furnace

Abstract

The utility model relates to lithium ion battery manufacturing technical field, and disclose a three -section type continuous vacuum drying furnace, including the shell, install the access door on the shell, still include: fixed mounting in the frame of shell, install two isolation plates that will its separation into three parts on the frame, install the movable door on the isolation plate, install the adjusting assembly that controls movable door opening and closing on the frame, the utility model isolation section's cavity volume is only the tenth or so of main trunk drying heat preservation section, and the energy consumption needed for vacuumizing and heating proportionally drops along with cavity volume, and the integrated energy consumption of whole machine reduces, simultaneously, the invalid energy consumption of traditional single -cavity repeated'leak -vacuum - vacuum - again heat up' is dispensed with, directly saves the operation electricity fee and maintenance cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lithium-ion battery manufacturing technology, specifically a three-stage continuous vacuum drying oven. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion battery manufacturing refers to the entire process of assembling core components such as positive electrode materials, negative electrode materials, electrolytes, and separators into battery products with energy storage and discharge functions through a series of precise processes. Lithium-ion battery manufacturing requires a three-stage continuous vacuum drying furnace to continuously dry and keep the lithium battery warm under vacuum or inert atmosphere conditions, and to avoid damaging the main drying environment during the material handling process.

[0003] Existing lithium battery vacuum drying furnaces generally adopt a single-chamber integrated structure: drying, heat preservation, and material handling are all completed within the same chamber, which has only one furnace door, requiring the entire chamber to be opened for material handling. After the process is completed, the entire chamber must first be devastated and cooled, followed by vacuuming and heating again, resulting in high cycle energy consumption. This structure has the following drawbacks: the vacuum and temperature field are completely disrupted during material handling, causing a sharp increase in humidity and oxygen content, posing a high risk of secondary moisture absorption by the electrodes; the repeated "vacuum degassing-vacuuming-heating-cooling" process within the chamber results in high energy consumption; the long cycles of vacuum degassing, heating, and cooling extend the cycle time; and temperature and humidity fluctuations lead to poor consistency in the moisture content of the electrodes, affecting the cycle life and safety performance of the battery cells. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a three-stage continuous vacuum drying oven to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a three-section continuous vacuum drying oven, including an outer shell, on which an inspection door is installed, and further comprising: A frame fixedly installed in the housing, the frame having two partition plates that divide it into three parts, the partition plates having movable doors, and the frame having an adjustment assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the movable doors; The lifting assembly has eight sets, with four sets on each side of the frame, and a heating plate is installed on the lifting assembly.

[0006] Preferably, the movable door is provided in two parts, one above the other, and each set of movable doors consists of two sets of symmetrical door panels.

[0007] Preferably, the lifting assembly includes a fixed housing fixedly mounted on a frame, a motor is fixedly mounted on the top of the fixed housing, a lead screw is fixedly mounted on the output end of the motor, the lead screw is rotatably mounted inside the fixed housing, a slider is threaded onto the outer side of the lead screw, and a heating plate is fixedly mounted on the slider.

[0008] Preferably, two symmetrical lifting components are grouped together, and a heating plate is installed between each group of lifting components.

[0009] Preferably, a track is fixedly installed on the frame, and the adjustment component includes a mounting bracket fixedly installed at the bottom of the movable door. A caster wheel is installed on the mounting bracket and rolls in the track. A second motor is fixedly installed at the bottom of the track, and a gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the second motor. A rack that meshes with the gear is fixedly installed at the bottom of the mounting bracket.

[0010] Preferably, both the rack and the movable door are made of flexible rubber material and can be bent at the curves of the track.

[0011] Preferably, a material loading / unloading port is provided on one side of the outer casing.

[0012] Preferably, the housing is equipped with two exhaust pipes.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The volume of the isolation section in this invention is only about one-tenth that of the main drying and insulation section. The energy consumption required for vacuuming and heating decreases proportionally with the volume of the cavity, resulting in a reduction in the overall energy consumption of the machine. Simultaneously, it eliminates the ineffective energy consumption of the traditional single-cavity process of repeatedly "vacuuming—re-vacuuming—re-heating," directly saving on operating electricity costs and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the shortened cycle time leads to increased output per unit time, allowing for capacity expansion without increasing factory space and reducing fixed asset depreciation per unit product. Because the vacuum and temperature field of the main drying and insulation section remain stable throughout the material handling process, the consistency of electrode moisture content is significantly improved, providing a narrower process window for downstream liquid injection and packaging processes. Under the same capacity conditions, this embodiment significantly reduces the overall machine footprint, significantly reduces the power consumption for vacuuming per batch, greatly shortens the material handling cycle time, improves the consistency of electrode moisture content, and extends the cell cycle life. Without disrupting the vacuum and temperature environment of the main drying and insulation section, it achieves drying, insulation, and automatic material handling for small batches of lithium batteries, significantly reducing energy consumption, improving drying consistency, and enhancing equipment flexibility. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the main structure of the three-section continuous vacuum drying oven provided by this utility model; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the frame structure provided for this utility model; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the fixing shell and heating plate structure provided by this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the slider and lead screw structure provided by this utility model; Figure 5A schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the movable door provided by this utility model; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the adjustment component structure provided by this utility model; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the movable door structure provided for this utility model.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Outer shell; 2. Inspection door; 3. Isolation plate; 4. Lifting assembly; 41. Fixed shell; 42. Motor 1; 43. Lead screw; 44. Slider; 5. Heating plate; 6. Track; 7. Frame; 8. Adjustment assembly; 81. Mounting bracket; 82. Casters; 83. Motor 2; 84. Gear; 85. Rack; 9. Exhaust pipe; 10. Material loading / unloading port; 11. Movable door. Detailed Implementation

[0016] 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.

[0017] Please see Figure 1-7 As shown, a three-section continuous vacuum drying oven includes an outer shell 1, on which an inspection door 2 is installed. The inspection door 2 has two parts, upper and lower, which are detachably installed on the outer shell 1 by bolts. It also includes: a frame 7 fixedly installed in the outer shell 1, on which two partition plates 3 are installed to divide it into three parts. The upper part of the top partition plate 3 is the drying and heat preservation section, the space between the two partition plates 3 is the isolation section, and the lower part of the bottom partition plate 3 is the material handling section. A movable door 11 is installed on the partition plate 3, and an adjustment component 8 for controlling the opening and closing of the movable door 11 is installed on the frame 7; and a lifting component 4, which has eight sets, with four sets on each side of the frame 7. A heating plate 5 is installed on the lifting component 4 for supporting and heating the battery tray.

[0018] During vacuum high-temperature drying and constant temperature maintenance of the battery trays, the battery trays are placed on the heating plate 5. During normal drying, both movable doors 11 are closed, and the drying and heat preservation sections operate independently. When unloading, the control unit first closes the lower movable door 11 and then opens the upper movable door 11. The lifting assembly 4 and the heating plate 5 transport the battery trays from the drying and heat preservation section to the isolation section. Then, the upper movable door 11 is closed and the lower movable door 11 is opened. The tray continues to transport the battery trays to the unloading section, where the robot removes the battery trays. The reflow process is carried out in the reverse order, and the isolation section is restored to the same operating conditions as the drying and heat preservation section before the upper movable door 11 is opened to ensure zero disturbance to the main drying environment.

[0019] The movable door 11 has two parts, one at the top and one at the bottom, and each set of movable doors 11 consists of two sets of symmetrical door panels. When the movable door 11 is opened, it moves to the sides to open, and when it is closed, the two door panels converge towards the middle to close the movable door 11.

[0020] The lifting assembly 4 includes a fixed housing 41 fixedly mounted on the frame 7. A motor 42 is fixedly mounted on the top of the fixed housing 41. A lead screw 43 is fixedly mounted on the output end of the motor 42. The lead screw 43 is rotatably mounted inside the fixed housing 41. A slider 44 is threadedly mounted on the outer side of the lead screw 43. A heating plate 5 is fixedly mounted on the slider 44. Two lifting assemblies 4 are symmetrically arranged as a group, and a heating plate 5 is installed between each group of lifting assemblies 4. The movable door 11 has an opening adapted to the fixed housing 41. When the movable door 11 is closed, the opening and the fixed housing 41 form a sealed fit, so that the corresponding section forms an independent cavity. A fluororubber sealing ring is provided at the opening. When closed, the side wall of the fixed housing 41 is pressed to form a vacuum seal. The motor 42 drives the lead screw 43 to rotate, and the lead screw 43 drives the slider 44 to rise and fall in the fixed housing 41, driving the battery plate on the heating plate 5 to rise and fall synchronously. The inner cavity of the slider 44 and the fixed housing 41 are both rectangular.

[0021] A track 6 is fixedly installed on the frame 7. The adjustment assembly 8 includes a mounting bracket 81 fixedly installed at the bottom of the movable door 11. A caster wheel 82 is installed on the mounting bracket 81 and rolls in the track 6. A second motor 83 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the track 6. A gear 84 is fixedly connected to the output end of the second motor 83. A rack 85 that meshes with the gear 84 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the mounting bracket 81. Both the rack 85 and the movable door 11 are made of flexible rubber material and can be bent at the bends of the track 6. The second motor 83 drives the gear 84 to rotate, and the gear 84 meshes with the rack 85, which drives the mounting bracket 81 and the movable door 11 to move on the track 6. At the same time, the caster wheel 82 rolls inside the track 6, which can open and close the movable door 11.

[0022] A material handling port 10 is provided on one side of the outer casing 1; two exhaust pipes 9 are installed on the outer casing 1; the material handling port 10 facilitates the handling of battery trays by the staff, and the upper parts of the two exhaust pipes 9 extend to the outside of the outer casing 1, the lower part of one exhaust pipe 9 extends into the drying area, and the lower part of the other exhaust pipe 9 extends into the isolation section.

[0023] Working Principle: This device's three-section continuous vacuum drying oven is arranged sequentially along the battery conveying direction, consisting of a drying and insulation section, an isolation section, and a material handling section. All three sections share a vertically integrated lifting assembly 4. A movable door 11 connects the drying and insulation section to the isolation section, and another movable door 11 connects the isolation section to the material handling section. Each section can operate independently or be connected sequentially when needed. A liftable heating plate 5 is mounted on the slider 44. The tray is precisely positioned by a lead screw driven by a motor 42, ensuring a smooth transition and horizontal position of the battery tray between sections. The isolation section has a much smaller cavity volume than the drying and insulation section and is equipped with a vacuum exhaust pipe 9, enabling rapid vacuuming and heating to provide a stable transition environment for the main drying and insulation section. The material handling section maintains a clean, atmospheric pressure environment. A material handling port 10 is located on the front wall, through which an external six-axis robot inserts or removes the battery tray, enabling unmanned operation. Both movable doors 11 employ a rack and pinion driven slide gate valve structure, with an opening in the center of the door panel, slightly wider than the heating plate 5. Fluororubber sealing rings are arranged on both sides of the door panel, pressing against the side wall of the fixed shell 41 when closed, forming a reliable vacuum seal. The control unit communicates with motor 1 42, motor 2 83, each vacuum valve, and heating plate 5 via a bus. During normal drying, both doors are closed, and the drying and heat preservation section operates independently. During material removal, the control unit first closes the lower movable door 11 and then opens the upper movable door 11. The lifting assembly 4 and heating plate 5 transport the battery tray from the drying and heat preservation section to the isolation section. Subsequently, the upper movable door 11 is closed and the lower movable door 11 is opened, and the tray continues to transport the battery tray to the material removal section, where the robot removes the battery tray. The reflow process follows the reverse sequence, and the isolation section is pre-restored to the same operating conditions as the drying and heat preservation section before the upper movable door 11 is opened, ensuring zero disturbance to the main drying environment.

[0024] Under the same production capacity conditions, the footprint of the machine in this embodiment is significantly reduced, the power consumption for vacuuming each batch is significantly reduced, the material handling cycle time is greatly shortened, the consistency of electrode moisture content is improved, and the cycle life of the battery cell is extended.

[0025] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0026] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art 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 appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A three-section continuous vacuum drying oven, comprising an outer shell (1), wherein an inspection door (2) is installed on the outer shell (1), characterized in that, Also includes: A frame (7) is fixedly installed in the outer shell (1). Two partition plates (3) are installed on the frame (7) to divide it into three parts. A movable door (11) is installed on the partition plate (3). An adjustment component (8) for controlling the opening and closing of the movable door (11) is installed on the frame (7). The lifting assembly (4) is provided with eight sets, and four sets are provided on each side of the frame (7). A heating plate (5) is installed on the lifting assembly (4).

2. The three-section continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable door (11) is provided in two parts, one above the other, and each set of movable doors (11) consists of two sets of symmetrical door panels.

3. The three-section continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly (4) includes a fixed shell (41) fixedly installed on the frame (7). A motor (42) is fixedly installed on the top of the fixed shell (41). A lead screw (43) is fixedly installed at the output end of the motor (42). The lead screw (43) is rotatably installed inside the fixed shell (41). A slider (44) is threaded on the outside of the lead screw (43). The heating plate (5) is fixedly installed on the slider (44).

4. A three-section continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting components (4) are symmetrically arranged in two groups, and a heating plate (5) is installed between each group of lifting components (4).

5. A three-stage continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (7) is fixedly mounted with a track (6). The adjustment component (8) includes a mounting bracket (81) fixedly mounted at the bottom of the movable door (11). The mounting bracket (81) is equipped with casters (82), which roll in the track (6). The bottom of the track (6) is fixedly mounted with a second motor (83). The output end of the second motor (83) is fixedly connected with a gear (84). The bottom of the mounting bracket (81) is fixedly mounted with a rack (85) that meshes with the gear (84).

6. A three-section continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 5, characterized in that: Both the rack (85) and the movable door (11) are made of flexible rubber material and can be bent at the bends of the track (6).

7. A three-stage continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shell (1) has a material loading and unloading port (10) on one side.

8. A three-section continuous vacuum drying oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two exhaust pipes (9) are installed on the outer casing (1).

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