Agitator and agitation device

Abstract

To provide an agitator and an agitation device that secure dispersion capability while improving the kneading performance.SOLUTION: An agitator comprises a flow guide cone 1, a retaining ring 3, and a plurality of agitating blocks 2. The retaining ring is installed so as to surround the flow guide cone, and is positioned at in the outer periphery of the flow guide cone. The agitating blocks are distributed uniformly between the flow guide cone and the retaining ring, with one end connected to the flow guide cone, and the other end connected to the retaining ring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to stirrers and stirring devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Slurry preparation is the first process in lithium battery manufacturing. The mixing process is the most important part of the lithium ion battery manufacturing process, and the proportion of the mixing process that affects the quality of the product is more than 30% in the lithium ion battery manufacturing process. The solid content is an important index in evaluating the slurry, and refers to the proportion of the solid content of the active material, conductive agent, binder, etc. contained in each component of the slurry to the mass of the entire slurry. Solid-liquid mixing in the battery slurry stirring process usually requires both mixing and dispersion processes. Mixing refers to quickly mixing various substances to obtain a mixed liquid in which a large number of solid agglomerated particles are uniformly dispersed after mixing. Dispersion refers to cutting the agglomerated particles using a blade that rotates at high speed, so that the agglomerated material is broken down into smaller particles so that the fine solid particles are uniformly suspended in the liquid in the final output state without settling. However, the agitators used in the prior art for stirring the slurry have the disadvantages of strong dispersion ability and weak kneading ability, and as a result, the battery slurry does not meet the specified requirements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model No. 222003706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to solve one of the technical problems in the related art to some extent, the present invention provides a new type of agitator which has the advantages of improving the kneading ability while ensuring the dispersing ability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention discloses an agitator and an agitator device in the field of battery technology, which comprises a flow cone, a retaining ring, and a number of agitating blocks, the retaining ring is installed to surround the flow cone and is located on the outer periphery of the flow cone, the agitating blocks are uniformly distributed between the flow cone and the retaining ring, one end is connected to the flow cone, and the other end is connected to the retaining ring.

[0007] In the stirring process of battery slurry, the slurry is discharged at a high speed, which limits the amount of slurry discharged into the extrusion kneading zone and weakens the kneading ability. However, the technical solution provided by the present invention reduces the amount of slurry discharged in the radial direction by providing a stop ring on the outside of the stirring block, and forces the slurry to be discharged into the extrusion kneading zone at the bottom of the container, thereby improving the kneading effect and promoting the rapid mixing of powder and liquid, thereby shortening the stirring time of the entire slurry and improving production efficiency.

[0008] Optionally, a plurality of retaining ring holes are provided in a peripheral surface of said retaining ring.

[0009] The multiple retaining ring holes are respectively distributed on multiple circumferences, the multiple circumferences are spaced apart along the axial direction of the retaining ring, the multiple retaining ring holes on the same circumference are uniformly distributed, and the retaining ring holes on two adjacent circumferences are alternately arranged.

[0010] The retaining ring hole can prevent the occurrence of divided fluidized layers of the slurry, which affects the fluidity of the entire slurry, and can prevent the occurrence of accumulation of the slurry.

[0011] Optionally, the agitator further comprises at least one dispersion post, and at least one of the agitator blocks comprises a mounting hole, and the dispersion post is fixed to the agitator block via the mounting hole.

[0012] Optionally, both ends of the dispersion post extend from the agitator block, the extension on the same side as the directing cone being greater than the extension on the opposite side as the directing cone.

[0013] The battery slurry is stirred by the dispersion columns and released at high speed toward the inner wall of the mixing tank. At this time, because the rotation speed of the middle region located closer to the central axis of the dispersion columns is low, the mixed liquid in the upper part of the mixing space falls to fill the middle region. In this way, the fluidity of the battery slurry in the mixing space is increased, and the components in the battery slurry are rapidly and uniformly mixed.

[0014] Optionally, on the same side of the flow cone, the retaining ring is higher than the height of the stirring block by less than half the projection length of the dispersion post.

[0015] Optionally, the mounting hole is located between the retaining ring and the flow director cone.

[0016] The height of the retaining ring is less than half the height of the dispersion pillars, so that the retaining ring performs a draining function while reducing the impact of the dispersion pillars on the dispersion effect.

[0017] Optionally, the dispersion post has an equal number of the agitator blocks, with one dispersion post provided for each agitator block.

[0018] Each mixing block is provided with a dispersion column to maximize the dispersion effect.

[0019] Optionally, the agitator block has opposing forward and reverse flow surfaces, the reverse flow surfaces facing in the direction of rotation of the agitator block, the forward and reverse flow surfaces not parallel to a vertical plane, and the reverse flow surface of one agitator block and the reverse flow surface of an adjacent agitator block form a flow passage.

[0020] Optionally, the connection between the stirring block and the flow cone is located circumferentially on a base surface of the flow cone.

[0021] Optionally, the agitator further comprises a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being concentric with the flow cone, one end being connected to a bottom surface of the flow cone and the other end extending to an opposite side of the flow cone.

[0022] When the stirring block rotates, the positive flow surface cuts off a part of the battery slurry and presses it against the bottom of the stirring space to promote the flow of the battery slurry, and the reverse flow surface discharges the battery slurry that passes through the flow passage. In addition, since the flow passage is open in the radial direction, air bubbles mixed in the battery slurry can be discharged in the radial direction, and a closed cavity is not formed in the flow passage to cause a large amount of air bubbles to remain.

[0023] At the same time, the present invention also provides a stirring apparatus including a stirring tank, a stirring space being formed in the stirring tank, and the stirring apparatus further including any one of the above-described stirrers, the stirrer being provided at the bottom of the stirring space. Effect of the Invention

[0024] The beneficial effects of the stirring device provided by the present invention are similar to the reasoning process for the beneficial effects of the stirrer described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0025] These features and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments as well as in the accompanying drawings. The best embodiment or means of the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but are not intended to limit the technical program of the present invention. Furthermore, these features, elements and components appearing in the following drawings and the accompanying drawings are parts having multiple parts, and are represented by different symbols or numbers for convenience of representation, but all show the same or similar structure or function.

[0026] The invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an elevated underside view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a mixing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flow simulation diagram of a prior art agitation device. [Figure 7] Same as above. [Figure 8] Same as above. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fluid simulation in a case where a retaining ring hole is not provided in the retaining ring in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Same as above. [Figure 11] Same as above. [Figure 12] Same as above. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fluid simulation in a case where a retaining ring hole is provided in a retaining ring in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Same as above. [Figure 15] Same as above. [Figure 16] Same as above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar labels throughout indicate the same or similar elements, or elements having the same or similar functions. Based on the embodiments in the embodiments, they are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0029] Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an example" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself may be included in at least one embodiment of the present patent disclosure. The phrase "in one embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself may be included in at least one embodiment of the present patent disclosure. The phrase "in one embodiment" need not refer to the same embodiment in all places in the specification.

[0030] Embodiments: 1 and 2, the present embodiment provides an agitator for agitating a battery slurry, which includes a flow cone 1, a rotating shaft 5, a retaining ring 3, a plurality of agitating blocks 2, and a dispersing pole 4.

[0031] The rotating shaft 5 is integrally molded concentrically with the flow cone 1, with one end attached to the bottom surface of the flow cone 1 and the other end extending toward the opposite side of the flow cone 1. The rotating shaft 5 rotates the agitator under the action of an external torque.

[0032] The stirring blocks 2 are uniformly distributed between the guide cone 1 and the retaining ring 3 in the circumferential direction, one end is connected to the guide cone 1, the connecting position with the guide cone 1 is located in the circumferential direction of the bottom surface of the guide cone 1, and the other end is connected to the retaining ring 3. In the kneading process of the battery slurry, the slurry is discharged at a high speed, so that the amount of the slurry discharged to the extrusion kneading zone is limited, and the kneading ability is weakened. The technical solution provided by the present invention is to provide a retaining ring 3 on the outside of the stirring block 2 to reduce the slurry discharged in the radial direction and force the slurry to be discharged to the extrusion kneading zone at the bottom of the container, thereby improving the kneading effect, promoting the rapid mixing of the powder and the liquid, shortening the stirring time of the entire slurry, and improving the production efficiency.

[0033] At the same time, a large number of retaining ring holes 31 are provided on the peripheral surface of the retaining ring 3, and these retaining ring holes 31 form divided fluidized layers that affect the fluidity of the entire slurry, thereby preventing the accumulation of slurry.

[0034] In this embodiment, there is no particular limitation on the manner in which the retaining ring holes 31 are provided. Optionally, multiple retaining ring holes 31 may be uniformly distributed in the retaining ring 3.

[0035] As another option, according to Fig. 1, the retaining ring holes 31 are arranged on multiple circumferences and spaced apart along the axial direction of the retaining rings 3. The retaining ring holes 31 on the same circumference are arranged uniformly, and the retaining ring holes 31 on two adjacent circumferences are arranged alternately. Optionally, the number of retaining ring holes 31 on different circumferences is the same to improve the flow of the slurry.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same number of retaining ring holes 31 are provided on both circumferences.

[0037] The connection positions between the agitating blocks 2 and the flow cone 1 are located around the circumference of the bottom surface of the flow cone 1 and are uniformly distributed.

[0038] The agitator block 2 has a forward flow surface 21 and a reverse flow surface 22 facing each other, the reverse flow surface 22 facing the rotation direction of the agitator block 2, the forward flow surface 21 and the reverse flow surface 22 not parallel to a vertical plane, and the reverse flow surface 22 of one agitator block 2 and the reverse flow surface 22 of an adjacent agitator block 2 form a flow passage 23.

[0039] When the stirring block 2 rotates, the forward flow surface 21 cuts off a part of the battery slurry and pushes it out to the bottom of the stirring space, promoting the flow of the battery slurry, and the reverse flow surface 22 discharges the battery slurry passing through the flow passage 23. In addition, since the flow passage 23 is open in the radial direction, air bubbles mixed in the battery slurry can be discharged in the radial direction without forming a closed cavity in the flow passage 23 and leaving a large number of air bubbles behind.

[0040] 3 and 4, the stirring block 2 is provided with an attachment hole 24 located between the retaining ring 3 and the flow guide cone 1. In this embodiment, the attachment hole 24 penetrates the stirring block 2, and the dispersion column 4 is fixed to the stirring block 2 through the attachment hole 24. The attachment method may be an interference fit, threaded engagement, or the like, and is not limited in this specification.

[0041] The number of dispersion columns 4 is the same as the number of stirring blocks 2, and each stirring block 2 is provided with one dispersion column 4, thereby ensuring maximum dispersion effect. Both ends of the dispersion column 4 extend outside the stirring block 2, and the extension length on the same side as the flow cone 1 is greater than the extension length on the opposite side to the flow cone 1.

[0042] The battery slurry is stirred by the dispersion columns 4 and forcibly thrown toward the inner wall of the mixing vessel body at high speed. Since the rotation speed of the middle region located on the side close to the central axis of the dispersion columns 4 is low, the mixed liquid in the upper part of the mixing space inevitably falls to fill the middle region, which increases the fluidity of the battery slurry in the mixing space and promotes rapid and uniform mixing of the components in the battery slurry.

[0043] In this embodiment, the length of the dispersion column 4 is not particularly limited. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the dispersion column 4 extends from the stirring block 2 to a length approximately half the height of the flow direction cone.

[0044] At the same time, the height of the retaining ring 3 above the stirring block 2 on the same side as the directing cone 1 does not exceed half the protruding length of the dispersion column 4. In this way, the retaining ring 3 reduces its influence on the dispersion effect of the dispersion column 4 while still fulfilling its discharge function.

[0045] In this embodiment, the number of stirring blocks 2 is not particularly limited, and the number of stirring blocks 2 and dispersion columns 4 can be set according to a specific application scene. In an optional embodiment, 5 to 9 stirring blocks may be provided in the stirrer. In a specific embodiment shown in FIG. 3, 7 stirring blocks and 7 dispersion columns are provided in the stirrer.

[0046] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a stirring apparatus is provided that includes a stirring tank 6 and a stirring space is formed in the stirring tank 6. The stirring apparatus provided in this embodiment further includes an agitator as described in this embodiment, and the agitator is provided at the bottom of the stirring space.

[0047] As described above, during the stirring of the battery slurry by the stirring device, the slurry is discharged at a high speed. Therefore, by providing the retaining ring 3 on the outer periphery of the stirring block 2 to reduce the amount of slurry discharged in the radial direction, the slurry is forced to be discharged into the extrusion kneading zone at the bottom of the container, enhancing the kneading effect, promoting the rapid mixing of the powder and the liquid, shortening the total stirring time, and improving the production efficiency.

[0048] As an optional embodiment, the stirring device further includes at least one flow guide surface 7 provided on the inner side wall of the stirring tank 6, and the longitudinal direction of the flow guide surface 7 is in the same direction as the height direction of the stirring tank 6.

[0049] The flow guide surface 7 prevents the slurry from flowing in the circumferential direction of the mixing tank 6 and promotes the rotational flow of the slurry in the vertical direction, thereby increasing the degree of mixing and improving the mixing effect.

[0050] As can be seen from the fluid simulation diagrams of the prior art, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, most of the fluid is released from the top of the stirring block 2. Since the slurry is released at high speed by the dispersion column 4, the amount of slurry discharged to the extrusion kneading zone is limited, and as a result, the kneading ability of the agitator is weakened. Therefore, in this embodiment, a retaining ring 3 is added to the outer ring of the stirring block 2. After the retaining ring 3 is added, as can be seen from the fluid simulation diagrams of the case where only the retaining ring 3 is added and the retaining ring hole 31 is not provided in the retaining ring 3, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, most of the fluid flows through the constriction kneading zone at the bottom of the container where the battery slurry is stirred.

[0051] In order to avoid division of the fluidized bed, a large number of retaining ring holes 31 are uniformly distributed on the circumference of the retaining ring 3. By adding the retaining ring holes 31, as shown in Figs. 13 to 16, most of the fluid still flows in the extrusion kneading zone at the bottom of the container where the battery slurry is stirred, and the appearance of a divided fluidized bed is avoided without affecting the kneading effect.

[0052] The above is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes but is not limited to the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the above specific embodiment. Modifications that do not deviate from the functional and structural principles of the present invention are included in the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Cone 2 Mixing block 21 Normal flow surface 22 Reverse flow surface 23 Direction passage 24 Mounting holes 3 Retaining ring 31 Retaining ring hole 4 Dispersion Pillar 5 Rotation Axis 6 Mixing tank 7 Flow guide surface

Claims

1. 1. A mixer comprising: a flow guide cone, a retaining ring, and a plurality of stirring blocks, the retaining ring being arranged to surround the flow guide cone and positioned on the outer periphery of the flow guide cone, the stirring blocks being uniformly distributed between the flow guide cone and the retaining ring, one end of the stirring blocks being connected to the flow guide cone, and the other end of the stirring blocks being connected to the retaining ring.

2. 2. The agitator according to claim 1, The retaining ring has a plurality of retaining ring holes on its peripheral surface, the plurality of retaining ring holes being distributed on a plurality of circumferences, the plurality of circumferences being spaced apart along the axial direction of the retaining ring, the plurality of retaining ring holes on the same circumference being uniformly distributed, and the retaining ring holes on two adjacent circumferences being alternately arranged.

3. The stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, The agitator further comprises at least one dispersion post, wherein at least one of the agitation blocks has a mounting hole, and the dispersion post is fixed to the agitation block through the mounting hole.

4. The agitator according to claim 3, A mixer characterized in that both ends of the dispersion column extend from the mixing block, and the length of the extension portion on the same side as the flow guide cone is longer than the length of the extension portion on the opposite side to the flow guide cone.

5. The agitator according to claim 4, An agitator having the following characteristics: on the same side of the flow guide cone, the retaining ring is higher than the height of the agitating block by less than half the protruding length of the dispersion column.

6. The agitator according to claim 3, A mixer, characterized in that the mounting hole is located between the retaining ring and the flow guide cone.

7. The agitator according to claim 3, A mixer, characterized in that the number of said dispersion pillars and said stirring blocks is the same, and each of said stirring blocks is provided with one of said dispersion pillars.

8. The stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, The agitator block has a forward flow surface and a reverse flow surface facing each other, the reverse flow surface faces in the rotation direction of the agitator block, the forward flow surface and the reverse flow surface are not parallel to a vertical plane, and the reverse flow surface of the agitator block and the reverse flow surface of an adjacent agitator block form a flow passage.

9. The stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, A mixer characterized in that a connecting position between the mixing block and the flow guide cone is located in the circumferential direction of a bottom surface of the flow guide cone.

10. The stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, The agitator further includes a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being concentric with the flow cone, one end being connected to a bottom surface of the flow cone, and the other end being extended to the opposite side of the flow cone.

11. A stirring apparatus comprising a stirring tank and a stirring space formed in the stirring tank, The stirring device further comprises the stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stirrer is provided at a bottom of the stirring space.

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