Powder Transfer System

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the powder transport system includes a transport pipe through which powder is transported and having a plurality of sections along a powder transport direction, a plurality of sensing units provided for each section of the transport pipe to sense vibration of the transport pipe during powder transport for each section, a plurality of vibration units provided to apply vibration to each section of the transport pipe, and a control unit provided to individually control the operation of the vibration units for each section of the transport pipe based on vibration data acquired by the sensing units for each section of the transport pipe.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder transfer system and a powder transfer method, and more particularly to a powder transfer system and a powder transfer method that can monitor the transfer status of powder and apply vibration to the transfer pipe in an abnormal section to prevent the transfer pipe from being clogged by powder.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0061721, filed on May 20, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] The process for manufacturing electrodes for secondary batteries is divided into a slurry production process, a process for coating the current collector with the slurry, a rolling process, a slitting process, and a drying process.

[0004] The slurry is a mixture of an active material, a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent. The active material and the conductive material are dry-mixed in powder form. The active material and the conductive material are then wet-mixed in a solvent that has dissolved the binder to form a slurry.

[0005] Various active materials are used depending on the type of secondary battery product, and each type of active material has different characteristics. Depending on the type of active material, there are differences in the time it takes for each raw material to be added to a mixer and the time it takes for each raw material to be mixed in the mixer. As a result, there has been a problem with active materials that take a long time to be added to a mixer, resulting in reduced productivity.

[0006] On the other hand, if the active material in the piping aggregates during transport, the transport time will differ, and it is therefore necessary to monitor this, confirm the location of the aggregated active material, and disperse the aggregated active material. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a powder transfer system and a powder transfer method that can monitor the transfer of powder used in a slurry manufacturing process and apply vibration to the transfer piping in abnormal sections to prevent the transfer piping from being blocked by powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a powder transfer system including a transfer pipe through which powder is transferred and having a plurality of sections along a powder transfer direction, a plurality of sensing units provided for each section of the transfer pipe to sense vibrations of the transfer pipe during powder transfer for each section, a plurality of vibration units provided for applying vibrations to each section of the transfer pipe, and a control unit provided for individually controlling the operation of the vibration units for each section of the transfer pipe based on vibration data acquired by the sensing units for each section of the transfer pipe.

[0009] The control unit may be configured to control the operation of the section-by-section vibration unit of the transfer pipe based on a result of comparing vibration data acquired by the sensing unit for each section of the transfer pipe with pre-stored normal vibration data for each section.

[0010] The sensing unit may include a plurality of vibration sensors spaced apart along a powder stack height direction for each section of the transfer pipe during powder transfer.

[0011] In addition, the vibration sensors may be installed at different heights relative to the bottom surface of the transfer pipe.

[0012] In addition, the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the vibration unit installed in the section based on the result of comparing vibration data acquired by a plurality of vibration sensors in the corresponding section with pre-stored normal vibration data for each height.

[0013] In addition, the control unit may be configured to calculate the loading height of the powder being transferred based on vibration data acquired by a plurality of vibration sensors provided along the powder loading height direction in the corresponding section of the transfer piping, and to control the operation of the vibration unit according to the calculated height.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to adjust the vibration intensity of the vibration unit based on the difference between the calculated powder pile height and a preset normal pile height.

[0015] The control unit may be configured to increase the vibration intensity of the vibration unit in proportion to the difference between the calculated powder pile height and a preset normal pile height.

[0016] Also, the normal stacking height may be within a range of 50% (0.5h) to 70% (0.7h) of the total height h based on the bottom surface of the transfer pipe.

[0017] The system may further include a monitoring unit that displays information about the height of the powder being transferred for each section of the transfer pipe.

[0018] The vibration unit may also be an ultrasonic vibration vibrator.

[0019] The system may further include a powder input unit that supplies the powder to the transfer pipe, a weighing hopper that accommodates the powder transferred along the transfer pipe, and a vacuum pump that is provided between the weighing hopper and the transfer pipe and that applies vacuum pressure to the transfer pipe to transfer the powder along the transfer pipe to the weighing hopper.

[0020] The control unit may be configured to adjust the strength of the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pump to adjust the speed at which the powder is transferred.

[0021] The system may further include a first opening / closing valve provided between the powder input section and the transfer piping, and the control section may adjust the input amount of powder supplied to the transfer piping by controlling the first opening / closing valve.

[0022] The system may further include a supply pipe into which the powder measured in the measuring hopper is introduced, and a mixing unit connected to the supply pipe.

[0023] The supply pipe may have a plurality of sections along a powder transport direction toward the mixing section.

[0024] The system may further include a plurality of sensing units provided in each section of the supply pipe to sense vibrations of the supply pipe during powder transfer in each section, and a vibration unit provided to apply vibrations to a section adjacent to the weighing hopper among the plurality of sections.

[0025] The control unit may be configured to control the operation of a vibration unit of the supply pipe based on vibration data acquired for each section of the supply pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] As described above, the powder conveying system according to one embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0027] The powder transfer status can be monitored based on vibration data acquired in the transfer piping during powder transfer and predetermined normal vibration data, and vibration can be applied to areas of the transfer piping that are determined to be abnormal sections.

[0028] Furthermore, by applying vibration to each area of ​​the transfer pipe individually or adjusting the vibration intensity, it is possible to prevent the powder from clogging the transfer pipe, thereby making it possible to transfer the powder smoothly.

[0029] Furthermore, the efficiency of powder transfer in the slurry production process can be improved, and the efficiency of the slurry production process can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a powder transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a powder transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 illustrates one operational state of the powder transfer system when powder is transferred along the transfer piping shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 illustrates one operational state of the powder transfer system when powder is transferred along the transfer piping shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the weigh hopper and mixing section of the powder transfer system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A powder transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. For convenience of explanation, the size and shape of each component shown may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a powder transfer system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, the powder transfer system 100 includes a transfer pipe 130 through which powder is transferred and having a plurality of sections along a powder transfer direction M; a plurality of sensing units 141, 142, and 143 provided for each section of the transfer pipe 130 to sense vibrations of the transfer pipe during powder transfer for each section; a plurality of vibration units 150a, 150b, and 150c provided for applying vibrations to each section of the transfer pipe 130; and a control unit 160 provided for individually controlling the operation of the section-by-section vibration units 150a, 150b, and 150c of the transfer pipe 130 based on vibration data acquired by the sensing units 141, 142, and 143 for each section of the transfer pipe 130.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a powder transfer system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show one operating state of the powder transfer system when powder P is transferred along the transfer piping 130 shown in FIG.

[0036] The powder transfer system 100 may include a powder input unit 110 that supplies the powder to the transfer pipe 130, a weighing hopper 120 that receives the powder transferred along the transfer pipe 130, and a vacuum pump 170 that is disposed between the weighing hopper 120 and the transfer pipe 130 and applies a vacuum pressure to the transfer pipe 130 to transfer the powder to the weighing hopper 120 along the transfer pipe 130. The control unit 160 may be configured to adjust the strength of the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pump 170 to adjust the transfer speed of the powder.

[0037] 1, the powder transfer system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a powder input unit 110, a weighing hopper 120, a transfer pipe 130, sensing units 141, 142, and 143, vibration units 150a, 150b, and 150c, a control unit 160, and a vacuum pump 170. The system 100 may also include a first on-off valve 115 provided between the powder input unit 110 and the transfer pipe 130.

[0038] The transfer pipe 130 connects the powder input unit 110 and the weighing hopper 120. The transfer pipe 130 is a pipe through which the powder P is transferred from the powder input unit 110 to the weighing hopper 120. The transfer pipe 130 is provided with a plurality of sensing units 141, 142, and 143 and a plurality of vibration units 150a, 150b, and 150c.

[0039] The transfer pipe 130 has a plurality of sections S1, S2, and S3 along the powder transfer direction M, and the sensing units 141, 142, and 143 and the vibration units 150a, 150b, and 150c may be installed in the transfer pipe 130 for each of the predetermined sections S1, S2, and S3 in the longitudinal direction L of the transfer pipe 130. In this structure, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the transfer pipe 130 is divided into a plurality of sections, and the transfer state of the powder P can be monitored for each section.

[0040] The number of sections of the transfer pipe 130 may be variously set in consideration of the length of the transfer pipe 130, the characteristics of the active material, etc. For convenience of explanation, in this embodiment, the transfer pipe 130 may be divided into three sections S1, S2, and S3 along the longitudinal direction L of the transfer pipe 130, and the sections S1, S2, and S3 may be divided and referred to as a first section S1 to a third section S3 along the powder transfer direction M.

[0041] Here, the first section S1 may be a section adjacent to the powder input section 110, and the third section S3 may be a section adjacent to the weighing hopper 120. Also, the second section S2 may be a section between the first section S1 and the third section S3.

[0042] For ease of explanation, in this specification, the sensing unit and vibration unit provided in the first section S1 of the transfer piping 130 may be referred to as the first sensing unit 141 and the first vibration unit 150a. Similarly, the sensing unit and vibration unit provided in the second section S2 of the transfer piping 130 may be referred to as the second sensing unit 142 and the second vibration unit 150b, and the sensing unit and vibration unit provided in the third section S3 of the transfer piping 130 may be referred to as the third sensing unit 143 and the third vibration unit 150c.

[0043] The first sensing unit 141 is provided in the first section S1 and senses the transfer state of the powder P passing through the first section S1. The second sensing unit 142 is provided in the second section S2 and senses the transfer state of the powder P passing through the second section S2. The third sensing unit 143 is provided in the third section S3 and senses the transfer state of the powder P passing through the third section S3. Each of the sensing units 141 to 143 may include one or more vibration sensors for sensing vibrations of the transfer piping at the installation position.

[0044] The first to third sensing units 141 to 143 provide their respective sensing data (vibration data) to the control unit 160. That is, each of the sensing units 141 to 143 senses vibration data for each position at which it is installed during powder transfer. In particular, powder (active material) is more advantageous for sensing through a vibration sensor than liquid slurry, and clumps of powder can be dissolved by the physical impact of the vibrator.

[0045] In this structure, the control unit 160 may be configured to control the operation of the section vibration unit of the transfer pipe 130 based on the result of comparing the vibration data acquired by the sensing units 141 to 143 for sections S1, S2, and S3 of the transfer pipe 130 with the pre-stored steady vibration data for sections S, S2, and S3.

[0046] As an example, the vibration unit may be an ultrasonic vibration vibrator.

[0047] The control unit 160 compares the vibration data acquired by the sensing unit for each section with the preset normal vibration data, determines each section as a "normal section" or an "abnormal section," and activates the vibration unit installed in the abnormal section.

[0048] For example, the control unit 160 compares the vibration data acquired by the sensing units 141 to 143 for each section S1, S2, and S3 with pre-stored normal vibration data for each section S1, S2, and S3, and if it is determined that the data is within a normal range, it can determine the corresponding section as a normal section. At this time, it does not operate the vibration unit installed in the normal section. In contrast, the control unit 160 compares the vibration data acquired by the sensing units 141 to 143 for each section S1, S2, and S3 with pre-stored normal vibration data for each section S1, S2, and S3, and if it is determined that the data is within an abnormal range, it can determine the corresponding section as an abnormal section. At this time, it operates the vibration unit installed in the abnormal section, and the vibration unit applies vibration to the corresponding section.

[0049] In addition, the sensing units 141 to 143 may include a plurality of vibration sensors spaced apart along the powder stacking height direction h for each section of the transfer pipe 130 during transfer of the powder P. In this case, the plurality of vibration sensors may be installed at different heights based on the bottom surface 131 of the transfer pipe 130.

[0050] The control unit 160 may be configured to control the operation of the vibration units installed in the corresponding section based on the result of comparing vibration data acquired by a plurality of vibration sensors in the corresponding section with pre-stored normal vibration data for each height. That is, the control unit 160 may not operate vibration units in sections determined to be within the normal range, and may operate only vibration units in sections determined to be within the abnormal range.

[0051] In addition, the control unit may be configured to calculate a powder loading height h1 during transfer based on vibration data acquired by a plurality of vibration sensors provided along the powder loading height direction h in the corresponding section of the transfer piping, and to control the operation of the vibration unit according to the calculated height.

[0052] The control unit 160 may be configured to adjust the vibration intensity of the vibration unit based on the difference between the calculated powder pile height h1 and a preset normal pile height. That is, the control unit 160 may operate the vibration unit when the calculated powder pile height h1 is greater than the preset normal pile height, and the control unit 160 may increase the vibration intensity of the vibration unit as the difference between the calculated powder pile height h1 and the preset normal pile height increases.

[0053] For example, the control unit 160 may be configured to increase the vibration strength of the vibration unit in proportion to the difference between the calculated powder pile height and a preset normal pile height.

[0054] For example, the normal stacking height may be within a range of 50% (0.5h) to 70% (0.7h) of the total height h based on the bottom surface 131 of the transfer pipe 130 .

[0055] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3, an example will be described in which the transfer pipe 130 is divided into three sections S1, S2, and S3, and three vibration sensors are provided in each section along the stacking height direction h of the powder P.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, in order to determine the normal section and the abnormal section, a plurality of levels having different relative heights to the bottom surface 131 of the transfer pipe 130 may be preset in the stacking height direction h of the powder P being transferred along the transfer pipe 130, and each sensing unit may include a plurality of vibration sensors installed at positions corresponding to each level.

[0057] That is, each of the sensing units 141, 142, and 143 includes a plurality of sensors (vibration sensors) spaced apart along the direction h of the powder pile height in the transfer pipe 130 so as to correspond to each level.

[0058] For ease of explanation, the multiple vibration sensors of the first sensing unit 141 provided in the first section S1 will be referred to as first sensors 141a to 141c, the multiple vibration sensors of the second sensing unit 142 provided in the second section S2 will be referred to as second sensors 142a to 142c, and the multiple vibration sensors of the third sensing unit 143 provided in the third section S3 will be referred to as third sensors 143a to 143c.

[0059] However, the first to third sensing units 141 to 143 have the same configuration and function, and only differ in their installation positions. To avoid repetition of explanation, the first sensing unit 141 will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0060] 3, in the first section, a plurality of first sensors 141a to 141c are vertically spaced apart along the direction h of the powder stack height in the transfer pipe 130. The first sensors 141a to 141c may be installed on the outer surface of the transfer pipe 130. The first sensors 141a to 141c detect vibrations of the transfer pipe 130 when the powder is being transferred.

[0061] First, the plurality of first sensors 141a to 141c may be installed at a first position P1, which is an arbitrary position within the first section S1. The plurality of first sensors 141a to 141c may be divided into sensors 1a to 1c according to their installation heights.

[0062] Here, the 1a sensor 141a may be installed on the bottom side of the transfer pipe 130. The 1b sensor 141b may be installed at an intermediate position of the transfer pipe 130 along the stacking height direction h of the powder in the transfer pipe 130. The 1c sensor 141c may be installed at a height furthest from the bottom of the transfer pipe 130 along the stacking height direction h of the powder in the transfer pipe 130. The interval between each sensor can be freely adjusted.

[0063] The second sensors 142a to 142c may be provided at a second position P2, which is an arbitrary position within the second section S2. The second sensors 142a to 142c may be divided into a second sensor 142a to a second sensor 142c according to their installation heights.

[0064] Similarly, the plurality of third sensors 143a to 143c may be provided at a third position P3, which is an arbitrary position within the third section S3. The plurality of third sensors 143a to 143c may be divided into a 3a sensor 143a to a 3c sensor 143c according to their installation heights.

[0065] The 1a sensor 141a, the 2a sensor 142a, and the 3a sensor 143a may each be provided at a bottom side position of the transfer piping 130 and may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the transfer piping 130. The 1b sensor 141b, the 2b sensor 142b, and the 3b sensor 143b may each be provided at an intermediate position along the direction h of the powder pile height in the transfer piping 130 and may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the transfer piping 130. The 1c sensor 141c, the 2c sensor 142c, and the 3c sensor 143c may each be provided at a position farthest from the bottom of the transfer piping 130 along the direction h of the powder pile height in the transfer piping 130 and may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the transfer piping.

[0066] The first vibration unit 150a may be installed in the first section S1 adjacent to the first sensing unit 141. The first vibration unit 150a provides vibration to the first section S1 of the transfer pipe 130.

[0067] In addition, the second vibration unit 150b may be installed in the second section S2 adjacent to the second sensing unit 142. The second vibration unit 150b provides vibration to the second section S2 of the transfer pipe 130.

[0068] In addition, the third vibration unit 150c may be installed in the third section S3 adjacent to the third sensing unit 143. The third vibration unit 150c provides vibration to the third section S3 of the transfer pipe 130.

[0069] The first to third vibrating units 150a to 150c have the same configuration and function, but differ only in their installation positions, and various types of vibrators can be used for the first to third vibrating units 150a to 150c.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2, the control unit 160 may include a data collection unit 161 for collecting vibration data of the sensing unit during powder transfer, a section classification unit 162 for classifying sections of the transfer pipe 130 into normal sections and abnormal sections, a monitoring unit 164 for displaying information on the load height of the powder being transferred for each section of the transfer pipe 130, a load adjustment unit 165, and a pump adjustment unit 166.

[0071] The operations of the first vibrating unit 150a to the third vibrating unit 150c can be individually controlled by the vibration adjusting section 163. The first vibrating unit 150a to the third vibrating unit 150c are provided so that the vibration strength can be adjusted by the vibration adjusting section 163.

[0072] In addition, the control unit 160 can determine and classify each section as a "normal section" or an "abnormal section" depending on the powder transfer state based on the preset normal vibration data and the vibration data acquired by the sensing unit, and can individually control the operation of the vibration unit installed in the abnormal section.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 3, as an example, multiple levels may be set along the powder loading height direction in the transfer pipe 130, and may be divided into "normal level" and "abnormal level" based on the powder loading height h1 relative to the total height h.

[0074] The normal level L2 can be defined as a relative height h1 / h within a range of 0.5h to 0.7h of the total height h of the transfer pipe 130. The abnormal level L3 (see FIG. 3) can be a level having a height exceeding the relative height. The reference level L1 (see FIG. 3) can correspond to the height of the bottom surface of the transfer pipe 130.

[0075] Here, the reference level may be set to level 1L1, and the 1a-th to 3a-th sensors 141a to 143a may be installed to sense vibrations of the transfer pipe 130 at positions corresponding to level 1, which is the reference level.

[0076] The normal level may be set to level 2L2, and the first to third sensors 141b to 143b may be provided to sense vibrations of the transfer pipe 130 at positions corresponding to level 2L2.

[0077] The abnormal level may be set to level 3L3, which corresponds to a position that is higher relative to the bottom surface 131 of the transfer pipe 130 than level 2L2. The 1c-th to 3c-th sensors 141c to 143c may be installed to detect vibrations of the transfer pipe 130 at positions corresponding to level 3L3.

[0078] 4, in another embodiment, ten sensors 141a-141j, 142a-142j, and 143a-143j may be spaced apart in the stacking height direction h of the powder P based on the bottom surface 131 of the transfer pipe 130, and the levels may be divided into levels 1L1 to 10L10. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the level units are divided into ten, and the operating method of the powder transfer system 100 is the same as that of FIG.

[0079] 4, the levels are divided into 10 levels, and a relative height of 0.5h with respect to the total height h can be set as the normal level in the control unit 160. In this case, the normal level range can be set from level 1L1 to level 5L5, and the abnormal level range can be set from level 6L6 to level 10L10.

[0080] The control unit 160 may calculate the level for each of the sections S1 to S3 based on the sensed vibration data as a ratio h1 / h of the powder pile height h1 to the bottom surface 131, based on the total height h of the transfer pipe 130. If the control unit 160 determines that the calculated level is abnormal, it may classify the corresponding section as an abnormal section and activate any of the vibration units installed in the abnormal section. The control unit 160 may also adjust the vibration intensity while activating the vibration units.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 2, the data collecting unit 161 collects vibration data sensed by each sensor for each of sections S1, S2, and S3 of the transfer pipe 130.

[0082] The section classification unit 162 receives vibration data from the data collection unit 161 and performs a function of classifying each of the sections S1 to S3 into a normal section and an abnormal section based on the vibration data.

[0083] The vibration adjusting unit 163 also functions to individually control each vibration unit so as to apply vibration to the abnormal section based on the classification information of the section classifying unit 162. The vibration adjusting unit 163 can control the vibration units so that the vibration intensity increases as the powder pile height increases from the normal pile height.

[0084] In addition, the monitoring unit 164 performs a function of classifying and displaying information on the powder transfer status in the longitudinal direction L of the transfer pipe 130 as "normal" or "abnormal" based on the information classified by the section classification unit 162. As a result, the powder transfer status can be monitored in real time through the monitoring unit 164.

[0085] Meanwhile, the powder feeder 110 is provided on one side of the transfer pipe 130 and supplies powder to the transfer pipe 130. The powder feeder 110 includes a hopper. A vibrator 111 may be provided in the powder feeder 110. The vibrator 111 is provided to apply vibrations to the powder feeder 110, thereby preventing the powder from clumping on the inner surface of the powder feeder 110.

[0086] In addition, a first on-off valve 115 is provided at the discharge port of the powder feeder 110. The opening and closing operation of the first on-off valve 115 is controlled by the control unit 160. The control unit 160 controls the first on-off valve 115 to adjust the amount of powder supplied to the transfer pipe 130. Specifically, the control unit 160 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 provided in the powder feeder 110 through a load amount adjustment unit 165 to adjust the amount of powder fed into the transfer pipe 130.

[0087] Furthermore, the weighing hopper 120 is provided on the other side of the transfer pipe 130, and accommodates the powder transferred along the transfer pipe 130. Furthermore, the weighing hopper 120 is provided with a vibrating unit 121.

[0088] Furthermore, a vacuum pump 170 is provided between the weighing hopper 120 and the transfer pipe 130. The operation of the vacuum pump 170 is controlled by the pump adjustment unit 166. The vacuum pump 170 operates to apply vacuum pressure to the transfer pipe 130 so that the powder is transferred from the powder feeding unit 110 to the weighing hopper 120 along the transfer pipe 130.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the weigh hopper 120 and mixing section 180 of the powder transfer system.

[0090] The weighing hopper 120 is connected to the mixer 180 via a supply pipe 190. A vibrator 121 that vibrates the weighing hopper 120 may be installed at the outlet side of the weighing hopper 120. The weighing hopper 120 measures the powder in a volume preset in the control unit 160 and provides it to the mixer 180 where the raw materials constituting the slurry are mixed.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, the system 100 may include a supply pipe 190 into which the powder measured in the measuring hopper 120 is introduced, and a mixing unit 180 connected to the supply pipe 190.

[0092] In addition, the supply pipe 190 may have a plurality of sections S4 and S5 along the powder transport direction toward the mixer 180.

[0093] In addition, the system 100 may include a plurality of sensing units 144, 145 provided for each section S4, S5 of the supply pipe 190 to sense vibrations of the supply pipe 190 during powder transfer for each section S4, S5, and a vibration unit 150d provided for applying vibrations to section S4 adjacent to the weighing hopper 120 among the plurality of sections S4, S5.

[0094] In addition, the control unit 160 may be configured to control the operation of the vibration unit 150d of the supply pipe 190 based on vibration data acquired for each section of the supply pipe 190.

[0095] Further, a second on-off valve 122 is provided on the outlet side of the weighing hopper 120. The opening and closing operation of the second on-off valve 122 is controlled by the control unit 160. The control unit 160 can adjust the input amount of powder supplied to the supply pipe 190 by controlling the second on-off valve 122.

[0096] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary skill in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions are deemed to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the powder transfer system monitors the powder transfer status based on vibration data acquired from the transfer piping during powder transfer and predetermined normal vibration data, and applies vibration to an area of ​​the transfer piping determined to be an abnormal section.

Claims

1. a transfer pipe through which powder is transferred and having a plurality of sections along a transfer direction of the powder; a plurality of sensing units provided in each section of the transfer pipe to sense vibrations of the transfer pipe when the powder is transferred in each section; a plurality of vibration units provided to apply vibration to each section of the transfer piping; a control unit configured to individually control an operation of a vibration unit for each section of the transfer pipe based on vibration data acquired by the sensing unit for each section of the transfer pipe, The sensing unit includes a plurality of vibration sensors spaced apart along a direction of a powder stack height for each section of the transfer pipe during powder transfer.

2. 2. The powder transfer system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of the section-by-section vibration unit of the transfer pipe based on a result of comparing the vibration data acquired by the sensing unit for each section with pre-stored normal vibration data for each section.

3. the plurality of vibration sensors are installed at different heights based on the bottom surface of the transfer pipe, 3. The powder transfer system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of the vibration unit provided in each section based on a result of comparing the vibration data acquired by the plurality of vibration sensors in each section with pre-stored normal vibration data for each height.

4. 4. The powder transfer system of claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to calculate the loading height of the powder being transferred based on vibration data acquired by a plurality of vibration sensors provided along the powder loading height direction in each section, and to control the operation of the vibration unit according to the calculated loading height.

5. 5. The powder transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the vibration intensity of the vibration unit based on a difference between the calculated powder loading height and a preset normal loading height.

6. The powder transfer system according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit increases the vibration intensity of the vibration unit in proportion to the difference between the calculated powder pile height and a preset normal pile height.

7. 7. The powder transfer system of claim 6, wherein the normal loading height is within a range of 50% (0.5h) to 70% (0.7h) of the total height h based on the bottom surface of the transfer pipe.

8. The powder transfer system of claim 4 , further comprising a monitoring unit that displays information about the height of the powder being transferred for each section of the transfer pipe.

9. 10. The powder transfer system of claim 1, wherein the vibration unit is an ultrasonic vibration vibrator.

10. a powder input section that supplies the powder to the transfer pipe; a weighing hopper that accommodates the powder transferred along the transfer pipe; 2. The powder transfer system of claim 1, further comprising: a vacuum pump disposed between the weighing hopper and the transfer piping, the vacuum pump applying vacuum pressure to the transfer piping to transfer the powder along the transfer piping to the weighing hopper.

11. The powder transfer system according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the strength of the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pump to adjust the transfer speed of the powder.

12. The apparatus further includes a first opening / closing valve provided between the powder input unit and the transfer pipe, The powder transfer system according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit adjusts the amount of powder supplied to the transfer pipe by controlling the first opening / closing valve.

13. a supply pipe into which the powder measured by the measuring hopper is introduced; a mixing section connected to the supply pipe, The powder transfer system according to claim 10 , wherein the supply pipe has a plurality of sections along a transfer direction of the powder toward the mixing section.

14. a plurality of sensing units provided in each section of the supply pipe to sense vibrations of the supply pipe during powder transfer in each section; The powder transfer system according to claim 13, further comprising a vibration unit provided to apply vibration to a section adjacent to the weighing hopper among the sections.

15. The powder transfer system of claim 14 , wherein the control unit is configured to control an operation of a vibration unit of the supply pipe based on vibration data acquired for each section of the supply pipe.

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