System and method of inputting powder material

Abstract

A powder raw material input system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a powder input unit that inputs powder raw materials into a mixer through an input port coupled to a mixer in which slurry raw materials are mixed; a weight sensing unit installed at the input port to detect the weight of the powder raw materials; a vibration unit that applies vibration to the input port when the powder raw materials are input into the main body of the mixer, comprising a plurality of vibration members installed at the input port; and a control unit that controls the operation of the vibration unit based on weight data obtained from the weight sensing unit.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder raw material input system and method, and more specifically, to a powder raw material input system and method that can prevent clogging of the input port by the powder raw material by adjusting the vibration intensity applied to the input port based on the weight of the powder raw material being input into the input port. Background Technology

[0002] Secondary batteries are manufactured by sequentially going through the electrode manufacturing process, the electrode assembly process, and the formation stage.

[0003] If the electrode manufacturing process is further subdivided, it is divided into a slurry manufacturing process, a process of coating the slurry onto the current collector, a rolling process, a slitting process, and a drying process.

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

[0005] Various active materials are used depending on the type of secondary battery product, and each active material has different characteristics. Depending on the type of active material, there are differences in the time each raw material is fed into the mixing device and the time each raw material is mixed in the mixing device. Consequently, active materials that take a long time to feed into the mixing device have a problem of reduced productivity.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, the mixer (11) is provided with an input section (15) into which powdered raw materials among the raw materials constituting the slurry are introduced, and an outlet (17) into which the slurry is discharged. However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the active material is clumped into large lumps, the clumped active material cannot pass through the input section (15), so a worker manually crushes the clumped active material, which causes a problem of increased time for introducing the active material. Prior art literature

[0007] International published patent WO2010-067440 discloses a method for manufacturing an electrode plate, an electrode plate, a battery, a vehicle, and a device equipped with the battery. The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a powder raw material feeding system and method that can prevent the powder raw material from blocking the feeding port by detecting the weight of the powder raw material being fed into the feeding port when the powder raw material is fed into a mixer and adjusting the vibration intensity applied to the feeding port based on the acquired weight data. means of solving the problem

[0009] A powder raw material input system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a powder input unit that inputs powder raw materials into a mixer through an input port coupled to a mixer in which slurry raw materials are mixed; a weight sensing unit installed at the input port to detect the weight of the powder raw materials; a vibration unit that applies vibration to the input port when the powder raw materials are input into the main body of the mixer, comprising a plurality of vibration members installed at the input port; and a control unit that controls the operation of the vibration unit based on weight data obtained from the weight sensing unit.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vibration members are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the inlet and are characterized by being individually controlled by a control unit.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by controlling the operation of the vibration unit such that, when powder raw materials are fed into the main body of the mixer, at least one vibration member is continuously operated to apply vibration to the inlet.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by having a pre-set weight limit (W1, W1>0), and controlling the operation of the vibration unit such that when weight data is greater than or equal to the weight limit, all of the plurality of vibration members are operated.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit has a weight reference value (W0, 0 < W0 <W1)가 기설정되고, 컨트롤부는 무게 데이터가 무게 기준치 이상이면, 복수의 진동 부재 중 적어도 하나의 진동 부재가 상시 작동되게, 진동부의 작동을 제어하는 것을 특징으로 한다.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by having a weight abnormal value (W1) and a weight limit value (W2, W2 > W1) preset, and based on weight data, the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as one of "normal," "abnormal," or "blocked," and the operation of the vibration unit is controlled such that the intensity of the vibration provided to the input port is adjusted according to each input state.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by diagnosing the input status of the powder raw material as "normal" if the weight data is less than or equal to the weight abnormal value, diagnosing the input status of the powder raw material as "abnormal" if the weight data is within the range between the weight abnormal value and the weight limit, and diagnosing the input status of the powder raw material as "blocked" if the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight limit.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by controlling the operation of the vibration unit such that when the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "normal," only at least one of the plurality of vibration members applies vibration to the input port.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by controlling the operation of the vibration unit so that when the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "abnormal," a plurality of vibration members operate simultaneously to apply vibration to the input port.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is characterized by controlling the operation of the vibration unit so that when the input status of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "blocked," the input of the powder raw material into the main body of the mixer is stopped, and a plurality of vibration members are operated simultaneously to apply vibration to the input port.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit comprises: a data collection unit that receives a weight signal from a weight detection unit, processes the weight signal into weight data, and collects the weight data; a diagnosis unit in which a weight abnormality value is preset and the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "normal" or "abnormal" based on the weight data; and a vibration control unit that controls the operation of the vibration unit so that some or all of the plurality of vibration members are operated based on the diagnosis information of the diagnosis unit.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic unit is characterized by diagnosing the input state of the powder raw material as "normal" if the weight data is less than or equal to the weight abnormality value, and diagnosing the input state of the powder raw material as "abnormal" if the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight abnormality value.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vibration control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit such that when the diagnostic information is "normal," only some of the plurality of vibration members are operated, and when the diagnostic information is "abnormal," all of the plurality of vibration members are operated, thereby adjusting the intensity of the vibration provided to the input port.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further includes a valve control unit that controls the operation of an opening / closing valve that opens and closes an inlet based on diagnostic information from a diagnostic unit.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic unit diagnoses the input status of the powder raw material as "blocked" if the weight data is greater than or equal to a preset weight limit, and the valve control unit controls the operation of the opening and closing valve to close the input port when the diagnostic information is "blocked," thereby restricting the input of the powder raw material into the input port.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further includes a monitoring unit that monitors the input status and input weight of the powder raw material, and the monitoring unit is characterized in that the input weight of the powder raw material input into the main body of the mixer is monitored based on weight data, and the input status of the powder raw material is monitored based on diagnostic information from the diagnostic unit.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating member is characterized as being an ultrasonic vibrating vibrator.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight sensing unit is characterized as being a load cell force sensor.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight sensing unit is characterized by being installed on the inner surface of the inlet along the circumferential direction of the inlet.

[0028] A powder raw material input method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized by inputting the powder raw material into a mixer using a powder raw material input system. Effects of the invention

[0029] The present invention can prevent the powder raw material from blocking the inlet by detecting the weight of the powder raw material being fed into the inlet when the powder raw material is fed into the mixer and adjusting the vibration intensity applied to the inlet based on the acquired weight data.

[0030] The present invention prevents blockage of the input port caused by powder raw materials, thereby shortening the input time for powder raw materials to be fed into the mixer.

[0031] The present invention applies continuous vibration to the inlet, which is a passage through which powder raw materials are moved to the mixer, thereby preventing clumping of the powder raw materials and allowing the powder raw materials to be fed into the mixer in powder form.

[0032] As a result, the present invention can accurately calculate the amount of powder raw material input according to the input speed and input time, thereby improving the precision of the raw material blending constituting the slurry and improving the efficiency of the slurry manufacturing process. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] Figure 1 is intended to explain the process of introducing powder raw materials for slurry manufacturing into a mixer according to the prior art. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a configuration diagram of a powder raw material input system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the combined state diagram of a powder raw material input system coupled to a mixer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, and is a drawing for explaining the arrangement structure of a plurality of vibration members installed in the inlet. Figure 5 is intended to explain the operating state of the powder raw material input system when powder raw materials are input from the powder input section to the mixer in one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings.

[0035] However, this is not intended to limit the present application to specific embodiments and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present application. In describing the present application, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the present application.

[0036] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but components should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0037] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] In this application, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039] Therefore, the configurations illustrated in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most preferred embodiments of this application and do not represent all of the technical ideas of this application; thus, various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0040] In addition, the drawings attached to this application should be understood as being enlarged or reduced for convenience of explanation.

[0041] Hereinafter, a powder raw material input system and method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] A powder raw material input system (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a powder input unit (110), a weight sensing unit (120), a vibration unit (130), and a control unit (140).

[0043] The powder input section (110) is connected to the mixer (150). Each raw material constituting the slurry is input into the mixer (150). An input port (111) is provided in the powder input section (110). A weight sensing unit (120), a vibration unit (130), and an opening / closing valve (115) are installed in the input port (111).

[0044] Here, the slurry is a mixture of an active material, a conductive agent, a binder, and a solvent. The active material and the conductive agent are dry-mixed in powder form in a mixer (150). In the slurry manufacturing process, the powder raw material may be the active material or the conductive agent.

[0045] A weight sensing unit (120) is installed in the input port (111) to detect the weight of powder raw material fed into the input port (111). The weight sensing unit (120) is installed on the inner surface of the input port (111) along the circumferential direction of the input port (111). A ring-shaped load cell force sensor may be used as the weight sensing unit (120).

[0046] The vibration unit (130) is installed in the input port (111) and applies vibration to the input port (111) when the powder raw material is fed into the mixer (150). The vibration unit (130) includes a plurality of vibration unit (130) materials. An ultrasonic vibration vibrator may be used as the vibration member.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of vibration members (131 to 133) are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the inlet (111). Each vibration member is individually controlled by the control unit (140).

[0048] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the plurality of vibration members (131 to 133) are referred to as the first vibration member (131), the second vibration member (132), and the third vibration member (133). For example, the first vibration member (131) to the third vibration member (133) are arranged in a triangular configuration. The arrangement structure of the vibration members is not limited to a triangular configuration and can be varied to a square configuration, a pentagonal configuration, etc., depending on the number of vibration members installed.

[0049] The control unit (140) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) based on weight data obtained from the weight detection unit (120). As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit (140) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) so that at least one vibration member is constantly operated to apply vibration to the inlet (111) when the powder raw material is fed into the mixer (150).

[0050] The control unit (140) has a weight reference value (W0, W0 <W1), 무게 이상치(W1)와 무게 한계치(W2)가 기설정된다. 예를 들어, 컨트롤부(140)에는 무게 기준치(W0)가 1kg, 무게 이상치(W1)가 5kg, 무게 한계치(W2)가 8kg으로 설정될 수 있다. .

[0051] The control unit (140) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) such that at least one of the plurality of vibration members (131 to 133) is always operated when the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight reference value (W0). The control unit (140) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) such that all of the plurality of vibration members (131 to 133) are operated when the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight abnormal value (W1).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the control unit (140) includes a data collection unit (141), a diagnosis unit (142), a vibration control unit (143), a monitoring unit (144), and a valve control unit (145).

[0053] The data collection unit (141) receives a weight signal from the weight detection unit (120), processes the weight signal into weight data, and collects the weight data.

[0054] In the diagnostic unit (142), based on weight data, the input status of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "normal," "abnormal," or "blocked."

[0055] The diagnostic unit (142) diagnoses the input status of the powder raw material as "normal" if the weight data is less than or equal to the weight abnormal value (W1). The diagnostic unit (142) diagnoses the input status of the powder raw material as "abnormal" if the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight abnormal value (W1). The diagnostic unit (142) diagnoses the input status of the powder raw material as "blocked" if the weight data is greater than or equal to a preset weight limit (W2).

[0056] The vibration control unit (143) can control the operation of the vibration unit (130) based on the diagnostic information of the diagnostic unit (142) so that some or all of the plurality of vibration members (131~133) are operated, thereby controlling the operation of the vibration unit (130) so that the intensity of the vibration provided to the input port (111) is adjusted.

[0057] The vibration control unit (143) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) such that only some of the plurality of vibration members (131 to 133) are operated when the diagnostic information is "normal". Specifically, the vibration control unit (143) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) such that the first vibration member (131) and the second vibration member (132) are always operated, and the third operating member is not operated.

[0058] The vibration control unit (143) can control the operation of the vibration unit (130) so that all of the plurality of vibration members (131 to 133) are activated when the diagnostic information is "abnormal," thereby adjusting the intensity of the vibration provided to the input port (111). Specifically, the vibration control unit (143) controls the operation of the vibration unit (130) so that the first vibration member (131) to the third vibration member (133) are activated simultaneously.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 5, when the first vibration member (131) to the third vibration member (133) are operated, a strong vibration is applied to the inlet (111), causing the powder raw material adsorbed on the inner surface of the inlet (111) to fall off from the inner surface of the inlet (111). As a result, the present invention can prevent the blockage of the inlet (111) caused by the powder raw material.

[0060] When the vibration control unit (143) diagnoses that the input state of the powder raw material is "blocked," the input of the powder raw material into the mixer (150) is stopped, and the multiple vibration members (131~133) are operated simultaneously to apply vibration to the input port (111).

[0061] The monitoring unit (144) can monitor the input weight of the powder raw material being fed into the mixer (150) in real time based on weight data. The monitoring unit (144) can monitor the input status of the powder raw material based on the diagnostic information of the diagnostic unit (142).

[0062] The valve control unit (145) controls the operation of the opening / closing valve that opens and closes the inlet port (111) based on the diagnostic information of the diagnostic unit (142). When the diagnostic information is "blocked," the valve control unit (145) controls the operation of the opening / closing valve (115) so that the inlet port (111) is closed, thereby restricting the input of powder raw materials into the inlet port (111).

[0063] The present invention can prevent the powder raw material from blocking the inlet by detecting the weight of the powder raw material being fed into the inlet when the powder raw material is fed into the mixer and adjusting the vibration intensity applied to the inlet based on the acquired weight data.

[0064] The present invention prevents blockage of the input port caused by powder raw materials, thereby shortening the input time for powder raw materials to be fed into the mixer.

[0065] The present invention applies continuous vibration to the inlet, which is a passage through which powder raw materials are moved to the mixer, thereby preventing clumping of the powder raw materials and allowing the powder raw materials to be fed into the mixer in powder form.

[0066] As a result, the present invention can accurately calculate the amount of powder raw material input according to the input speed and input time, thereby improving the precision of the raw material blending constituting the slurry and improving the efficiency of the slurry manufacturing process.

[0067] The present invention will be specifically described through the following examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following examples. The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art with ordinary knowledge of the present invention 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 should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0068] 100: Powdered Raw Material Input System 110: Powder input section 111: Input port 115: Shut-off valve 120: Weight sensor 130: Vibration part 131: First vibration member 132: Second vibration member 133: Third vibration member 140: Control Unit 141: Data Collection Unit 142: Diagnostic Unit 143: Vibration Control Unit 144: Monitoring unit 145: Valve control unit 150: Mixer

Claims

Claim 1 A powder raw material input system comprising: an input port coupled to a mixer in which slurry raw materials are mixed, and a powder input unit for inputting powder raw materials into the mixer through the input port; a weight sensing unit installed at the input port for sensing the weight of the powder raw materials; a vibration unit including a plurality of vibration members installed at the input port for applying vibration to the input port when the powder raw materials are input into the main body of the mixer; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the vibration unit based on weight data obtained from the weight sensing unit, wherein the control unit has a pre-set weight abnormal value (W1) and a weight limit value (W2, W2 > W1), and based on the weight data, the input state of the powder raw materials is diagnosed as one of "normal," "abnormal," or "blocked," and the operation of the vibration unit is controlled such that the intensity of the vibration provided to the input port is adjusted according to each input state. Claim 2 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of vibration members are spaced apart from the input port along the circumferential direction of the input port and their operation is individually controlled by the control unit. Claim 3 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit such that, when the powder raw material is input into the main body of the mixer, the at least one vibration member is always operated and vibration is applied to the input port. Claim 4 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit such that when the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight abnormal value, all of the plurality of vibration members are operated. Claim 5 In claim 4, the control unit has a weight reference value (W0, 0 <W0<W1)가 기설정되고, 상기 컨트롤부는 상기 무게 데이터가 상기 무게 기준치 이상이면, 상기 복수의 진동 부재 중 적어도 하나의 진동 부재가 상시 작동되게, 상기 진동부의 작동을 제어하는 것을 특징으로 하는 분체 원료 투입 시스템. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit diagnoses the input state of the powder raw material as "normal" if the weight data is less than or equal to the weight abnormal value, diagnoses the input state of the powder raw material as "abnormal" if the weight data is within the range between the weight abnormal value and the weight limit value, and diagnoses the input state of the powder raw material as "blocked" if the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight limit value. Claim 8 A powder raw material input system according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit so that when the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "normal," only at least one of the plurality of vibration members vibrates the input port. Claim 9 A powder raw material input system according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit so that when the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "abnormal," the plurality of vibration members operate simultaneously to apply vibration to the input port. Claim 10 A powder raw material input system according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit to apply vibration to the input port while the plurality of vibration members operate simultaneously, when the input status of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "blocked" and the input of the powder raw material into the main body of the mixer is stopped. Claim 11 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: a data collection unit that receives a weight signal from the weight detection unit, processes the weight signal into weight data, and collects the weight data; a diagnosis unit in which a weight abnormality value is preset and the input state of the powder raw material is diagnosed as "normal" or "abnormal" based on the weight data; and a vibration control unit that controls the operation of the vibration unit so that some or all of the plurality of vibration members are operated based on the diagnosis information of the diagnosis unit. Claim 12 A powder raw material input system according to claim 11, wherein the diagnostic unit diagnoses the input state of the powder raw material as "normal" if the weight data is less than or equal to the weight abnormal value, and diagnoses the input state of the powder raw material as "abnormal" if the weight data is greater than or equal to the weight abnormal value. Claim 13 A powder raw material input system according to claim 11, wherein the vibration control unit controls the operation of the vibration unit such that if the diagnostic information is "normal," only some of the plurality of vibration members are operated, and if the diagnostic information is "abnormal," all of the plurality of vibration members are operated, thereby adjusting the intensity of the vibration provided to the input port. Claim 14 A powder raw material input system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit further comprises a valve control unit that controls the operation of an opening / closing valve that opens / closes the input port based on diagnostic information from the diagnostic unit. Claim 15 A powder raw material input system according to claim 14, wherein the diagnostic unit diagnoses the input state of the powder raw material as "blocked" if the weight data is greater than or equal to a preset weight limit, and the valve control unit controls the operation of the opening / closing valve to close the input port when the diagnostic information is "blocked," thereby restricting the input of the powder raw material into the input port. Claim 16 A powder raw material input system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit further includes a monitoring unit that monitors the input status and input weight of the powder raw material, and the monitoring unit monitors the input weight of the powder raw material being input into the main body of the mixer based on the weight data, and monitors the input status of the powder raw material based on the diagnostic information of the diagnostic unit. Claim 17 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration member is an ultrasonic vibration vibrator. Claim 18 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight sensing unit is a load cell force sensor. Claim 19 A powder raw material input system according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight sensing unit is installed on the inner surface of the input port along the circumferential direction of the input port. Claim 20 A method for introducing powder raw materials, characterized by introducing powder raw materials into a mixer using a powder raw material introduction system according to claim 1.

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