Reactor for uniform coating and process automation and powder coating device with the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reactor for a powder coating device and a powder coating device equipped with the same, which can maximize uniform coating of powder and process automation efficiency. The invention is characterized by a cylindrical reactor body for receiving powder, wherein the inner circumferential ends of the reactor body are formed as inclined surfaces with an inner diameter that narrows toward the ends, thereby allowing the powder to be uniformly coated in the central part of the reactor body.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reactor for a powder coating device, and more particularly to a reactor for a powder coating device capable of maximizing uniform powder coating and process automation efficiency, and a powder coating device equipped with the same. Background Technology

[0002] With the recent expansion of the market for ultrafine nanoscale powders, various methods are being researched and developed to form high-quality thin films on large volumes of powder.

[0003] For example, thin-film coated powder can improve the electrochemical and mechanical properties of batteries, and is therefore receiving attention as a technology that can lead the advanced semiconductor / battery market, such as active materials for cathode / anode materials and slurries for CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing).

[0004] To coat such nanoscale thin films, processes such as CVD (chemical vapor deposition) and ALD (atomic layer deposition) can be applied. Among these, the P-ALD (Powder-Atomic Layer Deposition) method includes a reactor optimized for powder coating and is a technology that enables atomic layer deposition on the particle surface by maximizing the dispersion of the loaded powder.

[0005] However, conventional rotary thin film deposition processes have several drawbacks. Due to the small internal volume of conventional reactors, the amount of powder that can be loaded per process is relatively small, resulting in a lower yield required for actual mass production. Additionally, manual connection between the reactor and chamber is required for each process, which limits the reduction of production time. To address these issues, mass production coating technologies and equipment structures that do not require manual connection of the reactor are being proposed.

[0006] However, while these conventional technologies allow for a certain degree of automation in the connection between the reactor and the chamber, the problem of requiring human labor and manual operation during the powder recovery process still persists. In particular, although existing ultrafine nano-level powder coating technologies have faced difficulties in commercial production, efficient automated mass production technologies capable of continuous large-scale production—considering the unique nature of the coating target being powder—have not yet been proposed.

[0007] In particular, for the reactor, a core component of the powder coating system, significant improvements were required not only to further enhance the uniform coating capability of the powder but also to ensure that engagement and disengagement with rollers, transfer, opening and closing, and precise alignment could be performed smoothly to increase automation efficiency. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1452262 (Oct. 13, 2014) Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1868703 (June 11, 2018) Republic of Korea Published Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0086966 (June 16, 2023) China Published Patent Publication No. 109323965 (February 12, 2019) The problem to be solved

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is proposed to resolve the aforementioned conventional problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a reactor for a powder coating device and a powder coating device equipped therewith, which can maximize uniform powder coating and process automation efficiency. means of solving the problem

[0010] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a reactor for a powder coating device according to the technical concept of the present invention comprises: a cylindrical reactor body for receiving powder; and, as a technical feature of its configuration, the inner circumferential ends of the reactor body are formed as inclined surfaces in which the inner diameter narrows toward the ends, thereby inducing the powder to be uniformly coated in the central part of the reactor body.

[0011] Here, the inclined surface of the inner circumference of the reactor body may be characterized as being formed as a curved surface.

[0012] In addition, it may be characterized by including: a first cap installed detachably at one end of the reactor body by providing a first mesh member; and a second cap installed at the other end of the reactor body by providing a second mesh member.

[0013] In addition, among the inclined surfaces formed at both ends of the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body, the inclined surface toward the second mesh member may be characterized by having a higher slope than the inclined surface toward the first mesh member.

[0014] In addition, a plurality of blades are arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumference on the inner surface of the reactor body and are formed to be elongated from left to right and installed along the length direction of the reactor, and are formed in a shape in which the cross-sectional width gradually narrows from the lower surface that is in close contact with the inner surface of the reactor body toward the upper part, so that the powder can be smoothly passed through as the reactor rotates.

[0015] In addition, the blade may be characterized in that both ends are extended in a form that is in close contact with the inclined surfaces of both ends of the inner circumference of the reactor body, thereby preventing powder from concentrating downward on the inclined surfaces when the reactor is rotated.

[0016] In addition, the blade may be characterized in that its cross-sectional width gradually narrows from the lower surface, which is in close contact with the inner circumference of the reactor body, toward the upper surface, and then finishes with a curved surface so that the powder can be smoothly passed through the blade.

[0017] In addition, it may be characterized by having a guide projection line protruding along the circumference on the outer surface so that rotational force can be received while seated in correspondence with a guide groove formed along the circumference on the outer surface of the roller providing rotational force.

[0018] In addition, the guide projection line may be characterized by having a shape in which the cross-sectional width gradually narrows toward the top so as to ensure smooth contact with the guide groove of the roller.

[0019] In addition, the guide projection lines may be characterized by being provided in multiple locations spaced apart at points symmetrically opposite to each other, centered on the central part of the reactor body.

[0020] In addition, when the cap opening / closing means performs a process of separating or joining according to the direction of rotation by rotating the cap that opens / closes one end of the cylindrical rotating body at one end of the cylindrical rotating body, a pair of stopper grooves into which a pair of stopper protrusions that fix the reactor body so as not to rotate are fitted correspondingly are formed in the guide protrusion line.

[0021] In addition, the guide projection line may be characterized by having an alignment mark formed thereon to match the rotation angle of the cylindrical rotating body when the reactor is moved to a predetermined position by the transfer robot.

[0022] In addition, the alignment mark may be characterized by being provided as a hole or groove formed in the guide projection line so that a laser beam irradiated along the longitudinal direction of the reactor body can pass through it.

[0023] Meanwhile, the powder coating device of the present invention is characterized by the technical concept comprising: a reactor that receives powder in the powder coating device and rotates to improve the reactivity of the powder received therein; a chamber module having a process chamber that receives the reactor; a heating module installed inside the process chamber; a rotation module that rotates the reactor received inside the process chamber; a gas supply module that supplies reaction gas into the reactor received inside the process chamber; and a gas discharge module that sucks in the reaction gas discharged through the reactor and discharges it to the outside of the process chamber. Effects of the invention

[0024] The reactor for a powder coating device according to the present invention can improve coating quality by enabling uniform coating through a configuration in which both ends of the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body are formed as inclined surfaces and a configuration equipped with a plurality of blades.

[0025] In addition, the present invention makes it possible to automate the process of coupling and separating to a roller by a transfer robot, the process of adjusting the rotation angle while the reactor is transferred to a predetermined position, and the process of coupling and separating by rotating the first cap while the reactor body is fixed, through a simple configuration having a stopper groove and a guide projection line formed with an alignment mark. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a powder coating system with a reactor applied according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a powder coating device to which a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blade in a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the combined state of a reactor and a roller according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a usage diagram illustrating the configuration of a guide projection line in a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a reference diagram for explaining a clamping groove provided in a first cap in a reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] A reactor for a powder coating apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Since the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of the structures are shown enlarged or reduced to the actual size to ensure clarity of the present invention or to understand the schematic configuration.

[0028] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. Meanwhile, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0029] <Example>

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a powder coating system with a reactor applied according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a powder coating device with a reactor applied according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the powder coating system comprises: a reactor (100), which is a cylindrical container for receiving powder to enhance reactivity; a chamber module (200) having a process chamber (210) that receives the reactor (100); a rotation module (300) that rotates the reactor (100) received inside the process chamber (210); a semi-cylindrical heating module (400) with an open top surface installed inside the process chamber (210); a gas supply module (500) that supplies reaction gas into the reactor (100) received inside the process chamber (210); a gas discharge module (600) that sucks in the reaction gas discharged through the reactor (100) and discharges it outside the process chamber (210); an opening / closing and cleaning module (700) for opening / closing and cleaning the reactor (100); and the reactor (100). It includes a transfer robot (1000) that transfers to another designated process location inside the process chamber (210) and outside the process chamber (210).

[0032] Among these, the reactor (100), which plays a pivotal role in the powder coating process, is composed of a cylindrical reactor body (110) that accommodates powder as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a first cap (120) that is detachably installed at one end of the reactor body (110) and can open and close the one end of the reactor body (110) by having a first mesh member (122), a second cap (130) that is installed at the other end of the reactor body (110) by having a second mesh member (132), and a plurality of blades (140) installed on the inner surface of the reactor body (110).

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, the inner circumferential ends of the reactor body (110) are formed with inclined surfaces (112) such that the inner diameter narrows toward the ends. Although simple, this configuration with inclined surfaces (112) allows the powder to be gathered in the center and coated uniformly when the reactor (100) rotates, thereby improving the coating quality of the powder. It also helps to minimize the phenomenon of the powder shifting toward the first mesh member (122) and the second mesh member (132) when the reactor (100) rotates. This eliminates the troublesome problem of the powder getting stuck in the first mesh member (122) and the second mesh member (132) and requiring frequent replacement.

[0034] Here, the inclined surface (112) on the second mesh member (132) located on the reaction gas outlet side can be formed with a greater slope than the inclined surface (112) on the first mesh member (122) located on the reaction gas inlet side. By doing so, problems caused by the tendency for a larger amount of powder to accumulate and get stuck, particularly in the case of the second mesh member (132) provided on the reaction gas outlet side compared to the first mesh member (122), can be minimized. Additionally, the inclined surface (112) located on the reaction gas inlet side can be optimized to allow the reaction gas to flow in relatively smoothly, while the inclined surface (112) located on the reaction gas outlet side can be optimized to strengthen the function of suppressing powder accumulation.

[0035] The blade (140) is spaced apart from one another along the circumference of the inner surface of the cylindrical reactor body (110) and is formed to be long from left to right and installed along the length direction of the reactor (100). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is preferable that the lower surface (141) of the blade (140) has a slightly convex curvature in the width direction corresponding to the inner surface of the reactor body (110) so that it can be fastened in close contact with the inner surface of the reactor body (110). The lower surface (141) of the blade (140) is provided with a plurality of fastening holes (B1) formed with female screws so that it can be screwed to the inner surface of the reactor body (110) by a fastening part equipped with male screws while in close contact with the inner surface of the reactor body (110).

[0036] The blade (140) is formed with a shape in which the cross-sectional width gradually narrows from the lower surface (141), which is in close contact with the inner surface of the reactor body (110), to the upper surface (142), and then finishes with a curved surface. In this way, when the cross-sectional width of the blade (140) gradually narrows from the lower surface (141) to the upper surface (142) and then finishes with a curved surface at the upper surface, it reduces the irregular movement of the powder and induces it to pass smoothly over the side surface (143) and the upper surface (142) of the blade (140) when the reactor (100) rotates.

[0037] The blade (140) is formed such that the lower surfaces (141) of both ends are formed as upward inclined surfaces (144) that extend upwardly toward the end (145) so as to closely contact the inclined surfaces (112) formed at both ends of the inner circumference of the reactor body (110). As a result, the ends of the blade (140) are installed in a state of close contact from the inner circumference of the reactor body (110) to the end (145) formed by the inclined surfaces (112), thereby preventing the powder from being excessively pushed downwards or toward the first mesh member (122) or the second mesh member (132) from the inclined surfaces (112) at both ends of the inner circumference of the reactor (100) when the reactor (100) rotates. Additionally, it is preferable that the boundary (146) between the horizontal surface formed at the center of the lower surface (141) of the blade (140) and the upward inclined surfaces (144) formed at both ends be formed as a convex curved surface. This ensures that the blade (140) is in close contact without gaps across the entire inner surface of the reactor body (110).

[0038] Furthermore, the ends (145) of both ends of the blade (140) are formed as vertical planes perpendicular to the upper portion so as to be in close contact with the first mesh member (122) and the second mesh member (132). Here, it can be noted that the ends (145) of both ends of the blade (140) are not in close contact with the first rim (121) of the first cap (120) and the second rim (131) of the second cap (130), but rather are in close contact with the first mesh member (122) and the second mesh member (132). With this configuration of the ends (145) of the blade (140), the reaction gas can be guided to flow stably from the initial inflow into the reactor body (110) through the first mesh member (122) until outflow through the second mesh member (132), and it becomes easy to control the movement of the powder throughout the entire interior of the reactor (100).

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first cap (120) is composed of a first rim (121) in the shape of a circular ring corresponding to one end of the reactor body (110) and a first mesh member (122) installed in the opening in the center of the first rim (121). The second cap (130) is composed of a second rim (131) in the shape of a circular ring corresponding to the other end of the reactor body (110) and a second mesh member (132) installed in the opening in the center of the second rim (131). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first cap (120) and the second cap (130) may have different shapes or identical shapes. A circular groove (126) may be concavely formed on the edge of one side of the rim (121) of the first cap (120) so that the gripping module of the transfer robot (1000) can stably grip the reactor cap (120).

[0040] The first cap (120) is installed to open and close one end of the reactor body (110). To this end, a pair of clamping grooves (125) are formed on the outer surface of the first rim (121) in opposite directions, so that when a pair of cap opening / closing means (810) rotate the first cap (120) in close contact, a clamping projection (811) formed on the inner surface of the cap opening / closing means (810) is inserted into the clamping groove (125) of the first rim (121) to transmit rotational force to the first cap (120).

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of L-shaped locking grooves (113) are provided spaced apart along the circumference on the outer surface of one end of the reactor body (110), each consisting of an insertion part (113a) formed starting from the end of one end of the reactor body (110) and extending to the other side, and a fastening part (113b) formed extending in a forward rotational direction from the other end of the insertion part (113a). The first rim (121) is provided with a locking projection (122a) installed to protrude radially inward from the inner surface and to move along the L-shaped locking groove (113). Thus, when the first cap (120) is pushed from one end of the reactor body (110) to the other, the locking projection (122a) moves along the insertion part (113a) of the L-shaped locking groove (113), and then when the first cap (120) is rotated in the forward direction, the locking projection (122a) moves along the fastening part (113b) of the L-shaped locking groove (113), and the first cap (120) is secured to one end of the reactor body (110).

[0042] Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a buried hole (113) is formed from the end of the reactor body (110) to the fastening part (113b) of the L-shaped locking groove (113), and a spring (115) and a plunger (114) are installed in the buried hole (113) such that the hemispherical tip tends to protrude into the fastening part (113b) of the L-shaped locking groove (113) while elastically supported by the spring (115). A seating groove (122b) is formed in the above locking projection (122a) so that the tip of the plunger (114) is seated thereon, so that when the first cap (120) rotates in the forward direction, the locking projection (122a) moves in the fastening part (113b) of the L-shaped locking groove (113) and is locked by the plunger (114).

[0043] A guide projection line (111) protruding along the circumference is formed on the outer surface of the reactor body (110). As a result, the guide projection line (111) can receive rotational force by being seated in a position corresponding to a guide groove (311) formed along the circumference on the outer surface of the roller (310) that provides rotational force as shown in FIG. 8. The guide projection line (111) is provided in multiple locations spaced apart at points symmetrically opposite to each other with respect to the center of the cylindrical rotating body. It is noteworthy that, according to the configuration in which the reactor (100) is provided with multiple guide projection lines (111), the reactor (100) can rotate by receiving rotational force very stably from the cylindrical roller (310) without being affected by eccentricity.

[0044] Here, the guide projection line (111) has a shape in which the cross-sectional width gradually narrows toward the top, as shown in the enlarged section of FIG. 5, so that smooth contact is made in correspondence with the guide groove (311) of the roller (310).

[0045] In the guide projection line (111) of the reactor (100) as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of stopper grooves (111a) are formed so that a pair of stopper projections (731) advancing from a pair of stopper devices (730) can be fitted in correspondence when the reactor (100) is set up on the first support (720a) of the work table (710) with the first cap (120) facing upward. Thus, when the cap opening / closing means (810) shown in FIG. 10 rotates the first cap (120) that opens / closes one end of the reactor (100) to perform a process of separating or joining according to the direction of rotation, the reactor body (110) can be fixed by the pair of stopper projections (731) so as not to rotate. For reference, the first cap (120) separated from the reactor body (110) is temporarily placed on the second base (720b).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, an alignment mark (111b) is formed on the guide projection line (111) to align the rotation angle of the reactor (100) when the reactor (100) is moved to a predetermined position by the transfer robot. The alignment mark (111b) is provided as a groove or hole formed in the guide projection line (111) so that a laser beam (LB) irradiated along the longitudinal direction of the reactor body (110) can pass through it. (The drawing shows an example where the alignment mark (111b) is provided as a groove.) By using the guide projection line (111), which is provided in a protruding form on the outer surface of the reactor body (110) to receive rotational force from the roller (310), the stopper groove (111a) and the alignment mark (111b) are formed, which has the advantage of not requiring deformation of the outer surface of the reactor body (110) or installation of separate parts.

[0047] Thus, the reactor (100) equipped with a guide projection line (111) having a stopper groove (111a) and an alignment mark (111b) formed thereon makes it much easier to automate the process of connecting and separating to the roller (310) by a transfer robot, the process of adjusting the rotation angle while the reactor (100) is transferred to a predetermined position, and the process of connecting and separating by rotating the first cap (120) while the reactor body (110) is fixed.

[0048] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention may use various variations, modifications, and equivalents. It is clear that the present invention can be applied in the same way by appropriately modifying the above embodiments. Therefore, the above description does not limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the limitations of the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0049] 100 : Reactor 110 : Reactor body 120 : 1st cap 130 : 2nd cap 140 : Blade 200 : Chamber Module 300 : Rotation module 400 : Rotation module 500: Gas supply module 600: Gas exhaust module 700: Opening / closing and cleaning module 1000: Transfer robot

Claims

Claim 1 A reactor for a powder coating device that receives powder and rotates to improve the reactivity of the powder received therein, comprising: a cylindrical reactor body receiving powder; a first cap installed at one end of the reactor body to allow reaction gas to flow into the interior of the reactor body; and a second cap installed at the other end of the reactor body to allow reaction gas that has passed through the interior of the reactor body to flow out. A reactor for a powder coating device comprising: at least one blade installed to extend long in the longitudinal direction of the reactor body; wherein the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body and both ends are formed as inclined surfaces with an inner diameter that narrows toward the ends to induce the powder to be uniformly coated in the central part of the reactor body; wherein the cross-sectional width of the blade gradually narrows from the lower surface that is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body to the upper part, and is finished with a curved surface at the upper part; and wherein the lower surfaces of both ends of the blade are formed as upward inclined surfaces that extend upwardly toward the ends corresponding to the inclined surfaces formed at both ends of the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body, so that the two ends of the blade extend in a state of close contact along the inclined surfaces of the reactor body. Claim 2 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surfaces formed at both ends of the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body are formed as curved surfaces. Claim 3 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second cap-side inclined surface located on the reaction gas outlet side among the inclined surfaces formed at both ends of the inner circumferential surface of the reactor body is formed to have a higher inclination than the first cap-side inclined surface located on the reaction gas inflow side. Claim 4 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cap has a first mesh member and the second cap has a second mesh member. Claim 5 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of blades are provided on the inner surface of the reactor body and arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction. Claim 6 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 1, wherein the boundary between the lower central portion of the blade and the upward inclined surface formed on the lower portions of both ends of the blade is formed as a convex curved surface, and the blade is in close contact without gaps across the entire inner circumference including the inner central portion and the inclined surface at both ends of the reactor body. Claim 7 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 4, wherein the ends of both ends of the blade are formed as vertical end planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade and are respectively in close contact with the first mesh member and the second mesh member. Claim 8 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide projection line protruding along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer surface of the reactor body so as to receive rotational force from the roller while seated in a state corresponding to a guide groove formed along the circumference on the outer surface of the roller providing rotational force. Claim 9 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide projection line has a shape in which the cross-sectional width gradually narrows toward the top so as to make smooth contact with the guide groove of the roller. Claim 10 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide projection lines are provided in multiple numbers at points symmetrically spaced apart from each other with respect to the longitudinal center of the reactor body. Claim 11 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide projection line has a pair of stopper grooves formed therein, into which a pair of stopper projections are each fitted to fix the reactor body so as not to rotate when the cap opening / closing means performs a process of separating or joining according to the direction of rotation by rotating the first cap, which opens / closes one end of the reactor body, at one end of the reactor body. Claim 12 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 8, characterized in that an alignment mark is formed on the guide projection line to align the rotation angle of the reactor body when the reactor is moved to a position determined by a transfer robot. Claim 13 A reactor for a powder coating device according to claim 12, wherein the alignment mark is a hole or groove formed in the guide projection line so that a laser beam irradiated in the longitudinal direction of the reactor body can pass through. Claim 14 A powder coating device characterized by comprising: a reactor for a powder coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a chamber module having a process chamber that accommodates the reactor; a heating module installed inside the process chamber; a rotation module that rotates the reactor accommodated inside the process chamber; a gas supply module that supplies reaction gas into the reactor accommodated inside the process chamber; and a gas discharge module that sucks in the reaction gas discharged through the reactor and discharges it to the outside of the process chamber.

Images