Laser drying equipment

Abstract

The present application discloses laser drying equipment. The laser drying equipment is used for drying battery electrode sheets; the laser drying equipment comprises a mounting box, a light source module, a transmission module, an exhaust module, and a measurement module; the light source module can emit laser and form laser coverage areas inside a closed cavity; the transmission module can drive battery electrode sheets to be dried to move to the laser coverage areas, so that laser beams can dry the battery electrode sheets; the exhaust module comprises an exhaust port; the measurement module comprises a first measurement part and a second measurement part; the first measurement part can measure the temperature of the battery electrode sheets in a drying process; and the second measurement part can measure the concentration of solvent vapor at the exhaust port. The technical solution of the present application prevents potential safety hazards caused by an excessively high concentration of solvent vapor, and improves the drying quality and the production safety.

Description

Laser drying equipment

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202420382600.8 and application date February 28, 2024. The entire contents of the application are hereby introduced as a whole into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of coating equipment, and in particular to a laser drying equipment. Background Art

[0003] In current coating equipment, the mainstream coating and drying method is to heat the air using energy sources such as electricity, natural gas, and steam, and then use hot air convection to dry the coated wet electrode. Through heat conduction, the water, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), or other solvents in the coating slurry are heated, volatilized, and discharged, achieving the purpose of drying the electrode. However, in existing drying methods, hot air drying conducts heat through convection, which has low energy utilization. The ovens equipped in existing coating machines occupy a large space, have high energy consumption, and are complex to maintain. They also have problems such as incomplete or uneven drying, wrinkles on the dried electrode, and cracks in the electrode coating. In addition, the solvent vapors during the drying process cannot be discharged to the outside of the oven in a timely manner, which can easily pose a safety hazard. Application Contents

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a laser drying device that can prevent safety hazards caused by excessively high solvent vapor concentrations, thereby improving drying quality and production safety.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides a laser drying device, which is used to dry battery pole pieces. The laser drying device includes: an installation box, a light source module, a transmission module, an exhaust module, and a detection module. The installation box includes a closed cavity. The light source module is arranged in the installation box, and the light source module can emit laser and form a laser coverage area inside the closed cavity. The transmission module is located on the side of the installation box away from the light source module. The transmission module can drive the battery pole piece to be dried to the laser coverage area so that the laser beam can dry the battery pole piece. The exhaust module is arranged on the same side of the installation box as the light source module. The exhaust module is used to exhaust the solvent vapor generated during the drying process. The exhaust module includes an exhaust outlet. The detection module includes a first detection part and a second detection part. The first detection part is arranged in the installation box, and the first detection part can detect the temperature of the battery pole piece during the drying process. The second detection part is arranged at the exhaust outlet, and the second detection part can detect the solvent vapor concentration at the exhaust outlet.

[0006] The technical solution of this application uses high-energy laser irradiation to dry battery pole pieces, reducing energy consumption, improving the uniformity, drying speed, and drying quality of the battery pole pieces, and reducing problems such as pole piece cracking. The technical solution of this application can discharge solvent vapor into the external environment through an exhaust module, and is provided with a detection module, which includes a second detection unit. The second detection unit can detect the concentration of solvent vapor at the exhaust port to prevent safety hazards caused by excessive solvent concentration, thereby effectively ensuring the drying quality of the battery pole pieces and ensuring the safety of the battery pole pieces during the drying process.

[0007] According to the aforementioned embodiment of the present application, the exhaust module further includes an air knife assembly. The air knife assembly is disposed within the enclosed cavity and is used to blow out the solvent within the battery electrode to be dried. The air knife assembly includes an air outlet, which is positioned toward the laser coverage area and capable of blowing air toward the laser coverage area. The technical solution of the present application, by disposing the air knife assembly within the exhaust module, allows the air outlet of the air knife assembly to blow air toward the laser coverage area and dissipate solvent vapor, thereby preventing safety hazards caused by excessive solvent concentration.

[0008] According to the aforementioned embodiments of the present application, the detection module further includes a third detection unit. This third detection unit is located at the air outlet and is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the air blowing out of the air outlet. By providing a third detection unit capable of detecting the temperature and humidity of the air blowing out of the air outlet, the technical solution of the present application improves the efficiency of the air knife assembly in blowing out solvent vapor, thereby avoiding safety issues caused by excessive solvent concentration.

[0009] According to the aforementioned embodiment of the present application, an exhaust vent is provided in the mounting box, and the exhaust vent is capable of connecting the enclosed cavity with the external environment so that the solvent vapor generated during the drying process can be discharged from the enclosed cavity to the external environment. The detection module also includes: a fourth detection unit. The fourth detection unit is provided at the exhaust vent and is capable of detecting the temperature and humidity of the gas discharged from the exhaust vent. The technical solution of the present application, by providing the fourth detection unit, facilitates timely detection of the temperature and humidity of the exhaust gas, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of laser drying.

[0010] According to the aforementioned embodiments of this application, the detection module further includes a fifth detection unit. This fifth detection unit is located outside the installation box and is capable of detecting the pressure within the enclosed cavity. By providing this fifth detection unit capable of detecting the pressure within the enclosed cavity, the technical solution of this application prevents excessive pressure within the installation box, thereby improving production safety.

[0011] According to the aforementioned embodiments of the present application, the detection module further includes a data collection unit. This data collection unit is electrically connected to the other detection elements of the detection module and is capable of collecting detection data from the other detection elements of the detection module. By providing a data collection unit capable of collecting detection data from the other detection elements of the detection module, the technical solution of the present application facilitates timely statistical aggregation of data and allows for timely adjustment of parameters such as the power of the laser beam used for drying based on the acquired detection data, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of laser drying.

[0012] According to the aforementioned embodiment of the present application, the exhaust module further includes an explosion-proof window. The explosion-proof window is disposed on the exterior of the mounting box and can be opened or closed based on the solvent vapor concentration within the enclosed chamber as detected by the second detection unit. By providing the explosion-proof window, the technical solution of the present application allows it to be opened when the solvent vapor concentration within the enclosed chamber is excessive, thereby avoiding safety issues and improving safety during the drying process.

[0013] According to the aforementioned embodiments of the present application, the light source module includes: a laser emitting unit, an angle adjustment component, and a light homogenization component. The laser emitting unit is capable of emitting laser light into a closed cavity and forming a laser coverage area. The angle adjustment component is connected to the laser emitting unit and is capable of adjusting the irradiation direction of the laser beam. The light homogenization component is disposed on the outgoing optical path of the laser beam and is used to receive the laser beam, perform light homogenization on the laser beam, and project the laser beam after light homogenization into the laser coverage area.

[0014] According to the aforementioned embodiment of the present application, the transmission module includes: a plurality of rotating rollers and a reel. A plurality of rotating rollers are arranged in the installation box, and the plurality of rotating rollers can convey the battery pole pieces. The reels are respectively arranged on both sides of the outside of the installation box, and the reels can provide tension for the pole pieces. The technical solution of the present application can support and assist the conveying of the battery pole pieces by arranging rotating rollers, thereby preventing the battery pole pieces from shaking during the drying process. The reel arranged on the outside of the installation box can collect the pole pieces for storage, and the reel also provides tension for the entire battery pole piece to ensure that the surface of the battery pole piece remains flat during the drying process.

[0015] According to the aforementioned embodiment of the present application, the light source module includes two laser emitting parts, and the two laser emitting parts are arranged in sequence along the transmission direction of the battery pole piece. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] FIG1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a laser drying device of the present application;

[0018] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the emission principle of the laser emission unit of an embodiment of the laser drying device of the present application;

[0019] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a single laser emitting unit irradiating a battery electrode with laser light in accordance with an embodiment of the laser drying device of the present application;

[0020] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a rectangular heating area formed on a pole piece by the laser drying device of the present application;

[0021] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing another arrangement of rectangular heating areas formed on a pole piece by the laser drying device of the present application.

[0022] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0023] Installation box-100, laser emitting unit-200, transmission module-300, exhaust module-400, detection module-500, battery electrode-600;

[0024] Enclosed chamber 110, laser coverage area 210, rotating roller 310, reel 320, exhaust vent 410, air knife assembly 420, explosion-proof window 430, bellows 440, exhaust vent 450, first detection unit 510, second detection unit 520, third detection unit 530, fourth detection unit 540, fifth detection unit 550;

[0025] Air outlet-421;

[0026] Transmission direction - X1.

[0027] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present application (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0030] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0031] The embodiments of the present application provide a laser drying device that can prevent safety hazards caused by excessively high solvent vapor concentrations, thereby improving drying quality and production safety.

[0032] The present application provides a laser drying device for drying battery electrodes. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the laser drying device includes: an installation box 100, a light source module, a transmission module 300, an exhaust module 400, and a detection module 500. The installation box 100 includes a bottom, a wall surrounding the bottom and connected to the bottom, and a lid disposed opposite the bottom. The bottom, wall, and lid are interconnected to form a closed cavity 110. The light source module is disposed in the installation box 100, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The light source module is capable of emitting laser light and forming a laser coverage area within the closed cavity. The transmission module 300 is located on the side of the installation box 100 away from the light source module. The transmission module 300 is capable of driving the battery electrode to be dried to the laser coverage area 210 so that the laser beam can dry the battery electrode. After the battery electrode is dried, the transmission module 300 can drive the battery electrode out of the laser coverage area 210. The exhaust module 400 is disposed on the same side of the installation box 100 as the light source module. The exhaust module 400 is used to exhaust the solvent vapor generated during the drying process and includes an exhaust port 410. The detection module 500 includes a first detection unit 510 and a second detection unit 520. The first detection unit 510 is disposed on the installation box 100 and can detect the temperature of the battery electrode during the drying process. The second detection unit 520 is disposed at the exhaust port 410 and can detect the concentration of solvent vapor at the exhaust port 410.

[0033] The technical solution of the present application uses high-energy laser irradiation to dry the battery pole pieces, which reduces energy consumption, improves the uniformity, drying speed and drying quality of the battery pole pieces, and reduces problems such as pole piece cracking. The technical solution of the present application can discharge solvent vapor into the external environment through the exhaust module 400, and is provided with a detection module 500. The detection module 500 includes a second detection unit 520. The second detection unit 520 can detect the solvent vapor concentration at the exhaust port 410 to prevent safety hazards caused by excessive solvent concentration, thereby effectively ensuring the drying quality of the battery pole pieces and ensuring the safety of the battery pole pieces during the drying process.

[0034] In this embodiment of the present application, the first detection unit 510 may be an infrared detector that uses infrared thermal imaging to detect the temperature of the battery electrode during the drying process. The first detection unit 510 may also be configured in other ways to detect the temperature of the battery electrode during the drying process. The second detection unit 520 may be an NMP concentration detector, which is located within the exhaust vent 410 to detect the NMP concentration.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the light source module includes: a laser emitting unit 200, an angle adjustment component, and a light homogenization component. The laser emitting unit 200 is arranged on the box cover, and the laser emitting unit 200 can emit laser light into the closed cavity 110 to form a laser coverage area 210. The angle adjustment component is connected to the laser emitting unit 200, and the angle adjustment component can adjust the irradiation direction of the laser beam. The light homogenization component is arranged on the outgoing light path of the laser beam, and the light homogenization component is used to receive the laser beam and perform light homogenization on the laser beam, and project the laser beam after light homogenization to the laser coverage area 210.

[0036] The light source module includes two laser emitting units 200, which are arranged sequentially along the transmission direction of the battery electrode. In other embodiments, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, multiple laser emitting units 200 may be arranged in parallel, generating multiple laser coverage areas 210 on the surface of the battery electrode. The light source module can be a non-contact light source, and the emission source of the light source module includes but is not limited to light-emitting diodes, infrared lamps, microwaves, lasers, and vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the exhaust module 400 also includes: an air knife assembly 420. The air knife assembly 420 is arranged in the closed cavity 110. The air knife assembly 420 is used to blow out the solvent in the battery pole piece to be dried. The air knife assembly 420 includes an air outlet 421. The air outlet 421 is arranged toward the laser coverage area 210 and can blow air toward the laser coverage area 210. The technical solution of the present application is to set the air knife assembly 420 in the exhaust module 400. The air outlet 421 of the air knife assembly 420 can blow air toward the laser coverage area 210 and blow out the solvent vapor to prevent safety hazards caused by excessive solvent concentration. The laser emitting part 200 emits laser from above to dry the battery pole piece. The air knife assembly 420 is arranged around the laser emitting part 200. The air knife assembly 420 can blow hot air to dry the battery pole piece and can blow away the generated solvent vapor while drying the pole piece.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the detection module 500 also includes: a third detection unit 530. The third detection unit 530 is arranged at the air outlet 421, and the third detection unit 530 is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the air blown out of the air outlet 421. The technical solution of the present application is conducive to improving the efficiency of the air knife assembly 420 in blowing out solvent vapor by providing a third detection unit 530 that can detect the temperature and humidity of the air blown out of the air outlet 421, thereby avoiding safety problems caused by excessive solvent concentration. In an embodiment of the present application, the third detection unit 530 is a fresh air detector, which is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the fresh air used for drying blown out from the air outlet 421 of the air knife assembly 420.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the exhaust port 410 is provided in the installation box 100. The exhaust port 410 can connect the closed cavity 110 with the external environment so that the solvent vapor generated during the drying process can be discharged from the closed cavity 110 to the external environment. The detection module 500 also includes: a fourth detection unit 540. The fourth detection unit 540 is provided at the exhaust port 410. The fourth detection unit 540 can detect the temperature and humidity of the gas exhausted by the exhaust port 410. The technical solution of the present application is conducive to timely detection of the temperature and humidity of the exhaust gas by providing the fourth detection unit 540, which is conducive to improving the efficiency and quality of laser drying. In the embodiment of the present application, the fourth detection unit 540 is an exhaust detector.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1 , the detection module 500 further includes a fifth detection unit 550. The fifth detection unit 550 is disposed outside the installation box 100 and is capable of detecting the pressure within the enclosed cavity 110. By providing the fifth detection unit 550 capable of detecting the pressure within the enclosed cavity 110, the present technical solution prevents excessive pressure within the installation box 100, thereby improving production safety.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present application, the detection module 500 further includes: a data collection unit. The data collection unit is electrically connected to the other detection elements of the detection module 500, and the data collection unit is capable of collecting detection data of the other detection elements of the detection module 500. The technical solution of the present application facilitates timely statistical summary of data by setting a data collection unit capable of collecting detection data of other detection elements of the detection module 500, and timely adjusts parameters such as the power of the laser beam used for drying according to the obtained detection data, which is conducive to improving the efficiency and quality of laser drying. In an embodiment of the present application, multiple data collection units are set, and the data collection units are located in the air outlet 421 and the exhaust port 410. The data collection units can also be set on the box wall facing the closed cavity 110.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present application, the light source module further includes: a high-voltage transformer, which adjusts the output power of the laser emitting unit 200 through voltage transformation.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the exhaust module 400 also includes: an explosion-proof window 430. The explosion-proof window 430 is provided at the lid of the installation box 100, and can be opened or closed according to the solvent vapor concentration in the closed cavity 110 detected by the second detection unit 520. The technical solution of the present application can open the explosion-proof window 430 when the solvent vapor concentration in the closed cavity 110 is too high by providing the explosion-proof window 430, thereby avoiding safety problems and improving the safety of the drying process. The explosion-proof box can be opened manually, or the explosion-proof box can be electrically connected to the second detection unit 520, and the explosion-proof window 430 can be automatically opened or closed according to the solvent concentration signal in the installation box 100 detected by the second detection unit 520.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present application, the exhaust module 400 further includes a bellows 440 . The bellows 440 is disposed within the enclosed cavity 110 and extends along the transmission direction of the battery electrode sheets. The bellows 440 is connected to the air knife assembly 420 , and the hot air in the bellows 440 is blown out through the air outlet 421 of the air knife assembly 420 .

[0045] In the embodiment of the present application, the exhaust module 400 further includes an air inlet 450. The air inlet 450 and the air outlet 410 are sequentially arranged on the box cover to discharge the steam generated during the drying process of the battery electrodes.

[0046] In this embodiment of the present application, the box wall includes a first opening and a second opening positioned opposite each other. The transport module 300 delivers the battery electrodes to be dried into the installation box 100 through the first opening and delivers the battery electrodes to be dried out of the installation box 100 through the second opening. As shown in Figure 1, the transport module 300 includes a plurality of rotating rollers 310 and a reel 320. The plurality of rotating rollers 310 are disposed within the installation box 100 and are capable of conveying the battery electrodes. The reels 320 are disposed on both sides of the exterior of the installation box 100 and are capable of providing tension to the electrodes. The technical solution of this application, by providing the rotating rollers 310, supports and assists in the conveyance of the battery electrodes, preventing them from vibrating during the drying process. The reel 320, disposed outside the installation box 100, collects the electrodes for storage and provides tension to the entire battery electrode surface, ensuring a flat surface during the drying process.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present application description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A laser drying device, characterized in that: The laser drying equipment is used to dry battery pole pieces, and the laser drying equipment includes: An installation box, the installation box comprising a closed cavity; a light source module, the light source module being disposed in the mounting box and capable of emitting laser light and forming a laser coverage area within the enclosed cavity; A transmission module, located on a side of the installation box away from the light source module, capable of driving the battery pole piece to be dried to the laser coverage area so that the laser beam can dry the battery pole piece; an exhaust module, the exhaust module and the light source module being disposed on the same side of the installation box, the exhaust module being used to exhaust solvent vapor generated during the drying process, the exhaust module including an exhaust port; and The detection module includes a first detection part and a second detection part. The first detection part is arranged at the installation box and can detect the temperature of the battery electrode during the drying process. The second detection part is arranged at the exhaust port and can detect the concentration of solvent vapor at the exhaust port.

2. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust module further comprises: An air knife assembly is arranged in the closed cavity, and is used to blow out the solvent in the battery electrode to be dried. The air knife assembly includes an air outlet, and the air outlet is arranged toward the laser coverage area and can blow air toward the laser coverage area.

3. The laser drying device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection module also includes: The third detection unit is arranged at the air outlet, and is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the air blown out of the air outlet.

4. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust port is provided on the installation box, and the exhaust port can connect the closed cavity with the external environment so that the solvent vapor generated during the drying process can be discharged from the closed cavity to the external environment; The detection module also includes: A fourth detection unit is provided at the exhaust port, and is capable of detecting the temperature and humidity of the gas exhausted from the exhaust port.

5. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection module also includes: A fifth detection part is provided outside the installation box and is capable of detecting the pressure in the closed cavity.

6. The laser drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The detection module also includes: A data collection unit is electrically connected to other detection elements of the detection module, and the data collection unit can collect detection data of other detection elements of the detection module.

7. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust module further comprises: An explosion-proof window is provided on the outer side of the installation box and can be opened or closed according to the solvent vapor concentration in the closed cavity detected by the second detection unit.

8. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source module includes: a laser emitting unit capable of emitting laser light into the closed cavity and forming a laser coverage area; an angle adjustment component, the angle adjustment component being connected to the laser emitting unit and capable of adjusting the irradiation direction of the laser beam; and The light homogenizing component is arranged on the outgoing light path of the laser beam, and is used to receive the laser beam and perform light homogenization on the laser beam, and project the laser beam after light homogenization to the laser coverage area.

9. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission module includes: a plurality of rotating rollers, the plurality of rotating rollers being arranged in the installation box, the plurality of rotating rollers being capable of conveying battery pole pieces; and The reels are respectively arranged on both sides of the outside of the installation box, and the reels can provide tension for the pole piece.

10. The laser drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source module includes two laser emitting parts, and the two laser emitting parts are arranged in sequence along the transmission direction of the battery electrode.

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