Heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing secondary battery active material

Abstract

A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material disclosed herein comprises: a main body including a body housing, which has an inner space formed therein, and a plurality of insulating partition walls, which divide the inner space into a plurality of heating zones and at least one non-heating zone positioned between at least one pair of the heating zones; a plurality of heaters for heating the plurality of heating zones, respectively; and a saggar transfer unit including a plurality of transfer rollers, which support a saggar accommodating the secondary battery active material and transfer the saggar in the inner space, and an electric motor, which provides power to rotate the plurality of transfer rollers.

Description

Heat treatment device for manufacturing secondary battery active materials

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing active materials for secondary batteries.

[0002] Generally, a heat treatment device for manufacturing secondary battery active materials is a device that improves the physical properties of secondary battery active materials by heating the powdered secondary battery active materials stored in a saggar.

[0003] The main body of a heat treatment device for manufacturing secondary battery active materials may include a plurality of heating zones in which the heating temperatures are set differently in stages. The secondary battery active material stored in the device may have its temperature changed in stages as it sequentially passes through the plurality of heating zones.

[0004] However, due to heat transfer between adjacent heating zones, the temperature of the secondary battery active material changes continuously instead of gradually, fails to reach the target temperature, or rapidly exceeds the target temperature, resulting in a problem where the quality of the secondary battery active material deteriorates.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material comprising a non-heating zone that suppresses heat transfer between adjacent heating zones.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, comprising a configuration that reciprocates a preset number of times within a heating zone so that the new material is heated for a sufficient amount of time.

[0007] A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to the present invention comprises: a main body housing having an internal space formed therein, and a main body including a plurality of insulating partitions dividing the internal space into a plurality of heating zones and at least one non-heating zone disposed between at least one pair of heating zones among the plurality of heating zones; a plurality of heaters each heating the plurality of heating zones; and a saggar transport unit including a plurality of transport rollers that support a saggar containing a secondary battery active material and transport the saggar within the internal space, and an electric motor that provides power to rotate the plurality of transport rollers.

[0008] The plurality of the above-mentioned insulating partitions may include a plurality of upper insulating partitions located above the sagger supported by the plurality of the above-mentioned conveying rollers, and a plurality of lower insulating partitions located below the plurality of the above-mentioned conveying rollers and corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of the above-mentioned insulating partitions.

[0009] The plurality of heaters may include a plurality of upper heaters located at a height between the top and bottom of the upper insulating partition to heat a plurality of heating zones, and a plurality of lower heaters located at a height between the top and bottom of the lower insulating partition to heat a plurality of heating zones.

[0010] The main body housing comprises a lower wall, an upper wall located above the lower wall, and a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other and connecting both ends in the width direction of the lower wall and the upper wall, and the heat treatment device for manufacturing a secondary battery active material may further comprise: a supply section including a plurality of supply ports extending to penetrate the lower wall and supplying atmosphere gas from the outside of the main body housing to the internal space; and an exhaust section including a plurality of exhaust ports extending to penetrate the upper wall and discharging the gas filled in the internal space to the outside of the main body housing.

[0011] The above supply ports can be positioned one on each side and the other in the width direction of the internal space in the heating zone and the non-heating zone, so as not to overlap with the above new ones.

[0012] The above main body housing has an opening that allows the sagger to pass between the exterior of the main body housing and the interior space, and a plurality of heating zones include a first heating zone closest to the opening among the plurality of heating zones, a second heating zone spaced further from the opening than the first heating zone, a third heating zone spaced further from the opening than the second heating zone, and a fourth heating zone spaced further from the opening than the third heating zone, and at least one non-heating zone may include a first non-heating zone located between the opening and the first heating zone, a second non-heating zone located between the second heating zone and the third heating zone, and a third non-heating zone located between the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone.

[0013] The difference between the target temperature of the first heating zone and the target temperature of the second heating zone is 200℃ or less, and the non-heating zone may not be located between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

[0014] The target temperatures of the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone are set to rise in stages, and among the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, the length of the fourth heating zone may be the longest in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the sager.

[0015] The above-mentioned new device can enter the internal space from the outside of the main body housing through the opening, move from the first non-heating zone to the fourth heating zone, move from the fourth heating zone to the first non-heating zone, and be discharged from the internal space to the outside of the main body housing through the opening.

[0016] The above main body housing has an opening that allows the sagger to pass between the exterior of the main body housing and the interior space, and the heat treatment device for manufacturing a secondary battery active material may further include: a replacement chamber comprising a first replacement chamber door and a second replacement chamber door located on one side and the other side and closedable to allow the sagger to pass through, and a gas replacement space provided between the first replacement chamber door and the second replacement chamber door; and a hood chamber comprising a hood space provided between the second replacement chamber door and the opening to allow the sagger to pass through.

[0017] The hood chamber may include a ceiling that decreases in height from the center in the width direction of the hood chamber toward both ends.

[0018] The above-mentioned replacement chamber further includes a replacement chamber supply unit that supplies atmosphere gas from outside the replacement chamber to the gas replacement space, and a replacement chamber exhaust unit that discharges the gas filled in the gas replacement space to the outside of the replacement chamber, and when the atmosphere gas is filled in the gas replacement space, the second replacement chamber door may be opened so that the new gas moves between the gas replacement space and the hood space.

[0019] The main body housing is provided with a first opening on one side of the main body housing that is open to allow the sagger to enter the internal space, and a second opening on the other side of the main body housing that is open to allow the sagger to be discharged from the internal space to the outside of the main body housing, and among the plurality of heating zones, the heating zone located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing has the highest target temperature, and the remaining heating zones among the plurality of heating zones can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the heating zone located at the center.

[0020] The heat treatment device for manufacturing a secondary battery active material may further include a control unit that controls the heater, which heats the heating zone located downstream of the heating zone located in the center of the main body housing, so that the heater does not emit heat.

[0021] The heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material may further include: a first replacement chamber comprising a first entry door and a second entry door located on one side and the other side and closedable so as to allow the stray to pass through and toward the first opening, and a first gas replacement space provided between the first entry door and the second entry door; a first hood chamber comprising a first hood space provided between the second entry door and the first opening so as to allow the stray to be discharged from the second entry door and enter the internal space through the first opening; a second replacement chamber comprising a first discharge door and a second discharge door located on one side and the other side and closedable so as to allow the stray discharged from the main body housing to pass through, and a second gas replacement space provided between the first discharge door and the second discharge door; and a second hood chamber comprising a second hood space provided between the second opening and the first discharge door so as to allow the stray to be discharged from the second opening and enter the second gas replacement space through the first discharge door.

[0022] The above-mentioned newer transfer unit may further include a transfer roller sensor that detects an abnormal operation of the transfer roller.

[0023] The heat treatment device for manufacturing a secondary battery active material may further include: a detection unit that detects the stray within the heating zone; and a control unit that controls the operation of the stray transfer unit based on the detection signal of the detection unit within the heating zone.

[0024] The main body housing has an opening that allows the bird to pass between the outside of the main body housing and the internal space, and the sensing unit includes a forward detection sensor that detects the bird before it moves forward and exits the heating zone, and a backward detection sensor that detects the bird before it moves backward and exits the heating zone, and the forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor are located within the heating zone, and the forward detection sensor may be located further away from the opening than the backward detection sensor.

[0025] The forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor may not be located in the above-mentioned non-heating zone.

[0026] The above-described detection unit includes a forward detection sensor that detects the new carrier as it moves forward and exits the heating zone, and a backward detection sensor that detects the new carrier as it moves backward and exits the heating zone, wherein the forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor are non-contact sensors that detect the new carrier without contacting the new carrier, and the forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor may be located at a height between the height of the top and the height of the bottom of the new carrier supported by the transfer roller.

[0027]

[0028] According to the present invention, the main body includes a plurality of heating zones and a non-heating zone that suppresses heat transfer between adjacent heating zones. Accordingly, a secondary battery active material stored in a carrier moving inside the main body can be accurately heated stepwise to a target temperature in each heating zone. Therefore, the quality of the heat treatment operation of the secondary battery active material and the yield of good quality secondary battery active material are improved.

[0029] According to the present invention, which includes a configuration for reciprocating a new battery within a heating zone, even if the length of the heating zone is short, the secondary battery active material stored in the new battery can be heated for a sufficient amount of time, thereby allowing the secondary battery active material to be heated more accurately in stages to a target temperature in each heating zone.

[0030] According to the present invention, which includes a main body in which a squirrel containing a secondary battery active material enters through a first opening and is discharged through a second opening, a plurality of squirrels can be continuously fed into the main body to heat-treat the secondary battery active material, thereby improving the productivity of the heat-treatment operation of the secondary battery active material.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sagger inserted into a heat treatment device for manufacturing active materials for secondary batteries.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the loop of the hood chamber of Figure 2 cut along S1-S1.

[0034] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the main body of Figure 3.

[0035] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 cut along S2-S2.

[0036] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 3.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Hereinafter, a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering their functions in the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intention or convention of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0039] Furthermore, in this specification, when a part is described as being "connected (or joined)" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected (or joined)" but also cases where they are "indirectly connected (or joined)" with other members interposed between them. In this specification, when a part is described as "including (or having) a certain component," this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may additionally "include (or have)" other components.

[0040] Additionally, a “unit,” “module,” or “part” for a component as used herein performs at least one function or operation. Furthermore, a “unit,” “module,” or “part” may perform a function or operation by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Additionally, a plurality of “units,” a plurality of “modules,” or a plurality of “parts,” excluding a “unit,” “module,” or “part” that must be performed on specific hardware or on at least one processor, may be integrated into at least one module. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] Furthermore, throughout this specification, the same reference numerals may refer to the same components. Even if the same or similar reference numerals are not mentioned or described in a specific drawing, they may be described based on other drawings. Additionally, even if a part is not indicated by a reference numeral in a specific drawing, that part may be described based on other drawings. Furthermore, the number, shape, size, and relative differences in size of the detailed components included in the drawings of this application are set for ease of understanding and do not limit the embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sagger inserted into a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the roof of the hood chamber of FIG. 2 cut along S1-S1, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main body of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 cut along S2-S2, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 3.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a heat treatment apparatus (100) for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to a first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "heat treatment apparatus") comprises a main body (150), a plurality of heaters (190, 195), and a sagger transfer unit. The main body (150) comprises a main body housing (151) and a plurality of insulating partitions (180, 185).

[0044] An internal space (166) is formed inside the main body housing (151). The main body housing (151) includes a front wall (152), a rear wall (157), an upper wall (160), a lower wall (162), and a pair of side walls (164) that include an insulating material. The internal space (166) may be defined by the front wall (152), the rear wall (157), the upper wall (160), the lower wall (162), and the pair of side walls (164). In order to block as much heat as possible from being released from the internal space (166) to the outside of the main body housing (151), the front wall (152), the rear wall (157), the upper wall (160), the lower wall (162), and the pair of side walls (164) may be joined without gaps.

[0045] The rear wall (157) is positioned spaced apart from the front wall (152) along the direction of travel of the sagger (10). In FIGS. 1 to 6, the direction of travel of the sagger (10) is shown parallel to the Y-axis. The positive (+) direction of the Y-axis may be the direction in which the sagger (10) moves forward, and the negative (-) direction of the Y-axis may be the direction in which the sagger (10) moves backward. The Y-axis direction may be the longitudinal direction of the main body (150).

[0046] In FIGS. 1 to 6, the Z-axis direction may be an up-and-down direction parallel to gravity. The positive (+) direction of the Z-axis may be a direction of rising to increase height, and the negative (-) direction of the Z-axis may be a direction of descending to decrease height. In FIGS. 1 to 6, the X-axis direction, which is orthogonal to the Y-axis and Z-axis, may be the width direction of the main body (150).

[0047] In the longitudinal direction of the main body (150), both ends of the lower wall (162) can be connected to the lower ends of the front wall (152) and the rear wall (157). The upper wall (160) is spaced apart from the lower wall (162) and is located at a position higher than the lower wall (162). In the longitudinal direction of the main body (150), both ends of the upper wall (160) can be connected to the upper ends of the front wall (152) and the rear wall (157).

[0048] A pair of side walls (164) are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the main body (150). In the length direction of the main body (150), both ends of the side walls (164) can be connected to the ends of the front wall (152) and the rear wall (157) in the width direction of the main body (150). The lower end of the side wall (164) can be connected to the end of the lower wall (162) in the width direction of the main body (150), and the upper end of the side wall (164) can be connected to the end of the upper wall (160) in the width direction of the main body (150).

[0049] The main body housing (151) may have an opening (154) that is open to allow the sagger (10) to pass between the outside and the inside space (166) of the main body housing (151). The opening (154) may be formed to penetrate the front wall (152) in the thickness direction.

[0050] The sagger (10) is a container made of a heat-resistant ceramic material and may have, for example, a rectangular shape. An internal space is formed inside the sagger (10) to store powder of the secondary battery active material (2). The upper side of the sagger (10) can be opened so that the secondary battery active material (2) can be introduced into the sagger (10) and discharged from the inside of the sagger (10).

[0051] The secondary battery active material may, for example, be a positive active material included in the positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery. For example, the positive active material may include a lithium transition metal oxide or a lithium metal iron phosphate or a metal oxide form. For example, the positive electrode active material may include layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), compounds substituted with one or more transition metals, lithium iron oxides such as LiFe3O4, lithium manganese oxides such as LiMnO2 and LiMnO3, lithium copper oxides such as Li2CuO2, vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiV3O4, and Cu2V2O7, lithium metal phosphates such as LiFePO4, LiCoPO4, LiNiPo4, and LiMnPO4, Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide, lithium manganese complex oxide, nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) complex oxide, lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) complex oxide, and LiMnO in which some of the Li ions are substituted with alkaline earth metal ions. However, the examples are not limited thereto, and any material used as a positive electrode active material in the relevant technical field may be used. In addition, the examples are not limited to positive electrode active materials, and any material used as a negative electrode active material in the relevant technical field may be used.

[0052] A positive active material can be produced by placing a precursor of the positive active material in powder form into a sagger (10) and applying heat inside the main body (150) to calcinate it. Since the particle size, distribution, and crystal structure of the positive active material may vary depending on conditions such as the internal temperature, temperature distribution, heating time (calcination time), and the composition of the atmosphere gas, it is necessary to precisely control the conditions.

[0053] A plurality of insulating partitions (180, 185) divide the internal space (166) into a plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173) and a plurality of non-heating zones (175, 176, 177). The plurality of insulating partitions (180, 185) may include a plurality of upper insulating partitions (180) located above the sagger (10) supported by a plurality of conveying rollers (201), and a plurality of lower insulating partitions (185) located below the plurality of conveying rollers (201) and corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of upper insulating partitions (180).

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173) may include a first heating zone to a fourth heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173). The first heating zone (170) is located closest to the opening (154) among the plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173). The second heating zone (171) is located further away from the opening (154) than the first heating zone (170). The third heating zone (172) is located further away from the opening (154) than the second heating zone (171). The fourth heating zone (173) is located further away from the opening (154) than the third heating zone (172).

[0055] A plurality of non-heating zones (175, 176, 177) may include a first non-heating zone to a third non-heating zone (175, 176, 177). The first non-heating zone (175) is located between the opening (154) and the first heating zone (170). The second non-heating zone (176) is located between the second heating zone (171) and the third heating zone (172). The third non-heating zone (177) is located between the third heating zone (172) and the fourth heating zone (173).

[0056] The first non-heating zone (175) is defined by a front wall (152) and a pair of corresponding upper and lower insulating partitions (180, 185). The fourth heating zone (173) is defined by a rear wall (157) and a pair of corresponding upper and lower insulating partitions (180, 185). The second to fourth heating zones (170, 171, 172) and the second and third non-heating zones (176, 177) are defined by two pairs of corresponding upper and lower insulating partitions (180, 185).

[0057] Meanwhile, unlike the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the main body of a heat treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of heating zones and a single non-heating zone located between a pair of adjacent heating zones among the plurality of heating zones. That is, it may include only one non-heating zone.

[0058] The heaters (190, 195) each heat a plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173). The plurality of heaters (190, 195) may include a plurality of upper heaters (190) and a plurality of lower heaters (195).

[0059] A plurality of upper heaters (190) are positioned at a height between the top and bottom of the upper insulating partition (180) in the Z-axis direction to heat the upper portion of a plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173). A plurality of lower heaters (195) are positioned at a height between the top and bottom of the lower insulating partition (185) in the Z-axis direction to heat the lower portion of a plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173).

[0060] For example, the upper heater (190) and the lower heater (195) may be electric heaters that generate heat by converting electrical energy into thermal energy. However, the heaters included in the heat treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention may include other types of heaters, such as burners.

[0061] According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a pair of upper heaters (190) and a pair of lower heaters (195) are installed in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173), but one upper heater and one lower heater may be installed, or a larger number of upper heaters and lower heaters may be installed. Heaters may not be installed in a plurality of non-heating zones (175, 176, 177).

[0062] The sagger conveying unit includes a plurality of conveying rollers (201) and an electric motor (205). The plurality of conveying rollers (201) support a sagger (10) containing a secondary battery active material (2) in powder form and convey the sagger (10) within an internal space (166). The electric motor (205) provides power to rotate the plurality of conveying rollers (201).

[0063] The sagger (10) can enter the internal space (166) from the outside of the main body housing (151) through the opening (154), advance in the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis to move from the first non-heating zone (175) to the fourth heating zone (173), and retract in the negative (-) direction of the Y-axis to move from the fourth heating zone (173) to the first non-heating zone (175), and be discharged from the internal space (166) to the outside of the main body housing (151) through the opening (154).

[0064] A transfer roller (201) may be installed on the main body (150) such that the gap (HRG2) between the upper heater (190) and the transfer roller (201) is greater than or equal to the gap (HRG1) between the transfer roller (201) and the lower heater (195) in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the transfer roller (201) may be positioned higher than the height of the lower heater (195) by 35% to 50% of the height difference (HHG) between the lower heater (195) and the upper heater (190).

[0065] Since heat moves from a high temperature to a low temperature, the heat generated by the lower heater (195) can move upward from the internal space (166) by natural convection mediated by the atmosphere gas filled in the internal space (166). Since the upper heater (190) is spaced far above the lower heater (195), the heated atmosphere gas rises, allowing heat to spread more quickly and evenly in the upper region of the internal space (166).

[0066] Additionally, as the height difference between the upper heater (190) and the sagger (10) increases, thermal resistance may increase during the heat transfer process. This prevents the sagger (10) from heating up rapidly, thereby avoiding excessive heat concentration. Due to the thermal resistance, the sagger (10) and the sagger (10) can be heated gradually and evenly.

[0067] In addition, the radiant heat emitted from the upper heater (190) is dispersed, improving the uniformity of heat conduction at specific points of the sagger (10). As a result, the surface temperature of the sagger (10) can be maintained at a constant level and heated evenly.

[0068] In addition, if the height difference between the upper heater (190) and the lower heater (195) increases, the thermal energy is not concentrated in a specific area but is efficiently distributed within the internal space (166), reducing energy loss and allowing the new heater (10) to be heated efficiently.

[0069] The transfer unit may further include a transfer roller sensor (208) that detects an abnormal operation of the transfer roller (201). The transfer roller sensor (208) may be a rotation detection sensor that detects whether the roller shaft of the transfer roller (201) is rotating. If it is detected through the transfer roller sensor (208) that one of the transfer rollers (201) among the plurality of transfer rollers (201) is not rotating, the operator may stop the heat treatment device (100) and inspect the heat treatment device (100).

[0070] Each of the plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173) can be set to a different target temperature. Among the plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173), the difference in target temperatures between adjacent heating zones can be set to approximately 400°C or less. For example, the difference between the target temperature of the first heating zone (170) and the target temperature of the second heating zone (171) can be set to 200°C or less. Also, the difference between the target temperature of the third heating zone (172) and the target temperature of the fourth heating zone (173) can be set to 200°C or less. In addition, the difference in target temperature between the second heating zone (171) and the third heating zone (172) may be greater than the difference in target temperature between the previously described sections (the difference in target temperature between the first and second heating zones (170, 171), and the difference in target temperature between the third and fourth heating zones (172, 173).

[0071] For example, the target temperature of the first heating zone (170) can be pre-set to 400°C, the target temperature of the second heating zone (171) to 500°C, the target temperature of the third heating zone (172) to 850°C, and the target temperature of the fourth heating zone (173) to 1000°C.

[0072] The difference in target temperature between the first heating zone (170) and the second heating zone (171) is 100°C, and there may not be a non-heating zone located between the first heating zone (170) and the second heating zone (171). This is because when the difference in target temperature between an adjacent pair of heating zones is 150°C or less, more specifically 100°C or less, the temperature difference is small so that rapid heat transfer does not occur between the pair of heating zones.

[0073] As described above, in the heat treatment device (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the target temperatures of the first heating zone (170), the second heating zone (171), the third heating zone (172), and the fourth heating zone (173) can be set to increase in stages. In this case, among the first heating zone (170), the second heating zone (171), the third heating zone (172), and the fourth heating zone (173), the length (HZL4) of the fourth heating zone (173) may be the longest in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the sagger (10). Accordingly, the secondary battery active material (2) contained in the sagger (10) can be heated for a sufficient amount of time at the final target temperature.

[0074] For example, the ratio of the length of the first heating zone (170) (HZL1), the length of the second heating zone (171) (HZL2), the length of the third heating zone (172) (HZL3), and the length of the fourth heating zone (173) (HZL4) to the length (MBL) of the main body housing (151) in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the newger (10) may be 10 to 14%, 10 to 14%, 13 to 17%, and 14 to 18%, respectively.

[0075] If the target temperature of the first heating zone (170) and the target temperature of the second heating zone (171) are set too high, excessive heat is transferred to the replacement chamber (110) described later, and the sealing material provided on the second replacement chamber door (116) of the replacement chamber (110) may be damaged. Therefore, the target temperature of the first heating zone (170) and the target temperature of the second heating zone (171) can be set to 600°C or lower.

[0076] In a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the newer (10), the length (NHL1) of the first non-heating zone (175) may be longer than the length (NHL2) of the second non-heating zone (176) and the length (NHL3) of the third non-heating zone (177). Additionally, the thickness of the front wall (152) may be thicker than the thickness of the insulating partition (180, 185). This is to prevent excessive heat from being transferred to the replacement chamber (110), just as the target temperatures of the first heating zone (170) and the second heating zone (171) are not set high.

[0077] For example, the ratio of the length of the first non-heating zone (175) (NHL1), the length of the second non-heating zone (176) (NHL2), and the length of the third non-heating zone (177) (NHL3) to the length (MBL) of the main body housing (151) in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the newger (10) may be 6 to 10%, 3 to 7%, and 3 to 7%, respectively.

[0078] The heat treatment device (100) may further include a supply section comprising a plurality of supply ports (211) and an exhaust section comprising a plurality of exhaust ports (215). The supply ports (211) may extend to penetrate the lower wall (162). Atmosphere gas may be supplied from the outside of the main body housing (151) to the internal space (166) through the supply ports (211).

[0079] The exhaust port (215) may be extended to penetrate the upper wall (160). Atmosphere gas supplied through the supply port (211), reaction gas generated as the secondary battery active material (2) is heated, and other foreign substances may be filled into the internal space (166). The aforementioned gas and other foreign substances filled into the internal space (166) may be discharged to the outside of the main body housing (151) through the exhaust port (215).

[0080] The air supply ports (211) may be installed so that a pair is assigned to each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) and non-heating zone (175, 176, 177). As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 5, a pair of air supply ports (211) in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) and non-heating zone (175, 176, 177) may be positioned so as not to overlap with the sagger (10) above and below, one on each side and the other in the width direction of the internal space (166).

[0081] To elaborate, the end of the supply port (211) open to the internal space (166) may be positioned so as to be biased toward one side or the other side of the internal space (166) in a direction parallel to the X-axis. The spacing between a pair of supply ports (211) located on one side and the other side in a direction parallel to the X-axis may, for example, be 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the sagger (10) in the X-axis direction. For example, the length (SGL) of the sagger (10) in the direction parallel to the Y-axis and the width in the direction parallel to the X-axis may be the same. In this case, the spacing between a pair of supply ports (211) located on one side and the other side in a direction parallel to the X-axis may be 1.5 to 2.5 times the length (SGL) of the sagger (10).

[0082] A virtual air supply port axis (PRL1) extending along the longitudinal direction of the air supply port (211) may not cross the sagger (10) supported by the transfer roller (201). This is because if atmospheric gas introduced from outside the main body housing (151) through the air supply port (211) is discharged toward the sagger (10), the sagger (10) and the secondary battery active material (2) contained in the sagger (10) may be unintentionally cooled.

[0083] The exhaust port (215) may be installed to be assigned one to each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) and non-heating zone (175, 176, 177). As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 5, one exhaust port (215) in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) and non-heating zone (175, 176, 177) may be positioned so as to overlap the sagger (10) above and below the center of the width of the internal space (166).

[0084] To elaborate, the end of the exhaust port (215) that is open to the internal space (166) may be located at the center of the internal space (166) in a direction parallel to the X-axis. The inner diameter of the opening at the end of the exhaust port (215) may be larger than the inner diameter of the opening at the end of the supply port (211).

[0085] A virtual exhaust port axis (PRL2) extending along the longitudinal direction of the exhaust port (215) may cross the sagger (10) supported by the transfer roller (201). The supply port axis (PRL1) and the exhaust port axis (PRL2) may be parallel to each other.

[0086] The heat treatment device (100) may further include a forward detection sensor (220), a backward detection sensor (225), and a control unit (250). The forward detection sensor (220) detects the sager (10) as it moves forward through the internal space (166) and exits one of the heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173). The backward detection sensor (225) detects the sager (10) as it moves backward through the internal space (166) and exits one of the heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173).

[0087] The control unit (250) controls the operation of the components included in the heat treatment device (100). Additionally, the control unit (250) controls the operation of the sagger transfer unit so that the sagger (10) stays in a plurality of heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173) for a set time. For example, the stirring unit (250) can control the operation of the sagger transfer unit based on detection signals from a forward detection sensor (220) and a backward detection sensor (225) so that the sagger (10) reciprocates a preset number of times.

[0088] One forward detection sensor (220) and one backward detection sensor (225) may be located in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 172). The forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor may not be located in the non-heating zone (175, 176, 177).

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the forward detection sensor (220) may be a non-contact sensor that detects the newer (10) without contacting the newer (10). For example, the forward detection sensor (220) may be a photosensor.

[0090] The forward detection sensor (220) may include a light-emitting part (221) installed on one of the pair of side walls (164) in the width direction of the main body (150) and a light-receiving part (222) installed on the other of the pair of side walls (164). The coordinate values ​​in the Y-axis direction of the corresponding light-emitting part (221) and light-receiving part (222) may be the same.

[0091] The light-emitting unit (221) can project light. When light projected from the light-emitting unit (221) is incident on the light-receiving unit (222), the light-receiving unit (222) generates one corresponding signal, and when light projected from the light-emitting unit (221) is not incident on the light-receiving unit (222), the light-receiving unit (222) can generate another corresponding signal.

[0092] The forward detection sensor (220) may be located at a height between the height of the upper part (12) and the height of the lower part (11) of the sagger (10) supported by the transfer roller (201). For example, the height of the light-emitting part (221) and the light-receiving part (222) may be located at a height between the height of the upper part (12) and the height of the lower part (11) of the sagger (10) supported by the transfer roller (201).

[0093] When the sagger (10) advances while supported by the transfer roller (201) and the coordinate value in the Y-axis direction of the shear (13) of the sagger (10) becomes equal to the coordinate value in the Y-axis direction of the light-emitting part (221) and the light-receiving part (222), the light projected from the light-emitting part (221) is not incident on the light-receiving part (222). At this time, the light-receiving part (222) can transmit a detection signal that detects the sagger (10) to the control unit (250).

[0094] The reverse detection sensor (225), like the forward detection sensor (220), is a non-contact sensor such as a photosensor, for example, and can be positioned at a height between the height of the upper part (12) and the height of the lower part (11) of the sagger (10) supported by the transfer roller (201). When the sagger (10) moves backward while supported by the transfer roller (201) and the coordinate value in the Y-axis direction of the rear end (14) of the sagger (10) becomes equal to the coordinate value in the Y-axis direction of the light-emitting part (not shown) and the light-receiving part (not shown) of the reverse detection sensor (225), the light-receiving part of the reverse detection sensor (225) can transmit a detection signal that detects the sagger (10) to the control unit (250).

[0095] In each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173), the forward detection sensor (220) may be positioned further away from the opening (154) than the backward detection sensor (225). For example, the coordinate value of the position of the forward detection sensor (220) in the Y-axis direction may be greater than the coordinate value of the position of the backward detection sensor (225).

[0096] The sagger (10) can move and stay in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) for a set time. For example, the sagger (10) may be pre-set to reciprocate within the fourth heating zone (173) for a set time, such as a set firing time. Specifically, the sagger (10) can move at a set speed for a set time within the fourth heating zone (173). When the front end (13) of the sagger (10) is detected by the forward detection sensor (220) of the fourth heating zone (173) for a set time, the control unit (250) controls the electric motor (205) so that a plurality of transfer rollers (201) placed in the fourth heating zone (173) rotate in a direction that moves the sagger (10) backward, and accordingly, the sagger (10) moves backward within the fourth heating zone (173).

[0097] For example, the transfer speed, i.e., the rotational speed, of the transfer roller (201) may be pre-set so that the sagger (10) reciprocates three times within the fourth heating zone (173) for a set period of time. When the front end (13) of the sagger (10) is detected by the forward detection sensor (220) of the fourth heating zone (173), the control unit (250) controls the electric motor (205) so that the plurality of transfer rollers (201) placed in the fourth heating zone (173) rotate in a direction that moves the sagger (10) backward, and accordingly, the sagger (10) moves backward within the fourth heating zone (173).

[0098] When the rear end (14) of the sagger (10) is detected by the reverse detection sensor (225) of the fourth heating zone (173), the control unit (250) controls the electric motor (205) so that a plurality of transfer rollers (201) placed in the fourth heating zone (173) rotate in a direction that advances the sagger (10), and accordingly, the sagger (10) advances again within the fourth heating zone (173).

[0099] When the sager (10) stays in the fourth heating zone (173) for a set time, for example, when the number of times the sager (10) moves back and forth becomes three, the control unit (250) can maintain the direction of rotation of the transfer roller (201) without changing it, even if the reverse detection sensor (225) of the fourth heating zone (173) detects the sager (10). Accordingly, the sager (10) can move to the third non-heating zone (177) after being heated for a sufficient amount of time while moving back and forth in the fourth heating zone (173).

[0100] The size of the gap between the forward detection sensor (220) and the backward detection sensor (225) in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) may be 90% or less of the length of the heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) corresponding to the direction of travel of the newger (10). If the size of the gap between the forward detection sensor (220) and the backward detection sensor (225) is greater than 90% of the length of the corresponding heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173), the forward detection sensor (220) or the backward detection sensor (225) is placed too close to the insulating partition (180, 185), so that the heating of the new (10) may be greatly affected not only by the heater (190, 195) of the corresponding heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) but also by the heater (190, 195) of the adjacent heating zone.

[0101] For example, the size of the gap between the forward detection sensor (220) and the backward detection sensor (225) in all heating zones (170, 171, 172, 173) may be the same. The length (SGL) of the sagger (10) in the direction of travel of the sagger (10) may be 90% or less of the size of the gap between the forward detection sensor (220) and the backward detection sensor (225).

[0102] If the length (SGL) of the sagger (10) is greater than 90% of the size of the gap between the forward detection sensor (220) and the backward detection sensor (225), the travel distance of the sagger (10) in the Y-axis direction in the heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) is reduced, and sagging of the transfer roller (201) may occur due to the load of the sagger (10) applied to the transfer roller (201) for a long time in the high-temperature internal space (166).

[0103] The heat treatment device (100) may further include a stray entry / exit conveyor (105), a replacement chamber (110), and a hood chamber (130). The stray entry / exit conveyor (105) transports and supplies a stray (10) containing a secondary battery active material (2) to the replacement chamber (110), or receives a stray (10) discharged from the replacement chamber (110) and transports it away from the replacement chamber (110).

[0104] The replacement chamber (110) may include a first replacement chamber door (114), a second replacement chamber door (116), a replacement chamber internal conveyor (118), and a gas replacement space (112). The first replacement chamber door (114) and the second replacement chamber door (116) may be located on one side and the other side of the replacement chamber (110). The gas replacement space (112) is provided between the first replacement chamber door (112) and the second replacement chamber door (114). To prevent gas from flowing in and out between the gas replacement space (112) and the outside of the replacement chamber (110), the first replacement chamber door (112) and the second replacement chamber door (114) may include a sealing material formed of, for example, a rubber material.

[0105] When the new gas (10) is transported close to the replacement chamber (110) by the new gas entry conveyor (105), the first replacement chamber door (114) is opened, the new gas (10) is introduced into the gas replacement space (112), and the first replacement chamber door (112) can be closed again. Then, an atmosphere gas having the same composition as the atmosphere gas filled in the internal space (166) can be filled into the gas replacement space (112).

[0106] The replacement chamber (110) may include a replacement chamber supply section and a replacement chamber exhaust section. The replacement chamber supply section may include a replacement chamber supply port (122) that supplies atmospheric gas from outside the replacement chamber (110) to the gas replacement space (112). The replacement chamber exhaust section may include an exhaust port (124) that discharges the gas filled in the gas replacement space (112) to the outside of the replacement chamber (110). Accordingly, atmospheric gas having the same composition as the atmospheric gas filled in the internal space (166) may be filled into the gas replacement space (112).

[0107] When the atmosphere gas is filled into the gas exchange space (112), the second exchange chamber door (116) is opened, and the exchange chamber internal conveyor (118) is operated so that the sagger (10) moves to the hood space (132) of the hood chamber (130), and the second exchange chamber door (116) can be closed again.

[0108] The hood chamber (130) includes a hood space (132) provided between the second replacement chamber door (116) and the opening (154). The hood chamber (130) may include a ceiling (135) and a pair of side walls (134) that define the hood space (132).

[0109] The hood chamber (130) may further include a hood chamber internal conveyor (138). The sagger (10) transported to the hood space (132) by passing through the open second replacement chamber door (116) can enter the internal space (166) through the opening (154) by the operation of the hood chamber internal conveyor (138).

[0110] The ceiling (135) may decrease in height from the center (136) in the width direction of the hood chamber (130) toward both ends (137). As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of the ceiling (135) may be an isosceles triangle shape extending along a straight line that slopes downward from the center (136) to both ends (137) in the width direction. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the ceiling (135) may be a dome shape.

[0111] As the sagger (10) passes through the hood space (132), moisture evaporates from the secondary battery active material (2) contained in the sagger (10), thereby allowing the secondary battery active material (2) to be dried primarily. Due to the isosceles triangle or dome-shaped ceiling (135), the moisture evaporated from the secondary battery active material (2) can move to both ends (137) in the width direction of the hood chamber (130) and flow down along the side wall (134) of the hood chamber (130). Thus, the droplet of moisture accumulated in the secondary battery active material (2) may not fall.

[0112] If the ceiling of the hood chamber is not an isosceles triangle or dome-shaped ceiling, but rather, for example, a horizontal slab-shaped ceiling, evaporated moisture may accumulate on the ceiling and fall onto the secondary battery active material (2) contained in the sagger (10). Since the secondary battery active material (2) into which liquid water has penetrated must be discarded, the defect rate of the secondary battery active material processing operation may increase and productivity may decrease.

[0113] In the case of the heat treatment device (100), the new (10) that has entered the interior of the main body (150) through the opening (154) can move through the interior space (166) in the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis from the first non-heating zone (175) to the fourth heating zone (173), and then move again in the negative (-) direction of the Y-axis from the fourth heating zone (173) to the first non-heating zone (175), and pass through the opening (154), hood chamber (130), and replacement chamber (110) in the reverse order of entry into the main body (150) and be discharged to the new entry / exit conveyor (105).

[0114] For rapid cooling of the calcined secondary battery active material (2), when the sagger (10) moves from the fourth heating zone (173) to the first non-heating zone (175) in the negative (-) direction of the Y-axis, the control unit (250) can control the heaters (190, 195) of the third heating zone (172), the second heating zone (171), and the first heating zone (170) so that they do not emit heat. In other words, the heaters (190, 195) of the third heating zone (172), the second heating zone (171), and the first heating zone (170) can be turned off.

[0115] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 7, a heat treatment apparatus (300) for manufacturing a secondary battery active material according to a second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the 'heat treatment apparatus') comprises a main body (400), a plurality of heaters, and a sagger transfer unit. The main body (400) comprises a main body housing (401) and a plurality of insulating partitions.

[0117] An internal space (408) is formed inside the main body housing (401). The main body housing (401) includes a front wall, a rear wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of side walls that include an insulating material. The internal space (408) may be defined by the front wall, the rear wall, the upper wall, the lower wall, and the pair of side walls.

[0118] The main body housing (401) may have a first opening (404) on one side that is open to allow a sagger (10) (see FIG. 1) to enter the internal space (408), and a second opening (406) on the other side that is open to allow the sagger (10) to be discharged from the internal space (408) to the outside of the main body housing (401).

[0119] A plurality of insulating partitions divide the internal space (408) into a plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416) and a plurality of non-heating zones (420, 421, 423, 424, 425, 426). The plurality of insulating partitions may include a plurality of upper insulating partitions located above the sagger (10) supported by a plurality of conveying rollers of the sagger conveying unit, and a plurality of lower insulating partitions located below the plurality of conveying rollers and corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of upper insulating partitions.

[0120] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the sagger (10) may proceed in the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis. A plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416) may include a first heating zone to a seventh heating zone (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416) along the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis.

[0121] A plurality of non-heating zones (420, 421, 423, 424, 425, 426) may include a first non-heating zone to a sixth non-heating zone (420, 421, 423, 424, 425, 426) along the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis. The first non-heating zone (420) is located between the first opening (404) and the first heating zone (410). The second non-heating zone (421) is located between the second heating zone (411) and the third heating zone (412). The third non-heating zone (423) is located between the third heating zone (412) and the fourth heating zone (413).

[0122] The fourth non-heating zone (424) is located between the fourth heating zone (413) and the fifth heating zone (414). The fifth non-heating zone (425) is located between the fifth heating zone (414) and the sixth heating zone (415). The sixth non-heating zone (426) is located between the seventh heating zone (416) and the second opening (406).

[0123] The heater heats each of the plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416). Since the heater is identical to the heater included in the heat treatment device (300) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a redundant description is omitted.

[0124] Among the plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416), the target temperature of the heating zone (413) located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing (401) is the highest, and the remaining heating zones among the plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416) may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the heating zone (413) located at the center. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the target temperature of the fourth heating zone (413) among the plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416) may be the highest.

[0125] The sagger conveying unit includes a plurality of conveying rollers and an electric motor. The plurality of conveying rollers support the sagger (10) containing the secondary battery active material (2) in powder form and convey the sagger (10) within the internal space (408). The electric motor provides power to rotate the plurality of conveying rollers.

[0126] The heat treatment device (300) may further include a supply section including a plurality of supply ports and an exhaust section including a plurality of exhaust ports. Atmosphere gas may be supplied from the outside of the main body housing (401) to the internal space (408) through the supply ports. Atmosphere gas supplied through the supply ports (211), reaction gas generated as the secondary battery active material (2) is heated, and other foreign substances may be filled into the internal space (408). The aforementioned gas and other foreign substances filled into the internal space (408) may be discharged to the outside of the main body housing (401) through the exhaust ports.

[0127] The heat treatment device (300) may further include a forward detection sensor (440), a backward detection sensor, and a control unit (450). The forward detection sensor (440) detects the sager (10) as it moves forward through the internal space (408) before it exits one of the heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416). The backward detection sensor (445) detects the sager (10) as it moves backward through the internal space (408) before it exits one of the heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416).

[0128] The control unit (450) controls the operation of the components included in the heat treatment device (300). Additionally, the control unit (450) controls the operation of the sagger transfer unit so that the sagger (10) stays for a set time within a plurality of heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416). For example, the control unit (450) can control the operation of the sagger transfer unit based on detection signals from a forward detection sensor (440) and a backward detection sensor (445) so that the sagger (10) reciprocates a preset number of times.

[0129] One forward detection sensor (440) and one backward detection sensor (445) may be located in each heating zone (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416). The forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor may not be located in the non-heating zone (420, 421, 423, 424, 425, 426).

[0130] In each heating zone (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416), the forward detection sensor (440) may be positioned further away from the first opening (404) than the backward detection sensor (445). For example, the coordinate value of the position of the forward detection sensor (440) in the Y-axis direction may be greater than the coordinate value of the position of the backward detection sensor (445).

[0131] The sagger (10) can move and stay in each heating zone (170, 171, 172, 173) for a set time. For example, the sagger (10) may be pre-set to reciprocate within the fourth heating zone (173) for a set time, such as a set firing time. Specifically, the sagger (10) can move at a set speed for a set time within the fourth heating zone (173). When the front end (13) of the sagger (10) is detected by the forward detection sensor (220) of the fourth heating zone (173) for a set time, the control unit (450) controls the electric motor (205) so that a plurality of transfer rollers (201) placed in the fourth heating zone (173) rotate in a direction that moves the sagger (10) backward, and accordingly, the sagger (10) moves backward within the fourth heating zone (173).

[0132] For example, the transfer speed, i.e., the rotational speed, of the transfer roller (201) may be pre-set so that the sagger (10) reciprocates three times within the fourth heating zone (413). When the front end (13) of the sagger (10) is detected by the forward detection sensor (440) of the fourth heating zone (413), the control unit (450) controls the electric motor so that a plurality of transfer rollers placed in the fourth heating zone (413) rotate in a direction that moves the sagger (10) backward, and accordingly, the sagger (10) moves backward within the fourth heating zone (413).

[0133] When the rear end (14) of the sagger (10) is detected by the reverse detection sensor (445) of the fourth heating zone (413), the control unit (450) controls the electric motor so that a plurality of transfer rollers placed in the fourth heating zone (413) rotate in a direction that advances the sagger (10), and accordingly, the sagger (10) advances again within the fourth heating zone (413).

[0134] When the sager (10) stays in the fourth heating zone (413) for a set time, for example, when the number of times the sager (10) moves back and forth becomes three, the control unit (450) can maintain the direction of rotation of the transfer roller without changing it, even if the forward detection sensor (440) of the fourth heating zone (413) detects the sager (10). Accordingly, the sager (10) can move to the fourth non-heating zone (424) after being heated for a sufficient amount of time while moving back and forth in the fourth heating zone (413).

[0135] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric motor of the sagger transfer unit may be provided in multiple numbers. One of the multiple electric motors may provide power to rotate a plurality of transfer rollers located within one of the multiple heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416).

[0136] Among the multiple electric motors, another electric motor can provide power to rotate a plurality of transfer rollers located within another heating zone among the multiple heating zones (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416).

[0137] For example, multiple saggers (10) can pass through the internal space (408) simultaneously. At this time, the sagger (10) located in the fourth heating zone (413) is heated by moving back and forth, and the sagger (10) located in the second heating zone (411) or the sixth heating zone (415) can pass through the second heating zone (411) or the sixth heating zone (415) by moving forward without moving back and forth.

[0138] The control unit (450) can control the heaters that heat the heating zones (414, 415, 416) located downstream of the heating zone (413) located in the center of the main body housing (401) along the direction of travel of the newger (10), that is, along the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis, so that the heaters do not emit heat.

[0139] To elaborate, when the sagger (10) moves from the fourth heating zone (413) to the sixth non-heating zone (426) in the positive (+) direction of the Y-axis for rapid cooling of the calcined secondary battery active material (2), the control unit (450) can control the heaters of the fifth heating unit (414), the sixth heating unit (415), and the seventh heating unit (416) so that they do not emit heat. In other words, the heaters of the fifth heating unit (414), the sixth heating unit (415), and the seventh heating unit (416) can be turned off.

[0140] The heat treatment device (300) may further include a new container inlet conveyor (305), a new container discharge conveyor (345), a first replacement chamber (310), a second replacement chamber (350), a first hood chamber (330), and a second hood chamber (370). The new container inlet conveyor (305) supplies the new container (10) containing the secondary battery active material (2) to the first replacement chamber (310). The new container discharge conveyor (345) receives the new container (10) discharged from the second replacement chamber (350) and transports it in a direction away from the second replacement chamber (310).

[0141] The first replacement chamber (310) may include a first entry door (314), a second entry door (316), and a first gas replacement space (312). The first entry door (314) and the second entry door (316) may be located on one side and the other side of the first replacement chamber (310). The first gas replacement space (312) is provided between the first entry door (314) and the second entry door (316). To prevent gas from flowing in and out between the first gas replacement space (312) and the outside of the first replacement chamber (310), the first entry door (314) and the second entry door (316) may include a sealing material formed of, for example, a rubber material.

[0142] When the new gas (10) is transported close to the first replacement chamber (310) by the new gas entry conveyor (305), the first entry door (314) is opened, the new gas (10) is introduced into the first gas replacement space (312), and the first replacement chamber door (112) can be closed again. Then, an atmosphere gas having the same composition as the atmosphere gas filled in the internal space (408) can be filled into the first gas replacement space (312).

[0143] When the first gas exchange space (312) is filled with atmosphere gas, the second entry door (316) is opened, the exchange chamber internal conveyor (118) is operated so that the sagger (10) moves to the first hood space (332) of the first hood chamber (330), and the second entry door (316) can be closed again.

[0144] The first hood chamber (330) includes a first hood space (332) provided between the second entry door (316) and the first opening (404). A sagger (10) that has been transported to the first hood space (332) by passing through the open second entry door (316) can pass through the first hood space (332) and enter the interior space (408) through the first opening (404).

[0145] As the sagger (10) passes through the first hood space (332), moisture evaporates from the secondary battery active material (2) contained in the sagger (10), so that the secondary battery active material (2) can be dried in the first step.

[0146] The second replacement chamber (350) may include a first exhaust door (354), a second exhaust door (356), and a second gas replacement space (352). The first exhaust door (354) and the second exhaust door (356) may be located on one side and the other side of the second replacement chamber (350). The second gas replacement space (352) is provided between the first exhaust door (354) and the second exhaust door (356). To prevent gas from flowing in and out between the second gas replacement space (352) and the outside of the second replacement chamber (350), the first exhaust door (354) and the second exhaust door (356) may include a sealing material formed of, for example, a rubber material.

[0147] The second hood chamber (370) includes a second hood space (372) provided between the second opening (406) and the first exhaust door (354). Saw (10) discharged from the main body (400) through the second opening (406) can enter the second hood space (372). The saw (10) passes through the second hood space (372) and is further cooled, and when the first exhaust door (354) is opened, it can enter the second gas exchange space (352).

[0148] Before the first exhaust door (354) is opened, the second exhaust door (356) and the first exhaust door (354) and the second exhaust door (356) are both closed, and an atmosphere gas having the same composition as the atmosphere gas filled in the internal space (408) can be filled in the second gas replacement space (352).

[0149] When the sager (10) enters the second gas exchange space (352), the second discharge door (356) is opened and the sager (10) can be discharged from the heat treatment device (300) through the sager discharge conveyor (345).

[0150] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims below.

Claims

1. A main body housing having an internal space formed therein, and a plurality of insulating partitions dividing the internal space into a plurality of heating zones and at least one non-heating zone disposed between at least one pair of heating zones among the plurality of heating zones; A plurality of heaters each heating a plurality of the above heating zones; and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized by comprising: a saggar transfer unit comprising a plurality of transfer rollers that support a saggar containing a secondary battery active material and transfer the saggar within the internal space, and an electric motor that provides power to rotate the plurality of transfer rollers.

2. In Paragraph 1, A plurality of the above-mentioned insulating partitions, A plurality of upper insulating bulkheads located above the sagger supported by a plurality of the above-mentioned transfer rollers, and a plurality of upper insulating bulkheads located above the sagger, and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized by including a plurality of lower insulation partitions located below a plurality of the aforementioned transfer rollers and corresponding one-to-one with a plurality of the aforementioned upper insulation partitions.

3. In Paragraph 2, A plurality of the above heaters, A plurality of upper heaters positioned at a height between the top and bottom of the upper insulating partition and heating a plurality of the heating zones, and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized by including a plurality of lower heaters positioned at a height between the upper and lower ends of the lower insulating partition wall to heat a plurality of heating zones.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above main body housing is, It includes a lower wall, an upper wall located above the lower wall, and a pair of spaced-apart side walls connecting both ends in the width direction of the lower wall and the upper wall. The above-mentioned heat treatment device for manufacturing secondary battery active materials is, A supply unit comprising a plurality of supply ports extending to penetrate the lower wall and supplying atmospheric gas from the outside of the main body housing to the internal space; and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, further comprising: an exhaust section including a plurality of exhaust ports that extend to penetrate the upper wall and discharge gas filled in the internal space to the outside of the main body housing.

5. In Paragraph 4, A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing active materials for secondary batteries, characterized in that the above-mentioned air supply ports are positioned one on each side and the other side in the width direction of the internal space in the heating zone and the non-heating zone, so as not to overlap with the above-mentioned new port.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above main body housing has an opening that allows the sagger to pass between the outside of the main body housing and the internal space, and The plurality of heating zones includes a first heating zone closest to the opening among the plurality of heating zones, a second heating zone spaced further from the opening than the first heating zone, a third heating zone spaced further from the opening than the second heating zone, and a fourth heating zone spaced further from the opening than the third heating zone. A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that at least one of the above-mentioned non-heating zones comprises a first non-heating zone located between the opening and the first heating zone, a second non-heating zone located between the second heating zone and the third heating zone, and a third non-heating zone located between the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone.

7. In Paragraph 6, The difference between the target temperature of the first heating zone and the target temperature of the second heating zone is 200℃ or less, and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that the non-heating zone is not located between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

8. In Paragraph 6, The target temperatures of the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone are set to increase in stages, and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that among the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, the length of the fourth heating zone is the longest in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the sagger.

9. In Paragraph 6, The new one mentioned above is, Entering the internal space from the outside of the main body housing through the opening, Moving from the first non-heating zone to the fourth heating zone, Moving from the above-mentioned fourth heating zone to the above-mentioned first non-heating zone, and A heat treatment device for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized by being discharged from the internal space to the outside of the main body housing through the opening.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above main body housing has an opening that allows the sagger to pass between the outside of the main body housing and the internal space, and The above-mentioned heat treatment device for manufacturing secondary battery active materials is, A replacement chamber comprising a first replacement chamber door and a second replacement chamber door located on one side and the other side and openable to be closed to allow the sagger to pass through, and a gas replacement space provided between the first replacement chamber door and the second replacement chamber door; and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, further comprising: a hood chamber including a hood space provided between a second replacement chamber door and an opening to allow the above-mentioned new material to pass through.

11. In Paragraph 10, A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing active materials for secondary batteries, characterized in that the hood chamber includes a ceiling whose height decreases from the center in the width direction of the hood chamber toward both ends.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above-mentioned displacement chamber is, A replacement chamber supply unit that supplies atmospheric gas from outside the replacement chamber to the gas replacement space, and It further includes a replacement chamber exhaust unit that discharges the gas filled in the above gas replacement space to the outside of the replacement chamber, A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that when the atmosphere gas is filled in the gas exchange space, the second exchange chamber door is opened to allow the new gas to move between the gas exchange space and the hood space.

13. In Paragraph 1, The main body housing comprises a first opening on one side of the main body housing that is open to allow the sagger to enter the internal space, and a second opening on the other side of the main body housing that is open to allow the sagger to be discharged from the internal space to the outside of the main body housing. Among the plurality of the above heating zones, the heating zone located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing has the highest target temperature, and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that the remaining heating zones among the plurality of heating zones are symmetrically arranged with respect to the heating zone located in the center.

14. In Paragraph 13, A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, further comprising: a control unit that controls the heater, which heats the heating zone positioned downstream of the heating zone located in the center of the main body housing, so that the heater does not emit heat.

15. In Paragraph 13, A first replacement chamber comprising a first entry door and a second entry door located on one side and the other side and closedable so as to allow the sagger to pass through and toward the first opening, and a first gas replacement space provided between the first entry door and the second entry door; A first hood chamber comprising a first hood space provided between the second entry door and the first opening so that the above-mentioned stray is discharged from the second entry door and enters the internal space through the first opening; A second replacement chamber comprising a first discharge door and a second discharge door located on one side and the other side and closedable to allow the stray discharged from the main body housing to pass through, and a second gas replacement space provided between the first discharge door and the second discharge door; and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, further comprising: a second hood chamber including a second hood space provided between the second opening and the first exhaust door, such that the above-mentioned spore is discharged from the second opening and enters the second gas exchange space through the first exhaust door.

16. In Paragraph 1, A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing active materials for secondary batteries, characterized in that the above-mentioned sagger transfer unit further includes a transfer roller sensor that detects an abnormal operation of the transfer roller.

17. In Paragraph 1, A detection unit for detecting the new one within the heating zone; and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, further comprising: a control unit that controls the operation of the sagger transfer unit based on a detection signal of the detection unit within the heating zone.

18. In Paragraph 17, The above main body housing has an opening that allows the sagger to pass between the outside of the main body housing and the internal space, and The above-mentioned sensing unit includes a forward detection sensor that detects the newger as it moves forward and exits the heating zone, and a backward detection sensor that detects the newger as it moves backward and exits the heating zone. The above forward detection sensor and the above backward detection sensor are located within the heating zone, and A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that the forward detection sensor is positioned further apart from the opening than the backward detection sensor.

19. In Paragraph 18, A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that the forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor are not located in the above-mentioned non-heating zone.

20. In Paragraph 17, The above-mentioned sensing unit includes a forward detection sensor that detects the newger as it moves forward and exits the heating zone, and a backward detection sensor that detects the newger as it moves backward and exits the heating zone. The forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor are non-contact sensors that detect the new object without contacting the new object. A heat treatment apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery active material, characterized in that the forward detection sensor and the backward detection sensor are positioned at a height between the height of the upper part and the height of the lower part of the sagger supported by the transfer roller.

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