Lithium Transition Metal Oxide Sintering With Vent-Hole Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing lithium-transition metal composite oxides face challenges in maintaining crystallinity when increasing the amount of material packed for improved productivity, due to reduced gas circulation and heat transfer, leading to decreased sintering efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a container with vent holes for sintering molded bodies of lithium-containing and transition metal compounds, which enhances gas circulation and thermal conductivity, thereby improving crystallinity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the amount of material packed in the baking container is increased to improve productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the crystallinity of the composite oxide produced by baking is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidcrystallinity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the container into multiple sections with through-holes that allow gas to pass through different layers of molded bodies. This segmentation enables simultaneous sintering of multiple batches while maintaining proper gas circulation and heat distribution, thus preserving crystallinity even when processing large amounts of material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with through-holes (porous structure) that enable gas penetration throughout the packed molded bodies. This porous design ensures adequate oxygen supply and heat transfer to all regions during sintering, maintaining high crystallinity regardless of the total amount of material processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If a large amount of molded bodies are supplied into the furnace to improve productivity, then the productivity is improved, but gas circulation within the furnace becomes difficult and heat transfer is insufficient, reducing the crystallinity of the sintered bodies

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidheat transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple sections with through-holes that facilitate gas circulation through different layers of molded bodies. This segmentation ensures that even when a large amount of material is processed, oxygen and heat can reach all regions effectively, maintaining proper sintering conditions and crystallinity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-holes in the container utilize gas flow (pneumatics) to circulate oxygen through the packed molded bodies during sintering. This gas circulation mechanism ensures adequate oxygen supply and heat transfer throughout the entire charge, enabling high productivity without compromising temperature distribution or crystallinity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively maintains high crystallinity even with increased packed mass, facilitating efficient sintering and production of high-quality lithium-transition metal composite oxides.

Implementation Method 1

enhances gas circulation and thermal conductivity, thereby improving crystallinity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

sintering the molded bodies in a container having at least one vent hole, to obtain sintered bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP4098636B1Method for producing lithium transition metal complex oxide
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4098636B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4098636B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4098636B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for producing a lithium-transition metal composite oxide, including steps of: preparing a mixture including a lithium-containing compound and a transition metal compound; obtaining a molded body of the mixture; and sintering the molded bodies in a container having at least one vent hole, to obtain sintered bodies.