Suspension Mixing Device with Counter-Rotating Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for manufacturing electrode suspensions require complex adjustments of powder particle diameters, leading to impurities and aggregates, which negatively impact battery performance and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a unique blade configuration and rotation control system that mixes materials uniformly without adjusting particle diameters, using first blades to create upward and radial flows and a second blade to ensure full mixing within a controlled clearance, preventing aggregates and improving suspension purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rotating blade is used to mix solvent and powder material, then mixing function is achieved, but aggregates form and mixing uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device is segmented into multiple independent blades (first blade with first blade portions, second blade with second blade portions) that rotate in opposite directions. This segmentation allows each blade to perform specific mixing functions, creating complex flow patterns that prevent aggregate formation and improve mixing uniformity throughout the suspension.
Solution Approach 2:
The second blade rotates in the opposite direction to the first blade. This reverse rotation creates counter-flow patterns that enhance mixing effectiveness, prevent material aggregation, and ensure uniform distribution of powder material in the solvent by constantly reversing the flow direction.
2Manufacturing precision
If powder particle diameter is adjusted through drying method, then particle size control is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary particle diameter adjustment step from the manufacturing process. The mixing device achieves effective mixing and aggregate prevention directly through its blade configuration and opposite rotation, making the separate drying method for particle size control redundant and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing device performs particle size control functions inherently through its mixing action. The complex flow patterns generated by opposite-rotating blades naturally prevent aggregate formation and ensure uniform particle distribution, allowing the mixing process itself to serve the dual purpose of mixing and particle size control without additional drying steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex particle diameter adjustment is implemented, then particle size uniformity is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device maintains continuous useful action through the simultaneous opposite rotation of both blades during the mixing process. This continuous counter-flow mixing action achieves particle size uniformity and aggregate prevention in a single step, eliminating the need for separate drying and adjustment steps that would extend manufacturing time.
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 device produces a less-impure electrode suspension, enhancing battery performance and productivity by shortening manufacturing time and eliminating the need for particle diameter adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A rotating blade, for example, is used to mix together the solvent and the powder material to form an electrode suspension
Implementation Method 2
The clearance between each of the vertical blade portions of the second blade and the inner side surface of the container causes the materials to fully mix together
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a manufacturing device capable of manufacturing a less-impure suspension where there are no aggregates by uniformly mixing a plurality of materials. A container 2 that accommodates electrode materials, a pair of first blades 4 attached, in a vertically separated manner, to a rotating shaft 3 extending in an up-down direction at a center of the container 2, and a second blade 5 arranged in the container 2 to surround the pair of first blades 4 are included. A first rotation means 11 rotationally drives the first blades 4. A second rotation means 12 rotationally drives the second blade 5 independently of the first blades 4. The second blade 5 includes vertical blade portions 5A each having a constant width in a radial direction of the container 2 and extending in the up-down direction, and horizontal blade portions 5B that respectively have end portions coupled to lower end portions of the vertical blade portions 5A, and other end portions inwardly extending in the radial direction, and that cause the electrode materials to flow upwardly. The first blades 4 are rotated faster than the second blade 5 to cause the electrode materials to flow in the up-down direction in the mixing container 2.