JP2017027708A - Battery electrode slurry distribution device, battery electrode slurry processing unit, battery electrode slurry distribution method, suspension distribution device, and suspension distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress occurrence of separation or reaggregation in a suspension such as battery electrode slurry.SOLUTION: A battery electrode slurry distributor 1 includes a circulation pipeline 14 for circulating positive electrode slurry, and control section 70 for controlling supply of the positive electrode slurry to respective coaters 91, 92. In a period when supply of the positive electrode slurry to one of the coaters 91, 92 is allowed, the control section 70 prohibits supply of the positive electrode slurry to the other. A circulation pipeline 14 is formed in polygonal, and the coater 91 is connected to the bend of circulation pipeline 14 via a pipeline 12, while the coater 92 is connected via a pipeline 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus, a battery electrode slurry processing apparatus, a battery electrode slurry distribution method, a suspension distribution apparatus, and a suspension distribution method.

  Conventionally, a battery electrode slurry is applied to a thin metal plate such as an aluminum foil or a copper foil to produce a battery electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of applying a battery electrode slurry to a current collector corresponding to a metal plate with a coating device after removing the undispersed agglomerates of the active material by filtering the battery electrode slurry. Yes.

JP-A-9-213310

  The technique proposed in Patent Document 1 assumes that one coating device is connected, and does not keep in mind that a plurality of coating devices are connected. When the same battery electrode is manufactured by a plurality of coating devices, if a different lot of battery electrode slurry is supplied to each coating device, the battery electrode slurry lot variation is added to the variation in performance of each coating device. There will be a difference in quality. This is not limited to battery electrodes, and can occur in general when an object is produced using a suspension.

  In addition, it is not preferable to distribute the material of the same lot to each coating apparatus by piping or the like because a load applied to a pump for transferring the material becomes large or distribution control becomes difficult.

  In addition, when a suspension such as a battery electrode slurry is allowed to stand for a long time after kneading, separation or reaggregation may occur. For this reason, it is not preferable to retain the suspension in a pipe or device for supplying the suspension to the coating apparatus.

  Then, this invention is made | formed in view of said subject, and it aims at suppressing generation | occurrence | production of isolation | separation and reaggregation in suspensions, such as a battery electrode slurry.

  The present invention proposes the following items in order to solve the above-described problems. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  (1) The present invention provides a plurality of application means (for example, corresponding to the coaters 91 and 92 in FIG. 3) for applying battery electrode slurry to a metal plate (for example, corresponding to a current collector described later) for battery electrode production. A battery electrode slurry distribution device (for example, equivalent to the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 of FIG. 1) for distributing the battery electrode slurry, and a plurality of connection means (for example, connected to each of the plurality of application means) Circulators connected to the pipes 12 and 13 in FIG. 3 and circulating the energized battery electrode slurry (e.g., corresponding to the circulatory pipe 14 in FIG. 3), and each of the plurality of applying means, Control means (for example, corresponding to the control unit 70 in FIG. 3) for controlling supply of battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means, and the control means is any one of the plurality of application means. Battery to During the period in which the supply of the electrode slurry is permitted, the supply of the battery electrode slurry to the one excluding the application means that permits the supply of the battery electrode slurry is prohibited among the plurality of application means. A battery electrode slurry distributor is proposed.

  According to this invention, the battery electrode slurry is circulated by the circulation means. For this reason, the battery electrode slurry is circulated through the circulation means. Therefore, since the time during which the battery electrode slurry stays can be shortened, it is possible to suppress separation and reaggregation in the battery electrode slurry.

  Further, according to the present invention, during the period when the control means permits the supply of the battery electrode slurry to any one of the plurality of application means, the battery electrode slurry of the plurality of application means. It was decided to prohibit the supply of battery electrode slurry to those except for the coating means that allowed the supply. For this reason, among the plurality of application means, the battery electrode slurry is simultaneously supplied from the circulation means. Therefore, the energized battery electrode slurry is not supplied in a distributed manner to a plurality of coating means but is concentrated and supplied to one coating means. In other words, when battery electrode slurry is supplied simultaneously to a plurality of application means, depending on the amount of decrease in the amount of battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means, the flow rate of the battery electrode slurry is greatly reduced, and the battery electrode slurry is retained. There is a risk that. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to increase the urging force against the battery electrode slurry. However, since the flow rate of the battery electrode slurry circulating through the circulation means is not greatly reduced by supplying the battery electrode slurry in a concentrated manner to one coating means as described above, the urging force against the battery electrode slurry There is no need to increase the size. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the urging force with respect to the battery electrode slurry as compared with the case where the battery electrode slurry is to be simultaneously supplied to a plurality of application means. Further, the battery electrode slurry can be supplied to each of the plurality of applying means in a short time.

  Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of application means are connected to the circulation means via a plurality of connection means. For this reason, since manufacture of the battery electrode using the same battery electrode slurry can be performed in a plurality of lines, the homogeneity of the battery electrode can be improved. In addition, it is possible to easily perform cleaning or maintenance by stopping any other application means while driving the battery electrode by continuing to drive any one of the plurality of application means. it can.

  (2) The present invention relates to the battery electrode slurry distributor of (1), wherein the circulation means is formed in a polygonal annular shape, and corresponds to a plurality of bent portions (for example, the bent portions 141 in FIG. 5). The battery electrode slurry distributor is proposed in which each of the plurality of connecting means is connected.

  According to this invention, in the battery electrode slurry distributor of (1), the circulation means is formed in a polygonal annular shape, and a plurality of connection means are connected to the bent portion of the circulation means. For this reason, since the momentum in which the battery electrode slurry flows is weakened at the bent portion, the battery electrode slurry flowing through the circulation means can easily flow into the connection means. Accordingly, the battery electrode slurry can be supplied to the coating means via the connecting means without performing complicated control.

  (3) The present invention relates to the battery electrode slurry distributor of (1) or (2), wherein the control means is an openable / closable valve that controls the flow of the battery electrode slurry in each of the plurality of connection means (for example, The battery electrode slurry distributor is provided with the two-way valves 71, 72 of FIG. 3), and two or more valves are not opened simultaneously.

  According to the present invention, in the battery electrode slurry distributor of (1) or (2), the control means is provided with a plurality of valves, and the plurality of valves controls the flow of the battery electrode slurry in each of the plurality of connection means. It was decided. For this reason, the supply amount of the battery electrode slurry to each of the plurality of application means can be controlled independently by controlling the opening and closing of each valve.

  According to the present invention, in the battery electrode slurry distributor of (1) or (2), two or more valves are not opened simultaneously. For this reason, since the battery electrode slurry is simultaneously supplied from the circulation means among the plurality of application means, the urging force against the battery electrode slurry can be reduced and each of the plurality of application means can be reduced. In contrast, the battery electrode slurry can be supplied in a short time.

  (4) In the battery electrode slurry distributor according to any one of (1) to (3), the present invention provides a plurality of first storage units (for example, each of the plurality of connection units connected to the bottom surface). , Corresponding to the storage tank 911 in FIG. 5, wherein each of the plurality of first storage means stores the battery electrode slurry that has flowed through each of the plurality of connection means. Has proposed.

  According to this invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatuses according to (1) to (3), each of the plurality of connection means is connected to the bottom surface of each of the plurality of first storage means, and the plurality of first The battery electrode slurry that has flowed through each of the plurality of connection means is stored by each of the storage means. For this reason, the battery electrode slurry is supplied from the connection means to the first storage means so as to spring out from vertically below. Therefore, as compared with the case where the battery electrode slurry is supplied from above the first storage unit, the battery electrode slurry falls on the bottom surface of the first storage unit or the top of the battery electrode slurry already stored in the first storage unit. The battery electrode slurry will not fall. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being contained in the battery electrode slurry by vigorously colliding with the bottom surface of the first storage means and the battery electrode slurry.

  (5) The present invention relates to any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors according to (1) to (4), and a removing means for removing impurities contained in the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulating means (for example, as shown in FIG. It proposes a battery electrode slurry distributor characterized by comprising a defoaming section 31 and a filter 41).

  According to the present invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatuses according to (1) to (4), the removal means can remove impurities contained in the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means. The quality of the slurry can be improved.

  (6) In the battery electrode slurry distributor according to any one of (1) to (5), the present invention stores the battery electrode slurry that circulates through the circulation means and circulates the stored battery electrode slurry. The battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus characterized by including the second storage means (for example, corresponding to the tank 21 of FIG. 3) to be supplied to the means is proposed.

  According to the present invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatuses according to (1) to (5), the battery electrode slurry circulating through the circulation means is stored and stored by the second storage means. The slurry was supplied to the circulation means. For this reason, since the battery electrode slurry is mixed in the second storage means, the variation in the quality of the battery electrode slurry can be reduced, and the quality of the battery electrode slurry can be made uniform.

  Moreover, even if the battery electrode slurry supplied to the circulation means increases or decreases, a stable amount of battery electrode slurry can be continuously supplied to the application means by the second storage means. Specifically, when the amount of battery electrode slurry supplied to the circulation means is smaller than the total amount of battery electrode slurry required by each of the plurality of application means, the shortage is stored in the second storage means. The battery electrode slurry can be supplemented. Further, when the amount of battery electrode slurry supplied to the circulation means is larger than the total amount of battery electrode slurry required by each of the plurality of application means, the excess can be stored in the second storage means. it can.

  (7) In the battery electrode slurry distributor according to any one of (1) to (6), the present invention provides a discarding unit that can selectively discard at least a part of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulating unit ( For example, the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus characterized by including the disposal unit 81 in FIG. 6 is proposed.

  According to this invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (6), at least a part of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means can be selectively discarded by the discarding means. For this reason, for example, the battery electrode slurry that may be deteriorated in quality due to the circulation of the circulation means for a long time can be easily discarded.

  (8) The present invention produces any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (7) and the battery electrode slurry connected to the battery electrode slurry distributor and supplied to the battery electrode slurry distributor. A battery electrode slurry preparation device (e.g., corresponding to the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 of FIG. 1), and the battery electrode slurry preparation device is disposed at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distribution device. The battery electrode slurry processing apparatus characterized by these is proposed.

  According to this invention, the battery electrode slurry preparation device is arranged at a higher position than any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (7). For this reason, the transfer of the battery electrode slurry from the battery electrode slurry preparation device to the battery electrode slurry distribution device is performed vertically downward, and gravity can be used. Therefore, even if the viscosity of the battery electrode slurry is high, the battery electrode slurry can be easily supplied from the battery electrode slurry preparation device to the battery electrode slurry distribution device.

  (9) The present invention provides a plurality of application means (for example, equivalent to the coaters 91 and 92 of FIG. 3) for applying the battery electrode slurry to a metal plate (for example, equivalent to a current collector described later) for battery electrode production. A battery electrode slurry distribution method in a battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus (for example, equivalent to the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 in FIG. 1) for distributing battery electrode slurry to a circulation means (for example, connected to the plurality of application means) , Corresponding to the circulation pipe 14 in FIG. 3), the first step of circulating the energized battery electrode slurry, and the battery electrode slurry circulated in the first step to each of the plurality of application means A second step of controlling the supply of the battery electrode, wherein in the second step, the supply of the battery electrode slurry to any one of the plurality of application means is permitted. In this period, a battery electrode slurry distribution method is proposed in which the supply of the battery electrode slurry to the ones excluding the application means that permits the supply of the battery electrode slurry is prohibited. ing.

  According to the present invention, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  (10) The present invention is a suspension dispensing apparatus for distributing a suspension to a plurality of manufacturing means for manufacturing a target object using the suspension, and is connected to the plurality of manufacturing means and energized. A circulating means for circulating the suspended suspension, and a control means for controlling the supply of the suspension circulating through the circulating means to each of the plurality of manufacturing means. In the period when the supply of the suspension to any one of the manufacturing means is permitted, the manufacturing means that does not permit the supply of the suspension among the plurality of manufacturing means is excluded. A suspension dispensing device is proposed which is characterized by prohibiting the supply of suspension.

  According to this invention, the suspension is circulated by the circulation means. For this reason, the suspension circulates in the circulation means. Therefore, since the time during which the suspension stays can be shortened, occurrence of separation and reaggregation in the suspension can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present invention, during the period when the control unit permits the supply of the suspension to any one of the plurality of manufacturing units, It was decided to prohibit the supply of the suspension to those other than the manufacturing means that allowed the supply. For this reason, among the plurality of manufacturing means, only one suspension is supplied simultaneously from the circulation means. Therefore, the energized suspension is not supplied in a distributed manner to a plurality of manufacturing means, but is concentratedly supplied to one manufacturing means. In other words, if suspensions are simultaneously supplied to a plurality of manufacturing means, depending on the amount of the suspension that is circulating through the circulation means, the flow rate of the suspension is greatly reduced, resulting in suspension retention. There is a risk that. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to increase the urging force against the suspension. However, since the suspension is concentrated and supplied to one manufacturing means as described above, the flow velocity of the suspension circulating through the circulation means is not greatly reduced. There is no need to increase the size. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the urging force with respect to the suspension as compared with the case where the suspension is supplied to a plurality of manufacturing means at the same time. In addition, the suspension can be supplied to each of the plurality of manufacturing means in a short time.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of manufacturing means are connected to the circulation means. For this reason, since the target object using the same suspension can be manufactured in a plurality of lines, the homogeneity of the target object can be improved. In addition, it is possible to easily perform cleaning and maintenance by stopping any other manufacturing means while driving the manufacturing object by driving any one of the plurality of manufacturing means. it can.

  (11) The present invention provides a suspension distribution method in a suspension distribution apparatus that distributes a suspension to a plurality of manufacturing means for manufacturing a target object using the suspension, and the plurality of manufacturing means includes A first step of circulating the energized suspension in the connected circulation means, and the supply of the suspension circulated in the first step to each of the plurality of manufacturing means; A second step, wherein in the second step, during the period during which the suspension supply to any one of the plurality of manufacturing means is permitted, The suspension distribution method is characterized by prohibiting the supply of the suspension to those other than the manufacturing means that permits the supply of the suspension.

  According to the present invention, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, the occurrence of separation and reaggregation in a suspension such as a battery electrode slurry can be suppressed.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the battery electrode slurry processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a lineblock diagram showing the outline of the battery electrode slurry preparation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a lineblock diagram showing the outline of the battery electrode slurry distribution device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the tank with which the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows the connection relation of the circulation piping and piping with which the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped, and a coater. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the constituent elements in the following embodiments can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Accordingly, the description of the following embodiments does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a battery electrode slurry processing apparatus AA according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The battery electrode slurry processing apparatus AA includes a battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100, a pipe 11, and a battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1.

  The battery electrode slurry production apparatus 100 is disposed at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 and produces the battery electrode slurry. The battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 is connected to the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 via a pipe 11, and the battery electrode slurry prepared by the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 is connected to the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 via the pipe 11. To be supplied. The battery electrode slurry distributor 1 distributes the battery electrode slurry supplied via the pipe 11.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the battery electrode slurry production apparatus 100. The battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 is an apparatus for preparing a positive electrode slurry as a battery electrode slurry, and includes a binder supply unit 111, a positive electrode material supply unit 112, a conductive auxiliary agent supply unit 113, a preliminary kneading unit 114, a main kneading unit 115, and Piping 121, 122, 123, 124 is provided.

  The binder supply unit 111 is connected to the preliminary kneading unit 114 via the pipe 121 and supplies the binder to the preliminary kneading unit 114. The positive electrode material supply unit 112 is connected to the preliminary kneading unit 114 via the pipe 122 and supplies the positive electrode active material to the preliminary kneading unit 114. The conductive auxiliary agent supply unit 113 is connected to the preliminary kneading unit 114 through the pipe 123 and supplies the conductive auxiliary agent (conductive auxiliary material) to the preliminary kneading unit 114.

  The preliminary kneading unit 114 roughly kneads the supplied binder, the positive electrode active material, and the conductive additive, and discharges them as a preliminary kneaded slurry to the pipe 124. A main kneading unit 115 is connected to the pipe 124, and the preliminary kneading slurry discharged from the preliminary kneading unit 114 is supplied to the main kneading unit 115 through the pipe 124.

  The main kneading unit 115 performs the main kneading of the supplied pre-kneaded slurry and supplies it as a positive electrode slurry to the pipe 11.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the battery electrode slurry distributor 1. The battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 includes pipes 12 and 13, a circulation pipe 14, a tank 21, a defoaming unit 31, a filter 41, a Mono pump 51 and 52, a control unit 70, and coaters 91 and 92.

  A tank 21 is connected to the pipe 11. The pipe 11 supplies the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry manufacturing apparatus 100 to the tank 21.

  A circulation pipe 14 is also connected to the tank 21. The circulation pipe 14 is formed in an annular shape, and circulates the positive electrode slurry by the urging force from the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 and the Mono pumps 51 and 52 to the positive electrode slurry.

  The tank 21 stores the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry manufacturing apparatus 100 via the pipe 11 and the positive electrode slurry that circulates through the circulation pipe 14, and continues the stored positive electrode slurry to the circulation pipe 14. To supply. An example of the configuration of the tank 21 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the outline of the tank 21. The tank 21 includes a motor 211, a stirring unit 212, and a case 213. The stirring unit 212 is a so-called anchor type stirring blade, and includes a rotating shaft 2121 and a stirring blade 2122. The rotating shaft 2121 is rotationally driven by the motor 211 with the longitudinal center line of the rotating shaft 2121 as the rotating shaft, and when the rotating shaft 2121 rotates, the stirring blade 2122 also rotates. The tank 21 stirs the stored positive electrode slurry by driving the motor 211 and rotating the stirring blade 2122. The positive electrode slurry enters the tank 21 through the inner wall of the tank 21 from a carry-in port (not shown) provided on the side surface of the tank 21. This is to prevent bubbles from being contained in the positive electrode slurry by entering from above the tank 21. Further, the positive electrode slurry stored in the tank 21 is discharged from a discharge port (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the tank 21. The tank 21 is preferably filled with an inert gas, and the pressure in the tank 21 is appropriately controlled according to the amount of positive electrode slurry stored.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the circulation pipe 14 is provided with a defoaming section 31, a filter 41, and Mono pumps 51 and 52.

  The MONO pump 51 urges the positive electrode slurry supplied from the tank 21 to the circulation pipe 14 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  The defoaming unit 31 defoams the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14 to remove bubbles contained in the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14.

  The MONO pump 52 urges the positive electrode slurry defoamed by the defoaming section 31 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  The filter 41 removes impurities contained in the positive electrode slurry circulating through the circulation pipe 14. Examples of impurities removed by the filter 41 include undispersed aggregates.

  A pipe 12 connected to the coater 91 and a pipe 13 connected to the coater 92 are connected to the circulation pipe 14. The coaters 91 and 92 apply positive electrode slurry, which is defoamed by the defoaming unit 31 and from which impurities are removed by the filter 41, to the current collector. As the current collector, any material having electrical conductivity such as metal foil can be used, and the material, shape and size are not particularly limited. Preferably, aluminum foil or copper foil is used.

  The control unit 70 includes two-way valves 71, 72, 73 and a two-way valve control unit 74. The two-way valve 71 is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion between the pipe 12 and the circulation pipe 14 in the pipe 12. When the two-way valve 71 is opened, the positive electrode slurry is supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 91. When the valve 71 is closed, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 91 is stopped. The two-way valve 72 is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion between the pipe 13 and the circulation pipe 14 in the pipe 13. When the two-way valve 72 is opened, the positive electrode slurry is supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 92. When the valve 72 is closed, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 92 is stopped. The two-way valve 73 is provided in the vicinity of the carry-in port of the tank 21 to which the positive slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14 is supplied, and when the two-way valve 73 is opened, the two-way valve 73 is changed from the circulation pipe 14 to the tank 21. When the positive electrode slurry is supplied and the two-way valve 73 is closed, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the tank 21 is stopped.

  The two-way valve control unit 74 controls the opening and closing of the two-way valves 71, 72, and 73 so that two or more of the two-way valves 71 and 72 are not opened simultaneously. The control of the two-way valve control unit 74 will be described in detail below.

  When the positive slurry is not supplied to any of the coaters 91 and 92, the two-way valve control unit 74 closes the two-way valves 71 and 72 and opens the two-way valve 73. According to this, the positive electrode slurry that has passed through the filter 41 does not flow into the coaters 91 and 92 but flows into the tank 21, and is mixed in the tank 21 with the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 via the pipe 11. Thus, the circulation pipe 14 is circulated.

  On the other hand, when supplying positive electrode slurry to the coater 91, the two-way valve control unit 74 opens the two-way valve 71 and closes the two-way valves 72 and 73. According to this, the positive electrode slurry that has passed through the filter 41 does not flow into the coater 92 and the tank 21 but flows into the coater 91.

  When supplying the positive electrode slurry to the coater 92, the two-way valve control unit 74 opens the two-way valve 72 and closes the two-way valves 71 and 73. According to this, the positive electrode slurry that has passed through the filter 41 does not flow into the coater 91 and the tank 21 but flows into the coater 92.

  According to the above, supply of the positive electrode slurry to the coaters 91 and 92 other than the coater permitted to supply the positive electrode slurry is prohibited.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship between the circulation pipe 14, the pipe 12, and the coater 91. In FIG. 5, the arrows indicate the direction in which the positive electrode slurry flows.

  The circulation pipe 14 is formed in a polygonal (quadrangle in this embodiment) ring shape, and one end of the pipe 12 is connected to a bent portion 141 that is a bent portion of the circulation pipe 14. For this reason, the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 collides with the inner wall of the circulation pipe 14 at the bent portion 141. According to this, since the momentum in which the positive electrode slurry flows in the bent portion 141 is weakened, the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 easily flows into the pipe 12 during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open. Therefore, during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the pipe 12 is promoted.

  One end of the pipe 12 is connected to the lower part of the bent part 141, and the pipe 12 extends vertically downward from the lower part of the bent part 141. For this reason, during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open, the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 is more likely to flow into the pipe 12 due to gravity. Therefore, during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the pipe 12 is further promoted.

  The other end of the pipe 12 is connected to a storage tank 911 included in the coater 91, and the positive electrode slurry flowing into the pipe 12 is stored in the storage tank 911. The coater 91 applies the positive electrode slurry stored in the storage tank 911 to the current collector as described above. The inside of the storage tank 911 is preferably filled with an inert gas, and the pressure in the storage tank 911 is appropriately controlled according to the amount of positive electrode slurry stored.

  Here, the other end of the pipe 12 is connected to the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 via a through hole 912 formed in the bottom surface of the storage tank 911. For this reason, positive electrode slurry is supplied to the storage tank 911 from the pipe 12 so as to spring out from vertically below. Therefore, compared with the case where the positive electrode slurry is supplied from above the storage tank 911, the positive electrode slurry falls on the bottom surface of the storage tank 911, or the positive electrode slurry falls on the positive electrode slurry already stored in the storage tank 911. It will not be. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry supplied from the pipe 12 vigorously collides with the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 or the positive electrode slurry, thereby preventing bubbles from being included in the positive electrode slurry.

  The circulation pipe 14, the pipe 13, and the coater 92 are also connected in the same manner as the circulation pipe 14, the pipe 121, and the coater 91 described above. Therefore, as in the case of the circulation pipe 14, the pipe 12, and the coater 91 described above, the positive electrode slurry is supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 92 through the pipe 13 while the two-way valve 72 is open. .

  The battery electrode slurry distributor 1 having the above configuration can achieve the following effects.

  The battery electrode slurry distributor 1 circulates the positive electrode slurry through the circulation pipe 14. For this reason, the positive electrode slurry is circulated through the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, since the time during which the positive electrode slurry stays can be shortened, occurrence of separation and reaggregation in the positive electrode slurry can be suppressed.

  In addition, the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 does not open two or more of the two-way valves 71 and 72 at the same time, and permits the positive electrode slurry to be supplied to any one of the coaters 91 and 92. Then, the supply of the positive electrode slurry to the coaters 91 and 92 other than the coater that permits the supply of the positive electrode slurry is prohibited. For this reason, only one of the coaters 91 and 92 is supplied with the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 at the same time. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry energized by the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 and the Mono pumps 51 and 52 is not distributed and supplied to the coaters 91 and 92 but concentrated in any one of the coaters 91 and 92. Will be supplied.

  Here, for example, the case where ten coaters are connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the positive electrode slurry is simultaneously supplied to these ten coaters will be examined below. The positive electrode slurry is supplied from the circulation pipe 14 in order from the one provided in the preceding stage among the ten coaters. For this reason, the instantaneous flow rate of the positive electrode slurry flowing through the inside of the circulation pipe 14 decreases as it approaches the coater provided in the subsequent stage. Therefore, the flow rate of the positive electrode slurry flowing through the inside of the circulation pipe 14 is lowered, and in some cases, the positive electrode slurry may be stagnated. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to control the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100, the Mono pump 51, and the Mono pump 52 so as to increase the biasing force to the positive electrode slurry. However, since the positive electrode slurry is supplied to one of the coaters 91 and 92 as described above, the flow rate of the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 is not greatly reduced. There is no need to control the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100, the Mono pump 51, or the Mono pump 52 so as to increase the urging force to the slurry. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the urging force for the positive electrode slurry as compared with the case where the positive electrode slurry is supplied to both coaters 91 and 92 at the same time. Therefore, the configuration and control of the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 can be simplified. Can do. Further, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied to each of the coaters 91 and 92 in a short time.

  Note that, when the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the coater 91 and when the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the coater 92, the two-way valve 73 is closed, so that the positive electrode slurry does not circulate through the circulation pipe 14. However, as described above, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied to each of the coaters 91 and 92 in a short time. For this reason, the time when the positive electrode slurry does not circulate through the circulation pipe 14 becomes extremely short. Therefore, even if the positive electrode slurry stays in the pipe during the period in which the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the coater 91 or the coater 92, separation or re-aggregation does not occur in the positive electrode slurry.

  Further, the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 circulates the positive electrode slurry supplied from the pipe 11 through the circulation pipe 14 by the urging force from the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100, the Mono pump 51, and the Mono pump 52 to the positive electrode slurry. For this reason, the positive electrode slurry can be reliably circulated with a simple configuration.

  In the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1, two coaters 91 and 92 are connected to the circulation pipe 14 via the pipes 12 and 13. For this reason, since the battery electrode can be manufactured in a plurality of lines using the same positive electrode slurry produced by the battery electrode slurry production apparatus 100, the homogeneity of the battery electrode can be improved. In addition, it is possible to easily perform cleaning or maintenance by driving one of the coaters 91 and 92 and continuing the production of the battery electrode while stopping the other.

  In the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1, the circulation pipe 14 is formed in a quadrangular annular shape, and coaters 91 and 92 are connected to bent portions of the circulation pipe 14. For this reason, since the momentum in which the positive electrode slurry flows is weakened at the bent portion, the battery electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 easily flows into the pipes 12 and 13. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied to the coaters 91 and 92 without performing complicated control.

  In addition, the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 connects the coaters 91 and 92 to the circulation pipe 14 via pipes 12 and 13 that are connected to the lower part of the bent portion of the circulation pipe 14 and extend vertically downward. . For this reason, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coaters 91 and 92 using gravity. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry can be further easily supplied to the coaters 91 and 92.

  The battery electrode slurry distributor 1 closes the two-way valve 73 when supplying the positive electrode slurry to any one of the coaters 91 and 92. For this reason, since the positive electrode slurry that has passed through the filter 41 does not flow into the tank 21, the positive electrode slurry can be further easily supplied to the coaters 91 and 92.

  In addition, the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 includes two-way valves 71 and 72 in the pipes 12 and 13, respectively. For this reason, the supply amount of the positive electrode slurry to each of the coaters 91 and 92 can be independently controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the two-way valves 71 and 72.

  Further, the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 supplies the positive electrode slurry from the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 provided in the coater 91. For this reason, the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the storage tank 911 so as to spring out from vertically below. Therefore, compared with the case where the positive electrode slurry is supplied from above the storage tank 911, the positive electrode slurry falls on the bottom surface of the storage tank 911, or the positive electrode slurry falls on the positive electrode slurry already stored in the storage tank 911. It will not be. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being included in the positive electrode slurry by vigorously colliding with the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 and the positive electrode slurry.

  In addition, the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 defoams the positive electrode slurry circulating through the circulation pipe 14 by the defoaming unit 31 and removes impurities contained in the positive electrode slurry circulating through the circulation pipe 14 by the filter 41. The quality of the positive electrode slurry can be improved.

  In addition, the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 stores and stores the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 via the pipe 11 and the positive electrode slurry circulating through the circulation pipe 14 by the tank 21. The positive electrode slurry is continuously supplied to the circulation pipe 14. For this reason, since positive electrode slurry mixes with the tank 21, the dispersion | variation in the quality of positive electrode slurry can be made small, and the quality of positive electrode slurry can be made uniform.

  Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 is stabilized by the tank 21 even if the positive electrode slurry supplied to the circulation pipe 14, that is, the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 via the pipe 11 increases or decreases. An amount of positive electrode slurry can continue to be supplied to the coaters 91, 92. Specifically, when the amount of the positive electrode slurry supplied to the circulation pipe 14 is smaller than the total amount of the positive electrode slurry required by each of the coaters 91 and 92, the shortage is stored in the tank 21. It can be supplemented with positive electrode slurry. Further, when the amount of the positive electrode slurry supplied to the circulation pipe 14 is larger than the total amount of the positive electrode slurry required by the coaters 91 and 92, the excess can be stored in the tank 21.

  In addition, the battery electrode slurry processing apparatus AA including the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 described above arranges the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1. For example, in a manufacturing plant, the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 is arranged on the upper floor, and the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 is arranged on a lower floor than the floor on which the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 is arranged. According to this, the transfer of the positive electrode slurry from the battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 100 to the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 is performed vertically downward, and gravity can be used. For this reason, even if the viscosity of the positive electrode slurry is high, the positive electrode slurry can be easily supplied from the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 to the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a battery electrode slurry distributor 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 1 A of battery electrode slurry distribution apparatuses can be provided in battery electrode slurry processing apparatus AA instead of the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. This battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1A is different from the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 in that it includes a mass flow meter 53 and a disposal unit 81. In addition, in battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1A, about the same component as battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The mass flow meter 53 and the discard unit 81 are provided in the circulation pipe 14.

  The mass flow meter 53 measures the mass flow rate of the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14, measures the instantaneous flow rate of the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14, and sends the measurement result to the tank 21 and the mono pump 51. In addition to transmission, confirmation of the presence or absence of fluctuations in instantaneous flow rate and management of integrated flow rate are performed. The tank 21 determines the discharge amount based on the measurement result transmitted from the mass flow meter 53, and continuously supplies the stored positive electrode slurry to the circulation pipe 14 with the determined discharge amount. The MONO pump 51 determines the urging amount based on the measurement result transmitted from the mass flow meter 53, and applies the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Rush.

  The discard unit 81 is configured to selectively discard at least a part of the positive electrode slurry circulating in the circulation pipe 14.

  1 A of battery electrode slurry distribution apparatuses provided with the above structure can show the following effects in addition to the above-mentioned effect which battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 1 can show.

  The battery electrode slurry distributor 1 </ b> A can selectively discard at least a part of the positive electrode slurry circulating in the circulation pipe 14 by the discard unit 81. For this reason, for example, the positive electrode slurry that may be deteriorated in quality because the circulation pipe 14 is circulated for a long time can be easily discarded.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a design that does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, the circulation pipe 14 is shown in FIG. 3 as being formed in a quadrangular annular shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary that the circulation pipe 14 is formed in a ring shape having a plurality of bent portions. The angle at which the circulation pipe 14 bends at the bent portion is preferably about 90 degrees.

  In the first embodiment described above, in FIG. 3, the circulation pipe 14 is formed in a quadrangular annular shape, and the coater 91 and the coater 92 are connected to two of the four bent portions, respectively. . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coater may be connected to all of the bent portions, or the coater may be connected to only a part of the bent portions.

  In the second embodiment described above, the mass flow meter is used as the flow meter like the mass flow meter 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a volume flow meter can be used. As the volume flow meter, for example, a vortex type, turbine type, electromagnetic type, area type, ultrasonic type, differential pressure type or the like can be used.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the two coaters of the coaters 91 and 92 are connected to the circulation pipe 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three coaters or four coaters are connected. Also good. For example, when three coaters are connected, three two-way valves are provided in addition to the two-way valve 73, and any one of the three two-way valves excluding the two-way valve 73 is open. Then, let us close those except for the open two-way valve among these three two-way valves.

  In each of the above embodiments, the MONO pumps 51 and 52 are used to circulate the positive electrode slurry in the circulation pipe 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a diaphragm pump, a piston pump, a plunger pump, a Delasco pump, a gear pump, a vane pump, and the like can be used.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the pipe 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a suspension other than the negative electrode slurry or the battery electrode slurry may be used. In addition, when suspension other than battery electrode slurry is supplied, it is not necessary to be a coater to be connected to the circulation pipe 14, and other devices or the like according to the application can be appropriately connected. In addition, the filter 41 is not always necessary, and it is only necessary to determine whether or not to provide the filter 41 according to the application.

  In the above-described embodiments, the two-way valve 73 is provided in the vicinity of the carry-in port of the tank 21 to which the positive electrode slurry circulating through the circulation pipe 14 is supplied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the circulation pipe 14 is provided at a position higher than the pipes 12 and 13 and the two-way valves 71 and 72, gravity is applied to the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the coaters 91 and 92. Since it can be used, the two-way valve 73 may not be provided.

  In the above-described embodiments, the two-way valves 71 to 73 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two three-way valves may be provided instead of the two-way valves 71 to 73. In this case, one of the two three-way valves may be provided at the connection part between the circulation pipe 14 and the pipe 12, and the other of the two three-way valves may be provided at the connection part between the circulation pipe 14 and the pipe 13. According to this, when supplying positive electrode slurry to the coater 91, among the three ports of one of the three-way valves, the port on the filter 41 side connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the port connected to the pipe 12 In addition, among the three ports of the other three-way valve, the filter 41 side port connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the tank 21 side port connected to the circulation pipe 14 are communicated. Become. In addition, when supplying the positive electrode slurry to the coater 92, the port on the filter 41 side connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the port connected to the pipe 13 among the three ports of the other three-way valve are communicated with each other. I will let you.

  In the first embodiment described above, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the tank 21, the defoaming unit 31, the filter 41, and the Mono pumps 51 and 52 are provided in the battery electrode slurry distributor 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided between the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 or between the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 and the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1.

  In the second embodiment described above, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, the tank 21, the defoaming unit 31, the filter 41, the Morno pumps 51 and 52, and the mass flow meter 53 are provided in the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 </ b> A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided between the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 or between the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 and the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A.

AA: Battery electrode slurry processing apparatus 1, 1A; Battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus 11, 12, 13; Pipe 14; Circulation pipe 21; Tank 31; Defoaming part 41; Filter 51, 52; Mono pump 70; Control part 71, 72 73; Two-way valve 74; Two-way valve control part 81; Disposal part 91, 92; Coater 100; Battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus 141; Bending part 911;

Claims (11)

A battery electrode slurry distributor for distributing battery electrode slurry to a plurality of application means for applying battery electrode slurry to a metal plate for battery electrode production,
A circulation means for circulating the energized battery electrode slurry connected to the plurality of connection means connected to each of the plurality of application means;
Control means for controlling supply of battery electrode slurry circulating through the circulation means to each of the plurality of application means;
With
The control means permits supply of the battery electrode slurry out of the plurality of application means during a period in which supply of the battery electrode slurry to any one of the plurality of application means is permitted. A battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus, which prohibits the supply of battery electrode slurry to those other than the coating means. The circulating means is formed in a polygonal annular shape,
2. The battery electrode slurry distributor according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connection means is connected to a plurality of bent portions of the circulation means.   The said control means is provided with the valve which can be opened and closed which controls the flow of the battery electrode slurry in each of these connection means, and does not open two or more said valves simultaneously. The battery electrode slurry distributor according to the description. Each of the plurality of connection means comprises a plurality of first storage means connected to the respective bottom surfaces,
4. The battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first storage units stores the battery electrode slurry that has flowed through each of the plurality of connection units. 5. .   5. The battery electrode slurry distributor according to claim 1, further comprising a removing unit that removes impurities contained in the battery electrode slurry circulating through the circulation unit.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage unit configured to store the battery electrode slurry circulating through the circulation unit and to supply the stored battery electrode slurry to the circulation unit. The battery electrode slurry distributor according to the description.   The battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a discarding unit capable of selectively discarding at least a part of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation unit. The battery electrode slurry distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A battery electrode slurry preparation device connected to the battery electrode slurry distribution device for producing a battery electrode slurry to be supplied to the battery electrode slurry distribution device;
With
The battery electrode slurry preparation apparatus is disposed at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus. A battery electrode slurry distribution method in a battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus for distributing battery electrode slurry to a plurality of application means for applying battery electrode slurry to a metal plate for battery electrode production,
A first step of circulating the biased battery electrode slurry in a circulation means connected to the plurality of application means;
A second step of controlling the supply of the battery electrode slurry circulated in the first step to each of the plurality of application means;
With
In the second step, the supply of the battery electrode slurry among the plurality of application means is permitted during the period when the supply of the battery electrode slurry to any one of the plurality of application means is permitted. The battery electrode slurry distribution method is characterized by prohibiting the supply of the battery electrode slurry to those other than the coating means. A suspension dispensing device that distributes a suspension to a plurality of production means for producing a target product using the suspension,
A circulating means connected to the plurality of manufacturing means and circulating the energized suspension;
Control means for controlling the supply of the suspension circulating through the circulation means to each of the plurality of production means;
With
The control means permits the supply of the suspension among the plurality of production means during the period during which the supply of the suspension to any one of the plurality of production means is permitted. A suspension dispensing apparatus characterized by prohibiting the supply of the suspension to those other than the manufacturing means. A suspension distribution method in a suspension distribution apparatus for distributing a suspension to a plurality of manufacturing means for manufacturing a target product using the suspension,
A first step of circulating a biased suspension in a circulation means connected to the plurality of production means;
A second step of controlling the supply of the suspension circulated in the first step to each of the plurality of manufacturing means;
With
In the second step, during the period in which the supply of the suspension to any one of the plurality of manufacturing means is permitted, the supply of the suspension is permitted among the plurality of manufacturing means. A suspension dispensing method characterized by prohibiting the supply of the suspension to those other than the manufacturing means.

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