JP6887693B2 - Circulation device, processing device and battery electrode slurry circulation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a circulation device, a processing device, and a method for circulating a battery electrode slurry.

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

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-213310

The technique proposed in Patent Document 1 assumes that one coating device is connected, and does not keep in mind connecting a plurality of coating devices. When the same battery electrode is manufactured by a plurality of coating devices, if a different lot of the battery electrode slurry is supplied to each coating device, the variation in the performance of each coating device is added to the variation in the lot of the battery electrode slurry, and the battery electrode There will be a difference in the quality of the. This can occur not only in the case of battery electrodes but also in the case of producing a target product using a suspension.

Further, if the same lot of material is distributed to each coating device by piping or the like, the load applied to the pump or the like for transferring the material becomes large, and it becomes difficult to control the distribution, which is not preferable.

Further, if a suspension such as a battery electrode slurry is left for a long time after kneading, separation or reaggregation may occur. Therefore, it is not preferable to keep the suspension in the piping or equipment that supplies the suspension to the coating device.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of separation and reaggregation in a suspension such as a battery electrode slurry.

The present invention proposes the following items in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding, the description will be given with reference numerals corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(1) In the present invention, a plurality of coating means (for example, corresponding to coaters 91 and 92 in FIG. 3) for applying a battery electrode slurry to a metal plate for manufacturing a battery electrode (for example, corresponding to a current collector described later). In addition, a battery electrode slurry distributor (for example, corresponding to the battery electrode slurry distributor 1 in FIG. 1) for distributing the battery electrode slurry, and a plurality of connecting means (for example, for example) connected to each of the plurality of coating means. A circulation means (corresponding to the circulation pipe 14 of FIG. 3) connected to the pipes 12 and 13 of FIG. 3 to circulate the urged battery electrode slurry, and each of the plurality of coating means. A control means (for example, corresponding to the control unit 70 in FIG. 3) for controlling the supply of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means is provided, and the control means is any one of the plurality of coating means. During the period when the supply of the battery electrode slurry to is permitted, the supply of the battery electrode slurry to the plurality of coating means other than the coating means which is permitted to supply the battery electrode slurry is prohibited. We are proposing a characteristic battery electrode slurry distributor.

According to the present invention, the battery electrode slurry is circulated by the circulation means. Therefore, the battery electrode slurry circulates through the circulation means. Therefore, since the time for the battery electrode slurry to stay can be shortened, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of separation and reaggregation in the battery electrode slurry.

Further, according to the present invention, during the period in which the control means permits the supply of the battery electrode slurry to any one of the plurality of coating means, the battery electrode slurry among the plurality of coating means It was decided to prohibit the supply of battery electrode slurries to those other than the coating means that are permitted to supply. Therefore, of the plurality of coating means, only one is supplied with the battery electrode slurry from the circulating means at the same time. Therefore, the urged battery electrode slurry is not distributed to a plurality of coating means and supplied, but is supplied to one coating means in a concentrated manner. That is, when the battery electrode slurry is supplied to the plurality of coating means at the same time, the flow velocity of the battery electrode slurry is greatly reduced depending on the amount of decrease in the amount of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means, and the battery electrode slurry is retained. There is a risk that it will end up. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to increase the urging force against the battery electrode slurry. However, by supplying the battery electrode slurry concentrated to one coating means as described above, the flow velocity of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means does not decrease significantly, so that the urging force against the battery electrode slurry is prevented. There is no need to increase. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the urging force against the battery electrode slurry as compared with the case where the battery electrode slurry is supplied to a plurality of coating means at the same time. Further, the battery electrode slurry can be supplied to each of the plurality of coating means in a short time.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of coating means are connected to the circulation means via a plurality of connecting means. Therefore, since the battery electrodes can be manufactured on a plurality of lines using the same battery electrode slurry, the homogeneity of the battery electrodes can be improved. Further, it is possible to easily perform cleaning and maintenance by stopping the other coating means while continuing the production of the battery electrode by driving one of the plurality of coating means. it can.

(2) In the present invention, with respect to the battery electrode slurry distributor of (1), the circulation means is formed in a polygonal ring shape, and corresponds to a plurality of bent portions (for example, bent portions 141 in FIG. 5) of the circulation means. ), Proposes a battery electrode slurry distribution device characterized in that each of the plurality of connecting means is connected.

According to the present invention, in the battery electrode slurry distribution device (1), the circulation means is formed in a polygonal ring shape, and a plurality of connection means are connected to the bent portion of the circulation means. Therefore, the momentum of the battery electrode slurry flowing at the bent portion is weakened, so that the battery electrode slurry flowing through the circulating means easily flows into the connecting means. Therefore, 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 according to (1) or (2), wherein the control means is an openable / closable valve (for example,) that controls the flow of the battery electrode slurry in each of the plurality of connection means. A battery electrode slurry distributor is proposed, which is provided with two-way valves 71 and 72 in FIG. 3) and is characterized in that two or more of the plurality of valves are not opened at the same time.

According to the present invention, in the battery electrode slurry distribution device of (1) or (2), a plurality of valves are provided in the control means, and the flow of the battery electrode slurry in each of the plurality of connecting means is controlled by the plurality of valves. I decided. Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of each valve, it is possible to independently control the supply amount of the battery electrode slurry to each of the plurality of coating means.

Further, according to the present invention, in the battery electrode slurry distribution device of (1) or (2), it is decided not to open two or more valves at the same time. Therefore, among the plurality of coating means, only one of the plurality of coating means is simultaneously supplied with the battery electrode slurry, so that the urging force against the battery electrode slurry can be reduced and each of the plurality of coating means can be supplied with the battery electrode slurry. On the other hand, the battery electrode slurry can be supplied in a short time.

(4) In the present invention, with respect to any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (3), each of the plurality of connecting means is connected to the bottom surface of each of the plurality of first storage means (for example). , Corresponding to the storage tank 911 of FIG. 5), and each of the plurality of first storage means stores the battery electrode slurry that has flowed through each of the plurality of connection means. Is proposing.

According to the present invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (3), each of the plurality of connecting means is connected to the bottom surface of each of the plurality of first storage means, and the plurality of first storage means are connected to each other. It was decided that each of the storage means stores the battery electrode slurry that has flowed through each of the plurality of connection means. Therefore, the battery electrode slurry is supplied to the first storage means from the connecting 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 means, the battery electrode slurry falls on the bottom surface of the first storage means or is on the battery electrode slurry already stored in the first storage means. The battery electrode slurry will not drop. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery electrode slurry from being contained with air bubbles due to the vigorous collision of the battery electrode slurry with the bottom surface of the first storage means or the battery electrode slurry.

(5) In the present invention, for any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (4), a removing means for removing impurities contained in the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulating means (for example, FIG. 3). We have proposed a battery electrode slurry distribution device characterized in that it includes a defoaming unit 31 and a filter 41).

According to the present invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (4), impurities contained in the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulating means can be removed by the removing means, and the battery electrode can be removed. The quality of the slurry can be improved.

(6) In the present invention, for any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (5), the battery electrode slurry that circulates the circulation means is stored, and the stored battery electrode slurry is circulated. We have proposed a battery electrode slurry distribution device including a second storage means (for example, corresponding to the tank 21 in FIG. 3) to be supplied to the means.

According to the present invention, in any one of the battery electrode slurry distributors (1) to (5), the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means is stored by the second storage means, and the stored battery electrodes are stored. It was decided to supply the slurry to the circulation means. Therefore, since the battery electrode slurry is mixed by 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.

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

(7) The present invention relates to a disposal means (7) for the battery electrode slurry distributor according to any one of (1) to (6), which enables at least a part of the battery electrode slurry circulating in the circulation means to be selectively discarded. For example, we have proposed a battery electrode slurry distribution device (corresponding to the disposal unit 81 in FIG. 6).

According to the present 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 disposal means. Therefore, for example, the battery electrode slurry which may deteriorate in quality due to continuous circulation of the circulation means for a long time can be easily discarded.

(8) The present invention prepares a battery electrode slurry distributor according to any one of (1) to (7) and a battery electrode slurry connected to the battery electrode slurry distributor and supplied to the battery electrode slurry distributor. The battery electrode slurry preparation device (for example, corresponding to the battery electrode slurry production device 100 in FIG. 1) is provided, and the battery electrode slurry production device is arranged at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distribution device. We are proposing a battery electrode slurry processing device characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, the battery electrode slurry producing device is arranged at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distributing device according to any one of (1) to (7). Therefore, the transfer of the battery electrode slurry from the battery electrode slurry producing device to the battery electrode slurry distributing device is performed vertically downward, and gravity can be utilized. Therefore, even if the viscosity of the battery electrode slurry is high, it is possible to easily supply the battery electrode slurry from the battery electrode slurry producing device to the battery electrode slurry distributing device.

(9) The present invention relates to a plurality of coating means (for example, corresponding to coaters 91 and 92 in FIG. 3) for coating a battery electrode slurry on a metal plate for manufacturing a battery electrode (for example, corresponding to a current collector described later). A method for distributing a battery electrode slurry in a battery electrode slurry distribution device (for example, corresponding to the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 in FIG. 1) that distributes the battery electrode slurry to the above, and is a circulation means (for example,) connected to the plurality of coating means. , Corresponding to the circulation pipe 14 in FIG. 3), the first step of circulating the urged battery electrode slurry, and the battery electrode slurry circulated in each of the plurality of coating means in the first step. A second step of controlling the supply of the battery electrode slurry is provided, and in the second step, the plurality of the battery electrode slurry is allowed to be supplied to any one of the plurality of coating means. The present invention proposes a method for distributing a battery electrode slurry, which comprises prohibiting the supply of the battery electrode slurry to those other than the coating means which permits the supply of the battery electrode slurry.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-mentioned effect.

(10) The present invention is a suspension distribution device that distributes a suspension to a plurality of production means for producing a target product using a suspension, which is connected to the plurality of production means and urges. The control means includes a circulation means for circulating the suspension and a control means for controlling the supply of the suspension circulating in the circulation means to each of the plurality of manufacturing means. During the period in which the supply of suspension to any one of the manufacturing means of the above is permitted, the manufacturing means excluding the manufacturing means which is permitted to supply the suspension among the plurality of manufacturing means. We are proposing a suspension distribution device characterized by prohibiting the supply of suspensions.

According to the present invention, the suspension is circulated by the circulation means. Therefore, the suspension circulates through the circulating means. Therefore, since the time for the suspension to stay can be shortened, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of separation and reaggregation in the suspension.

Further, according to the present invention, during the period in which the control means permits the supply of the suspension to any one of the plurality of manufacturing means, the suspension of the plurality of manufacturing means is used. It was decided to prohibit the supply of suspensions to those other than the manufacturing means that are permitted to supply. Therefore, of the plurality of manufacturing means, only one is supplied with the suspension from the circulating means at the same time. Therefore, the urged suspension is not supplied dispersedly to a plurality of manufacturing means, but is mainly supplied to one manufacturing means. That is, when the suspension is supplied to a plurality of manufacturing means at the same time, the flow rate of the suspension is greatly reduced depending on the amount of the suspension circulating in the circulating means, and the suspension is retained. There is a risk that it will end up. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to increase the urging force against the suspension. However, by supplying the suspension to one manufacturing means in a concentrated manner as described above, the flow velocity of the suspension circulating in the circulating means does not decrease significantly, so that the suspension force is urged. There is no need to increase. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the urging force against 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.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of manufacturing means are connected to the circulating means. Therefore, the target product can be produced on a plurality of lines using the same suspension, so that the homogeneity of the target product can be improved. Further, it is possible to easily perform cleaning and maintenance by stopping the other manufacturing means while continuing the manufacturing of the target product by driving any one of the manufacturing means among the plurality of manufacturing means. it can.

(11) The present invention is a suspension distribution method in a suspension distribution device that distributes a suspension to a plurality of production means for producing a target product using a suspension, and the suspension is applied to the plurality of production means. In the connected circulation means, the first step of circulating the urged suspension and the supply of the suspension circulated in the first step to each of the plurality of manufacturing means are controlled. A second step is provided, and 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, among the plurality of manufacturing means. , Proposes a suspension distribution method characterized by prohibiting the supply of suspensions to those other than the manufacturing means that permit the supply of suspensions.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-mentioned effect.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of separation and reaggregation in a suspension such as a battery electrode slurry.

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 block diagram which shows the outline of the battery electrode slurry production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the tank provided in the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the connection relationship between a circulation pipe and a pipe provided in the battery electrode slurry distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, 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. The components in the following embodiments can be replaced with existing components as appropriate, and various variations including combinations with other existing components are possible. Therefore, the description of the following embodiments does not limit the content of the invention described in the claims.

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

The battery electrode slurry producing device 100 is arranged at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distributing device 1, and prepares the battery electrode slurry. The battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 is connected to the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 via the pipe 11, and the battery electrode slurry produced by the battery electrode slurry production device 100 is connected to the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 via the pipe 11. Is supplied to. The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 distributes the battery electrode slurry supplied through the pipe 11.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the battery electrode slurry producing apparatus 100. The battery electrode slurry producing device 100 is an apparatus for producing 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 pre-kneading unit 114, a main kneading unit 115, and a main kneading unit 115. The pipes 121, 122, 123, 124 are provided.

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

The pre-kneading unit 114 roughly kneads the supplied binder, positive electrode active material, and conductive auxiliary agent, and discharges the supplied binder, positive electrode active material, and conductive auxiliary agent to the pipe 124 as a pre-kneaded slurry. The main kneading section 115 is connected to the pipe 124, and the pre-kneading slurry discharged from the pre-kneading section 114 is supplied to the main kneading section 115 via the pipe 124.

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

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1. The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 includes pipes 12 and 13, circulation pipe 14, tank 21, defoaming unit 31, filter 41, mono pumps 51 and 52, 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 producing device 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 the positive electrode slurry is circulated by the urging force from the battery electrode slurry producing 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 producing device 100 via the pipe 11 and the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14, and the stored positive electrode slurry is continuously connected to the circulation pipe 14. 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 showing an 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 center line in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 2121 as the rotating axis, 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 to rotate the stirring blade 2122. The positive electrode slurry enters the tank 21 from a carry-in port (not shown) provided on the side surface of the tank 21 through the inner wall of the tank 21. This is to prevent bubbles from being included 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 inside of the tank 21 is preferably filled with an inert gas, and the pressure inside the tank 21 is appropriately controlled according to the amount of the stored positive electrode slurry.

Returning to FIG. 3, the circulation pipe 14 is provided with the defoaming portion 31, the filter 41, and the 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 portion 31 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The filter 41 removes impurities contained in the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14. Impurities removed by the filter 41 include, for example, undispersed agglomerates.

A pipe 12 connected to the coater 91 and a pipe 13 connected to the coater 92 are connected to the circulation pipe 14. Each of the coaters 91 and 92 is coated with a positive electrode slurry which has been defoamed by the defoaming portion 31 and whose impurities have been removed by the filter 41 to the current collector. As the current collector, any one having electrical conductivity such as a metal foil can be used, and the material, shape and size are not particularly limited. Preferably, it is desirable to use aluminum foil or copper foil.

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, and when the two-way valve 71 is opened, the positive electrode slurry is supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 91, and the two-way valve 71 is provided. 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, and when the two-way valve 72 is opened, the positive electrode slurry is supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coater 92, and the two-way valve 72 is supplied 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 electrode slurry circulating in the circulation pipe 14 is supplied, and when the two-way valve 73 is opened, the circulation pipe 14 is connected 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 each of the two-way valves 71, 72, 73 so that two or more of the two-way valves 71, 72 are not opened at the same time. The control of the two-way valve control unit 74 will be described in detail below.

When the positive electrode 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 with the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry producing apparatus 100 via the pipe 11 in the tank 21. Then, the circulation pipe 14 is circulated.

On the other hand, when supplying the 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.

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

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

The circulation pipe 14 is formed in an annular shape having a polygonal shape (square in the present embodiment), and one end of the pipe 12 is connected to a bent portion 141 which is a bent portion of the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, 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 of the positive electrode slurry flowing in the bent portion 141 is weakened, the positive electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 is likely to flow into the pipe 12 during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open. Therefore, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the pipe 12 is promoted during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open.

Further, one end of the pipe 12 is connected to the lower part of the bent portion 141, and the pipe 12 extends vertically downward from the lower part of the bent portion 141. Therefore, 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, the supply of the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14 to the pipe 12 is further promoted during the period when the two-way valve 71 is open.

The other end of the pipe 12 is connected to the storage tank 911 included in the coater 91, and the positive electrode slurry that has flowed 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 the inert gas, and the pressure in the storage tank 911 is appropriately controlled according to the amount of the stored positive electrode slurry.

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. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the storage tank 911 from the pipe 12 so as to spring out from vertically below. Therefore, as 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. There will be no slurry. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being included in the positive electrode slurry due to the vigorous collision of the positive electrode slurry supplied from the pipe 12 with the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 and the positive electrode slurry.

The circulation pipe 14, the pipe 13, and the coater 92 are also connected in the same manner as in the case of 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 via the pipe 13 during the period when the two-way valve 72 is open. ..

The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 having the above configuration can exert the following effects.

The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 circulates the positive electrode slurry through the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry circulates in the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, since the time for the positive electrode slurry to stay can be shortened, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of separation and reaggregation in the positive electrode slurry.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 prevents the two-way valves 71 and 72 from being opened two or more at the same time, and permits the supply of the positive electrode slurry to any one of the coaters 91 and 92. Then, among these coaters 91 and 92, the supply of the positive electrode slurry to those other than the coaters that are permitted to supply the positive electrode slurry is prohibited. Therefore, of the coaters 91 and 92, only one of the coaters 91 and 92 is simultaneously supplied with the positive electrode slurry from the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry urged by the battery electrode slurry producing apparatus 100 and the MONO pumps 51 and 52 is not distributed and supplied to the coaters 91 and 92, but is concentrated on any one of the coaters 91 and 92. It will be supplied.

Here, for example, a case where 10 coaters are connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the positive electrode slurry is simultaneously supplied to these 10 coaters will be examined below. The positive electrode slurry will be supplied from the circulation pipe 14 in order from the one provided in the front stage among the 10 coaters. Therefore, the instantaneous flow rate of the positive electrode slurry circulating inside the circulation pipe 14 decreases as it gets closer to the coater provided in the subsequent stage. Therefore, the flow velocity of the positive electrode slurry circulating inside the circulation pipe 14 may decrease, and in some cases, the positive electrode slurry may stagnate. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to control the battery electrode slurry producing device 100, the mono pump 51, and the mono pump 52 so as to increase the urging force against the positive electrode slurry. However, since the positive electrode slurry is concentrated on any one of the coaters 91 and 92 as described above, the flow velocity of the positive electrode slurry circulating inside the circulation pipe 14 does not decrease significantly, and as a result, the positive electrode slurry is not significantly reduced. It is no longer necessary to control the battery electrode slurry making device 100, the mono pump 51, and the mono pump 52 so as to increase the urging force against the slurry. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the urging force against the positive electrode slurry as compared with the case where the positive electrode slurry is supplied to both the coaters 91 and 92 at the same time, so that the configuration and control of the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 can be simplified. Can be done. Further, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied to each of the coaters 91 and 92 in a short time.

In the case where the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the coater 91 and the case where 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 in 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. Therefore, the time during which the positive electrode slurry is not circulated in the circulation pipe 14 becomes extremely short. Therefore, even if the positive electrode slurry stays in the pipe while the positive electrode slurry is being supplied to the coater 91 or the coater 92, separation or reaggregation does not occur in the positive electrode slurry.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 circulates the positive electrode slurry supplied from the pipe 11 in the circulation pipe 14 by the urging force from the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100, the mono pump 51, and the mono pump 52 to the positive electrode slurry. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry can be reliably circulated with a simple structure.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 connects two coaters, coaters 91 and 92, to the circulation pipe 14 via the pipes 12 and 13. Therefore, the same positive electrode slurry produced by the battery electrode slurry producing apparatus 100 can be used to manufacture the battery electrodes in a plurality of lines, so that the homogeneity of the battery electrodes can be improved. Further, it is possible to easily perform cleaning and maintenance by driving one of the coaters 91 and 92 to continue manufacturing the battery electrode and stopping the other.

Further, in the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1, the circulation pipe 14 is formed in a rectangular ring shape, and the coaters 91 and 92 are connected to the bent portion of the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, since the momentum of the positive electrode slurry flowing at the bent portion is weakened, the battery electrode slurry flowing through the circulation pipe 14 is likely to flow into the pipes 12 and 13. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied to the coaters 91 and 92 without performing complicated control.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 connects the coaters 91 and 92 to the circulation pipe 14 via the pipes 12 and 13 which are connected to the lower part of the bent portion of the circulation pipe 14 and extend vertically downward. .. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry can be supplied from the circulation pipe 14 to the coaters 91 and 92 by utilizing gravity. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry can be more easily supplied to the coaters 91 and 92.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 closes the two-way valve 73 when supplying the positive electrode slurry to any of the coaters 91 and 92. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry that has passed through the filter 41 does not flow into the tank 21, so that the positive electrode slurry can be more easily supplied to the coaters 91 and 92.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 includes two-way valves 71 and 72 in each of the pipes 12 and 13, respectively. Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of the two-way valves 71 and 72, the supply amount of the positive electrode slurry to each of the coaters 91 and 92 can be controlled independently.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 supplies the positive electrode slurry from the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 included in the coater 91. Therefore, the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the storage tank 911 so as to spring out from vertically below. Therefore, as 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. There will be no slurry. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being included in the positive electrode slurry due to the vigorous collision of the positive electrode slurry with the bottom surface of the storage tank 911 and the positive electrode slurry.

Further, in the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1, the defoaming unit 31 defoams the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14, and the filter 41 removes impurities contained in the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14. , The quality of the positive electrode slurry can be improved.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 stores and stores the positive electrode slurry supplied from the battery electrode slurry producing device 100 via the pipe 11 and the positive electrode slurry circulating in the circulation pipe 14 by the tank 21. The positive electrode slurry is continuously supplied to the circulation pipe 14. Therefore, since the positive electrode slurry is mixed in the tank 21, the variation in the quality of the positive electrode slurry can be reduced, and the quality of the positive electrode slurry can be made uniform.

Further, the battery electrode slurry distribution device 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 production device 100 via the pipe 11 increases or decreases. The amount of positive electrode slurry can be continuously supplied to the coaters 91 and 92. Specifically, when the amount of positive electrode slurry supplied to the circulation pipe 14 is less than the total amount of 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 a 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 each of the coaters 91 and 92, the excess amount can be stored in the tank 21.

Further, in the battery electrode slurry processing device AA provided with the above battery electrode slurry distribution device 1, the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 is arranged at a higher position than the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1. For example, in a manufacturing factory, the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 is arranged on an 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 production device 100 is arranged. According to this, the transfer of the positive electrode slurry from the battery electrode slurry producing device 100 to the battery electrode slurry distributing device 1 is performed vertically downward, and gravity can be utilized. Therefore, even if the positive electrode slurry has a high viscosity, it is possible to easily supply the positive electrode slurry from the battery electrode slurry producing device 100 to the battery electrode slurry distributing device 1.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A can be provided in the battery electrode slurry processing device AA instead of the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A is different from the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 in that it includes a mass flow meter 53 and a disposal unit 81. In the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A, the same components as those of the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

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

The mass flow meter 53 measures the mass flow rate of the positive electrode slurry that has flowed inside the circulation pipe 14, measures the instantaneous flow rate of the positive positive slurry that has flowed through the inside of the circulation pipe 14, and transfers the measurement results to the tank 21 and the mono pump 51. At the same time as transmitting, it confirms whether or not there is a fluctuation in the instantaneous flow rate and manages the integrated flow rate. 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 at 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 attaches the positive electrode slurry circulating inside the circulation pipe 14 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 with the determined urging amount. Momentum.

The disposal unit 81 is configured to selectively dispose of at least a part of the positive electrode slurry that circulates in the circulation pipe 14.

The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A having the above configuration can exhibit the following effects in addition to the above-mentioned effects that the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1 can exert.

The battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A can selectively dispose of at least a part of the positive electrode slurry circulating in the circulation pipe 14 by the disposal unit 81. Therefore, for example, the positive electrode slurry which may deteriorate in quality due to continuous circulation in the circulation pipe 14 for a long time can be easily discarded.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the first embodiment described above, in FIG. 3, the circulation pipe 14 is shown to be formed in a quadrangular annular shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the circulation pipe 14 may be formed in an annular 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.

Further, 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.

Further, in the above-described second embodiment, a mass flow meter such as the mass flow meter 53 is used as the flow meter, but the flow meter is not limited to this, and for example, a volume flow meter can also be used. As the volumetric flowmeter, for example, a volumetric flowmeter such as a vortex type, a turbine type, an electromagnetic type, an area type, an ultrasonic type, and a differential pressure type can be used.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, two coaters 91 and 92 are connected to the circulation pipe 14, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, three coaters and four coaters are connected. May be good. For example, when three coaters are connected, three two-way valves are provided in addition to the two-way valve 73, and one of the three two-way valves excluding the two-way valve 73 is open for a period of time. Now, let us close all of these three two-way valves, except for the open two-way valve.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the MONO pumps 51 and 52 were 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 also be used.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the pipe 11, but 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. When a suspension other than the battery electrode slurry is supplied, it is not necessary for the coater to be connected to the circulation pipe 14, and other devices or the like depending on the application can be appropriately connected. At the same time, the filter 41 is not always necessary, and it may be determined whether or not the filter 41 is provided as appropriate according to the intended use.

Further, in each of 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 in the circulation pipe 14 is supplied. However, not limited to this, 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.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the two-way valves 71 to 73 are provided, but 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 portion between the circulation pipe 14 and the pipe 12, and the other of the two three-way valves may be provided at the connection portion between the circulation pipe 14 and the pipe 13. According to this, when the positive electrode slurry is supplied to the coater 91, of 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 , And of the other three ports of the three-way valve, the port on the filter 41 side connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the port on the tank 21 side connected to the circulation pipe 14 are communicated with each other. Become. Further, when supplying the positive electrode slurry to the coater 92, of the three ports of the other three-way valve, the port on the filter 41 side connected to the circulation pipe 14 and the port connected to the pipe 13 are communicated with each other. Will let you.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, 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 distribution device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 or the device may be provided between the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 and the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1.

Further, in the above-described second embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, the tank 21, the defoaming unit 31, the filter 41, the MONO pumps 51 and 52, and the mass flow meter 53 are attached to the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A. Although it is provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 or the battery electrode slurry preparation device 100 and the battery electrode slurry distribution device 1A may be provided.

AA; Battery electrode slurry processing device 1, 1A; Battery electrode slurry distributor 11, 12, 13; Piping 14; Circulation piping 21; Tank 31; Defoaming section 41; Filter 51, 52; Mono pump 70; Control section 71, 72 , 73; Two-way valve 74; Two-way valve control unit 81; Disposal unit 91, 92; Coater 100; Battery electrode slurry production device 141; Bending unit 911; Storage tank

Claims (9)

A circulation device that circulates the battery electrode slurry.
A circulation means for circulating the battery electrode slurry and
An urging means that urges the battery electrode slurry that circulates the circulating means, and
A plurality of discharge means attached to the circulation means and discharging the battery electrode slurry that circulates the circulation means from the inside of the circulation means.
A control means for controlling the discharge of the battery electrode slurry by the plurality of the discharge means, and
With
Each of the plurality of discharging means supplies the battery electrode slurry to a subsequent manufacturing means.
When the control means permits the discharge of the battery electrode slurry to any one of the discharge means, the discharge means other than the discharge means that allows the discharge of the battery electrode slurry among the plurality of the discharge means. A circulation device characterized in that the discharge of the battery electrode slurry is prohibited from the discharge means. The circulation means is provided with a defoaming means for defoaming the battery electrode slurry.
The circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the battery electrode slurry is circulated via the defoaming means to the side to which the discharge means is connected. The circulation device according to claim 2 , wherein the urging means is provided before and after the defoaming means. The circulation means is provided with a flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the battery electrode slurry.
The circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the urging means determines the amount of urging to the battery electrode slurry based on the measurement result by the flow rate measuring means. The circulation means is provided with a storage means for carrying in and storing the circulated battery electrode slurry, and carrying out the stored battery electrode slurry to the direction connected to each of the discharge means. The circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is characterized. The fifth aspect of claim 5, wherein the control means prohibits the circulated battery electrode slurry from being carried into the storage means when the discharge means permits the transfer of the battery electrode slurry. Circulation device. The circulation device according to claim 5 or 6,
A battery electrode slurry producing device connected to the storage means to prepare a battery electrode slurry to be supplied to the circulation device and carried into the storage means.
A processing device equipped with. The processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the storage means has a function of stirring the stored battery electrode slurry. A method of circulating a battery electrode slurry in a circulation device that circulates a battery electrode slurry.
The first step of circulating the battery electrode slurry urged by the urging means by the circulating means, and
A second step of controlling the discharge of the battery electrode slurry circulated in the first step from the plurality of discharge means attached to the circulation means, and
With
Each of the plurality of discharging means supplies the battery electrode slurry to a subsequent manufacturing means.
In the second step, when any one of the plurality of discharging means is permitted to discharge the battery electrode slurry, the discharging of the battery electrode slurry is permitted among the plurality of discharging means. A method for circulating a battery electrode slurry, which prohibits the discharge of the battery electrode slurry from the discharge means other than the discharge means.

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