JP-2026075077-A - Powder bridge valve weighing device for dry cell electrode manufacturing

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a powder distributor for distributing dry electrode powder that can uniformly distribute dry electrode powder over the length of a calender roll, thereby producing a high-quality energy storage electrode film. [Solution] A powder distributor 120 having an elongated wedge-shaped hopper 125 containing one or more fluidizing plates 140-1 to 140-6 can be positioned above a pair of calender rolls 110-1, 110-2 to distribute powder, such as dry electrode material, onto the calender rolls 110-1, 110-2. Such a fluidized wedge-shaped hopper 125 allows for a precise and/or controlled powder distribution rate over the length of the calender rolls 110-1, 110-2, or substantially over their entire length. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

• マツモト，マシュー トーマス
• ヤヤウィ，ファヘム
• ジン，シカイ
• サクスター，ジャイルズ ウィリアム ジェームス
• クラフチク，ジャック

Assignees

• テスラ，インコーポレイテッド

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251020

Priority Date

20241021

Claims (20)

1. A first flat plate equipped with a fluidizing section, A second planar plate, wherein the first and second planar plates are arranged to form at least a part of an elongated wedge-shaped hopper, An outlet located at the first end of the elongated wedge-shaped hopper, An inlet located at the second end of the elongated wedge-shaped hopper, wherein the first and second ends are opposing ends of the elongated wedge-shaped hopper, A powder dispensing device equipped with the following features.
2. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first edge of the first planar plate and the first edge of the second planar plate define the outlet.
3. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluidization section comprises a porous section, a pressure chamber, and a manifold.
4. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the porous portion is configured to allow compressed dry air to pass through it.
5. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hopper depth sensor.
6. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a distributed depth sensor.
7. The first planar plate is positioned on the first plane, The second planar plate is positioned on the second plane, The first and second planes form a wedge shape with an intersection angle of approximately 10 to 170 degrees. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 1.
8. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second planar plate comprises a second fluidizing section.
9. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second planar plates are configured to rotate.
10. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second planar plates is rectangular in shape.
11. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is configured to be openable and closable.
12. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the outlet is configured to have an open position, a closed position, and a dispensing position.
13. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a position controller.
14. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first pivot positioned along the second edge of the first planar plate and a second pivot positioned along the second edge of the second planar plate.
15. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising one or more actuators.
16. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein one or more actuators are configured to rotate the first planar plate around the first pivot and the second planar plate around the second pivot.
17. A system for forming electrode films for energy storage devices, The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 1, A calendering device positioned below the aforementioned outlet, A system that includes these features.
18. A method for powder distribution, A step of loading powder into an elongated wedge-shaped hopper to form a crosslinked powder, wherein the elongated wedge-shaped hopper comprises a flat plate with a fluidizing section, To form a fluidized powder, the steps include applying the gas from the fluidizing section to the crosslinked powder, The steps include distributing the linear flow of the fluidized powder from an elongated outlet, Methods that include...
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of applying the gas includes applying the gas intermittently.
20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of stopping the application of the gas in order to form a second crosslinked powder.

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18/922,138, filed on 21 October 2024, entitled “POWDER BRIDGE VALVE METERING DEVICE FOR DRY BATTERY ELECTRODE MANUFACTURING,” the technical disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This disclosure relates, in general, to a powder distribution apparatus, and more particularly to a powder distribution apparatus for distributing dry electrode powder onto a calender roll. Electrode films can be produced by calendering dry electrode powder. Since calendering the powder improves the uniformity of film density by ensuring a uniform powder distribution, the quality of the electrode film depends on the distribution of the dry electrode powder on the calendering roll system. Therefore, uniform distribution of the dry electrode powder is required to create high-quality energy storage electrode films. To achieve uniform distribution of the dry electrode powder, the powder must be distributed uniformly across the length of the calendering roll, and the distribution rate of the dry electrode powder must be controlled. This invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. This is a perspective view of a system comprising a powder dispenser and an adjacent calender roll, according to several embodiments. This is a block diagram showing the method of powder distribution. This is a side view of a powder distribution device in a closed configuration according to several embodiments. This is a side view of a powder distribution device in a distribution arrangement according to several embodiments. This is a side view of a powder distribution device in an open configuration according to several embodiments. This is a side view of a powder dispensing device including a sensor, according to several embodiments. This is a side view of a powder distribution device according to several embodiments. This is a perspective view of a plate according to several embodiments. This is a perspective view of a manifold according to several embodiments. This is a perspective view of a plate according to several embodiments. This is a block diagram of the electronic equipment for a powder dispensing device. The following detailed descriptions of specific embodiments present various descriptions of those embodiments. However, the novel ideas described herein may be embodied in many different ways, for example, as defined and covered by the claims. This description refers to drawings where similar reference numerals and/or terms may indicate identical or functionally similar elements. It should be understood that the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should also be understood that a particular embodiment may include more elements and/or subsets of elements shown in the drawings than those shown. Furthermore, some embodiments may incorporate any suitable combination of features from two or more drawings. Headings are provided for convenience only and do not affect the scope or meaning of the claims. Generally speaking, one or more aspects of this disclosure relate to a powder distribution apparatus having an elongated wedge-shaped hopper containing one or more fluidizing plates. The powder distribution apparatus may be positioned above a pair of calendering rolls to distribute powder, such as dry electrode material, onto the calendering rolls. Such a fluidized wedge-shaped hopper advantageously allows for precise and/or controlled powder distribution rates over the length of the calendering rolls, or substantially over their entire length. Because the flow rate is controlled and precise over the length of the calendering rolls, the quality of the calendered material (e.g., electrode film) can be improved (e.g., improved uniformity of film density). The electrode film formed by the wedge-shaped hopper can thereby be advantageously improved in quality and can form an energy storage device with improved performance. In addition, the absence or substantial absence of mechanical moving parts during the distribution process can also improve the robustness of the distribution apparatus. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a system 100 including a powder distributor 120 and a pair of calender rolls 110-1 and 110-2. The pair of calender rolls 110-1 and 110-2 together form part of a calender rolling apparatus, which is not shown. The powder distributor 120 is positioned above the calender rolls 110 and includes an outlet 122 positioned above the calender rolls 110. The powder distributor 120 can hold dry powder and distribute the powder uniformly on the calender rolls 110. The powder can be distributed linearly along the length of the calender rolls 110. The powder distributor 120 is positioned above the calender rolls 110 so that the powder can flow onto the calender rolls 110 by gravi