Battery cell boxing device integrated with cell detection and boxing and battery production line

Abstract

This invention discloses an integrated cell loading and packaging equipment and battery production line with integrated testing and packaging. The integrated cell loading and packaging equipment includes a cell testing line and a cell loading line arranged side by side, and further includes a feeding device, a first picking and unloading device, and a second picking and unloading device. The feeding device provides cells to be loaded into the packaging line, the first picking and unloading device transfers the cells to the cell testing line, and the second picking and unloading device transfers tested cells from the cell testing line to the cell loading line. This integrated cell loading and packaging equipment and battery production line of the present invention can reduce the frequency of cell transfer, shorten the time spent transferring cells, and improve packaging efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of battery production equipment, and in particular to an integrated cell loading and unloading equipment and battery production line. Background Technology

[0002] After the battery cells are produced, multiple cells need to be packed into a box to form a cell pack or battery pack. Before packing the cells into the box, multiple tests need to be performed on the cells, and multiple testing equipment is used to ensure the quality of packing.

[0003] However, the testing equipment is far apart, and transferring the battery cells between the testing equipment will take a lot of time, affecting the packing efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes an integrated detection and loading device for battery cells, which can reduce the frequency of battery cell transfer, shorten the time spent transferring battery cells, and improve loading efficiency.

[0005] The present invention also proposes a battery production line with the above-mentioned integrated cell loading and unloading equipment.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a battery cell loading device integrating detection and loading includes a battery cell detection line and a battery cell loading line arranged side by side, and also includes a feeding device, a first picking and unloading device and a second picking and unloading device.

[0007] The feeding device is used to provide battery cells to be placed into the box, the first picking and placing device is used to transfer the battery cells to be placed into the box to the battery cell testing line, and the second picking and placing device is used to transfer the tested battery cells from the battery cell testing line to the battery cell box entry line.

[0008] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading and unloading device includes a first battery cell gripper and a material frame gripper. The first battery cell gripper is used to remove the battery cell to be loaded into the box from the material frame and release it to the battery cell detection line. The material frame gripper is used to remove the upper material frame so that the battery cell to be loaded into the box in the lower material frame is in a retrievable state.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading and unloading device includes a height detection device and a first image acquisition device. The height detection device is used to detect at least the height position of the battery cell to be loaded into the box, and the first image acquisition device is used to detect at least the horizontal position and orientation of the battery cell to be loaded into the box.

[0010] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading and unloading device includes a battery cell testing line comprising a first conveying mechanism for supporting and conveying battery cells, a battery cell testing mechanism disposed above the first conveying mechanism, and battery cell positioning mechanisms disposed on both sides of the first conveying mechanism, wherein the battery cell positioning mechanisms are disposed directly below the battery cell testing mechanism.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a battery cell loading device integrating cell loading and unloading is provided, wherein the cell loading and unloading mechanism includes a liftable cell probe.

[0012] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading and unloading device includes a battery cell positioning mechanism comprising a laterally movable battery cell pusher block, wherein the direction in which the battery cell pusher block moves the battery cell is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying mechanism.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading and unloading device includes a second graphic acquisition device, which is used at least to detect and acquire the position of the tested battery cells on the battery cell detection line.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading device for detection and loading includes a second battery cell gripper, the second battery cell gripper including a clamping assembly and a suction assembly, the clamping assembly being used to clamp the battery cell into the housing, and the suction assembly being used at least to continue pushing the battery cell to the bottom of the housing.

[0015] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading device includes a clamping assembly comprising at least a pair of side grippers that can move closer to and further away from each other, the pair of side grippers being used to clamp opposite sides of the battery cell, and a suction assembly comprising a top suction member for suctioning the end face of the battery cell.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a battery cell loading device integrating a loading box and a battery cell loading line includes a second conveying mechanism for supporting and conveying the loading box and a pressing mechanism for pressing the battery cells located inside the loading box. At the box entry position of the second conveying mechanism, the pressing mechanism can move to above the battery cell and press the battery cell.

[0017] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, the integrated battery cell loading device includes a pressing mechanism comprising a pressing plate and a plurality of pressing members disposed on the pressing plate, the pressing members being used to abut against the battery cell to press it.

[0018] According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell loading device is an integrated battery cell loading and unloading device, wherein the battery cell loading line includes a third image acquisition device located above the second conveying mechanism, the third image acquisition device being used to detect and acquire the positive and negative electrode information of the battery cells inside the box.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a battery production line includes a battery housing assembly equipment and a cell loading equipment that integrates detection and loading as described in any one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The battery housing assembly equipment is used to output battery housings, and the cell loading equipment is used to load cells into the battery housing.

[0020] The integrated battery cell loading and unloading device according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following advantages: This invention, by setting up parallel cell testing lines and cell loading lines, not only enables automatic cell testing and loading, but also helps to shorten the production line length, making the equipment structure compact and reducing the floor space required.

[0021] Meanwhile, by setting up a cell testing line, this invention facilitates continuous testing of cells and multiple tests on cells, reduces intermediate steps, shortens the time spent transferring cells, improves testing efficiency and output, improves packaging efficiency, and helps reduce the cost of testing equipment and alleviate manufacturing pressure.

[0022] By incorporating a feeding device, this invention can continuously supply battery cells for loading into the battery box, meeting the needs of mass production and reducing production downtime.

[0023] By setting up a first material handling device, the present invention can remove the battery cells to be loaded from the feeding device and accurately place them at the same position on the battery cell testing line. This also ensures that the battery cells to be loaded maintain a consistent state, which facilitates the testing of the battery cell testing line, reduces the adjustment work before testing, and helps to improve testing efficiency.

[0024] By providing a second material handling device, this invention facilitates the loading of the tested battery cells into the housing, ensuring that the battery cells are in the same state relative to the housing, which helps to guarantee the quality of the packaging.

[0025] By setting up a first material handling device and a second material handling device, the present invention can realize the automated and continuous handling of material handling and packing, reduce manual operation, reduce production downtime, and improve production efficiency.

[0026] The present invention also provides a battery production line, which has the above-mentioned beneficial effects.

[0027] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated battery cell loading and unloading device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the feeding device; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first material handling device; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial structural diagram of the first material handling device; Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cell testing line; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial structural diagram of the battery cell testing line; Figure 7 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second material handling device; Figure 8 for Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the second material handling device; Figure 9 for Figure 1 A partial structural diagram of the cell loading line; Figure 10 for Figure 1 Another partial structural diagram of the cell entry line;

[0030] Reference numerals: 100; 110; 120; 130; 140; 150; 160; 170; 180; 190; 200; 200; 210; 220; 230; 240; 250; 260; 270; 280; 290; 300; 310; 320; 330; 340; 350; 360; 370; 280; 290; 300; 310; 320; 330; 340; 350. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0033] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" and "second" are mentioned, this is only for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation, connection, and linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes an integrated cell loading and unloading equipment and battery production line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Reference Figures 1 to 10 The present invention aims to provide an embodiment of a battery cell loading and unloading integrated inspection device, which can be part of a battery production line. Therefore, the present invention also aims to provide an embodiment of a battery production line that includes a battery cell loading and unloading integrated inspection device.

[0037] Compared with existing technologies, the integrated detection and loading device for battery cells of the present invention can reduce the frequency of battery cell transfer, shorten the time spent transferring battery cells, and improve the packing efficiency. The frequency of battery cell transfer refers to the number of transfers each battery cell undergoes from the start of detection to the completion of loading, while the time spent transferring battery cells refers to the time spent transferring each battery cell from the start of detection to the completion of loading.

[0038] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a battery production line including a battery case assembly device and a cell loading device with integrated detection and loading as described in any one of the above-mentioned methods. The battery case assembly device is used to output battery cases, and the cell loading device is used to install cells into the battery cases. By applying the aforementioned cell loading device with integrated detection and loading, the same technical effect can be achieved, thereby improving the production efficiency of batteries.

[0039] Reference Figures 1 to 10 In this embodiment, the integrated battery cell loading and unloading equipment mainly includes a feeding device 120, a first picking and unloading device 130, a second picking and unloading device 140, a battery cell testing line 100, and a battery cell loading and unloading line 110.

[0040] The feeding device 120 is used to provide the battery cells to be placed into the box, the first picking and unloading device 130 is used to transfer the battery cells to be placed into the box to the battery cell testing line 100, the battery cell testing line 100 is used to test the battery cells to be placed into the box, and the second picking and unloading device 140 is used to transfer the tested battery cells from the battery cell testing line 100 to the battery cell box entry line 110, the battery cell box entry line 110 is used to load the battery cells into the box.

[0041] In this embodiment, the cell detection line 100 and the cell loading line 110 are arranged side by side. The feeding device 120 is located on the side of the cell detection line 100 away from the cell loading line 110. The first picking and unloading device 130 is located at the beginning of the cell detection line 100, and the second picking and unloading device 140 is located at the end of the cell detection line 100.

[0042] In summary, by setting up parallel cell testing lines 100 and cell loading lines 110, this invention not only enables automatic cell testing and loading, but also helps to shorten the production line length, making the equipment structure compact and reducing the floor space required.

[0043] Meanwhile, by setting up the cell testing line 100, this invention facilitates continuous testing of the cells and multiple tests on the cells, reduces intermediate steps, shortens the time spent transferring cells, improves testing efficiency, increases testing output, improves packaging efficiency, and helps reduce the cost of testing equipment and alleviate manufacturing pressure.

[0044] By setting up a feeding device 120, the present invention can continuously provide battery cells for loading into the box, meet the needs of mass production, and reduce production downtime.

[0045] By setting up a first material handling device 130, the present invention can take out the battery cells to be put into the box from the feeding device 120 and accurately place the battery cells to be put into the box at the same position on the battery cell testing line 100. It also makes the battery cells to be put into the box maintain a consistent state, which facilitates the testing by the battery cell testing line 100, reduces the adjustment work before testing, and helps to improve testing efficiency.

[0046] By providing a second material handling device 140, this invention also facilitates the loading of the tested battery cells into the housing, ensuring that the battery cells are in the same state relative to the housing, which helps to guarantee the quality of the packaging.

[0047] By setting up a first material handling device 130 and a second material handling device 140, the present invention can realize the automated and continuous handling of material handling and packing, reduce manual operation, reduce production downtime, and improve production efficiency.

[0048] Reference Figure 2 The feeding device 120 includes multiple conveying rollers that can support and convey a material frame containing multiple battery cells to improve transfer efficiency.

[0049] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the material frames can be stacked vertically to further increase the number of transferred battery cells.

[0050] In addition, the diameter of the conveyor rollers can be reasonably matched with the specifications of the material frame so that at least two conveyor rollers can support the material frame at the same time, reducing the shaking of the material frame. Alternatively, a pallet can be set up so that stacked material frames can be placed on the pallet, reducing the possibility of the material frame shaking.

[0051] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 For the first picking and unloading device 130, the first picking and unloading device 130 can include a robotic arm composed of multiple joints, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the picking posture, picking position, unloading position and unloading posture of the first picking and unloading device 130, so that the battery cells can be efficiently transferred from the material frame to the battery cell detection line 100.

[0052] The first picking and unloading device 130 includes a robotic arm composed of multiple joints, which also enables the first picking and unloading device 130 to integrate multiple picking and unloading structures and perform multiple picking and unloading operations, such as picking and unloading electric cores and picking and unloading frames, reducing the number of devices, reducing the floor space, and making the equipment layout more compact.

[0053] Reference Figure 4 Considering the situation where incoming battery cells are stored in a material frame, in this embodiment, the first picking and placing device 130 includes a first battery cell gripper 150 and a material frame gripper 160. The first battery cell gripper 150 is used to pick up the battery cells to be placed in the box from the material frame and release them to the battery cell detection line 100. The material frame gripper 160 is used to remove the upper material frame so that the battery cells to be placed in the lower material frame are in a retrievable state.

[0054] That is, the first cell gripper 150 first takes out the cells to be put into the box in the top layer or upper layer material frame and transfers them to the cell detection line 100. When all the cells in the material frame are taken out, the material frame gripper 160 removes the material frame, so that the cells in the bottom layer or lower layer material frame are exposed, and the first cell gripper 150 can continue to take out the cells.

[0055] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the first cell gripper 150 and the material frame gripper 160 can complete the picking and placing of the cell and the material frame by means of clamping, adsorption, flipping and fastening.

[0056] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the first cell gripper 150 can clamp the two larger side surfaces of the cell during clamping to reduce clamping pressure and avoid damage to the cell.

[0057] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the first cell gripper 150 may have multiple grippers, which can hold multiple cells to the cell detection line 100.

[0058] Reference Figure 4 Considering the differences in height, position, and posture of the battery cells after continuous material handling, the posture difference may be caused by the placement of the material frame. The first material handling device 130 includes a height detection device 170 and a first image acquisition device 180. The height detection device 170 is used to detect the height position of the battery cells to be placed in the box at least, and the first image acquisition device 180 is used to detect the horizontal position and orientation of the battery cells to be placed in the box at least.

[0059] The height detection device 170 can perform detection using principles such as laser or ultrasound, so that the first cell gripper 150 can pick up the cell after moving a set distance, and the material frame gripper 160 can pick up the material frame.

[0060] The first image acquisition device 180 can acquire the horizontal position and orientation of the battery cell so as to adjust the first battery cell gripper 150 so that the first battery cell gripper 150 can continuously grip the battery cell.

[0061] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the controller connected to the first image acquisition device 180 can store battery cell image data and compare the image data to confirm whether the model and specifications of the battery cell are correct, thus avoiding mixing of materials.

[0062] Meanwhile, the first image acquisition device 180 can acquire the horizontal position and orientation of the material frame so as to adjust the material frame gripper 160 so that the material frame gripper 160 can continuously grip the material frame.

[0063] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 For the cell testing line 100, the cell testing line 100 includes a first conveying mechanism 190 for supporting and conveying the cells, a cell testing mechanism 200 disposed above the first conveying mechanism 190, and cell positioning mechanisms 210 disposed on both sides of the first conveying mechanism 190. The cell positioning mechanisms 210 are disposed directly below the cell testing mechanism 200. Figure 6 The arrow shown indicates the direction of cell delivery by the first delivery mechanism 190.

[0064] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the first conveying mechanism 190 may include a conveying chain, which is driven by a sprocket, and the sprocket is driven by a motor, so that the conveying chain can move continuously. Simultaneously, the links of the conveying chain are provided with positioning grooves, and the positioning grooves hold the battery cells, so that the battery cells are positioned as follows: Figure 6 Keep it upright to prevent the battery cells from tipping over.

[0065] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the edge of the positioning groove may be provided with a notch to avoid the first cell gripper 150 and prevent them from touching each other.

[0066] Reference Figure 6 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the cell testing mechanism 200 may include a liftable cell probe 220. The cell probe 220 may be limited by a guide rail to ensure that the cell probe 220 accurately presses down and contacts the battery terminals of the cell, thereby meeting the requirements for power-on testing.

[0067] The cell positioning mechanism 210 is located directly below the cell detection mechanism 200, which facilitates the positioning of the cell to be tested, reduces cell shaking and offset, and ensures that the cell probe 220 accurately contacts the cell's electrode.

[0068] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the battery cell positioning mechanism 210 may include a laterally movable battery cell side pusher 240. The displacement of the battery cell side pusher 240 is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying chain. That is, the direction in which the battery cell side pusher 240 pushes the battery cell is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying mechanism 190, so that the battery cell is centered and the battery cell is not misaligned to the left or right.

[0069] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the cell-side pusher 240 can be driven by a cylinder, which is easy to control. At the same time, the cell-side pusher 240 is provided with a recess to accommodate the edge of the cell, so as to avoid the cell shifting back and forth or swaying back and forth when pushing the cell.

[0070] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the number of battery cell side pushers 240 can be two, arranged on opposite sides of the battery cell, to overcome the situation where the battery cell is biased to the right or left.

[0071] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a cell scanning device 230 may be provided on the incoming material side of the cell positioning mechanism 210 or the cell detection mechanism 200. The cell scanning device 230 can associate the detection result of the cell detection mechanism 200 with the corresponding cell by confirming the cell identity, so as to perform product traceability.

[0072] Reference Figure 6 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a set of battery cell side push blocks 240 may be provided on the discharge side of the second conveying mechanism 310 to facilitate the positioning of the battery cell at the end of the conveying chain, reduce the shaking of the battery cell, and facilitate the second picking and unloading device 140 to pick up the battery cell from the second conveying mechanism 310.

[0073] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The second material handling device 140 includes multiple horizontal rotating joints and a lifting assembly to simplify the structure of the second material handling device 140 and reduce equipment costs.

[0074] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the second picking and placing device 140 may include a second pattern acquisition device 250. The second pattern acquisition device 250 is at least used to detect and acquire the position of the detected battery cell on the battery cell detection line 100, so as to ensure that the second picking and placing device 140 picks up the battery cell and the state of the picked battery cell can be confirmed to be correct, so as to facilitate direct placement into the box or placement into the box after adjustment, thereby improving the adaptability of the production line.

[0075] Reference Figure 8In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the second loading and unloading device 140 may include a second battery cell gripper 260, the second battery cell gripper 260 including a clamping assembly 270 and a suction assembly 280, the clamping assembly 270 being used to clamp the battery cell into the housing, and the suction assembly 280 being used at least to continue pushing the battery cell to the bottom of the housing.

[0076] That is, the clamping assembly 270 and the suction assembly 280 simultaneously pick up the battery cell and load part or most of the battery cell into the housing. Then, the clamping assembly 270 is withdrawn, leaving only the suction assembly 280 to hold the battery cell and place it at the bottom of the housing. This avoids interference between the clamping assembly 270 and the housing, and also prevents the battery cell from falling into the housing and being damaged.

[0077] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the clamping assembly 270 may include at least a pair of side grippers 290 that can be relatively close to and far apart, the pair of side grippers 290 being used to clamp the opposite sides of the battery cell, and the suction assembly 280 including a top suction member 300, the top suction member 300 being used to suction the end face of the battery cell to meet the need to clamp the side of the battery cell and adsorb the top surface or top of the battery cell, while reducing the space occupied.

[0078] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the clamping assembly 270 may include a double-output cylinder or a centering cylinder connected to the side grippers 290 and a linear cylinder that drives the double-output cylinder to rise and fall, so as to meet the action requirements of the side grippers 290 moving closer to each other to clamp materials, moving further away from each other to release materials, and rising to move away from the box.

[0079] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the battery cell entry line 110 may include a second conveying mechanism 310 for supporting and conveying the housing, and a pressing mechanism 320 for pressing the battery cells located inside the housing.

[0080] The second conveying mechanism 310 can linearly convey the fixture of the carrying box. The fixture of the carrying box can come from other processes and its movement trajectory is limited by the guide rail. The movement of the fixture of the carrying box can be achieved by the mutual pushing of the front and rear fixtures, so that the fixture of the carrying box can be connected to have the power to move.

[0081] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the second conveying mechanism 310 may have material arrival sensing and material shortage sensing to determine the material arrival status of the clamps carrying the box, so as to control the operation of the associated equipment.

[0082] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, clamp positioning mechanisms can be provided on both sides of the second conveying mechanism 310 to fix the clamps that carry the housing, so that the housing has an accurate position on the second conveying mechanism 310, making it convenient to install the battery cells.

[0083] The pressing mechanism 320 can press the battery cells installed in the box, so that the bottom of the battery cells is in close contact with the box, to ensure that the box is properly installed.

[0084] At the box entry position of the second conveying mechanism 310, the pressing mechanism 320 can move to above the battery cell and press the battery cell.

[0085] It is easy to understand that after the second loading and unloading device 140 loads the battery cell into the housing, the pressing mechanism 320 immediately moves to the top of the battery cell and presses it. This avoids the problem that the clamp supporting the housing moves a certain distance first and then becomes inaccurate in position, making it difficult to align the pressing mechanism 320 with the battery cell. It also eliminates the need for an additional clamp positioning mechanism, reducing the number of mechanisms and simplifying the equipment structure.

[0086] The fact that the pressing mechanism 320 can move above the battery cell and press it also means that the pressing mechanism 320 can be appropriately deviated so as not to hinder the battery cell from entering the housing.

[0087] Reference Figure 9 In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the pressing mechanism 320 may include a pressing plate 330 and a plurality of pressing members 340 disposed on the pressing plate 330. The pressing members 340 are used to abut against the battery cells to press them, thereby facilitating the pressing of the plurality of battery cells in the housing and improving the pressing efficiency.

[0088] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the pressing mechanism 320 can be moved along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 310, so that the structure driving the pressing mechanism 320 to rise, fall and translate is arranged along the second conveying mechanism 310, occupying less space on the side of the cell entry line 110 away from the cell detection line 100.

[0089] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the battery cell entry line 110 may include a third image acquisition device 350 located above the second conveying mechanism 310. The third image acquisition device 350 is used to detect and acquire the positive and negative information of the battery cells in the box to ensure that the positive and negative states of the battery cells in the box meet the entry requirements.

[0090] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the third image acquisition device 350 can be translated and lifted in multiple directions to detect different cells inside the box.

[0091] For the component structures that require linear motion or linear compound motion in this embodiment, a screw and sleeve structure or a gear and rack structure driven by a motor can be used, or an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder and other common mechanical drive structures can be used. These are easy to purchase or customize, reducing manufacturing costs. Moreover, they are highly accurate and easy to adjust.

[0092] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "an embodiment, some embodiments, illustrative embodiments, example, specific example, or examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0093] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. (if applicable) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0094] It should also be noted that, in the description of this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0095] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may also include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0096] Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0097] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell loading and unloading integrated testing and loading device, characterized in that, It includes a battery cell testing line (100) and a battery cell loading line (110) arranged side by side, as well as a feeding device (120), a first picking and unloading device (130), and a second picking and unloading device (140). The feeding device (120) is used to provide cells to be placed in the box, the first picking and placing device (130) is used to transfer the cells to be placed in the box to the cell testing line (100), and the second picking and placing device (140) is used to transfer the tested cells from the cell testing line (100) to the cell box entry line (110).

2. The integrated battery cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first material handling device (130) includes a first cell gripper (150) and a material frame gripper (160). The first cell gripper (150) is used to take the cell to be placed in the box out of the material frame and release it to the cell detection line (100). The material frame gripper (160) is used to remove the upper material frame so that the cell to be placed in the lower material frame is in a retrievable state.

3. The integrated battery cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first material handling device (130) includes a height detection device (170) and a first image acquisition device (180). The height detection device (170) is used to detect at least the height position of the battery cell to be placed in the box, and the first image acquisition device (180) is used to detect at least the horizontal position and orientation of the battery cell to be placed in the box.

4. The integrated cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell testing line (100) includes a first conveying mechanism (190) for supporting and conveying the cell, a cell testing mechanism (200) disposed above the first conveying mechanism (190), and cell positioning mechanisms (210) disposed on both sides of the first conveying mechanism (190). The cell positioning mechanism (210) is disposed directly below the cell testing mechanism (200). The cell testing mechanism (200) includes a liftable cell probe (220). And / or, the cell positioning mechanism (210) includes a laterally movable cell side pusher (240), the direction in which the cell side pusher (240) pushes the cell to move is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying mechanism (190).

5. The integrated cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second material handling device (140) includes a second graphic acquisition device (250), which is used at least to detect and acquire the position of the detected battery cell on the battery cell detection line (100).

6. The integrated cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second loading and unloading device (140) includes a second cell gripper (260), which includes a clamping assembly (270) and a suction assembly (280). The clamping assembly (270) is used to clamp the cell into the housing, and the suction assembly (280) is used to push the cell to the bottom of the housing.

7. The integrated cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping assembly (270) includes at least one pair of side grippers (290) that can move closer and further apart, the pair of side grippers (290) being used to clamp the opposite sides of the battery cell, and the suction assembly (280) includes a top suction member (300) for suctioning the end face of the battery cell.

8. The integrated cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell loading line (110) includes a second conveying mechanism (310) for supporting and conveying the housing, and a pressing mechanism (320) for pressing the cells located inside the housing. At the box entry position of the second conveying mechanism (310), the pressing mechanism (320) can move to above the battery cell and press the battery cell; And / or, the pressing mechanism (320) includes a pressing plate (330) and a plurality of clamping members (340) disposed on the pressing plate (330), the clamping members (340) being used to abut against the battery cell to clamp it.

9. The integrated battery cell loading and unloading equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cell entry line (110) includes a third image acquisition device (350) located above the second conveying mechanism (310), which is used to detect and acquire the positive and negative information of the cells in the box.

10. A battery production line, characterized in that, The device includes a battery housing assembly device and a cell loading device with integrated detection and loading as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The battery housing assembly device is used to output the battery housing, and the cell loading device is used to install the cell into the battery housing.

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