A battery cover plate welding quality detection device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a battery cover welding quality inspection device and method, including a tracked conveyor. Positioning devices are respectively installed on both sides of the tracked conveyor, and a first linear drive device is installed on the top of the tracked conveyor. A suction cup is connected to the bottom output shaft of the first linear drive device. A displacement platform is installed below the track of the tracked conveyor, and both positioning devices are fixed to the top of the displacement platform. Compared with the prior art, this invention, by setting up a displacement platform, allows the battery to move synchronously to the right along with the track during the inspection process. After inspection, the battery is completely removed from the inspection station, and the battery to be inspected on the left can directly enter the inspection without waiting for the inspection station to be emptied, effectively reducing process waiting time and improving the inspection efficiency of battery cover welding quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery testing technology, and in particular to a battery cover welding quality testing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] The welding quality of the battery cover and the housing directly determines the battery's sealing performance, safety, and lifespan, making it a core inspection step in the battery production process. In large-scale assembly line production, a comprehensive inspection of the welding condition of the cover for each battery is necessary to promptly identify defects such as incomplete welds and weak adhesion, preventing unqualified products from entering subsequent processes. Therefore, efficient and accurate testing equipment and methods are urgently needed to support production requirements.

[0003] Currently, most existing testing devices are designed with fixed workstations, using industrial cameras to capture images for comparison. After testing, it is necessary to wait for qualified batteries to be removed before the next set of batteries to be tested can be connected, resulting in long waiting times and low testing efficiency. Furthermore, the positioning mechanism is poorly designed, unable to flexibly adjust the battery position, and the captured images are prone to blind spots, making it difficult to comprehensively inspect multiple edges, corners, and other high-risk areas of the cover plate, thus failing to fully guarantee the quality of testing.

[0004] In addition, image recognition technology is easily affected by ambient light and the condition of the cover plate surface, resulting in insufficient detection stability and failing to meet the detection requirements of continuous production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a battery cover welding quality inspection device and method. By setting up a displacement platform, the battery can move synchronously to the right with the conveyor belt during the inspection process. After the inspection is completed, the battery has been completely removed from the inspection station. The battery to be inspected on the left side can directly enter the inspection without waiting for the inspection station to be cleared, which effectively reduces the waiting time of the process and improves the inspection efficiency of battery cover welding quality.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A battery cover welding quality inspection device includes a tracked conveyor, with positioning devices on both sides of the tracked conveyor, a first linear drive device on the top of the tracked conveyor, a suction cup connected to the bottom output shaft of the first linear drive device, and a displacement platform below the track of the tracked conveyor. Both positioning devices are fixed to the top of the displacement platform.

[0007] Furthermore, the positioning device includes a second linear drive device, the drive end of which is fixed with a clamping plate, and the second linear drive device is fixed to the top of the moving plate of the displacement platform.

[0008] Furthermore, a baffle is fixed to one side of one of the clamps.

[0009] Furthermore, the top of the tracked conveyor is also equipped with a battery interception device.

[0010] Furthermore, the interception device includes a third linear drive device, and the bottom output shaft of the third linear drive device is fixed with an interception plate.

[0011] Furthermore, a spring buffer is fixed to the top of the suction cup, and the top of the spring buffer is connected via a force sensor.

[0012] Furthermore, the suction cup is a vacuum suction cup and also includes a vacuum pump, the pumping end of which is connected to the suction cup via a pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a controller, wherein the force sensor, tracked conveyor, positioning device, first linear drive device, vacuum pump and displacement platform are all electrically connected to the controller.

[0014] This invention also discloses a method for inspecting the welding quality of a battery cover plate, comprising the following steps: Step 1: Perform a pull test on the standard battery whose cover plate has been welded and the peak pull force collected by the force sensor is recorded. Step 2: Set the peak value of the force sensor collected in Step 1 as the qualified comparison value. When the cover of the battery to be tested is lifted for testing, if the peak value of the force sensor is lower than the qualified comparison value, it is determined that the battery cover has an upward warping defect and the welding quality is unqualified.

[0015] In steps one and two, after the battery is transported to the testing station by the tracked conveyor, the positioning device clamps and fixes the battery on both sides. The first linear drive device drives the suction cup to move down to adsorb the battery cover and then pulls it up. The force sensor collects the pressure data during the lifting process at the same time, and the displacement platform drives the battery to move so that the suction cup adsorbs the battery cover at different positions, so as to detect multiple positions of the cover.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention uses a displacement platform, which allows the battery to move synchronously to the right along with the track during the inspection process. After the inspection is completed, the battery has been completely removed from the inspection station, and the battery to be inspected on the left can directly enter the inspection without waiting for the inspection station to be cleared. This effectively reduces the waiting time of the process and improves the inspection efficiency of the battery cover welding quality.

[0017] This invention uses a displacement platform to move the positioning device and battery back and forth and left and right in the horizontal plane, which can adjust the position of the battery relative to the suction cup. This allows the suction cup to sequentially adsorb the edges and corners of the cover plate, which are prone to welding defects. This enables comprehensive inspection of multiple points and areas of the cover plate, avoiding blind spots caused by a single inspection point and improving the inspection coverage.

[0018] The vacuum suction cup combined with the force sensor of the present invention can identify minute welding defects that are difficult to detect with the naked eye and conventional image recognition, such as poor welding, weak adhesion, and slight upturning of the cover plate, by calibrating the qualified tensile force value and comparing it with the actual detected tensile force value, thereby effectively improving the accuracy of welding quality judgment. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a battery cover welding quality inspection device and method according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the displacement platform and positioning device in the battery cover welding quality inspection device and method of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the first linear drive device, force sensor, spring buffer and suction cup in a battery cover welding quality inspection device and method of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the interception device structure of a battery cover welding quality inspection device and method according to the present invention.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Tracked conveyor; 2. Controller; 5. Interception device; 501. Third linear drive device; 502. Interception plate; 601. First linear drive device; 602. Force sensor; 603. Spring buffer; 604. Suction cup; 7. Vacuum pump; 8. Displacement platform; 801. Moving plate; 9. Positioning device; 901. Clamping plate; 902. Second linear drive device; 10. Baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances. Example 1

[0028] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a battery cover welding quality inspection device includes a tracked conveyor 1, with positioning devices 9 respectively arranged on both sides of the tracked conveyor 1, a first linear drive device 601 arranged on the top of the tracked conveyor 1, a suction cup 604 connected to the bottom output shaft of the first linear drive device 601, a displacement platform 8 arranged below the track of the tracked conveyor 1, and two positioning devices 9 fixed on the top of the displacement platform 8. An intercepting device 5 for intercepting batteries is also arranged on the top of the tracked conveyor 1. The tracked conveyor 1 conveys batteries from left to right, and the intercepting device 5, the suction cup 604 and their connected mechanisms are arranged sequentially from left to right.

[0029] Among them, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the positioning device 9 includes a second linear drive device 902. The drive end of the second linear drive device 902 is fixed with a clamping plate 901. The second linear drive device 902 is fixed to the top of the moving plate 801 of the displacement platform 8. When the battery enters the inspection station, the second linear drive devices 902 of the two positioning devices 9 work, driving the clamping plate 901 to clamp and fix the battery. The displacement platform 8 changes the position of the positioning devices 9, thus changing the position of the clamped battery, so that the suction cup 604 can be aligned with multiple inspection points of the battery.

[0030] Among them, such as Figure 4As shown, the interception device 5 includes a third linear drive device 501. The bottom output shaft of the third linear drive device 501 is fixed with an interception plate 502. When the battery enters the testing station, the third linear drive device 501 drives the interception plate 502 to descend, thereby preventing the battery to be tested on the left from entering the testing station before the battery being tested has completely left the testing station.

[0031] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tracked conveyor 1 transports batteries. When the battery reaches the inspection station, the two positioning devices 9 can clamp the battery. At this time, the first linear drive device 601 drives the suction cup 604 to descend, so that the suction cup 604 adsorbs the cover plate on the surface of the battery. Then the first linear drive device 601 rises, so that the suction cup 604 applies an upward force to the cover plate. When the cover plate is welded to the battery box body successfully, the cover plate will not lift up due to the adsorption of the suction cup 604. Under the action of the first linear drive device 601, the suction cup 604 no longer adsorbs the cover plate. However, when the cover plate is not welded to the battery box body successfully, the cover plate will lift up with the suction cup 604. The suction cup 604 and the cover plate do not separate. Therefore, personnel can observe whether the cover plate lifts up with the suction cup 604 to judge its welding quality.

[0032] In this embodiment, the suction cup 604 is a plastic suction cup. The plastic suction cup works by relying on atmospheric pressure. When it is pressed onto a smooth surface, the internal air is squeezed out to form a negative pressure. The external atmospheric pressure will then press the suction cup tightly onto the surface of the object. This is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0033] The displacement platform 8 is an electrically driven X and Y axis displacement plane, which can drive the two positioning devices 9 to move on the horizontal plane, thereby changing the position of the battery held by the positioning device 9 relative to the suction cup 604. This allows the suction cup 604 to adhere to the edge of the cover plate, and to detect the edges and corners where welding defects are likely to occur, thereby improving the detection quality.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the tracked conveyor 1 transports batteries from left to right. Therefore, during the process of the displacement platform 8 moving the battery, it should also move the battery from left to right and back and forth so that the suction cup 604 can adsorb the front and back sides of the battery. After the test is completed, the displacement platform 8 moves the battery to the middle of the track of the tracked conveyor 1 through the positioning device 9, so that the tracked conveyor 1 can transport the battery. Through this test method, the battery can slowly follow the tracked conveyor 1 during the test process, and after the test is completed, the battery has completely left the test station. The battery to be tested on the left can directly enter the test station without waiting for the battery that has been tested in the test station to be removed, thereby improving the test efficiency (when the battery to be tested on the left enters the test station, the displacement platform 8 resets and drives the positioning device 9 to enter the test station synchronously).

[0035] Among them, such as Figure 3 As shown, a baffle 10 is fixed on one side of one of the clamping plates 901. When the displacement platform 8 is reset, the battery will touch the baffle 10 when it is conveyed by the crawler conveyor 1, so that the baffle intercepts the battery in the detection station, so that the clamping plate 901 can hold the battery. After the second linear drive device 902 retracts into place, the baffle 10 will not be located above the crawler conveyor 1, thereby avoiding it from obstructing the conveying of the battery. Example 2

[0036] Unlike Example 1, as Figure 2 As shown, a spring buffer 603 is fixed to the top of the suction cup 604. The top of the spring buffer 603 is connected to the force sensor 602. The suction cup 604 is a vacuum suction cup. This device also includes a vacuum pump 7 and a controller 2. The suction end of the vacuum pump 7 is connected to the suction cup 604 through a pipe. The controller is a PLC controller, which is electrically connected to the force sensor 602, the crawler conveyor 1, the positioning device 9, the first linear drive device 601, the vacuum pump 7, and the displacement platform 8 respectively, in order to control the operation of each component. This is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first linear drive device 601 drives the suction cup 604 to descend and contact the cover plate of the battery with qualified welding quality. Then, the vacuum pump 7 performs a vacuum operation on the suction cup 604, so that the suction cup 604 is attracted to the cover plate. Then, the first linear drive device 601 moves upward a specified distance and lifts the suction cup 604. At this time, since the battery is clamped and fixed by the positioning device 9, if the welding quality of the cover plate is qualified, the position of the cover plate will not change, so the spring buffer 603 is stretched. The force sensor 602 transmits the force value of the spring buffer 603 when it stops deforming to the controller 2. The controller 2 uses this value as a comparison value (the force of the suction cup 604 attracting the cover plate should be greater than the comparison value). In subsequent operations, the above operation is repeated. If the value detected by the force sensor 602 when the spring buffer 603 stops deforming is less than the comparison value, it indicates that the cover plate may be warped and the welding quality is unqualified. At this time, the controller 2 controls the crawler conveyor 1 to stop working and wait for manual operation.

[0038] Controller 2 can be connected to an alarm. When the cover plate is not welded properly, the alarm will sound to remind personnel to handle the situation promptly.

[0039] After prolonged use, the elasticity of the spring buffer 603 will change. Therefore, the comparison value can be calibrated periodically to ensure the quality of the test.

[0040] This embodiment utilizes a force sensor 602 for detection, which is more accurate than image recognition comparison or visual observation in the prior art, and can detect issues such as poor soldering, thus improving the quality of detection. Example 3

[0041] This invention also discloses a method for inspecting the welding quality of a battery cover plate, comprising the following steps: Step 1: Perform a pull test on the standard battery whose cover plate has been welded and the peak pull force collected by the force sensor 602 is recorded. Step 2: Set the peak value of the tensile force collected by the force sensor 602 in Step 1 as the qualified comparison value. When the cover of the battery to be tested is lifted for testing, if the peak value of the tensile force collected by the force sensor 602 is lower than the qualified comparison value, it is determined that the battery cover has an upward warping defect and the welding quality is unqualified.

[0042] In steps one and two, after the battery is transported to the testing station by the crawler conveyor 1, the positioning device 9 clamps and fixes the battery on both sides. The first linear drive device 601 drives the suction cup 604 to move down to adsorb the battery cover and then pull it up. The force sensor 602 collects the pressure data during the lifting process at the same time, and the displacement platform 8 drives the battery to move so that the suction cup 604 adsorbs different positions of the battery cover, so as to detect multiple positions of the cover.

[0043] In Examples 1-3, the first linear drive device 601, the second linear drive device 902, and the third linear drive device are all cylinders or electric cylinders.

[0044] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent transformations or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cover welding quality inspection device, comprising a tracked conveyor (1), wherein positioning devices (9) are respectively provided on both sides of the tracked conveyor (1), characterized in that: The tracked conveyor (1) is provided with a first linear drive device (601) at the top, and a suction cup (604) is connected to the bottom output shaft of the first linear drive device (601). A displacement platform (8) is provided below the track of the tracked conveyor (1), and the two positioning devices (9) are fixed on the top of the displacement platform (8).

2. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning device (9) includes a second linear drive device (902), the drive end of which is fixed with a clamping plate (901), and the second linear drive device (902) is fixed to the top of the moving plate (801) of the displacement platform (8).

3. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: One of the clamps (901) has a baffle (10) fixed to one side.

4. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tracked conveyor (1) is also equipped with a battery interception device (5) on top.

5. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The interception device (5) includes a third linear drive device (501), and the bottom output shaft of the third linear drive device (501) is fixed with an interception plate (502).

6. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A spring buffer (603) is fixed to the top of the suction cup (604), and the top of the spring buffer (603) is connected to a force sensor (602).

7. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The suction cup (604) is a vacuum suction cup and also includes a vacuum pump (7). The suction end of the vacuum pump (7) is connected to the suction cup (604) through a pipe.

8. The battery cover welding quality inspection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a controller (2), wherein the force sensor (602), the tracked conveyor (1), the positioning device (9), the first linear drive device (601), the vacuum pump (7) and the displacement platform (8) are all electrically connected to the controller (2).

9. A method for inspecting the welding quality of a battery cover plate based on the device described in claim 8, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Perform a pull test on the standard battery whose cover plate has been welded and record the peak pull force collected by the force sensor (602); Step 2: Set the peak value of the pulling force of the force sensor (602) collected in Step 1 as the qualified comparison value. When the cover of the battery to be tested is lifted for testing, if the peak value of the pulling force collected by the force sensor (602) is lower than the qualified comparison value, it is determined that the battery cover has an upward warping defect and the welding quality is unqualified.

10. A method for inspecting the welding quality of a battery cover plate according to claim 9, characterized in that: In steps one and two, after the battery is transported to the testing station by the crawler conveyor (1), the positioning device (9) clamps and fixes the battery on both sides. The first linear drive device (601) drives the suction cup (604) to move down to adsorb the battery cover and then pull it up. The force sensor (602) collects the pressure data during the lifting process, and the displacement platform (8) drives the battery to move so that the suction cup (604) adsorbs different positions of the battery cover, so as to detect multiple positions of the cover.

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