Power battery lifting appliance with fire-retardant function

Abstract

The application discloses a power battery lifting appliance with a fire-retardant function, and relates to the technical field of power battery production equipment. The lifting appliance comprises a rack, a first moving mechanism, a second moving mechanism, a safety mechanism and a locking mechanism. The first moving mechanism drives the second moving mechanism to move horizontally, and a supporting rod of the second moving mechanism supports the battery from the bottom. The safety mechanism is located above the supporting rod, and an insulating part of the safety mechanism is provided with a plurality of insertion grooves for accommodating battery electrodes and surrounding the electrodes to form a closed cavity. An air duct is arranged in a fixing plate, and the air duct is connected with an air extraction device and an inert gas source, so that the cavity can be exhausted and inert gas can be injected into the cavity to form a fire-retardant environment. The lifting appliance is stably carried through mechanical clamping and lifting, and the electrodes are actively protected by insulation and atmosphere control, so that the risk of short circuit, arc and fire is effectively eliminated, and the lifting appliance is suitable for safe transfer of battery modules in a state that electrodes are exposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power battery production equipment technology, and in particular to a power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the production scale and quality requirements of power batteries, as their core components, are increasingly demanding. Power battery modules typically consist of dozens to hundreds of individual cells connected in series and parallel. During production, the cells are first stacked and mechanically fixed using end plates, side plates, and straps to form a preliminary module shape. Afterward, conductive busbars are installed onto the exposed positive and negative electrodes on top of all the cells using welding or bolting to complete the electrical connection. Therefore, there is a process window: after the cells are stacked and fixed, their top electrodes are not yet welded to the busbars and are completely exposed. In this state, the module must be frequently transferred between multiple workstations, including stacking, testing, and welding.

[0003] Currently, the transfer of such heavy modules within the workshop relies heavily on traditional overhead cranes with simple lifting tools, or the use of ground tools such as forklifts. However, existing handling technologies are not effectively designed for the high-risk condition of exposed electrodes, resulting in multiple serious safety hazards throughout the lifting process, specifically in the following stages: First, the initial contact risk is extremely high during the preparation and clamping stages. Traditional lifting slings' metal grippers, positioning rods, and other components are highly susceptible to direct impact and scraping of exposed electrode terminals during alignment and descent due to inaccurate positioning. This can instantly cause electrode deformation or short circuits between electrodes, generating a large-current arc. Furthermore, if a side-clamping method is used, improper clamping force may deform the module housing, squeezing the internal battery cells and causing diaphragm damage, leading to internal short circuits. Even with bottom lifting, uneven force can cause the module to tilt, damaging the internal structure. The risk of leakage from the lifting sling's own electrical system (such as solenoid valves) can also be conducted to the battery through metal components, causing accidental electric shock or short circuits.

[0004] Secondly, dynamic risks are prominent during lifting and aerial transport. When the hoisting starts, stops, or operates unevenly, the module will shake and sway. Exposed electrodes may collide with nearby metal equipment, supports, or electrodes from other modules during this swaying, causing a short circuit. Severe shaking can also cause relative displacement of unwelded internal cells, pulling on the electrode tabs and even causing internal short circuits. The enormous inertial forces generated by sudden stops or accelerations may cause the module to slip slightly within the fixture, generating frictional sparks between the electrodes and non-insulated parts of the fixture.

[0005] Finally, in the event of abnormal events and external interference, unpredictable risks are difficult to prevent. Conductive foreign objects such as metal tools and screws may fall during the hoisting process; if they happen to become lodged between exposed electrodes, they could directly cause a catastrophic short circuit. In extreme cases, if the battery accidentally falls, structural damage will inevitably lead to a large-scale short circuit and fire.

[0006] In summary, existing handling tools and technologies lack proactive and integrated safety protection mechanisms when transferring power battery modules with completely exposed electrodes. They cannot effectively prevent short circuits, arcing, and fire risks caused by contact, collisions, or foreign object intrusion between exposed electrodes and conductors during clamping, movement, or unexpected situations. This has become a prominent technical challenge restricting the safe and efficient operation of battery production lines. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a clamping device and safety protection solution that can proactively isolate and protect exposed electrodes during lifting and handling. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a power battery lifting device with flame-retardant properties.

[0008] A power battery hoist with flame-retardant function includes a frame, a first moving mechanism mounted on the frame, a second moving mechanism driven by the first moving mechanism to move horizontally, and a safety mechanism mounted on the frame and located above the output end support rod of the second moving mechanism; the safety mechanism includes a fixing plate and an insulating member disposed thereon, the insulating member having a plurality of slots for accommodating power battery electrodes, the inner wall of the slots being able to form a relatively closed cavity with the outer peripheral surface of the electrodes.

[0009] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, the lifting device achieves stable clamping and vertical lifting of the battery through the first and second moving mechanisms, avoiding direct contact and collision with the electrodes in traditional clamping methods. Simultaneously, after the battery is lifted, the safety mechanism allows its exposed electrodes to be precisely inserted into insulating slots, forming physical isolation. Subsequent atmosphere replacement creates an inert environment around the electrodes, thereby eliminating the risk of fire caused by electrode short circuits, arcing, or foreign object intrusion, and achieving safe handling of battery modules with exposed electrodes.

[0010] Furthermore, the insulating element is made of a flexible insulating material.

[0011] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, flexible insulating materials can better adapt to the dimensional tolerances of electrodes, generate conformal wrapping when electrodes are inserted, improve the sealing and fit between the slot and the electrode, and enhance the isolation and protection effects.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible insulating material is high-temperature resistant silicone rubber.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solutions, high-temperature resistant silicone rubber has excellent insulation and flexibility, and can maintain structural stability when the battery may reach abnormally high temperatures, preventing material melting or failure, and improving the safety of the lifting device under extreme conditions.

[0014] Furthermore, a sealing ring is provided around the opening edge of each of the slots.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, the sealing ring can enhance the sealing of the slot opening after the electrode is inserted, prevent external air from seeping in or internal inert gas from leaking, and ensure the stability and controllability of the atmosphere inside the cavity.

[0016] Furthermore, the fixing plate has a hollow structure inside and forms an air passage; the fixing plate has an air hole corresponding to each of the slots and communicating with the air passage; the fixing plate is connected to at least one air pipe communicating with the air passage.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, this structural design integrates the functions of air extraction and inflation by adopting the above technical solution. Through air channels and vents, centralized and synchronous atmosphere replacement operations can be performed on all slot cavities, improving efficiency and simplifying pipeline layout.

[0018] Furthermore, there are two air tubes, which are respectively connected to the air extraction device and the inert gas source.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, which uses two independent pipelines for vacuuming and inert gas filling, the process control is more precise and efficient. First, vacuuming quickly reduces the oxygen concentration inside the chamber, and then filling with inert gas establishes a reliable flame-retardant environment.

[0020] Furthermore, the frame is provided with a limiting plate that extends toward the side where the support rod is located, and is used to limit the side of the power battery supported on the support rod.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, the limiting plate can constrain the battery module in the horizontal direction, preventing it from lateral displacement or swaying due to inertia or shaking during hoisting, thus improving the stability of the handling process.

[0022] Furthermore, both the first and second moving mechanisms are provided with four sets; the two support rods are arranged in parallel, and the two ends of each support rod are respectively connected to the output ends of the two sets of the second moving mechanisms.

[0023] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, four sets of drive mechanisms are symmetrically arranged, and the bottom of the battery is supported by two support rods, so that the lifting force is more evenly distributed, avoiding battery tilting, deformation or internal damage caused by single-point force or uneven force, and ensuring stable and reliable clamping.

[0024] Furthermore, it also includes a locking mechanism, which includes a locking cylinder mounted on the frame and a locking rod driven by the locking cylinder. The locking rod is used to insert into the lock hole of the first moving mechanism to achieve horizontal locking.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, by adopting the above technical solution, the locking mechanism can mechanically lock the first moving mechanism after it is adjusted into place, preventing unexpected changes in the clamping position due to vibration or inertia during lifting, transportation or stopping, and ensuring the stability of the clamping state throughout the entire lifting process.

[0026] Furthermore, the bottom of the frame is provided with an outwardly extending guard.

[0027] Compared with existing technologies, by adopting the above technical solution, the groin guard forms a physical barrier at the bottom of the spreader, which can prevent external tools, parts or equipment from accidentally colliding with the delicate moving mechanism and electrical components inside the spreader in the workshop environment, thus playing an overall protective role.

[0028] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. Through the integrated safety mechanism, active physical isolation and inert atmosphere protection of exposed electrodes are achieved, eliminating the risks of short circuits, arcing and fire during hoisting, and improving the safety of the battery production process.

[0029] 2. Through the coordination of multiple sets of moving mechanisms, locking mechanisms and limit plates, the heavy battery module can be clamped and transported smoothly, accurately and stably, avoiding damage to the battery structure caused by mechanical collision, shaking or slippage.

[0030] 3. The lifting device has a reasonable structural design, integrating multiple functions such as clamping, lifting, isolation, and protection into one, which improves the transfer efficiency and operational reliability of battery modules with exposed electrodes. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the lifting device, mainly showing the first and second moving mechanisms; Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view of the spreading equipment from another perspective, mainly showing the safety mechanism.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 11, First cylinder; 12, First slide rail; 13, Push block; 131, Locking hole; 14, Connecting plate; 21, Second cylinder; 22, Second slide rail; 23, Movable rod; 231, Support rod; 31, Locking cylinder; 32, Locking rod; 41, Fixing plate; 411, Air pipe; 42, Insulating component; 421, Slot; 5, Frame; 51, Groin guard; 52, Limiting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, with examples of these embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms center, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, thickness, front, back, left, right, upper, lower, axial, radial, vertical, horizontal, inner, and outer, indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the 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. 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 indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as first or second may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms installation, connection, linking, fixing, etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection; they can refer to mechanical connection or electrical connection; they can refer to direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] A flame-retardant lifting tool for power batteries, used for the safe handling of power battery modules with exposed electrodes. (Ref.) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lifting device includes a frame 5, and a first moving mechanism, a second moving mechanism, a locking mechanism, a safety mechanism, and a controller mounted on the frame 5. These mechanisms work together to achieve stable clamping, lifting, transportation, and safe isolation of the batteries' electrodes.

[0037] The frame 5 serves as the main support structure of the lifting device, on which various actuators are installed. The bottom of the frame 5 is provided with a guard 51, which extends to both sides of the frame 5 and is located outside the maximum movement range of the first moving mechanism. It is used to prevent external objects from colliding with the internal mechanism of the lifting device during the lifting process, thus providing overall protection.

[0038] The first moving mechanism, consisting of four sets symmetrically arranged on both sides of the frame 5, is used for horizontal movement adjustment. Each set includes a first cylinder 11, a first slide rail 12, a push block 13, and a connecting plate 14. The first cylinder 11 is horizontally fixed on the frame 5, and its output shaft drives the push block 13 to move horizontally. The first slide rail 12 is mounted on the frame 5, and the push block 13 is slidably connected to the first slide rail 12 via a slider to ensure smooth movement. The push block 13 has a locking hole 131 for engaging with a locking mechanism. The connecting plate 14 is fixed to the push block 13 and is used to mount the second moving mechanism.

[0039] The first moving mechanism drives the pusher block 13 to move horizontally via a cylinder, causing the connecting plate 14 and the second moving mechanism to move horizontally closer or further away, in order to adapt to the clamping requirements of batteries of different sizes.

[0040] The second moving mechanism is mounted on the connecting plate 14 and is used to achieve vertical lifting and lowering movement. It also has four sets. Each set includes a second cylinder 21 and a movable rod 23. The second cylinder 21 is vertically mounted, and its drive shaft is connected to the movable rod 23. A second slide rail 22 is provided on the movable rod 23. The connecting plate 14 is slidably connected to the second slide rail 22 via a slider to ensure smooth lifting and lowering. A support rod 231 is fixed to the end of the movable rod 23. Every two adjacent movable rods 23 support one support rod 231, with two support rods 231 arranged in parallel. The second moving mechanism drives the movable rod 23 to lift and lower via the cylinder, causing the support rod 231 to move up and down, thus lifting and lowering the battery. The locking mechanism is used to lock the position of the first moving mechanism after it has been adjusted to the correct position, preventing horizontal displacement during hoisting. The locking mechanism includes a locking cylinder 31 and a locking rod 32. The locking cylinder 31 is fixed to the frame 5. The locking rod 32 is driven by the locking cylinder 31 and can be inserted into the locking hole 131 on the push block 13 to achieve mechanical locking in the horizontal direction.

[0041] The safety mechanism is used to isolate and protect the exposed battery electrodes during hoisting. It includes a mounting plate 41, an insulating component 42, a sealing ring, vents, and air pipes 411. The mounting plate 41 is mounted on the frame 5, above the support rod 231, and has a hollow internal structure to form an air passage. The insulating component 42, fixed below the mounting plate 41, is made of flexible, high-temperature resistant silicone rubber and has multiple slots 421, each corresponding to a battery electrode. A sealing ring is located at the edge of the opening of each slot 421 to form a seal after the electrode is inserted. Vents are provided on the mounting plate 41 corresponding to each slot 421 and communicate with the internal air passages. The mounting plate 41 is connected to two air pipes 411, one connected to a vacuum device and the other to an inert gas storage tank.

[0042] The frame 5 is also equipped with multiple limiting plates 52 extending toward the support rod 231 to limit the width and length of the battery after it is lifted, preventing it from swinging or shifting during hoisting.

[0043] The implementation principle of this application is as follows: The lifting device descends above the battery, and the first moving mechanism drives the support rod 231 to approach horizontally, lifting the battery from both sides of its bottom. The second moving mechanism drives the support rod 231 to rise, gradually bringing the battery terminals closer to the insulating member 42 until the electrodes are fully inserted into the corresponding slots 421. After the electrodes are inserted, the inner wall of the slot 421 and the outer circumference of the electrode form a relatively closed cavity. Air is first extracted from the cavity using a vacuum device to reduce the oxygen concentration, and then an inert gas, preferably nitrogen, is injected to create a flame-retardant environment. The locking mechanism activates, locking the position of the first moving mechanism, and the lifting device lifts and transports the entire battery. Upon reaching the target location, the above process is reversed to place the battery stably.

[0044] The first and second moving mechanisms ensure stable clamping and lifting of the battery, avoiding mechanical collisions. The safety mechanism's insulated slot 421 and sealing structure completely isolate the exposed electrodes, preventing contact with external conductors. Combined with vacuuming and inert gas injection, a low-oxygen environment is created around the electrodes, fundamentally eliminating the risk of short circuits, arcing, and fire. Locking and limiting structures further ensure the battery remains stationary and stable throughout the lifting process, achieving safe and efficient battery module handling.

[0045] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0046] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific illustrations of feasible embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function, characterized in that, Including rack (5); The first moving mechanism is mounted on the frame (5); The second moving mechanism is connected to the first moving mechanism and is driven by the first moving mechanism to move horizontally; the output end of the second moving mechanism is provided with a support rod (231) for supporting the bottom of the power battery; A safety mechanism is installed on the frame (5) and located above the support rod (231); the safety mechanism includes a fixing plate (41) and an insulating member (42) disposed on the fixing plate (41); the insulating member (42) is provided with a plurality of slots (421) for accommodating power battery electrodes, and the inner wall of the slots (421) is used to form a relatively closed cavity with the outer peripheral surface of the inserted electrode.

2. The power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating element (42) is made of flexible insulating material.

3. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flexible insulating material is high-temperature resistant silicone rubber.

4. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing ring is provided around the opening edge of each of the slots (421).

5. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing plate (41) has a hollow structure inside and forms an air passage; the fixing plate (41) has an air hole corresponding to each slot (421) and communicating with the air passage; the fixing plate (41) is connected to at least one air pipe (411) communicating with the air passage.

6. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 5, characterized in that, There are two air pipes (411), which are respectively connected to the air extraction device and the inert gas source.

7. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (5) is provided with a limiting plate (52), which extends toward the side where the support rod (231) is located, and is used to limit the side of the power battery supported on the support rod (231).

8. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first and second moving mechanisms are provided with four sets; the two support rods (231) are arranged in parallel, and the two ends of each support rod (231) are respectively connected to the output ends of the two sets of the second moving mechanisms.

9. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a locking mechanism, which includes a locking cylinder (31) mounted on the frame (5) and a locking rod (32) driven by the locking cylinder (31). The locking rod (32) is used to insert into the locking hole (131) of the first moving mechanism to achieve horizontal locking.

10. A power battery lifting device with flame-retardant function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the frame (5) is provided with an outwardly extending guard (51).

Images