Automatic battery shelling machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic battery shelling machine, comprising a frame, on which a first transfer mechanism, a first manipulator, a second transfer mechanism and an upper gasket mechanism are sequentially arranged, the first transfer mechanism is connected to a first battery cell conveying mechanism, and the second transfer mechanism is connected to a steel shell conveying mechanism; the edges of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are both fixedly provided with a plurality of second manipulators distributed at equal angles, the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are both disc-shaped, and are rotatably arranged on the frame through a driving mechanism. The present invention greatly improves work efficiency, and the overall structure is compact, the utilization rate of space is large, and the space occupied is small.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to an automatic battery shelling machine. Background Art

[0002] "Lithium battery" is a type of battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloy as the negative electrode material and uses a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. In 1912, the lithium metal battery was first proposed and studied by Gilbert N. Lewis. In the 1970s, MS Whittingham proposed and began to study lithium-ion batteries. Due to the very active chemical properties of lithium metal, the processing, storage, and use of lithium metal have very high environmental requirements. Therefore, lithium batteries have not been used for a long time. With the development of science and technology, lithium batteries have now become mainstream.

[0003] In the existing lithium battery production, there is a process of loading the battery cell into a steel shell, but the existing shell loading equipment has low efficiency and occupies a large space. Summary of the invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an automatic battery cell shelling machine, comprising a frame, on which a first transfer mechanism, a first manipulator, a second transfer mechanism and an upper gasket mechanism are sequentially arranged, the first transfer mechanism is connected to a first battery cell conveying mechanism, and the second transfer mechanism is connected to a steel shell conveying mechanism; the edges of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are fixedly provided with a plurality of second manipulators distributed at equal angles, the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are both disc-shaped, and are rotatably arranged on the frame through a driving mechanism.

[0005] Among them, the driving mechanism is an existing technology, which can realize the rotation of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism. When the present invention performs the battery cell shelling operation, the first battery cell conveying mechanism is used to convey the battery cell to the first transfer mechanism, and then the second manipulator on the first transfer mechanism grabs the battery cell, and then the first moving mechanism rotates around its center under the drive of the driving mechanism, and rotates the battery cell to the first manipulator. At the same time, the steel shell conveying mechanism conveys the steel shell to the second transfer mechanism, and the second manipulator on the second transfer device grabs the steel shell, and then the second transfer mechanism rotates around its center under the drive of the driving mechanism, and conveys the steel shell to the first manipulator. The first manipulator grabs the battery cell on the first transfer mechanism and inserts it into the steel shell on the second transfer mechanism; then, the second transfer mechanism continues to rotate, conveys the battery cell to the upper gasket structure, and performs the upper gasket operation. The first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism of the present invention are both disc-shaped, so multiple second manipulators can be set on the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism to operate the battery cells and the steel shell, which greatly improves the work efficiency. The disc-shaped structure makes the overall structure of the present invention compact, with high space utilization and small space occupation.

[0006] Preferably, it also includes a control module, which is signal-connected with the first manipulator, the second manipulator, the first transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism, the first manipulator, the second manipulator, the first battery cell conveying mechanism, the steel shell conveying mechanism and the upper gasket mechanism.

[0007] The control module uniformly regulates the first manipulator, the second manipulator, the first transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism, the first manipulator, the second manipulator, the first battery cell conveying mechanism, the steel shell conveying mechanism and the upper gasket mechanism, so that the battery cell conveying mechanism and the first transfer mechanism, the first transfer mechanism and the first manipulator, the first manipulator and the second transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism and the steel shell conveying mechanism, and the second transfer mechanism and the upper gasket mechanism can be accurately docked. Among them, the control module is a prior art, so the specification does not elaborate on it.

[0008] Preferably, the upper gasket mechanism includes a battery cell transfer mechanism, a gasket transfer mechanism and a gasket conveying mechanism arranged on the frame; the battery cell transfer mechanism includes an annular bracket arranged on the frame, a plurality of battery cell fixing devices are arranged on the edge of the annular bracket, and the annular bracket is connected to the frame through a driving mechanism; the gasket transfer mechanism includes a turntable arranged on the frame, a plurality of gripping devices are arranged at equal angles on the edge of the turntable, and the turntable is connected to the frame through a driving mechanism.

[0009] When installing the gasket, the gasket conveying mechanism conveys the gasket to the bottom of the grabbing device on the turntable. At this time, the driving mechanism drives the turntable to move downward, and the gasket grabbing mechanism thereon grabs the gasket. Then the driving mechanism drives the turntable to rise, and then rotates to the top of the battery fixing device on the battery transfer device. Then the driving mechanism drives the turntable to descend, and the gasket on the grabbing device is placed on the battery to complete the installation of the gasket. Then the grabbing device releases the gasket, and while the grabbing device descends to release the gasket, other grabbing devices on the turntable will also descend. At this time, the grabbing device located above the gasket conveying mechanism will grab the gasket on the gasket conveying device, and the installation of the gasket is completed in this reciprocating manner. Gasket grabbing and gasket installation can be completed at the same time, and the gasket installation efficiency is high.

[0010] The battery in the battery fixing device is placed by the second manipulator on the second transfer mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the battery cell fixing device includes a sleeve arranged on the edge of the rotating bracket, a support rod is arranged in the sleeve, and the support rod is connected to the frame through a lifting mechanism.

[0012] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes an annular guide rail arranged on the frame and a support block arranged at the lower end of the support rod, the annular guide rail is located below the annular guide rail, the upper surface of the annular guide rail is inclined, and the height of the annular guide rail located below the turntable is lower than the height of other parts, and the support block is against the upper surface of the annular guide rail.

[0013] The lifting mechanism is used to drive the support rod to move up and down in the sleeve. When the support block is located at a higher position on the annular guide rail, the battery is placed in the sleeve, and then the annular bracket rotates, and the support block slides toward the lower annular guide rail, so that the battery descends with the descent of the support rod until it rotates to the bottom of the turntable and the battery falls completely into the sleeve. At this time, the gasket transfer mechanism performs the gasket installation operation. Since the battery falls completely into the sleeve, it can effectively prevent the gasket from detaching during the installation process, ensuring that the gasket is smoothly installed.

[0014] Furthermore, the support portion includes a roller rotatably disposed inside the support portion, and the roller is rollingly engaged with the upper surface of the annular guide rail.

[0015] The roller that rolls with the annular guide rail enables the support part to slide more easily on the surface of the annular guide rail, thereby alleviating the burden on the driving mechanism.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a second battery cell conveying mechanism, and the second battery cell conveying mechanism is connected to the upper gasket mechanism.

[0017] The second battery cell conveying mechanism is used to convey the battery cells with gaskets installed on the upper gasket mechanism to the downward moving process.

[0018] The principle and effect of the present invention are further described below in combination with the above technical solution:

[0019] The first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism of the present invention are both disc-shaped, so multiple second manipulators can be set on the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism to operate the battery cells and the steel shell, which greatly improves the work efficiency. The disc-shaped structure makes the overall structure of the present invention compact, with high space utilization and small space occupation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic battery shell inserting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the upper gasket gasket mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Description of reference numerals:

[0023] 11-first battery cell conveying mechanism, 12-first transfer mechanism, 121, 141-second manipulator, 13-first manipulator, 14-second transfer mechanism, 15-steel shell conveying mechanism, 16-upper gasket mechanism, 161-battery cell transfer mechanism, 1611-annular bracket, 1612-battery cell fixing device, 16121-sleeve, 16122-support rod, 16123-support block, 162-gasket transfer mechanism, 1621-turntable, 1622-grasping device, 163-gasket conveying mechanism, 17-second battery cell conveying mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0025] like Figure 1-2 A battery cell automatic shelling machine comprises a frame (not shown in the figure), on which a first transfer mechanism 12, a first manipulator 13, a second transfer mechanism 14 and an upper gasket mechanism 16 are sequentially arranged, the first transfer mechanism 12 is connected to a first battery cell conveying mechanism 11, and the second transfer mechanism is connected to a steel shell conveying mechanism 15; the edges of the first transfer mechanism 12 and the second transfer mechanism 14 are fixedly provided with a plurality of second manipulators 121 and 141 distributed at equal angles, the first transfer mechanism 12 and the second transfer mechanism 14 are both disc-shaped, and are rotatably arranged on the frame through a driving mechanism.

[0026] Among them, the driving mechanism is the existing technology, which can realize the rotation of the first transfer mechanism 12 and the second transfer mechanism 14. When the present invention performs the battery cell shelling operation, the first battery cell conveying mechanism 11 is used to convey the battery cell to the first transfer mechanism 12, and then the second manipulators 121 and 141 on the first transfer mechanism 12 grab the battery cell, and then the first moving mechanism rotates around its center under the drive of the driving mechanism, and rotates the battery cell to the first manipulator 13. At the same time, the steel shell conveying mechanism 15 conveys the steel shell to the second transfer mechanism 14, and the second manipulator 141 on the second transfer device grabs the steel shell, and then the second transfer mechanism 14 rotates around its center under the drive of the driving mechanism, and conveys the steel shell to the first manipulator 13. The first manipulator 13 grabs the battery cell on the first transfer mechanism 12 and inserts it into the steel shell on the second transfer mechanism 14; then, the second transfer mechanism 14 continues to rotate, and conveys the battery cell to the upper gasket structure to perform the upper gasket operation. The first transfer mechanism 12 and the second transfer mechanism 14 of the present invention are both disc-shaped, so a plurality of second manipulators 121, 141 can be arranged on the first transfer mechanism 12 and the second transfer mechanism 14 to operate the battery cells and the steel shell, which greatly improves the work efficiency. The disc-shaped structure makes the overall structure of the present invention compact, has a high utilization rate of space, and occupies a small space.

[0027] One embodiment further includes a control module, which is signal-connected to the first manipulator 13, the second manipulator 121, 141, the first transfer mechanism 12, the second transfer mechanism 14, the first manipulator 13, the second manipulator 121, 141, the first battery cell conveying mechanism 11, the steel shell conveying mechanism 15 and the upper gasket mechanism 16.

[0028] The control module uniformly regulates the first manipulator 13, the second manipulator 121, 141, the first transfer mechanism 12, the second transfer mechanism 14, the first manipulator 13, the second manipulator 121, 141, the first battery cell conveying mechanism 11, the steel shell conveying mechanism 15 and the upper gasket mechanism 16, so that the battery cell conveying mechanism and the first transfer mechanism 12, the first transfer mechanism 12 and the first manipulator 13, the first manipulator 13 and the second transfer mechanism 14, the second transfer mechanism 14 and the steel shell conveying mechanism 15, and the second transfer mechanism 14 and the upper gasket mechanism 16 can be accurately docked. Among them, the control module is a prior art, so the specification does not elaborate on it.

[0029] In one embodiment, the upper gasket mechanism 16 includes a battery cell transfer mechanism 161, a gasket transfer mechanism 162 and a gasket conveying mechanism 163 arranged on the frame, the battery cell transfer mechanism includes an annular bracket 1611 arranged on the frame, the edge of the annular bracket 1611 is provided with a plurality of battery cell fixing devices 1612, and the annular bracket 1611 is connected to the frame through a driving mechanism; the gasket transfer mechanism 162 includes a turntable 1621 arranged on the frame, the edge of the turntable 1621 is provided with a plurality of gripping devices 1622 at equal angles, and the turntable 1621 is connected to the frame through a driving mechanism.

[0030] When installing the gasket, the gasket conveying mechanism 163 conveys the gasket to the bottom of the grabbing device 1622 on the turntable 1621. At this time, the driving mechanism drives the turntable 1621 to move downward, and the gasket grabbing mechanism thereon grabs the gasket. Then the driving mechanism drives the turntable 1621 to rise, and then rotates to the top of the battery fixing device on the battery transfer device. Then the driving mechanism drives the turntable 1621 to descend, and the gasket on the grabbing device 1622 is placed on the battery to complete the installation of the gasket. Then the grabbing device 1622 releases the gasket, and while the grabbing device 1622 descends to release the gasket, the other grabbing devices 1622 on the turntable 1621 will also descend. At this time, the grabbing device 1622 located above the gasket conveying mechanism 163 will grab the gasket on the gasket conveying device, and the installation of the gasket is completed in this reciprocating manner; gasket grabbing and gasket installation can be completed at the same time, and the gasket installation efficiency is high.

[0031] The batteries in the battery fixing device are placed by the second manipulators 121 , 141 on the second transfer mechanism 14 .

[0032] In one embodiment, the battery cell fixing device 1612 includes a sleeve 16121 disposed on the edge of the rotating bracket, a support rod 16122 is disposed in the sleeve 16121, and the support rod 16122 is connected to the frame through a lifting mechanism.

[0033] In one embodiment, the lifting mechanism includes an annular guide rail arranged on the frame and a support block 16123 arranged at the lower end of the support rod 16122, the annular guide rail is located below the annular guide rail, the upper surface of the annular guide rail is inclined, and the height of the annular guide rail located below the turntable 1621 is lower than the height of other parts, and the support block 16123 is against the upper surface of the annular guide rail.

[0034] The lifting mechanism is used to drive the support rod 16122 to move up and down in the sleeve 16121. When the support block 16123 is located at a higher position on the annular guide rail, the battery is placed in the sleeve 16121, and then the annular bracket 1611 rotates, and the support block 16123 slides toward the lower annular guide rail, so that the battery descends with the descent of the support rod 16122 until it rotates to the bottom of the turntable 1621 and the battery completely falls into the sleeve 16121. At this time, the gasket transfer mechanism 162 performs the gasket installation operation. Since the battery completely falls into the sleeve 16121, it can effectively prevent the gasket from detaching during the installation process, thereby ensuring that the gasket is smoothly installed.

[0035] In one embodiment, the support portion includes a roller rotatably disposed inside the support portion, and the roller is rollingly engaged with the upper surface of the annular guide rail.

[0036] The roller that rolls with the annular guide rail enables the support part to slide more easily on the surface of the annular guide rail, thereby alleviating the burden on the driving mechanism.

[0037] One embodiment further includes a second battery cell conveying mechanism 17 , and the second battery cell conveying mechanism 17 is connected to the upper gasket mechanism 16 .

[0038] The second battery cell conveying mechanism 17 is used to convey the battery cells with gaskets installed on the upper gasket mechanism 16 to the downward moving process.

[0039] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be based on the attached claims.

Claims

1. An automatic battery cell shelling machine, comprising a frame, on which a first transfer mechanism, a first manipulator, a second transfer mechanism and an upper gasket mechanism are sequentially arranged, the first transfer mechanism is connected to a first battery cell conveying mechanism, and the second transfer mechanism is connected to a steel shell conveying mechanism; the edges of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are both fixedly provided with a plurality of second manipulators distributed at equal angles, the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are both disc-shaped, and are rotatably arranged on the frame through a driving mechanism; It is characterized in that It also includes a control module, which is signal-connected to the first manipulator, the second manipulator, the first transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism, the first battery cell conveying mechanism, the steel shell conveying mechanism, and the upper gasket mechanism; The upper gasket mechanism includes a cell transfer mechanism, a gasket transfer mechanism and a gasket conveying mechanism arranged on the frame, the cell transfer mechanism includes an annular bracket arranged on the frame, the edge of the annular bracket is provided with a plurality of cell fixing devices, and the annular bracket is connected to the frame through a driving mechanism; the gasket transfer mechanism includes a turntable arranged on the frame, the edge of the turntable is provided with a plurality of gripping devices at equal angles, and the turntable is connected to the frame through a driving mechanism; The battery cell fixing device comprises a sleeve arranged at the edge of the annular bracket, a support rod is arranged in the sleeve, and the support rod is connected to the frame through a lifting mechanism; The lifting mechanism comprises an annular guide rail arranged on the frame and a support block arranged at the lower end of the support rod, the upper surface of the annular guide rail is arranged obliquely, and the height of the annular guide rail located below the turntable is lower than the height of other parts, and the support block abuts against the upper surface of the annular guide rail; The support rod comprises a roller rotatably arranged inside the support rod, and the roller is rollably matched with the upper surface of the annular guide rail; Also included is a second battery cell conveying mechanism, the second battery cell conveying mechanism being connected to the upper gasket mechanism; When installing the gasket, the gasket conveying mechanism conveys the gasket to the bottom of the grabbing device on the turntable. At this time, the driving mechanism drives the turntable to move downward, and the gasket grabbing device on the turntable grabs the gasket. Then the driving mechanism drives the turntable to rise, and then rotates to the top of the battery cell fixing device. Then the driving mechanism drives the turntable to descend, and the gasket is placed on the battery cell to complete the installation of the gasket. Then the grabbing device releases the gasket, and while the grabbing device descends to release the gasket, other grabbing devices on the turntable will also descend. At this time, the grabbing device located above the gasket conveying mechanism will grab the gasket, and the installation of the gasket is completed in this reciprocating manner; gasket grabbing and gasket installation are completed at the same time, and the gasket installation efficiency is high.

Images