Transfer device, production device and transfer method

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a transfer device, a production device and a transfer method. The transfer device includes: a transfer station, a workpiece conveyor, a workpiece tray loading machine, a tray unloading machine and a unloading conveyor. The transfer station includes a loading station, a tray loading station and an unloading station arranged in sequence according to the transfer process. The workpiece conveyor is used to transport the workpiece to the loading station. The workpiece tray loading machine is used to take the workpiece from the loading station and load the workpiece into the tray at the tray loading station. The tray unloading machine is used to transfer the tray from the tray loading station to the unloading station. The unloading conveyor is used to transport the tray at the unloading station, realize the automatic loading, tray loading and conveying of the workpiece to the next process, and improve the efficiency of the workpiece in the tray loading and conveying process. Therefore, when the workpiece is a battery cell, the efficiency of the battery cell in the tray loading and conveying process can be greatly improved, and manual tray loading and handling can be omitted, thereby reducing production costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transportation technology, and in particular to a transfer device, a production device and a transfer method. Background Art

[0002] At present, the application of lithium batteries is becoming more and more extensive. Among them, lithium batteries include battery cells. The production and transportation efficiency of battery cells is one of the key factors determining the production efficiency of lithium batteries.

[0003] After the traditional lithium battery cells are rolled up, they need to be manually loaded into a pallet for transportation and transported to the next process manually or by conveyor. This is rather cumbersome and greatly affects the transfer efficiency of the cells in the transfer process, thereby affecting the production efficiency of lithium batteries. Summary of the invention

[0004] Based on this, a transfer device, a production device and a transfer method are proposed, aiming to solve the problem of low efficiency of loading and conveying battery cells in traditional transfer devices.

[0005] A transfer device, comprising:

[0006] Transfer stations include loading stations, palletizing stations and unloading stations arranged in sequence according to the transfer process;

[0007] A workpiece conveyor, used for conveying the workpiece to the loading station;

[0008] A workpiece tray loading machine, used to take the workpiece from the loading station and load the workpiece into a tray at the tray loading station;

[0009] a tray unloading machine, used for transferring the tray from the tray loading station to the unloading station; and

[0010] The unloading conveyor is used to convey the material tray at the unloading station.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, it further includes a tray conveyor and a tray loader, the transfer station also includes a tray station located upstream of the palletizing station, the tray conveyor is used to transport the trays to the tray station, and the tray loader is used to transfer the trays at the tray station to the palletizing station.

[0012] In one embodiment, the tray loader includes a tray conveyor belt for conveying trays, a tray manipulator and a tray pushing mechanism, the tray manipulator is used to take the tray from the tray station to the tray conveyor belt, the tray pushing mechanism is used to push the tray from the tray conveyor belt to the loading station and is connected to the tray conveyor belt.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, a limit frame is provided on the tray conveyor belt, and the limit frame is used to limit the position of the tray in a first straight line direction, and the first straight line direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray conveyor belt.

[0014] In one embodiment, the unloading station includes a discharging station and a defective station, the unloading conveyor includes a discharging conveyor and a defective conveyor, the tray unloading machine sorts the trays to the discharging station or the defective station, the discharging conveyor is used to convey the trays at the discharging station, and the defective conveyor is used to convey the trays at the defective station.

[0015] In one embodiment, the tray unloading machine includes a moving mechanism and a sorting robot, the moving mechanism is used to move the tray at the tray loading station, and the sorting robot is used to grab the tray on the moving mechanism and sort the tray to the unloading station or the defective station.

[0016] In one embodiment, the sorting robot includes a moving module, a rotating module and a clamping module. The clamping module is used to clamp or release the material tray and is connected to the rotating module. The rotating module is used to rotate the clamping module and the material tray and is connected to the moving module. The moving module is used to move the rotating module.

[0017] In one embodiment, the workpiece loading machine includes a manipulator mechanism and a drive mechanism, wherein the manipulator mechanism is used to grasp or release the workpiece and is connected to the drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism is used to move the manipulator mechanism and the workpiece.

[0018] A production device comprises: the above-mentioned transfer device and a detection device, wherein the detection device is arranged upstream of the transfer device, and the detection device is used to detect the quality of the workpiece.

[0019] A transport method comprising the following steps:

[0020] The workpiece conveyor transfers the workpiece to the loading station;

[0021] The workpiece loading machine transfers the workpiece to the loading station and loads it into the tray;

[0022] The tray unloading machine transfers the tray to the unloading station.

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0024] After adopting the above-mentioned transfer device, the workpiece conveyor transports the workpiece to the loading station, the workpiece tray loading machine takes the workpiece from the loading station and loads the workpiece into the tray at the tray loading station, the tray unloading machine transfers the tray from the tray loading station to the unloading station, and the unloading conveyor transports the tray at the unloading station, realizing the automatic loading, tray loading and transportation of the workpiece to the next process, thereby improving the efficiency of the workpiece in the tray loading and transportation process. Therefore, when the workpiece is a battery cell, the efficiency of the battery cell in the tray loading and transportation process can be greatly improved, and manual tray loading and handling can be omitted, thereby reducing production costs.

[0025] Applying the above transfer device to the production device can improve the efficiency of the workpiece in the transfer process, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the production device. Therefore, when the production device is a lithium battery production line and the workpiece is a battery cell, the transfer efficiency of the battery cell can be greatly improved, thereby improving the production efficiency of lithium batteries.

[0026] After adopting the above-mentioned transfer method, the workpiece conveyor transfers the workpiece to the loading station, the workpiece loading machine transfers the workpiece to the loading station and loads it into the tray, and the tray unloading machine transfers the tray to the unloading station, completing the automated loading, loading and conveying of the battery cells to the next process, thereby improving the efficiency of the battery cells in the loading and conveying processes, thereby improving the production efficiency of lithium batteries, eliminating manual loading and handling, and reducing production costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] in:

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a transfer device in one embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A diagram of the internal structure of the transfer device shown from one perspective.

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Another view of the internal structure of the transfer device shown.

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a workpiece palletizer in a transfer device shown.

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the moving mechanism in the transfer device shown.

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the sorting robot in the transfer device shown.

[0035] Figure 7 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the tray robot in the transfer device shown.

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the moving mechanism, tray conveyor belt and tray pushing mechanism in the transfer device shown.

[0037] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of tray separation of the moving mechanism, tray conveyor belt and tray pushing mechanism.

[0038] Fig.10 The present invention is a flow chart of a transport method in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a transfer device of one embodiment is mainly used for transfer, loading and conveying of workpieces, and comprises: a transfer station, a workpiece conveyor 100, a workpiece loading machine 300, a tray unloading machine 400 and a unloading conveyor 500. The transfer station comprises a loading station, a loading station and an unloading station which are arranged in sequence according to the transfer process; the workpiece conveyor 100 is used to convey the workpiece 10 to the loading station; the workpiece loading machine 300 is used to take the workpiece 10 from the loading station and load the workpiece 10 into the tray 20 at the loading station; the tray unloading machine 400 is used to transfer the tray 20 from the loading station to the unloading station; the unloading conveyor 500 is used to convey the tray 20 at the unloading station to the next process, so as to realize the automatic loading, loading and conveying of the workpiece to the next process, thereby improving the efficiency of the workpiece in the loading and conveying process. Therefore, when the workpiece is a battery cell, the efficiency of the battery cell in the loading and conveying process can be greatly improved, and manual loading and handling can be omitted, thereby reducing production costs. Preferably, the battery cell is a square lithium battery cell. Of course, in other embodiments, the battery cell can be a battery or other workpieces.

[0041] In this embodiment, the transfer device also includes a frame 700, and the workpiece conveyor 100, the workpiece tray loading machine 300, the material tray unloading machine 400 and the unloading conveyor 500 are installed on the frame 700 to realize the installation of various functional components, and the frame 700 is placed on a horizontal work surface.

[0042] In this embodiment, the transfer device also includes a tray conveyor 600 and a tray loader 200, and the transfer station also includes a tray station located upstream of the tray loading station. The tray conveyor 600 is used to convey the tray 20 to the tray station and is connected to the frame 700. The tray loader 200 is used to transfer the tray 20 at the tray station to the tray loading station and is connected to the frame 700, so as to realize the continuous automatic feeding of the tray 20 and automatically move the tray 20 to the tray station for the next transfer process. Preferably, the tray conveyor 600 is a conveyor belt. Of course, in other embodiments, the tray conveyor 600 can also be other structures, for example, a conveying roller group, the purpose of which is to realize the loading of the tray 20 to the tray station.

[0043] Please combine Figure 7 and Figure 8 The tray loader 200 includes a tray conveyor belt 210 for conveying the tray 20, a tray manipulator 220 and a tray pushing mechanism 230. The tray manipulator 220 is used to grab the tray 20 from the tray station to the tray conveyor belt 210 and is connected to the frame 700. The tray pushing mechanism 230 is used to push the tray 20 from the tray conveyor belt 210 to the tray loading station and is connected to the tray conveyor belt 210 to realize the mobile transportation of the tray 20 and move the tray 20 from the tray station to the tray loading station. Of course, in other embodiments, the tray loader 200 can also be other components, such as a multi-degree-of-freedom manipulator, to grab the tray 20 to a specified position.

[0044] Preferably, the tray manipulator 220 includes a third movable module 221, a fourth movable module 222, a rotating module 223 and a suction cup module 224. The suction cup module 224 is used to suck or release the tray 20 and is connected to the rotating module 223. The rotating module 223 is used to drive the suction cup module 224 and the tray 20 to rotate horizontally and is connected to the fourth movable module 222. The fourth movable module 222 is used to drive the rotating module 223 to rise and fall and is connected to the third movable module 221. The third movable module 221 is used to drive the fourth movable module 222 to move horizontally and is fixed on the frame 700 to realize the workpiece grabbing and movement of the tray manipulator 220.

[0045] In this embodiment, a limiting frame 211 is provided on the tray conveyor belt 210, and the limiting frame 211 is used to limit the position of the tray 20 in the first straight line direction, and the first straight line direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray conveyor belt 210. The limiting frame 211 forms a tapered structure with a trumpet mouth, and the tray 20 will be limited to a specified position during the conveying process of the tray conveyor belt 210, and can automatically adjust the situation that the tray 20 is not placed correctly to cooperate with the next tray pushing process of the tray pushing mechanism 230, and the tray 20 can be directly pushed to the tray loading station. Of course, in other embodiments, the limiting frame 211 can also be replaced by other mechanisms, such as a limiting roller assembly, to limit the tray 20 to a specified position to cooperate with the tray pushing mechanism 230.

[0046] Preferably, a sensor is provided on the tray pushing mechanism 230, and the sensor is used to detect the position of the tray 20 to determine whether the tray pushing mechanism 230 is working.

[0047] In this embodiment, the unloading station includes a discharging station and a defective station. The tray unloading machine 400 sorts the tray 20 to the discharging station or the defective station, sorts the tray 20 with defective workpieces 10 to the defective station, and sorts the tray 20 with qualified workpieces 10 to the discharging station.

[0048] In this embodiment, the unloading conveyor 500 includes a discharge conveyor 510 and a defective conveyor 520. The discharge conveyor 510 is used to convey the trays 20 at the discharge station, and the defective conveyor 520 is used to convey the trays 20 at the defective station, thereby respectively conveying good trays 20 and defective trays.

[0049] In this embodiment, the tray unloading machine 400 includes a moving mechanism 410 and a sorting manipulator 420. The moving mechanism 410 is used to move the tray 20 at the tray loading station, move the tray 20 to a position that is convenient for the sorting manipulator 420 to grab, and cooperate with the assembly of other structural components to form a relatively compact integrated transfer device. The sorting manipulator 420 is used to grab the tray 20 on the moving mechanism 410, and sort the tray 20 to the unloading station or the defective station to achieve the sorting of good workpieces 10 and defective workpieces 10.

[0050] Please combine Figure 6The sorting robot 420 includes a moving module 421, a rotating module 422 and a clamping module 423. The clamping module 423 is used to clamp or release the tray 20 and is connected to the rotating module 422. The rotating module 422 is used to rotate the clamping module 423 and the tray 20 and is connected to the moving module 421. The moving module 421 is used to move the rotating module 422. The rotating module 422 is used to realize the horizontal rotation of the tray 20, and the tray 20 and the workpiece 10 are rotated to an angle that satisfies the next step process to cooperate with the next step process. Preferably, the moving module 421 includes a horizontal module 4211 for driving the tray 20 to move horizontally and a vertical module 4212 for driving the tray 20 to move vertically, so as to realize the horizontal and vertical movement of the tray 20. The clamping module 423 is a chuck jaw for clamping the tray 20. The tray 20 needs to be rotated 90 degrees under the drive of the rotating module 422. Of course, in other embodiments, the moving module 421 can also be other components, and its purpose is to achieve the movement of the material tray 20. The material tray 20 can also rotate 180 degrees or other angles under the drive of the rotating module 422.

[0051] Please combine Figure 5 and Fig. 9 The moving mechanism 410 includes a tray 411 for carrying the material tray 20 and a lifting module 412 for driving the tray 411 to move up and down, so as to realize the lifting and moving of the material tray 20. The lifting module 412 is arranged on the frame 700. Preferably, a slot 4111 is provided on the tray 411, and the material tray 20 includes a positioning slot 21 at the upper end for accommodating the workpiece 10 and a positioning portion 22 at the lower end. The inner wall of the slot 4111 is positioned and matched with the positioning portion 22 to realize the stable fixing of the material tray on the tray 411, so as to meet the installation of the workpiece 10 into the material tray 20 and the lifting and moving of the material tray 20.

[0052] Please combine Figure 4The workpiece tray loading machine 300 includes a manipulator mechanism 310 and a driving mechanism 320. The manipulator mechanism 310 is used to grab or release the workpiece 10 and is connected to the driving mechanism 320. The driving mechanism 320 is used to move the manipulator mechanism 310 and the workpiece 10. The workpiece tray loading machine 300 is used to realize the tray loading of the workpiece 10 into the tray 20. Preferably, the driving mechanism 320 includes a first moving module 321 and a second moving module 322. The second moving module 322 is used to drive the manipulator mechanism 310 to move up and down and is connected to the first moving module 321. The first moving module 321 is used to drive the second moving module 322 to move horizontally and is connected to the frame 700. The manipulator mechanism 310 includes a clamping assembly 311 for clamping the workpiece 10 and a power assembly 312 for driving the clamping assembly 311 to work. Preferably, the clamping assembly 311 is a clamping claw mechanism, and the clamping size can be adjusted to adapt to workpieces of different sizes. Of course, in other embodiments, the workpiece loading machine 300 may also be other structures, the purpose of which is to realize the loading of the workpiece 10 into the material tray 20 .

[0053] In this embodiment, the workpiece conveyor 100, the tray loader 200 and the tray conveyor 600 are sequentially arranged on the lower layer of the frame 700, and the loading station is located between the workpiece conveyor 100 and the tray loader 200, the loading station is located at the end of the workpiece conveyor 100, and the workpiece loading machine 300 is arranged between the loading station and the loading station to realize the transfer of the workpiece from the loading station to the loading station, and to load the workpiece 10 into the tray 20. The moving mechanism 410 is vertically arranged on the frame 700, and the tray 411 is driven to the lower end position by the lifting module 412, that is, the loading The tray station, the tray 411 is driven to the upper end position by the lifting module 412 and is set as the first station to form an upward conveyance of the material tray 20, which is conducive to the subsequent installation of the sorting robot 420. The sorting robot 420 is arranged on the upper layer of the frame 700. The sorting robot 420 grabs the material tray 20 from the first station and sorts it to the discharge conveyor 510 and the defective conveyor 520. The discharge conveyor 510 and the defective conveyor 520 are located below the sorting robot 420. The functional components of the upper and lower layers are arranged to form a compact integrated transfer device with high transfer efficiency and space saving.

[0054] Preferably, the discharging conveyor 510 and the tray loader 200 are arranged up and down to form a double-layer conveyor belt structure, so as to realize the circulation conveyance of the material box 20, facilitate the arrangement of functional components, and save the device space.

[0055] In this embodiment, the shape and size of the upper limit frame 211 on the tray conveyor belt 210 and the shape and size of the slot 4111 on the tray 411 can be adjusted to accommodate workpieces 10 and trays 20 of different shapes and sizes, so as to realize the transfer of workpieces 10 and trays 20 of different types and models. It is an automatic transition transfer equipment.

[0056] In this embodiment, a protective cover is provided on the outside of the frame 700, leaving only the conveying ports for the workpiece conveyor 100, the unloading conveyor 500 and the tray conveyor 600 to protect the internal mechanism from dust and ensure its safe operation.

[0057] A production device includes: the above-mentioned transfer device and detection device, the detection device is arranged upstream of the transfer device, the detection device is used to detect the quality of the workpiece, when the workpiece 10 is a battery cell, the battery cell is detected, if a short circuit of the battery cell is detected, a bad signal of the workpiece 10 is output, that is, it is a defective workpiece, and in the subsequent transfer process, a sorting robot 420 is used to sort the tray 20 containing the defective workpiece to the defective conveyor 520 for output, and finally recycled.

[0058] like Fig.10 As shown, a transport method comprises the following steps:

[0059] S110 , the workpiece conveyor 100 transfers the workpiece 10 to the loading station to realize an automated loading process.

[0060] S120, the workpiece loading machine 300 transfers the workpiece to the loading station and loads it into the material tray 20 to achieve automatic loading.

[0061] S130, the tray unloading machine 400 transfers the tray 20 to the unloading station to realize automatic unloading.

[0062] By adopting the transfer method of the present invention, fully automated tray loading and conveying are adopted when transferring battery cells, which has high working efficiency and simple structure, and can fully adapt to products of different models. It is only necessary to replace the matching material box 20 according to the different models of products.

[0063] The above disclosure is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A transfer device, characterized in that: include: Transfer stations include loading stations, palletizing stations and unloading stations arranged in sequence according to the transfer process; A workpiece conveyor, used for conveying the workpiece to the loading station; A workpiece tray loading machine, used to take the workpiece from the loading station and load the workpiece into a tray at the tray loading station; a tray unloading machine, used for transferring the tray from the tray loading station to the unloading station; and A material unloading conveyor, used for conveying the material tray at the unloading station; It also includes a tray conveyor and a tray loader, the transfer station also includes a tray station located upstream of the tray loading station, the tray conveyor is used to transport the tray to the tray station, and the tray loader is used to transfer the tray at the tray station to the tray loading station; The tray loading machine comprises a tray conveyor belt for conveying trays, a tray manipulator and a tray pushing mechanism, wherein the tray manipulator is used to take the tray from the tray station to the tray conveyor belt, and the tray pushing mechanism is used to push the tray from the tray conveyor belt to the tray loading station and is connected to the tray conveyor belt; The tray manipulator includes a third moving module, a fourth moving module, a rotating module and a suction cup module. The suction cup module is used to suck or release the tray and is connected to the rotating module. The rotating module is used to drive the suction cup module and the tray to rotate horizontally and is connected to the fourth moving module. The fourth moving module is used to drive the rotating module to move up and down and is connected to the third moving module. The third moving module is used to drive the fourth moving module to move horizontally, so that the tray manipulator can grab and move the workpiece. The tray conveyor belt is provided with a limit frame, the limit frame is used to limit the position of the tray in a first straight line direction, and the first straight line direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray conveyor belt, the limit frame forms a tapered structure with a trumpet mouth, the tray will be limited to a specified position during the conveying process, and can automatically adjust the situation that the tray is not placed correctly, so as to cooperate with the next step of the tray pushing process of the tray pushing mechanism, and the tray can be directly pushed to the tray loading station; The unloading station includes a discharging station and a defective station, the unloading conveyor includes a discharging conveyor and a defective conveyor, the tray unloading machine sorts the trays to the discharging station or the defective station, the discharging conveyor is used to convey the trays at the discharging station, and the defective conveyor is used to convey the trays at the defective station; The tray unloading machine comprises a moving mechanism and a sorting manipulator, wherein the moving mechanism is used to move the tray at the tray loading station, and the sorting manipulator is used to grab the tray on the moving mechanism and sort the tray to the unloading station or the defective station; The moving mechanism includes a tray for carrying the material tray and a lifting module for driving the tray to lift up and down, and the moving mechanism is used for lifting and moving the material tray; a slot is provided on the tray, and the material tray includes a positioning slot at the upper end for accommodating the workpiece and a positioning portion at the lower end, and the inner wall of the slot is positioned and matched with the positioning portion to realize fixing the material tray on the tray; The workpiece loading machine includes a manipulator mechanism and a drive mechanism. The manipulator mechanism is used to grab or release the workpiece and is connected to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is used to move the manipulator mechanism and the workpiece.

2. The transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sorting robot comprises a moving module, a rotating module and a clamping module, wherein the clamping module is used to clamp or release the material tray and is connected to the rotating module, the rotating module is used to rotate the clamping module and the material tray and is connected to the moving module, and the moving module is used to move the rotating module; The moving module includes a transverse module for driving the material tray to move horizontally and a vertical module for driving the material tray to move vertically. The moving module is used to realize the horizontal and vertical movement of the material tray. The clamping module is a chuck jaw for clamping the material tray. The material tray can rotate under the drive of the rotating module.

3. The transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism includes a first moving module and a second moving module. The second moving module is used to drive the manipulator mechanism to move up and down and is connected to the first moving module. The first moving module is used to drive the second moving module to move horizontally. The manipulator mechanism includes a clamping assembly for clamping the workpiece and a power assembly for driving the clamping assembly to work.

4. A production device, characterized in that: include: The transfer device and the detection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection device is arranged upstream of the transfer device, and the detection device is used to detect the quality of the workpiece.

5. A transport method, characterized in that: The method of transporting using the transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprises the following steps: The workpiece conveyor transfers the workpiece to the loading station; The workpiece loading machine transfers the workpiece to the loading station and loads it into the tray; The tray unloading machine transfers the tray to the unloading station.

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