A battery cell flattening and blanking integrated machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of intelligent manufacturing, and specifically discloses a battery cell flattening and discharging integrated machine, which includes a processing platform and a battery cell feeding device, a battery cell flattening device, and a battery cell discharging device arranged on the processing platform; the battery cell flattening device includes a plurality of workstations equipped with load boxes and a battery cell pressing mechanism, and the battery cell pressing mechanism is used to perform cold pressing and / or hot pressing on the battery cells loaded on the load boxes; the battery cell feeding device is used to repeatedly move a plurality of battery cells from the battery cell material source to the load boxes waiting for feeding for multiple times; the battery cell discharging device is used to move the battery cells that have undergone the flattening process from the load boxes to the pre-storage workstations. The present invention realizes processes such as automatic winding feeding, automatic flattening, and automatic discharging, improves efficiency, and eliminates the hidden danger of damaging the battery cells or ear tabs due to manual operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of intelligent manufacturing, and particularly to an integrated machine for flattening and blanking of battery cells. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the processing method of square battery cells is as follows: after the circular battery cells (referring to those with a circular cross-section, hereinafter simply referred to as battery cells) are wound, workers manually load the battery cells onto trays on the blanking conveyor belt of the winding machine and transfer them to the flattening machine; then, the loading workers of the flattening machine take out the battery cells from the trays and place them into the feeding port of the flattening machine for flattening and forming; finally, the workers at the blanking station of the flattening machine take out the flattened and formed battery cells one by one and place them back into the trays.

[0003] The disadvantages of the existing method are as follows: the workstations are relatively scattered, the integration degree of the corresponding devices at multiple workstations is low, manual handling of semi-finished products and picking and placing of loading and unloading are required between workstations, and the automation degree of the whole process is low, resulting in low production efficiency. In addition, since manual operation may touch the battery cells, there is a risk of damaging the battery cells, especially the battery cell tabs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an integrated machine for flattening and blanking of battery cells with high integration degree, which can complete the processes of flattening, loading, and unloading of battery cells in a mechanically automated manner. The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0005] An integrated machine for flattening and blanking of battery cells, comprising a processing platform and a battery cell loading device, a battery cell flattening device, a battery cell discharging device, and a controller arranged on the processing platform;

[0006] The battery cell flattening device includes a battery cell pressing mechanism, a loading box, and a transfer mechanism. The loading box is arranged on the transfer mechanism, and the transfer mechanism is controlled by the controller to drive the loading box to sequentially switch between a loading station, a pressing station, and a discharging station; the battery cell pressing mechanism is controlled by the controller to press the battery cells loaded in the loading box.

[0007] The battery cell loading device moves the un-pressed battery cells into the loading box at the loading station under the control of the controller;

[0008] The battery cell discharging device moves the pressed battery cells in the loading box at the discharging station to a pre-storage station under the control of the controller.

[0009] Further, the transfer mechanism is a turntable and a turntable rotation mechanism; the turntable includes at least two stations for installing loading boxes; the turntable rotation mechanism is used to drive the turntable to rotate to realize station conversion.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, a short-circuit detection mechanism for the cell tabs is further provided at the pressing station, and the short-circuit detection mechanism for the cell tabs is electrically connected to the controller.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the integrated machine further includes a buffer conveyor belt installed on the processing platform for conveying the pressed cells, and the pre-storage station is arranged on the buffer conveyor belt.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, a number of product accommodation positions are provided on the buffer conveyor belt, including a loading station and an unloading station; a replenishment station is also arranged between the loading station and the unloading station; each time the buffer conveyor belt conveys a step length, every two product accommodation positions are alternately located at the replenishment station; a replenishment mechanism including a product picking and placing mechanism and a product detection component is arranged corresponding to the replenishment station, the product detection component detects whether the two product accommodation positions currently corresponding to the replenishment station accommodate products, and the product picking and placing mechanism can be controlled to grab the product existing alone in the product accommodation position currently corresponding to the replenishment station and put the grabbed product into the undergrade existing alone in the product accommodation position corresponding to the replenishment station next time for material replenishment; the unloading and loading mechanism clamps and loads an even number of consecutive products.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the integrated machine further includes a rejection mechanism, which is located between the loading station and the replenishment station and is electrically connected to the controller; the rejection mechanism includes a visual detection device for visually detecting the products on the conveyor belt, and a rejection action mechanism for rejecting defective products according to the detection results of the visual detection device.

[0014] Further, the visual detection device is a CCD camera; the rejection action mechanism includes push rods corresponding to the number of product accommodation positions corresponding to the replenishment station for rejecting defective products out of the conveyor belt, and first Y-direction linear power components correspondingly connected to the push rods.

[0015] A further technical solution further includes a loading platform and a cell loading station, a tray stack loading station, a tray handling mechanism and a cell automatic loading mechanism arranged on the loading platform;

[0016] The loading platform is fixedly connected to the processing platform;

[0017] The tray stack loading station is used for storing a stack of trays without loaded cells;

[0018] The tray handling mechanism is used for moving the tray from the tray stack loading station to the cell loading station;

[0019] The automatic cell loading mechanism is used to repeatedly move a plurality of cells from the buffer conveyor belt to the first tray located on the upper layer at the cell loading station.

[0020] Furthermore, it further includes a tray height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the tray stack and the first tray at the cell loading station.

[0021] Even further, it further includes a tray stack unloading mechanism installed on the loading platform. The tray stack unloading mechanism is provided with a Y-direction moving device for pushing the tray stack filled with cells to the tray stack unloading station.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention integrates the cell feeding device, the cell flattening device, the cell discharging device and the controller on one processing platform, realizing automatic feeding, automatic flattening and automatic discharging of the wound cells and other processes, greatly improving the efficiency and eliminating the hidden danger of damaging the cells or the tabs due to manual operation. In addition, the present invention also designs corresponding mechanical structures for the loading process, and realizes the automation of loading at the same time, greatly improving the efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a preferred working flow chart of an embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cell feeding device in an embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 is a top view of the cell flattening device in an embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 is Figure 4 the front view of the cell flattening device described in

[0029] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cold pressing mechanism in an embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the hot pressing mechanism in an embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a single undergrade product appearing at the replenishment station in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 is the replenishment mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention willFigure 8 Remove a battery cell clamp from the in-process feeding station, and integrate two consecutive schematic diagrams of substandard products;

[0033] Figure 10 This is an embodiment of the present invention. When a single substandard product appears again at the feeding station, the feeding mechanism clamps and replenishes a battery cell that has been removed into this substandard position, and integrates two consecutive battery cell schematic diagrams;

[0034] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present invention, where a rejection mechanism and a feeding mechanism are provided on the buffer conveyor belt;

[0035] Figure 12 is Figure 11 a schematic diagram from another angle;

[0036] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the battery cell discharging device in the embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 14 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the battery cell automatic loading mechanism in the embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 15 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tray handling mechanism in the embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 16 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tray height adjustment mechanism and the tray stacking and discharging mechanism in the embodiment of the integrated machine of the present invention;

[0040] The reference numerals therein are:

[0041] 1. Battery cell feeding device; 1001. First battery cell manipulator; 1002. First X-direction moving device; 1003. First Y-direction moving device; 1004. First Z-direction moving device; 1005. First battery cell suction nozzle;

[0042] 2. Battery cell flattening device; 2001. Loading station; 2002. Cold pressing station; 2003. Hot pressing station; 2004. Discharging station; 2005. Turntable; 2006. Cold pressing mechanism; 2007. Hot pressing mechanism; 2009. Ear short-circuit detection mechanism; 2010. First upper pressing plate; 2011. Second upper pressing plate; 2012. Carrying box; 2014. Turntable rotation power device; 2015. Turntable rotation power connecting piece;

[0043] 3. Buffer conveyor belt; 3001. Pre-storage station; 3002. Photoelectric switch assembly; 3003. Rejection mechanism; 3004. Buffer discharging station; 3123. Accommodation position; 3124. Servo drive assembly; 3126. Sub-grade product; 320. Rejection mechanism; 3201. Push rod; 3202. First Y-direction linear power component; 3203. Defective product box; 330. Product picking and placing mechanism; 3301. Refilling station; 3301a. First accommodation position of the refilling station; 3301b. Second accommodation position of the refilling station; 3302. First photoelectric switch assembly; 3303. First finger cylinder; 3304. Second X-direction linear power component; 3305. Second Z-direction linear power component; 3306. Refilling support; 3307. Guide rod; 3401. Second photoelectric switch assembly;

[0044] 4. Battery cell discharging device; 4001. Second battery cell manipulator; 4002. Second Y-direction moving device; 4003. Second Z-direction moving device; 4004. Second battery cell suction nozzle;

[0045] 5001. Battery cell loading station; 5002. Pallet stack loading station;

[0046] 6. Discharging and loading mechanism; 6001. Third battery cell manipulator; 6002. Third X-direction moving device; 6003. Third Y-direction moving device; 6004. Third Z-direction moving device; 6005. Third lifting cylinder; 6006. Third battery cell suction nozzle;

[0047] 7. Pallet handling mechanism; 7001. Suction cup manipulator; 7002. Suction cup X-direction moving device; 7003. Suction cup Z-direction moving device;

[0048] 8. Pallet height adjustment mechanism; 8001. Lifting device;

[0049] 9. Pallet stack discharging mechanism; 9001. Pallet stack discharging station; 9002. Pallet stack Y-direction moving device; 9003. Loading platform;

[0050] 10. Discharging conveyor belt; 11. Processing platform.

[0051] The following further elaborates on the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Specific Embodiments

[0052] This embodiment is used to introduce the technical solution of the present invention, but the specific embodiments shall not be regarded as limitations to the technical solution. For the convenience of description, the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction are defined by the coordinate axes in the relevant drawings. Please refer to the drawings for details.

[0053] As Figures 1 - 16As shown in the figure, a cell flattening and blanking integrated machine is used to flatten circular cells or pre-flattened cells (in this embodiment, the cells come from the blanking conveyor belt 10 of the winding machine, or can also be other cell material sources) to make them into square cells; it includes a processing platform 11, which includes a cell loading device 1, a cell flattening device 2, a cell discharging device 4 and a PLC controller installed on the processing platform 11. The cell flattening device 2 includes a turntable 2005, and there are 4 working stations arranged in a circumferential order on the turntable 2005, namely a material loading station 2001, a cold pressing station 2002, a hot pressing station 2003 and a discharging station 2004. There is a loading box 2012 at each working station; each loading box 2012 can accommodate M cells. The material loading station 2001 is loaded through the cell loading device 1, and the four working stations are processed simultaneously. After one processing, the turntable 2005 rotates, and the cell materials are sequentially turned to the next working station. Finally, the processed square cells are taken away at one time by the cell discharging device 4 at the discharging station 2004. The cell loading device 1 coordinates with the blanking conveyor belt 10 of the winding machine and the processing speed of the cell flattening device 2. During the process of the turntable 2005 rotating one working station, the cell loading device 1 can repeatedly pick up N cells from the blanking conveyor belt 10 of the winding machine multiple times and put the N cells into the loading box 2012 at the material loading station 2001 of the cell flattening device 2. The loading box 2012 can be filled with M cells. Among them, N is a natural number greater than 1, and M is an integer multiple of N, realizing the speed matching between the blanking conveyor belt 10 of the winding machine and the cell flattening device 2. The cell discharging device 4 picks up M cells from the discharging station 2004 and puts the M cells on the pre-storage station 3001. A tray for storing cells can be set at the pre-storage station 3001, or the pre-storage station 3001 can be set on the buffer conveyor belt 3. The PLC controller, which is not shown in the figure, has the full English name of Programmable Logic Controller, that is, a programmable logic controller, which is a digital operation electronic system designed specifically for application in an industrial environment. It uses a programmable memory to store instructions for performing operations such as logical operations, sequential control, timing, counting and arithmetic operations inside it, and controls various types of mechanical equipment or production processes through digital or analog inputs and outputs. The PLC controller is electrically connected to the start switches of the cell loading device 1, the cell flattening device 2 and the cell discharging device 4. Through the PLC controller, the cell loading device 1 is controlled to complete automatic loading, the cell flattening device 2 is controlled to complete automatic flattening, and the cell discharging device 4 is controlled to complete automatic blanking, realizing automated production. The present invention integrates the cell loading device 1, the cell flattening device 2, the cell blanking device 4 and the PLC controller on a processing platform, realizing processes such as automatic loading, automatic flattening and automatic blanking of the wound cells, greatly improving the efficiency and eliminating the hidden danger of damaging the cells or the tabs due to manual operation.In addition, the present invention also designs a corresponding mechanical structure for the tray loading process, and at the same time realizes the automation of tray loading, greatly improving the efficiency.

[0054] As Figure 1 , Figures 4 - 7 shown, the battery cell flattening device 2 includes a turntable rotation mechanism, and the turntable rotation mechanism includes a turntable rotation power device 2014 and a turntable rotation power connecting member 2015; the turntable 2005 is connected to the turntable rotation power device 2014 through the turntable rotation power connecting member 2015; after the processing actions at each station are completed, the turntable rotation power device 2014 drives the turntable 2005, so that each carrier box 2012 rotates to the next station to receive the processing actions at the next station. The turntable rotation power device 2014 is a rotary stepping motor, a rotary servo motor or a cam divider. The cam divider is also called a cam indexing device or an intermittent divider in engineering, and is a high-precision rotary device. The indexing cam installed in its input shaft is connected to the output turret. The cam rollers radially embedded in the circumference of the output turret and the taper support ribs of the indexing cam make linear contact on their corresponding inclined surfaces to realize the intermittent conveying of the output turret in the circumferential direction. The output shaft of the output turret is the turntable rotation power connecting member 2015 of the turntable 2005, and finally controls the turntable 2005 to rotate a certain angle as required. In the case where the turntable 2005 has 4 stations in this embodiment, after the processing at each station is completed, the cam divider drives the turntable 2005 to rotate 90°. In other possible implementation manners, in the case where the turntable 2005 has 3 stations, after the processing at each station is completed, the cam divider drives the turntable 2005 to rotate 120°; in the case where there are 2 stations, after the processing at each station is completed, the cam divider drives the turntable 2005 to rotate 180°. Generally, setting 2 stations can be the same station for loading and unloading, and the same station for cold pressing and hot pressing. Thus, the automated production of the battery cell flattening device 2 is realized, the manual intervention is reduced, and the battery cell or the ear is prevented from being damaged due to human misoperation.

[0055] As Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the battery cell flattening device 2 also includes a pressure panel. The embodiment of the pressure panel can use the processing platform 11 as the pressure panel. The pressure panel is fixedly arranged below the turntable 2005 to support the cargo box 2012 when the cargo box 2012 is under pressure. A plurality of legs can be rigidly connected to the bottom of the pressure panel, and the legs are supported on the ground, or the legs are fastened to the ground by bolts. The pressure panel needs to avoid the turntable rotating power device 2014 or the turntable rotating power connecting member 2015; in this embodiment, the pressure panel is provided with an avoidance hole for the turntable rotating power device 2014, which is used to avoid the turntable rotating power device 2014 or the turntable rotating power connecting member 2015. The multi-station integrated battery cell flattening device 2 can be realized on the processing platform 11.

[0056] like Figure 1 , Figures 5 - 7 As shown, the battery cell pressure mechanism includes a cold pressure mechanism 2006 and / or a hot pressure mechanism 2007, and the carrier box 2012 is a rigid body. The cold pressure mechanism 2006 performs a first flattening action on the battery cell through the upper and lower cooperation between the first upper pressure plate 2010 and the carrier box 2012, and the hot pressure mechanism 2007 performs a second flattening and pressure-maintaining molding action on the battery cell through the upper and lower cooperation between the second upper pressure plate 2011 and the carrier box 2012.

[0057] like Figure 1 , Figures 8 - 12 As shown, the conveying direction of the buffer conveyor belt 3 is the X direction, and the buffer conveyor belt 3 is provided with a plurality of accommodating positions 3123 for accommodating the battery cells, and the distance between adjacent accommodating positions 3123 is called the material distance ( Figure 11 Marked as d), the buffer conveyor belt 3 moves two material spacings (i.e. 2d) for each step length. At least one storage position 3123 located upstream of the buffer conveyor belt 3 serves as a pre-storage station 3001, and the pre-storage station 3001 is used to receive the flattened cells output from the cell flattening device; at least one storage position 3123 located downstream of the buffer conveyor belt 3 serves as a buffer unloading station 3004, and the buffer unloading station 3004 is a station for unloading the cells and loading them onto trays; in this embodiment, the pre-storage station 3001 and the buffer unloading station 3004 correspond to four storage positions 3123 respectively. Figures 8 - 12As shown, the rejection mechanism 320 is provided with a rejection station corresponding to the pre-storage station 3001 and the buffer discharging station 3004 on the buffer conveyor belt 3. The rejection station corresponds to the battery cells on two accommodating positions. When a defective battery cell appears at the rejection station, the rejection mechanism 320 removes the defective battery cell from the buffer conveyor belt 3. The rejection mechanism 320 is further provided with a vision detection device for battery cell inspection at one end close to the pre-storage station 3001; in this embodiment, the vision detection device is a CCD camera for vision photography. The CCD camera is not shown in the figure. The full English name of CCD is Charge Coupled Device, which is a charge-coupled device. It can convert light into charges for storage and transfer, and can also take out the stored charges to change the voltage. It is an ideal photographic element. The CCD camera is internally provided with a standard photo comparison program for comparing the photos of the detection object. As a possible implementation, the CCD camera can be arranged between the tray and the buffer conveyor belt 3, especially on the inevitable path before the robot loading of the battery cell discharging device 4. The number of battery cells clamped by the loading robot can be two, four or eight. They are moved above the CCD camera, and the CCD camera takes vision photos of the multiple battery cells to detect defective products.

[0058] The purpose of this detection is to confirm the shape of the battery cell, such as whether the width after thermal flattening is consistent, and whether the battery cell tabs are deformed or damaged. The CCD camera is electrically connected to the PLC controller. The PLC controller, according to the detection result of the CCD camera, coordinates with the conveying speed of the buffer conveyor belt 3 and controls the action of the switch push rod 3201; when the detection result of the CCD camera is a defective product, the PLC controller turns on the switch of the first linear power member 3202 in the Y direction, and the push rod 3201 extends to push the defective product out of the accommodating position 3123 of the buffer conveyor belt 3, so that all the battery cells for subsequent discharging and loading into the tray are good products. Then, the push rod 3201 retracts. In this embodiment, the PLC controller is electrically connected to the CCD camera and the switch of the rejection mechanism 320 through serial connection methods such as RS232, RS485 or USB to control the operating sequence of the CCD camera and the rejection mechanism 320. When the rejection mechanism 320 extends to push the defective product out of the accommodating position 3123 of the buffer conveyor belt 3 in the Y direction, the accommodating position 3123 becomes an under-grade position (an accommodating position without a battery cell) 3126.

[0059] As Figures 8 - 12As shown, the feeding mechanism 330 is located between the rejection mechanism 320 and the buffer discharging station 3004. The feeding mechanism 330 is correspondingly provided with an area including two consecutive accommodating positions 3123 on the buffer conveyor belt 3 (referred to as the feeding station 3301). The buffer conveyor belt 3 moves two material pitches 2d per step, that is, two accommodating positions 3123 of the feeding station 3301 are updated per step. Therefore, the state of the feeding station 3301 continuously changes with the state of whether the accommodating positions 3123 on the buffer conveyor belt 3 are equipped with battery cells. As Figures 9 - 12 shown, two first optoelectronic switch assemblies 3302 are provided on the feeding station 3301, corresponding to the first accommodating position 3301a and the second accommodating position 3301b of the feeding station respectively, and are used to detect whether there is a substandard position 3126 in the feeding station 3301. The feeding mechanism 330 is provided with a second X-direction linear power member. When the state of a substandard position 3126 appears for the Kth time on the feeding station 3301, the feeding mechanism 330 switches to the position of the remaining accommodating position 3123 of a battery cell in the feeding station 3301 through the second X-direction linear power member, clamps the remaining battery cell in the feeding station 3301, and temporarily stores it, and integrates the buffer conveyor belt 3 passing through the feeding station 3301 into a state of two consecutive substandard positions 3126; when the state of a substandard position 3126 appears for the (K + 1)th time on the feeding station 3301, the feeding mechanism 330 switches to the position of the substandard position 3126 in the feeding station 3301 through the second X-direction linear power member, and the feeding mechanism 330 replenishes a battery cell clamped by it into the substandard position 3126, and integrates the buffer conveyor belt 3 passing through the feeding station 3301 into a state of two consecutive battery cells. Wherein, K is a natural number of 1 or more than 1.

[0060] Generally, four accommodating positions 3123 are provided at the buffer discharging station 3004. The blanking and loading mechanism 6 is located at the buffer discharging station 3004. The blanking and loading mechanism 6 is provided with two or four second optoelectronic switch assemblies 3401, and is used to detect whether the state passing through the buffer discharging station 3004 is a state of four consecutive substandard positions 3126, a state of two consecutive battery cells, or a state of four consecutive battery cells; if there is a state of four consecutive substandard positions 3126 at the buffer discharging station 3004, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 does not act; if there are two consecutive battery cells at the buffer discharging station 3004, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 first takes away two battery cells. After the next battery cell is conveyed, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 takes away two battery cells again. Finally, four battery cells are obtained on the blanking and loading mechanism 6 and are placed in the corresponding accommodating positions 3123 of the tray; if there are four consecutive battery cells at the buffer discharging station 3004, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 acts once, and four consecutive battery cells can be obtained from the buffer conveyor belt 3 and are placed in the corresponding accommodating positions 3123 of the tray.

[0061] The present invention can simply and efficiently remove defective products and refill the spaces after removing the defective products. The blanking procedure is simple and the blanking count is accurate.

[0062] The pre-storage station 3001 may be provided with a plurality of receiving positions 3123 for loading the battery cells. The number can be two, four or eight, depending on the needs of the production equipment. In this embodiment, the number is four. The manipulator loads four battery cells each time, which is matched with the speed of the buffer conveyor belt 3.

[0063] The rejection mechanism 320 is further provided with a rejection action mechanism. The rejection action mechanism includes a push rod 3201 corresponding to the number of product receiving positions of the replenishment station for removing defective products from the buffer conveyor belt 3, and a first Y-direction linear power member 3202 correspondingly connected to the push rod 3201. In order to cooperate with the buffer conveyor belt 3 to move two material pitches 2d per step, there are two push rods 3201 in this embodiment. The first Y-direction linear power member 3202 can be a linear cylinder, a lead screw and nut assembly, a linear motor or a pen-shaped cylinder, and can be selected according to the size of the battery cell and the material pitch. In this embodiment, it is a pen-shaped cylinder. The start switch of each first Y-direction linear power member 3202 is electrically connected to the PLC controller, and the PLC controller controls the rejection action of each push rod 3201.

[0064] As a possible implementation manner, on the opposite side of the buffer conveyor belt 3 where the push rod 3201 is located, there is also a defective product box 203 for receiving defective products, which is used to receive the removed defective products for easy collection.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first optoelectronic switch assembly 3302 includes a light emitting part and a receiving part. The light emitting part and the receiving part are correspondingly installed on both sides of the area of the replenishing station 3301 corresponding to the buffer conveyor belt 3. By detecting the occlusion of the light beam by the battery cell to be detected, the circuit is turned on by the synchronization circuit, so as to detect whether there is a battery cell on the corresponding accommodation position 3123. The state of the replenishing station 3301 continuously changes with the state of whether the accommodation position 3123 on the buffer conveyor belt 3 is equipped with a battery cell. For the convenience of description, if the accommodation position 3123 is equipped with a battery cell, it is set to 1, and if there is no battery cell, it is set to 0. The accommodation positions 3123 of the replenishing station 3301 are assumed to be the first accommodation position 3301a of the replenishing station and the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station; when the buffer conveyor belt 3 after passing through the rejection mechanism 320 reaches the replenishing station 3301, the states of the replenishing station 3301 are: 10, 01, 11; among them, 10 means that there is a battery cell on the first accommodation position 3301a of the replenishing station, and the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station is the undergrade position 3126; 01 means that the first accommodation position 3301a of the replenishing station is the undergrade position 3126, and there is a battery cell on the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station; 11 means that there are battery cells on both the first accommodation position 3301a and the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station. When the state of an undergrade position 3126 appears for the Kth time on the replenishing station 3301, that is, the state of the replenishing station 3301 is 10, the replenishing mechanism 330 grabs the remaining battery cell in the first accommodation position 3301a of the replenishing station, so that both the first accommodation position 3301a and the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station are the undergrade positions 3126, that is, the state of 00, or when the state of the replenishing station 3301 is 01, the replenishing mechanism 330 grabs the remaining battery cell in the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station, so that both the first accommodation position 3301a and the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station are the undergrade positions 3126, that is, the state of 00; when the state of an undergrade position 3126 appears for the (K + 1)th time on the replenishing station 3301, that is, the state of the replenishing station 3301 is 10 or 01, the replenishing mechanism 330 replenishes the grabbed battery cell into the undergrade position 3126, so that both the first accommodation position 3301a and the second accommodation position 3301b of the replenishing station are equipped with battery cells, that is, the even state of 11.

[0066] The feeding mechanism 330 is further provided with a second X-direction linear power component 3304 for switching positions between two accommodating positions 3123 within the feeding station 3301, and a second Z-direction linear power component 3305 for approaching or moving away from the feeding station 3301, which are used to adjust the gripper on the feeding mechanism 330 to align with the accommodating position 3123 containing the battery cell on the feeding station 3301 for facilitating the gripping of the battery cell, or to adjust the gripper on the feeding mechanism 330 and the battery cell gripped by the gripper to align with the underqualified position 3126 on the feeding station 3301 for facilitating the replenishment of the battery cell. It should be noted that when the state of the feeding station 3301 is in the 00 or 11 state, the feeding mechanism 330 does not operate. After the defective products are removed from the battery cells, the feeding mechanism 330 integrates the underqualified positions 3126 on the integrated buffer conveyor belt 3, facilitating subsequent blanking and tray loading as well as accurate counting.

[0067] The second X-direction linear power component 3304 can be a linear cylinder, a lead screw and nut assembly, or a linear motor. In this embodiment, it is a linear cylinder, and its purpose is to enable the gripper of the first finger cylinder 3303 to switch positions between the first accommodating position 3301a of the feeding station and the second accommodating position 3301b of the feeding station, facilitating the gripping of the battery cells in the 10 state or the 01 state, and facilitating the accurate release of the battery cells in the 10 state or the 01 state during the subsequent feeding process. The second Z-direction linear power component 3305 can enable the first finger cylinder 3303 to move downward close to the buffer conveyor belt 3 for facilitating the gripping or releasing of the battery cell, or to move upward away from the buffer conveyor belt 3, thus not affecting the normal conveying operation of the buffer conveyor belt 3; the second Z-direction linear power component 3305 can be a linear cylinder, a lead screw and nut assembly, a linear motor or a pen-shaped cylinder. In this embodiment, it is a pen-shaped cylinder, which is small in volume and convenient for installation.

[0068] The cell loading and unloading conveying device further includes a replenishment bracket 3306 installed on one side of the buffer conveyor belt 3. The first finger cylinder 3303 is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the second X-direction linear power component 3304, and the piston rod of the second Z-direction linear power component 3305 is fixedly connected to the replenishment bracket 3306; the second Z-direction linear power component 3305 is fixedly connected to the second X-direction linear power component 3304, and the second X-direction linear power component 3304 is slidably connected in the vertical direction between the guide rod 3307 in the Z direction and the guide rod 3307 hole opened on the replenishment bracket 3306. The gripper switch of the first finger cylinder 3303 belonging to the replenishment mechanism 330 can be electrically connected to the PLC controller through a serial connection method such as RS232, RS485, or USB to control the correct actuation sequence of the gripper of the first finger cylinder 3303; the actuation switches of the second X-direction linear power component 3304 and the second Z-direction linear power component 3305 can be electrically connected to the PLC controller through a serial connection method such as RS232, RS485, or USB to control the actuation sequences of the second X-direction linear power component 3304 and the second Z-direction linear power component 3305.

[0069] The buffer conveyor belt 3 is connected with a servo drive assembly 3124 for step control. The servo drive assembly 3124 includes a servo driver, a belt, a pulley set, etc. The English name of the servo driver is Servo Drive, and its function is similar to that of an inverter acting on an ordinary AC motor. It is mainly used for a high-precision positioning system, so that the step distance of the accommodation position 3123 is relatively accurate during the process of the buffer conveyor belt 3 conveying the cells, and the material distance per step is 2d.

[0070] The position of the blanking and loading mechanism 6 corresponds to the buffer blanking station 3004. The blanking and loading mechanism 6 is provided with a second product detection component. In this embodiment, it includes two or four second photoelectric switch components 3401 (which can also be other even numbers) of the second product detection component, and is used to detect whether there are two consecutive battery cells (i.e., 0011 or 1100) or four consecutive battery cells (i.e., 1111) on the buffer blanking station 3004. When there are two consecutive battery cells (i.e., 0011 or 1100) on the buffer blanking station 3004, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 operates twice. Each time, two consecutive battery cells are clamped from the buffer conveyor belt 3, and the four clamped battery cells are placed in the corresponding four accommodation positions 3123 of the tray. During this process, the buffer conveyor belt 3 needs to move one or more steps until the number of battery cells clamped on the blanking and loading mechanism 6 reaches four (i.e., 1111); when there are four consecutive battery cells (i.e., 1111) on the buffer blanking station 3004, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 clamps four consecutive battery cells (i.e., 1111) from the buffer conveyor belt 3 at one time and places them in the corresponding accommodation positions 3123 of the tray. The switch of the power component assembly of the blanking and loading mechanism 6 and the second photoelectric switch component 3401 can be electrically connected to the PLC controller through serial connection methods such as RS232, RS485, or USB to control the correct operation of the blanking and loading mechanism 6. Two or four second photoelectric switch components 3401 can both achieve the above process. The light-emitting part and the receiving part of the second photoelectric switch component 3401 are correspondingly installed on both sides of the blanking station area corresponding to the buffer conveyor belt 3. Correspondingly, the blanking and loading mechanism 6 needs to set a third X-direction linear power component. When there are two consecutive battery cells (i.e., 0011 or 1100) on the buffer blanking station 3004 and two clamps of battery cells are required, it is used to adjust the relative position of its blanking manipulator in the X direction on the buffer blanking station 3004 to avoid the blanking manipulator that has clamped the battery cells from touching the battery cells on the buffer blanking station 3004. For example, when the state of 0011 appears twice continuously on the buffer blanking station 3004, when the state of 0011 appears for the first time on the buffer blanking station 3004, the battery cells clamped by the blanking manipulator are in the state of 0011. When the state of 0011 appears for the second time on the buffer blanking station 3004, the third X-direction linear power component drives the blanking manipulator to avoid the clamped 11 part from the 11 state on the buffer blanking station 3004 to avoid interference, and at the same time align the empty part of the blanking manipulator with the accommodation position of the 11 part on the buffer blanking station 3004; conversely, when the state of 0011 appears for the first time on the buffer blanking station 3004, it is also adjusted in this way.

[0071] When the blanking and loading mechanism 6 is provided with two second photoelectric switch components 3401, the second photoelectric switch components 3401 detect in two steps, and the detection results each time are fed back to the PLC controller. The PLC controller stores instructions for performing operations such as logical operations, sequential control, timing, counting, and arithmetic operations internally, and controls the blanking and loading mechanism 6 and the second photoelectric switch components 3401 through digital or analog input and output. When the second photoelectric switch components 3401 cumulatively detect that the state of the battery cells on the buffer blanking station 3004 is 1111, the PLC controller controls the actuator of the blanking and loading mechanism 6 to pick up four battery cells from the buffer blanking station 3004 and place them in the corresponding accommodation positions 3123 of the tray;

[0072] When the blanking and loading mechanism 6 is provided with four second photoelectric switch components 3401, the second photoelectric switch components 3401 can detect in one step, and the detection results are fed back to the PLC controller. The PLC controller stores instructions for performing operations such as logical operations, sequential control, timing, counting, and arithmetic operations internally, and controls the blanking and loading mechanism 6 and the second photoelectric switch components 3401 through digital or analog input and output. When the second photoelectric switch components 3401 cumulatively detect that the state of the battery cells on the buffer blanking station 3004 is 1111, the PLC controller controls the manipulator actuator switch of the blanking and loading mechanism 6, and the manipulator actuator of the blanking and loading mechanism 6 picks up four battery cells from the buffer blanking station 3004 and places them in the corresponding accommodation positions 3123 of the tray. The present invention can simply and efficiently eliminate defective products and replenish materials for the spaces after eliminating defective products, the blanking procedure is simple, and the blanking count is accurate.

[0073] As other possible implementation solutions, based on the above technical solutions, the following technical solutions can be summarized: The blanking and loading mechanism is provided with a second product detection component for detecting the continuous state of the products on the product accommodation positions passing through the blanking station currently; when there are two consecutive products at the blanking station, the blanking and loading mechanism operates N times, each time picking up two consecutive products from the conveyor belt, and placing the 2N products picked up into the corresponding 2N product accommodation positions of the tray; when there are 2N consecutive products at the blanking station, the blanking and loading mechanism picks up 2N consecutive products from the conveyor belt at one time, and places the 2N products picked up into the corresponding product accommodation positions of the tray; when there are an even number of consecutive substandard grades at the blanking station, the blanking and loading mechanism does not operate; N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1. It includes the following steps:

[0074] Step 1: In the area of the pre-storage station 3001 of the buffer conveyor belt 3, the manipulator feeds several battery cells that have undergone hot pressing forming each time;

[0075] Step 2: The CCD camera takes a visual photo of the heat-pressed cell, detects defective products, and feeds back the results to the PLC controller;

[0076] Step 3: The PLC controller controls the power switch of the rejection mechanism 320 to start the rejection mechanism 320 to remove the defective products passing through the rejection mechanism 320 from the buffer conveyor belt 3;

[0077] Step 4: The two first photoelectric switch components 3302 of the replenishment mechanism 330 detect whether there is one under-grade position among two consecutive accommodation positions 3123 currently passing through the replenishment station 3301 area; if so, go to Step 5; otherwise, the replenishment mechanism 330 does not work;

[0078] Step 5: The replenishment mechanism 330 determines whether it has already clamped a cell; if so, the replenishment mechanism 330 replenishes the clamped cell into the under-grade position in the replenishment station 3301; if not, the replenishment mechanism 330 clamps the remaining cell in the replenishment station 3301.

[0079] Step 6: The second photoelectric switch component 3401 of the blanking and tray loading mechanism 6 detects the cell conditions currently passing through the buffer blanking station 3004, whether it is the state of four consecutive under-grade positions 3126, the state of two consecutive cells, or the state of four consecutive cells; if there is the state of four consecutive under-grade positions 3126, the blanking and tray loading mechanism 6 does not act; if there are two consecutive cells, the blanking and tray loading mechanism 6 first takes away two cells, and after the next cell is conveyed, the blanking and tray loading mechanism 6 takes away two more cells, and finally four cells are obtained on the blanking and tray loading mechanism 6; if there are four consecutive cells, the blanking and tray loading mechanism 6 acts once to obtain four consecutive cells from the buffer conveyor belt 3;

[0080] Step 7: The blanking and tray loading mechanism 6 places the four clamped cells into the corresponding accommodation positions 3123 of the tray.

[0081] Such as Figure 1 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16As shown, it further includes a loading platform 9003, a battery cell loading station 5001, a tray stack loading station 5002, a tray handling mechanism 7, and a battery cell automatic loading mechanism 6 provided on the loading platform 9003. The tray stack loading station 5002 is used to place a stack of trays without battery cells; the battery cell loading station 5001 is used to place an empty tray. A buffer unloading station 3004 is provided on the buffer conveyor belt 3. The battery cell loading station 5001 is located between the tray stack loading station 5002 and the buffer unloading station 3004. When there is no tray on the battery cell loading station 5001 or the top tray is already full of battery cells, the tray handling mechanism 7 is actuated to move an empty tray from the tray stack loading station 5002 to the battery cell loading station 5001 each time. The battery cell automatic loading mechanism 6 sucks the battery cells from the buffer unloading station 3004 on the buffer conveyor belt 3 and loads the battery cells into the empty tray on the battery cell loading station 5001 to achieve automatic loading.

[0082] As Figure 1 , Figure 10 , Figure 14 and Figure 16 As shown, the battery cell automatic loading mechanism 6 is provided with a third battery cell manipulator 6001. The third battery cell manipulator 6001 can take out P battery cells from the buffer unloading station 3004 of the buffer conveyor belt 3 and load them into the top empty tray of the tray stack located on the battery cell loading station 5001. Among them, M is an integer multiple of P. When M = 8, P can be 4. This setting can match the conveying speed of the buffer conveyor belt 3.

[0083] As Figure 1 , Figure 16 As shown, it further includes a tray height adjustment mechanism 8 installed on the loading platform 9003. The tray height adjustment mechanism 8 adjusts the height of the battery cell loading station 5001 so that the top empty tray of the tray stack on the battery cell loading station 5001 remains at the same height after each addition of an empty tray. A support plate is provided at the bottom of the tray stack on the battery cell loading station 5001, and a through hole is provided on the loading platform 9003, so that the battery cell automatic loading mechanism 6 can maintain the consistency of its actions during the loading process. The tray height adjustment mechanism 8 includes a Z-direction driving power member for the support plate. The Z-direction driving power member is fixedly connected to the loading platform 9003, and the support plate is fixedly connected to the power output end of its Z-direction driving power member, and is used to drive the height of the support plate and the tray or tray stack on the support plate. The Z-direction driving power member of the support plate can be a gear and rack assembly or a nut and screw assembly.

[0084] The tray stack unloading mechanism 9 is provided with a tray stack Y-direction moving device 9002. The tray stack Y-direction moving device 9002 pushes the tray stack full of battery cells from the battery cell loading station 5001 along the reverse direction of the Y-axis to the tray stack unloading station 9001.

[0085] In the above embodiments, the tray is a blister tray for loading M finished battery cells.

[0086] As Figure 1 , Figures 3 - 5 shown, the battery cell loading device 1 is provided with a first battery cell manipulator 1001. The first battery cell manipulator 1001 is provided with a first X-direction moving device 1002, a first Y-direction moving device 1003, and a first Z-direction moving device 1004 (collectively referred to as the first moving system). The first battery cell manipulator 1001 is provided with N first battery cell suction nozzles 1005. The first battery cell manipulator 1001 sucks N battery cells from the unloading conveyor belt 10 of the winding machine each time and places the battery cells into the storage box 2012 at the loading station 2001. For example, if the storage box 2012 can accommodate M = 8 battery cells, then N can be 2, 4, or 8; for example, if the storage box 2012 can accommodate 12 battery cells, then N can be 3 or 4; for example, if the storage box 2012 can accommodate 16 battery cells, then N can be 4, 8, or 16, which can be set according to the production speeds of the unloading conveyor belt 10 of the production winding machine and the battery cell flattening device 2. Preferably, the number M of battery cells that the storage box 2012 can accommodate is set to 8, and the number N of battery cells taken by the battery cell loading device 1 each time is set to 4, which is more suitable for speed matching, facilitating the automated production of the integrated machine and reducing pauses.

[0087] As Figure 1 , Figure 13 shown, for the specific implementation of the battery cell discharging device 4, the battery cell discharging device 4 includes the second battery cell manipulator 4001. The battery cell manipulator is provided with a second Y-direction moving device 4002 and a second Z-direction moving device 4003 (collectively referred to as the second moving system). The second battery cell manipulator 4001 is provided with M second battery cell suction nozzles 4004, and can directly take all the battery cells in the processing tray at one time. The second moving system moves the battery cells on the second battery cell manipulator 4001 to the pre-storage station 3001 on the buffer conveyor belt 3 to achieve automatic unloading.

[0088] As Figure 11 , Figure 12 shown, for the embodiment of the rejection mechanism 3003, the Y-direction telescopic cylinder is fixed on the buffer conveyor belt 3. The Y-direction telescopic cylinder includes a Y-direction push rod for rejecting defective battery cells. The control switch of the Y-direction telescopic cylinder is electrically connected to the PLC controller through a serial connection method such as RS232, RS485, or USB. The PLC controller controls the control switch of the Y-direction telescopic cylinder, so that the Y-direction push rod pushes the defective battery cells out of the buffer conveyor belt 3 when the defective battery cells pass by, thereby rejecting the defective battery cells.

[0089] As Figure 14As shown, the third cell manipulator 6001 is provided with a third X-direction moving device 6002, a third Y-direction moving device 6003 and a third Z-direction moving device 6004 (collectively referred to as the third moving system). K third lifting cylinders 6005 are installed on the third cell manipulator 6001. The piston rod of each third lifting cylinder 6005 is connected with a plurality of third cell suction nozzles 6006, which are used to individually suck cells from the buffer unloading station 3004 on the buffer conveyor belt 3. The third moving system moves the third cell manipulator 6001 to load all the cells on the third cell suction nozzles 6006 into the trays located at the cell loading tray station 5001.

[0090] As Figure 1 and Figure 16 shown, it further includes a tray stack unloading mechanism 9 installed on the loading platform 9003, which is provided with a tray stack Y-direction moving device 9002 for pushing the tray stack filled with cells to the tray stack unloading station 9001; a fourth manipulator (not shown in the figure) for removing the tray stack at the tray stack unloading station 9001, and the fourth manipulator is provided with an XZ-axis module and can remove the tray stack filled with cells.

[0091] The above embodiments are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the implementation scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made according to the shape, structure and principle of the present invention shall be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell flattening and unloading machine. It is characterized in that It includes a processing platform and a battery cell loading device, a battery cell flattening device, a battery cell discharging device and a controller arranged on the processing platform; The battery cell flattening device includes a battery cell pressing mechanism, a carrier box and a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism is a turntable and a turntable rotating mechanism. The carrier box is arranged on the turntable. The turntable is controlled by the controller to drive the carrier box to switch sequentially between the loading station, the pressing station and the discharging station. The battery cell flattening device further comprises a pressure-bearing panel, which is fixedly arranged below the rotating disk and is used to support the cargo box when the cargo box is under pressure; The battery cell pressing mechanism is controlled by the controller to press the battery cells loaded in the cargo box, wherein the battery cell pressing mechanism includes a cold pressing mechanism and / or a hot pressing mechanism, the cold pressing mechanism cooperates with the cargo box through a first upper pressing plate to press the battery cells, and the hot pressing mechanism cooperates with the cargo box through a second upper pressing plate to press the battery cells; The battery cell loading device moves the unpressurized battery cells to the loading box at the loading station under the control of the controller; The battery cell discharging device moves the pressurized battery cells in the loading box at the discharging station to the pre-storage station under the control of the controller.

2. The battery cell flattening and blanking integrated machine according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The turntable includes at least two workstations on which object-carrying boxes are installed; the turntable rotating mechanism is used to drive the turntable to rotate and realize workstation conversion.

3. The battery cell flattening and blanking integrated machine according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The pressure-applying station is also provided with a battery cell tab short-circuit detection mechanism, and the battery cell tab short-circuit detection mechanism is electrically connected to the controller.

4. The battery cell flattening and blanking integrated machine according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The integrated machine further comprises a buffer conveyor belt installed on the processing platform for conveying pressurized battery cells, and the pre-storage station is arranged on the buffer conveyor belt.

5. The battery cell flattening and blanking integrated machine according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The buffer conveyor belt is provided with a plurality of product accommodating positions, including a loading station and an unloading station; a replenishing station is also provided between the loading station and the unloading station; every time the buffer conveyor belt transmits a step, every two product accommodating positions are alternately located at the replenishing station; a replenishing mechanism including a product picking and placing mechanism and a product detection component is provided corresponding to the replenishing station, the product detection component detects whether the two product accommodating positions currently corresponding to the replenishing station contain products, the product picking and placing mechanism can controllably grab the product that exists alone in the product accommodating position currently corresponding to the replenishing station, and put the grabbed product into the low-quality position that exists alone in the product accommodating position corresponding to the next replenishing station for material replenishment; the unloading and loading mechanism clamps and loads an even number of consecutive products.

6. The battery cell flattening and blanking integrated machine according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The all-in-one machine further includes a rejection mechanism, which is located between the feeding station and the replenishing station and is electrically connected to the controller; the rejection mechanism includes a vision detection device for visually inspecting the products on the conveyor belt, and a rejection action mechanism for rejecting defective products according to the detection results of the vision detection device.

7. The cell flattening and blanking all-in-one machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the vision detection device is a CCD camera; the rejection action mechanism includes a push rod corresponding to the number of product accommodation positions at the replenishing station for rejecting defective products from the conveyor belt, and a first Y-direction linear power member correspondingly connected to the push rod.

8. The cell flattening and blanking all-in-one machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the all-in-one machine further includes a loading platform and a cell loading station, a tray stack feeding station, a tray handling mechanism and a cell automatic loading mechanism provided on the loading platform; the loading platform is fixedly connected to the processing platform; the tray stack feeding station is used for storing a stack of trays without cells; the tray handling mechanism is used for moving the tray from the tray stack feeding station to the cell loading station; the cell automatic loading mechanism is used for repeatedly moving a plurality of cells from the buffer conveyor belt to the first tray located on the upper layer at the cell loading station.

9. The cell flattening and blanking all-in-one machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the all-in-one machine further includes a tray height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the tray stack and the first tray at the cell loading station.

10. The cell flattening and blanking all-in-one machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the all-in-one machine further includes a tray stack unloading mechanism installed on the loading platform, and the tray stack unloading mechanism is provided with a Y-direction moving device for pushing the tray stack filled with cells to the tray stack unloading station.

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