Functional testing device, testing machine and functional testing method for lithium battery

Abstract

The present invention discloses a functional testing device, a testing machine and a functional testing method for a lithium battery. The fixture includes a conductor, a slide and a fixed seat fixed on the slide. The fixed seat is vertically penetrated by a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole. The lithium battery includes a battery body mounted on the slide and a power socket and a starting plug both electrically connected to the battery body. The power socket is vertically mounted in the first mounting hole. One end of the conductor is vertically mounted in the second mounting hole and the other end is connected to the starting plug. The functional testing device for the lithium battery includes a first driving mechanism, a fixed block, a frame and a support frame fixed on the frame and a detection instrument. The first driving mechanism is fixed on the support frame. The detection instrument includes an instrument body and a probe and a test plug both connected to the instrument body and fixed on the fixed block. The output end of the first driving mechanism is connected to the fixed block to drive the probe and the test plug to be connected or disconnected with the conductor and the power socket respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lithium battery testing, and in particular to a lithium battery function testing device, a testing machine and a function testing method. Background Art

[0002] Lithium batteries are widely used in UPS, electric vehicles and new energy power generation, and with the revolution in energy technology, lithium batteries will surely be more widely used.

[0003] Lithium batteries generally need to undergo FT functional testing after production. However, this test is basically manually operated, which requires a lot of manpower and material resources, has many processes, and is time-consuming. Moreover, since it is manually measured, the final measurement results are prone to errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a functional testing device, a testing machine and a functional testing method for lithium batteries, which are intended to solve the technical problems that the existing lithium battery FT functional testing is all manual operation, which consumes a lot of manpower and material resources, has many steps, is time-consuming, and is prone to errors.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a functional testing device for a lithium battery, for performing a functional test on a lithium battery fixed to a jig. The jig includes a conductor, a slide, and a fixed base fixed to the slide. The fixed base is T-shaped and vertically penetrates the fixed base with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole spaced apart from the first mounting hole. The lithium battery includes a battery body mounted on the slide, and a power socket and a starting plug both electrically connected to the battery body. The power socket is vertically mounted in the first mounting hole. One end of the conductor is vertically mounted in the second mounting hole, and the other end is connected to the starting plug. The functional testing device for a lithium battery includes a first drive mechanism, a fixed block, a frame, a support frame fixed to the frame, and a detection instrument. The first drive mechanism is fixed to the support frame. The detection instrument includes an instrument body, a probe and a test plug both connected to the instrument body and fixed to the fixed block. The jig is located below the first drive mechanism. The output end of the first drive mechanism is connected to the fixed block to drive the probe and test plug to connect or disconnect, respectively, with the conductor and power socket on the jig.

[0007] Furthermore, the functional testing device for the lithium battery also includes an FT conveyor belt and a limit reference assembly. The FT conveyor belt includes a base having a concave cavity and mounted on the frame, a plurality of support wheels respectively mounted on the inner sides of the concave cavity, two belts respectively sleeved on the support wheels on both sides of the concave cavity, and a plurality of second drive mechanisms mounted outside the base and connected to one of the support wheels to drive the belt to rotate. The jig is placed on the two belts and runs with the belts. The limit reference assembly is located in the concave cavity to limit the movement of the jig.

[0008] Furthermore, the limit reference assembly includes a third drive mechanism located in the cavity and arranged vertically, and a baffle located above the third drive mechanism and connected to the output end of the third drive mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, the functional testing device for the lithium battery also includes a lifting mechanism, which includes a fourth driving mechanism located in the cavity and arranged vertically, and a support plate connected to the output end of the fourth driving mechanism for lifting the fixture.

[0010] Furthermore, the functional testing device for the lithium battery also includes two opposing photoelectric switches, both of which are located on the base and symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cavity, and both of which are located between the support plate and the baffle.

[0011] Furthermore, the functional testing device of the lithium battery also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the first driving mechanism, the adjustment mechanism includes a slider, a plurality of fasteners, two support blocks and two adjusting screws, the support frame is provided with a plurality of adjustment holes, the slider is fixed to the adjustment holes by a plurality of fasteners, the first driving mechanism is fixed to the slider, the two support blocks are fixed to the support frame and are respectively located on the two outer sides of the slider, the two adjusting screws are respectively fixed to the two support blocks and are both in contact with the slider.

[0012] The present invention also provides a lithium battery testing machine, comprising a plurality of lithium battery function testing devices as described above and arranged side by side.

[0013] Furthermore, the lithium battery testing machine also includes a feed conveyor belt, a loading conveyor belt, and a jig carrier located on the loading conveyor belt for carrying the jig and pushing the jig to each of the FT conveyor belts through the loading conveyor belt. The head of the loading conveyor belt is arranged close to and flush with the tail of the feed conveyor belt, and the tail of the loading conveyor belt is arranged close to and flush with the head of the FT conveyor belt.

[0014] The present invention also provides a functional testing method for a lithium battery, which is applied to the lithium battery testing machine as described above, and the method comprises:

[0015] Place the fixture containing the lithium battery on the feed conveyor belt and perform the wire insertion operation;

[0016] Transfer the fixture with the lithium battery installed and the plugged-in wires to the FT conveyor belt;

[0017] Driving the first driving mechanism downward so that the probe and the test plug are respectively connected to the conductor and the power socket on the fixture containing the lithium battery to perform a functional test;

[0018] The first driving mechanism is driven upward to separate the probe and the test plug from the conductor and the power socket on the fixture containing the lithium battery.

[0019] Furthermore, the method further comprises:

[0020] After the fixture equipped with the lithium battery with the plugged-in wires is transferred to the FT conveyor belt and before the first driving mechanism is driven downward, the fixture equipped with the lithium battery is positioned using the limit reference assembly and the lifting mechanism.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] Compared with the existing technology, one end of the conductor in the present invention needs to be vertically installed in the second mounting hole on the fixture first. When the lithium battery needs to undergo FT functional testing, the starting plug on the lithium battery can be manually connected to the other end of the conductor by plugging, and the power socket on the lithium battery is vertically fixed in the first mounting hole. At this time, the conductor and the power socket are both vertically arranged. In this way, when the first driving mechanism drives the fixed block to move up and down, the probe and test plug on the fixed block will be connected or disconnected with the conductor and the power socket respectively, realizing automated functional testing of the lithium battery, reducing processes, saving resources, greatly improving production efficiency, reducing labor intensity, and significantly improving measurement accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. 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 the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of a lithium battery testing machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure after removing the protective frame, feed conveyor belt and instrument body;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of point A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the FT conveyor belt provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Exploded diagram;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention after being plugged into a fixture;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention without the wires properly plugged into a fixture;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0033] 10. Fixture; 11. Conductor; 111. Copper pillar; 112. Wire; 113. Connecting socket; 12. Sliding seat; 13. Fixing seat; 131. Pillar; 132. Carrier; 1321. First mounting hole; 1322. Second mounting hole; 1323. Third mounting hole; 20. Lithium battery; 21. Battery body; 22. Power socket; 221. Socket; 23. Starting plug; 24. Wire; 30. First driving mechanism; 40. Fixing block; 50. Frame; 51. Machine platform; 52. Protective frame; 60. Support frame; 61. Adjustment hole; 70. Testing instrument; 71. Instrument body; 72. Probe; 73. Test plug; 80. FT conveyor belt; 81. Base; 811. Cavity; 82. Support wheel; 83. Belt; 84. Second drive mechanism; 90. Limit reference assembly; 91. Third drive mechanism; 92. Baffle; 100. Lifting mechanism; 110. Fourth drive mechanism; 120. Support plate; 200. Through-beam photoelectric switch; 300. Adjustment mechanism; 310. Slider; 320. Support block; 330. Adjustment screw; 400. Feed conveyor belt; 410. Manual wire insertion station; 500. Loading conveyor belt; 600. Jig consignment piece; 700. Air tightness test station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0036] It should also be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed on" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element.

[0037] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0038] See also Figures 1 to 3 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a functional testing device for a lithium battery, which is used to perform a functional test on a lithium battery 20 fixed on a fixture 10.

[0039] Please see further Figures 6 to 8 , wherein the fixture 10 includes a conductor 11, a slide 12 and a fixed seat 13 fixed on the slide 12, the fixed seat 13 is "T"-shaped, and the fixed seat 13 is vertically penetrated with a first mounting hole 1321 and a second mounting hole 1322 spaced apart from the first mounting hole 1321. Specifically, the fixed seat 13 includes a pillar 131 connected to the slide 12 at the bottom and a carrier 132 provided on the top of the pillar 131. The cross-sectional area of ​​the carrier 132 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the pillar 131. The first mounting hole 1321 and the second mounting hole 1322 are both vertically penetrated on the carrier 132 and are staggered with the pillar 131.

[0040] The lithium battery 20 includes a battery body 21, a power socket 22 and a starting plug 23. The battery body 21 is installed on the slide 12. The power socket 22 and the starting plug 23 are electrically connected to the battery body 21 through an electric wire 24. The power socket 22 has a socket portion 221 arranged opposite to the battery body 21. The power socket 22 is vertically installed in the first mounting hole 1321 and the socket portion 221 faces the side away from the slide 12. One end of the conductor 11 is vertically installed in the second mounting hole 1322, and the other end of the conductor 11 is connected to the starting plug 23. The conductor 11 can be exposed at the top of the carrier 132 or slightly lower than the top of the carrier 132.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment, the fixing seat 13 also has a third mounting hole 1323 that is arranged horizontally through the fixing seat 13. The third mounting hole 1323 is spaced apart from the first mounting hole 1321 and the second mounting hole 1322. One end of the conductor 11 is vertically installed in the second mounting hole 1322, and the other end of the conductor 11 is installed in the third mounting hole 1323. The starting plug 23 is inserted into the third mounting hole 1323 and is connected to the conductor 11 by plugging. This prevents the starting plug 23 from shaking during the transfer of the jig 10.

[0042] The conductor 11 in this embodiment includes a copper column 111, a wire 112 and a connecting socket 113. The copper column 111 is installed in the second mounting hole 1322, the connecting socket 113 is fixed in the third mounting hole 1323 and is plug-connected to the starting plug 23. One end of the wire 112 is connected to the connecting socket 113 and the other end is connected to the copper column 111 to realize the conductive function of the conductor 11.

[0043] The functional testing device of the lithium battery includes a first driving mechanism 30, a fixed block 40, a frame 50, a support frame 60 and a detection instrument 70. The support frame 60 and the detection instrument 70 are both fixed on the frame 50. The first driving mechanism 30 is vertically fixed on the support frame 60. The detection instrument 70 includes an instrument body 71, a probe 72 and a test plug 73. The probe 72 and the test plug 73 are both connected to the instrument body 71, and the probe 72 and the test plug 73 are both fixed on the fixed block 40. The fixture 10 is located below the first driving mechanism 30. The output end of the first driving mechanism 30 is connected to the fixed block 40 to drive the probe 72 and the test plug 73 to connect or disconnect with the conductor 11 and the power socket 22 on the fixture 10 respectively, thereby realizing functional testing of the lithium battery 20. In this embodiment, the first driving mechanism 30 is preferably a cylinder.

[0044] See also Figures 3 to 5As a preferred embodiment, the functional testing device for lithium batteries also includes an FT conveyor belt 80 and a limit reference assembly 90. The FT conveyor belt 80 includes a base 81 having a concave cavity 811 and mounted on a frame 50, a plurality of support wheels 82 respectively mounted on both inner sides of the concave cavity 811, two belts 83 respectively sleeved on the support wheels 82 on both sides of the concave cavity 811, and a plurality of second drive mechanisms 84 mounted outside the base 81 and connected to one support wheel 82 to drive the belt 83 to rotate. The fixture 10 is placed on the two belts 83 and runs with the belt 83. The limit reference assembly 90 is located in the concave cavity 811 to limit the movement of the fixture 10. In this embodiment, the frame 50 includes a machine platform 51 and a protective frame 52 provided on the machine platform 51. The FT conveyor belt 80 and the support frame 60 are both mounted on the machine platform 51. The detection instrument 70 is located on the protective frame 52. The second drive mechanism 84 is preferably a motor.

[0045] In this embodiment, the limit reference assembly 90 includes a third drive mechanism 91 located in the cavity 811 and arranged vertically, and a baffle 92 located above the third drive mechanism 91 and connected to the output end of the third drive mechanism 91. In this embodiment, the third drive mechanism 91 is preferably a cylinder. When the third drive mechanism 91 contracts, the distance between the top of the baffle 92 and the bottom wall of the cavity 811 is smaller than the distance between the top of the belt 83 and the bottom wall of the cavity 811, so that the fixture 10 can move forward with the belt 83. When the third drive mechanism 91 is extended, the distance between the top of the baffle 92 and the bottom wall of the cavity 811 is greater than the distance between the top of the belt 83 and the bottom wall of the cavity 811, so as to limit the forward movement of the fixture 10 during the test.

[0046] The functional testing device for lithium batteries also includes a lifting mechanism 100, which includes a fourth driving mechanism 110 located in the cavity 811 and arranged vertically, and a support plate 120 connected to the output end of the fourth driving mechanism 110 for lifting the jig 10 to facilitate positioning of the jig 10. Under normal circumstances, the support plate 120 should be lower than the height of the belt 83. In this embodiment, the fourth driving mechanism 110 is preferably a cylinder.

[0047] The functional testing device for lithium batteries also includes two opposing photoelectric switches 200. The two opposing photoelectric switches 200 are both located on the base 81 and are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cavity 811. The two opposing photoelectric switches 200 are both located between the support plate 120 and the baffle 92. When the two opposing photoelectric switches 200 detect that the fixture 10 has reached the required position, the two opposing photoelectric switches 200 will send information to the controller, and the controller will drive the second drive mechanism 84 to stop running.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment, the functional testing device of the lithium battery also includes an adjustment mechanism 300 for adjusting the position of the first driving mechanism 30, the adjustment mechanism 300 includes a slider 310, a plurality of fasteners, two support blocks 320 and two adjusting screws 330, a plurality of adjustment holes 61 are provided on the support frame 60, the slider 310 is fixed to the adjustment hole 61 by a plurality of fasteners, the first driving mechanism 30 is fixed on the slider 310, the two support blocks 320 are both fixed on the support frame 60 and are respectively located on the two outer sides of the slider 310, the two adjusting screws 330 are respectively fixed on the two support blocks 320 and are both in contact with the two sides of the slider 310 to position the slider 310 to prevent the slider 310 from shaking during the test.

[0049] See also Figures 1 to 2 The present invention also provides a lithium battery testing machine, including a feeding conveyor belt 400, a loading conveyor belt 500, a fixture consignment 600 located on the loading conveyor belt 500 for carrying a jig 10 and pushing the jig 10 to each FT conveyor belt 80 through the loading conveyor belt 500, and several lithium battery functional testing devices arranged side by side and as described above. The head of the loading conveyor belt 500 is arranged close to and flush with the tail of the feeding conveyor belt 400, and the tail of the loading conveyor belt 500 is arranged close to and flush with the head of the FT conveyor belt 80. A manual wire insertion station 410 is also provided on the feeding conveyor belt 400 to facilitate the wire insertion operation of the jig 10 equipped with the lithium battery 20.

[0050] The present invention also provides a lithium battery functional testing method, which is applied to the lithium battery testing machine as described above, and the method comprises:

[0051] The fixture 10 containing the lithium battery 20 is placed on the feed conveyor 400 and the wiring operation is performed. The specific steps are as follows: the power socket 22 on the lithium battery 20 is vertically installed in the first mounting hole 1321, one end of the conductor 11 is installed in the second mounting hole 1322, and the other end is installed in the third mounting hole 1323. The starting plug 23 is inserted into the third mounting hole 1323 and connected with the conductor 11 by plugging;

[0052] The jig 10 with the lithium battery 20 plugged in is transferred to the FT conveyor belt 80. The specific steps are: transfer the jig 10 with the lithium battery 20 plugged in from the feed conveyor belt 400 to the jig consignment 600 of the loading conveyor belt 500, and then the loading conveyor belt 500 transports the jig 10 to the corresponding FT conveyor belt 80, and finally the jig consignment 600 transfers the jig 10 with the lithium battery 20 to the FT conveyor belt 80. The jig consignment 600 is similar to a small conveyor belt, and the running direction of the jig consignment 600 is perpendicular to the running direction of the loading conveyor belt 500.

[0053] After the jig 10 is transported to a certain position on the FT conveyor belt 80 , the jig 10 is positioned using the limit reference assembly 90 and the lifting mechanism 100 to prevent the jig 10 with the lithium battery 20 from shifting during the inspection process.

[0054] The first driving mechanism 30 is driven downward to connect the probe 72 and the test plug 73 to the conductor 11 and the power socket 22 on the fixture 10 containing the lithium battery 20 , respectively, for functional testing.

[0055] After the functional test is completed, the first drive mechanism 30 is driven upward to separate the probe 72 and the test plug 73 from the conductor 11 and the power socket 22 on the fixture 10 containing the lithium battery 20, respectively. After that, the fixture 10 is pushed by the same FT conveyor belt 80 into the airtightness test station 700 for subsequent airtightness testing.

[0056] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's description and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, within the scope of the present invention are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A functional testing device for a lithium battery, used to perform functional testing on a lithium battery fixed on a fixture, characterized by: The jig includes a conductor, a slide, and a fixed base fixed on the slide, the fixed base is "T"-shaped, and is vertically penetrated by a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole spaced apart from the first mounting hole. The lithium battery includes a battery body mounted on the slide, and a power socket and a starting plug both electrically connected to the battery body. The power socket is vertically mounted in the first mounting hole, one end of the conductor is vertically mounted in the second mounting hole, and the other end is connected to the starting plug. The functional testing device for the lithium battery includes a first driving mechanism, a fixed block, a rack, a support frame fixed on the rack, and a detection instrument. The first driving mechanism is fixed on the support frame. The detection instrument includes an instrument body, a probe and a test plug both connected to the instrument body and fixed on the fixed block. The jig is located below the first driving mechanism, and the output end of the first driving mechanism is connected to the fixed block to drive the probe and the test plug to connect or disconnect with the conductor and the power socket on the jig, respectively.

2. The functional testing device for lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The functional testing device for the lithium battery also includes an FT conveyor belt and a limit reference assembly. The FT conveyor belt includes a base having a concave cavity and mounted on the frame, a plurality of support wheels respectively mounted on the inner sides of the concave cavity, two belts respectively sleeved on the support wheels on both sides of the concave cavity, and a plurality of second drive mechanisms mounted outside the base and connected to one of the support wheels to drive the belt to rotate. The jig is placed on the two belts and runs with the belts. The limit reference assembly is located in the concave cavity to limit the movement of the jig.

3. The functional testing device for lithium batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limit reference assembly includes a third drive mechanism located in the cavity and arranged vertically, and a baffle located above the third drive mechanism and connected to the output end of the third drive mechanism.

4. The functional testing device for lithium batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that: The functional testing device for the lithium battery further includes a lifting mechanism, which includes a fourth driving mechanism located in the cavity and arranged vertically, and a supporting plate connected to the output end of the fourth driving mechanism for lifting the jig.

5. The functional testing device for lithium batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that: The functional testing device for the lithium battery further includes two opposing photoelectric switches, both of which are located on the base and symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cavity, and both of which are located between the support plate and the baffle.

6. The functional testing device for lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The functional testing device of the lithium battery also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the first driving mechanism, the adjustment mechanism includes a slider, a plurality of fasteners, two support blocks and two adjusting screws, the support frame is provided with a plurality of adjustment holes, the slider is fixed to the adjustment holes by a plurality of fasteners, the first driving mechanism is fixed to the slider, the two support blocks are fixed to the support frame and are respectively located on the two outer sides of the slider, the two adjusting screws are respectively fixed to the two support blocks and are both in contact with the slider.

7. A lithium battery testing machine, characterized in that: The device comprises a plurality of lithium battery functional testing devices arranged side by side and as claimed in claim 5.

8. The lithium battery testing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lithium battery testing machine also includes a feed conveyor belt, a loading conveyor belt, and a jig carrier located on the loading conveyor belt for carrying the jig and pushing the jig to each of the FT conveyor belts through the loading conveyor belt. The head of the loading conveyor belt is arranged close to and flush with the tail of the feed conveyor belt, and the tail of the loading conveyor belt is arranged close to and flush with the head of the FT conveyor belt.

9. A functional testing method for a lithium battery, applied to the lithium battery testing machine as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The method comprises: Place the fixture containing the lithium battery on the feed conveyor belt and perform the wire insertion operation; Transfer the fixture with the lithium battery installed and the plugged-in wires to the FT conveyor belt; Driving the first driving mechanism downward so that the probe and the test plug are respectively connected to the conductor and the power socket on the fixture containing the lithium battery to perform a functional test; The first driving mechanism is driven upward to separate the probe and the test plug from the conductor and the power socket on the fixture containing the lithium battery.

10. The functional testing method of a lithium battery according to claim 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: After the fixture equipped with the lithium battery with the plugged-in wires is transferred to the FT conveyor belt and before the first driving mechanism is driven downward, the fixture equipped with the lithium battery is positioned using the limit reference assembly and the lifting mechanism.

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