Core closing device and core closing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a core-closing device, comprising a first transfer plate, a second transfer plate, a first rotating plate and a second rotating plate. By setting the above-mentioned core-closing device, two pieces of sub-cells are placed in a first fixed position and a second fixed position respectively, and then the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are rotated to the first core-closing position and the second core-closing position respectively. At this time, the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction, that is, the sub-cell on the first fixed position is opposite to the sub-cell on the second fixed position in the first direction. Next, the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate are brought close to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position is fitted with the sub-cell on the second fixed position. In this way, the two pieces of sub-cells can be fitted and pressed by bringing the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate close to each other, so as to avoid the existence of a gap between the two pieces of sub-cells and improve the core-closing effect. The present invention also relates to a core-closing method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lithium battery processing equipment, and in particular to a core assembly device and a core assembly method. Background Art

[0002] In the process of preparing lithium batteries, it is usually necessary to perform a core joining process, that is, to fit two battery cells together. However, after the core joining equipment currently used for lithium batteries joins the cells, due to the processing and assembly accuracy of the parts of the core joining equipment itself, there is a gap between the two battery cells, and the joining effect is poor. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a core closing device and a core closing method that can ensure that the battery cells are tightly closed and the core closing effect is ensured in order to address the problem that the existing core closing equipment has a poor core closing effect.

[0004] A core combining device, comprising:

[0005] A first transfer plate;

[0006] A second transfer plate, which can be arranged close to or away from the second transfer plate along the first direction;

[0007] A first rotating plate is rotatably connected to the first transfer plate around a first rotating axis, and the first rotating plate has a first fixing position for fixing the sub-cell; and

[0008] A second rotating plate, rotatably connected to the second transfer plate around a second rotating axis parallel to the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate has a second fixing position for fixing the sub-cell;

[0009] Wherein, the first rotating plate has a first core-closed position during the rotation around the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate has a second core-closed position during the rotation around the second rotating axis;

[0010] When the first rotating plate is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate is located at the second core-closing position, the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are parallel to each other, the side of the first rotating plate having the first fixed position is arranged opposite to the side of the second rotating plate having the second fixed position, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction.

[0011] By setting the above-mentioned core-closing equipment, the two sub-cells are placed in the first fixed position and the second fixed position respectively, and then the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are rotated to the first core-closing position and the second core-closing position respectively. At this time, the first fixed position and the second fixed position are arranged opposite to each other, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction, that is, the sub-cell on the first fixed position is opposite to the sub-cell on the second fixed position in the first direction. Next, the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate are brought close to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position is fitted with the sub-cell on the second fixed position. In this way, the two sub-cells can be fitted and pressed together by bringing the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate close to each other, avoiding the existence of a gap between the two cells and improving the core-closing effect.

[0012] In one embodiment, the core closing device further comprises a first driving assembly, wherein the first driving assembly is drivingly connected to the first transfer plate to drive the first transfer plate to reciprocate along the first direction; and / or

[0013] It also includes a second driving component, which is in driving connection with the second moving plate to drive the second moving plate to reciprocate along the first direction.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the cell-closing device further includes a first positioning mechanism, and the first fixing position and the second fixing position are both provided with the first positioning mechanism, and the first positioning mechanism positions the sub-cell at the first fixing position or the second fixing position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first positioning mechanism includes a first positioning component and a second positioning component, and the first positioning component and the second positioning component are arranged on the first rotating plate or the second rotating plate at intervals along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first positioning component has a first positioning end facing the second positioning component, and the second positioning component has a second positioning end facing the first positioning component, and the first positioning end and the second positioning end can be close to each other so as to respectively abut against both sides of the sub-cell in the second direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the core closing device also includes a second positioning mechanism, which includes a top cover seat and a lifting drive component, and the lifting drive component is transmission-connected to the top cover seat to drive the top cover seat to reciprocate along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the top cover seat is located between the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate, and is used to position the top cover.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second positioning mechanism also includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member, and the first clamping member and the second clamping member are both connected to the top cover seat so as to be reciprocably movable along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction, and the first clamping member and the second clamping member are used to form a clamping position on the top cover seat for clamping the top cover.

[0018] In one embodiment, the core closing device further comprises a pressing assembly, wherein the pressing assembly has a pressing end that can reciprocate along the second direction and the third direction, and the pressing end has a pressing position during the movement along the second direction and the third direction, and when the pressing end is at the pressing position, the pressing end is used to press the pole ear;

[0019] The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clamping assembly includes a translation drive member, a lifting drive member and a pressure block. The translation drive member is connected to the lifting drive member to drive the lifting drive member to reciprocate along the second direction. The lifting drive member is connected to the pressure block to drive the pressure block to reciprocate along the third direction. The pressure block has the clamping end.

[0021] In one embodiment, the clamping assembly includes a translation drive, an extension drive, two lifting drives and two pressure blocks. The translation drive is transmission-connected to the extension drive to drive the extension drive to reciprocate along the second direction. The extension drive is transmission-connected to the two lifting drives to drive the two lifting drives to move closer to or away from each other in the first direction. Each lifting drive is transmission-connected to a corresponding pressure block to drive the pressure block to reciprocate along the third direction. The two pressure blocks form the clamping end.

[0022] A core-closing method comprises the following steps:

[0023] a) placing the sub-cells on the first fixed position of the first rotating plate and the second fixed position of the second rotating plate respectively;

[0024] b) rotating the first rotating plate around a first rotating axis to a first core-closed position, and rotating the second rotating plate around a second rotating axis parallel to the first rotating axis to a second core-closed position;

[0025] c) moving the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate closer to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position and the sub-cell on the second fixed position are attached to and pressed tightly;

[0026] Among them, when the first rotating plate is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate is located at the second core-closing position, the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are parallel to each other, the side of the first rotating plate having the first fixed position and the side of the second rotating plate having the second fixed position are arranged opposite to each other, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction.

[0027] In one embodiment, step a further comprises:

[0028] Positioning the top cover by means of the top cover seat;

[0029] Step b also includes:

[0030] At the same time, the top cover seat is driven to move along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction by a jacking driving member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a core combining device provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the right side of the core closing device shown;

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic top view of the core-closing device shown;

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a clamping assembly provided in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A left side schematic view of the clamping assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present invention, so the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0039] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0040] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0042] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be the only implementation method.

[0043] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, the core joining process applicable to the core joining equipment of the present invention is explained here: the battery cell includes two pieces of battery cells, the pole ears of the two pieces of battery cells are welded together through a connecting piece, and the connecting piece is welded on the top cover. In order to facilitate shell installation, the two pieces of battery cells need to be joined.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a core combining device 1 provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes a first transfer plate 12 , a second transfer plate 13 , a first rotating plate 14 and a second rotating plate 15 .

[0045] The first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13 can be arranged to be close to or away from each other in a first direction, the first rotating plate 14 is rotatably connected to the first transfer plate 12 around a first rotating axis, and the first rotating plate 14 has a first fixing position for fixing the sub-cell, the second rotating plate 15 is rotatably connected to the second transfer plate 13 around a second rotating axis parallel to the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate 15 has a second fixing position for fixing the sub-cell.

[0046] The first rotating plate 14 has a first core-closed position during its rotation around the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate 15 has a second core-closed position during its rotation around the second rotating axis.

[0047] When the first rotating plate 14 is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate 15 is located at the second core-closing position, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are parallel to each other, the side of the first rotating plate 14 having the first fixed position is arranged opposite to the side of the second rotating plate 15 having the second fixed position, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite in the first direction.

[0048] Specifically, the first rotation axis is perpendicular to the first direction and Figure 1 In the embodiment, the first direction is the front-to-back direction, the first rotation axis extends along the left-to-right direction, and Figure 2 In the embodiment, the first direction is the left-right direction, and the first rotation axis extends along the front-back direction.

[0049] By setting the above-mentioned core-closing equipment, the two sub-cells are placed in the first fixed position and the second fixed position respectively, and then the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are rotated to the first core-closing position and the second core-closing position respectively. At this time, the first fixed position and the second fixed position are arranged opposite to each other, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction, that is, the sub-cell on the first fixed position is opposite to the sub-cell on the second fixed position in the first direction. Next, the first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13 are brought close to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position is fitted with the sub-cell on the second fixed position. In this way, the two sub-cells can be fitted and pressed by bringing the first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13 close to each other, avoiding the existence of a gap between the two cells and improving the core-closing effect.

[0050] It should be explained that, since the first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13 need to be brought close to each other to achieve the bonding and pressing of the two sub-cells after rotating to the core-closing position, there is a gap between the first rotating plate 14 located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate 15 located at the second core-closing position. The gap is determined according to the thickness of the sub-cell, and in actual use, when the first rotating plate 14 is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate 15 is located at the second core-closing position, the interval between the sub-cell on the first fixed position and the sub-cell on the second fixed position is 1mm-2mm, and the gap between the first rotating plate 13 located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate 15 located at the second core-closing position can be calculated according to the thickness of the sub-cell.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first rotating plate 14 has a first loading position during its rotation around the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate 15 has a second loading position during its rotation around the second rotating axis.

[0052] When the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are respectively in the first loading position and the second loading position, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are coplanar, that is, a side surface of the first rotating plate 14 with a first fixed position and a side surface of the second rotating plate 15 with a second fixed position are located in the same plane, thereby facilitating loading by the robot.

[0053] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at this moment, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are respectively located at the first loading position and the second loading position. In addition, during actual use, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are usually synchronously rotated.

[0054] In some embodiments, the core-closing device further includes a mounting seat 11 , and the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13 are both disposed on the mounting seat 11 and arranged on the mounting seat 11 along a first direction.

[0055] See also Figure 3 In some embodiments, the first moving plate 12 is connected to the mounting seat 11 so as to be reciprocatingly movably along the first direction, and the second moving plate 13 is connected to the mounting seat 11 so as to be reciprocatingly movably along the first direction, so that the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13 are moved closer to or farther away from each other in the first direction.

[0056] In other embodiments, in order to achieve the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13 approaching or moving away, the first moving plate 12 can move along the first direction and the second moving plate 13 can be fixed, or the first moving plate 12 can be fixed and the second moving plate 13 can move along the first direction. There is no limitation here, but preferably, the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13 can both move reciprocatingly along the first direction.

[0057] It should be noted that the first moving plate 12 and / or the second moving plate 13 can be reciprocatingly connected to the mounting seat 11, and a slide rail 112 extending longitudinally along the first direction can be set on the mounting seat 11, and a slider 114 is provided at the bottom of the first moving plate 12 and / or the second moving plate 13, and the slider 114 is slidably mounted on the slide rail 112.

[0058] In some embodiments, the core closing device further includes a first driving assembly 21 , which is disposed on the mounting seat 11 and is transmission-connected to the first moving plate 12 to drive the first moving plate 12 to reciprocate along the first direction.

[0059] Further, the first driving assembly 21 includes a first connecting block 211 and a first driving member 212, wherein the first driving member 212 is fixedly connected to the mounting seat 11, and the first connecting block 211 is fixedly connected to the driving end of the first driving member 212 and is connected to the first transfer plate 12. In this way, the first driving member 212 can drive the first transfer plate 12 to reciprocate along the first direction. Specifically, the first driving member 212 is an electric cylinder.

[0060] In some embodiments, the core closing device further includes a second driving assembly 22 , which is disposed on the mounting seat 11 and is transmission-connected to the second moving plate 13 to drive the second moving plate 13 to reciprocate along the first direction.

[0061] Further, the second driving assembly 22 includes a second connecting block 221 and a second driving member 222, the second driving member 222 is fixedly connected to the mounting seat 11, the second connecting block 221 is fixedly connected to the driving end of the second driving member 222, and is connected to the second transfer plate 13. In this way, the second driving member 222 can drive the second transfer plate 13 to reciprocate along the first direction. Specifically, the second driving member 222 is an electric cylinder.

[0062] It can be understood that, corresponding to the setting form of the first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13, in the above two embodiments, the first drive component 21 and the second drive component 22 can be set at the same time, or only one of them can be set, and the structures of the first drive component 21 and the second drive component 22 are the same.

[0063] In some embodiments, the core closing device further includes a third driving assembly 23 , which is disposed on the first transfer plate 12 and is transmission-connected to the first rotating plate 14 to drive the first rotating plate 14 to rotate around the first rotating axis.

[0064] Furthermore, the core closing device further includes a transmission assembly 24 , which is transmission-connected between the third driving assembly 23 and the first rotating plate 14 .

[0065] In actual application, the transmission assembly 24 includes a driving wheel 241, a transmission belt 242 and a driven wheel 243. The driving wheel 241 is transmission-connected to the third driving assembly 23, the driven wheel 243 is rotatable around the first rotation axis, the first rotating plate 14 is fixedly connected to the driven wheel 243, and the transmission belt 242 is connected between the driving wheel 241 and the driven wheel 243.

[0066] In some embodiments, the third driving assembly 23 includes a connecting seat 231 and a third driving member 232 . The connecting seat 231 is connected to the first transfer plate 12 . The third driving member 232 is fixedly connected to the connecting seat 231 . The third driving member 232 is in driving connection with the transmission assembly 24 .

[0067] Furthermore, the third driving assembly 23 also includes an adjusting seat 233 and an adjusting member 234. The connecting seat 231 is reciprocatably connected to the first moving plate 12 along the first direction. The adjusting seat 233 is fixedly connected to the first moving plate 12. The adjusting member 234 is rotatably connected to the adjusting seat 233 around an axis parallel to the first direction, and one end of the adjusting member 234 is threadedly connected to the connecting seat 231 to adjust the position of the connecting seat 231 along the first direction.

[0068] The transmission assembly 24 is a transmission belt structure, so the connection seat 231 can reciprocate along the first direction to adjust the tightness of the transmission belt 242 and facilitate the replacement of the transmission assembly 24.

[0069] In some embodiments, the core closing device further includes a fourth drive assembly (not shown), which is disposed on the second transfer plate 13 and is transmission-connected to the second rotating plate 15 to drive the second rotating plate 15 to rotate around the second rotation axis. Further, the transmission assembly 24 includes two groups, the third drive assembly is transmission-connected to the first rotating plate 14 through one group of the transmission assemblies 24, and the fourth drive assembly is transmission-connected to the second rotating plate 15 through the other group of the transmission assemblies 24.

[0070] It should be noted that the structure of the fourth drive component is the same as that of the third drive component 23. The fourth drive component is connected to the second transfer plate 13 through the connecting seat 231 and can move back and forth along the first direction. Those skilled in the art can set the fourth drive component according to the structure of the third drive component 23, which will not be elaborated here.

[0071] In some embodiments, the core-closing device also includes a first support seat 16 and a second support seat 17, the first support seat 16 is fixedly connected to the first transfer plate 12, the second support seat 17 is reciprocatingly connected to the mounting seat 11 along a first direction, and the first rotating plate 14 is rotatably connected to the first support seat 16 and the second support seat 17 around a first rotation axis.

[0072] Furthermore, the core closing device also includes a linkage block 18, which is connected between the first support seat 16 and the second support seat 17 to enable the first support seat 16 and the second support seat 17 to move in a linked manner in the first direction, thereby ensuring that when the first transfer plate 12 moves in the first direction, the first support seat 16 and the second support seat 17 will move synchronously in the first direction, thereby causing the first rotating plate 14 to move in the first direction.

[0073] It needs to be explained that the above-mentioned third driving assembly 23 is used to drive the first rotating plate 14 to rotate, and the first transferring plate 12 can be used to install the third driving assembly 23. In order to simplify the structure, the first transferring plate 12 is only set at one end of the mounting seat 11 to facilitate the installation of the third driving assembly 23, and the second support seat 17 is directly and movably installed on the mounting seat 11 at the other end.

[0074] Of course, in other embodiments, a first transfer plate 12 with a larger area may be provided, and the first support seat 16 and the second support seat 17 are both fixedly connected to the first transfer plate 12. In this way, there is no need to further provide a linkage block 18 that enables the first support seat 16 and the second support seat 17 to be linked.

[0075] In addition, both ends of the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are rotatably connected to the first supporting seat 16 and the second supporting seat 17 through the rocker arm 19 and the rotating shaft respectively, and the transmission assembly 24 is connected to the rotating shaft at one end.

[0076] It should also be noted that the setting form of the second transfer plate 13 and the second rotating plate 15 is the same as that of the first transfer plate 12 and the first rotating plate 14. Technical personnel in this field can set the second transfer plate 13 and the second rotating plate 15 according to the setting form of the first transfer plate 12 and the first rotating plate 14.

[0077] In some embodiments, the cell-closing device further includes a first positioning mechanism, and both the first fixing position and the second fixing position are provided with the first positioning mechanism, and the first positioning mechanism positions the sub-cell at the first fixing position or the second fixing position.

[0078] See also Figure 3 Furthermore, the first positioning mechanism includes a first positioning component 31 and a second positioning component 32, and the first positioning component 31 and the second positioning component 32 are arranged on the first rotating plate 14 or the second rotating plate 15, and the first positioning component 31 and the second positioning component 32 are arranged at intervals along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0079] Furthermore, the first positioning mechanism further includes a stopper 33 , which is staggered from the first positioning assembly 31 and the second positioning assembly 32 in the second direction and is located between the first positioning assembly 31 and the second positioning assembly 32 in the second direction.

[0080] Among them, Figure 1 In the second direction, the left-right direction is Figure 2 , the second direction is the front-to-back direction.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first positioning component 31 has a first positioning end along the second direction toward the second positioning component 32, and the second positioning component 32 has a second positioning end along the second direction toward the first positioning component 31. The first positioning end and the second positioning end can be close to or away from each other in the second direction.

[0082] It can be understood that the first positioning end of the first positioning component 31 and the second positioning end of the second positioning component 32 can be close to or away from each other in the second direction, so the first positioning component 31 and the second positioning component 32 are used to position the sub-cell in the second direction.

[0083] The stopper 33 is used to preliminarily position the sub-cell in the first direction. In other words, the sub-cell is positioned when the first rotating plate 14 or the second rotating plate 15 is respectively located at the first loading position or the second loading position. At this time, the stopper 33 is used to cooperate with the robot to preliminarily position the sub-cell in the first direction.

[0084] In addition, when the sub-cell is placed in the first fixed position or the second fixed position, the height of the sub-cell is higher than the height of the stopper 33 to prevent the stopper 33 from abutting against each other when the first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13 are close to each other and affecting the fitting of the sub-cell.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first positioning assembly 31 includes a first positioning driver 311 and a positioning block 312. The first positioning driver 311 is fixedly connected to the first rotating plate 14 or the second rotating plate 15, and the positioning block 312 is fixedly connected to the driving end of the first positioning driver 311 to be driven to reciprocate along the second direction. Specifically, the first positioning driver 311 is a cylinder.

[0086] It should be noted that the structure of the second positioning assembly 32 is the same as that of the first positioning assembly 31 , and the positioning block of the second positioning assembly 32 is arranged opposite to the positioning block 312 of the first positioning assembly 31 to position the sub-cell in the second direction.

[0087] In some embodiments, the cell-joining device further includes a fixing assembly 40, and the first fixing position and the second fixing position are both provided with a fixing assembly 40, and the fixing assembly 40 is used to fix the sub-cell. After the sub-cell is positioned, the sub-cell is fixed to prevent the sub-cell from sliding when rotating or moving, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the sub-cell fitting.

[0088] Furthermore, the fixing assembly 40 includes a supporting suction seat 41, a suction cup 42 and a vacuum generator. The supporting suction seat 41 is fixedly connected to the first rotating plate 14 or the second rotating plate 15, and the supporting suction seat 41 has a supporting surface for supporting the sub-cell. The suction cup 42 is arranged on the supporting surface, and the vacuum generator is connected to the suction cup 42.

[0089] It should be noted that the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 respectively have a first fixing position and a second fixing position for fixing the sub-battery cell, and do not limit the placement of the battery cell on the surface of the rotating plate with a fixed position. As described above, the supporting suction seat 41 is fixedly connected to the first fixed position of the first rotating plate 14 or the second fixed position of the second rotating plate 15, thereby cooperating with the suction cup 42 to fix the sub-battery cell at the first fixed position or the second fixed position.

[0090] In addition, a negative pressure hole can be directly opened on the support suction seat 41, one end of the negative pressure hole passes through the side of the support suction seat 41 away from the first rotating plate 14 or the second rotating plate 15, and the other end passes through the other side of the support suction seat 41, and the other end is connected to the vacuum generator. In this way, negative pressure can be formed in the negative pressure hole to directly adsorb and fix the sub-cell.

[0091] In some embodiments, the core closing device also includes a second positioning mechanism, which includes a top cover seat 51 and a lifting drive member 52. The lifting drive member 52 is arranged on the mounting seat 11 and is transmission-connected to the top cover seat 51 to drive the top cover seat 51 to reciprocate along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The top cover seat 51 is located between the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15, and is used to position the top cover.

[0092] It can be determined that the top cover is connected between the two sub-cells, and the top cover connected between the two sub-cells is positioned on the top cover seat 51 to prevent the top cover from sliding relative to the sub-cells when the two sub-cells rotate.

[0093] Among them, Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, the third direction is up and down.

[0094] At the same time, it needs to be explained that, taking the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 as an example where they are located at the first loading position and the second loading position respectively, the top cover seat 51 positions the top cover, and the top cover positioning can achieve further positioning of the two sub-battery cells in the first direction. It can be seen that the block 33 only performs preliminary positioning of the sub-battery cell to facilitate the accurate placement of the sub-battery cell into the first fixed position and the second fixed position.

[0095] In addition, the top cover is located between the two battery cells, and the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13 can both move back and forth along the first direction, which can ensure that the top cover is always located in the middle position during the movement of the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13.

[0096] Furthermore, the second positioning mechanism also includes a first clamping member 53 and a second clamping member 54, both of which are connected to the top cover seat 51 so as to be reciprocable along the second direction. The first clamping member 53 and the second clamping member 54 are used to form a clamping position on the top cover seat 51 for clamping the top cover.

[0097] In actual application, the second positioning mechanism also includes a second positioning drive member 55, which is fixedly connected to the top cover seat 51 and is respectively connected to the first clamping member 53 and the second clamping member 54 to drive the first clamping member 53 and the second clamping member 54 to reciprocate in the second direction.

[0098] Specifically, the lifting driving component 52 is a high-precision electric cylinder, and the second positioning driving component 55 is a clamping claw cylinder.

[0099] It should be noted that the height of the top cover will change during the rotation of the sub-cell, and the top cover seat 51 is driven by a high-precision electric cylinder to reciprocate in the vertical direction to ensure that the relative position of the top cover seat 51 and the sub-cell does not change, thereby avoiding pulling and tearing of the tabs.

[0100] In addition, in some other embodiments, a positioning groove may be directly opened on the top cover seat 51, and the top cover is positioned in the positioning groove. In this way, the top cover can be supported and positioned.

[0101] In some embodiments, the second positioning mechanism also includes a lifting fixed seat 56 and a lifting seat 57, the lifting fixed seat 56 is fixedly connected to the mounting seat 11, the lifting driving member 52 is fixedly connected to the lifting fixed seat 56, the lifting seat 57 is reciprocatingly connected to the lifting fixed seat 56 along a third direction, the top cover seat 51 is fixedly connected to the lifting seat 57, and the lifting driving member 52 is transmission-connected to the lifting seat 57.

[0102] Furthermore, the second positioning mechanism also includes a guide rod 58 and a guide sleeve 59, the guide sleeve 58 is fixedly connected to the mounting seat 11, the guide rod 59 is reciprocatingly connected to the guide sleeve 58 along the third direction, and the two ends of the guide rod 59 are respectively connected to the lifting seat 57 and the top cover seat 51 to guide the movement of the top cover seat 51.

[0103] In some embodiments, the core closing device also includes a clamping assembly having a clamping end that can reciprocate along the second direction and the third direction, and the clamping end has a clamping position during the movement along the second direction and the third direction. When the clamping end is at the clamping position, the clamping end is used to press the pole ear.

[0104] In this way, when the sub-cell rotates with the rotating plate, the pole ear connected to the sub-cell will be bent. By pressing the pole ear with the clamping end, it can be ensured that the bending position of the pole ear remains unchanged when the sub-cell rotates with the rotating plate.

[0105] In practical applications, the clamping assembly includes two groups, the two groups of clamping assemblies are arranged at intervals along the second direction, and the clamping ends of the two groups of clamping assemblies are arranged facing each other and correspondingly in the second direction to extend from both ends of the top cover in the second direction and clamp the pole ears.

[0106] In some embodiments, the clamping components include a translation drive member 61, a lifting drive member 62 and a pressure block 63. The translation drive member 61 is disposed on the mounting seat 11 and is transmission-connected to the lifting drive member 62 to drive the lifting drive member 62 to reciprocate along the second direction. The lifting drive member 62 is transmission-connected to the pressure block 63 to drive the pressure block 63 to reciprocate along the third direction. The pressure block 63 has a clamping end.

[0107] In this way, the pressing block 63 is driven by the translation driving member 61 and the lifting driving member 62 to reciprocate along the second direction and the third direction. After the sub-cell is placed in the first fixed position and the second fixed position, the pressing block 63 first rises a certain height along the third direction, and then moves along the second direction to above the pole ear, and then the pressing block 63 continues to descend a certain height along the third direction to press against the pole ear.

[0108] Specifically, the translation driving member 61 is a cylinder, the lifting driving member 62 is a cylinder, and the pressing block 63 is a flexible block, which can avoid crushing the tab.

[0109] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5In other embodiments, the clamping assembly includes a translation drive member 71, an extension drive member 72, two lifting drives 73 and two pressing blocks 74. The translation drive member 71 is arranged on the mounting seat 11 and is transmission-connected with the extension drive member 72 for driving the extension drive member 72 to reciprocate along the second direction. The extension drive member 72 is transmission-connected with the two lifting drives 73 to drive the two lifting drives 73 to approach or move away from each other in the first direction. Each lifting drive member 73 is transmission-connected with a corresponding pressing block 74 to drive the pressing block 74 to reciprocate along the third direction. The two pressing blocks form a clamping end.

[0110] The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the pressing end in this embodiment includes two pressing blocks 74, so that the pressing end is adjustable in the first direction. Therefore, the pressing block 63 in the previous embodiment is suitable for sub-cells with smaller thickness, while the pressing block 74 in this embodiment is adjustable and suitable for sub-cells with larger thickness.

[0111] In addition, since two pressing blocks 74 are provided, an additional extension driving member 73 is provided in this embodiment, and the extension driving member 73 is a clamping claw cylinder.

[0112] It needs to be explained that when the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are located at the first core-closing position and the second core-closing position, the two sub-cells are perpendicular to the first direction, and there is a certain distance between the two sub-cells, and the pole ears are located below the sub-cells. The thicker the sub-cells, the larger the spacing between the pole ears will be. Therefore, an adjustable clamping end is provided to achieve the suppression of the pole ears of thicker sub-cells.

[0113] In addition, during the process of the rotating plate rotating from the loading position to the core closing position, the clamping end does not always press against the pole ear. In actual use, the rotating plate can be rotated from the loading position to the core closing position by flipping 90°, and when the rotating plate is flipped 60°, the clamping end is withdrawn.

[0114] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions in the above embodiments, the working process of the core combining device in the above embodiments is roughly described here:

[0115] Initially, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are located at the first loading position and the second loading position respectively. The robot places the sub-cell at the first fixed position and the second fixed position, and then the sub-cell is positioned in the second direction by the first positioning component 31 and the second positioning component 32, and the top cover is positioned by the second positioning mechanism.

[0116] After positioning, the sub-cell is fixed by the fixing assembly 40, and then the clamping end rises to a certain height, and the translation drive drives the clamping end to move above the pole ear, and then the clamping end descends and presses against the pole ear (for thicker sub-cells, the two clamping blocks can be first expanded by extending the drive member and then lowered).

[0117] After the clamping end is pressed against the pole ear, the rotating plate rotates, and when it rotates to 60°, the clamping end is withdrawn (when the clamping end includes two pressing blocks, the two pressing blocks are first raised, then the two pressing blocks are brought closer to each other, and finally the pressing blocks are withdrawn along the second direction).

[0118] After the clamping end is withdrawn, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 continue to rotate to the first core closing position and the second core closing position respectively, and then the first driving component 21 and the second driving component 22 drive the first moving plate 12 and the second moving plate 13 to approach each other, so that the two battery cells are attached and the two battery cells are compressed.

[0119] The present invention also relates to a core-closing method, comprising the following steps:

[0120] S110 , placing the sub-cells at the first fixed position of the first rotating plate 14 and the second fixed position of the second rotating plate 15 , respectively.

[0121] S120, rotating the first rotating plate 14 around the first rotating axis to a first core closing position, and rotating the second rotating plate 15 around a second rotating axis parallel to the first rotating axis to a second core closing position.

[0122] S130, the first transfer plate 12 and the second transfer plate 13 are moved closer to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position and the sub-cell on the second fixed position are attached and pressed tightly.

[0123] Among them, when the first rotating plate 14 is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate 15 is located at the second core-closing position, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are parallel to each other, and the side of the first rotating plate 14 with the first fixed position is arranged opposite to the side of the second rotating plate 15 with the second fixed position, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite in the first direction.

[0124] By adopting the above-mentioned core closing method, after placing the sub-cell on the first fixed position and the second fixed position, the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 are rotated to the first core closing position and the second core closing position, and then the first transferring plate 12 and the second transferring plate 13 are moved close to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position is attached to and pressed against the sub-cell on the second fixed position, avoiding the existence of a gap between the two sub-cells, thereby improving the core closing effect.

[0125] In some embodiments, step S110 further includes: positioning the top cover by means of the top cover seat 51 .

[0126] Furthermore, step S120 also includes: simultaneously driving the top cover seat 51 to move along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction through the lifting driving member 52 .

[0127] Specifically, during the process of the first rotating plate 14 and the second rotating plate 15 rotating to the first core closing position and the second core closing position, the top cover seat 51 is driven to move downward by the lifting driving member 52 to prevent the top cover from sliding relative to the sub-cells when the two sub-cells rotate.

[0128] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0129] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A core-closing device, characterized in that: include: A first moving plate and a second moving plate, wherein the first moving plate and the second moving plate can be arranged close to or away from each other along a first direction; A first rotating plate is rotatably connected to the first transfer plate around a first rotating axis, and the first rotating plate has a first fixing position for fixing the sub-cell; and A second rotating plate, rotatably connected to the second transfer plate around a second rotating axis parallel to the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate has a second fixing position for fixing the sub-cell; A mounting seat, wherein the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate are both arranged on the mounting seat; Wherein, the first rotating plate has a first core-closed position during the rotation around the first rotating axis, and the second rotating plate has a second core-closed position during the rotation around the second rotating axis; When the first rotating plate is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate is located at the second core-closing position, the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are parallel to each other, the side of the first rotating plate having the first fixed position is arranged opposite to the side of the second rotating plate having the second fixed position, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction.

2. The core combining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first driving assembly, which is in driving connection with the first moving plate to drive the first moving plate to reciprocate along the first direction; and / or It also includes a second driving component, which is in driving connection with the second moving plate to drive the second moving plate to reciprocate along the first direction.

3. The core combining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first positioning mechanism, and the first fixing position and the second fixing position are both provided with the first positioning mechanism, and the first positioning mechanism positions the sub-cell at the first fixing position or the second fixing position.

4. The core combining device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first positioning mechanism includes a first positioning component and a second positioning component, and the first positioning component and the second positioning component are arranged on the first rotating plate or the second rotating plate at intervals along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first positioning component has a first positioning end facing the second positioning component, and the second positioning component has a second positioning end facing the first positioning component. The first positioning end and the second positioning end can be close to each other so as to respectively abut against both sides of the sub-cell in the second direction.

5. The core combining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second positioning mechanism, which includes a top cover seat and a jacking drive component. The jacking drive component is transmission-connected to the top cover seat to drive the top cover seat to reciprocate along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. The top cover seat is located between the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate and is used to position the top cover.

6. The core combining device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second positioning mechanism also includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member, and the first clamping member and the second clamping member are both connected to the top cover seat so as to be reciprocably movable along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction, and the first clamping member and the second clamping member are used to form a clamping position on the top cover seat for clamping the top cover.

7. The core combining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly having a clamping end that can reciprocate along the second direction and the third direction, the clamping end having a clamping position during the movement along the second direction and the third direction, and when the clamping end is at the clamping position, the clamping end is used to press the pole ear; The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

8. The core combining device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The clamping components include a translation drive, a lifting drive and a pressure block. The translation drive is connected to the lifting drive to drive the lifting drive to reciprocate along the second direction. The lifting drive is connected to the pressure block to drive the pressure block to reciprocate along the third direction. The pressure block has the clamping end.

9. The core combining device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The clamping assemblies include a translation drive, an extension drive, two lifting drives and two pressure blocks. The translation drive is transmission-connected with the extension drive to drive the extension drive to reciprocate along the second direction. The extension drive is transmission-connected with the two lifting drives to drive the two lifting drives to approach or move away from each other in the first direction. Each lifting drive is transmission-connected with a corresponding pressure block to drive the pressure block to reciprocate along the third direction. Two pressure blocks form the clamping end.

10. A core-closing method, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: a) placing the sub-cells on the first fixed position of the first rotating plate and the second fixed position of the second rotating plate respectively; b) rotating the first rotating plate around a first rotating axis to a first core-closed position, and rotating the second rotating plate around a second rotating axis parallel to the first rotating axis to a second core-closed position; c) moving the first transfer plate and the second transfer plate closer to each other, so that the sub-cell on the first fixed position and the sub-cell on the second fixed position are attached to and pressed tightly; Among them, when the first rotating plate is located at the first core-closing position and the second rotating plate is located at the second core-closing position, the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are parallel to each other, the side of the first rotating plate having the first fixed position and the side of the second rotating plate having the second fixed position are arranged opposite to each other, and the first fixed position and the second fixed position are opposite to each other in the first direction.

11. The core-joining method according to claim 10, characterized in that: Step a also includes: Positioning the top cover by means of the top cover seat; Step b also includes: At the same time, the top cover seat is driven to move along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction by a jacking driving member.

Images