A winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, winding machine and winding needle outer circumference adjustment method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle, a winding machine, and a method for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle, wherein the adjusting device comprises a winding needle body, a driving assembly, and at least one diameter-changing slider; the diameter-changing slider is arranged on the outer circumference of the winding needle body and can slide radially along the winding needle body, and the diameter-changing slider is provided with a driving inclined surface that forms an angle in the axial direction of the winding needle body; the driving assembly comprises a push block and a push block driving member, the push block is provided with an adjusting portion that abuts against the driving inclined surface; the push block driving member is arranged at one end of the winding needle body, the push block driving member can slide axially along the winding needle body, and push the push block to slide axially along the winding needle body, so that the adjusting portion slides along the driving inclined surface, thereby driving the diameter-changing slider to slide radially along the winding needle body. The present invention has a simple structure, is easy to use, and can realize automatic and continuous adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing equipment, and in particular to a winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, a winding machine, and a winding needle outer circumference adjustment method. Background Art

[0002] The cell of a lithium battery consists of a diaphragm and positive and negative electrodes. Usually, the coil is wound into a cell using the winding needle of a winding machine, and then it is processed later. The winding needle is the core part of the winding process. During the winding production, due to the different batches of coils, there are tolerances in the thickness. The outer circumference of the existing winding needle cannot generally be adjusted automatically. Usually, Teflon is manually attached to the outside of the winding needle to change the outer circumference of the winding needle. This technology has high manual maintenance costs and is prone to poor consistency in the outer diameter of the product. In addition, the outer diameter of the cell gradually increases as it is wound. If the outer circumference of the winding needle cannot be adjusted, it is easy to cause low alignment of the electrode sheets, affecting the quality of the product. In the existing technology, the outer circumference of the winding needle is usually changed by changing the winding needle structure, and the circular winding needle is changed to an elliptical winding needle through a mechanical structure to achieve the change. This method has the problem that the cell unloading device needs to change with the change of the winding needle, resulting in long debugging time and reduced equipment production capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, a winding machine and a winding needle outer circumference adjustment method, which have a simple structure, are easy to use, and can realize automatic and continuous adjustment of the winding needle outer circumference.

[0004] A device for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle comprises a winding needle body, a driving assembly, and at least one diameter-changing slider;

[0005] The diameter-changing slider is provided on the outer periphery of the winding needle body and is capable of sliding along the radial direction of the winding needle body. The diameter-changing slider is provided with a driving inclined surface forming an angle in the axial direction of the winding needle body.

[0006] The driving assembly includes a push block and a push block driving member, the push block is provided with an adjusting portion abutting against the driving inclined surface; the push block driving member is provided at one end of the winding needle body, the push block driving member can slide along the axial direction of the winding needle body, and push the push block to slide along the axial direction of the winding needle body, so that the adjusting portion slides along the driving inclined surface, thereby driving the variable diameter slider to slide along the radial direction of the winding needle body.

[0007] The push-block driver propels the pusher block axially along the winding needle body, which in turn drives the variable-diameter slider radially along the winding needle body via the adjustment unit, thereby varying the winding needle's outer circumference. This simple structure provides flexible and convenient use. During adjustment, only the push-block driver needs to be moved, not the winding needle body. This ensures the winding needle body remains fixed in position, eliminating the need for subsequent adjustments to the cell unloading mechanism during the unloading process. This reduces commissioning time and improves winding accuracy. The variable-diameter slider is pushed by an inclined surface, ensuring smooth and continuous movement, enabling continuous, stepless adjustment of the winding needle's outer circumference and effectively improving adjustment precision and flexibility.

[0008] In one embodiment, a first guide post is provided at one end of the push block, adjacent to the push block driver. The first guide post is disposed through the end of the winding needle body and extends outwardly along the axial direction of the winding needle body. The first guide post serves to guide and secure the push block, thereby ensuring more stable movement.

[0009] As an embodiment, the push block driving member is disposed opposite to the first guide post. The push block driving member can move the push block by pushing the first guide post, thereby facilitating adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle.

[0010] As an embodiment, a second guide post is provided at one end of the push block away from the push block driving member, and the second guide post is passed through the needle winding body. The second guide post has a guiding and fixing function, which can make the push block move more stably.

[0011] In one embodiment, a push block reset member is provided at one end of the second guide column away from the push block driving member, and the push block reset member abuts against the second guide column. When the push block driving member pushes the push block, the push block reset member generates a reverse thrust, thereby achieving automatic reset of the push block.

[0012] In one embodiment, the push block driving member is provided with a locking member, and the push block is provided with a locking groove corresponding to the locking member. The locking member can engage with the locking groove, thereby connecting the push block driving member and the push block, so that the push block driving member can drive the push block to reset. When the push block driving member drives the push block to move into position, the locking member extends into the locking groove and engages with the locking groove, so that when the push block driving member resets, the push block can be pulled at the same time, driving the push block to reset. After the push block is reset into position, the locking member disengages from the locking groove under the action of the pulling force, thereby achieving automatic reset of the push block.

[0013] As an embodiment, an adjustment gap is provided between the push block and the winding needle body. The adjustment gap can provide space for the push block to move, and the maximum movement distance of the push block can be limited by adjusting the length of the adjustment gap.

[0014] As an embodiment, a buffer elastic member is provided between the variable diameter slider and the winding needle body, and the buffer elastic member is provided at both ends of the variable diameter slider. When the variable diameter slider extends out of the winding needle body, the elastic force of the buffer elastic member can automatically reset the variable diameter slider.

[0015] A winding machine includes the aforementioned winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, as well as an unwinding device, a winding device, and a battery cell unloading device. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device is disposed on the winding device, the unwinding device is used to load battery cell coils onto the winding device, the winding device is used to wind battery cells, and the battery cell unloading device is used to remove formed battery cells from the winding device for unloading. This winding machine can automatically load, wind, and unload battery cell coils. The winding device utilizes the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, which can automatically and in real time adjust the outer circumference during the winding process, ensuring consistency in the battery cell winding dimensions, improving electrode alignment, and thereby enhancing product quality.

[0016] A method for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle comprises the following steps:

[0017] Step 1: Use the detection device to detect the misalignment of the tab and obtain the outer circumference adjustment data for adjusting the winding needle;

[0018] Step 2: According to the outer circumference adjustment data, use the push block driving member to drive the push block to move axially along the winding needle body, so that the adjustment part slides along the driving inclined surface, and then drives the diameter-changing slider to slide radially along the winding needle body.

[0019] The detection device detects the misalignment of the tabs, obtains the outer circumference adjustment data, and adjusts the winding of the next battery cell according to the outer circumference adjustment data, thereby realizing automatic adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle and forming a closed-loop control to reduce manual maintenance costs.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: a variable diameter slider is provided on the winding needle body, and a push block driving member pushes the push block to move axially along the winding needle body. This, in turn, is driven by the adjusting portion to move the variable diameter slider radially outward or inward along the winding needle assembly, causing the outer circumference of the winding needle assembly to increase or decrease accordingly, thereby achieving the purpose of changing the outer circumference of the winding needle. The adjusting portion slides along the driving bevel to drive the variable diameter slider, enabling continuous and stepless adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle, effectively improving the flexibility and precision of the adjustment. The bevel drive method enables smooth and fluid movement of the variable diameter slider, thereby improving the precision of adjustment. The interaction between the adjusting portion and the driving bevel enables the variable diameter slider to self-lock, making adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle more accurate and stable. During the adjustment process, only the push block driving member needs to be moved, and the winding needle body does not need to be moved. This ensures that the position of the winding needle body is fixed. This means that in the subsequent unloading process, the battery cell unloading device does not need to be adjusted as the winding needle diameter changes, reducing debugging time and improving winding precision. The present invention can automatically and in real time adjust the outer circumference during the winding process, thereby ensuring the consistency of the winding size of the battery cell, improving the alignment of the pole pieces, and thus improving product quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial enlarged schematic diagram.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the needle winding outer circumference adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the variable-diameter slider is in the extended state.

[0027] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0028] Needle winding body 1, first needle body 11, second needle body 12, adjustment gap 13;

[0029] Driving assembly 2, push block 21, adjusting portion 211, first guide post 212, second guide post 213, locking slot 214, push block driving member 22, locking member 221, push block reset member 23, buffer elastic member 24;

[0030] Variable diameter slider 3 and driving inclined surface 31. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the described embodiments are only a portion of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations.

[0032] The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device of the present invention has the characteristic of continuously adjusting the outer circumference, and is mainly used in battery core winding machines.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the figure, in a preferred embodiment, the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device of the present invention mainly includes a winding needle body 1, a drive assembly 2, and at least one variable diameter slider 3. The winding needle body 1 is used to wind battery cells, the variable diameter slider 3 is used to adjust the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1, and the drive assembly 2 is used to drive the variable diameter slider 3 to slide radially along the winding needle body 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, the winding needle body 1 is cylindrical, but this is not limiting. In some embodiments, the winding needle body 1 may be diamond-shaped or have other shapes. The winding needle body 1 comprises a first needle body 11 and a second needle body 12, which are opposed to each other and are semi-cylindrical. The winding needle body 1 is connected to a drive device (not shown) and can be driven by the drive device to rotate along its axis to wind the battery cell.

[0035] The variable-diameter slider 3 is disposed on the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1. In this embodiment, there are two variable-diameter sliders 3, one on the first needle body 11 and the other on the second needle body 12. However, this is not limiting; in some embodiments, there may be more than two variable-diameter sliders 3. The variable-diameter slider 3 is configured to move radially along the winding needle body 1. The variable-diameter slider 3 is provided with a driving inclined surface 31 that forms an angle with the axial direction of the winding needle body 1. In specific implementation, the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1 is provided with an opening facing the variable-diameter slider 3. The variable-diameter slider 3 is provided with a support surface facing the outside of the winding needle body 1. The support surface matches the shape and size of the opening. In the initial state, the support surface is flush with the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1. When the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1 needs to be adjusted, the variable-diameter slider 3 slides radially along the winding needle body 1, causing the support surface to extend outward from the winding needle body 1, thereby changing the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1.

[0036] The drive assembly 2 includes a push block 21 and a push block driver 22. The push block 21 is disposed within the winding needle body 1 and is movable axially along the winding needle body 1. The push block 21 is provided with an adjustment portion 211 that abuts against the driving bevel 31. In this embodiment, the side of the adjustment portion 211 that abuts against the driving bevel 31 is formed into an angle that matches the angle of the driving bevel 31. The push block driver 22 is disposed externally to the winding needle body 1, coaxial with the winding needle body 1, and spaced apart from the end of the winding needle body 1. The push block driver 22 is connected to a drive device (not shown). Driven by the drive device, the push block driver 22 can slide axially along the winding needle body 1, pushing against the push block 21, causing the push block 21 to slide axially along the winding needle body 1. Simultaneously, the adjustment portion 211 slides along the driving bevel 31. Under the pressure of the adjustment portion 211, the variable diameter slider 3 slides radially along the winding needle body 1, thereby changing the outer circumference of the winding needle.

[0037] As an embodiment, a first guide post 212 is provided at one end of the push block 21 near the push block driver 22. A through hole is provided at the end of the winding needle body 1 corresponding to the first guide post 212. One end of the first guide post 212 is connected to the push block 21, and the other end extends from the outside of the winding needle body 1. The extension direction of the first guide post 212 is parallel to the axial direction of the winding needle body 1. The first guide post 212 has a guiding and fixing function, which can make the movement of the push block 21 more stable. Its end extends out of the winding needle body 1. By pushing the first guide post 212, the push block 21 can be moved, facilitating the adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle. The push block driver 22 is opposite to the first guide post 212. In this embodiment, the push block driver 22 has a surface for pushing the push block, so that it can push multiple first guide posts 212 simultaneously, so that multiple push blocks 21 move simultaneously along the axial direction of the winding needle body 1, thereby causing multiple variable-diameter sliders 3 to simultaneously extend out of the outer circumference of the winding needle body 1.

[0038] As another embodiment, a through hole is provided at one end of the winding needle body 1 close to the push block driving member 22 corresponding to the push block 21, and a push rod matching the through hole is provided at the end of the push block driving member 22. The push block driving member 22 can move along the axial direction of the winding needle body 1, so that the push rod extends into the winding needle body 1 and pushes the push block 21, thereby realizing the movement of the push block 21.

[0039] A second guide post 213 is provided at the end of the push block 21 away from the push block driver 22. A through hole is provided at the end of the winding needle body 1 corresponding to the second guide post 213. One end of the second guide post 213 is connected to the push block 21, and the other end extends outward from the winding needle body 1. The extension direction of the second guide post 213 is parallel to the axial direction of the winding needle body 1. The second guide post 213 serves as a guide and fixation, further stabilizing the movement of the push block 21.

[0040] As an embodiment, a push block reset member 23 is provided at one end of the second guide post 213 away from the push block driver 22. The push block reset member 23 may be a spring and abuts against the second guide post 213. When the push block driver 22 pushes the push block 21, the push block reset member 23 generates a reverse thrust, thereby automatically resetting the push block 21.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As another embodiment, the push block driver 22 is provided with a locking member 221, and the push block 21 is provided with a locking groove 214 corresponding to the locking member 221. The locking member 221 can engage with the locking groove 214, thereby connecting the push block driver 22 and the push block 21, allowing the push block driver 22 to drive the push block 21 to reset. In this embodiment, the locking groove 214 is provided on the circumference of the first guide post 212, and the locking member 221 is configured to be elastic and match the position of the locking groove 214. The specific working principle of the locking member 221 and the locking groove 214 is as follows: the pushing block driving member 22 pushes the pushing block 21 to move, the pushing block 21 moves into place and stops moving under the obstruction of the winding needle body 1, at this time the pushing block driving member 22 continues to move relative to the pushing block 21, and the locking member 221 retracts into the interior of the pushing block driving member 22 under the action of the thrust, when the pushing block driving member 22 moves into place, the locking member 221 is opposite to the locking groove 214, the locking member 221 pops out and extends into the locking groove 214, so that the pushing block driving member 22 is engaged with the pushing block 21, and when the pushing block driving member 22 is reset (moved in the reverse direction), the locking member 221 drives the pushing block 21, so that the pushing block 21 moves along with the pushing block driving member 22, thereby realizing the automatic reset of the pushing block 21. When the push block 21 is reset to its position, the push block 21 stops moving due to the obstruction of the winding needle body 1. At this time, the push block driving member 22 keeps moving, so that the locking member 221 can be separated from the locking groove 214, thereby realizing the automatic separation of the push block driving member 22 and the push block 21.

[0042] In this embodiment, the driving bevels 31 are provided at both ends of the variable diameter slider 3, and the adjusting portions 211 are correspondingly provided at both ends of the push block 21. The driving bevels 31 and the adjusting portions 211 are provided at both ends of the variable diameter slider 3 and the push block 21, respectively, to increase the contact area between the variable diameter slider 3 and the push block 21, thereby evenly applying force to both ends of the variable diameter slider 3, thereby preventing the variable diameter slider 3 from jamming during sliding and ensuring smoother movement of the variable diameter slider 3.

[0043] In this embodiment, an adjustment gap 13 is provided between the push block 21 and the winding needle body 1. Specifically, the adjustment gap 13 is located between the end of the push block 21 and the inner surface of the end of the winding needle body 1. The adjustment gap 13 provides space for the push block 21 to move within the winding needle body 1. In addition, by adjusting the length of the adjustment gap 13, the maximum sliding distance of the push block 21 can be set.

[0044] A buffering elastic member 24 is provided between the variable diameter slider 3 and the winding needle body 1. This member can be a spring. When the variable diameter slider 3 extends out of the winding needle body 1, the buffering elastic member 24 exerts an elastic force on the variable diameter slider 3 toward the interior of the winding needle body 1, causing the variable diameter slider 3 to automatically reset. In this embodiment, the buffering elastic members 24 are provided at both ends of the variable diameter slider 3, ensuring a more even force distribution on the variable diameter slider 3 and a more stable reset.

[0045] The present invention also provides a winding machine comprising the aforementioned winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, as well as an unwinding device, a winding device, and a cell unloading device. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device is disposed on the winding device, the unwinding device is used to load cell coils onto the winding device, the winding device is used to wind the cells, and the cell unloading device is used to remove formed cells from the winding device for unloading. The winding machine is capable of automatically loading, winding, and unloading cell coils. The winding device utilizes the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device, which can automatically and in real time adjust the outer circumference during the winding process, ensuring consistency in cell winding dimensions, improving electrode alignment, and thereby enhancing product quality.

[0046] The present invention also provides a method for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle, comprising the steps of:

[0047] Step 1: Use the detection device to detect the misalignment of the tab and obtain the outer circumference adjustment data for adjusting the winding needle;

[0048] Step 2: According to the outer circumference adjustment data, the push block is driven by the push block driving member to move axially along the winding needle body 1, so that the adjustment portion 211 slides along the driving inclined surface 31, thereby driving the diameter-changing slider 3 to slide radially along the winding needle body 1.

[0049] The detection device detects the misalignment of the tabs, obtains the outer circumference adjustment data, and adjusts the winding of the next battery cell according to the outer circumference adjustment data, thereby realizing automatic adjustment of the outer circumference of the winding needle and forming a closed-loop control to reduce manual maintenance costs.

[0050] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are 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, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0051] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature identified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0052] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many substitutions, modifications, and variations can be made based on the above. Therefore, all such substitutions, modifications, and variations are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle, characterized in that: It comprises a needle winding body (1), a driving assembly (2), and at least one diameter-changing slider (3); The variable diameter slider (3) is provided on the outer periphery of the winding needle body (1) and is capable of sliding along the radial direction of the winding needle body (1); the variable diameter slider (3) is provided with a driving inclined surface (31) forming an angle in the axial direction of the winding needle body (1); The driving assembly (2) comprises a push block (21) and a push block driving member (22), wherein the push block (21) is provided with an adjusting portion (211) abutting against the driving inclined surface (31); the push block driving member is arranged outside the winding needle body, is coaxial with the winding needle body, and is arranged opposite to the end of the winding needle body in space. The outer circumference of the winding needle body (1) is provided with an opening for the variable diameter slider (3), and the variable diameter slider (3) is provided with a support surface facing the outer side of the winding needle body (1); The push block driving member (22) can slide along the axial direction of the winding needle body (1) and push the push block (21) to slide along the axial direction of the winding needle body (1), so that the adjusting portion (211) slides along the driving inclined surface (31), thereby driving the variable diameter slider (3) to slide along the radial direction of the winding needle body (1), so that the supporting surface extends out of the winding needle body (1), thereby changing the outer circumference of the winding needle body (1).

2. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first guide post (212) is provided at one end of the push block (21) close to the push block driving member (22). The first guide post (212) is passed through the end of the winding needle body (1) and extends outward along the axial direction of the winding needle body (1).

3. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The push block driving member (22) is arranged opposite to the first guide column (212).

4. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second guide post (213) is provided at one end of the push block (21) away from the push block driving member (22), and the second guide post (213) is passed through the needle winding body (1).

5. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A push block reset member (23) is provided at one end of the second guide column (213) away from the push block driving member (22), and the push block reset member (23) abuts against the second guide column (213).

6. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The push block driving member (22) is provided with a locking member (221), and the push block (21) is provided with a locking groove (214) corresponding to the locking member (221). The locking member (221) can be engaged with the locking groove (214), thereby connecting the push block driving member (22) and the push block (21), so that the push block driving member (22) can drive the push block (21) to reset.

7. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An adjustment gap (13) is provided between the push block (21) and the needle winding body (1).

8. The winding needle outer circumference adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer elastic member (24) is provided between the diameter-changing slider (3) and the winding needle body (1), and the buffer elastic member (24) is provided at both ends of the diameter-changing slider (3).

9. A winding machine, characterized in that: It comprises a winding needle outer circumference adjustment device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and also comprises a unwinding device, a winding device and a battery cell unloading device, the winding needle outer circumference adjustment device is arranged on the winding device, the unwinding device is used to load the battery cell coil to the winding device, the winding device is used to wind the battery cell, and the battery cell unloading device is used to move the formed battery cell out of the winding device for unloading.

10. A method for adjusting the outer circumference of a winding needle, characterized in that: Including steps: Step 1: Use the detection device to detect the misalignment of the tab and obtain the outer circumference adjustment data for adjusting the winding needle; Step 2: Based on the outer circumference adjustment data, the push block driving member (22) is used to drive the push block (21) to move axially along the winding needle body (1), so that the adjustment portion (211) slides along the driving inclined surface (31), thereby driving the variable diameter slider (3) to slide radially along the winding needle body (1).

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