Automatic bolt and nut supply system for battery pack assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic supply system for bolts and nuts, which is configured to automatically supply the required number of bolts and nuts for each step by type when assembling a battery pack. The automatic supply system for bolts and nuts comprises: a plurality of suppliers, which are configured to store and supply bolts and nuts by type; a conveying unit, which is configured to convey the bolts and nuts supplied by the suppliers; a accommodating box, which is configured to accommodate the bolts and nuts conveyed by the conveying unit; and a accommodating box conveying unit, which is configured to convey the accommodating box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2020-0066466, filed on Jun. 2, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a system configured to automatically supply the number of bolts and nuts required for each step of a battery pack assembly process. Background Art

[0003] As the technology of mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops, and digital cameras develops and the demand for them increases, research on secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged has been actively conducted. In addition, as an energy source to replace fossil fuels that cause air pollution, secondary batteries have been used in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), and energy storage systems (ESSs).

[0004] Currently widely used secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of a single secondary battery cell, that is, a single battery cell, is about 2.0V to 5.0V. Therefore, in the case where an output voltage higher than the above operating voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series with each other to form a battery module assembly. In addition, according to the required output voltage or charge and discharge capacity, the battery module assemblies can be connected in series or in parallel with each other to form a battery module. Typically, a battery pack is manufactured by using at least one battery module and adding additional components.

[0005] In order to manufacture a battery pack, a process of assembling components constituting the battery pack is required, and various types and numbers of bolts and nuts are required to fasten the components in respective steps of such an assembling process.

[0006] However, in the conventional bolt and nut supplying equipment, all required bolts and nuts are automatically supplied at once, and the operator classifies the bolts and nuts suitable for each assembly step one by one, and then tightens the classified bolts and nuts. Therefore, even in the case where the operator mistakenly misses the tightening of the bolts and nuts, the operator does not immediately realize this and proceeds to the next process, whereby the quality of the battery pack may deteriorate or a defect of the battery pack may be caused due to poor tightening. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of automatically supplying the number of bolts and nuts required for each step when assembling a battery pack, and a bolt and nut automatic supply method using the system.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] The automatic bolt and nut supply system according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose includes: a plurality of suppliers configured to store and supply bolts and nuts by type; a conveying unit configured to convey the bolts and nuts supplied by the suppliers; a containing box configured to contain the bolts and nuts conveyed by the conveying unit; and a containing box conveying unit configured to convey the containing box.

[0011] In addition, in the automatic supply system of bolts and nuts according to the present invention, the supplier may include: an alignment part, configured to store, align and discharge bolts and nuts; a vibration part, configured to vibrate the alignment part; a supply part, configured to supply bolts and nuts to a conveying unit; and a shell, configured so that the alignment part and the vibration part can be located therein.

[0012] In addition, in the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to the present invention, the vibration part may have an electromagnetic coil and a leaf spring, and may generate vibration so that the alignment part discharges the bolts and nuts.

[0013] In addition, in the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to the present invention, each of the feeders may be a bowl feeder.

[0014] In addition, in the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to the present invention, the accommodation box may be provided with a plurality of accommodation recesses, and a number of bolts and nuts required for corresponding steps of the battery pack assembly process may be accommodated in the accommodation recesses, respectively.

[0015] In addition, in the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to the present invention, the accommodating grooves can be painted with different colors to correspond one-to-one with the steps of the assembly process, so that the accommodating grooves can be distinguished from each other.

[0016] In addition, in the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to the present invention, the accommodating grooves can be marked with serial numbers to correspond one-to-one with the steps of the assembly process, so that the accommodating grooves can be distinguished from each other.

[0017] In addition, in the automatic supply system of bolts and nuts according to the present invention, the conveying unit may include: a conveying part, configured to store bolts and nuts supplied by a supplier and supply the bolts and nuts to a containing box; a driving part, configured to move the position of the conveying part; and a door part, located below the conveying part, which can be opened and closed.

[0018] In addition, the bolt and nut automatic supply method according to the present invention is a method for automatically supplying the number of bolts and nuts required for each step by type when assembling a battery pack using the bolt and nut automatic supply system according to the present invention, and the bolt and nut automatic supply method includes: (a) supplying bolts and nuts to each of a plurality of suppliers according to type; (b) supplying the number of bolts and nuts required for each step from the supplier to a conveying unit; (c) conveying the bolts and nuts from the conveying unit to the accommodating grooves of the accommodating box; and (d) conveying the accommodating box containing the bolts and nuts from the workbench to a wheel truck for movement.

[0019] In addition, the automatic supply method of bolts and nuts according to the present invention may further include: after step (d), moving the moving vehicle on which the receiving box is placed to the battery pack assembly process.

[0020] In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention is assembled using the bolts and nuts supplied by the bolt and nut automatic supply method according to the present invention.

[0021] Beneficial Effects

[0022] In the automatic bolt and nut supply system according to the present invention, bolts and nuts can be automatically supplied according to the type and quantity required for each assembly step, thereby preventing the quality deterioration of the battery pack or defects of the battery pack caused by the operator's mistaken omission of tightening the bolts and nuts.

[0023] In addition, the bolt and nut automatic supply system according to the present invention has an advantage in that bolts and nuts required for respective steps are supplied separately, and thus, the efficiency of the assembly work can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 1 is a side view showing an automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 1 is a side view showing a bolt and nut automatic supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention including a housing box transfer unit.

[0026] Figure 3 1 is a top view showing an automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating components of a feeder according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a receiving box installed on a workbench according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In the present application, it should be understood that the terms "include", "have", "comprises", etc. specify the existence of features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components or their combinations, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components or their combinations.

[0030] In addition, the same reference numerals will be used in all drawings to indicate components that perform similar functions or operations. In the specification, when a part is referred to as being connected to another part, not only can one part be directly connected to another part, but one part can also be indirectly connected to another part through other parts. In addition, the inclusion of a specific element does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that, unless otherwise specified, other elements may also be included.

[0031] Hereinafter, a bolt and nut automatic supply system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 is a side view showing a bolt and nut automatic supply system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 It is shown that Figure 1 A side view of the automatic supply system for nuts and bolts with the box transfer unit omitted, Figure 3 1 is a top view showing the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above.

[0033] When referring to Figures 1 to 3 When describing the automatic bolt and nut supply system 10, the automatic bolt and nut supply system 10 according to the present invention includes: a plurality of suppliers 100, configured to store bolts and nuts by type and supply the bolts and nuts required in the respective steps in quantity; a conveying unit 200, configured to convey the bolts and nuts supplied by the supplier 100 so as to supply the bolts and nuts to a containing box; a containing box 300 having a containing groove 310, configured to contain the bolts and nuts therein; a containing box conveying unit 400, configured to convey the containing box 300; and a workbench 500, configured to enable the containing box 300 to be placed thereon so as to supply bolts and nuts.

[0034] The supplier 100 refers to a device configured to automatically align and supply components, and generally refers to a device configured to sort, align, and supply components in a direction in which the components can be used using vibration.

[0035] When referring to Figure 4Describing the supply 100 in more detail, the supply 100 includes: an alignment portion 110 configured to store, align and discharge bolts and nuts; a vibration portion 120 configured to generate vibration and apply the vibration to the alignment portion; a supply portion 130 serving as a channel configured to enable the bolts and nuts of the alignment portion 110 to be discharged along it; and a shell 140 configured to wrap the alignment portion 110 and the vibration portion 120 so that they are set therein.

[0036] Here, the vibration part 120 has an electromagnetic coil and a leaf spring, and is used to generate vibration with a desired frequency in a process in which the leaf spring is deformed by the operation of the electromagnetic coil and then restored by elasticity. Due to this vibration, the components stored in the alignment part 110 are aligned and discharged by the alignment part 110.

[0037] A typical example of a dispenser using vibration is a bowl dispenser. The bowl dispenser is a dispenser configured to have a structure in which a bowl corresponding to the alignment portion 110 and a vibration portion 120 configured to generate vibration are combined with each other. The bowl dispenser is classified into a cylindrical bowl dispenser, a step bowl dispenser, or a plate-shaped bowl dispenser according to its shape.

[0038] Preferably, the number of suppliers 100 is set corresponding to the types of bolts and nuts used in the battery pack assembly process, so that one supplier 100 can store only one type of bolt or nut individually.

[0039] Although a feeder utilizing vibration has been described above by way of example, the automatic bolt and nut supply system 10 according to the present invention is not limited thereto, and any of various known feeders capable of performing the same function may be used.

[0040] At the same time, the conveying unit 200 includes: a conveying portion 220, which is configured to store the bolts and nuts supplied by the supplier 100 and supply the bolts and nuts to the receiving grooves 310 of the receiving box 300, and the upper and lower portions of the conveying portion 220 are opened; a driving portion 210, which is connected to the conveying portion 220, and the driving portion 210 is configured to drive the conveying portion 220 forward, backward, leftward and rightward; and a door portion 230 that can be opened and closed, which is located below the conveying portion 220, and the door portion 230 is configured to remain closed after the bolts and nuts are supplied by the supplier 100 until the conveying portion 220 moves to above a corresponding one of the receiving grooves 310 of the receiving box 300, and the door portion 230 opens when the bolts and nuts are supplied to the receiving box 300.

[0041] When referring to Figure 5When the housing box 300 is described in detail, the housing box 300 is configured to have a structure in which a plurality of housing grooves 310 configured to accommodate bolts and nuts therein are connected to each other. The number of housing grooves 310 provided in one housing box 300 may be selected differently according to the type and number of bolts and nuts required in the battery pack assembly process. Individual housing grooves 310 may be combined with each other in a desired number to constitute the housing box 300, or a desired number of housing grooves 310 may be formed in a frame formed as one body to manufacture the housing box.

[0042] Meanwhile, the shape of the receiving groove 310 is not limited to Figure 5 The receiving groove may be formed in any shape as long as the receiving groove can stably receive the bolt and the nut therein and can be used in the assembly process.

[0043] In addition, the receiving groove 310 of the receiving box 300 can be painted with different colors to correspond to the assembly steps one by one so that the receiving grooves are distinguished from each other, or can be marked with serial numbers such as numbers or letters so that the receiving grooves are distinguished from each other. Since the correct number of bolts and nuts can be provided in each assembly step by the above method, defects in the battery pack can be prevented due to the operator mistakenly omitting to tighten during the assembly process, or the operator entering the battery pack during the work process not finding the omitted bolts or nuts. In addition, since the bolts and nuts required for each step are distinguished from each other, the work efficiency can be improved, thereby shortening the battery pack assembly time.

[0044] When referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 When describing the storage box conveying unit 400, the storage box conveying unit 400 is a device that is configured to convey the storage box 300 on the mobile vehicle 600 for movement to a predetermined position of the workbench 500 before supplying bolts and nuts, and to convey the storage box 300 on the workbench 500 to another mobile vehicle 600 for movement that is in an empty state after supplying bolts and nuts.

[0045] When describing the method of automatically supplying bolts and nuts using the bolt and nut automatic supply system 10 according to the present invention described above, first, bolts and nuts are supplied to a plurality of suppliers 100 by type, and then, each supplier 100 supplies bolts and nuts required for each step to the conveying portion 220 of the conveying unit 200. The bolts and nuts are conveyed and supplied to a corresponding one of the receiving grooves 310 of the receiving box 300 by the conveying unit 200. After the supply of the required bolts and nuts is completed, the receiving box 300 is conveyed from the workbench 500 to the moving vehicle 600 for movement by the receiving box conveying unit 400. Then, the moving vehicle 600 for movement on which the receiving box 300 is mounted is moved to the battery pack assembly process so that bolts and nuts are used for fastening parts in each step of the battery pack assembly process.

[0046] The battery pack assembled through the above process can be used as a power source for an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (P-HEV), or an energy storage system (ESS).

[0047] Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the detailed description only discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and technical concept of the present invention, and it is apparent that these changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0048] [reference numerals]

[0049] 10: Automatic supply system for bolts and nuts

[0050] 100: Provider

[0051] 110: Alignment

[0052] 120: Vibration Department

[0053] 130: Supply Department

[0054] 140: Shell

[0055] 200: Transmission unit

[0056] 210: Drive unit

[0057] 220: Transmission Department

[0058] 230: Door

[0059] 300: Storage box

[0060] 310: Accommodating groove

[0061] 400: Storage box transfer unit

[0062] 500: Workbench

[0063] 600: Mobile vehicle for mobility

Claims

1. A bolt and nut automatic supply system, configured to automatically supply the number of bolts and nuts required for each step by type when assembling a battery pack, the bolt and nut automatic supply system comprising: a plurality of feeders configured to store and supply bolts and nuts by type; a conveying unit configured to convey the bolts and nuts supplied by the supplier; a receiving box configured to receive the bolts and nuts transmitted by the transmitting unit; as well as a containing box conveying unit, configured to convey the containing box, The receiving box is provided with a plurality of receiving grooves, and the bolts and nuts of the number required for the corresponding steps of the battery pack assembly process are respectively received in the receiving grooves. Wherein, the conveying unit includes: a conveying part, configured to store the bolts and nuts supplied by the supplier and supply the bolts and nuts to the containing box; a driving part, configured to move the position of the conveying part; and a door part, located below the conveying part, which can be opened and closed.

2. The automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to claim 1, wherein: The supplier comprises: an alignment portion configured to store, align, and discharge bolts and nuts; a vibration portion configured to vibrate the alignment portion; a supply portion configured to supply bolts and nuts to the conveying unit; and A housing is configured such that the alignment portion and the vibration portion can be disposed in the housing.

3. The automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to claim 2, wherein: The vibration part has an electromagnetic coil and a leaf spring, and generates vibration so that the alignment part discharges the bolt and the nut.

4. The automatic bolt and nut supply system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the servers is a bowl-type server.

5. The automatic bolt and nut supply system according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving grooves are painted with different colors to correspond one to one with the steps of the assembling process, so that the receiving grooves are distinguished from each other.

6. The automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving grooves are marked with serial numbers to correspond one-to-one with the steps of the assembly process so that the receiving grooves can be distinguished from each other.

7. A method for automatically supplying bolts and nuts, the method using the automatic supply system for bolts and nuts according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising: (a) supplying bolts and nuts by type to each of the plurality of suppliers; (b) supplying the bolts and nuts in the quantities required for each step from the supplier to the conveying unit; (c) transferring the bolts and nuts from the transfer unit to the receiving recess of the receiving box; and (d) The housing box containing the bolts and nuts is transferred from the workbench to a moving vehicle for movement.

8. The method for automatically supplying bolts and nuts according to claim 7, further comprising: After step (d), the moving vehicle on which the receiving box is mounted is moved to a battery pack assembly process. 9 . A battery pack assembled using bolts and nuts supplied by the bolt and nut automatic supply method according to claim 7 .

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