Electrode tab hot-pressing method and electrode tab hot-pressing device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a battery cell tab hot-pressing method and a battery cell tab hot-pressing device. The battery cell tab hot-pressing method comprises the following steps: driving a force applying mechanism to slide along the axial direction of a battery cell, so as to flatten tab slices of a flange connected to the end face of the battery cell; driving the force applying mechanism to move towards the central axis of the battery cell, so that the flattened tab slices are radially folded towards the central axis of the battery cell, and a hot-pressing space is formed between the force applying mechanism and the end face of the battery cell; and driving a hot-pressing mechanism to hot-press the folded tab slices in the hot-pressing space, so that the folded tab slices are hot-pressed on the end face of the battery cell. The battery cell tab hot-pressing method can improve the problem of short circuit of the battery cell caused by the tab slices being prone to flange, can reduce the generation of debris, and can improve the problem of the insulating paper around the battery cell being prone to scalding.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of battery, in particular to a method and device for hot-pressing tab of battery cell. BACKGROUND

[0002] Lithium ion battery as a new type of secondary battery has the advantages of high energy density and power density, high working voltage, light weight, small size, long cycle life, good safety, green environmental protection and the like, and has broad application prospects in portable electrical appliances, electric tools, large energy storage, electric transportation power supply and the like.

[0003] The lithium ion battery can be formed in the form of winding; in the production of the battery cell, if the tab slice connected to the end face of the battery cell cannot be reliably handled, the tab slice is prone to be turned up, which can easily lead to short circuit of the battery cell; moreover, it is also easy to produce debris and easily scald the insulating paper around the battery cell. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application aims to provide a method and device for hot-pressing tab of battery cell, which can improve the problem of short circuit of the battery cell caused by the tab slice being easily turned up, reduce the generation of debris, and improve the problem of the insulating paper around the battery cell being easily scalded.

[0005] The embodiment of the present application is implemented as follows:

[0006] The present application provides a method for hot-pressing tab of battery cell, comprising:

[0007] Driving the force applying mechanism to slide along the axial direction of the battery cell to flatten the tab slice turned up at the end face of the battery cell;

[0008] Driving the force applying mechanism to move towards the central axis of the battery cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell, and form a hot-pressing space between the force applying mechanism and the end face of the battery cell;

[0009] Driving the hot-pressing mechanism to hot-press the folded tab slice in the hot-pressing space, so that the folded tab slice is hot-pressed on the end face of the battery cell.

[0010] In the optional embodiment, when the force applying mechanism moves towards the central axis of the battery cell, the force applying mechanism is abutent and tightened from one end to the other end of the tab slice connected to the end face of the battery cell, and the part of the tab slice not abutted is exposed in the hot-pressing space.

[0011] In the optional embodiment, driving the force applying mechanism to move towards the central axis of the battery cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell, specifically comprising:

[0012] When the driving force applying mechanism is driven to slide along the axis of the battery cell by a preset distance, the driving force applying mechanism is moved towards the central axis of the battery cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell; or

[0013] When the driving force applying mechanism is driven to slide along the axis of the battery cell to a preset point, the driving force applying mechanism is moved towards the central axis of the battery cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell.

[0014] The application also provides a battery cell tab hot-pressing device, which comprises a base;

[0015] a clamping mechanism for clamping the battery cell;

[0016] a force applying mechanism configured to be sleeved on the outer periphery of the battery cell and moved along the axial direction of the battery cell to flatten the tab slice of the flanged tab connected to the end face of the battery cell, the force applying mechanism being further configured to be moved towards the central axis of the battery cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell and form a hot-pressing space between the force applying mechanism and the end face of the battery cell;

[0017] a hot-pressing mechanism for hot-pressing the folded tab slice in the hot-pressing space.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the hot-pressing mechanism comprises a hot-pressing head which is transitionally fitted in the hot-pressing space.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the force applying mechanism comprises a first driving assembly, a second driving assembly and a folding assembly, the first driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the folding assembly and is used to drive the folding assembly to move along the axial direction of the battery cell, and the second driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the folding assembly and is used to drive the folding assembly to perform a tightening action.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, the folding assembly comprises a first sleeve and a force applying piece, one end of the force applying piece is connected with the first sleeve and the other end of the force applying piece is a free end; the first sleeve is sleeved on the battery cell; the first driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the first sleeve and is used to drive the first sleeve and the force applying piece to move along the axial direction of the battery cell;

[0021] the second driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the force applying piece and is used to drive the free end of the force applying piece to move towards the central axis of the battery cell to form the hot-pressing space.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the folding assembly further comprises a straight plate, the straight plate is connected with the first sleeve and the straight plate is distributed along the circumference of the first sleeve with the force applying piece; when the first sleeve moves along the axial direction of the battery cell, the straight plate is used to flatten the tab slice.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, the folding assembly comprises a plurality of force applying members, and the force applying members are elastic sheets; the folding assembly comprises a plurality of straight plates, the plurality of straight plates and the plurality of elastic sheets are alternately distributed in sequence around the circumference of the first sleeve, can be collectively wrapped around the outer periphery of the tab slice, and can collectively flatten the tab slice; and the second driving assembly can drive the plurality of elastic sheets to move along the axial direction of the battery cell, and make the plurality of elastic sheets form a circular heat pressing space on the inner side of the plurality of straight plates.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the folding assembly further comprises a detection member, which is configured to detect whether the end of the straight plate that is not connected to the first sleeve is aligned with the end of the tab slice that is not connected to the battery cell; or,

[0025] In an optional embodiment, the tab slice has a detection point at a distance from the end of the tab slice that is not connected to the battery cell along the axial direction of the battery cell; and the detection member is configured to detect whether the end of the straight plate that is not connected to the first sleeve is aligned with the detection point.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the battery cell tab heat pressing method of the embodiments of the present application include: the battery cell tab heat pressing method provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises: driving a force applying mechanism to slide along the axial direction of the battery cell to flatten the tab slice of the folded edge connected to the end face of the battery cell; driving the force applying mechanism to move towards the central axis of the battery cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell, and form a heat pressing space between the force applying mechanism and the end face of the battery cell; and driving a heat pressing mechanism to heat press the folded tab slice in the heat pressing space, so that the tab slice is flattened along the axial direction of the battery cell by the force applying mechanism, and the end of the tab slice that is not connected to the battery cell is moved close to the axial line of the battery cell by the force applying mechanism, and then the heat pressing mechanism heat presses the folded tab slice in the heat pressing space formed by the force applying mechanism, so that the heat of heat pressing can be concentrated on the end face of the battery cell to heat press the tab slice, thereby ensuring the reliability of heat pressing the tab slice on the end face of the battery cell, improving the problem of short circuit of the battery cell caused by the tab slice being easily folded, and improving the problem of easily producing debris by concentrating the heat of heat pressing, and the force applying mechanism, the heat pressing mechanism and the outer periphery of the battery cell can be isolated, thereby improving the problem of easily burning the insulating paper on the outer periphery of the battery cell.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the cell tab hot-pressing device of the embodiment of the present application include: the cell tab hot-pressing device provided by the embodiment of the present application comprises a clamping mechanism for clamping a cell, a force applying mechanism, and a hot-pressing mechanism. The force applying mechanism is configured to be capable of being sleeved on the outer periphery of the cell and moving along the axial direction of the cell to flatten the tab slice of the flange connected to the end face of the cell. The force applying mechanism is further configured to be capable of moving towards the central axis of the cell to make the flattened tab slice radially fold towards the central axis of the cell and form a hot-pressing space between the force applying mechanism and the end face of the cell. The hot-pressing mechanism is used for hot-pressing the folded tab slice in the hot-pressing space. In this way, not only can the force applying mechanism flatten and fold the tab slice, but also the hot-pressing mechanism can hot-press the folded tab slice in the hot-pressing space formed by the force applying mechanism, so as to ensure that the heat for hot-pressing can be concentrated on the end face of the cell to hot-press the tab slice, thereby ensuring the reliability of hot-pressing the tab slice on the end face of the cell, improving the problem of short circuit of the cell caused by the tab slice being prone to flange, and improving the problem of being prone to generate debris by concentrating the heat for hot-pressing, and the force applying mechanism, the hot-pressing mechanism, and the outer periphery of the cell can be isolated, thereby improving the problem of being prone to scald the insulating paper of the outer periphery of the cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and therefore should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the tab slice not folded towards the central axis of the cell in the embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 The structure diagram of the tab slice folded towards the central axis of the cell in the embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3 The structure diagram of the tab slice hot-pressed on the end face of the cell in the embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 4 The structure diagram of the cell tab hot-pressing device when the second sleeve does not abut against the force applying member in the embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 5 The structure diagram of the cell tab hot-pressing device when the second sleeve abuts against the force applying member in the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Icon: 100 - battery cell; 101 - end face; 110 - tab slice; 200 - battery cell tab hot-pressing device; 210 - first sleeve; 220 - second sleeve; 230 - force applying member; 231 - straight section; 232 - arc section; 240 - straight plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0036] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present application, but only represents selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0037] It should be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0038] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the positions or location relationships indicated by the terms "inner", "outer" and the like are based on the positions or location relationships shown in the drawings, or the positions or location relationships in which the products of the present application are usually placed, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the indicated devices or elements must have a particular position, be constructed and operated in a particular position, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like are only used for differentiation in description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0039] In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "provided", "connected" should be understood broadly, for example, can be fixedly connected, or can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically connected, or can be electrically connected; can be directly connected, or can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or can be connected inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1-5The embodiment provides an electrode tab hot-pressing device 200, which comprises a clamping mechanism, a force applying mechanism and a hot-pressing mechanism; the clamping mechanism is used for clamping an electrode 100; the force applying mechanism is configured to be capable of being sleeved on the outer periphery of the electrode 100 and moving along the axial direction of the electrode 100, so as to flatten the tab slice 110 of the flange connected to the end surface 101 of the electrode 100; the force applying mechanism is further configured to be capable of being tightened along the radial direction of the electrode 100, so that the flattened tab slice 110 is radially folded towards the central axis of the electrode 100, and a hot-pressing space is formed between the force applying mechanism and the end surface 101 of the electrode 100; and the hot-pressing mechanism is used for hot-pressing the folded tab slice 110 in the hot-pressing space.

[0041] In this way, the tab slice 110 can be flattened and folded by the force applying mechanism, and the hot-pressing mechanism can hot-press the folded tab slice 110 in the hot-pressing space formed by the force applying mechanism, so that the heat of hot-pressing can be concentrated on the end surface 101 of the electrode 100 to hot-press the tab slice 110, thereby ensuring the reliability of hot-pressing the tab slice 110 on the end surface 101 of the electrode 100, improving the problem of short circuit of the electrode 100 caused by the tab slice 110 being prone to flange, and improving the problem of being prone to producing debris by concentrating the heat of hot-pressing, and the problem of the insulating paper on the outer periphery of the electrode 100 being easily scalded can be improved by isolating the force applying mechanism, the hot-pressing mechanism and the outer periphery of the electrode 100.

[0042] Optionally, the electrode tab hot-pressing device 200 further comprises a base, and the clamping mechanism, the force applying mechanism and the hot-pressing mechanism are fixedly arranged on the base.

[0043] Optionally, the clamping mechanism can be any mechanical hand, three-grabbing air cylinder or device capable of clamping and fixing the electrode 100 provided by the related art, which is not limited here.

[0044] Further, the hot-pressing mechanism comprises a hot-pressing head, and the hot-pressing head is in transition fit with the hot-pressing space. By transition fit of the hot-pressing head and the hot-pressing space, the heat can be isolated by the force applying mechanism, and scalding of other positions such as the outer periphery of the electrode 100 which does not need to be hot-pressed can be avoided.

[0045] Optionally, the hot-pressing head can be various devices capable of hot-pressing the electrode tab of the electrode 100 provided by the related art, for example, the hot-pressing head comprises a push plate and an electric heating wire arranged on the push plate, the electric heating wire heats the push plate as a whole, the push plate is in transition fit with the hot-pressing space, and the push plate can hot-press the electrode tab.

[0046] Optionally, when the tab slice 110 is hot-pressed on the end face 101, the temperature of the hot-pressing is 250-270°C, for example, 250°C, 255°C, 260°C, 270°C, etc.; the pushing force of the hot-pressing is 90-110N, for example, 90N, 100N, 105N, 110N, etc.; and the time of the hot-pressing is 25-35s, for example, 25s, 30s, 35s, etc.

[0047] In this embodiment, the force applying mechanism includes a first driving assembly, a second driving assembly and a folding assembly. The first driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the folding assembly and is used to drive the folding assembly to move along the axial direction of the battery cell 100. The second driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the folding assembly and is used to drive the folding assembly to tighten.

[0048] Optionally, the first driving assembly can be a gear and rack assembly, a screw rod assembly, etc., which are not limited here.

[0049] Further, please continue to refer to Figures 1-5 The folding assembly includes a first sleeve 210 and a force applying piece 230. One end of the force applying piece 230 is connected with the first sleeve 210, and the other end of the force applying piece 230 is a free end. The first sleeve 210 can be sleeved on the battery cell 100. The first driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the first sleeve 210 and is used to drive the first sleeve 210 and the force applying piece 230 to move along the axial direction of the battery cell 100. The second driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the force applying piece 230 and is used to drive the free end of the force applying piece 230 to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to form a hot-pressing space.

[0050] Optionally, the first driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the first sleeve 210 to drive the first sleeve 210 and the force applying piece 230 to synchronously move along the axial direction of the battery cell 100. Taking the first driving assembly as a gear and rack assembly, the gear and rack assembly includes a gear, a rack and a motor. The motor is connected with the first sleeve 210, and the output shaft of the motor is in transmission connection with the gear to drive the gear to rotate around its own axis. The gear is in engagement with the rack, and the length extension direction of the rack is consistent with the axial extension direction of the battery cell 100. When the motor drives the gear to rotate, the gear can move along the length extension direction of the rack and synchronously drive the first sleeve 210 and the force applying piece 230 to move along the length extension direction of the rack.

[0051] Optionally, the first sleeve 210 includes two half-ring type half sleeves which are detachably connected to make the first sleeve 210 easily sleeved on the outside of the battery cell 100. It should be noted that the two half sleeves can be detachably connected through bolts or other fasteners or can be detachably connected through a clamping manner, which are not limited here.

[0052] Optionally, the first sleeve 210 can further include a sleeve body, two half sleeves capable of being spliced with each other and capable of being spliced around the outer periphery of the battery cell 100, and the sleeve body is capable of being threadedly connected with the two spliced half sleeves, that is, the sleeve body is provided with internal threads, and the two half sleeves are each provided with external threads, and the internal threads of the sleeve body are capable of being threadedly matched with the external threads of the two half sleeves, so that the two half sleeves can be reliably spliced around the outer periphery of the battery cell 100.

[0053] Further, please continue to refer to Figures 1-5 The second driving assembly includes a second sleeve 220, which is movably spliced around the outer periphery of the first sleeve 210 and is capable of moving along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210 to be spliced around the outer periphery of the force applying member 230 and is capable of driving the free end of the force applying member 230 to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to form a hot-pressing space.

[0054] Optionally, the second driving assembly further includes a linear driving member, such as a gear and rack assembly, a screw rod assembly, etc., which is in driving connection with the second sleeve 220 and is used to drive the second sleeve 220 to move along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210, so as to drive the second sleeve 220 to move to be spliced around the outer periphery of the force applying member 230 and to drive the free end of the force applying member 230 to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to form a hot-pressing space.

[0055] Optionally, in some embodiments, in order to ensure that the second sleeve 220 can reliably drive the force applying member 230 to swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100, thereby driving the tab slice 110 to be folded along the radial direction towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, while the second sleeve 220 moves along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210, the second sleeve 220 is also capable of rotating around the axis of the first sleeve 210; the second driving assembly further includes a linear driving member, a motor and two meshed bevel gears, the outer periphery of the second sleeve 220 is connected with a ratchet gear ring, the linear driving member is in driving cooperation with the motor and is used to drive the motor to move along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210, the motor is in driving cooperation with one of the bevel gears, and the other bevel gear is in meshing cooperation with the ratchet gear ring; the linear driving member drives the motor to move along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210, so as to drive the two bevel gears, the ratchet gear ring and the second sleeve 220 to move along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210 at the same time, and meanwhile, the motor drives the bevel gears to drive the ratchet gear ring to drive the second sleeve 220 to rotate, so as to ensure that the second sleeve 220 moves along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210 while rotating around the axis of the first sleeve 210, so that the second sleeve 220 forms a spiral movement state around the first sleeve 210, thereby reliably driving the free end of the force applying member 230 to swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, so as to reliably fold the tab slice 110 along the radial direction towards the central axis of the battery cell 100.

[0056] In some other embodiments, the outer wall of the first sleeve 210 is further provided with external threads, and the second sleeve 220 is provided with internal threads, so that the second sleeve 220 is threadedly engaged with the first sleeve 210, thus ensuring that the second sleeve 220 reliably forms a screwing movement state relative to the first sleeve 210, so as to reliably drive the free end of the force applying member 230 to swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, so as to reliably fold the tab slice 110 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 in the radial direction.

[0057] Optionally, in some embodiments, the second driving assembly does not include the second sleeve 220, and further includes a swinging driving member which is in transmission connection with the force applying member 230, so as to drive the force applying member 230 to swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100, i.e. to fold the tab slice 110 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 by using the free end of the force applying member 230. The swinging driving member can be a motor, the force applying member 230 is rotatably connected to one end of the first sleeve 210, and the output shaft of the motor is in transmission connection with the force applying member 230, so that when the output shaft of the motor rotates, the free end of the force applying member 230 can be driven to swing relative to the first sleeve 210, which is not specifically limited herein.

[0058] In some other embodiments, the second driving assembly does not include the second sleeve 220, and further includes a pulling rope which is movably connected to the free end of the force applying member 230, so that when the pulling rope is pulled, the free end of the force applying member 230 can be moved towards the axis of the first sleeve 210, and in turn, the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100 can be moved towards the axis of the battery cell 100.

[0059] The number of the force applying members 230 can be selected as required, for example, two, three, five, etc., and the number of the force applying members 230 can be the same as or different from the number of the straight plates 240, which is not specifically limited herein.

[0060] In the present embodiment, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the force applying member 230 is an elastic piece, i.e. it can restore to the original state without force; the force applying member 230 comprises a straight segment 231 and an arc segment 232 connected with each other, the straight segment 231 is connected with the end of the first sleeve 210, the extension line of the straight segment 231 forms an acute angle with the axis of the first sleeve 210, and the end of the straight segment 231 away from the first sleeve 210 is distributed on the outside of the first sleeve 210; when the force applying member 230 moves to the outside of the tab slice 110, the second sleeve 220 is driven to move along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210 to abut against the force applying member 230, and the straight segment 231 of each force applying member 230 and the arc segment 232 are swung along the radial direction of the battery cell 100 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, so as to reliably make the end of the tab slice 110 not connected with the battery cell 100 close to the axis of the battery cell 100 along the radial direction of the battery cell 100 by the arc segment 232 of the force applying member 230, and further ensure that the tab slice 110 can be reliably folded towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, i.e. when the second sleeve 220 moves along the axial direction of the first sleeve 210, the second sleeve 220 can make the obliquely distributed straight segments 231 gradually parallel to the axis of the first sleeve 210, and make the arc segments 232 gradually close to the direction of the axis of the battery cell 100, i.e. the tab slice 110 in contact with the arc segment 232 can be made to close to the axis of the battery cell 100 and reliably folded towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, i.e. when the straight segments 231 swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100, the straight segments 231 drive the arc segments 232 to swing synchronously and make the end of the tab slice 110 not connected with the battery cell 100 close to the axis of the battery cell 100, i.e. the tab slice 110 can be closed to the axis of the battery cell 100, and the arc segment 232 and the end surface of the battery cell 100 can form a heat pressing space; thus, it can be seen that the force applying member 230 simultaneously undertakes the functions of flattening the tab slice 110, folding the tab slice 110 and heat insulation, ensures the reliability of the tab slice 110 heat pressing, and further realizes the heat insulation protection of the battery cell 100.

[0061] In other embodiments, the folding assembly can also be a three-jaw cylinder, and the clamping jaws of the three-jaw cylinder are the force applying members 230; when the multiple clamping jaws of the three-jaw cylinder are collectively closed, the tab slice 110 can be driven to fold towards the central axis of the battery cell 100.

[0062] Please continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the folding assembly further comprises a straight plate 240, the straight plate 240 is connected with the first sleeve 210, and the straight plate 240 and the force applying members 230 are distributed along the circumferential direction of the first sleeve 210; when the first sleeve 210 moves along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, the straight plate 240 is used to flatten the tab slice 110.

[0063] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the straight plate 240 can reliably flatten the tab sheet 110, the straight plate 240 is configured to be in contact with the tab sheet 110 at all times during the entire process of moving the straight plate 240 from the end of the tab sheet 110 connected to the battery cell 100 to the end of the tab sheet 110 not connected to the battery cell 100.

[0064] The specific number of straight plates 240 can be selected as needed, for example, one, three, five, etc., which is not specifically limited herein. In a more preferred embodiment, the tab sheet 110 hot-pressing device of the battery cell 100 includes two or more straight plates 240, and the plurality of straight plates 240 are distributed along the circumference of the first sleeve 210; in this way, a circle of tab sheets 110 at the outer edge of the end surface 101 of the battery cell 100 can be efficiently flattened at the same time.

[0065] Further, the folding assembly includes a plurality of force applying members 230, and the force applying members 230 are elastic sheets; the folding assembly includes a plurality of straight plates 240, and the plurality of straight plates 240 and the plurality of elastic sheets are alternately distributed along the circumference of the first sleeve 210 in sequence, which can collectively surround the outer periphery of the tab sheet 110 and can collectively flatten the tab sheet 110, that is, the arc-shaped segments 232 of the force applying members 230 and the ends of the straight plates 240 away from the first sleeve 210 can be used to flatten the tab sheet 110 together, and the second driving assembly can drive the plurality of elastic sheets to move along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, and the plurality of elastic sheets form a circular hot-pressing space on the inner side of the plurality of straight plates 240. In this way, the straight plates 240 and the force applying members 230 can be used to flatten the tab sheet 110 at the same time, thereby ensuring the reliability of flattening the tab sheet 110, and when the force applying members 230 drive the tab sheet 110 to fold, the straight plates 240 and part of the force applying members 230 are distributed on the outer side of the hot-pressing space, that is, the straight plates 240 and the force applying members 230 can be used to achieve the purpose of heat insulation when the hot-pressing assembly hot-presses the tab sheet 110, thereby preventing the outer periphery of the battery cell 100 and other positions that do not need to be hot-pressed from being scalded. As can be seen, the force applying members 230 simultaneously perform the functions of flattening the tab sheet 110, folding the tab sheet 110, and heat insulation, thereby ensuring the reliability of hot-pressing the tab sheet 110, and also achieving the heat insulation protection of the battery cell 100.

[0066] The folding assembly further includes a detection member (not shown in the figure), which is used to detect whether the tab sheet 110 is flattened. In this way, the first sleeve 210 can be controlled to stop sliding in time when the straight plate 240 flattens the tab sheet 110.

[0067] In this embodiment, along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, the tab sheet 110 has a detection point at a distance from the end of the tab sheet 110 not connected to the battery cell 100; the detection member is used to detect whether the end of the straight plate 240 not connected to the first sleeve 210 is aligned with the detection point.

[0068] Further, the free end of the force applying member 230 is flush with the end of the straight plate 240 which is not connected to the first sleeve 210, i.e. the end of the arc-shaped section 232 of the force applying member 230 is flush with the end of the straight plate 240 which is not connected to the first sleeve 210; when the detecting member detects the detecting point and the second sleeve 220 drives the force applying member 230 to swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100 to move the free end of the tab slice 110 to the center axis of the battery cell 100, the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100 protrudes into the hot-pressing space relative to the free end of the force applying member 230, i.e. the part of the tab slice 110 which is not in contact with the force applying member 230 can be exposed to the hot-pressing space, ensuring that the hot-pressing assembly can reliably extend into the hot-pressing space to hot-press the tab slice 110.

[0069] Optionally, the length of the straight plate 240 is configured to be adapted to the tab slice 110, when the end of the straight plate 240 which is not connected to the first sleeve 210 moves to be aligned with the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100, the end of the first sleeve 210 connecting the straight plate 240 and the force applying member 230 just moves to the connection between the tab slice 110 and the battery cell 100; or, the length of the straight plate 240 and the straight section 231 of the force applying member 230 can be appropriately increased, when the end of the straight plate 240 which is not connected to the first sleeve 210 moves to the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100, the end of the first sleeve 210 connecting the straight plate 240 and the force applying member 230 is still opposite to the battery cell 100.

[0070] In other embodiments, the length of the force applying member 230 can be shorter than the length of the straight plate 240 along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, when the end of the straight plate 240 which is not connected to the first sleeve 210 moves to be aligned with the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100, the free end of the force applying member 230 does not move to the end of the tab slice 110; the detecting member can be used to detect whether the end of the straight plate 240 which is not connected to the first sleeve 210 is aligned with the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100; in this way, when the detecting member detects that the tab slice 110 is flattened and the force applying member 230 drives the free end of the tab slice 110 to move to the center axis of the battery cell 100, the end of the tab slice 110 which is not connected to the battery cell 100 protrudes into the hot-pressing space relative to the free end of the force applying member 230, i.e. the part of the tab slice 110 which is not in contact with the force applying member 230 can be exposed to the hot-pressing space, ensuring that the hot-pressing assembly can reliably extend into the hot-pressing space to hot-press the tab slice 110.

[0071] Of course, in other embodiments, the free end of the force applying member 230 is flush with the end of the straight plate 240 that is not connected to the first sleeve 210, and the detection member is configured to detect whether the end of the straight plate 240 that is not connected to the first sleeve 210 is aligned with the detection point. In this way, the force applying member 230 and the straight plate 240 only need to flatten part of the tab slice 110, and can ensure that when the free end of the tab slice 110 driven by the force applying member 230 moves toward the central axis of the battery cell 100, the end of the tab slice 110 that is not connected to the battery cell 100 protrudes into the hot-pressing space relative to the free end of the force applying member 230, i.e., the part of the tab slice 110 that is not in contact with the force applying member 230 can be exposed to the hot-pressing space, ensuring that the hot-pressing assembly can reliably extend into the hot-pressing space to hot-press the tab slice 110.

[0072] Optionally, the detection member is arranged on the first sleeve 210 or the straight plate 240. The detection member can be selected as needed, for example, it can be a visual sensor or a light sensor, etc., which is not specifically limited here. Taking the visual sensor as an example, when the straight plate 240 is used to flatten the tab slice 110, when the visual sensor detects that the end of the straight plate 240 that is not connected to the first sleeve 210 is aligned with the end of the tab slice 110 that is not connected to the battery cell 100, it indicates that the tab slice 110 has been flattened, and the first sleeve 210 can be controlled to stop sliding.

[0073] It should be understood that in other embodiments, the folding assembly does not include a detection member, and the sliding distance can be preset so that when the first sleeve 210 moves along the axial direction of the battery cell 100 by the preset sliding distance, the tab slice 110 is flattened.

[0074] The present embodiment also provides a battery cell tab hot-pressing method, which comprises:

[0075] S1: cutting the tabs connected to the battery cell 100 and retaining a ring of tab slices 110 at the outer edge of the end face 101 of the battery cell 100.

[0076] Optionally, the cutting of the tabs can be performed while the battery cell 100 is being rolled into a cylindrical shape; or after the battery cell 100 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the tabs other than the tab slices 110 at the outer edge can be removed by rotating and cutting.

[0077] It should be understood that in some embodiments, after the battery cell 100 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, only the tab slices 110 are present at the outer edge, i.e., step S1 can not be performed.

[0078] S2: drive the force applying mechanism to slide along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, so as to flatten the tab slice 110 connected to the end face 101 of the battery cell 100. In this way, the tab slice 110 can be prevented from forming a bending part protruding from the outer periphery of the battery cell 100 near one end of the battery cell 100 in the subsequent step of tightening the tab slice 110 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 and hot-pressing the tab slice 110 on the end face 101 of the battery cell 100, thereby improving the problem that the tab slice 110 is prone to be folded over after hot-pressing, resulting in short circuit of the battery cell 100.

[0079] Further, in step S2, the first sleeve 210 can be driven to move along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, so as to drive the straight plate 240 and the force applying member 230 to move synchronously, and then the straight plate 240 and the force applying member 230 are used together to flatten the tab slice 110.

[0080] S3: drive the force applying mechanism to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, so as to make the flattened tab slice 110 be folded radially towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, and form a hot-pressing space between the force applying mechanism and the end face 101 of the battery cell 100.

[0081] Further, when the force applying mechanism is driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, the force applying mechanism is abutted and tightened from one end to the other end of the end face 101 of the battery cell 100 connected by the tab slice 110, and the part of the tab slice 110 not abutted is exposed in the hot-pressing space. In this way, it can be ensured that the folded tab slice 110 is reliably hot-pressed, and it is beneficial to avoid hot scalding of other parts such as the outer periphery of the battery cell 100 by the force applying mechanism; and since the tab slice 110 is flattened and the end of the tab slice 110 not connected to the battery cell 100 is close to the axial direction of the battery cell 100, it can be ensured that the heat of the subsequent hot-pressing is concentrated on the end face 101 of the battery cell 100 to hot-press the tab slice 110, thereby improving the problem that the battery cell 100 is prone to short circuit due to the tab slice 110 being easily folded over.

[0082] In the embodiment, the second sleeve 220 is used to drive the force applying member 230 to swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100, so as to make the tab slice 110 be folded radially towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 by the force applying member 230, and the plurality of force applying members 230 are used to form a hot-pressing space with a smaller diameter in the annular space surrounded by the plurality of straight plates 240.

[0083] It should be noted that folding the tab slice 110 towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 can mean folding the tab slice 110 towards the direction close to the end face 101 of the battery cell 100, but not folded to be attached to the end face 101 of the battery cell 100.

[0084] Further, in step S3, the driving force applying mechanism can be driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to make the flattened tab slice 110 radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 when the driving force applying mechanism is driven to slide along the axis of the battery cell 100 to the preset point.

[0085] It should be noted that the preset point can refer to the aforementioned detection point; when the driving force applying mechanism is driven to slide along the axis of the battery cell 100 to the detection point detected by the detection member, it is determined that the tab slice 110 is flattened, and the driving force applying mechanism is driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to make the flattened tab slice 110 radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell 100, and the part of the tab slice 110 not in contact with the force applying member 230 is exposed to the hot pressing space. In this way, the continuity of flattening and folding of the tab slice 110 can be ensured, and the efficiency can be improved. Of course, in other embodiments, the preset point can also refer to the end of the tab slice 110 not connected to the battery cell 100; when the driving force applying mechanism is driven to slide along the axis of the battery cell 100 to the end of the tab slice 110 not connected to the battery cell 100, that is, when the end of the straight plate not connected to the battery cell is detected to be flush with the end of the tab slice 110 not connected to the battery cell 100, the driving force applying mechanism is driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to make the flattened tab slice 110 radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell 100.

[0086] In other embodiments, in step S3, the driving force applying mechanism can be driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 to make the flattened tab slice 110 radially fold towards the central axis of the battery cell 100 when the driving force applying mechanism is driven to slide along the axis of the battery cell 100 by a preset distance. In this way, the detection member can be reduced, which is beneficial to reduce the cost.

[0087] In other embodiments, the first sleeve 210 can be used to drive the straight plate 240 and the force applying member 230 to move synchronously, and then the second sleeve 220 can be used to move along the axis of the first sleeve 210 to drive the force applying member 230 to swing radially along the battery cell 100 synchronously, so as to make the tab slice 110 radially fold along the battery cell 100 while flattening the tab slice 110.

[0088] S4: driving the hot pressing mechanism to hot press the folded tab slice 110 in the hot pressing space, so as to hot press the folded tab slice 110 on the end face 101 of the battery cell 100.

[0089] Further, when the plurality of force applying members 230 swing along the radial direction of the battery cell 100 to enclose the hot-pressing space, and the end of the tab slice 110 not connected to the battery cell 100 protrudes relative to the free end of the force applying member 230 and extends into the hot-pressing space, the hot-pressing head of the hot-pressing mechanism can be in transition fit with the inner periphery of the hot-pressing space, and the part of the tab slice 110 located on the inner periphery side of the hot-pressing space is hot-pressed to the end face 101 of the battery cell 100. In this way, the hot-pressing head can be isolated by the force applying member 230, and damage to the outer periphery of the battery cell 100 due to high temperature can be avoided, that is, the force applying member 230 not only has the function of flattening and folding the tab slice 110, but also has the function of heat insulation and protection.

[0090] In summary, the battery cell tab hot-pressing method of the present application can flatten the tab slice 110 along the axial direction of the battery cell 100, fold the tab slice 110 to the central axis of the battery cell 100, and then hot-press, so that the heat of hot-pressing can be concentrated on the end face 101 of the battery cell 100 to hot-press the tab slice 110, ensuring the reliability of hot-pressing the tab slice 110 to the end face 101 of the battery cell 100, which is beneficial to improve the problem of short circuit of the battery cell 100 caused by the tab slice 110 being prone to folding. In addition, by concentrating the heat of hot-pressing, the problem of easy generation of debris is improved, and the problem of easy scalding of the insulating paper on the outer periphery of the battery cell 100 is improved.

[0091] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for hot-pressing battery cell tabs, characterized in that, include: The driving force application mechanism slides along the axial direction of the battery cell to flatten the flanged tab slices connected to the end face of the battery cell. When the force-applying mechanism slides a preset distance along the axis of the battery cell, it is driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell, causing the flattened tab slices to fold radially towards the central axis of the battery cell. Alternatively, when the force-applying mechanism slides along the axis of the battery cell to a preset point, it is driven to move towards the central axis of the battery cell, causing the flattened tab slices to fold radially towards the central axis of the battery cell. Furthermore, a thermal pressure space is formed between the force-applying mechanism and the end face of the battery cell; The driving hot pressing mechanism hot presses the folded tab slice within the hot pressing space, so that the folded tab slice is hot pressed onto the end face of the battery cell.

2. The cell tab hot-pressing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the force-applying mechanism is driven to move toward the central axis of the battery cell, the force-applying mechanism is pressed against the battery cell end face from one end of the tab slice to the other end, and the part of the tab slice that is not pressed against is exposed in the hot-pressing space.

3. A battery cell tab hot-pressing device, characterized in that, include: Clamping mechanism, used to clamp battery cells; A force-applying mechanism is configured to be fitted onto the outer periphery of the battery cell and move along the axial direction of the battery cell to flatten the flanged tab slices connected to the end face of the battery cell. The force-applying mechanism is also configured to move toward the central axis of the battery cell so that the flattened tab slices are radially folded toward the central axis of the battery cell, and a thermo-pressurized space is formed between the force-applying mechanism and the end face of the battery cell. A hot-pressing mechanism for hot-pressing the tab slices folded within the hot-pressing space; The force-applying mechanism includes a first driving component, a second driving component, and a folding component. The first driving component is driven to the folding component and is used to drive the folding component to move along the axial direction of the battery cell. The second driving component is driven to the folding component and is used to drive the folding component to tighten.

4. The cell tab hot-pressing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hot pressing mechanism includes a hot pressing head, which can be transitionally fitted into the hot pressing space.

5. The cell tab hot-pressing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The folding assembly includes a first sleeve and a force-applying component. One end of the force-applying component is connected to the first sleeve, and the other end of the force-applying component is a free end. The first sleeve can be fitted onto the battery cell. The first driving assembly is in transmission cooperation with the first sleeve to drive the first sleeve and the force-applying component to move along the axial direction of the battery cell. The second drive component is in transmission cooperation with the force-applying component to drive the free end of the force-applying component to move toward the central axis of the battery cell, thereby forming the thermo-pressing space.

6. The cell tab hot-pressing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The folding assembly further includes a straight plate, which is connected to the first sleeve, and the straight plate and the force-applying member are distributed along the circumference of the first sleeve; when the first sleeve moves along the axial direction of the battery cell, the straight plate is used to flatten the tab slice.

7. The cell tab hot-pressing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The folding assembly includes multiple force-applying elements, and the force-applying elements are elastic sheets; the folding assembly includes multiple straight plates, and the multiple straight plates and multiple elastic sheets are alternately distributed around the circumference of the first sleeve, which can jointly surround the outer periphery of the electrode slice and jointly flatten the electrode slice, and the second driving assembly can drive the multiple elastic sheets to move along the axial direction of the battery cell, and make the multiple elastic sheets form an annular hot-pressing space inside the multiple straight plates.

8. The cell tab hot-pressing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The folding assembly further includes a detection element, which is used to detect whether the end of the straight plate not connected to the first sleeve is aligned with the end of the electrode slice not connected to the battery cell; or... Along the axial direction of the battery cell, the tab slice has a detection point at a set distance from the end of the tab slice that is not connected to the battery cell; the detection element is used to detect whether the end of the straight plate that is not connected to the first sleeve is aligned with the detection point.

Images