An automatic positioning welding system and method for battery packs

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic positioning and welding system for battery packs, comprising an annular conveying mechanism, wedge-shaped pads, fixing components for detachably pressing a cover plate against both ends of a positioning seat, a set of cover plates with a set of welding holes and grooves at both ends, several positioning seats with rotating shafts on both sides, and sequentially arranged electrode assembly and unloading stations, block assembly stations, plate assembly stations, fixing stations, welding stations, and plate unloading stations. Each positioning seat has a set of positioning slots for placing electrode assemblies, and the grooves are fitted with magnets. The block assembly station has a pressing mechanism that presses the wedge-shaped pads between the electrode assembly and the positioning slots. Both the plate assembly and unloading stations have a first lifting mechanism and auxiliary cover plates and clamping / turning components for flipping the positioning seats. The fixing and unloading stations have clamping mechanisms for pressing the cover plates. The welding station has a welding torch mechanism, a welding positioning assembly, and a flipping drive component. This invention features high overall welding efficiency, high positioning accuracy, and good clamping effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to an automatic positioning welding system and method for battery packs. Background Technology

[0002] Battery packs are the primary power source for new energy vehicles, with square battery packs being particularly widely used. The production of a single square battery pack often involves welding. Before encapsulating the electrode assembly (composed of multiple stacked electrodes) within the battery casing, the positive and negative current collectors need to be positioned and welded to the two extreme ends of the stacked electrode assembly. Currently, most existing technologies involve manually clamping and positioning the individual electrode assembly in a stacking fixture. Then, one current collector is manually positioned, fixed, and welded to the corresponding extreme end of the stacked electrode assembly. Afterward, the electrode assembly is manually flipped, and another current collector is manually positioned, fixed, and welded to the stacked electrode assembly. The other extreme of each electrode group is the welding of the electrode group and the current collector. Finally, it is manually transported to the next process. However, since each worker can only complete the welding of a single electrode group and current collector at a time, and the manual positioning of the electrode group and current collector often relies on the worker's own experience, there are problems such as low positioning accuracy, low welding efficiency, and incomplete pressing. This can easily lead to poor welding, short circuits, and fires in subsequent battery packs. Moreover, because the existing positioning fixtures are heavy, the long-term manual flipping, positioning, and transportation during welding can easily cause hand fatigue, resulting in low overall welding efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic positioning and welding system for battery packs, which automatically transports and precisely positions and welds multiple sets of current collectors and electrode groups together, and has the advantages of high overall welding efficiency, high positioning accuracy and good clamping effect.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] An automatic positioning welding system for battery packs includes an annular conveying mechanism, a fixing component, a wedge-shaped pad, a set of cover plates, and several positioning seats disposed on the annular conveying mechanism. The positioning seats have a set of positioning slots for placing electrode groups. Rotary shafts are rotatably connected to both sides of the positioning seats. The cover plates have a set of interconnected welding holes and grooves at both ends. The grooves are equipped with magnets for adsorbing current collectors.

[0006] It further includes a pole assembling and disassembling station, a block loading station, a plate loading station, a fixing station, a welding station and a plate unloading station arranged in sequence. The block loading station is provided with a pressing-down mechanism for pressing the wedge-shaped cushion block into the gap between the pole group and the side wall of the positioning through groove; the plate loading station, the welding station and the plate unloading station are all provided with a first lifting mechanism for driving the rotation shaft to lift and a clamping and flipping member for clamping and assisting the flipping of the cover plate and the positioning seat; the fixing station and the plate unloading station are both provided with a pressing mechanism for pressing the cover plate and the positioning seat. The fixing member detachably presses the cover plate at both ends of the positioning seat at the fixing station; the welding station is provided with a set of welding torch mechanisms and a set of welding positioning components located respectively below the welding torch mechanisms and used for fixing the positioning seat and the cover plate. A flipping driving member for driving the flipping of the positioning seat is arranged between the welding positioning components.

[0007] Further setting: The first lifting mechanism includes a first lifting cylinder and a U-shaped support frame. The closed end of the support frame is connected to the top rod of the first lifting cylinder. The first lifting cylinder is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a first让位通道 (it should be "first让位通道", please check the correct term, maybe "first clearance channel" or something else) for the open end of the support frame to pass through. The open end of the support frame is provided with a limiting groove for positioning and placing the rotation shaft.

[0008] Further setting: The clamping and flipping member is a gravity block arranged in a "匚" shape. A first clamping groove for the gravity block to be clamped is opened on the side of the cover plate away from the rotation shaft. The rotation shaft is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat. A fixing through groove for the vertical end of the gravity block to be placed in a limited way is opened on one side of the positioning seat. The fixing through groove is communicated with the first clamping groove.

[0009] Further setting: The fixing member is a solid block arranged in a "匚" shape. A second clamping groove for the block to be clamped is opened on the other side of the cover plate away from the rotation shaft; the rotation shaft is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat. The flipping driving member includes a first translation cylinder for pushing the cover plate to flip and a positioning cylinder for preventing the positioned seat from flipping back after flipping. The first translation cylinder and the positioning cylinder are respectively arranged on both sides of the positioning seat. The top rod of the first translation cylinder is connected with a support baffle for supporting the bottom of the cover plate. The top rod of the positioning cylinder is connected with a limiting block arranged in an L shape and limiting one right-angle side of the positioning seat.

[0010] Further configuration: The welding positioning assembly includes a set of inverted L-shaped limiting plates and a second lifting cylinder that drives the upper end of the positioning seat to rise to the horizontal end of the limiting plates. The set of limiting plates are respectively installed on both sides of the annular conveying mechanism. The second lifting cylinder is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a second clearance channel through which the push rod of the second lifting cylinder passes. Each cover plate is provided with a limiting groove for the push rod of the second lifting cylinder to support it. The cover plate and the positioning seat are both located between the horizontal end of the limiting plate and the annular conveying mechanism.

[0011] Further configuration: The annular conveying mechanism includes a conveying assembly, a first roller conveyor, a transverse linear guide rail, and a second roller conveyor for the unloading station, connected end to end. The conveying assembly includes a platform, a pushing cylinder for driving the positioning seat to translate to the loading station, and a second translation cylinder for driving the positioning seat to translate to the loading station. The pole assembly unloading station and the loading station are located on the platform. One side of the platform is connected to the first roller conveyor and the second roller conveyor. Positioning baffles for limiting the positioning seat are installed on the other three sides of the platform. The slider of the transverse linear guide rail is connected to a transfer seat with one side for placing the positioning seat. One side of the transfer seat is connected to the output end of the first roller conveyor and the input end of the second roller conveyor. A translation drive mechanism for pushing the positioning seat in the transfer seat to the second roller conveyor is provided on one side of the transverse linear guide rail.

[0012] Further configuration: The platform is equipped with a positioning plate for positioning and unloading of the electrode assembly. The positioning plate has a material trough communicating with the positioning through slot. Below the platform, there is a third lifting cylinder that passes through the positioning through slot and pushes the bottom of the electrode assembly up into the material trough. The top rod of the third lifting cylinder is connected to a set of support blocks for supporting the electrode assembly. The upper end of the support block is connected to a stop block to prevent the electrode assembly from shaking. The platform has a set of limiting holes for the support block to pass through.

[0013] Further configuration: The translation drive mechanism includes a longitudinal linear guide rail and a push rod arranged in an inverted L shape. The slider of the longitudinal linear guide rail is connected to the vertical end of the push rod. A guide rod extending toward the second roller conveyor is connected to one side of the horizontal end of the push rod. A row of rollers for supporting the positioning seat is respectively provided on both sides of the bottom end of the transfer seat.

[0014] Further configuration: The pressing mechanism includes a bracket, a fourth lifting cylinder, and a pressure plate. The bracket is located above the annular conveying mechanism, and the pressure plate is located between the annular conveying mechanism and the bracket. The fourth lifting cylinder is detachably installed on the upper end of the bracket. A through hole is provided at the upper end of the bracket, and the push rod of the fourth lifting cylinder passes through the through hole and is detachably connected to the pressure plate.

[0015] In summary, this invention achieves initial positioning of multiple stacked electrode groups through positioning seats and a set of positioning slots; it uses magnets and grooves to position and fix multiple negative current collectors onto the cover plate; it utilizes a ring conveying mechanism and several positioning seats to simultaneously and automatically convey multiple positioning seats and electrode groups; it employs wedge-shaped pads and a pressing mechanism to perform secondary positioning and clamping of the electrode groups, ensuring high positioning accuracy; it uses a rotating shaft, clamping and flipping components, and a first lifting mechanism to facilitate quick loading and unloading of the cover plate from both ends of the positioning seats; it uses fixing components to detachably fix the cover plate to both ends of the positioning seats; it uses a clamping mechanism to facilitate quick loading and unloading of fixing components between the positioning seats and the cover plate, ensuring the clamping effect between the current collectors and both ends of the electrode groups; and it utilizes welding holes, a first lifting mechanism, a flipping drive component, a set of welding positioning components, and a welding gun mechanism to simultaneously perform two automatic positioning welding and flipping operations on electrode groups of multiple positioning seats, further improving overall welding efficiency.

[0016] This invention employs multiple workstations, several positioning seats, and cover plates to achieve automatic and precise conveying, positioning, pressing, and welding of multiple current collectors and electrode assemblies simultaneously. It eliminates the need for manual handling of electrode assembly flipping and transportation, avoiding low welding efficiency caused by human fatigue. It has the advantages of high welding efficiency, high positioning accuracy, and good pressing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the pole assembly and unloading station and the block assembly station in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the assembly and disassembly station and the block assembly station in an embodiment of the present invention:

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the loading station, fixing station, and unloading station in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the first roller conveyor, the second roller conveyor, and the welding station in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a partial structural diagram of the welding station, the transverse linear guide rail, and the intermediate rotating seat in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the transverse linear guide rail and the central pivot in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Fixing component; 2. Wedge-shaped pad; 3. Cover plate; 4. Positioning seat; 5. Positioning through groove; 6. Rotating shaft; 7. Welding hole; 8. Groove; 9. Pressure plate; 10. Collector plate; 11. Electrode assembly; 12. Limiting groove; 13. Positioning groove; 14. Electrode assembly unloading station; 15. Block loading station; 16. Plate loading station; 17. Fixing station; 18. Welding station; 19. Plate unloading station; 20. Pressing mechanism; 21. Push rod; 22. Clamping and flipping component; 23. Pressing mechanism; 24. Welding torch mechanism; 25. Welding positioning assembly; 26. Flipping drive component; 27. First lifting cylinder; 28. Fourth lifting cylinder; 29. ​​Support frame; 30. First clearance channel; 31. Limiting groove; 32. Gravity block; 33. 34. Fixed through slot; 35. Locking block; 36. Second locking slot; 37. First translation cylinder; 38. Positioning cylinder; 39. Support baffle; 40. Limiting block; 41. Limiting plate; 42. Second lifting cylinder; 43. Second clearance channel; 44. Platform; 45. Pushing cylinder; 46. Second translation cylinder; 47. First roller conveyor; 48. Transverse linear guide rail; 49. Second roller conveyor; 50. Transfer seat; 51. Longitudinal linear guide rail; 52. Guide rod; 53. Roller; 54. Positioning plate; 55. Material trough; 56. Third lifting cylinder; 57. Support block; 58. Stop block; 59. Limiting hole; 60. Bracket; 61. Fourth lifting cylinder; 62. Lowering block; 63. Positioning baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To explain the technical content, objectives, and effects of this invention in detail, the following description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms "above" and "below" used in the following description refer to the attached drawings. Figure 1 In the text, the terms "bottom" and "top" refer to the direction toward the geometric center of a specific component; the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" in the text are on the same plane as the conveying direction of the first roller conveyor, "longitudinal" is parallel to the conveying direction of the first and second roller conveyors, and "transverse" is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first and second roller conveyors.

[0026] The most crucial concept of this invention lies in the following: A ring-shaped conveying mechanism, several positioning seats 4, and a set of positioning slots 5 are used to achieve initial positioning of multiple stacked electrode groups 11 and simultaneous automatic conveying of multiple positioning seats 4 and electrode groups 11; magnets and grooves 8 are used to position and fix multiple negative current collectors 10 onto the cover plate 3; wedge-shaped pads 2 and pressing mechanisms 20 are used to perform secondary positioning and pressing of the electrode groups 11, ensuring the positioning accuracy of the electrode groups 11; a rotating shaft 6, a clamping and flipping component 22, and a first lifting mechanism are used to lift the positioning seats 4 above the ring-shaped conveying mechanism, and then flip the positioning seats 4 180°, enabling rapid loading and unloading of the cover plate 3 from both ends of the positioning seats 4. This eliminates the need for manual long-term holding and flipping of the positioning seats 4, avoiding low welding efficiency due to hand fatigue.

[0027] The fastener 1 and the clamping mechanism 23 enable the cover plate 3 to be quickly and detachably fixed to both ends of the positioning seat 4; this ensures that the current collector 10 and the two ends of the electrode group 11 are tightly fitted, further ensuring high positioning accuracy and good clamping effect; through the welding hole 7, the first lifting mechanism, the flipping drive 26, a set of welding positioning components 25 and the welding gun mechanism 24, the three steps of welding and flipping the positive and negative current collectors 10 and the two ends of the electrode group 11 are carried out at three different positions before and after the ring conveyor mechanism, so that the electrode groups 11 of multiple positioning seats 4 can be automatically positioned, welded and flipped twice at the same time, further improving the overall welding efficiency;

[0028] This invention employs multiple workstations, several positioning seats 4, and cover plates 3 to achieve automatic and precise conveying, positioning, pressing, and welding of multiple current collectors 10 and electrode groups 11 simultaneously. It eliminates the need for manual handling of the electrode groups 11 for flipping and transport, thus avoiding low welding efficiency due to human fatigue. It has the advantages of high welding efficiency, high positioning accuracy, and good pressing effect.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 As shown, an automatic positioning welding system for a battery pack includes an annular conveying mechanism, a fixing component 1, a wedge-shaped pad 2, a set of cover plates 3, and several positioning seats 4 disposed on the annular conveying mechanism. The positioning seats 4 have a set of positioning through slots 5 for placing the electrode group 11. Rotating shafts 6 are rotatably connected to both sides of the positioning seats 4. The two ends of the cover plates 3 have a set of interconnected welding holes 7 and grooves 8. The grooves 8 are equipped with magnets that attract current collectors 10.

[0030] It also includes a pole assembly and unloading station 14, a block assembly station 15, a plate assembly station 16, a fixing station 17, a welding station 18, and a plate unloading station 19 arranged sequentially. The block assembly station 15 is equipped with a pressing mechanism 20 that presses the wedge-shaped pad 2 into the gap between the pole assembly 11 and the side wall of the positioning groove 5. The plate assembly station 16, the welding station 18, and the plate unloading station 19 are all equipped with a first lifting mechanism that drives the rotating shaft 6 to rise and fall, and a clamping and flipping component for clamping and assisting the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 to flip. 22; Both the fixed station 17 and the unloading station 19 are equipped with a clamping mechanism 23 for clamping the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4. The fixing member 1 detachably clamps the cover plate 3 to both ends of the positioning seat 4 at the fixed station 17; The welding station 18 is equipped with a set of welding gun mechanism 24 and a set of welding positioning components 25 located below the welding gun mechanism 24 and used to fix the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3. A flipping drive member 26 for driving the positioning seat 4 to flip is provided between the welding positioning components 25.

[0031] As described above, when multiple stacked electrode groups 11 need to be welded to their two extreme ends with current collectors 10, firstly, the stacked electrode groups 11 are placed manually or mechanically into the positioning slots 5 using the positioning seat 4 and positioning slots 5 on the electrode group unloading station 14, thus achieving the initial positioning of the stacked electrode groups 11; then, the positioning seat 4 and the electrode groups 11 are transported together to the block assembly station 15 using the annular conveying mechanism, thus achieving the automatic transport of the initially positioned electrode groups 11 and positioning seat 4; then, the wedge-shaped pad 2 and the pressing mechanism 20 are used to place the bottom of the wedge-shaped pad 2 on the upper end of the gap between the side of the electrode group 11 and the side wall of the positioning slot 5, and the pressing mechanism 20 is activated, which automatically presses the wedge-shaped pad 2 down until the wedge-shaped pad 2 presses the side of the electrode group 11 tightly against the side wall of the positioning slot 5, thus achieving the secondary positioning and pressing of the electrode group 11 and further ensuring the high welding positioning accuracy of the electrode group 11;

[0032] Next, the positioning seat 4 with cover plate 3 and the electrode group 11 are transported to the mounting station 16. The current collector 10 is detachably positioned and fixed to one end of the cover plate 3 by the magnet and the groove 8, so as to realize the function of positioning and fixing multiple negative current collectors 10 on the cover plate 3. One of the cover plates 3 with current collectors 10 is positioned and placed at the upward end of the positioning seat 4. The first lifting mechanism is activated by the rotating shaft 6, the clamping and flipping part 22 and the first lifting mechanism on the mounting station 16. The first lifting mechanism first drives the positioning seat 4 and the electrode group 11 to rise to the preset value. Then, the clamping and flipping part 22 is used to flip the positioning seat 4 180° so that the other end of the positioning seat 4 is upward. Then, another cover plate 3 with current collectors 10 is positioned and placed at the other end of the positioning seat 4. The clamping and flipping mechanism and the first lifting mechanism are reset. There is no need for manual holding of the positioning seat 4 and flipping. This avoids the situation of low welding efficiency caused by manual fatigue. The cover plate 3 with current collectors 10 is quickly installed at both ends of the positioning seat 4.

[0033] Afterwards, the positioning seat 4 and the electrode assembly 11 are transported to the fixed station 17. Through the fixing component 1 and the clamping mechanism 23, the clamping mechanism 23 is activated. First, the clamping mechanism 23 is used to clamp the cover plate 3 to the positioning seat 4. Then, the fixing component 1 is used to detachably fix a set of cover plates 3 to both ends of the positioning seat 4, thereby achieving the function of detachably clamping the cover plates 3 to both ends of the positioning seat 4. This ensures that the current collector 10 and both ends of the electrode assembly 11 are tightly fitted, which further ensures high positioning accuracy and good clamping effect.

[0034] Next, the positioning seat 4, fixing part 1, cover plate 3 and electrode group 11, after being pressed and fixed, are transported to the first welding positioning component 25 of the welding station 18 through a set of welding positioning components 25, welding holes 7, a set of welding gun mechanisms 24 and flipping drive 26. The positioning seat 4 and cover plate 3 are fixed below the first welding gun mechanism 24 by the welding positioning component 25. The first welding gun mechanism 24 passes through the welding hole 7 to weld the current collector 10 located at the upper end to one end of the corresponding electrode group 11. After the first welding gun mechanism 24 finishes welding, the positioning seat 4, cover plate 3 and electrode group 11 are transported together to the flipping drive 26. The first lifting mechanism and the flipping drive 26 at the welding station 18 are started one after the other. The first lifting mechanism first drives the positioning seat 4 and electrode group 11 to rise to the preset value. The flipping drive 26 then flips the positioning seat 4 and cover plate 3 180°. Then the first lifting mechanism and the flipping drive 26 are reset.

[0035] After being flipped, the positioning seat 4, the electrode group 11, and the cover plate 3 are transported together to the second welding positioning assembly 25, where the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 are fixed below the second welding gun mechanism 24. The second welding gun mechanism 24 passes through the welding hole 7 to weld the flipped current collector 10 located at the upper end to the other end of the corresponding electrode group 11, thereby achieving automatic positioning and flipping welding. The three steps of welding the upper cover plate 3 to one end of the electrode group 11, flipping, and welding the lower cover plate 3 to the other end of the electrode group 11 are carried out at three different positions before and after the ring conveyor mechanism, which can realize the above three steps to be performed on multiple positioning seats 4, thereby further improving the overall welding efficiency.

[0036] Finally, the electrode group 11 with the current collector 10 welded is transported to the pressing mechanism 23 at the plate unloading station 19 together with the cover plate 3, the fixing member 1 and the positioning seat 4 successively. First, start the pressing mechanism 23 to press the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 together, then remove the fixing member 1, which facilitates the quick removal of the fixing member 1 from the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3; then remove the cover plate 3 located at the upper end of the positioning seat 4. Use the first lifting mechanism at the plate unloading station 19 to lift the positioning seat 4 and one cover plate 3 at the bottom to a preset value. Use the clamping and flipping member 22 to flip the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 by 180° until the bottom cover plate 3 faces upward, and then remove this cover plate 3 from the positioning seat 4. The clamping and flipping mechanism and the first lifting mechanism return to their original positions, which realizes the quick removal of the cover plate 3 from both ends of the positioning seat 4. When the electrode group 11 with the current collector 10 welded and the positioning seat 4 are transported to the electrode group assembly and disassembly station 14, the electrode group 11 can be removed.

[0037] Further: The first lifting mechanism includes a first lifting cylinder 27 and a U-shaped support frame 29. The closed end of the support frame 29 is connected to the top rod of the first lifting cylinder 27. The first lifting cylinder 27 is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a first让位通道30 for the open end of the support frame 29 to pass through. The open end of the support frame 29 is provided with a limiting groove 31 for positioning and placing the rotating shaft 6.

[0038] As can be seen from the above description, when it is necessary to lift the positioning seat 4, the cover plate 3 and the electrode group 11 above the annular conveying mechanism, through the first lifting cylinder 27, the first让位通道30 and the support frame 29, start the first lifting cylinder 27. The top rod of the first lifting cylinder 27 extends,带动 the open end of the support frame 29 to rise and pass through the first让位通道30 until the open end of the support frame 29 supports the rotating shaft 6 and rises to the preset value. Then the top rod of the first lifting cylinder 27 stops extending. After the positioning seat 4 is flipped, the top rod of the first lifting cylinder 27 contracts and returns to its original position,带动 the support frame 29 and the positioning seat 4 to descend and return to their original positions together, and the positioning seat 4 is重新位于 the annular conveying mechanism, which realizes the function of automatically lifting and lowering the positioning seat 4 and the electrode group 11; through the limiting groove 31, it prevents the open end of the support frame 29 from slipping during the process of supporting the rotating shaft 6 to rise, which plays a role in ensuring the support stability of the support frame 29 for the rotating shaft 6 and the lifting stability of the positioning seat 4 and the electrode group 11.

[0039] Further: The clamping and flipping member 22 is a gravity block 32 arranged in a "匚" shape. A first clamping groove 33 for the gravity block 32 to be clamped is opened on the side of the cover plate 3 away from the rotating shaft 6. The rotating shaft 6 is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat 4. A fixing through groove 34 for the vertical end of the gravity block 32 to be limited and placed is opened on one side of the positioning seat 4, and the fixing through groove 34 is相通 with the first clamping groove 33.

[0040] As can be seen from the above description, when a cover plate 3 is installed on the upper end of the positioning seat 4, through the first card slot 33 and the gravity block 32 arranged in a "C" shape, one horizontal end of the gravity block 32 is stuck in the first card slot 33 of the cover plate 3, and the other horizontal end of the gravity block 32 is stuck at the bottom end of the positioning seat 4, so as to realize the function of clamping the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3. Through the fixed through slot 34, it is used to prevent the vertical end of the gravity block 32 from shaking, and play a role in improving the clamping force on the positioning seat 4 and a cover plate 3; during the process of the first lifting cylinder 27 driving the support frame 29 and the rotating shaft 6 to rise together, since the rotating shaft 6 is located in the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat 4, and the first card slot 33 is arranged on the side of the cover plate 3 far from the rotating shaft 6, the center of gravity of the positioning seat 4 with the gravity block 32 stuck is offset. Under the action of gravity and inertia, the positioning seat 4 automatically rotates around the rotating shaft 6. Use manual or mechanical means to prevent the positioning seat 4 from rotating more than 180°, so as to realize the function of the automatic rotation of the positioning seat 4. The same is true when the upper cover plate 3 of the positioning seat 4 is disassembled.

[0041] Furthermore: The fixing member 1 is a solid card block 35 arranged in a "C" shape, and a second card slot 36 for the card block 35 to be stuck is opened on the other side of the cover plate 3 far from the rotating shaft 6; the rotating shaft 6 is located in the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat 4. The flipping driving member 26 includes a first translation cylinder 37 for pushing the cover plate 3 to flip and a positioning cylinder 38 for preventing the positioned seat 4 that has completed flipping from flipping back. The first translation cylinder 37 and the positioning cylinder 38 are respectively arranged on both sides of the positioning seat 4. The ejector rod of the first translation cylinder 37 is connected with a support baffle 39 for supporting the bottom cover plate 3, and the ejector rod of the positioning cylinder 38 is connected with a limiting block 40 arranged in an L shape and limiting a right-angle side of the positioning seat 4.

[0042] As can be seen from the above description, when the pressing mechanism 23 presses the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4, through the card block 35 and the second card slot 36, the two horizontal ends of the card block 35 are stuck in the second card slot 36 of the cover plates 3 at both ends of the positioning seat 4, so as to realize the function of clamping the positioning seat 4 and the two cover plates 3, ensure that the current collector plate 10 is closely fitted with both ends of the electrode group 11, and play a role in further ensuring high positioning accuracy and good pressing effect;

[0043] When the electrode group 11 with a current collector plate 10 welded is transported to the flipping driving member 26 together with the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3, the first lifting cylinder 27 at the welding station 18 is started to drive the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 to rise. During the rising process of the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3, since the rotating shaft 6 is located in the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat 4, and the second card slot 36 is arranged on the other side of the cover plate 3 far from the rotating shaft 6, under the action of gravity and inertia, the positioning seat 4 automatically rotates around the rotating shaft 6 towards the direction close to the first translation cylinder 37, and then the first translation cylinder 37 is started, and the ejector rod of the first translation cylinder 37 extends to push the positioning seat 4 to continue to rotate around the rotating shaft 6, so as to realize the function of automatically driving the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 in the welding station 18 to flip;

[0044] When the positioning seat 4 rotates to 180°, the support baffle 39 supports the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3, and the positioning cylinder 38 is activated. The push rod of the positioning cylinder 38 drives the limiting block 40 to move towards the positioning seat 4 until the limiting block 40 contacts one right-angle side of the positioning seat 4, preventing the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 from flipping back or forward, thus achieving the function of positioning the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 after flipping 180°.

[0045] Furthermore: the welding positioning assembly 25 includes a set of inverted L-shaped limiting plates 41 and a second lifting cylinder 42 that drives the upper end of the positioning seat 4 to rise to the horizontal end of the limiting plates 41. The set of limiting plates 41 are respectively installed on both sides of the annular conveying mechanism. The second lifting cylinder 42 is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a second clearance channel 43 through which the top rod of the second lifting cylinder 42 passes. The cover plate 3 is provided with a limiting groove 12 for the top rod of the second lifting cylinder 42 to support it. The cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 are both located between the horizontal end of the limiting plate 41 and the annular conveying mechanism.

[0046] As described above, when the positioning seat 4, cover plate 3, and electrode assembly 11 are transported to the first welding positioning component 25 of the welding station 18, the second lifting cylinder 42, the limiting plate 41, and the second clearance channel 43 are used to extend the push rod of the second lifting cylinder 42. The push rod of the second lifting cylinder 42 passes through the second clearance channel 43, causing the cover plate 3 located at the bottom of the positioning seat 4 to rise, thereby causing the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 located at the top of the positioning seat 4 to rise until the two sides of the top of the positioning seat 4 abut against the horizontal end of the limiting plate 41. The lifting cylinder 42 stops extending, thus automatically raising and fixing the positioning seat 4 and cover plate 3 to be welded. Through the limiting groove 12, the lifting cylinder 42's top rod is located in the limiting groove 12 of the cover plate 3 at the bottom of the positioning seat 4 to support the cover plate 3. During the process of the lifting cylinder 42's top rod driving the cover plate 3 at the bottom of the positioning seat 4 to rise, it prevents the positioning seat 4 and cover plate 3 from shaking due to the shaking of the cover plate 3 at the bottom of the positioning seat 4, thereby improving the stability of the rising of the positioning seat 4 and cover plate 3.

[0047] Furthermore: The annular conveying mechanism includes a conveying assembly connected end to end, a first roller conveyor 47, a transverse linear guide rail 48, and a second roller conveyor 49 for unloading station 19. The conveying assembly includes a platform 44, a pushing cylinder 45 that drives the positioning seat 4 to translate to the block loading station 15, and a second translation cylinder 46 that drives the positioning seat 4 to translate to the block loading station 16. The assembly unloading station 14 and the block loading station 15 are located on the platform 44. One side of the platform 44 is connected to the first roller conveyor 47 and the second roller conveyor 49. The other three sides of the platform 44 are equipped with positioning baffles 63 for limiting the positioning seat 4. The slider of the transverse linear guide rail 48 is connected to a transfer seat 50 on one side for the positioning seat 4 to be placed. One side of the transfer seat 50 is connected to the output end of the first roller conveyor 47 and the input end of the second roller conveyor 49. One side of the transverse linear guide rail 48 is provided with a translation drive mechanism that pushes the positioning seat 4 in the transfer seat 50 to the second roller conveyor 49.

[0048] As described above, when the stacked electrode assembly 11 is placed in the positioning slot 5 of the positioning seat 4 in the electrode assembly / unloading station 14, the positioning baffle 63 and the pushing cylinder 45 push the positioning seat 4 towards the directional direction of the block assembly station 15, until the positioning seat 4 and the electrode assembly 11 are moved together to the block assembly station 15. One side of the bottom of the positioning seat 4 contacts the positioning baffle 63, realizing the function of automatically and directionally conveying the initially positioned electrode assembly 11 and the positioning seat 4; the pressing mechanism 20 then lowers the wedge-shaped pad 2. When the electrode assembly 11 is pressed tightly against the side wall of the positioning groove 5, the positioning baffle 63 and the second translation cylinder 46 drive the positioning seat 4 to move in a directional direction toward the input end of the first roller conveyor 47, until the positioning seat 4, the wedge pad 2 and the electrode assembly 11 are transported together to the plate loading station 16, realizing the automatic and directional transport and secondary positioning of the electrode assembly 11 and the positioning function; the first roller conveyor 47 is used for transport in the plate loading station 16, the fixing station 17 and the welding station 18;

[0049] The welded electrode assembly 11, along with the positioning seat 4, fixing part 1, and cover plate 3, is first transported from the output end of the first roller conveyor 47 to the intermediate seat 50 via the transverse linear guide 48, the intermediate seat 50, and the translation drive mechanism. Then, the transverse linear guide 48 is activated, and the slider of the transverse linear guide 48 drives the intermediate seat 50 to be transversely translated to the input end of the second roller conveyor 49. The translation drive mechanism is then activated, and the translation drive mechanism transports the positioning seat 4, electrode assembly 11, and cover plate 3 located in the intermediate seat 50 to the second roller conveyor 49, thus realizing the function of automatically transporting the positioning seat 4, cover plate 3, and welded electrode assembly 11 to the second roller conveyor 49.

[0050] Furthermore: the platform 44 is equipped with a positioning plate 54 for positioning and unloading the electrode assembly 11. The positioning plate 54 has a material trough 55 that communicates with the positioning through groove 5. A third lifting cylinder 56 is set below the platform 44, passing through the positioning through groove 5 and pushing the bottom of the electrode assembly 11 into the material trough 55. The top rod of the third lifting cylinder 56 is connected to a set of support blocks 57 for supporting the electrode assembly 11. The upper end of the support block 57 is connected to a stop block 58 to prevent the electrode assembly 11 from shaking. The platform 44 has a set of limiting holes 59 for the support block 57 to pass through.

[0051] As described above, when multiple stacked electrode groups 11 need to be welded to their two ends with current collectors 10, firstly, the third lifting cylinder 56 is activated via the third lifting cylinder 56, support block 57, limiting hole 59, positioning plate 54, and material trough 55. The push rod of the third lifting cylinder 56 extends, causing the support block 57 to pass through the limiting hole 59 and positioning through groove 5 one after the other, until the support block 57 rises into the material trough 55. The stacked electrode group 11 is then placed on the upper end of the support block 57, thus realizing the electrode group to be placed into the positioning through groove 5. The first electrode assembly 11 is positioned; then, the top rod of the third lifting cylinder 56 retracts, causing the support block 57 and the electrode assembly 11 located on the support block 57 to descend together until the positioned electrode assembly 11 is placed in the positioning through groove 5, thus realizing the function of automatically and accurately placing the positioned electrode assembly 11 in the positioning seat 4; the stop block 58 prevents the electrode assembly 11 located at the upper end of the support block 57 from shaking during the descent, which would affect the positioning accuracy of the electrode assembly 11, and further improves the positioning accuracy of the electrode assembly 11.

[0052] Furthermore: the translation drive mechanism includes a longitudinal linear guide rail 51 and a push rod 21 arranged in an inverted L shape. The slider of the longitudinal linear guide rail 51 is connected to the vertical end of the push rod 21. A guide rod 52 extending toward the second roller conveyor 49 is connected to one side of the horizontal end of the push rod 21. A row of rollers 53 for supporting the positioning seat 4 is respectively arranged on both sides of the bottom end of the transfer seat 50.

[0053] As described above, when the slider of the longitudinal linear guide 51 drives the transfer seat 50 to move laterally to the input end of the second roller conveyor 49, the longitudinal linear guide 51 is activated via the longitudinal linear guide 51 and the push rod 21. The slider of the longitudinal linear guide 51 drives the push rod 21 to move longitudinally towards the positioning seat 4 until the push rod 21 transports the positioning seat 4, the cover plate 3, and the electrode assembly 11 together to the input end of the second roller conveyor 49, thus realizing the automatic transport of the positioning seat 4, the cover plate 3, and the welded electrode assembly 11 together. The function of the guide rod 52 is to prevent the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 located on the upper end of the positioning seat 4 from shaking during the translation of the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3 towards the input end of the second roller conveyor 49, thereby realizing the directional transportation of the positioning seat 4, the cover plate 3 and the pole assembly 11 together to the second roller conveyor 49; by setting rollers 53 on both sides of the bottom end of the transfer seat 50, it is convenient for the push rod 21 to quickly translate the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 to the second roller conveyor 49.

[0054] Furthermore: The pressing mechanism 23 includes a bracket 60, a fourth lifting cylinder 28, and a pressure plate 9. The bracket 60 is located above the annular conveying mechanism, and the pressure plate 9 is located between the annular conveying mechanism and the bracket 60. The fourth lifting cylinder 28 is detachably installed on the upper end of the bracket 60. A through hole is provided at the upper end of the bracket 60, and the push rod of the fourth lifting cylinder 28 passes through the through hole and is detachably connected to the pressure plate 9.

[0055] As can be seen from the above description, when the pole group 11 and the positioning seat 4, which is equipped with cover plates 3 at both ends, are transported to the fixed station 17, firstly, the fourth lifting cylinder 28 is activated by the fourth lifting cylinder 28 and the pressure plate 9. The push rod of the fourth lifting cylinder 28 drives the pressure plate 9 to descend towards the cover plate 3 located at the upper end of the positioning seat 4 until the pressure plate 9 presses the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 together, thereby realizing the function of automatically pressing the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 together.

[0056] A method for automated positioning welding of a battery pack includes the following steps:

[0057] Step 1: First, the push rod of the third lifting cylinder drives the support block to pass through the limiting hole and the positioning slot, until the support block rises into the material trough and the stacked electrode assembly is positioned on the upper end of the support block; then, the push rod of the third lifting cylinder resets, driving the support block and the electrode assembly to descend into the positioning slot together; after that, the pushing cylinder pushes the positioning seat to the block loading station.

[0058] Step 2: When the bottom side of the positioning seat contacts the positioning baffle in the block loading station, first place the wedge-shaped pad in the gap between the pole group and the positioning through groove, and then press the wedge-shaped pad down to the side of the pole group against the side wall of the positioning through groove through the pressing mechanism. After that, the pressing mechanism is reset, and the positioning seat is pushed to the input end of the first roller conveyor through the second translation cylinder.

[0059] Step 3: When the positioning seat, wedge-shaped pad, and electrode assembly are transported to the plate mounting station, first install the cover plate with the current collector on the upper end of the positioning seat, and then use a gravity block to fix the cover plate to the positioning seat. Then, the first lifting cylinder drives the support frame and the positioning seat to rise to the preset value. Under the action of gravity and inertia, the center of gravity of the positioning seat shifts. When the positioning seat automatically rotates 180° around the axis, use manual or mechanical means to stop the positioning seat from continuing to rotate, the first lifting cylinder resets, and the positioning seat and cover plate descend back to the first roller conveyor mechanism. Finally, remove the gravity block and install another cover plate with a current collector.

[0060] Step 4: When the positioning seat with cover plates installed at both ends is transported to the fixed station, the clamping mechanism is activated first to clamp the cover plates and positioning seats, ensuring that the current collectors on the cover plates are tightly attached to the two ends of the electrode group. Then, the clamping block is used to clamp the two ends of the positioning seat to the two cover plates respectively. After that, the clamping mechanism is reset, and the clamping block, positioning seat and cover plates continue to be transported to the welding station.

[0061] Step 5: When the positioning seat is transported to the bottom of the first welding gun mechanism, the top rod of the second lifting cylinder passes through the second clearance channel and drives the cover plate and positioning seat to rise until the two sides of the top of the positioning seat abut against the bottom of the horizontal end of the limiting plate. Then, after the first welding gun mechanism completes the welding of the current collector plate and one end of the electrode group on the top cover plate, the second lifting cylinder is reset and the positioning seat is lowered back onto the first roller conveyor.

[0062] Step Six: When the positioning seat is transported to the flipping drive, the first lifting cylinder at the welding station first drives the cover plate and positioning seat to rise. Under the action of the gravity of the clamping block and the overall inertia, the positioning seat automatically flips around the rotating axis towards the direction of the first translation cylinder. Then, the push rod of the first translation cylinder pushes the side of the positioning seat that is clamped with the clamping block to continue to flip until the positioning seat has flipped 180°. At this time, the support baffle prevents the positioning seat from continuing to flip. After that, the positioning cylinder drives the limit block to move to contact one right-angle side of the positioning seat. The first translation cylinder and the first lifting cylinder are reset one after another. The flipped positioning seat falls back onto the first roller conveyor. When the positioning seat is transported to the bottom of the second welding gun mechanism, Step Five is repeated, that is, the welding of the positive and negative current collectors to both ends of the electrode group is completed.

[0063] Step 7: When the welded positioning seat is transported to the unloading station, it is first pressed by the clamping mechanism, then the clamping block is removed. The positioning seat is then transported to the first lifting mechanism in the unloading station to remove the upper cover plate and reinstall the gravity block. After that, the lifting and flipping operation in Step 3 is repeated until the positioning seat and the remaining cover plate are lowered back to the first roller conveying mechanism. Then, the gravity block and the remaining cover plate are removed one after the other. Finally, the positioning seat is transported to the electrode assembly unloading station, and the third lifting cylinder pushes the electrode assembly with the welded current collector facing upward into the material trough, and the electrode assembly can be removed.

[0064] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The embodiments provided by the present invention are as follows:

[0065] An automated positioning welding system for battery packs, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a ring conveying mechanism, a fixing component 1, a wedge-shaped pad 2, a set of cover plates 3, and several positioning seats 4; the positioning seats 4 are mounted on the ring conveying mechanism, and the positioning seats 4 have a set of positioning through slots 5 for placing the electrode assembly 11. The two sides of the positioning seats 4 are rotatably connected to rotating shafts 6; the upper and lower ends of the positioning seats 4 are provided with positioning slots 13; it also includes an electrode assembly unloading station 14, a block loading station 15, a plate loading station 16, a fixing station 17, a welding station 18, and a plate unloading station 19 arranged in sequence;

[0066] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the cover plate 3 has a set of interconnected welding holes 7 and grooves 8 at both ends. The grooves 8 are equipped with magnets (not shown in the figure, but the same applies throughout the text) for adsorbing the current collector 10. The cover plate 3 is connected to a positioning post (not shown in the figure, but the same applies throughout the text). The positioning post is inserted into the positioning groove 13, which facilitates the quick installation of the cover plate 3 on the upper and lower ends of the positioning seat 4. The cover plate 3 has a first slot 33 on the side away from the rotating shaft 6. The cover plate 3 has a second slot 36 on the other side away from the rotating shaft 6. Both cover plates 3 have limit grooves 12.

[0067] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the platform 44 is equipped with a positioning plate 54 for positioning and unloading the electrode assembly 11. The positioning plate 54 has a material trough 55 that communicates with the positioning through groove 5. A third lifting cylinder 56 is set below the platform 44, which passes through the positioning through groove 5 and pushes the bottom of the electrode assembly 11 into the material trough 55. The top rod of the third lifting cylinder 56 is connected to a set of support blocks 57. A stop block 58 is connected to the upper end of the support block 57. The platform 44 has a set of limiting holes 59 for the support block 57 to pass through.

[0068] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, the fixing member 1 detachably presses the cover plate 3 against both ends of the positioning seat 4 at the fixing station 17; the fixing member 1 is a solid and "U"-shaped clamping block 35, the clamping block 35 is clamped in the second card slot 36, the clamping block 35 is made of a solid stainless steel or iron block or other metal blocks, and the rotating shaft 6 is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat 4.

[0069] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, at the plate loading station 16, the welding station 18 and the plate unloading station 19, there are both a first lifting mechanism for driving the rotating shaft 6 to lift and a clamping and flipping member 22 for clamping and assisting the flipping of the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4;

[0070] As Figure 4 and Figure 6 shown, the first lifting mechanism includes a first lifting cylinder 27 and a U-shaped support frame 29, the closed end of the support frame 29 is connected to the top rod of the first lifting cylinder 27, the first lifting cylinder 27 is located below the annular conveying mechanism, the annular conveying mechanism is provided with a first让位通道30 for the open end of the support frame 29 to pass through, and the open end of the support frame 29 is provided with a limiting groove 31 for positioning and placing the rotating shaft 6;

[0071] As Figure 4 shown, the clamping and flipping member 22 is a gravity block 32 arranged in a "U" shape, the gravity block 32 is made of a solid stainless steel or iron block or other metal blocks; the gravity block 32 is clamped with the first card slot 33; the rotating shaft 6 is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat 4, and a fixed through groove 34 for limiting and placing the vertical end of the gravity block 32 is opened on one side of the positioning seat 4, and the fixed through groove 34 is communicated with the first card slot 33.

[0072] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the block loading station 15 is provided with a downward pressing mechanism 20 for pressing the wedge-shaped pad 2 into the gap between the pole group 11 and the side wall of the positioning through groove 5. In this embodiment, the downward pressing mechanism 20 adopted is a fourth lifting cylinder 61 and a downward pressing block 62 erected above the platform, and the top rod of the fourth lifting cylinder 61 is used to drive the downward pressing block 62 to press the wedge-shaped pad 2 into the gap between the pole group 11 and the side wall of the positioning through groove 5. It is not limited to this structure, and any downward pressing driving structure that can achieve this function is acceptable;

[0073] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, both the fixing station 17 and the plate unloading station 19 are provided with a pressing mechanism 23 for pressing the cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4. The pressing mechanism 23 includes a bracket 60, a fourth lifting cylinder 28 and a pressing plate 9. The bracket 60 is arranged above the annular conveying mechanism, the pressing plate 9 is located between the annular conveying mechanism and the bracket 60, the fourth lifting cylinder 28 is detachably installed at the upper end of the bracket 60, a through hole is opened at the upper end of the bracket 60, and the top rod of the fourth lifting cylinder 28 passes through the through hole and is detachably connected to the pressing plate 9;

[0074] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the welding station 18 is equipped with a welding gun mechanism 24 and a welding positioning assembly 25 located below the welding gun mechanism 24 for fixing the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3. The welding positioning assembly 25 includes a set of limiting plates 41 arranged in an inverted L shape and a second lifting cylinder 42 for driving the positioning seat 4 to rise. The set of limiting plates 41 are respectively installed on both sides of the annular conveying mechanism. The second lifting cylinder 42 is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a second clearance channel 43 for the top rod of the second lifting cylinder 42 to pass through and rise into the limiting groove 12. The cover plate 3 and the positioning seat 4 are both located between the horizontal end of the limiting plate 41 and the annular conveying mechanism.

[0075] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a flipping drive 26 is provided between the welding positioning components 25 to drive the positioning seat 4 to flip; the flipping drive 26 includes a first translation cylinder 37 for pushing the cover plate 3 to flip and a positioning cylinder 38 for preventing the positioning seat 4 from flipping back after the flip is completed. The first translation cylinder 37 and the positioning cylinder 38 are respectively located on both sides of the positioning seat 4. The top rod of the first translation cylinder 37 is connected to a support baffle 39 that supports the bottom cover plate 3, and the top rod of the positioning cylinder 38 is connected to a limit block 40 that is L-shaped and used to limit one right-angle side of the positioning seat 4.

[0076] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the annular conveying mechanism includes a conveying assembly connected end to end, a first roller conveyor 47, a transverse linear guide rail 48, and a second roller conveyor 49 for unloading station 19; the conveying assembly includes a platform 44, a pushing cylinder 45 that drives the positioning seat 4 to translate to the block loading station 15, and a second translation cylinder 46 that drives the positioning seat 4 to translate to the block loading station 16. The unloading station 14 and the block loading station 15 are located on the platform 44. One side of the platform 44 is connected to the first roller conveyor 47 and the second roller conveyor 49, and the other three sides of the platform 44 are equipped with positioning baffles 63 for limiting the positioning seat 4;

[0077] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the slider of the transverse linear guide 48 is connected to a transfer seat 50 on one side for the positioning seat 4 to be placed. One side of the transfer seat 50 is connected to the output end of the first roller conveyor 47 and the input end of the second roller conveyor 49. A translation drive mechanism is provided on one side of the transverse linear guide 48 to push the positioning seat 4 in the transfer seat 50 to the second roller conveyor 49. The translation drive mechanism includes a longitudinal linear guide 51 and a push rod 21 arranged in an inverted L shape. The slider of the longitudinal linear guide 51 is connected to the vertical end of the push rod 21. One side of the horizontal end of the push rod 21 is connected to a guide rod 52 extending toward the second roller conveyor 49. A row of rollers 53 for supporting the positioning seat 4 is provided on both sides of the bottom end of the transfer seat 50.

[0078] In summary, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the advantages of high welding efficiency, high positioning accuracy, and good clamping effect. Through the annular conveying mechanism, several positioning seats 4, and a set of positioning slots 5, it achieves the initial positioning of multiple stacked electrode groups 11 and the simultaneous automatic conveying of multiple positioning seats 4 and electrode groups 11. Through magnets and grooves 8, it achieves the positioning and fixing of multiple negative current collectors 10 onto the cover plate 3. Through wedge-shaped pads 2 and pressing mechanisms 20, it achieves the secondary positioning and clamping of the electrode groups 11. Through the rotating shaft 6, clamping and flipping parts 22, and the... A lifting mechanism facilitates quick loading and unloading of the cover plate 3; a fixing component 1 allows the cover plate 3 to be detachably fixed to both ends of the positioning seat 4; a pressing mechanism 23 facilitates quick loading and unloading of the fixing component 1 on the positioning seat 4 and the cover plate 3, ensuring the pressing effect between the current collector 10 and the pole group 11; and through the welding hole 7, the first lifting mechanism, the flipping drive component 26, the welding positioning component 25, and the welding gun mechanism 24, the pole groups 11 of multiple positioning seats 4 can be automatically positioned and welded twice simultaneously, and flipped twice, further improving the overall welding efficiency.

[0079] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic positioning welding system for battery packs, characterized in that: It includes an annular conveying mechanism, a fixing member, a wedge-shaped cushion block, a group of cover plates and several positioning seats provided on the annular conveying mechanism. The positioning seats are provided with a group of positioning through grooves for placing the pole groups. Both sides of the positioning seats are rotatably connected with rotating shafts. The two ends of the cover plates are respectively provided with a group of welding holes and grooves that are interconnected. The grooves are equipped with magnets for adsorbing current collecting sheets. It further includes a pole group loading and unloading station, a block loading station, a plate loading station, a fixing station, a welding station and a plate unloading station arranged in sequence. The block loading station is provided with a pressing mechanism for pressing the wedge-shaped cushion block into the gap between the pole group and the side wall of the positioning through groove. The plate loading station, the welding station and the plate unloading station are all provided with a first lifting mechanism for driving the rotating shaft to lift and a clamping and flipping member for clamping and assisting the flipping of the cover plate and the positioning seat. The fixing station and the plate unloading station are both provided with a pressing mechanism for pressing the cover plate and the positioning seat. The fixing member detachably presses the cover plate against both ends of the positioning seat at the fixing station. The welding station is provided with a group of welding gun mechanisms and a group of welding positioning components that are respectively located below the welding gun mechanisms and are used for fixing the positioning seat and the cover plate. A flipping driving member for driving the positioning seat to flip is arranged between the welding positioning components. The first lifting mechanism includes a first lifting cylinder and a U-shaped support frame. The closed end of the support frame is connected to the top rod of the first lifting cylinder. The first lifting cylinder is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a first让位通道 for the open end of the support frame to pass through. The open end of the support frame is provided with a limiting groove for positioning and placing the rotating shaft. The clamping and flipping member is a gravity block arranged in a "匚" shape. The cover plate is provided with a first clamping groove on the side far from the rotating shaft for the gravity block to be clamped. The rotating shaft is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat. One side of the positioning seat is provided with a fixing through groove for the vertical end of the gravity block to be limited and placed. The fixing through groove is interconnected with the first clamping groove.

2. The automatic positioning welding system for battery packs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing member is a solid block arranged in a "匚" shape. The cover plate is provided with a second clamping groove on the other side far from the rotating shaft for the block to be clamped. The rotating shaft is located at the middle position on both sides of the positioning seat. The flipping driving member includes a first translation cylinder for pushing the cover plate to flip and a positioning cylinder for preventing the positioned seat from flipping back after flipping. The first translation cylinder and the positioning cylinder are respectively arranged on both sides of the positioning seat. The top rod of the first translation cylinder is connected with a support baffle for supporting the bottom of the cover plate. The top rod of the positioning cylinder is connected with a limiting block arranged in an L shape and limiting one right-angle side of the positioning seat.

3. The automatic positioning welding system for battery packs according to claim 2, characterized in that: The welding positioning assembly includes a set of inverted L-shaped limiting plates and a second lifting cylinder that drives the upper end of the positioning seat to rise to the horizontal end of the limiting plates. The set of limiting plates are respectively installed on both sides of the annular conveying mechanism. The second lifting cylinder is located below the annular conveying mechanism. The annular conveying mechanism is provided with a second clearance channel through which the push rod of the second lifting cylinder passes. Each cover plate is provided with a limiting groove for the push rod of the second lifting cylinder to support it. The cover plate and the positioning seat are both located between the horizontal end of the limiting plate and the annular conveying mechanism.

4. The automatic positioning welding system for battery packs according to claim 3, characterized in that: The annular conveying mechanism includes a conveying assembly, a first roller conveyor, a transverse linear guide, and a second roller conveyor for the unloading station, all connected end to end. The conveying assembly includes a platform, a pushing cylinder for driving the positioning seat to translate to the loading station, and a second translation cylinder for driving the positioning seat to translate to the loading station. The pole assembly unloading station and the loading station are located on the platform. One side of the platform is connected to the first roller conveyor and the second roller conveyor, and the other three sides of the platform are equipped with positioning baffles for limiting the positioning seat. The slider of the transverse linear guide is connected to a transfer seat with one side for placing the positioning seat. One side of the transfer seat is connected to the output end of the first roller conveyor and the input end of the second roller conveyor. One side of the transverse linear guide is provided with a translation drive mechanism for pushing the positioning seat in the transfer seat to the second roller conveyor.

5. The automatic positioning welding system for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The platform is equipped with a positioning plate for positioning and unloading of electrode groups. The positioning plate has a material trough that communicates with the positioning through slot. Below the platform, there is a third lifting cylinder that passes through the positioning through slot and pushes the bottom of the electrode group up into the material trough. The top rod of the third lifting cylinder is connected to a set of support blocks for supporting the electrode group. The upper end of the support block is connected to a stop block to prevent the electrode group from shaking. The platform has a set of limiting holes for the support blocks to pass through.

6. The automatic positioning welding system for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The translation drive mechanism includes a longitudinal linear guide rail and a push rod arranged in an inverted L shape. The slider of the longitudinal linear guide rail is connected to the vertical end of the push rod. A guide rod extending toward the second roller conveyor is connected to one side of the horizontal end of the push rod. A row of rollers for supporting the positioning seat is respectively provided on both sides of the bottom end of the transfer seat.

7. The automatic positioning welding system for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing mechanism includes a bracket, a fourth lifting cylinder, and a pressure plate. The bracket is located above the annular conveying mechanism, and the pressure plate is located between the annular conveying mechanism and the bracket. The fourth lifting cylinder is detachably installed on the upper end of the bracket. The upper end of the bracket has a through hole, and the push rod of the fourth lifting cylinder passes through the through hole and is detachably connected to the pressure plate.

8. The automatic positioning welding method for a battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: First, the push rod of the third lifting cylinder drives the support block to pass through the limiting hole and the positioning slot, until the support block rises into the material trough and the stacked electrode assembly is positioned on the upper end of the support block; then, the push rod of the third lifting cylinder resets, driving the support block and the electrode assembly to descend into the positioning slot together; after that, the pushing cylinder pushes the positioning seat to the block loading station. Step 2: When the bottom side of the positioning seat contacts the positioning baffle in the block loading station, first place the wedge-shaped pad in the gap between the pole group and the positioning through groove, and then press the wedge-shaped pad down to the side of the pole group against the side wall of the positioning through groove through the pressing mechanism. After that, the pressing mechanism is reset, and the positioning seat is pushed to the input end of the first roller conveyor through the second translation cylinder. Step 3: When the positioning seat, wedge-shaped pad, and electrode assembly are transported to the plate mounting station, first install the cover plate with the current collector on the upper end of the positioning seat, and then use a gravity block to fix the cover plate to the positioning seat. Then, the first lifting cylinder drives the support frame and the positioning seat to rise to the preset value. Under the action of gravity and inertia, the center of gravity of the positioning seat shifts. When the positioning seat automatically rotates 180° around the axis, use manual or mechanical means to stop the positioning seat from continuing to rotate, the first lifting cylinder resets, and the positioning seat and cover plate descend back to the first roller conveyor mechanism. Finally, remove the gravity block and install another cover plate with a current collector. Step 4: When the positioning seat with cover plates installed at both ends is transported to the fixed station, the clamping mechanism is activated first to clamp the cover plates and positioning seats, ensuring that the current collectors on the cover plates are tightly attached to the two ends of the electrode group. Then, the clamping block is used to clamp the two ends of the positioning seat to the two cover plates respectively. After that, the clamping mechanism is reset, and the clamping block, positioning seat and cover plates continue to be transported to the welding station. Step 5: When the positioning seat is transported to the bottom of the first welding gun mechanism, the top rod of the second lifting cylinder passes through the second clearance channel and drives the cover plate and positioning seat to rise until the two sides of the top of the positioning seat abut against the bottom of the horizontal end of the limiting plate. Then, after the first welding gun mechanism completes the welding of the current collector plate and one end of the electrode group on the top cover plate, the second lifting cylinder is reset and the positioning seat is lowered back onto the first roller conveyor. Step Six: When the positioning seat is transported to the flipping drive, the first lifting cylinder at the welding station first drives the cover plate and positioning seat to rise. Under the action of the gravity of the clamping block and the overall inertia, the positioning seat automatically flips around the rotating axis towards the direction of the first translation cylinder. Then, the push rod of the first translation cylinder pushes the side of the positioning seat that is clamped with the clamping block to continue to flip until the positioning seat has flipped 180°. At this time, the support baffle prevents the positioning seat from continuing to flip. After that, the positioning cylinder drives the limit block to move to contact one right-angle side of the positioning seat. The first translation cylinder and the first lifting cylinder are reset one after another. The flipped positioning seat falls back onto the first roller conveyor. When the positioning seat is transported to the bottom of the second welding gun mechanism, Step Five is repeated, that is, the welding of the positive and negative current collectors to both ends of the electrode group is completed. Step 7: When the welded positioning seat is transported to the unloading station, it is first pressed by the clamping mechanism, then the clamping block is removed. The positioning seat is then transported to the first lifting mechanism in the unloading station to remove the upper cover plate and reinstall the gravity block. After that, the lifting and flipping operation in Step 3 is repeated until the positioning seat and the remaining cover plate are lowered back to the first roller conveying mechanism. Then, the gravity block and the remaining cover plate are removed one after the other. Finally, the positioning seat is transported to the electrode assembly unloading station, and the third lifting cylinder pushes the electrode assembly with the welded current collector facing upward into the material trough, and the electrode assembly can be removed.

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