An electrode tab pre-forming apparatus

Abstract

The application provides an electrode tab preforming device. A preforming assembly comprises a mounting base and a roller, one side of the mounting base is provided with a U-shaped mounting portion, the roller is mounted on the U-shaped mounting portion, and the mounting base is provided with a smoothing piece on each outer side of the opening of the U-shaped mounting portion. The application also provides an electrode tab preforming device, which comprises a guide base, a connecting block, the above-mentioned preforming assembly and a driving assembly for driving the preforming assembly to move back and forth. One end of the driving assembly is connected with one side of the connecting block, and the other side of the connecting block is connected with the side of the mounting base opposite to the U-shaped mounting portion. The smoothing piece can follow the rotation, and the electrode tab entering the rotation range is pressed and formed. In the electrode tab forming process, the universal ball rotates under the driving of the electrode tab winding. Through the rotating pressing and forming mode, the force is more uniform and soft, and the pressing and forming effect is better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrode processing, and more specifically, to a battery cell electrode preforming equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of power batteries, the processing of the tabs is one of the most important steps. After the tabs are cut and shaped, they need to be smoothed and shaped on the battery cell. Most current smoothing devices use a smoothing structure of a specific shape to act directly on one end of the tab of the battery cell roll during high-speed winding to smooth the tab. Each time the battery cell roll completes one turn, the position of the smoothing structure needs to be adjusted by the drive mechanism so that the smoothing structure can act on the outer tab position of the battery cell roll. This operation is relatively complicated and prone to misalignment, resulting in incomplete or misaligned smoothing of the tabs, which ultimately affects the quality of the battery cell. Furthermore, most existing smoothing structures are flat and rigid structures that do not rotate with the rotation of the battery cell roll, and cannot make buffering adjustments, resulting in poor smoothing effect. For example, current technology discloses an electrode smoothing device for a winding machine. This device includes a smoothing structure and a drive structure connected to the smoothing structure. The drive structure can drive the smoothing structure to move relative to the winding needle of the winding machine, so that the smoothing structure can apply a force towards the winding needle to the electrode wrapped on the winding needle. During operation, after each turn of the winding needle, the drive structure drives the smoothing structure to move a certain distance away from the winding needle, so that the smoothing structure can continue to apply a force towards the winding needle to the electrode in subsequent winding processes. Such a device is relatively complex to operate and is prone to misalignment, resulting in incomplete or misaligned electrode smoothing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the challenges posed by the complex operation described in the background section, which can easily lead to misalignment and result in improperly flattened or misaligned tabs, this invention provides a battery cell tab pre-forming device. This invention provides more accurate tab alignment, eliminating issues such as improper flattening or misalignment.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a battery cell tab preforming device, including a guide seat, a connecting block, a preforming component, and a driving component for driving the preforming component to move back and forth. The preforming component includes a mounting seat and a roller pressing component. A U-shaped mounting portion is provided on one side of the mounting seat, and the roller pressing component is installed on the U-shaped mounting portion. Smoothing components for smoothing the battery cell tab are respectively provided on both outer sides of the opening of the U-shaped mounting portion. One end of the driving component is connected to one side of the connecting block, and the other side of the connecting block is connected to the side of the mounting seat opposite to the U-shaped mounting portion.

[0005] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a cylinder and a floating joint. Guide holes are provided at both ends of the guide seat. Guide shafts are provided at both ends of the connecting block, which are directly opposite the guide holes. The guide shafts move through the guide holes. The piston rod of the cylinder passes through the guide seat and is connected to the middle of the connecting block through the floating joint.

[0006] Furthermore, a limiting structure is provided at the end of the guide shaft away from the connecting block.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the smoothing component includes a fixed base and a universal ball joint. The fixed base is respectively disposed on both sides of the mounting base, and the universal ball joint is disposed at one end of the fixed base. The two universal balls joints are arranged side by side on the outside of opposite sides of the U-shaped mounting portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the roller pressing component includes a pressure roller and a pressure roller shaft passing through both ends of the pressure roller, and the pressure roller shaft is connected to the inner sidewall corresponding to the U-shaped mounting portion.

[0009] As another preferred embodiment, the smoothing component is a forming roller, and the pressure roller shafts respectively extend through the outer side wall corresponding to the U-shaped mounting portion to form an outer extension portion, and the forming rollers are respectively fixedly sleeved on the outer extension portion of the pressure roller shaft.

[0010] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the forming roller is larger than the outer diameter of the pressure roller.

[0011] Furthermore, a spring is also fitted on the guide shaft, with one end of the spring abutting against the connecting block and the other end abutting against the guide seat.

[0012] Furthermore, the guide shaft is parallel to the piston rod of the cylinder.

[0013] Furthermore, an adjusting positioning roller is fixedly sleeved on the outer extension of one end of the pressure roller shaft, and the adjusting positioning roller is located on the side of the forming roller opposite to the pressure roller.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects are:

[0015] This invention utilizes a spring fitted on the guide shaft of the drive assembly to generate a reversible force from the other side to reset the roller pressing component and connecting block. This ensures that the forming component at the front end remains firmly attached to the surface of the battery cell roll, making operation more convenient. Furthermore, because the universal ball is in constant contact with the outermost edge of the battery cell roll, its spherical surface rotates with the roll, ensuring that each tab contacts the smoothing component during winding at the same angle and position. This achieves consistent tab forming, preventing incomplete smoothing or misalignment and folding. The forming effect is better, and the degree of automation is higher. Moreover, the use of a smoothing component that follows the rotation to compress and form the tabs within the rotation range. During tab forming, the universal ball rotates under the drive of the electrode roll, resulting in a more uniform and gentler force and a better pressing effect through rotational pressing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 1.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a top view of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the smoothing component in Example 1.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a top view of the smoothing component in Example 1.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 2.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the smoothing component in Example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting this patent. To better illustrate this embodiment, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings. The positional relationships described in the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting this patent.

[0023] In the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "long," and "short" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Example 1

[0026] This embodiment provides a battery cell tab preforming device, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a guide seat 5, a connecting block 8, a preforming assembly, and a drive assembly 7 for moving the preforming assembly back and forth. One end of the drive assembly 7 is connected to one side of the connecting block 8, and the other side of the connecting block 8 is connected to the side of the mounting base 1 opposite to the U-shaped mounting portion 2. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the preforming assembly includes a mounting base 1 and a roller pressing component 3. A U-shaped mounting portion 2 is provided on one side of the mounting base 1, and the roller pressing component 3 is mounted on the U-shaped mounting portion 2. The mounting base 1 has smoothing components 4 on both outer sides of the opening of the U-shaped mounting portion 2 for smoothing the battery cell tabs. Thus, the preforming assembly in this embodiment is used in a winding machine to preform and close the unfolded tabs 11 on the battery cell roll 10. In use, the electrode sheets are wound onto a winding needle to form the battery cell roll 10. The two ends of the battery cell roll 10 are tabs 11. The electrode sheets are wound round and round. When each tab reaches the smoothing component 4, it is pressed by the smoothing component 4, causing the unfolded tabs to close towards the winding needle, thus achieving the preforming of the tabs. Furthermore, the roller pressing component 3 on the preforming assembly can rotate along with the battery cell roll 10 during winding, and can provide a certain degree of support for the battery cell roll 10.

[0027] In this embodiment, the guide seat 5 is fixed and is part of the fixed frame of the winding machine. The guide seat 5 is generally located above or below the cylinder 71. In this embodiment, the cylinder 71 is located below the guide seat 5. A through hole is opened in the middle of the guide seat 5. The piston rod of the cylinder 71 passes through the through hole and is connected to one end of the floating joint 72. The other end of the floating joint 72 is fixedly connected to the middle of the connecting block 8. The mounting seat 1 is fixedly connected to the other side of the connecting block 8.

[0028] The smoothing component 4 used in this embodiment includes a fixed base 41 and universal balls 42. The fixed base 41 is respectively located on both sides of the mounting base 1. In this embodiment, the connection position of the fixed base 41 to the mounting base 1 is adjustable. The universal balls 42 are located at one end of the fixed base 41, and two universal balls 42 are arranged side by side on the outer sides of the U-shaped mounting part 2. The roller pressing component 3 includes a pressure roller 31 and a pressure roller shaft 32 passing through both ends of the pressure roller 31. The pressure roller shaft 32 is fixedly connected to the corresponding inner sidewall of the U-shaped mounting part 2. In order to achieve a better electrode tab pressing effect, the smoothing component 4 generally adopts a rotatable structure. For example, the smoothing component 4 used in this embodiment is a universal ball 42. The universal balls 42 on both sides are arranged side by side. This can realize the pressing and shaping of the electrode tabs that enter the rotation range. During the electrode tab forming process, the universal balls 42 will rotate under the drive of the electrode sheet winding. Through the rotation pressing method, the force is more uniform and gentle, and the pressing effect is better.

[0029] The drive assembly 7 includes a cylinder 71 and a floating joint 72. Guide holes are provided at both ends of the guide seat 5. Guide shafts 6 are provided at both ends of the connecting block 8, which are directly opposite the guide holes. The guide shafts 6 move through the guide holes. The piston rod of the cylinder 71 passes through the guide seat 5 and is connected to the middle of the connecting block 8 through the floating joint 72. A spring 9 is also sleeved on the guide shaft 6. One end of the spring 9 abuts against the connecting block 8 and the other end abuts against the guide seat 5. The guide shaft 6 is parallel to the piston rod of the cylinder 71.

[0030] The working process of this embodiment is as follows: When it is necessary to wind the battery cell, the drive mechanism is activated, the piston rod of the cylinder 71 extends, and drives the connecting block 8 and the mounting seat 1 fixedly set on the connecting block 8 to move towards the position of the battery cell winding 10 through the floating joint 72; at the same time, the guide shafts 6 set at both ends of the connecting block 8 move along the guide holes on the guide seat 5 to provide guidance for the movement of the piston rod of the cylinder 71; when the pressure roller 31 unit on the preforming assembly moves into place, the battery cell begins to be wound, the pressure roller 31 on the pressure roller 31 unit is close to the battery cell winding 10, and the pressure roller 31 will also rotate under the drive of the battery cell winding 10, without causing a large resistance to the winding of the electrode tab; in this way, the electrode tab 11 that enters the rotation range can be pressed and shaped. During the electrode tab forming process, the universal ball 42 will rotate under the drive of the electrode winding. Through the rotation pressing method, the force is more uniform and gentle, and the pressing effect is better. Furthermore, since the piston rod of cylinder 71 is connected to connecting block 8 through floating joint 72, as the battery cell roll 10 continuously winds up and gradually increases in size, it will exert a squeezing force on the roller pressing component 3 and connecting block 8. Due to the action of the spring 9 sleeved on the guide shaft 6, a resetting reverse force will be generated on the roller pressing component 3 and connecting block 8 from the other side, ensuring that the forming component at the front end is always in close contact with the surface of the battery cell roll 10, making operation more convenient. Moreover, since the universal ball 42 is always in contact with the outermost side of the battery cell roll 10, the spherical surface of the universal ball 42 rotates with the battery cell roll 10, and each section of the electrode tab can contact the smoothing component 4 when winding up, and the contact angle and position are the same, which can achieve the consistency of electrode tab forming and prevent the electrode tab from being not smoothed and formed properly or misaligned and folded; the forming effect is better and the degree of automation is higher.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] This embodiment provides a battery cell tab preforming device, similar to Embodiment 1, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the tab preforming device includes a guide seat 5, a connecting block 8, a preforming assembly, and a drive assembly 7 for moving the preforming assembly back and forth. One end of the drive assembly 7 is connected to one side of the connecting block 8, and the other side of the connecting block 8 is connected to the side of the mounting base 1 facing away from the U-shaped mounting portion 2. The main difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that: Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the smoothing component 4 is a forming roller. The pressure roller shafts 32 each extend beyond the outer wall of the corresponding U-shaped mounting portion 2 to form an outer extension 33. The forming rollers are fixedly sleeved on the outer extensions 33 of the pressure roller shafts 32. The outer diameter of the forming roller is larger than the outer diameter of the pressure roller 31. An adjusting positioning roller 43 is also fixedly sleeved on the outer extension 33 at one end of the pressure roller shaft 32. The adjusting positioning roller 43 is located on the side of the forming roller facing away from the pressure roller 31. The adjusting positioning roller 43 can adjust the position of the forming roller according to the size of the battery cell roll 10.

[0033] In this embodiment, a forming roller is used as the smoothing component 4. The total length of the roller pressing component 3 is greater than the distance between the two outer side walls of the U-shaped mounting part 2. That is, the pressure roller shafts 32 at both ends of the roller press 32 extend outward from both sides of the U-shaped mounting part 2. The forming roller is fixedly connected to the outer extensions 33 at both ends of the pressure roller shaft 32. When the electrode sheet is wound, the pressure roller 31 on the pressure roller 31 unit is in close contact with the battery cell roll 10. The battery cell roll 10 rotates and winds up under the action of its central winding needle. The pressure roller 31 rotates around its central pressure roller shaft 32 under the drive of the battery cell roll 10. At the same time, the forming roller also rotates synchronously under the drive of the pressure roller shaft 32. Since the outer diameter of the forming roller is larger than that of the pressure roller 31, it can press the corresponding contacting electrode tabs inward, so that the unfolded electrode tabs are rolled up and shaped in the direction of the battery cell winding needle, thus completing the pre-forming of the electrode tabs. Similarly, in this embodiment, the method of rotating and pressing the electrode tabs with the forming roller results in a more uniform and gentle force and a better pressing effect.

[0034] The drive assembly 7 includes a cylinder 71 and a floating joint 72. Guide holes are provided at both ends of the guide seat 5. Guide shafts 6 are provided at both ends of the connecting block 8, which are directly opposite the guide holes. The guide shafts 6 move through the guide holes. The piston rod of the cylinder 71 passes through the guide seat 5 and is connected to the middle of the connecting block 8 through the floating joint 72. A spring 9 is also sleeved on the guide shaft 6. One end of the spring 9 abuts against the connecting block 8 and the other end abuts against the guide seat 5. The guide shaft 6 is parallel to the piston rod of the cylinder 71.

[0035] The working process of this embodiment is similar to that of embodiment 1, as follows: When the battery cell needs to be wound, the drive mechanism is activated, the piston rod of the cylinder 71 extends, and drives the connecting block 8 and the mounting seat 1 fixed on the connecting block 8 to move towards the position of the battery cell winding 10 needle through the floating joint 72; at the same time, the guide shafts 6 provided at both ends of the connecting block 8 move along the guide holes on the guide seat 5 to provide guidance for the movement of the piston rod of the cylinder 71; when the pressure roller 31 unit on the preforming assembly moves into place, the battery cell begins to be wound, the pressure roller 31 on the pressure roller 31 unit is close to the battery cell winding 10, and the pressure roller 31 will also rotate under the drive of the battery cell winding 10, which will not cause a large resistance to the winding of the electrode tab; at the same time, since the smoothing part 4 in this embodiment uses a forming roller, the forming rollers at both ends also rotate synchronously under the drive of the pressure roller shaft 32. Since the outer diameter of the forming roller is larger than that of the pressure roller 31, it can press the corresponding contact electrode tabs inward, so that the unfolded electrode tabs are rolled into shape in the direction of the battery cell winding needle, and the preforming of the electrode tabs is completed.

[0036] Example 3

[0037] This embodiment is similar to embodiment 1, except that: in this embodiment, a limit structure is provided at the end of the guide shaft 6 away from the connecting block 8 to prevent the cylinder 71 from overtravel.

[0038] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell tab preforming equipment, characterized in that, The assembly includes a guide seat (5), a connecting block (8), a preforming assembly, and a drive assembly (7) for moving the preforming assembly back and forth. The preforming assembly includes a mounting seat (1) and a roller (3). A U-shaped mounting part (2) is provided on one side of the mounting seat (1). The roller (3) is installed on the U-shaped mounting part (2). The mounting seat (1) is provided with smoothing parts (4) for smoothing the battery cell tabs on both sides of the opening of the U-shaped mounting part (2). One end of the drive assembly (7) is connected to one side of the connecting block (8), and the other side of the connecting block (8) is connected to the side of the mounting seat (1) opposite to the U-shaped mounting part (2). The drive assembly (7) includes a cylinder (71) and a floating joint (72). The guide seat (5) has guide holes at both ends. The connecting block (8) has guide shafts (6) at both ends opposite to the guide holes. The guide shafts (6) move through the guide holes. The piston rod of the cylinder (71) passes through the guide seat (5) and is connected to the middle of the connecting block (8) through the floating joint (72). The guide shaft (6) has a limiting structure at one end away from the connecting block (8); A spring (9) is also fitted on the guide shaft (6), with one end of the spring (9) abutting against the connecting block (8) and the other end abutting against the guide seat (5).

2. The battery cell tab preforming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smoothing component (4) includes a fixed base (41) and a universal ball (42). The fixed base (41) is respectively located on both sides of the mounting base (1), and the universal ball (42) is located at one end of the fixed base (41). Two universal balls (42) are arranged side by side on the outside of opposite sides of the U-shaped mounting part (2).

3. The battery cell tab preforming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller pressing component (3) includes a pressure roller (31) and a pressure roller shaft (32) passing through both ends of the pressure roller (31). The pressure roller shaft (32) is connected to the inner side wall corresponding to the U-shaped mounting part (2).

4. The battery cell tab preforming equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The smoothing component (4) is a forming roller, and the pressure roller shaft (32) passes through the outer side wall corresponding to the U-shaped mounting part (2) to form an outer extension (33). The forming roller is fixedly sleeved on the outer extension (33) of the pressure roller shaft (32).

5. The battery cell tab preforming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide shaft (6) is parallel to the piston rod of the cylinder (71).

6. The battery cell tab preforming equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the forming roller is larger than the outer diameter of the pressure roller (31).

7. The cell tab preforming equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, An adjusting positioning roller (43) is also fixedly sleeved on the outer extension (33) at one end of the pressure roller shaft (32). The adjusting positioning roller (43) is located on the side of the forming roller opposite to the pressure roller (31).

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