Methods for removing waste from stacking machines and electrode sheets

Abstract

This invention provides a stacking machine and a method for rejecting electrode waste, relating to the field of battery cell manufacturing technology. The stacking machine includes a controller, a waste receiving box, and sensors, a cutting assembly, and a first feed roller group connected to the controller and arranged sequentially along the electrode travel direction. The waste receiving box is located below the first feed roller group. The sensors detect whether the incoming material has defects, and the cutting assembly cuts the incoming material into electrode sheets and conveys them to the first feed roller group. When the sensors detect a defect on an electrode sheet and convey the defective electrode sheet to the first feed roller group, the controller controls the first feed roller group to reverse, causing the defective electrode sheet to fall into the waste receiving box. The stacking machine and electrode waste rejection method simplify the rejection structure, reduce installation space, and improve rejection efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery cell manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a stacking machine and a method for removing electrode waste. Background Technology

[0002] In the wafer stacking equipment of the battery cell manufacturing process, there are NG (non-performing) electrode sheets among the incoming materials, which need to be rejected. Currently, the process for rejecting NG electrode sheets is as follows: When an NG electrode sheet is present, the cutter assembly retracts, and the drive mechanism and waste receiving box of the rejection assembly extend from the rear end of the large board to the front end; then, the cutter assembly sends the cut waste to the drive mechanism of the rejection assembly, which then sends the waste to the waste receiving box; finally, the drive mechanism and waste receiving box retract to the rear end of the large board, and the cutter assembly returns to its working position. The entire rejection process is complex, takes about 10 seconds, and is very inefficient; at the same time, the rejection assembly has a complex structure, occupies a large space, and the waste receiving box has a small capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a method for removing waste from a stacking machine and electrode sheets, which simplifies the waste removal structure, reduces installation space, and improves waste removal efficiency.

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a stacking machine, which includes a controller, a waste receiving box, and a sensor, a cutter assembly, and a first feed roller group connected to the controller and arranged sequentially along the electrode traveling direction, wherein the waste receiving box is disposed below the first feed roller group;

[0006] Sensors are used to detect whether there are defects in the incoming material, and the cutting assembly is used to cut the incoming material into electrode sheets and convey them to the first feed roller group;

[0007] When the sensor detects a defect on an electrode and the defective electrode is conveyed to the first feed roller group, the controller controls the first feed roller group to reverse, causing the defective electrode to fall into the waste receiving box.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the stacking machine provided in this embodiment of the invention include:

[0009] A waste collection box is set below the first feed roller group. The defective electrode sheets fall into the waste collection box by reversing the first feed roller group. This not only simplifies the removal structure and reduces the installation space, but also improves the waste removal efficiency by removing a defective electrode sheet in about 3 seconds.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the stacking machine further includes a flipping mechanism and a telescopic mechanism connected to the controller. The flipping mechanism is connected to the telescopic mechanism, and the waste receiving box is connected to the flipping mechanism. After the waste receiving box is filled with defective electrode sheets, the controller controls the telescopic mechanism to drive the waste receiving box to the unloading area, and controls the flipping mechanism to drive the waste receiving box to flip and unload the waste.

[0011] In this way, the waste receiving box can be recycled, which improves the waste receiving capacity, is beneficial for the long-term operation of the stacking machine and the removal of waste, and improves processing efficiency.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the stacking machine further includes an upper dust collection box and a lower dust collection box disposed behind the first feed roller group, the upper dust collection box and the lower dust collection box being disposed on the upper and lower sides of the electrode sheet respectively.

[0013] In this way, the upper and lower dust collection boxes can remove dust from both sides of the electrode, preventing dusty electrode from pressing against the diaphragm and causing a decrease in chip yield.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the stacking machine further includes a drive mechanism connected to the controller, with the lower dust collection box connected to the drive mechanism;

[0015] When the sensor detects that there are multiple consecutive defective electrodes and the multiple consecutive defective electrodes are conveyed to the first feed roller group, the controller controls the drive mechanism to move the dust collection box to the clearance area and controls the first feed roller group to keep rotating forward, so that the multiple consecutive defective electrodes fall into the waste receiving box.

[0016] Since multiple consecutive electrode sheets have defects, if the first feed roller group is also reversed to remove them, it will have a certain impact on the processing efficiency. In this embodiment, the first feed roller group is controlled to keep rotating forward, and the drive mechanism is controlled to drive the lower dust collection box to move to the clearance area. This allows multiple consecutive electrode sheets with defects to fall into the waste receiving box, improving the removal efficiency and ensuring that the overall processing efficiency of the stacking machine is less affected by the waste.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, a guide groove is provided on the side of the lower dust collection box near the first feed roller group. The driving mechanism is a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the lower dust collection box to rise to the clearance area and allow multiple consecutive electrode sheets with defects to enter the guide groove. The guide groove is used to guide the electrode sheets into the waste receiving box.

[0018] Because the lower dust collection box can only rise a limited distance, by opening guide grooves on the lower dust collection box, the lower dust collection box can rise a smaller distance, allowing multiple consecutive electrode sheets with defects to fall into the waste receiving box through the guide grooves.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the driving mechanism is a transverse mechanism, which drives the lower dust collection box to move horizontally to the clearance area, so that multiple consecutive electrode sheets with defects fall into the waste receiving box after passing through the first feed roller group.

[0020] In this way, the lower dustbin drive mechanism is simple in form and easy to control.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, the stacking machine further includes a second feed roller group and a rolling roller group arranged sequentially behind the upper dust collection box and the lower dust collection box;

[0022] The second feed roller group is used to guide the diaphragm to both sides of the electrode sheet, and the rolling roller group is used to press the electrode sheet and the diaphragm together.

[0023] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for removing electrode waste, wherein the electrode waste removal method employs the stacking machine described in the aforementioned embodiments, and the electrode waste removal method includes:

[0024] When the sensor detects a defect on an electrode and the defective electrode is conveyed to the first feed roller group, the first feed roller group is reversed so that the defective electrode falls into the waste receiving box.

[0025] In an optional embodiment, the stacking machine further includes a drive mechanism and a lower dust collection box disposed behind the first feed roller group and connected to the drive mechanism; the electrode waste removal method further includes:

[0026] When the sensor detects that there are multiple consecutive defective electrodes and the multiple consecutive defective electrodes are transported to the first feed roller group, the control drive mechanism drives the lower dust collection box to move to the clearance area and controls the first feed roller group to keep rotating forward, so that the multiple consecutive defective electrodes fall into the waste receiving box.

[0027] In an optional embodiment, the stacking machine further includes a flipping mechanism and a telescopic mechanism, the flipping mechanism being connected to the telescopic mechanism, the waste receiving box being connected to the flipping mechanism, and the electrode waste removal method further including:

[0028] After the waste receiving box is filled with defective electrode sheets, the telescopic mechanism is controlled to drive the waste receiving box to the unloading area, and the flipping mechanism is controlled to drive the waste receiving box to flip and unload the waste. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking machine provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Icons: 100-Stacking machine; 1-Waste receiving box; 2-Upper cutter; 3-Lower cutter; 4-First feed roller group; 5-Upper dust collection box; 6-Lower dust collection box; 61-Guide groove; 7-Second feed roller group; 8-Crushing roller group; 200-Positive electrode material; 300-Negative electrode material; 400-Electrode sheet; 500-Separator. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0033] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0034] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or is the orientation or position relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0036] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc., if used, are merely used to distinguish and describe, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1This embodiment provides a stacking machine 100, which includes a controller (not shown in the figure), a waste receiving box 1, a flipping mechanism (not shown in the figure), a telescopic mechanism (not shown in the figure), a sensor (not shown in the figure), a cutter assembly, a first feed roller group 4, an upper dust collection box 5, a lower dust collection box 6, a drive mechanism (not shown in the figure), a second feed roller group 7, and a rolling roller group 8.

[0039] The sensor, cutter assembly, first feed roller group 4, second feed roller group 7, and crushing roller group 8 are arranged sequentially along the traveling direction of the electrode 400, and the waste receiving box 1 is located below the first feed roller group 4. The upper dust collection box 5 and the lower dust collection box 6 are respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the electrode 400. In this way, the upper dust collection box 5 and the lower dust collection box 6 can remove dust from the upper and lower sides of the electrode 400, preventing the dust-laden electrode 400 from pressing against the diaphragm 500 and causing a decrease in chip yield.

[0040] The system includes sensors to detect defects in the incoming material, and a cutting assembly to cut the material into electrode sheets 400 and convey them to the first feed roller group 4. Specifically, the cutting assembly includes an upper cutter 2 and a lower cutter 3. The upper cutter 2 cuts the positive electrode material 200 into sheets and conveys them to the first feed roller group 4. The lower cutter 3 cuts the negative electrode material 300 into sheets and conveys them to the first feed roller group 4. The sheet-shaped positive electrode material 200 and the sheet-shaped negative electrode material 300 are bonded together in the first feed roller group 4 to form the electrode sheet 400.

[0041] When the sensor detects a defect on an electrode 400 and the defective electrode 400 is conveyed to the first feed roller group 4, the controller controls the first feed roller group 4 to reverse, causing the defective electrode 400 to fall into the waste collection box 1. Thus, by placing the waste collection box 1 below the first feed roller group 4 and using the reversal of the first feed roller group 4 to drop the defective electrode 400 into the waste collection box 1, the rejection structure is simplified, reducing installation space. Furthermore, rejecting a defective electrode 400 only takes approximately 3 seconds, improving rejection efficiency.

[0042] The stacking machine 100 also includes a drive mechanism connected to a controller, with the lower dust collection box 6 connected to the drive mechanism. When the sensor detects defects in multiple consecutive electrode sheets 400 and the defective electrode sheets 400 are conveyed to the first feed roller group 4, the controller controls the drive mechanism to move the lower dust collection box 6 to the clearance area and controls the first feed roller group 4 to keep rotating forward, causing the defective electrode sheets 400 to fall into the waste receiving box 1. Because multiple consecutive electrode sheets 400 are defective, if the first feed roller group 4 is also reversed to remove them, it will have a certain impact on processing efficiency. In this embodiment, by controlling the first feed roller group 4 to keep rotating forward and controlling the drive mechanism to move the lower dust collection box 6 to the clearance area, the defective electrode sheets 400 can fall into the waste receiving box 1, improving the removal efficiency and ensuring that the overall processing efficiency of the stacking machine 100 is less affected by waste.

[0043] In this embodiment, a guide groove 61 is provided on the side of the lower dust collection box 6 near the first feed roller group 4. Preferably, the guide groove 61 is an arc-shaped groove. The driving mechanism is a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the lower dust collection box 6 to rise to the clearance area and allow multiple consecutive electrode sheets 400 with defects to enter the guide groove 61. The guide groove 61 is used to guide the electrode sheets 400 into the waste receiving box 1. Because the lower dust collection box 6 can only rise a limited distance, by providing the guide groove 61 on the lower dust collection box 6, the lower dust collection box 6 can rise a smaller distance, allowing multiple consecutive electrode sheets 400 with defects to fall into the waste receiving box 1 through the guide groove 61.

[0044] In other embodiments, the driving mechanism can also be a lateral movement mechanism, which drives the lower dust collection box 6 to move horizontally to the clearance area, so that the multiple consecutive electrode sheets 400 with defects fall into the waste receiving box 1 after passing through the first feed roller group 4. In this way, the driving mechanism of the lower dust collection box 6 is simple in form and easy to control.

[0045] The lifting mechanism can be a lifting cylinder, and the lateral movement mechanism can be a horizontal cylinder.

[0046] The defect-free electrode 400 is conveyed by the first feed roller group 4 to the space between the upper dust collection box 5 and the lower dust collection box 6. At the position of the second feed roller group 7, the diaphragm 500 is conveyed from both sides of the electrode 400. The diaphragm 500 and the electrode 400 are pressed together by the rolling roller group 8 and conveyed to the next process.

[0047] The stacking machine 100 also includes a flipping mechanism (not shown in the figure) and a telescopic mechanism (not shown in the figure) connected to the controller. The flipping mechanism is connected to the telescopic mechanism, and the waste receiving box 1 is connected to the flipping mechanism. After the waste receiving box 1 is filled with defective electrode sheets 400, the controller controls the telescopic mechanism to drive the waste receiving box 1 to the unloading area, and controls the flipping mechanism to drive the waste receiving box 1 to flip and unload the waste. In this way, the waste receiving box 1 can be reused, improving the waste receiving capacity, which is beneficial for the long-term operation of the stacking machine 100 and the removal of waste, thereby improving processing efficiency.

[0048] The flipping mechanism can be a flipping cylinder, and the telescopic mechanism can be a telescopic cylinder.

[0049] This embodiment also provides a method for removing electrode waste. The electrode waste removal method uses the aforementioned stacking machine 100 and includes the following steps:

[0050] Step 1: Start the stacking machine 100 and control the sensors to monitor the incoming materials for defects in real time.

[0051] Step 2: When the sensor detects a defect on one electrode 400 and the defective electrode 400 is conveyed to the first feed roller group 4, the first feed roller group 4 is reversed, causing the defective electrode 400 to fall into the waste receiving box 1. When the sensor detects defects on multiple consecutive electrode 400 and multiple consecutive defective electrode 400 are conveyed to the first feed roller group 4, the drive mechanism is controlled to move the lower dust collection box 6 to the clearance area, and the first feed roller group 4 is controlled to maintain forward rotation, causing multiple consecutive defective electrode 400 to fall into the waste receiving box 1.

[0052] Step 3: After filling the waste receiving box 1 with defective electrode sheets 400, control the telescopic mechanism to drive the waste receiving box 1 to the unloading area, and control the flipping mechanism to drive the waste receiving box 1 to flip and unload the waste.

[0053] If the sensor does not detect a defective electrode 400, the electrode 400 is controlled to pass normally through the first feed roller group 4, the dust collection box (including the upper dust collection box 5 and the lower dust collection box 6), the second feed roller group 7, and the rolling roller group 8.

[0054] The beneficial effects of the stacking machine 100 and the electrode waste removal method provided in this embodiment of the invention include:

[0055] 1. A waste receiving box 1 is set below the first feed roller group 4. When the sensor detects that there is a defect on an electrode 400 and the defective electrode 400 is transported to the first feed roller group 4, the defective electrode 400 is dropped into the waste receiving box 1 by reversing the first feed roller group 4. This not only simplifies the rejection structure but also reduces the installation space.

[0056] 2. When the sensor detects that there are multiple consecutive defective electrode sheets 400 and the multiple consecutive defective electrode sheets 400 are conveyed to the first feed roller group 4, the lower dust collection box 6 is moved to the clearance area by controlling the drive mechanism, and the first feed roller group 4 is controlled to keep rotating forward, so that the multiple consecutive defective electrode sheets 400 fall into the waste receiving box 1.

[0057] 3. It only takes about 3 seconds to remove a defective electrode 400, which improves the waste removal efficiency;

[0058] 4. The waste receiving box 1 can be recycled, which improves the waste receiving capacity, is conducive to the long-term operation of the stacking machine 100 and the removal of waste, and improves processing efficiency.

[0059] It is easy to understand that the stacking machine 100 provided in this embodiment can also use the first feed roller group 4 to reverse and input all defective electrode sheets 400 into the waste receiving box 1, so that there is no need to modify the lower dust collection box 6 or drive the lower dust collection box 6.

[0060] The stacking machine 100 provided in this embodiment can also use the forward rotation of the first feed roller group 4 to input all defective electrode sheets 400 into the waste receiving box 1 through the guide groove 61 of the lower dust collection box 6, so that it is not necessary to use the reverse rotation of the first feed roller group 4.

[0061] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A stacking machine, characterized in that, The stacking machine includes a controller, a waste receiving box (1), and a sensor, a cutter assembly, and a first feed roller group (4) connected to the controller and arranged sequentially along the traveling direction of the electrode (400). The waste receiving box (1) is located below the first feed roller group (4). The sensor is used to detect whether there are defects in the incoming material, and the cutter assembly is used to cut the incoming material into electrode sheets (400) and convey them to the first feed roller group (4). When the sensor detects a defect on one of the electrode pieces (400) and the defective electrode piece (400) is conveyed to the first feed roller group (4), the controller controls the first feed roller group (4) to reverse so that the defective electrode piece (400) falls into the waste receiving box (1). The stacking machine also includes an upper dust collection box (5) and a lower dust collection box (6) disposed behind the first feed roller group (4), and the upper dust collection box (5) and the lower dust collection box (6) are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the electrode sheet (400); The stacking machine also includes a drive mechanism connected to the controller, and the lower dust collection box (6) is connected to the drive mechanism; When the sensor detects that there are defects on multiple consecutive electrode sheets (400) and conveys the multiple consecutive electrode sheets (400) with defects to the first feed roller group (4), the controller controls the drive mechanism to drive the lower dust collection box (6) to move to the clearance area and controls the first feed roller group (4) to keep rotating forward, so that the multiple consecutive electrode sheets (400) with defects fall into the waste receiving box (1).

2. The stacking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stacking machine also includes a flipping mechanism and a telescopic mechanism connected to the controller. The flipping mechanism is connected to the telescopic mechanism, and the waste receiving box (1) is connected to the flipping mechanism. After the waste receiving box (1) is filled with the defective electrode (400), the controller controls the telescopic mechanism to drive the waste receiving box (1) to the dumping area, and controls the flipping mechanism to drive the waste receiving box (1) to flip and dump.

3. The stacking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower dust collection box (6) has a guide groove (61) on the side near the first feed roller group (4). The driving mechanism is a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the lower dust collection box (6) to rise to the clearance area and allow multiple consecutive electrode sheets (400) with defects to enter the guide groove (61). The guide groove (61) is used to guide the electrode sheets (400) into the waste receiving box (1).

4. The stacking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving mechanism is a transverse mechanism, which is used to drive the lower dust collection box (6) to move horizontally to the clearance area, so that multiple consecutive electrode sheets (400) with defects fall into the waste receiving box (1) after passing through the first feed roller group (4).

5. The stacking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stacking machine also includes a second feed roller group (7) and a rolling roller group (8) arranged sequentially behind the upper dust collection box (5) and the lower dust collection box (6). The second feed roller group (7) is used to guide the diaphragm (500) to both sides of the electrode (400), and the rolling roller group (8) is used to press the electrode (400) and the diaphragm (500) together.

Images