Belt feeding device

Abstract

The present application provides an endless belt feeding device for feeding endless belts in a battery cell module production line, comprising a storage structure, a discharge mechanism, and a dividing mechanism. The storage structure comprises a first area and a second area for arranging and placing endless belts. The discharge mechanism has a first state that prevents the endless belts in the first area from shifting upward, and a second state that allows the endless belts in the first area to leave the storage structure to enable feeding. The dividing mechanism has a third state that limits the endless belts in the second area to the storage structure, and a fourth state that allows the endless belts in the second area to move and enter the first area. The switching from the first state to the second state follows the switching from the fourth state to the third state, and the switching from the third state to the fourth state follows the switching from the second state to the first state. The present application solves the problem of low automation of the steel belt feeding process in the assembly of battery cell modules in the prior art, which leads to low assembly efficiency of battery cell modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of battery production, and in particular to an endless belt feeding device. Background Art

[0002] In the battery pack production process of large lithium batteries, a certain number of battery cells are usually assembled into a battery module, which is then combined into multiple battery modules.

[0003] The common cell module assembly process in the prior art is usually to first load a cell assembly formed by shaping and aligning multiple cells. The cell assembly then enters a pressurizing station for pressurization. The cell assembly is then pushed to the next station. Two steel strips are then wrapped around the cell assembly from the top and bottom, either manually or using a steel strip jig, to form a cell module. Finally, the cell module is transported away, completing the cell module unloading process. However, in the above process, the steel strips participate in the loading process of the entire cell module assembly before being wrapped around the cell assembly. This process usually requires a lot of manual operation and has a low degree of automation, resulting in low cell module assembly efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides an endless belt feeding device to solve the problem in the prior art that the steel belt feeding process in the assembly of the battery cell module has a low degree of automation, resulting in low assembly efficiency of the battery cell module.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] An endless belt feeding device, comprising:

[0007] The storage structure includes a first area and a second area where the endless belts can be arranged and placed;

[0008] The material discharge mechanism has a first state of preventing the annular belt of the first zone from moving in the upward feeding direction, and a second state of allowing the annular belt of the first zone to leave the material storage structure to achieve material feeding;

[0009] The material distribution mechanism has a third state in which the annular belt of the second zone is restricted on the material storage structure, and a fourth state in which the annular belt of the second zone moves and enters the first zone;

[0010] The switching from the first state to the second state follows the switching from the fourth state to the third state, and the switching from the third state to the fourth state follows the switching from the second state to the first state.

[0011] Optionally, a cache mechanism is further included, and the storage structure also includes a third area where the ring belts can be arranged and placed. The cache mechanism has a fifth state for limiting the ring belts in the third area and a sixth state for moving the ring belts in the third area and entering the second area.

[0012] Optionally, the discharge mechanism includes:

[0013] a first pin body;

[0014] a first power assembly, driving the first pin to insert into and leave the material storage structure;

[0015] When the discharge mechanism is in the first state, the first pin is inserted into the storage structure and is located below the first area; when the discharge mechanism is in the second state, the first pin leaves the storage structure and falls out of the annular belt of the first area.

[0016] Optionally, the material distribution mechanism includes:

[0017] briquetting;

[0018] A second power assembly drives the pressing block to press against and leave the material storage structure;

[0019] When the material dividing mechanism is in the third state, the pressing block presses the annular belt of the second zone onto the material storage structure; when the material dividing mechanism is in the fourth state, the pressing block leaves the material storage structure and moves downward away from the annular belt of the second zone.

[0020] Optionally, the cache mechanism includes:

[0021] a second pin body;

[0022] a third power assembly, driving the second pin to insert into and leave the material storage structure;

[0023] In which, when the cache mechanism is in the fifth state, the second pin body is inserted into the storage structure and is located below the third area; when the cache mechanism is in the sixth state, the second pin body leaves the storage structure and moves downward away from the annular belt of the third area.

[0024] Optionally, the cache mechanism in the fifth state and the discharge mechanism in the first state can both be connected to the storage structure and restrict the storage structure from moving in the vertical direction, and the storage structure always remains connected to at least one of the discharge mechanism and the cache mechanism.

[0025] Optionally, the material storage structure includes a frame body that can fit with the inner side of the annular belt.

[0026] Optionally, a guide body is provided at the end of the frame body, and the cross section of the guide body gradually expands along the moving direction of the annular belt on the frame body, so that the annular belt passes through the guide body and is sleeved around the frame body.

[0027] Optionally, the frame body includes:

[0028] A frame, comprising at least four bars which are all fixedly connected to the guide body and parallel to each other;

[0029] The support plate is fixed between two adjacent bars and is provided with a first pin hole which is opposite to the first pin body and for the first pin body to be inserted into.

[0030] Optionally, the first zone accommodates an annulus.

[0031] The ring belt loading device provided by the present application puts a large number of ring belts onto the storage structure at one time. The ring belts are distributed in the first area and the second area. When the ring belts need to be loaded, the discharge mechanism is firstly in the first state, and then the material distribution structure is put in the fourth state to ensure that there are ring belts in the first area. Then the material distribution structure is put in the third state, and the ring belts in the second area are positioned. Then the discharge mechanism is put in the second state to allow the ring belts in the first area to leave along the loading direction, completing the ring belt loading. By repeating the above process, the ring belts can be loaded in sequence, thereby improving the degree of automation in terms of ring belt loading, and solving the problem of low degree of automation in the steel belt loading process in the assembly of battery cell modules in the prior art, which leads to low assembly efficiency of battery cell modules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without any creative work.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the endless belt feeding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the material distribution mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the cache mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] exist Figure 1-Figure 3 middle:

[0037] 601- material storage structure, 602- material discharge mechanism, 603- material distribution mechanism, 604- cache mechanism, 605- guide body;

[0038] 6031-pressure block, 6032-second power assembly;

[0039] 6041-second pin body, 6042-third power assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an annular belt loading device for loading annular belts in a battery cell module production line, comprising a storage structure 601, a discharge mechanism 602, and a dividing mechanism 603. The storage structure 601 comprises a first area and a second area for the annular belts to be arranged and placed; the discharge mechanism 602 has a first state of hindering the annular belts in the first area from displacing in an upward direction, and a second state of allowing the annular belts in the first area to leave the storage structure 601 to achieve loading; the dividing mechanism 603 has a third state of limiting the annular belts in the second area on the storage structure 601, and a fourth state of allowing the annular belts in the second area to move and enter the first area; wherein, the switching from the first state to the second state follows the switching from the fourth state to the third state, and the switching from the third state to the fourth state follows the switching from the second state to the first state. With such arrangement, a large number of ring belts are placed on the storage structure 601 at one time, and the ring belts are distributed in the first area and the second area. When the ring belts need to be loaded, the discharge mechanism 602 is first placed in the first state, and then the material distribution structure is placed in the fourth state to ensure that there are ring belts in the first area. The material distribution structure is then placed in the third state, and the ring belts in the second area are positioned. Then the discharge mechanism 602 is placed in the second state to allow the ring belts in the first area to leave along the loading direction, completing the ring belt loading. By repeating the above process, the ring belts can be loaded in a first-in-first-out manner in sequence, thereby improving the degree of automation in terms of ring belt loading and solving the problem of low automation in the steel belt loading process in the assembly of battery cell modules in the prior art, which leads to low assembly efficiency of battery cell modules.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the endless belt feeding device is further provided with a buffer mechanism 604, and the storage structure 601 further includes a third area for arranging and placing the endless belts, and the buffer mechanism 604 has a fifth state for limiting the endless belts in the third area to the third area and a sixth state for moving the endless belts in the third area and entering the second area. With such a configuration, the third area can pre-buffer some endless belts relatively independently, and when the endless belts in the third area are not required to enter the second area, there will be no interference with the positions of the endless belts in the second area and the first area, so that the operator can irregularly and quantitatively feed the endless belts into the storage structure 601, thereby reducing the frequency of manual feeding of the endless belts, enabling the endless belts to be fed without stopping the machine, and further reducing the degree of manual participation.

[0043] Preferably, the buffer mechanism 604, the material distribution mechanism 603, and the material discharge mechanism 602 are each provided with two symmetrical ones, and the two buffer mechanisms 604 operate simultaneously, the two material distribution mechanisms 603 operate simultaneously, and the two material discharge mechanisms 602 operate simultaneously.

[0044] In a specific embodiment, a discharge mechanism 602 is provided, comprising a first pin body and a first power assembly for driving the first pin body to insert into and leave a storage structure 601. The storage structure 601 is provided with a first pin hole that matches the first pin body and has a matching shape. When the discharge mechanism 602 is in a first state, the first pin body is inserted into the storage structure 601 and is located below the first zone. When the discharge mechanism 602 is in a second state, the first pin body leaves the storage structure 601 and the ring belt that is released from the first zone falls. In this arrangement, the two states of the discharge mechanism 602 are switched by the reciprocating first pin body, and the physical blocking effect of the first pin body is used to achieve position limiting, which is stable and reliable. The first power assembly can be specifically configured as a ball screw and motor combination, a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or other linear actuator. Preferably, the first power assembly is configured as a ball screw and motor combination, and is combined with a slider and rail structure to optimize the displacement smoothness of the first pin body. Since the above structure is a conventional technical means in the prior art, the specific connection details are not repeated here.

[0045] In a specific embodiment, Figure 2As shown, a material distribution mechanism 603 is provided including a pressing block 6031, a second power assembly 6032 for driving the pressing block 6031 to press against and leave the storage structure 601, and the lower edge of the pressing block 6031 is located at the lower edge of the second zone, ensuring that the lowest annular belt of the second zone can be pressed, and the annular belt of the first zone will not be pressed; wherein, when the material distribution mechanism 603 is in the third state, the pressing block 6031 presses the annular belt of the second zone against the storage structure 601; when the material distribution mechanism 603 is in the fourth state, the pressing block 6031 leaves the storage structure 601 and moves downward away from the annular belt of the second zone. In this way, the annular belt of the second zone is limited by the pressing action of the pressing block 6031, which is suitable for the situation where the first zone and the second zone are connected. The second power assembly 6032 can be specifically set to a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or other linear actuator. It is preferred to set the pressing block 6031 to be a flexible material so as not to damage the annular belt.

[0046] In a specific embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, a cache mechanism 604 is provided, comprising a second pin 6041, a third power assembly 6042 for driving the second pin 6041 into and out of the storage structure 601, and a second pin hole is provided on the storage structure 601, which is matched with the second pin 6041 and has a matching shape. When the cache mechanism 604 is in the fifth state, the second pin 6041 is inserted into the storage structure 601 and is located below the third zone. When the cache mechanism 604 is in the sixth state, the second pin 6041 is removed from the storage structure 601 and the annular belt released from the third zone moves downward. With this arrangement, the switching between the two states of the discharge mechanism 602 is completed by the reciprocating second pin 6041, and the physical blocking effect of the second pin 6041 achieves position limiting, which is stable and reliable. The third power assembly 6042 can be configured as a ball screw and motor combination, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or other linear actuator. Preferably, the third power assembly 6042 is configured as a ball screw and motor combination, and is combined with a slider and rail structure to optimize the displacement smoothness of the second pin 6041. Since the above structure is a conventional technical means in the prior art, the specific connection details are not repeated here. The specific structure of the buffer mechanism 604 is essentially the same as that of the discharge mechanism 602.

[0047] In a specific embodiment, the storage structure 601 includes a frame body that can partially or completely match the inner side of the annular belt. The first, second, and third zones are the surface areas surrounding the frame body, and the first and second zones are continuous, allowing the annular belt to move freely on the frame body. More specifically, the first zone is the area between the highest point of the first pin body and the lower edge of the pressure block 6031, horizontally corresponding to the surrounding surface area on the frame body; the second zone is the area between the lower edge of the pressure block 6031 and the lower edge of the second pin body 6041, horizontally corresponding to the surrounding surface area on the frame body; and the third zone is the area above the upper edge of the second pin body 6041, horizontally corresponding to the surrounding surface area on the frame body.

[0048] Furthermore, a guide body 605 is provided at the end of the frame. The cross-section of the guide body 605 gradually expands along the direction of movement of the endless belt on the frame, so that the endless belt passes through the guide body 605 and is wrapped around the frame. In other words, the guide body 605 is prism-shaped. This arrangement facilitates the rapid insertion of the endless belt onto the frame, reduces the need for manual placement of the endless belt, and optimizes the operation speed.

[0049] In addition, it is preferred that the frame body is arranged vertically, the guide body 605 is located at the top of the frame body, the third area is located above the second area, the second area is located above the first area, and the cache mechanism 604, the material distribution mechanism 603, and the material discharge mechanism 602 are arranged on the frame from top to bottom. With this arrangement, the endless belt can move freely downward on the frame body under the action of gravity, and there is no need to use other power to push the endless belt to move in the preset direction.

[0050] More specifically, a frame body is provided including a frame and a support plate, wherein the frame includes at least four bars that are all fixed to the guide body and parallel to each other, and the bars have an arc-shaped surface to match the inner angle of the ring belt; the support plate is fixed between two adjacent bars, and is provided with a first pin hole opposite to the first pin body and for the first pin body to match and insert, and a second pin hole opposite to the second pin body 6041 and for the second pin body 6041 to match and insert.

[0051] More specifically, it is preferred to set the first zone to accommodate one endless belt, that is, to accurately realize single loading of the endless belt, and the number of the second zone and the third zone is set according to the situation, and can be set to about ten.

[0052] In addition, the cache mechanism 604 in the fifth state and the discharge mechanism 602 in the first state can both be connected to the storage structure 601 and restrict the storage structure 601 from moving in the vertical direction, and the storage structure 601 always remains connected to at least one of the discharge mechanism 602 and the cache mechanism 604, that is, the first pin body and the second pin body 6041 will not be disconnected from the frame body at the same time, and because the first pin body is consistent with the first pin hole cross section, and the second pin body 6041 is consistent with the second pin hole cross section, it is possible to ensure that the pin bodies and the pin holes are positioned in a right position, and can be accurately plugged in every time. In this way, there is no connection structure above and below the storage structure 601, which can realize the storage structure 601 being suspended in the longitudinal space, and the position is unique, the annular belt is freely inserted into the top of the storage structure 601, and the annular belt is smoothly dropped and detached at the bottom of the storage structure 601.

[0053] The basic principles of the present application have been described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, strengths, and effects mentioned in this application are merely illustrative and not restrictive, and it should not be assumed that these advantages, strengths, and effects are required of each embodiment of this application. In addition, the specific details disclosed above are merely illustrative and facilitating understanding, and are not restrictive. The above details do not limit this application to necessarily being implemented using the above specific details.

[0054] The block diagrams of the devices, devices, equipment, and systems involved in this application are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, or configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these devices, devices, equipment, and systems can be connected, arranged, or configured in any manner. Words such as "include," "comprise," "have," and the like are open-ended words, meaning "including but not limited to," and can be used interchangeably therewith. The words "or" and "and" used herein refer to the words "and / or" and can be used interchangeably therewith, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The word "such as" used herein refers to the phrase "such as but not limited to," and can be used interchangeably therewith.

[0055] It should also be noted that in the apparatus, device, and method of the present application, each component or each step can be decomposed and / or recombined, and such decomposition and / or recombination should be regarded as equivalent solutions of the present application.

[0056] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present application. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0057] It should be understood that the qualifiers "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "fifth," and "sixth" used in the description of the embodiments of the present application are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions and are not used to limit the scope of protection of the present application. The above description has been given for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application to the forms disclosed herein. Although a number of example aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, changes, additions, and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. An endless belt feeding device, characterized in that: Used for endless belt loading, including: The material storage structure includes a guide body and a frame body capable of matching the inner side of the endless belt. The surrounding surface area of ​​the frame body includes a first area, a second area, and a third area for the endless belt to be arranged and placed. The frame body is vertically arranged, the second area is located above the first area, and the third area is located above the second area. The guide body is arranged at the top of the frame body, and the cross-section of the guide body gradually expands along the moving direction of the endless belt on the frame body, so that the endless belt passes through the guide body and is wrapped around the frame body. The material discharge mechanism has a first state of preventing the annular belt of the first zone from moving in the upward feeding direction, and a second state of allowing the annular belt of the first zone to leave the material storage structure to achieve material feeding; The material distribution mechanism has a third state in which the annular belt of the second zone is restricted on the material storage structure, and a fourth state in which the annular belt of the second zone moves and enters the first zone; a buffer mechanism having a fifth state for limiting the annular belt of the third zone in the third zone and a sixth state for moving the annular belt of the third zone and entering the second zone; In which, the cache mechanism, the material distribution mechanism, and the material discharge mechanism are arranged on the frame from top to bottom, and the switching from the first state to the second state follows the switching from the fourth state to the third state, and the switching from the third state to the fourth state follows the switching from the second state to the first state.

2. The endless belt feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unloading mechanism comprises: a first pin body; a first power assembly, driving the first pin to insert into and leave the material storage structure; When the discharge mechanism is in the first state, the first pin is inserted into the storage structure and is located below the first area; when the discharge mechanism is in the second state, the first pin leaves the storage structure and falls out of the annular belt of the first area.

3. The endless belt feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material distribution mechanism includes: briquetting; A second power assembly drives the pressing block to press against and leave the material storage structure; When the material dividing mechanism is in the third state, the pressing block presses the annular belt of the second zone onto the material storage structure; when the material dividing mechanism is in the fourth state, the pressing block leaves the material storage structure and moves downward away from the annular belt of the second zone.

4. The endless belt feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cache mechanism comprises: a second pin body; a third power assembly, driving the second pin to insert into and leave the material storage structure; In which, when the cache mechanism is in the fifth state, the second pin body is inserted into the storage structure and is located below the third area; when the cache mechanism is in the sixth state, the second pin body leaves the storage structure and moves downward away from the annular belt of the third area.

5. The endless belt feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cache mechanism in the fifth state and the discharge mechanism in the first state can both be connected to the storage structure and restrict the storage structure from moving in the vertical direction, and the storage structure always remains connected to at least one of the discharge mechanism and the cache mechanism.

6. The endless belt feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frame body includes: A frame, comprising at least four bars which are all fixedly connected to the guide body and parallel to each other; The support plate is fixed between two adjacent bars and is provided with a first pin hole which is opposite to the first pin body and for the first pin body to be inserted into.

7. The endless belt feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first region houses an annulus.

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