Logistics system and management method for square lithium iron phosphate battery automatic production line

Abstract

The application discloses a logistics system and management method of a square lithium iron phosphate battery automatic production line, which comprises a battery cell finished product warehouse, a rubber coating station, a pack module line and an electrical control system, wherein the battery cell finished product warehouse comprises a manipulator, a conveying line, a buffer area, a stacked disc buffer area, a jacking and moving device, a stacker, a vertical warehouse, WMS and WCS. The application realizes orderly transfer of single batteries after assembly and offline according to the battery production process, and the system function is closely combined based on logistics and information flow control, that is, an information flow system for dynamically tracking the logistics movement is set in the computer control software, so that the product storage, management and turnover are integrated, the reasonable storage capacity is established, the storage cost is reduced, the best logistics organization form is established, the modernization level of the logistics system is improved, and the best social and economic benefits are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to the logistics system and management method for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the lithium battery industry faces problems such as single-machine automation, limited product variety, manual product switching, long delivery cycles, and low production line intelligence.

[0003] 1. The lithium battery production management department is unable to obtain real-time information from various manufacturing sites in a timely and accurate manner, and is unable to grasp the real-time changes in the site conditions; this results in a lack of synchronization between the production plan and the on-site manufacturing information, which greatly reduces the effectiveness of the plan execution process. Since the site cannot fully implement the plan, the plan can only be passively adjusted in reverse frequently based on the lagging situation on site.

[0004] 2. Information on the production process of work orders, including production progress, quality status, rework status, maintenance status, and work-in-process status, cannot be obtained in a timely manner; the current input and output status of each workshop and each production line, as well as the target achievement status, cannot be obtained in a timely manner, thus making it impossible to make quick decisions to ensure the achievement of production targets. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a logistics system and management method for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries. The system enables individual batteries to be assembled, packaged, scanned, and bound in an orderly manner according to the battery production process. The system function is based on the close integration of logistics and information flow control. That is, a set of information flow system for dynamic tracking of logistics movement is set in the computer control software to realize the mechanization of cargo handling and storage and the automation of warehouse management.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: a logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries, including a finished cell warehouse, a cell testing system, a coating station, a pack module line and an electrical control system. The finished cell warehouse, the cell testing system, the coating station and the pack module line are arranged sequentially, and the finished cell warehouse, the cell testing system, the coating station and the pack module line are connected to the electrical control system.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention: the finished cell warehouse includes a robotic arm, a conveyor line, a buffer area, a pallet buffer area, a lifting and transfer device, a stacker crane, an automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS), a warehouse management system (WMS), and a warehouse control system (WCS). The WMS is electrically connected to the robotic arm, the conveyor line, the buffer area, the pallet buffer area, the lifting and transfer device, the inbound and outbound handling system, and the AS / RS. The WCS is electrically connected to the robotic arm, the conveyor line, the buffer area, the pallet buffer area, the lifting and transfer device, the stacker crane, and the AS / RS.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention: the inbound and outbound handling system includes a stacker crane, which is connected to the WMS and WCS.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention: the cell testing system includes an OCV testing station, a thickness measuring station, a weighing station, and a CCD appearance inspection station, which are arranged sequentially and connected to the electrical control system.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention: the battery cell testing system includes an NG product unloading material line, which is connected to the electrical control system.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention: the cell testing system includes a DCIR testing station, which is connected to the electrical control system.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention: the cell testing system includes an OCR4 test station, a casing pressure test station, and a K-value test station, which are connected to the electrical control system.

[0013] A method for managing the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes the following steps:

[0014] The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0015] The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0016] The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass the inspection, they proceed to the encapsulation station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0017] A method for managing the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes the following steps:

[0018] The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0019] The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0020] The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0021] The battery cells undergo DCIR testing. If they pass the test, they proceed to the overmolding station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading and logistics line.

[0022] A method for managing the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes the following steps:

[0023] The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0024] The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0025] The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0026] The battery cells undergo DCIR testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0027] The battery cells undergo OCR4, casing pressure, and K-value tests. If they pass, they proceed to the overmolding station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0029] This invention enables individual batteries to be packaged, scanned, and bound after assembly, and then transported in an orderly manner according to the battery production process. The system function is based on the close integration of logistics and information flow control—that is, setting up an information flow system in the computer control software to dynamically track the movement of logistics, realizing the mechanization of cargo handling and retrieval, and the automation of warehouse management. It integrates the storage, management, and turnover of products, establishes reasonable storage volume, reduces warehousing costs, establishes the optimal logistics organization form, improves the modernization level of the logistics system, and achieves the best social and economic benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0032] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0033] Attached labels: 1. OCV testing station; 2. Thickness measurement station; 3. Weighing station; 4. CCD appearance inspection station; 5. Glue coating station; 6. NG product unloading logistics line; 7. Pack module line. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. The invention is now further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0035] Implementation Case 1:

[0036] A logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes a finished cell warehouse, a cell testing system, a coating station 5, a pack module line 7, and an electrical control system. The finished cell warehouse, the cell testing system, the coating station, and the pack module line are arranged sequentially, and the finished cell warehouse, the cell testing system, the coating station, and the pack module line are connected to the electrical control system.

[0037] The finished battery cell warehouse includes a robotic arm, conveyor lines, buffer areas, palletized buffer areas, lifting and transferring devices, stacker cranes, an automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS), a warehouse management system (WMS), and a warehouse control system (WCS). The WMS is electrically connected to the robotic arm, conveyor lines, buffer areas, palletized buffer areas, lifting and transferring devices, inbound and outbound handling systems, and the AS / RS. The WCS is electrically connected to the robotic arm, conveyor lines, buffer areas, palletized buffer areas, lifting and transferring devices, stacker cranes, and the AS / RS.

[0038] The inbound and outbound handling system includes a stacker crane, which is connected to the WMS and WCS.

[0039] The robotic arm picks up the graded battery cells and places them into the pallet. Once the pallet is full, it is conveyed to the buffer area via the upper layer of the conveyor line. When there are two pallets of battery cells of the same grade, they are stacked. After stacking, the battery cells are conveyed to the stacking buffer area. When there are two pallets of the same grade of battery cells, the two pallets are conveyed to the storage point of the vertical warehouse via the conveyor line for storage lifting and triggering the positioning signal. The stacker crane receives the signal, puts the pallet into the vertical warehouse, and records the relevant storage location information.

[0040] When an outbound command is issued manually or by program, the stacker crane will move the designated pallet to the outbound lifting point, and the pallet will be transported by the conveyor line to the unpacking point for unpacking.

[0041] The battery cell testing system includes an OCV testing station 1, a thickness measurement station 2, a weighing station 3, and a CCD appearance inspection station 4. The OCV testing station, thickness measurement station, weighing station, and CCD appearance inspection station are arranged sequentially and are connected to the electrical control system.

[0042] The battery cell testing system includes an NG (non-grade) unloading material line 6, which is connected to the electrical control system.

[0043] The cell testing system includes a DCIR testing station, which is connected to the electrical control system.

[0044] The cell testing system includes an OCR4 testing station, a casing pressure testing station, and a K-value testing station, which are connected to the electrical control system.

[0045] A robotic arm is installed between the overmolding station and the pack module line. The robotic arm is connected to the electrical control system. The robotic arm picks up the battery cells, reads their codes, and places them into the corresponding trays. Once the trays are full, they are transported to the pack module line via a conveyor line.

[0046] Implementation Case 2:

[0047] A method for managing the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes the following steps:

[0048] The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0049] The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0050] The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass the inspection, they proceed to the encapsulation station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0051] Implementation Case 3:

[0052] A method for managing the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes the following steps:

[0053] The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0054] The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0055] The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0056] The battery cells undergo DCIR testing. If they pass the test, they proceed to the overmolding station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading and logistics line.

[0057] Implementation Case 4:

[0058] A method for managing the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries includes the following steps:

[0059] The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0060] The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0061] The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0062] The battery cells undergo DCIR testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0063] The battery cells undergo OCR4, casing pressure, and K-value tests. If they pass, they proceed to the overmolding station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

[0064] Working principle of the invention:

[0065] 1. Sorting and transferring to the finished cell warehouse

[0066] The robotic arm picks up the graded battery cells and places them into pallets. Once the pallets are full, they are conveyed to the upper buffer area via a conveyor line. When two pallets of the same grade exist, they are stacked. After stacking, the cells are conveyed to the stacking buffer area. When two pallets of the same grade exist, they are conveyed to the finished product warehouse entry point for lifting and triggering a positioning signal. The stacker crane receives the signal, places the pallets into the vertical storage unit, and records the relevant storage location information.

[0067] 2. From the finished cell warehouse to the coating station

[0068] When a manual or automated outbound command is issued, the stacker crane moves the designated pallet to the outbound lifting point. The pallets are then conveyed to the unpacking area via a conveyor line for unpacking, and excess pallets are buffered via a buffer line. Empty pallets are then conveyed down the lower level via a conveyor line to the sorting and unloading area or to the warehouse.

[0069] 3. From the overmolding station to the pack module line

[0070] The robotic arm picks up the battery cells, reads their codes, and places them into the corresponding trays. Once a tray is full, it is conveyed to the upper layer of the conveyor line to the pack module line. Empty trays pass through the lower layer of the conveyor line and an elevator, then are conveyed to the upper layer of the conveyor line for positioning.

[0071] The main functions of this invention are:

[0072] This invention enables individual batteries to be packaged, scanned, and bound after assembly, and then transported in an orderly manner according to the battery production process. The system function is based on the close integration of logistics and information flow control—that is, setting up an information flow system in the computer control software to dynamically track the movement of logistics, realizing the mechanization of cargo handling and retrieval, and the automation of warehouse management. It integrates the storage, management, and turnover of products, establishes reasonable storage volume, reduces warehousing costs, establishes the optimal logistics organization form, improves the modernization level of the logistics system, and achieves the best social and economic benefits.

[0073] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper end face", "lower end face", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the actual direction of use of this invention.

[0074] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. A logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries, characterized in that: The system includes a finished battery cell warehouse, a battery cell testing system, a coating station, a pack module line, and an electrical control system. These components are arranged sequentially and connected to the electrical control system. The finished battery cell warehouse includes a robotic arm, conveyor lines, a buffer area, a pallet stacking buffer area, a lifting and transfer device, a stacker crane, an automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS), a Warehouse Management System (WMS), and a Warehouse Control System (WCS). The WMS is electrically connected to the robotic arm, conveyor lines, buffer area, pallet stacking buffer area, lifting and transfer device, inbound / outbound handling system, and AS / RS. The S system is electrically connected to the robotic arm, conveyor line, buffer area, pallet stacking buffer area, lifting and transfer device, stacker crane, and vertical warehouse. When there are two pallets of battery cells of the same grade, a pallet stacking operation is performed. After stacking, the battery cells are transported to the pallet stacking buffer area. When there are two pallets of battery cells of the same grade, the two pallets are transported to the warehouse entry point of the vertical warehouse via the conveyor line for entry lifting. The battery cell testing system includes an OCV testing station, a thickness measurement station, a weighing station, and a CCD appearance inspection station. The OCV testing station, thickness measurement station, weighing station, and CCD appearance inspection station are set up sequentially and are connected to the electrical control system.

2. The logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inbound and outbound handling system includes a stacker crane, which is connected to the WMS and WCS.

3. The logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: The battery cell testing system includes an NG (non-grade) unloading material line, which is connected to the electrical control system.

4. The logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cell testing system includes a DCIR testing station, which is connected to the electrical control system.

5. The logistics system for an automated production line of square lithium iron phosphate batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cell testing system includes an OCR4 testing station, a casing pressure testing station, and a K-value testing station, which are connected to the electrical control system.

6. A management method for the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass the inspection, they proceed to the encapsulation station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

7. A management method for the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries as described in any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The battery cells undergo DCIR testing. If they pass the test, they proceed to the overmolding station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading and logistics line.

8. The management method for the logistics system of an automated production line for square lithium iron phosphate batteries as described in claim 5, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: The battery cells undergo OCV testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The thickness and weight of the battery cells are measured. If they pass the test, the process proceeds to the next step. If they fail, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The battery cells undergo CCD visual inspection. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line. The battery cells undergo DCIR testing. If they pass, the process proceeds to the next step; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading and logistics line. The battery cells undergo OCR4, casing pressure, and K-value tests. If they pass, they proceed to the overmolding station; otherwise, they are sent to the NG (non-compliant) product unloading logistics line.

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