A cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device

Abstract

A cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device includes a turntable, multiple battery fixtures arranged circumferentially on the turntable, and multiple liquid injection mechanisms, each corresponding to one battery fixture. Each battery fixture includes a flipping frame and a battery limiting platform fixed to the flipping frame. The flipping frame can flip the battery limited on the battery limiting platform from an upright state to a horizontal state. The flipping frame is powered by a flipping power mechanism, and a locking plate is fixedly connected to the flipping frame, with a locking slot on its outer circumferential surface. Each liquid injection mechanism includes a liquid injection frame and a liquid injection head horizontally arranged on the liquid injection frame. The liquid injection frame is radially movable on the turntable. The turntable has a spring-supported portion, and an elastic element is provided between the spring-supported portion and the liquid injection frame. The liquid injection frame has a locking portion that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the locking plate. When the battery is flipped from an upright state to a horizontal state, the liquid injection head engages with the battery's liquid injection hole, and the locking portion engages with the locking slot to lock. This invention achieves higher liquid injection efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a disc-type liquid injection device for cylindrical batteries, belonging to the field of liquid injection equipment for cylindrical batteries. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of cylindrical battery manufacturing, electrolyte injection is one of the most important processes in cylindrical battery production. Automated electrolyte injection systems often employ disc-type injection devices. These devices have multiple battery stations mounted on a turntable and an injection mechanism for injecting electrolyte. The turntable rotates the battery station to the injection mechanism, which then performs the electrolyte injection.

[0003] Cylindrical batteries are generally longer than their diameter.

[0004] Current disc-type electrolyte injection devices place the batteries vertically on the battery station. The batteries remain upright when transferred to the injection mechanism, which then vertically injects electrolyte into the battery cells, allowing the electrolyte to slowly permeate them. The applicant found that vertical injection efficiency is relatively low. Taking a 4680 lithium battery as an example, it often takes 5-6 minutes to inject. After repeated analysis, the applicant discovered that the reason for this inefficiency is that when the electrolyte permeates the battery cells, the lower part of the cell is permeated before the upper part. Therefore, per unit height (e.g., using the battery radius as the unit height), the permeation area of ​​the lower part of the cell in contact with the electrolyte determines the permeation speed, thus determining the injection efficiency. In the vertical position, precisely because the permeation area of ​​the lower part of the cell in contact with the electrolyte is small per unit height, the injection efficiency is ultimately low. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a disc-type liquid injection device for cylindrical batteries with higher liquid injection efficiency, suitable for cylindrical batteries whose length is greater than their diameter.

[0006] A cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device includes a turntable, a plurality of battery fixtures arranged circumferentially on the turntable, and a plurality of liquid injection mechanisms, each liquid injection mechanism corresponding to a battery fixture.

[0007] The battery fixture includes a flipping frame and a battery limiting platform fixed on the flipping frame. The flipping frame can flip the battery limited on the battery limiting platform from a vertical state to a horizontal state. The flipping frame is powered by a flipping power mechanism. A locking plate is also fixedly connected to the flipping frame. A locking hole is provided on the outer circumference of the locking plate.

[0008] The liquid injection mechanism includes a liquid injection frame and a liquid injection head horizontally arranged on the liquid injection frame. The liquid injection frame is radially movable on the turntable. The turntable has a spring-supporting part, and an elastic element is provided between the spring-supporting part and the liquid injection frame. The liquid injection frame has a locking part that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the locking disc. When the battery is flipped from an upright state to a horizontal state, the liquid injection head can engage with the liquid injection hole of the battery, and the locking part engages with the locking opening to lock.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the tilting frame is connected to a track climbing section; the tilting power mechanism includes an arc-shaped lifting track that provides a climbing path for the track climbing section.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes an unlocking mechanism capable of breaking the locking relationship between the lock and the lock.

[0011] Preferably, the unlocking mechanism includes an unlocking cam and an unlocking rod that is fixedly connected to the injection holder and interacts with the unlocking cam; the unlocking rod is arranged along the radial direction of the turntable, and the unlocking cam can cause the unlocking rod to move radially inward when it rotates.

[0012] Preferably, the unlocking lever is located below the battery fixture.

[0013] Preferably, the unlocking mechanism includes a vertical pressing mechanism that can press down the radially outer portion of the flipping frame.

[0014] Preferably, the injection holder and the turntable are connected by a slide rail structure, the slide rail structure including a slider and a slide rail that cooperates with the slider.

[0015] Preferably, the injection mechanism further includes an injection tube, and the spring support portion has a radially formed groove for mounting the injection tube.

[0016] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The disc-type electrolyte injection device of the present invention, by flipping the battery from a vertical state to a horizontal state and injecting electrolyte through a horizontally set injection head, enables the battery cell per unit height to have a larger wetting area in contact with the electrolyte, resulting in higher wetting efficiency and thus improving the electrolyte injection efficiency.

[0018] 2: This invention uses an arc-shaped lifting track to flip the battery from a vertical position to a horizontal position without requiring additional power, thus reducing the energy consumption of the liquid injection device.

[0019] 3: This invention directly achieves two processes—battery locking and injection head insertion into the injection hole on the battery—by flipping the flipping frame, which helps improve injection efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a disc-type liquid injection device.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a disc-type liquid injection device;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 4 This diagram shows the positional relationship between the battery fixture and the liquid injection mechanism when the flipping frame is in the vertical position.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the turntable's structure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Example: Figure 1-5 As shown, a cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device includes a turntable 1, which rotates around a vertical line as the rotation center axis. The turntable 1 is directly or indirectly driven by a control motor. Multiple battery fixtures 2 and multiple liquid injection mechanisms 3 are arranged circumferentially on the turntable 1. Each liquid injection mechanism 3 corresponds to a battery fixture 2 and injects liquid into the battery on the corresponding battery fixture 2.

[0027] It's worth mentioning that this liquid injection device requires loading batteries onto battery fixture 2 at the loading station and removing them from the unloading station. The loading and unloading stations are not located within the liquid injection device's own area; both are situated radially outward from the turntable 1, arranged one in front of the other on a circle centered on the turntable 1's central axis. Each time the turntable 1 rotates a certain angle, one of the battery fixtures 2 is moved to the loading station, where a robotic arm can vertically insert the battery into the fixture 2.

[0028] The battery fixture 2 includes a flipping frame 21 and a battery positioning platform 22 fixed on the flipping frame 21. The flipping frame 21 has two flipping arms 211, which are mounted on two hinge seats 11 located on the turntable 1 via two flipping shafts 212. Each battery fixture 2's flipping frame 21 is mounted on two hinge seats 11. The battery positioning platform 22 is provided with a limiting port, which should match the battery casing. It should be noted that for battery fixtures 2 located between the unloading station and the loading station, the limiting port on the battery positioning platform 22 is in a vertical state. When one of the battery fixtures 2 rotates to the loading station, the battery is vertically inserted into the limiting slot. Then, the battery restricted on the battery limiting platform 22 can be flipped from a vertical state to a horizontal state by the flipping frame 21. The flipping frame 21 is powered by the flipping power mechanism 4. A locking disc 23 is also fixedly connected to the flipping frame 21. The locking disc 23 and the flipping frame 21 are coaxial. There are two locking discs 23. Each locking disc 23 has a locking opening 24 on its outer circumference. When the battery is flipped from a vertical state to a horizontal state, the locking opening 24 becomes horizontal.

[0029] The injection mechanism 3 includes an injection rack 31 and an injection head 32 horizontally arranged on the injection rack 31. The injection rack 31 is radially movable on the turntable 1. To achieve radial movement, the injection rack 31 is connected to the turntable 1 via a slide rail structure 35. The slide rail structure 35 includes a slider 351 and a slide rail 352 that cooperates with the slider 351. The slider 351 is fixed on the turntable 1, and the slide rail 352 is fixedly connected to the injection rack 31. The turntable 1 has a spring abutment part 12. An elastic element 33 is provided between the spring abutment part 12 and the injection rack 31. The elastic element 33 is a common spring. The spring is in a compressed state. The spring abutment part 12 is a ring structure for the springs in the multiple injection mechanisms 3 arranged in a ring to abut. The injection rack 31 has two locking arms. The end of each locking arm has a locking part 34. Under the action of the elastic element 33, the locking part 34 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the locking plate 23. When the flipping frame 21 flips and the battery changes from an upright to a horizontal position, the elastic force of the elastic element 33 causes the liquid injection frame 31 to move radially. On the one hand, the locking part 34 is inserted into the horizontally oriented locking slot 24, that is, it cooperates with the locking slot 24 to lock. On the other hand, the liquid injection head 32 is inserted into the liquid injection hole reserved on the axial end of the battery, that is, it cooperates with the liquid injection hole of the battery. This flipping action directly realizes the two processes of battery locking and liquid injection head 32 insertion into the liquid injection hole on the battery, which helps to improve the liquid injection efficiency.

[0030] This cylindrical battery disc-type electrolyte injection device, by flipping the battery from an upright state to a horizontal state and injecting electrolyte through a horizontally positioned injection head 32, enables a larger wetting area between the battery cell per unit height and the electrolyte, resulting in higher wetting efficiency and thus improving the electrolyte injection efficiency.

[0031] Once the electrolyte injection is complete, the battery fixture 2 that has been injected with electrolyte will rotate away from the loading station via turntable 1. At the same time, a new battery fixture 2 that is in an empty position will rotate to the loading station for the next electrolyte injection.

[0032] After the batteries have been filled with electrolyte, they need to be removed from the battery fixture 2. This is usually done by a robotic arm at the unloading station. The prerequisite for removal is to break the locking relationship between the locking part 34 and the locking port 24. To this end, an unlocking mechanism 5 is set at the unloading station. The unlocking mechanism 5 breaks the locking relationship between the locking part 34 and the locking port 24. Under the action of gravity, the battery fixture 2 containing the batteries automatically flips to an upright position, so that the batteries are also in an upright position. Batteries in this position are easy to remove.

[0033] In this embodiment, the flipping power mechanism 4 adopts an arc-shaped lifting track, which is supported by a support frame. The bottom of the flipping frame 21 is connected to a track climbing part 25, which preferably uses rollers to reduce friction during the climbing process. As the flipping frame 21 rotates with the turntable 1, the track climbing part 25 enters the arc-shaped lifting track and moves along it, ultimately flipping the battery on the battery fixture 2 from an upright state to a horizontal state. The arc-shaped lifting track provides a climbing path for the track climbing part 25. This flipping power mechanism 4 does not require additional power, resulting in lower energy consumption of the liquid injection device.

[0034] For the unlocking mechanism 5, a vertical pressing mechanism can be used. The vertical pressing mechanism presses down on the radially outer part of the flipping frame 21, causing the battery to change from a horizontal state to an vertical state. The vertical pressing mechanism can be, but is not limited to, a cylinder, and is not shown in the attached drawings. In this embodiment, the unlocking mechanism 5 includes an unlocking cam 51 and an unlocking rod 52 fixedly connected to the liquid injection rack 31. The unlocking cam 51 is located radially outward of the turntable 1 and rotates around a vertical line as its rotation center axis. The unlocking cam 51 is externally connected to a motor, which drives the unlocking cam 51 to rotate. The motor is not shown in the attached drawings. The unlocking rod 52 is arranged radially along the turntable 1. When the battery that has been filled with liquid rotates to the unloading station with the battery fixture 2, the unlocking rod 52 acts on the unlocking cam 51. Specifically, the end of the unlocking rod 52 presses against the arc surface of the unlocking cam 51. At this time, the unlocking cam 51 rotates, and when the unlocking cam 51 rotates, it can cause the unlocking rod 52 to move radially inward, thereby causing the liquid injection rack 31 to move radially inward. In this way, the liquid injection head 32 exits the liquid injection hole on the battery, and at the same time, the locking part 34 exits the locking port 24. The battery fixture 2 containing the battery automatically flips to an upright state under the action of gravity, so that the battery is also in an upright state.

[0035] The aforementioned unlocking lever 52 is located below the battery fixture 2 and does not affect the loading process at the loading station. The arc-shaped lifting track is located above the unlocking lever 52, and the arc-shaped lifting track does not affect the unlocking lever 52 from rotating with the turntable 1.

[0036] The injection head 32 in the above-mentioned injection mechanism 3 is equipped with an injection tube 36. The injection tube 36 can move radially together with the injection frame 31. The spring support part 12 is radially provided with a sliding groove 13 for installing the injection tube 36. The injection tube 36 is connected to a pipeline, and liquid is delivered from the injection tube 36 to the injection head 32. The elastic element 33 of the spring is sleeved on the injection tube 36.

[0037] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the concept and scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the design concept of the present invention should fall within the protection scope of the present invention. All technical contents for which protection is sought in this invention have been fully described in the claims.

Claims

1. A disc-type liquid injection device for cylindrical batteries, characterized in that, It includes a turntable (1), multiple battery fixtures (2) arranged in a circle on the turntable (1), and multiple liquid injection mechanisms (3), each liquid injection mechanism (3) corresponding to one battery fixture (2). The battery fixture (2) includes a flipping frame (21) and a battery limiting platform (22) fixed on the flipping frame (21). The flipping frame (21) can flip the battery limited on the battery limiting platform (22) from a vertical state to a horizontal state. The flipping frame (21) is powered by a flipping power mechanism (4). A locking disc (23) is also fixedly connected to the flipping frame (21). A locking port (24) is provided on the outer circumference of the locking disc (23). The injection mechanism (3) includes an injection rack (31) and an injection head (32) horizontally arranged on the injection rack (31). The injection rack (31) is radially movable on the turntable (1). The turntable (1) has a spring abutment (12). An elastic element (33) is provided between the spring abutment (12) and the injection rack (31). The injection rack (31) has a locking part (34) that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the locking plate (23). When the battery is flipped from an upright position to a horizontal position, the injection head (32) can be engaged with the injection hole of the battery, and the locking part (34) engages with the locking port (24) to lock; The bottom of the flipping frame (21) is connected to a track climbing part (25); the flipping power mechanism (4) includes an arc-shaped lifting track that provides a climbing path for the track climbing part (25).

2. The cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an unlocking mechanism (5) that can break the locking relationship between the lock part (34) and the lock opening (24).

3. The cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unlocking mechanism (5) includes an unlocking cam (51) and an unlocking rod (52) that is fixedly connected to the liquid injection rack (31) and interacts with the unlocking cam (51); the unlocking rod (52) is arranged along the radial direction of the turntable (1), and the unlocking cam (51) can cause the unlocking rod (52) to move radially inward when it rotates.

4. The cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The unlocking lever (52) is located below the battery fixture (2).

5. A cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unlocking mechanism (5) includes a vertical pressing mechanism that can press down the radially outer portion of the flipping frame (21).

6. The cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The injection rack (31) is connected to the turntable (1) via a slide rail structure (35), which includes a slider (351) and a slide rail (352) that cooperates with the slider (351).

7. The cylindrical battery disc-type liquid injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The injection mechanism (3) also includes an injection tube (36), and the spring support portion (12) is radially provided with a groove (13) for installing the injection tube (36).

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