Battery appearance detection device and appearance detection method

Abstract

The application discloses a battery appearance detection equipment, which comprises a clamping positioning table, a positioning jig for fixing a battery monomer is arranged on the clamping positioning table, an end face detection device, the end face detection device is used for detecting a first electrode end face and a second electrode end face of the battery monomer, a magnetic attraction device capable of lifting movement, and an execution end of the magnetic attraction device is used for magnetically attracting the electrode end face of the battery monomer and transferring the battery monomer, so that the end face detection device can detect another electrode end face of the battery monomer. Meanwhile, an appearance detection method based on the battery appearance detection equipment is also disclosed, and the problems that the existing appearance detection equipment causes secondary damage such as wear, contamination and clamping injury to the battery monomer due to clamping the battery monomer are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of testing equipment, and more particularly to a battery appearance testing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of digital consumer electronics products, represented by smartphones, and electric vehicles, the demand for power batteries continues to increase. Major manufacturers are also gradually raising their quality requirements for lithium batteries. However, surface defects such as scratches, dents, bumps, and dirt are inevitable during the actual production process of lithium batteries. These surface defects often pose serious safety risks to lithium batteries.

[0003] Currently, the lithium battery industry primarily uses manual visual inspection to check and screen for surface defects. However, due to factors such as visual fatigue from prolonged visual inspections and varying levels of worker proficiency, manual visual inspection often suffers from problems such as misjudgment, missed detections, and low efficiency. Therefore, the industry has gradually developed appearance inspection equipment for lithium batteries. However, current appearance inspection equipment uses clamping components (such as robotic arms) to hold and transport individual battery cells to complete the appearance defect detection. This can easily cause wear and damage to the outer surface of the battery cells. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome at least one of the defects described in the prior art, the present invention provides a battery appearance inspection device and appearance inspection method, which solves the problem of secondary damage to the battery cells caused by the clamping of the battery cells by the existing appearance inspection device, such as wear, contamination and pinching.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its problem is:

[0006] A battery appearance inspection device, comprising:

[0007] A clamping and positioning table, wherein a positioning fixture for fixing individual battery cells is provided on the clamping and positioning table;

[0008] An end-face detection device is used to detect the first and second electrode surfaces of the battery cell.

[0009] A magnetic suction device capable of lifting and lowering is provided. The actuator of the magnetic suction device is used to magnetically attract the first electrode face of the battery cell and move the battery cell, so that the end face detection device can detect the second electrode face of the battery cell.

[0010] In this way, by utilizing the magnetic attraction properties of the magnetic suction device, the battery cells can be picked up and transferred. This provides assurance for subsequent inspection of the peripheral surface of the battery cells and the inspection of the two electrode surfaces (the first and second electrode surfaces) of the battery cells through the end-face inspection device. This not only effectively solves the problem of secondary damage such as wear and pinching caused by existing clamping components, but also, compared with negative pressure adsorption methods, effectively avoids the risk of vacuum failure caused by factors such as pit defects in battery cells, displacement during the picking process, and the curved shape of the positive electrode of some battery cells. This ensures the stability of the picking and transfer process, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the inspection of appearance defects of battery cells. In addition, it avoids the problems of using negative pressure devices and manufacturing suction cups of different specifications, achieving the effects of simple structure, low cost, and strong applicability.

[0011] Even more unexpectedly, the magnetic attraction method of the magnetic suction device effectively avoids the problem of parts of the outer surface of the battery cell being unable to be inspected during the appearance defect detection process due to obstruction by the clamping components. It can better cooperate with the end face inspection device to complete the inspection of the two electrode faces of the battery cell and subsequent peripheral surface inspection, achieving a comprehensive, high-precision and automated inspection effect. At the same time, it also avoids the problem of secondary contamination of the outer surface of the battery cell during transportation by the conveyor mechanism, achieving the goal of comprehensively protecting the battery cell from secondary damage.

[0012] Furthermore, the magnetic suction device includes a lifting cylinder and a magnetic suction assembly. The magnetic suction assembly is the actuator of the magnetic suction device and is drivenly connected to the lifting cylinder, enabling the magnetic suction assembly to move up and down toward the positioning fixture.

[0013] Furthermore, the magnetic attraction assembly includes a telescopic cylinder and a magnetic component. The magnetic component is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder, and the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder can reciprocate linearly along the movement direction of the magnetic attraction assembly, so that the magnetic component can magnetically attract the battery cell.

[0014] Furthermore, the magnetic attraction assembly also includes a guide member, the guide member having a guide channel inside, for precisely magnetically attracting the battery cell or separating the magnetic component from the battery cell. The magnetic component slides within the guide channel and can penetrate the guide channel and slide to the outside of the guide channel.

[0015] Furthermore, the port of the guide channel is provided with a buffer protection groove, which is connected to the guide channel. The buffer protection groove includes a guide surface and a protective surface connected to the guide surface. The guide surface is used to position the battery cell, and the protective surface is used to protect the first electrode surface of the battery cell.

[0016] Furthermore, the telescopic cylinder includes a telescopic cylinder seat and a telescopic piston rod. The telescopic piston rod is movably mounted on the telescopic cylinder seat. The telescopic piston rod extends sequentially from the inside of the telescopic cylinder seat to the outside to form a first stroke and a second stroke. The first stroke is used to magnetically attract the battery cell, and the second stroke is used to expose the first electrode face of the battery cell to the buffer protection groove.

[0017] Furthermore, the magnetic suction assembly also includes a magnetic suction buffer seat. The guide and the telescopic cylinder are both fixedly installed on the magnetic suction buffer seat. The magnetic suction buffer seat is tractively connected to the drive end of the lifting cylinder. The magnetic suction buffer seat is provided with several elastic buffers to absorb the force generated during the magnetic attraction or removal of the battery cell, so as to protect the battery cell from damage.

[0018] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a side inspection device, which is disposed on one side of the positioning fixture and is used to inspect the peripheral surface of the battery cell.

[0019] Furthermore, the magnetic attraction device includes a steering mechanism, and the magnetic attraction assembly is connected to the lifting cylinder through the steering mechanism, so that the battery cells magnetically attracted on the magnetic attraction assembly can move in a circle around the center line of the battery cells.

[0020] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection device also includes a sensor and a sensing element adapted to the sensor, wherein one of the sensor and the sensing element is mounted and fixed on the steering gear, and the other is mounted and fixed on the magnetic suction assembly.

[0021] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a first scanning module, the end face inspection device is slidably connected to the first scanning module, and a plurality of the positioning fixtures are evenly arranged along the sliding direction of the end face inspection device, with a magnetic suction device correspondingly arranged above each positioning fixture.

[0022] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection device also includes a second scanning module, with several of the magnetic suction devices located on one side of the second scanning module, and the side detection device slidably fitted onto the second scanning module.

[0023] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a first propulsion module, which is perpendicularly arranged to the first scanning module, and the clamping and positioning stage and the first scanning module are both slidably connected to the first propulsion module.

[0024] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection device also includes a second propulsion module, which is perpendicularly arranged to the second scanning module, and the second scanning module is slidably connected to the second propulsion module.

[0025] Furthermore, the end face inspection device includes an end face visual inspection component, an end face height adjustment seat, and an end face height adjustment device. The end face visual inspection component is mounted and fixed on the end face height adjustment seat via a reversing motor, and the end face height adjustment seat is slidably connected to the end face height adjustment device.

[0026] Furthermore, the side detection device includes a side visual detection component, a side height adjustment seat, and a side height adjustment device. The side visual detection component is mounted and fixed on the side height adjustment seat, and the side height adjustment seat is slidably connected to the side height adjustment device.

[0027] Furthermore, the side height adjustment seat is equipped with a plurality of side visual detection components, and the distance between two adjacent side visual detection components is equal to the distance between two adjacent magnetic suction devices.

[0028] Furthermore, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a steering support base and a steering motor. The steering support base is tractively connected to the drive shaft of the steering motor. The magnetic suction device is installed and fixed on the steering support base. The end face inspection device, the side face inspection device, and several clamping and positioning platforms are all located below the steering support base.

[0029] Furthermore, below the steering support seat, around the drive shaft, there are sequentially arranged a positive electrode detection station, a side detection station, a negative electrode detection station, and a material unloading station. The positive electrode detection station and the negative electrode detection station are each equipped with an end face detection device, and the side detection station is equipped with a side detection device.

[0030] This invention also discloses an appearance inspection method based on the above-mentioned battery appearance inspection equipment, defining the first electrode face as the positive electrode face and the second electrode face as the negative electrode face, including the following steps:

[0031] STEP01B: Battery cell loading - Place several battery cells on the clamping and positioning table of the positive electrode testing station.

[0032] STEP02B: Positive terminal face inspection - The end face inspection device at the positive terminal inspection station inspects the surface appearance defects of the positive terminal face of each battery cell one by one. Then, each magnetic suction device executes the first stroke of the telescopic cylinder and magnetically suctions the corresponding battery cell, and moves it to the negative terminal inspection station through the steering motor.

[0033] STEP03B: Negative terminal face inspection - The end face inspection device at the negative terminal inspection station inspects the surface appearance defects of the negative terminal face of each battery cell one by one, and then moves it to the unloading station by the steering motor.

[0034] STEP04B: Battery cell unloading – Each of the aforementioned magnetic suction devices places the corresponding battery cell in the positioning fixture of the clamping and positioning table, and then unloads the battery cell.

[0035] Further, step STEP02B is replaced by step STEP020B, specifically: positive end face inspection - the end face inspection device of the positive end inspection station inspects the surface appearance defects of the positive end face of each battery cell one by one. Then, each magnetic suction device performs the first stroke of the telescopic cylinder and magnetically suctions the corresponding battery cell, and moves it to the side inspection station through the steering motor.

[0036] Furthermore, the following steps exist between step STEP020B and step STEP03B:

[0037] STEP025B: Peripheral Surface Inspection - The side inspection device inspects the peripheral surface of each battery cell for surface appearance defects one by one, and then moves it to the negative electrode inspection station by the steering motor.

[0038] Furthermore, in step STEP025B, before the side inspection device checks the surface appearance defects of each battery cell's peripheral surface one by one, the following steps are also included:

[0039] Reactivate the telescopic cylinder of the magnetic attraction device to perform the second stroke of the telescopic cylinder, so that the magnetic component of the magnetic attraction assembly contacts the positive terminal face of the battery cell and moves the battery cell until the positive terminal face of the battery cell disengages from the buffer protection groove of the magnetic attraction assembly.

[0040] Furthermore, in step STEP02B, when each magnetic attraction device magnetically attracts the corresponding battery cell, the following steps are also included:

[0041] STEP021B: The lifting cylinder of the magnetic attraction device retracts, causing the magnetic attraction component of the magnetic attraction device to descend until the protective surface on the magnetic attraction component abuts against the positive terminal surface of the battery cell;

[0042] STEP022B: Activate the telescopic cylinder of the magnetic attraction assembly, causing the telescopic cylinder to perform the first stroke, and the magnetic component of the magnetic attraction assembly to approach and magnetically attract the battery cell;

[0043] STEP023B: The lifting cylinder extends, causing the magnetic suction assembly to reset and rise to the specified height.

[0044] In summary, the battery appearance inspection device and method provided by the present invention have the following technical effects:

[0045] By cleverly using a magnetic attraction device to magnetically attract individual battery cells, this not only solves the problem of secondary damage such as wear, contamination, and pinching caused by the clamping of battery cells in existing appearance inspection equipment, but more importantly, it also better complements the end-face inspection device to complete the inspection of the two electrode faces of the battery cell and subsequent peripheral surface inspection, achieving comprehensive, high-precision, and automated inspection results. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of a battery appearance inspection device according to the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 This is an overall distribution diagram of a battery appearance inspection device according to the present invention;

[0048] Figure 3 This is a first assembly drawing of a battery appearance inspection device according to the present invention;

[0049] Figure 4 This is a second assembly drawing of a battery appearance inspection device according to the present invention;

[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the end face detection device in this invention;

[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the side detection device in this invention;

[0052] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnetic suction device and the end face detection device in this invention;

[0053] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the sensor and sensing element in this invention;

[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic attraction device in this invention;

[0055] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic suction component in this invention;

[0056] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic attraction state of the magnetic attraction component in this invention.

[0057] Icons: 1-Clamping and positioning stage, 11-Positioning fixture, 2-End face inspection device, 21-End face visual inspection component, 22-End face height adjustment seat, 23-End face height adjustment device, 231-End face fixing seat, 232-End face adjustment motor, 233-End face slide rail, 234-End face slider, 24-Reversing motor, 3-Side inspection device, 31-Side visual inspection component, 32-Side height adjustment seat, 33-Side height adjustment device, 331-Side fixing seat, 332-Side adjustment motor, 333-Side slide rail, 334-Side slider, 4-Magnetic suction device, 41-Lifting cylinder, 42-Magnetic suction assembly, 421-Telescopic cylinder, 422-Magnetic component 423-Guide component, 424-Guide channel, 425-Buffer protection groove, 425a-Guide surface, 425b-Protective surface, 426-Magnetic buffer seat, 427-Elastic buffer component, 431-Modible seat, 432-Guide rod, 433-Guide bearing, 434-Transmission component, 44-Steering device, 5-Battery cell, 61-Sensor, 62-Sensor component, 71-First scanning module, 72-Second scanning module, 73-First propulsion module, 74-Second propulsion module, 81-Steering support seat, 82-Steering motor, 83-Clamping support platform, 91-Positive electrode detection station, 92-Side detection station, 93-Negative electrode detection station, 94-Unloading station. Detailed Implementation

[0058] To better understand and implement this invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0061] This invention aims to provide a comprehensive and automated detection method for appearance defects in cylindrical lithium batteries. This method aims to eliminate defects such as scratches, dents, or film damage caused by improper handling in various stages of the complex manufacturing process of cylindrical lithium batteries. This will prevent appearance defects in cylindrical lithium batteries from directly affecting the welding of battery packs and other safety hazards. Furthermore, it will prevent secondary damage to cylindrical lithium batteries during the detection process.

[0062] It should be noted that the comprehensive inspection of the appearance defects of the battery cell 5, i.e. the cylindrical lithium battery, includes the inspection of the peripheral surface and the inspection of the two electrode surfaces. The two electrode surfaces referred to here include the positive electrode surface and the negative electrode surface of the battery cell 5. Since the battery cell 5 is a cylindrical lithium battery, the positive electrode surface and the negative electrode surface are arranged opposite to each other.

[0063] First Embodiment

[0064] Please refer to the specific details. Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, this invention discloses a battery appearance inspection device, comprising:

[0065] The clamping and positioning table 1 is provided with a positioning fixture 11. The positioning fixture 11 is provided with a slot that matches the shape and size of the battery cell 5. The battery cell 5 is placed inside the slot of the positioning fixture 11 to fix the battery cell 5, thereby facilitating the subsequent accurate surface inspection of the battery cell 5.

[0066] The end face detection device 2 is used to detect the first electrode face and the second electrode face of the battery cell 5. The first electrode face is preferably the positive electrode face of the battery cell 5, and the second electrode face is the negative electrode face of the battery cell 5. Of course, the first electrode face can also be the negative electrode face of the battery cell 5, and the second electrode face can be the positive electrode face of the battery cell 5.

[0067] The magnetic suction device 4 is capable of lifting and lowering. The actuator of the magnetic suction device 4 is used to magnetically attract the first electrode face of the battery cell 5 and move the battery cell 5, so that the end face detection device 2 can detect the second electrode face of the battery cell 5.

[0068] Specifically, assuming that the battery cell 5 is inserted into the slot of the positioning fixture 11, the negative end face of the battery cell 5 is located inside the slot of the positioning fixture 11. The end face detection device 2 is positioned above the battery cell 5 and detects the positive end face of the battery cell 5. After the positive end face detection of the battery cell 5 is completed, the magnetic suction device 4 drives the actuator to descend to the battery cell 5, so that the magnetic field of the actuator can magnetically attract the battery cell 5. Under the lifting action of the actuator, the battery cell 5 can smoothly detach from the slot of the positioning fixture 11 until the battery cell 5 rises to the specified height above the end face detection device 2.

[0069] In this embodiment, the magnetic attraction of the magnetic attraction device 4 can effectively avoid secondary damage (such as pinching, scratching, or abrasion) to the surface of the battery cell 5 during the process of gripping the battery cell 5 by the robotic arm or gripper. It also avoids the problem of misjudging the appearance defect detection caused by the robotic arm or gripper contaminating the surface of the battery cell 5.

[0070] More importantly, during the process of magnetically attracting the battery cell 5, the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 attracted by the execution end of the magnetic device 4 has not only completed the surface appearance defect detection, but also the other surfaces of the battery cell 5 are not blocked at all. This is very beneficial for the subsequent scanning and detection of the other surfaces of the battery cell 5, thereby achieving the goal of improving the surface appearance defect detection efficiency of the battery cell 5 and improving the surface detection accuracy of the battery cell 5.

[0071] Specifically, to achieve the lifting and lowering movement of the aforementioned magnetic attraction device 4, according to... Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the magnetic attraction device 4 includes a lifting cylinder 41 and a magnetic attraction assembly 42. The magnetic attraction assembly 42 is the actuating end of the magnetic attraction device 4 and is throttle-connected to the lifting cylinder 41. The lifting cylinder 41 includes a lifting cylinder seat and a vertically arranged lifting piston rod. The lifting piston rod is movably mounted on the lifting cylinder seat and can perform reciprocating linear motion on the lifting cylinder seat. The lifting cylinder 41 is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, but it can also be a hydraulic cylinder or an electric cylinder.

[0072] As one preferred approach, specifically combined with Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, the magnetic attraction device 4 also includes a movable seat 431, a guide rod 432 arranged parallel to the lifting piston rod, and a guide bearing 433 that is inserted and engaged with the guide rod 432. The guide rod 432 and the guide bearing 433 can slide relative to each other. One end of the guide rod 432 is connected to the lifting piston rod through a transmission component 434, and the other end of the guide rod 432 is fixedly connected to the movable seat 431. The magnetic attraction assembly 42 is drivenly connected to the movable seat 431.

[0073] When the lifting cylinder seat drives the lifting piston rod to perform reciprocating motion, the guide rod 432, under the action of the transmission component 434, performs reciprocating linear motion synchronously with the lifting piston rod. Under the constraint and guidance of the guide bearing 433, the vibration of the lifting piston rod during the reciprocating motion is effectively eliminated, thus ensuring that the movable seat 431 can smoothly move up and down in the vertical direction. This, in turn, allows the magnetic suction assembly 42, which is connected to the movable seat 431, to move up and down toward the positioning fixture 11.

[0074] During the magnetic attraction process, the lifting piston rod retracts, causing the movable seat 431 to descend under the guidance of the guide rod 432, bringing the magnetic attraction assembly 42 closer to the battery cell 5 in the positioning fixture 11. (Specifically combined with...) Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the magnetic attraction assembly 42 includes a telescopic cylinder 421 and a magnetic component 422. The magnetic component 422 is fixedly connected to the lifting piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 421, and the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 421 can reciprocate linearly along the movement direction of the magnetic attraction assembly 42.

[0075] The telescopic cylinder 421 includes a telescopic cylinder seat and a telescopic piston rod. The telescopic piston rod is movably mounted on the telescopic cylinder seat and can perform reciprocating linear motion on the telescopic cylinder seat, meaning that the center line of the telescopic piston rod coincides with or is parallel to the center line of the lifting piston rod. The lifting cylinder 41 is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, but can also be a hydraulic cylinder or an electric cylinder. The magnetic component 422 is preferably a magnet.

[0076] At this time, after the magnetic attraction component 42 descends to the designated height directly above the battery cell 5, the telescopic cylinder seat drives the telescopic piston rod to push the magnetic component 422 close to the battery cell 5 until the magnetic field of the magnetic component 422 can act on the battery cell 5, so that the magnetic component 422 can magnetically attract the battery cell 5.

[0077] Therefore, the combination of magnetic component 422 and telescopic cylinder 421 achieves the magnetic attraction effect on battery cell 5. The component structure is simple and the operation is convenient. When magnetic component 422 magnetically attracts battery cell 5, the magnetic field of magnetic component 422 will continuously and stably act on battery cell 5. With the movement of magnetic component 42, the stable and precise movement of battery cell 5 can be effectively guaranteed. However, when the surface defect detection process is completed, if battery cell 5 is separated from magnetic component 422 manually or by a robot, it is easy to cause secondary damage or secondary contamination to the qualified battery cell 5.

[0078] To address the aforementioned problems, the inventor provides a preferred improvement solution, specifically combining... Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the magnetic suction assembly 42 also includes a guide member 423, which has a guide channel 424 inside. The magnetic member 422 is slidably fitted inside the guide channel 424, and can pass through the guide channel 424 and slide to the outside of the guide channel 424. That is, the magnetic member 422 slides along the guide channel 424 from one end of the guide channel 424 near the telescopic cylinder 421 to the other end of the guide channel 424 away from the telescopic cylinder 421, and can extend outside the guide channel 424.

[0079] Preferably, the shape and size of the guide channel 424 are adapted to the shape and size of the magnetic component 422, or the size of the guide channel 424 is larger than the size of the magnetic component 422 within the assembly tolerance range. This allows the magnetic component 422 to effectively eliminate the vibration generated by the telescopic piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 421 during its movement as it slides inside the guide channel 424. This not only effectively ensures the stability of the magnetic component 422 during its sliding process, but also ensures that the magnetic component 422 accurately magnetically attracts the battery cell 5, providing an effective guarantee for subsequent accurate surface appearance defect detection.

[0080] It should be noted that the size of the guide channel 424 should be smaller than the diameter of the battery cell 5. When the magnetic component 422 approaches the battery cell 5 along the guide channel 424 or slides out of the guide channel 424 to contact the battery cell 5, it can accurately magnetically attract the battery cell 5. However, when the magnetic component 422 slides back into the guide channel 424, since the diameter of the battery cell 5 is larger than the diameter of the guide channel 424, it cannot enter the interior of the guide channel 424, causing the magnetic component 422 to separate from the battery cell 5. Furthermore, the battery cell 5 will be placed back into the positioning fixture 11 after losing the magnetic field of the magnetic component 422. This solves the problem of separation between the magnetic component 422 and the battery cell 5 at the end of the process of detecting surface defects of the battery cell 5.

[0081] In the actual process of magnetically attracting the battery cell 5, due to the positioning error between the magnetic component 422 of the magnetic attraction device 4 and the positioning fixture 11, or the offset of the battery cell 5 during the magnetic attraction process by the magnetic component 422, the battery cell 5 will inevitably have a slight deviation when it is magnetically attracted to the guide component 423. This reduces the accuracy of the ideal position during image information acquisition, thereby affecting the accuracy and precision of detecting surface appearance defects of the battery cell 5.

[0082] To address the aforementioned problems, the inventors also provide a preferred improvement scheme, specifically combined with... Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, a buffer protection groove 425 is provided at the port of the guide channel 424. The buffer protection groove 425 is connected to the guide channel 424. The buffer protection groove 425 includes a guide surface 425a and a protective surface 425b that connects with the guide surface 425a. The protective surface 425b is the bottom of the buffer protection groove 425 and is smoothed. The diameter of the guide surface 425a on the side away from the protective surface 425b gradually decreases towards the side closer to the protective surface 425b.

[0083] Therefore, when the battery cell 5 is attached to the guide 423 under the magnetic field of the magnetic component 422, if the battery cell 5 deviates, the edge of the first electrode face of the battery cell 5 will come into contact with the guide surface 425a. Under the guidance of the guide surface 425a, the center line of the battery cell 5 coincides with the center line of the guide channel 424, that is, the center line of the battery cell 5 coincides with the center line of the magnetic component 422, thereby achieving the purpose of automatic centering and correction of the battery cell 5.

[0084] The edge of the battery cell 5 abuts against the guide surface 425a and slides along the guide surface 425a until the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 comes into contact with the protective surface 425b, thus completing the purpose of automatic positioning of the battery cell 5. At this time, the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 does not directly contact the magnetic component 422. Therefore, the risk of secondary damage to the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 caused by collision between the battery cell 5 and the magnetic component 422 under the action of the magnetic field is avoided.

[0085] When the magnetic component 422 needs to contact the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5, the magnetic component 422 moves closer to the battery cell 5 and magnetically attaches under the action of the telescopic cylinder 421. Therefore, the battery cell 5 achieves a buffering effect during the magnetic attraction process under the action of the buffer protection groove 425, protecting the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 from secondary damage.

[0086] It should be further explained that, under the automatic positioning and buffer protection of the buffer protection groove 425, the aforementioned magnetic attraction component 42, under the action of the lifting cylinder 41, can descend to a designated position directly above the battery cell 5. Then, the telescopic cylinder 421 drives the magnetic component 422 to approach the buffer protection groove 425. Finally, the battery cell 5 is magnetically attracted to the interior of the buffer protection groove 425 under the action of the magnetic field, and the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 abuts against the protective surface 425b of the buffer protection groove 425. Alternatively, the aforementioned magnetic attraction component 42 can descend under the action of the lifting cylinder 41 until the battery cell 5 is embedded inside the buffer protection groove 425, and the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 abuts against the protective surface 425b of the buffer protection groove 425. Then, the telescopic cylinder 421 drives the magnetic component 422 to approach the buffer protection groove 425, completing the action of the magnetic component 422 magnetically attracting the battery cell 5.

[0087] As can be seen from the process of magnetic attraction of the battery cell 5 by the magnetic attraction device 4, if the lifting cylinder 41 directly controls the buffer protection groove 425 of the guide 423 to come into contact with the battery cell 5, the height of the guide 423 must be precisely controlled. Otherwise, the protective surface 425b of the guide 423 will inevitably impact and collide with the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5, causing secondary damage to the battery cell 5.

[0088] Alternatively, if the battery cell 5 is suspended and separated from the magnetic component 422, and falls freely to the positioning fixture 11 under gravity, it is easy for the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5 to impact and collide with the positioning fixture 11, causing secondary damage to the battery cell 5. Therefore, the lifting cylinder 41 needs to control the guide component 423 to descend until the bottom of the battery cell 5 contacts the positioning fixture 11, which also requires precise adjustment and control of the lifting cylinder 41. This greatly increases the difficulty of adjusting and controlling the magnetic attraction device 4 and is also not conducive to the detection of surface appearance defects of battery cells 5 of various specifications.

[0089] Specific combination Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the magnetic suction assembly 42 also includes a magnetic suction buffer seat 426. The guide 423 and the telescopic cylinder 421 are all fixedly installed on the magnetic suction buffer seat 426. The magnetic suction buffer seat 426 is connected to the drive end of the lifting cylinder 41. Several elastic buffers 427 are provided on the magnetic suction buffer seat 426 to absorb the force generated during the magnetic suction or removal of the battery cell 5, so as to protect the battery cell 5 from damage.

[0090] Specifically, the magnetic buffer seat 426 has an upper buffer seat and a lower buffer seat. Both ends of each elastic buffer member 427 are connected to the upper and lower buffer seats respectively. The guide member 423 and the telescopic cylinder 421 are both fixedly installed on the lower buffer seat, and the telescopic piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 421 passes through the lower buffer seat and is inserted into the guide channel 424 of the guide member 423. The upper buffer seat is driven by the lifting cylinder 41. Utilizing the elastic properties of the elastic buffer member 427, the rigid contact between the guide member 423 and the battery cell 5 is cleverly transformed into a flexible contact, effectively eliminating the impact force of the guide member 423 on the battery cell 5. Similarly, the rigid contact between the battery cell 5 and the positioning fixture 11 is also transformed into a flexible contact, effectively offsetting the impact force of the battery cell 5 on the positioning fixture 11, achieving an unexpected effect of protecting the battery cell 5.

[0091] Unexpectedly, the combination of the buffer protection groove 425 and the elastic buffer 427 provides a double buffer protection effect for the battery cells during the stroke.

[0092] It should be noted that the elastic buffer 427 is preferably a combination of a spring and a fastening connector. Alternatively, it can be a combination of a fastening connector and a non-metallic material with good elasticity, such as a silicone sleeve or a rubber sleeve.

[0093] Furthermore, it should be noted that the specific basis is... Figure 5As shown, the end face inspection device 2 includes an end face vision inspection component 21, an end face height adjustment seat 22, and an end face height adjustment device 23. The end face vision inspection component 21 is preferably a machine vision product, i.e., an image acquisition device (such as a CMOS camera or a CCD camera). The end face vision inspection component 21 is mounted and fixed on the end face height adjustment seat 22 via a reversing motor 24. The end face height adjustment seat 22 is slidably connected to the end face height adjustment device 23.

[0094] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the end face height adjustment device 23 includes an end face fixed base 231, an end face adjustment motor 232, a vertically arranged end face slide rail 233, and an end face slider 234 slidably connected to the end face slide rail 233. The end face slide rail 233 and the end face adjustment motor 232 are both mounted and fixed on the end face fixed base 231, and the lead screw drive shaft of the end face adjustment motor 232 is connected to the end face height adjustment seat 22. The end face height adjustment seat 22 is mounted and fixed on the end face slider 234. During the process of adjusting the height focal length between the end face detection device 2 and the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5, the end face adjustment motor 232 can be started to drive the lead screw drive shaft to rotate, thereby driving the end face height adjustment seat 22 to slide and finely adjust along the direction of the end face slide rail 233, so as to change the height distance between the end face visual detection component 21 and the first electrode surface of the battery cell 5.

[0095] Furthermore, when the battery cell 5 is moved above the end-face visual inspection component 21, the end-face visual inspection component 21 should continue to scan and inspect the second electrode surface of the battery cell 5 from bottom to top. For example... Figure 5 As shown, since the end-face visual inspection component 21 is mounted and fixed on the drive shaft of the commutation motor 24, and the commutation motor 24 is bolted to the end-face height adjustment seat 22, the commutation motor 24 can be driven to rotate by a horizontal angle, so that the camera of the end-face visual inspection component 21 is aligned with the second electrode surface of the battery cell 5 from bottom to top. Therefore, the purpose of detecting surface appearance defects on the positive and negative electrode surfaces of the battery cell 5 is effectively achieved.

[0096] The above describes a method for effectively and automatically detecting surface defects on the two electrode surfaces of a single battery cell 5. This method is specifically designed for the peripheral surface defect detection of battery appearance inspection equipment, based on... Figure 6 As shown, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a side inspection device 3, which is disposed on one side of the positioning fixture 11 and is used to inspect the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5.

[0097] Since the battery cell 5 is a cylindrical lithium battery, its peripheral surface is curved. Typically, the side detection device 3 can be controlled to move in a uniform circular motion around the magnetic component 422 of the aforementioned magnetic attraction device 4. However, considering that controlling the side detection device 3 to move in a circular motion would make the structure and program control more complex, etc., considerations are taken into account.

[0098] The inventors also provide a preferred solution, specifically combined with Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the magnetic attraction device 4 includes a steering mechanism 44, and the magnetic attraction component 42 is connected to the lifting cylinder 41 through the steering mechanism 44, so that the battery cell 5 magnetically attracted on the magnetic attraction component 42 can move in a circle around the center line of the battery cell 5, that is, the battery cell 5 moves in a circle relative to the side detection device 3.

[0099] Specifically, the steering gear 44 includes a steering seat and a drive motor mounted on the steering seat. The steering seat is mounted on the movable seat 431. The drive shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the magnetic buffer seat 426. When the drive motor of the steering gear 44 starts, it will drive the magnetic buffer seat 426 to rotate, thereby driving the guide member 423 and the telescopic cylinder 421 mounted on the magnetic buffer seat 426 to rotate, thereby transmitting the rotation of the steering gear 44 to the magnetic member 422, so as to realize the purpose of rotating the battery cell 5 magnetically attracted on the magnetic member 422.

[0100] Furthermore, in specific combinations Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the battery appearance inspection device also includes a sensor 61 and a sensing element 62 adapted to the sensor 61. The sensor 61 is mounted and fixed on the steering mechanism 44, and the sensing element 62 is mounted and fixed on the magnetic buffer seat 426 of the magnetic assembly 42. When the magnetic buffer seat 426 is not rotating, the sensor 61 detects the sensing element 62 and transmits the detection signal to the control system. The control system defines the position of the magnetic buffer seat 426 at this time as the initial position. When the magnetic buffer seat 426 rotates and the sensor 61 detects the sensing element 62 again and transmits the detection signal to the control system, the control system determines that the steering mechanism 44 has driven the magnetic buffer seat 426 to rotate a full circle, and quickly sends a stop command / pause command to the steering mechanism 44, causing the steering mechanism 44 to stop rotating. This achieves the purpose of accurately controlling the battery cell 5 to complete the appearance defect inspection of the peripheral surface, avoiding the problem of repeated peripheral surface appearance defect inspection of the battery cell 5, and improving the overall inspection efficiency of the battery cell 5.

[0101] It should be further explained that the arrangement of the sensor 61 and the sensing element 62 is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement. The sensor 61 can also be installed and fixed on the magnetic buffer seat 426 of the magnetic suction assembly 42, and the sensing element 62 can be installed and fixed on the steering mechanism 44. This can also achieve the effect of accurately controlling the magnetic suction assembly 42 and the battery cell 5 to rotate a full circle, thereby ensuring the purpose of accurately controlling the battery cell 5 to complete the detection of surface defects on the periphery.

[0102] It should be noted that the aforementioned telescopic piston rod extends sequentially from the inside of the telescopic cylinder seat to the outside, forming a first stroke and a second stroke. The first stroke is used to magnetically attract the battery cell 5, and the second stroke is used to expose the first electrode facet of the battery cell 5 to the buffer protection groove 425. That is, when magnetically attracting the battery cell 5, the telescopic cylinder 421 is driven to perform the first stroke, so that the magnetic component 422 can magnetically attract the battery cell 5. When performing appearance defect detection on the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5, the telescopic cylinder 421 is driven to perform the second stroke, so that the first electrode facet of the battery cell 5 is moved out of the buffer protection groove 425 under the push of the telescopic piston rod. This makes the appearance defect detection of the battery cell 5 on the peripheral surface more comprehensive, and at the same time, it effectively avoids the interference of the outline of the buffer protection groove 425 on the detection.

[0103] Preferred, specifically based on Figure 6 As shown, the side detection device 3 includes a side vision detection component 31, a side height adjustment seat 32, and a side height adjustment device 33. The side vision detection component 31 is preferably a machine vision product, i.e., an image acquisition device (such as a CMOS camera or a CCD camera). The side vision detection component 31 is mounted and fixed on the side height adjustment seat 32, and the side height adjustment seat 32 is slidably connected to the side height adjustment device 33.

[0104] Specifically, based on Figure 6 As shown, the side height adjustment device 33 includes a side mounting base 331, a side adjustment motor 332, a vertically arranged side slide rail 333, and a side slider 334 slidably connected to the side slide rail 333. The side slide rail 333 and the side adjustment motor 332 are both mounted and fixed on the side mounting base 331, and the lead screw drive shaft of the side adjustment motor 332 is connected to the side height adjustment base 32. The side height adjustment base 32 is mounted and fixed on the side slider 334. When adjusting the side visual inspection component 31 to detect the optimal height of the peripheral surface, the side adjustment motor 332 can be started to drive the lead screw drive shaft to rotate, thereby driving the side height adjustment base 32 to slide and finely adjust along the direction of the side slide rail 333, so as to change the position of the side visual inspection component 31 in the height direction of the battery cell 5.

[0105] In summary, the steps for detecting surface appearance defects in a single battery cell 5 using this battery appearance inspection equipment are as follows:

[0106] Before starting the surface appearance defect inspection, the battery cell 5 is placed on the positioning fixture 11.

[0107] STEP01A: Positive End Face Inspection - By cooperating with the end face height adjustment seat 22 and the end face height adjustment device 23, the end face vision inspection component 21 is focused on the positive end face of the battery cell 5, and the end face vision inspection component 21 is used to scan and inspect the battery cell 5.

[0108] STEP02A: Transferring battery cell 5 - The lifting cylinder 41 retracts, causing the magnetic suction assembly 42 to descend and approach the battery cell 5 until the battery cell 5 comes into contact with the protective surface 425b of the magnetic suction assembly 42. Then, the telescopic cylinder 421 of the magnetic suction assembly 42 is activated, causing the magnetic component 422 of the magnetic suction assembly 42 to approach and magnetically attract the battery cell 5. Finally, the lifting cylinder 41 resets and raises the magnetic suction assembly 42 to the specified height.

[0109] STEP03A: Peripheral Surface Inspection - Through the cooperation between the side height adjustment seat 32 and the side height adjustment device 33, the optimal position adjustment of the side visual inspection component 31 in the height direction of the battery cell 5 is completed. Then, through the cooperation between the steering device 44 and the side visual inspection component 31, the scanning inspection of the battery cell 5 is completed.

[0110] STEP04A: Negative End Face Inspection - By cooperating with the end face height adjustment seat 22 and the end face height adjustment device 23, the end face vision inspection component 21 is focused on the negative end face of the battery cell 5, and the end face vision inspection component 21 is used to scan and inspect the battery cell 5.

[0111] STEP05A: Replace battery cell 5 – The lifting cylinder 41 retracts, causing the magnetic suction assembly 42 to descend and place the battery cell 5 back into the positioning fixture 11. Then, the telescopic cylinder 421 of the magnetic suction assembly 42 is activated, causing the magnetic component 422 of the magnetic suction assembly 42 to move away from the battery cell 5. The lifting cylinder 41 then resets the magnetic suction assembly 42. Finally, replace the battery cell 5.

[0112] STEP06A: Repeat steps STEP01A to STEP05A sequentially until all battery cells 5 have completed surface appearance defect inspection of both electrode surfaces.

[0113] It should be noted that during step STEP06A, since the specifications of the battery cell 5 are fixed and the focusing operation of the end face visual inspection component 21 has already been completed, the "focusing of the end face visual inspection component 21 with the positive end face of the battery cell 5" in STEP01A and the "focusing of the end face visual inspection component 21 with the negative end face of the battery cell 5" in STEP04A can be omitted. Similarly, after the height adjustment of the side visual inspection component 31 is completed, the "optimal position adjustment of the side visual inspection component 31 in the height direction of the battery cell 5" in STEP03A can be omitted.

[0114] Furthermore, the steps are not limited to those described above. The steps described above are for reference only. The steps described above can be flexibly changed or adjusted according to the actual testing needs. For example, step STEP03A can be performed simultaneously with step STEP04A to shorten the testing time and improve the testing efficiency.

[0115] Second Embodiment

[0116] To improve the efficiency of detecting surface defects in battery cells 5, based on the battery appearance inspection equipment disclosed in the first embodiment, the inventors provide a further improvement scheme, specifically combined with... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a first scanning module 71, an end face inspection device 2 slidably connected to the first scanning module 71, and a plurality of positioning fixtures 11 are evenly arranged along the sliding direction of the end face inspection device 2, and a magnetic suction device 4 is correspondingly arranged above each positioning fixture 11.

[0117] In this embodiment, the first scanning module 71 adopts a linear module, also known as a linear slide or linear stage. Linear modules are relatively mature and conventional devices in the mechanical field, and the specific structure and connection relationship of the linear module will not be described in detail here. Utilizing the high-precision linear motion and high feed stability of the linear module, the end face inspection device 2 can effectively ensure high-precision sliding under the driving action of the first scanning module 71 and accurately inspect each battery cell 5. This reduces the frequency of replacing battery cells 5 without affecting the surface appearance defect detection accuracy of the first and second electrode surfaces of each battery cell 5, shortens the overall time for surface appearance defect detection of multiple battery cells 5, and thus achieves the goal of high-efficiency inspection of the two electrode surfaces of multiple battery cells 5.

[0118] Furthermore, in specific combinations Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the battery appearance inspection device also includes a second scanning module 72, several magnetic suction devices 4 are located on one side of the second scanning module 72, and the side inspection device 3 is slidably fitted on the second scanning module 72.

[0119] Specifically, the second scanning module 72 also adopts a linear module, thereby ensuring that the side detection device 3 slides with high precision under the driving action of the second scanning module 72 and performs accurate detection on each battery cell 5. This achieves the goal of further shortening the overall time for detecting surface appearance defects of multiple battery cells 5 without affecting the accuracy of surface appearance defect detection on the peripheral surface of each battery cell 5, and thus achieving the goal of more efficient detection on the peripheral surface of multiple battery cells 5.

[0120] In the actual process of surface appearance defect detection, since the area of ​​the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5 is much larger than the area of ​​any one electrode face, the time occupied for detecting the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5 will be much longer than the time occupied for detecting the first electrode face of the battery cell 5. This leads to the problem that the detection time of the battery cell 5 is still long and the detection efficiency is still low.

[0121] To address the aforementioned problems, the inventor provides a preferred improvement scheme, specifically based on... Figure 6 As shown, a number of side visual detection components 31 are arranged on the side height adjustment seat 32. The number of side visual detection components 31 are evenly distributed along the transport direction of the second scanning module 72. The movement direction of the second scanning module 72 is the sliding direction of the side visual detection components 31, which is also the arrangement direction of the number of magnetic suction devices 4. The distance between two adjacent side visual detection components 31 is equal to the distance between two adjacent magnetic suction devices 4.

[0122] At this time, the side inspection device 3 realizes the synchronous inspection of the peripheral surfaces of multiple battery cells 5 through multiple side visual inspection components 31, which greatly shortens the overall time of peripheral surface appearance defect inspection. More unexpectedly, it can also achieve the purpose of connecting the inspection process of the two electric end faces of the battery cell 5 with the peripheral surface inspection process.

[0123] Furthermore, as one preferred method, specifically combined Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the battery appearance inspection device also includes a first propulsion module 73 and a second propulsion module 74. The first propulsion module 73 is arranged perpendicularly to the first scanning module 71. The clamping and positioning stage 1 and the first scanning module 71 are both slidably connected to the first propulsion module 73. The second propulsion module 74 is arranged perpendicularly to the second scanning module 72. The second scanning module 72 is slidably connected to the second propulsion module 74.

[0124] Specifically, both the first propulsion module 73 and the second propulsion module 74 are preferably linear modules. Preferably, a plurality of positioning fixtures 11 are located on one side of the first scanning module 71, and the first scanning module 71 is fixedly connected to the clamping and positioning table 1. The clamping and positioning table 1 is mounted and fixed on the execution end of the first propulsion module 73. When the first propulsion module 73 drives the execution end to slide, the clamping and positioning table 1 and the first scanning module 71 will slide synchronously.

[0125] At this time, the transport directions of the first propulsion module 73 and the second propulsion module 74 are both perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the magnetic suction devices 4. The first propulsion module 73 ensures that each positioning fixture 11 on the clamping and positioning stage 1 is directly below each magnetic suction device 4, guaranteeing that each magnetic suction device 4 can accurately clamp the corresponding battery cell 5, thereby effectively ensuring the accuracy and precision of subsequent inspections. The second propulsion module 74 allows for better adjustment of the distance between the side visual inspection component 31 and the battery cell 5 magnetically attracted by the magnetic suction device 4, enabling the side visual inspection component 31 to more accurately focus on the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5, ensuring the accuracy of detecting appearance defects on the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5. This achieves the unexpected effect of high-efficiency and high-precision inspection in this battery appearance inspection equipment.

[0126] Furthermore, based on specific circumstances Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the battery appearance inspection equipment also includes a steering support seat 81 and a steering motor 82. The steering motor 82 is preferably located at the center of the steering support seat 81, and the steering support seat 81 is connected to the drive shaft of the steering motor 82. The magnetic suction device 4 is installed and fixed on the steering support seat 81. The end face inspection device 2, the side inspection device 3 and the four clamping and positioning tables 1 are all located below the steering support seat 81.

[0127] The four clamping and positioning platforms 1 are evenly distributed around the drive shaft of the steering motor 82. However, it should be noted that the number of clamping and positioning platforms 1 is not limited to four; two, three, or other configurations can also be used, depending on design requirements and other factors. Simultaneously, each clamping and positioning platform 1 is equipped with several positioning fixtures 11, each with a corresponding magnetic attraction device 4. These magnetic attraction devices 4 are evenly distributed around the drive shaft of the steering motor 82, and each magnetic attraction device 4 corresponds to one positioning fixture 11.

[0128] It should be noted that each clamping and positioning platform 1 is mounted on the clamping support platform 83 via the first propulsion module 73. The correspondence between each magnetic suction device 4 and each positioning fixture 11 can be a relative correspondence when the number is the same, that is, the clamping and positioning platform 1 is stationary, while the steering support 81 rotates under the action of the steering motor 82. In this case, the number of positioning fixtures 11 set on each clamping and positioning platform 1 is the same, so when each magnetic suction device 4 rotates with the steering support 81 and stops directly above any clamping and positioning platform 1, there is a positioning fixture 11 on the clamping and positioning platform 1 that matches the magnetic suction device 4. Alternatively, it can be an absolute correspondence when the position remains unchanged, that is, both the clamping and positioning platform 1 and the steering support 81 rotate synchronously under the action of the steering motor 82. In this case, the magnetic suction device 4 magnetically suctions the battery cell 5 from the corresponding positioning fixture 11, and after the detection is completed, it is put back into the original positioning fixture 11.

[0129] Preferred, specifically based on Figure 2 As shown, below the steering support seat 81, around the drive shaft, there are a positive electrode detection station 91, a side detection station 92, a negative electrode detection station 93, and a material unloading station 94 arranged in sequence. Both the positive electrode detection station 91 and the negative electrode detection station 93 are equipped with an end face detection device 2, and the side detection station 92 is equipped with a side detection device 3.

[0130] Specifically, the battery cell 5 to be tested is loaded at the positive electrode testing station 91, and the end face testing device 2 on the positive electrode testing station 91 completes the appearance defect detection of the positive electrode face of the battery cell 5. After the positive electrode face detection is completed, the battery cell 5 is moved to the side testing station 92 with the cooperation of the magnetic suction device 4 and the steering motor 82. At this time, the battery cell 5 completes the appearance defect detection of the peripheral surface of the battery cell 5 with the cooperation of the side inspection device 3 on the side inspection station 92. After the peripheral surface detection is completed, the battery cell 5 is moved again to the negative electrode testing station 93 with the cooperation of the magnetic suction device 4 and the steering motor 82. Then, the battery cell 5 completes the appearance defect detection of the negative electrode face of the battery cell 5 with the cooperation of the end face testing device 2 on the negative electrode testing station 93. Finally, the battery cell 5 that has completed the appearance defect detection of the negative electrode face is moved to the unloading station 94 with the cooperation of the magnetic suction device 4 and the steering motor 82 for unloading, completing the comprehensive and automated detection of appearance defects of the battery cell 5.

[0131] Unexpectedly, during the loading and positive end face inspection at the positive electrode inspection station 91, the battery appearance inspection equipment also simultaneously performs peripheral surface inspection at the side inspection station 92, negative end face inspection at the negative electrode inspection station 93, and battery cell 5 unloading at the unloading station 94. This achieves the efficient inspection effect of the battery appearance inspection equipment without stopping the machine. More importantly, it maximizes the utilization of the peripheral surface inspection time, thereby maximizing the time utilization rate of peripheral surface inspection and achieving the goal of more efficient and automated surface appearance defect inspection of a large number of battery cells 5.

[0132] In summary, defining the first electrode face as the positive electrode face and the second electrode face as the negative electrode face, the steps for this battery appearance inspection equipment to inspect the surface appearance defects of a large batch of battery cells 5 are as follows:

[0133] STEP01B: Battery cell 5 loading - Several battery cells 5 are placed on the clamping and positioning table 1 of the positive electrode detection station 91. Specifically, each battery cell 5 is placed in the positioning fixture 11 of the clamping and positioning table 1.

[0134] STEP02B: Positive end face inspection - The end face inspection device 2 of the positive end face of each battery cell 5 inspects the surface appearance defects one by one. Then, each magnetic suction device 4 performs the first stroke of the telescopic cylinder 421 and magnetically suctions the corresponding battery cell 5, and moves it to the negative end inspection station 93 through the steering motor 82.

[0135] Specifically, the first scanning module 71 of the positive electrode detection station 91 is activated, driving the end face detection device 2 of the positive electrode detection station 91 to slide from one end of the first scanning module 71 along the transport direction of the first scanning module 71 to the other end of the first scanning module 71. The end face detection device 2 sequentially checks the surface appearance defects of the positive end face of each battery cell 5. Then, the end face detection device 2 is reset under the action of the first scanning module 71. At the same time, the lifting cylinder 41 of the magnetic attraction device 4 retracts, causing the magnetic attraction component 42 of the magnetic attraction device 4 to descend and approach the battery cell 5. Then, the telescopic cylinder 421 of the magnetic attraction component 42 is activated, causing the telescopic cylinder 421 to perform the first stroke, and the magnetic component 422 of the magnetic attraction component 42 approaches and magnetically attracts the battery cell 5. Next, the lifting cylinder 41 resets and raises the magnetic attraction component 42 to a specified height, and the battery cell 5 is disengaged from the positioning fixture 11. Finally, under the action of the steering motor 82, each magnetic attraction device 4 and each battery cell 5 are moved together to the negative electrode detection station 93.

[0136] STEP03B: Negative end face inspection - The end face inspection device 2 of the negative end face of each battery cell 5 inspects the surface appearance defects one by one, and then moves it to the unloading station 94 by the steering motor 82.

[0137] Specifically, the first scanning module 71 of the negative electrode detection station 93 is activated, driving the end face detection device 2 of the negative electrode detection station 93 to slide from one end of the first scanning module 71 along the transport direction of the first scanning module 71 to the other end of the first scanning module 71. The end face detection device 2 sequentially checks the surface appearance defects of the positive terminal face of each battery cell 5. Then, the end face detection device 2 is reset under the action of the first scanning module 71. At the same time, under the action of the steering motor 82, each magnetic suction device 4 and each battery cell 5 are moved together to the unloading station 94 again.

[0138] STEP04B: Battery cell 5 unloading - Each of the magnetic suction devices 4 places the corresponding battery cell 5 in the positioning fixture 11 of the clamping and positioning table 1, and then unloads the battery cell 5.

[0139] Specifically, the lifting cylinder 41 of the magnetic suction device 4 retracts, causing the magnetic suction component 42 of the magnetic suction device 4 to descend and place the battery cell 5 back into the positioning fixture 11. Then, the telescopic cylinder 421 of the magnetic suction component 42 is activated, causing the magnetic component 422 of the magnetic suction component 42 to move away from the battery cell 5. The magnetic suction component 42 is then reset by the lifting cylinder 41. Finally, the battery cell 5 in the positioning fixture 11 is unloaded.

[0140] In order to achieve comprehensive inspection of the surface of the battery cell 5, the above step STEP02B is replaced by step STEP020B, specifically: the end face inspection device 2 of the positive electrode inspection station 91 inspects the surface appearance defects of the positive end face of each battery cell 5 one by one, and then each magnetic suction device 4 performs the first stroke of the telescopic cylinder 421 and magnetically suctions the corresponding battery cell 5, and moves it to the side inspection station 92 through the steering motor 82.

[0141] Furthermore, the following steps exist between step STEP021B and step STEP03B:

[0142] STEP025B: Peripheral Surface Inspection - The side inspection device 3 inspects the peripheral surface of each battery cell 5 for surface appearance defects, and then moves it to the negative electrode inspection station 93 by the steering motor 82.

[0143] Specifically, the second scanning module 72 of the side inspection station 92 is activated, causing the side inspection device 3 of the side inspection station 92 to slide from one end of the second scanning module 72 along the transport direction of the second scanning module 72 to the other end of the second scanning module 72. The side inspection device 3 sequentially inspects the surface appearance defects of the peripheral surface of each battery cell 5. Then, the end face inspection device 2 is reset under the action of the first scanning module 71. At the same time, under the action of the steering motor 82, each magnetic suction device 4 and each battery cell 5 are moved together again to the negative electrode inspection station 93.

[0144] It should be noted that in step STEP02B or step STEP020B, the magnetic attraction component 42 descends until the end of the battery cell 5 with the positive terminal face is located inside the buffer protection groove 425, and the protective surface 425b on the magnetic attraction component 42 abuts against the positive terminal face of the battery cell 5, so as to avoid the risk of secondary damage caused by the positive terminal face of the battery cell 5 colliding with the magnetic component 422 under the action of the magnetic field.

[0145] Furthermore, it should be added that in step STEP025B, before the side inspection device 3 inspects the surface appearance defects of each battery cell 5 on its peripheral surface, the following steps are also included:

[0146] Reactivate the telescopic cylinder 421 of the magnetic attraction device 4 to perform the second stroke of the telescopic cylinder 421, so that the magnetic component 422 of the magnetic attraction assembly 42 contacts the positive terminal face of the battery cell 5 and moves the battery cell 5 until the positive terminal face of the battery cell 5 is disengaged from the buffer protection groove 425 of the magnetic attraction assembly 42. This effectively ensures that the battery cell 5 fully displays its peripheral surface during the peripheral surface appearance defect detection process, further ensuring the accuracy and precision of the peripheral surface appearance defect detection of the battery cell 5.

[0147] Even more unexpectedly, it can very effectively eliminate redundant contour lines in the inspection of peripheral surface appearance defects, such as the contour lines of the bottom and the opening of the buffer protection groove 425, making it easier for inspectors to analyze and judge, thereby further improving the efficiency of peripheral surface appearance defect inspection.

[0148] It should be noted that the above surface appearance defect detection steps can be adapted to meet actual testing needs and should not be limited to the above steps alone. For example, step STEP02B can be interchanged with step STEP04B to detect the negative end face first and then the positive end face.

[0149] The technical means disclosed in this invention are not limited to those disclosed in the above embodiments, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A battery appearance inspection apparatus characterized by comprising: The application relates to a battery cell end face detection device. The device comprises a clamping positioning table (1) provided with a positioning jig (11) for fixing a battery cell (5), an end face detection device (2) for detecting a first electrode end face and a second electrode end face of the battery cell (5), and a liftable magnetic attraction device (4) whose execution end is used for magnetically attracting the first electrode end face of the battery cell (5) and transferring the battery cell (5) so that the second electrode end face of the battery cell (5) can be detected by the end face detection device (2). The magnetic attraction device (4) comprises a lifting cylinder (41) and a magnetic attraction assembly (42), the magnetic attraction assembly (42) is the execution end of the magnetic attraction device (4), the magnetic attraction assembly (42) is drivingly connected to the lifting cylinder (41), so that the magnetic attraction assembly (42) can move up and down towards the positioning jig (11); the magnetic attraction assembly (42) comprises a telescopic cylinder (421) and a magnetic member (422), the magnetic member (422) is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder (421), the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder (421) can linearly reciprocate along the movement direction of the magnetic attraction assembly (42), so that the magnetic member (422) can magnetically attract the battery cell (5); the magnetic attraction assembly (42) further comprises a guide member (423), the guide member (423) is internally provided with a guide channel (424) for accurately magnetically attracting the battery cell (5) or separating the magnetic member (422) from the battery cell (5), the magnetic member (422) is slidingly fitted in the interior of the guide channel (424), and the magnetic member (422) can penetrate through the guide channel (424) and slide to the exterior of the guide channel (424), the size of the guide channel (424) is smaller than the diameter of the battery cell (5). The port of the guide channel (424) is provided with a buffer protection groove (425) which is in communication with the guide channel (424), the buffer protection groove (425) comprises a guide surface (425a) and a protection surface (425b) which is connected to the guide surface (425a), the guide surface (425a) is used for positioning the battery cell (5), and the protection surface (425b) is used for protecting the first electrode end face of the battery cell (5). The telescopic cylinder (421) comprises a telescopic cylinder base and a telescopic piston rod, the telescopic piston rod is movably assembled on the telescopic cylinder base, and the telescopic piston rod sequentially extends into a first stroke and a second stroke from the interior to the exterior of the telescopic cylinder base, the first stroke is used for magnetically attracting the battery cell (5), and the second stroke is used for exposing the first electrode end face of the battery cell (5) to the buffer protection groove (425).

2. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by: ​ 3. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by: ​ 4. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by: The magnetic attraction assembly (42) further comprises a magnetic attraction buffer seat (426), the guide (423) and the telescopic cylinder (421) are both fixedly installed on the magnetic attraction buffer seat (426), the magnetic attraction buffer seat (426) is drivingly connected to the driving end of the lifting cylinder (41), and a plurality of elastic buffer members (427) are arranged on the magnetic attraction buffer seat (426) and used for absorbing the acting force generated in the process of attracting or separating the battery monomer (5) to protect the battery monomer (5) from being damaged.

5. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by: The side surface detection device (3) is arranged on one side of the positioning jig (11) and used for detecting the circumferential surface of the battery monomer (5).

6. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by: The magnetic attraction device (4) comprises a diverter (44), the magnetic attraction assembly (42) is connected with the lifting cylinder (41) through the diverter (44), so that the battery monomer (5) on the magnetic attraction assembly (42) can make circumferential motion around the center line of the battery monomer (5).

7. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by: The inductor (61) and the inductive member (62) are further included, one of the inductor (61) and the inductive member (62) is fixedly installed on the diverter (44), and the other is fixedly installed on the magnetic attraction assembly (42).

8. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by: The first scanning module (71) is further included, the end surface detection device (2) is slidingly connected on the first scanning module (71), and a plurality of positioning jigs (11) are uniformly arranged along the sliding direction of the end surface detection device (2), and each positioning jig (11) is correspondingly provided with the magnetic attraction device (4) above.

9. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by: The second scanning module (72) is further included, and a plurality of magnetic attraction devices (4) are located on one side of the second scanning module (72), and the side surface detection device (3) is slidingly connected on the second scanning module (72).

10. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by: The first advancing module (73) is further included, the first advancing module (73) is vertically arranged with the first scanning module (71), and the clamping positioning table (1) and the first scanning module (71) are both slidingly connected on the first advancing module (73).

11. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by: The second advancing module (74) is further included, the second advancing module (74) is vertically arranged with the second scanning module (72), and the second scanning module (72) is slidingly connected on the second advancing module (74).

12. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by: The end surface detection device (2) comprises an end surface visual detection component (21), an end surface height adjusting seat (22) and an end surface height adjusting device (23), the end surface visual detection component (21) is fixedly installed on the end surface height adjusting seat (22) through a reversing motor (24), and the end surface height adjusting seat (22) is slidingly connected on the end surface height adjusting device (23).

13. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by: The side detection device (3) comprises a side visual detection component (31), a side height adjusting seat (32) and a side height adjusting device (33), the side visual detection component (31) is fixedly installed on the side height adjusting seat (32), and the side height adjusting seat (32) is slidably connected to the side height adjusting device (33).

14. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 13, characterized by: A plurality of side visual detection components (31) are arranged on the side height adjusting seat (32), and the distance between adjacent two side visual detection components (31) is equal to the distance between adjacent two magnetic attraction devices (4).

15. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized by: A steering support seat (81) and a steering motor (82) are further included, the steering support seat (81) is drivingly connected to a driving shaft of the steering motor (82), the magnetic attraction device (4) is fixedly installed on the steering support seat (81), and the end face detection device (2), the side detection device (3) and a plurality of clamping positioning tables (1) are arranged below the steering support seat (81).

16. The battery appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 15, characterized by: A positive electrode detection station (91), a side detection station (92), a negative electrode detection station (93) and a blanking station (94) are sequentially arranged below the steering support seat (81) around the driving shaft, the positive electrode detection station (91) and the negative electrode detection station (93) are each provided with an end face detection device (2), and the side detection station (92) is provided with a side detection device (3).

17. An appearance inspection method based on the battery appearance inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, defining the first electrode end surface as a positive electrode end surface and the second electrode end surface as a negative electrode end surface, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: STEP01B: battery monomer (5) feeding - a plurality of battery monomers (5) are placed on the clamping positioning table (1) of the positive electrode detection station (91) correspondingly; STEP02B: positive electrode end face detection - the end face detection device (2) of the positive electrode detection station (91) detects the surface appearance defects of the positive electrode end face of each battery monomer (5) one by one, then each magnetic attraction device (4) performs the first stroke of the telescopic cylinder (421) and magnetically attracts the corresponding battery monomer (5), and the battery monomer (5) is transferred to the negative electrode detection station (93) through the steering motor (82); STEP03B: negative electrode end face detection - the end face detection device (2) of the negative electrode detection station (93) detects the surface appearance defects of the negative electrode end face of each battery monomer (5) one by one, then the battery monomer (5) is transferred to the blanking station (94) through the steering motor (82); STEP04B: battery monomer (5) blanking - each magnetic attraction device (4) places the corresponding battery monomer (5) in the positioning jig (11) of the clamping positioning table (1), and then the battery monomer (5) is blanked.

18. The appearance inspection method according to claim 17, characterized by: The step STEP02B is replaced by the step STEP020B, and specifically, the positive electrode end face detection - the end face detection device (2) of the positive electrode detection station (91) detects the surface appearance defects of the positive electrode end face of each battery monomer (5) one by one, then each magnetic attraction device (4) performs the first stroke of the telescopic cylinder (421) and magnetically attracts the corresponding battery monomer (5), and the battery monomer (5) is transferred to the side detection station (92) through the steering motor (82); And between the step STEP020B and the step STEP03B, there is also the following step: STEP025B: circumferential surface detection - the side detection device (3) detects the surface appearance defects of the circumferential surface of each battery monomer (5) one by one, and then moves to the negative detection station (93) through the steering motor (82).

19. The appearance inspection method according to claim 18, characterized by: Before the step STEP025B, the side detection device (3) detects the surface appearance defects of the circumferential surface of each battery monomer (5) one by one, and then moves to the negative detection station (93) through the steering motor (82). There is also the following step: The telescopic cylinder (421) of the magnetic attraction device (4) is started again to perform the second stroke of the telescopic cylinder (421), so that the magnetic part (422) of the magnetic attraction assembly (42) contacts the positive end face of the battery monomer (5) and moves the battery monomer (5) until the positive end face of the battery monomer (5) is separated from the magnetic attraction assembly (42).

20. The appearance inspection method according to claim 17, characterized by: In the step STEP02B, when each magnetic attraction device (4) magnetically attracts the corresponding battery monomer (5), the following steps are also included: STEP021B: the lifting cylinder (41) of the magnetic attraction device (4) retracts, so that the magnetic attraction assembly (42) of the magnetic attraction device (4) descends until the magnetic attraction assembly (42) abuts against the positive end face of the battery monomer (5); STEP022B: start the telescopic cylinder (421) of the magnetic attraction assembly (42), so that the telescopic cylinder (421) performs the first stroke, and the magnetic part (422) of the magnetic attraction assembly (42) approaches and magnetically attracts the battery monomer (5); STEP023B: the lifting cylinder (41) is elongated, so that the magnetic attraction assembly (42) is reset and lifted to a specified height.

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