Battery cell processing equipment, battery cell processing method and battery production line

Abstract

The present application relates to a battery cell processing device, a battery cell processing method, and a battery production line. The battery cell processing device includes: a first support assembly for fixing the battery cell body, the first support assembly being rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second support assembly for fixing the battery cell body, the second support assembly being rotatable about a second rotation axis; the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being arranged in parallel; and a third support assembly for fixing the tab and the end cover; the third support assembly includes a support seat and a shaping member; a pole positioning groove is formed on the support seat; and the shaping member is movably arranged relative to the support seat. The battery cell processing device, battery cell processing method, and battery production line of the embodiments of the present application can effectively improve the problem of tab tearing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to production equipment for power batteries, and in particular to a battery cell processing equipment, a battery cell processing method, and a battery production line. Background Art

[0002] During the preparation process of power batteries, a cell-joining operation is usually required, that is, the large surfaces of the first sub-cell and the second sub-cell are bonded together. The tabs of the first sub-cell and the second sub-cell will be bent at a certain angle during this process; however, the method of bending the tabs in the existing structure is not only inefficient, but also the processing accuracy of the battery cells cannot be guaranteed, resulting in problems such as tab breakage and poor consistency of the tabs after bending, which ultimately affects the overall production of power batteries. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a battery cell processing equipment, a battery cell processing method and a battery production line to address the problem of tab tearing during the battery cell processing of power batteries.

[0004] A battery cell processing device includes: a first support assembly for fixing the battery cell body, the first support assembly being capable of rotating around a first rotation axis; a second support assembly for fixing the battery cell body, the second support assembly being capable of rotating around a second rotation axis; the first rotation axis is arranged parallel to the second rotation axis; and a third support assembly for fixing the tab and the end cover; the third support assembly includes a support seat and a shaping piece; the shaping piece is movably arranged relative to the support seat.

[0005] The shaping member is movably arranged relative to the support seat; the shaping member and the support seat can limit the first pole ear, the second pole ear and the end cover from the top and bottom along the second direction, thereby avoiding abnormal movement of the first pole ear and the second pole ear relative to the end cover during the processing of the battery cell.

[0006] In one embodiment, the battery cell processing equipment includes a fixed frame; the first support assembly and the second support assembly are movably arranged on the fixed frame along a first direction, and the first support assembly and the second support assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the third support assembly along the first direction; the third support assembly is movably arranged on the fixed frame along a second direction; the second direction is arranged perpendicular to the first direction.

[0007] By setting the first support assembly and the second support assembly to be movable along the first direction, and by setting the third support assembly to be movable along the second direction, during the battery cell processing process, the battery cell processing equipment can perform distance compensation in the first direction and the second direction respectively, thereby effectively preventing the first pole ear and the second pole ear from being torn.

[0008] In one embodiment, when the first support assembly rotates around the first rotation axis until the first support assembly and the fixing frame are clamped at a first preset angle, and the second support assembly rotates around the second rotation axis until the second support assembly and the fixing frame are clamped at a second preset angle, the shaping member moves away from the support seat; a pole positioning groove is formed on the support seat.

[0009] By designing the above process, the shaping member is crimped onto the first and second tabs, thereby shaping the first and second tabs. The first and second tabs are stably formed into fold lines along the edges of the shaping member, ensuring consistency between the first and second fold lines. This prevents unstable quality in battery cell processing, facilitates automated production efficiency, and improves production efficiency. During the transition of the battery cell processing equipment from the intermediate state to the closed state, the shaping member and the support seat are separated to avoid interference.

[0010] In one embodiment, the third support assembly includes a connecting plate and a driving unit; the connecting plate is movably arranged on the fixing frame along the second direction; the support seat is fixed on the connecting plate; the driving unit is transmission-connected to the shaping member to drive the shaping member to move relative to the connecting plate.

[0011] By designing the support seat to move relative to the fixing frame along the second direction, the support seat and the shaping member can be driven to move along the second direction as a whole, so as to form a fixed space between the shaping member and the support seat.

[0012] In one embodiment, the third support assembly includes two shaping members and two groups of driving units; the two shaping members are respectively located at the two ends of the support seat along the third direction; each group of driving units includes a horizontal driving member and a vertical driving member; the vertical driving member is transmission-connected to the shaping member to drive the shaping member to reciprocate along the second direction; the horizontal driving member can drive the shaping member to reciprocate along the third direction; the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0013] The vertical driving member drives the shaping member to reciprocate along the second direction relative to the connecting plate; the horizontal driving member drives the shaping member to reciprocate along the third direction relative to the connecting plate; so that the shaping member can be better pressed onto the first and second tabs.

[0014] In one embodiment, the battery core processing equipment includes a third driving mechanism fixedly connected to the fixed frame, and the third driving mechanism is transmission-connected to the connecting plate to drive the connecting plate to reciprocate along the second direction relative to the fixed frame.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first supporting assembly includes a first rotator, a first fixing seat and a first fixing plate; the first fixing plate is used to fix the battery cell body; the first fixing seat is movably arranged on the fixing frame along the first direction; the first fixing plate is rotatably connected to the first fixing seat; the first rotator is transmission-connected to the first fixing plate to drive the first fixing plate to rotate around the first rotation axis; the first supporting assembly is at the first preset angle; the plate surface of the first fixing plate is set at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the battery core processing equipment includes a first driving mechanism, which is in transmission connection with the first fixing seat to drive the first fixing seat to move along the first direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second support assembly includes a second rotator, a second fixing seat and a second fixing plate; the second fixing plate is used to fix the battery cell body; the second fixing seat is movably arranged on the fixing frame along the first direction; the second fixing plate is rotatably connected to the second fixing seat; the second rotator is transmission-connected to the second fixing plate to drive the second fixing plate to rotate around the second rotation axis; the second support assembly is at the first preset angle; the plate surface of the second fixing plate is set at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction.

[0018] In one embodiment, the battery core processing equipment includes a second driving mechanism, and the second driving mechanism is transmission-connected to the second fixing seat to drive the second fixing seat to move along the first direction.

[0019] A second aspect of the present application provides a cell processing method, which uses the above-mentioned cell processing equipment to perform cell assembling operations; the cell processing method includes:

[0020] Fixing the battery cell body to the first supporting assembly and the second supporting assembly respectively;

[0021] The first support assembly is rotated around the first rotation axis to a first core-closing angle, and the second support assembly is rotated around the second rotation axis to a second core-closing angle; the first support assembly and the second support assembly are moved toward each other along the first direction, and the third support assembly is moved toward the first support assembly and the second support assembly along the second direction.

[0022] In one embodiment, the steps of rotating the first support assembly around the first rotation axis to a first core-closed angle and rotating the second support assembly around the second rotation axis to a second core-closed angle; the first support assembly and the second support assembly approaching each other along a first direction, and the third support assembly approaching the first support assembly and the second support assembly along the second direction specifically include:

[0023] When the first support assembly rotates from a first starting angle to a first preset angle, and the second support assembly rotates from a second starting angle to a second preset angle, the first support assembly and the second support assembly remain fixed with the third support assembly along the first direction;

[0024] The shaping member is away from the supporting seat;

[0025] When the first support component rotates from the first preset angle to the first core-closing angle, and the second support component rotates from the second preset angle to the second core-closing angle, the first support component and the second support component respectively move closer to the third support component along the first direction, and the third support component moves closer to the first support component and the second support component along the second direction.

[0026] A third aspect of the present application provides a battery production line, comprising the above-mentioned battery cell processing equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a state diagram of the power battery before the cell closing operation;

[0028] Figure 2 This is the state diagram of the power battery after the cell closing operation;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between the battery cell processing equipment and the power battery according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the battery cell processing equipment is in a starting state, the first support assembly is at a first starting angle, and the second support assembly is at a second starting angle;

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell processing equipment according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the battery cell processing equipment is in a starting state, the first support assembly is at a first starting angle, and the second support assembly is at a second starting angle;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between the battery cell processing equipment and the power battery according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the battery cell processing equipment is in an intermediate state, the first support assembly is at a first preset angle, and the second support assembly is at a second preset angle;

[0032] Figure 6Schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between the battery cell processing equipment and the power battery according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the battery cell processing equipment is in a closed state, the first support assembly is at a first closing angle, and the second support assembly is at a second closing angle;

[0033] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell processing equipment according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the battery cell processing equipment is in a closed state, the first support assembly is at a first closing angle, and the second support assembly is at a second closing angle;

[0034] Figure 8 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure shown in one perspective, wherein the first support assembly and the second support assembly are omitted;

[0035] Figure 9 for Figure 8 a schematic diagram of another perspective of the structure shown;

[0036] Figure 10 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure shown in one perspective, wherein the first support assembly and the second support assembly are omitted;

[0037] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of another perspective of the structure shown, wherein the fixing frame is omitted;

[0038] Figure 12 This is an assembly diagram of the first support assembly and the first driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 13 This is an assembly diagram of the second support assembly and the second drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 14 This is a flow chart of a battery cell processing method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 15 This is a flow chart of a battery cell processing method according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0042] In the figure, the front-back direction indicated by X is a first direction, the up-down direction indicated by Z is a second direction, and the left-right direction indicated by Y is a third direction.

[0043] Description of reference numerals:

[0044] First support assembly-100, first rotator-110, first fixing seat-120, first fixing plate-130, second support assembly-200, second rotator-210, second fixing seat-220, and second fixing plate-230, third support assembly-300, support seat-310, pole positioning groove-311, shaping member-320, fixing space-330, connecting plate-340, driving unit-350, horizontal driving member-351, vertical driving member-352, fixing frame-400, first driving mechanism-510, second driving mechanism-520, third driving mechanism-530, first sub-cell-910, first cell body-911, first pole ear-912, second sub-cell-920, second cell body-921, second pole ear-922, end cover-930. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0047] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0048] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0049] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0050] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces).

[0051] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0052] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, technical terms such as "installed," "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; internal connections between two components or interactions between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application based on specific circumstances.

[0053] Currently, market developments indicate that power batteries are becoming increasingly widely used. They are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal, wind, and solar power plants, but are also widely used in electric vehicles like electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as in military equipment and aerospace. As power battery applications continue to expand, market demand is also growing.

[0054] During the preparation of power batteries, they usually undergo cell processing, which is the use of cell processing equipment to combine two bare cells.

[0055] The cell closing operation involves connecting and closing two or more battery cell assemblies. The cell assemblies can be joined together using welding methods such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding, connecting the tabs of two or more cell assemblies to the end caps. Dedicated cell processing equipment is then used to position the cell assemblies and end caps, and the cell assembly is gradually rotated so that the tabs bend and fit against the end faces of the cell assembly, allowing the two cell assemblies to fit together and facilitate subsequent assembly.

[0056] The inventors of this application noticed that the tabs on each battery cell assembly are composed of multiple layers of metal foil. During the core assembly operation, as the battery cell processing equipment drives the two bare battery cells to rotate, the distance between the battery cell assembly and the rotation axis will change, thereby causing the distance between the bare battery cell and the end cover to change. For the tabs that have not been shaped, the bending lines formed by the multiple layers of metal foil will be different when the distance changes. As a result, the connection between the tabs and the end cover will be torn, resulting in adverse conditions such as the tabs being torn.

[0057] To alleviate the problem of tabs being torn during the core closure process, the applicant has discovered that a shaping member can be installed to shape the tabs during the core closure process, avoiding differences in the bend lines formed by the multiple layers of metal foil, forming a unified bend line, so that the tabs will not be torn due to bending, thereby preventing adverse conditions such as tab tearing. In addition, the support assembly on the processing equipment can be movably mounted on the fixed frame, so that the distance between the tab and the end cap can be adjusted in time during the core closure process, thereby avoiding tab tearing caused by excessive distance changes.

[0058] The battery cell processing equipment disclosed in the embodiments of this application is capable of assembling power batteries. The power battery can be, but is not limited to, a secondary battery or a primary battery. In other embodiments, the power battery can also be a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, which is not limited in this application.

[0059] It should be noted that the power battery disclosed in the embodiment of the present application generally includes two interconnected battery cell assemblies, and the battery cell processing equipment in the embodiment of the present application can perform battery cell combining operations on the two battery cell assemblies; in some other embodiments, the power battery may include three or more interconnected battery cell assemblies, and accordingly, the battery cell processing equipment in the embodiment of the present application can perform battery cell combining operations on the three or more battery cell assemblies.

[0060] Here, we take the example that a power battery generally includes two interconnected battery cell assemblies.

[0061] See Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a state diagram of the power battery before the cell closing operation; the power battery includes a first sub-cell 910, a second sub-cell 920, an end cover 930, a housing (not marked) and other functional components (not marked).

[0062] The end cap 930 refers to a component that covers the opening of the shell to isolate the internal environment of the power battery from the external environment. Without limitation, the shape of the end cap 930 can be adapted to the shape of the shell to match the shell. Optionally, the end cap 930 can be made of a material with a certain hardness and strength (such as aluminum alloy), so that the end cap 930 is not easily deformed when squeezed or collided, so that the power battery can have higher structural strength and improved safety performance. Functional components such as poles 931 can be provided on the end cap 930. The pole 931 can be used to electrically connect to the first sub-battery cell 910 and the second sub-battery cell 920 for outputting or inputting electrical energy into the power battery.

[0063] In some embodiments, the end cap 930 may also be provided with a pressure relief mechanism (not shown), such as a pressure relief valve, for releasing the internal pressure when the internal pressure or temperature of the power battery reaches a threshold value. The material of the end cap 930 may also be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any special restrictions on this. In some embodiments, an insulating member 932 may also be provided on the inner side of the end cap 930. The insulating member 932 may be used to isolate the electrical connection components in the housing from the end cap 930 to reduce the risk of short circuit. Exemplarily, the insulating member 932 may be plastic, rubber, etc.

[0064] The shell is a component used to cooperate with the end cover 930 to form the internal environment of the power battery, wherein the internal environment formed can be used to accommodate the first sub-battery cell 910, the second sub-battery cell 920, the electrolyte and other components. The shell and the end cover 930 can be independent components, and an opening can be provided on the shell, and the end cover 930 is made to cover the opening at the opening to form the internal environment of the power battery. The shell can be of various shapes and sizes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylindrical shape, a hexagonal prism, etc. Specifically, the shape of the shell can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the first sub-battery cell 910 and the second sub-battery cell 920. The material of the shell can be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any special restrictions on this.

[0065] The structures of the first sub-cell 910 and the second sub-cell 920 are generally the same. The first sub-cell 910 and the second sub-cell 920 are components in the power battery where electrochemical reactions occur. Corresponding to the embodiment of the present application, the first sub-cell 910 and the second sub-cell 920 are cell assemblies. The cell assembly is generally formed by winding or stacking positive and negative electrode sheets, and a separator is generally provided between the positive and negative electrode sheets. The portions of the positive and negative electrode sheets containing active materials constitute the main body of the cell assembly, and the portions of the positive and negative electrode sheets without active materials each constitute a tab, which corresponds to the first tab 912 of the first sub-cell 910 and the second tab 922 of the second sub-cell 920 in the embodiment of the present application. Each battery cell typically has two sets of tabs. During the charge and discharge process of the power battery, the positive and negative active materials react with the electrolyte. The two sets of tabs serve as the positive and negative electrodes for outputting electrical energy. They are respectively connected to two posts 931. The post 931 connected to the positive tab serves as the positive electrode of the power battery, and the post 931 connected to the negative tab serves as the negative electrode of the power battery, forming a current loop. The positive and negative tabs are typically located together on the end face of the battery body, or separately at either end of the body.

[0066] According to some embodiments of the present application, see Figure 1 As shown, end cap 930 is disposed between first sub-cell 910 and second sub-cell 920, electrically connecting the two cells. First tab 912 of first sub-cell 910 and second tab 922 of second sub-cell 920 are located above end cap 930. First tab 912 and second tab 922 can be connected to pole 931 on end cap 930 via connecting piece 940.

[0067] The first sub-cell 910 and the second sub-cell 920 have similar structures, and are both roughly rectangular blocks.

[0068] The first cell body 911 of the first sub-cell 910 has a first end face 9111 and a second end face 9112 located at opposite ends, as well as a first side face 9113, a second side face 9114, a third side face (not labeled), and a fourth side face (not labeled) connected between the two end faces. The first end face 9111 and the second end face 9112 are disposed opposite each other; the first side face 9113 and the third side face are large side faces with larger areas and are disposed opposite each other; the second side face 9114 and the fourth side face are small side faces with smaller areas and are disposed opposite each other; the first side face 9113 and the second side face 9114 are adjacent to each other and located between the first end face 9111 and the second end face 9112. The first tab 912 is disposed on the first end face 9111.

[0069] Similarly, the second cell body 921 of the second sub-cell 920 has a first end face 9211 and a second end face 9212 located at opposite ends, as well as a first side face 9213, a second side face 9214, a third side face (not labeled), and a fourth side face (not labeled) connected between the two end faces. The first end face 9211 and the second end face 9212 are disposed opposite each other; the first side face 9213 and the third side face are large side faces with larger areas and are disposed opposite each other; the second side face 9214 and the fourth side face are small side faces and are disposed opposite each other; the first side face 9213 and the second side face 9214 are adjacent to each other and located between the first end face 9211 and the second end face 9212. The second tab 922 is disposed on the first end face 9211.

[0070] The first end face 9111 of the first battery cell body 911 and the first end face 9211 of the second battery cell body 921 are arranged adjacent to each other and are respectively located on both sides of the end cover 930; the first pole ear 912 led out from the first end face 9111 of the first battery cell body 911 is connected to one side of the end cover 930, and the second pole ear 922 led out from the first end face 9211 of the second sub-battery cell 920 is connected to the other side of the end cover 930.

[0071] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a state diagram of the power battery after the cell assembly operation. After the cell processing equipment performs the cell assembly operation on the first sub-cell 910 and the second sub-cell 920 of the power battery, the first end face 9111 of the first cell body 911 and the first end face 9211 of the second cell body 921 are respectively attached to the end cover 930. At the same time, the larger area of the first side face 9113 of the first cell body 911 and the larger area of the first side face 9213 of the second cell body 921 will be attached, thereby facilitating the subsequent assembly process.

[0072] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 3 to 7 As shown, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The battery core processing equipment is in a starting state, the first support assembly is at a first starting angle, and the second support assembly is at a second starting angle; Figure 5 The battery core processing equipment is in an intermediate state, the first support assembly is at a first preset angle, and the second support assembly is at a second preset angle; Figure 6 and Figure 7 The battery cell processing equipment is in a closed state, the first support assembly is at a first closing angle, and the second support assembly is at a second closing angle.

[0073] A first aspect of the present application provides a battery core processing device, which includes: a first support assembly 100 , a second support assembly 200 , and a third support assembly 300 .

[0074] For ease of description, the first support assembly 100 is defined in this application as fixing the first cell body 911 of the first sub-cell 910. The first support assembly 100 can rotate around a first rotation axis 100a.

[0075] For ease of description, the second support assembly 200 is defined in this application as fixing the second cell body 921 of the second sub-cell 920. The second support assembly 200 can rotate around a second rotation axis 200a.

[0076] The third support assembly 300 is used to fix the tabs and the end cap 930. For ease of description, the third support assembly 300 is defined in this application as fixing the first tab 912, the second tab 922 and the end cap 930.

[0077] See Figures 8 to 11 As shown, the third support assembly 300 includes a support base 310 and a shaping member 320 .

[0078] The shaping member 320 is movably arranged relative to the support base 310 to form a fixed space 330 between the shaping member 320 and the support base 310. When necessary, the shaping member 320 can be moved to the upper side of the support base 310 along the second direction. In this way, the shaping member 320 and the support base 310 can limit the first pole tab 912, the second pole tab 922 and the end cover 930 from the top and bottom along the second direction, forming a fixed space 330 for fixing the pole tabs and the end cover 930; the shaping member 320 is usually a pressure plate structure or a pressure rod with a certain thickness, and is made of a material with a certain hardness and strength, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, carbon steel, etc., so that the shaping member 320 can provide sufficient strength to be pressed on the pole tab to provide limitation. The shaping member 320 presses downward on the first pole tab 912 and the second pole tab 922 along the second direction, and the support seat 310 is supported below the end plate 930 along the second direction, thereby preventing the first pole tab 912 and the second pole tab 922 from moving relative to the end cover 930 during the core closing process.

[0079] In some embodiments, see Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the battery cell processing equipment includes a fixing frame 400 .

[0080] The fixing frame 400 is usually a plate with a certain thickness and is fixedly connected to the outside world, such as the ground, through supporting legs. The fixing frame 400 is used to fix other components of the battery cell processing equipment.

[0081] The first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 are movably mounted on the fixing frame 400 along a first direction, and are respectively arranged on either side of the third support assembly 300 along the first direction. In other words, the first support assembly 100 can move the first battery cell body 911 toward or away from the third support assembly 300 along the first direction, and the second support assembly 200 can move the second battery cell body 921 toward or away from the third support assembly 300 along the first direction.

[0082] The third support assembly 300 is movably disposed on the fixing frame 400 along the second direction; that is, the third support assembly 300 can drive the first electrode tab 912, the second electrode tab 922 and the end cover 930 to move upward or downward along the first direction to adjust the distance between the end cover 930 and the first battery cell body 911 and the second battery cell body 921 so that it is not too far.

[0083] The first rotation axis 100a is parallel to the second rotation axis 200a. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, X indicates the first direction, which is horizontally extending forward and backward; Z in the figure indicates the second direction, which is vertically extending up and down; the first rotation axis 100a and the second rotation axis 200a are both perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and are along Figure 3 The third direction shown by Y is extended.

[0084] The process of closing the core is as follows: the first support assembly 100 can drive the first cell body 911 fixed thereon to rotate around the first rotation axis 100a, so that the first tab 912 of the first sub-cell 910 is bent; the second support assembly 200 can drive the second cell body 921 to rotate around the second rotation axis 200a, so that the second tab 922 of the second sub-cell 920 is bent; the rotation of the first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 is usually at the same speed and opposite to each other. Figure 5In the illustrated position, the first support assembly 100 rotates counterclockwise and the second support assembly 200 rotates clockwise, allowing the larger first side surface 9113 of the first cell body 911 and the larger first side surface 9213 of the second cell body 921 to come into close contact with each other. Simultaneously, the first support assembly 100 moves closer to or further away from the third support assembly 300 in the first direction to adjust the distance between the first support assembly 100 and the third support assembly 300 in the first direction. The second support assembly 200 moves closer to or further away from the third support assembly 300 in the first direction to adjust the distance between the second support assembly 200 and the third support assembly 300 in the first direction. The third support assembly 300 is movably arranged in the second direction to adjust the distance between the third support assembly 300 and the second support assembly 200 and the first support assembly 100 in the second direction, thereby facilitating subsequent assembly steps.

[0085] In various embodiments of the present application, the fold line formed by the bending trace of the first tab 912 is defined as the first bending line, and the fold line formed by the bending trace of the second tab 922 is defined as the second bending line. It is understandable that if, during the core assembling process, the first bending line is collinear with the first rotation axis 100a, and the second bending line is collinear with the second rotation axis 200a, then during the core assembling process, the roots of the first tab 912 and the second tab 922 will only be subjected to bending force and will not be pulled by external forces; however, during the actual core assembling process, the first bending line is usually parallel to the first rotation axis 100a, and the second bending line is parallel to the second rotation axis 200a, with a certain distance between the two, and this distance will change as the first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 rotate. This change is not only a change in distance along the first direction, but also a change in distance along the second direction.

[0086] Thus, by movably setting the first support component 100 and the second support component 200 along the first direction, and by movably setting the third support component 300 along the second direction, during the core assembly process, the battery cell processing equipment can perform distance compensation in the first direction and the second direction respectively, so that the distance between the first bending line and the first rotation axis 100a and the distance between the second bending line and the second rotation axis 200a remain unchanged, thereby effectively preventing the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 from tearing.

[0087] A pole positioning groove 311 is formed on the support base 310. The shape of the pole positioning groove 311 should be compatible with the pole 931 on the end cover 930, for example, it should be circular or square. The support base 310 is generally T-shaped, and the upper portion near the end cover 930 generally extends along the third direction. The support base 310 can be made of a material with a certain hardness and strength, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, carbon steel, etc. In this way, the support base 310 can provide sufficient strength to support the first sub-cell 910, the second sub-cell 920, and the end cover 930, and is not easily deformed, so that the battery cell processing equipment can have a higher structural strength and ensure the smooth operation of the cell connection.

[0088] Optionally, there are two pole positioning grooves 311 , which are arranged along the third direction. The pole positioning grooves 311 are positioned by being embedded with the pole 931 , thereby enabling the support seat 310 to limit the end cover 930 from the bottom.

[0089] In some embodiments, when the first support component 100 rotates around the first rotation axis until the first support component 100 and the fixing frame 400 are clamped at a first preset angle, and the second support component 200 rotates around the second rotation axis until the second support component 200 and the fixing frame 400 are clamped at a second preset angle, the shaping member 320 moves away from the support seat 310.

[0090] Specifically, during the rotation of the first support component 100 around the first rotation axis 100a, the first support component 100 has a first starting angle, a first preset angle and a first core-connecting angle relative to the fixed frame 400 in sequence; during the rotation of the second support component 200 around the second rotation axis 200a, the second support component 200 has a second starting angle, a second preset angle and a second core-connecting angle relative to the fixed frame 400 in sequence.

[0091] The battery cell processing equipment has an initial state, an intermediate state and a closed state.

[0092] Among them, see Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the battery core processing equipment is in a starting state, the first support assembly 100 is at a first starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400; the second support assembly 200 is at a second starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400.

[0093] The first support assembly 100 is at a first starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400, the first sub-cell 910 is placed on the first support assembly 100, and the plate surface of the first fixing plate 130 (mentioned below) is perpendicular to the second direction and parallel to the first direction; in this way, the first side surface 9113 of the first cell body 911 can be parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction; similarly, the second support assembly 200 is at a second starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400, and the second sub-cell 920 is placed on the second support assembly 200, so that the first side surface 9213 of the second cell body 921 can be parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction; usually, in order to facilitate placement, the first side surface 9113 of the first cell body 911 and the first side surface 9213 of the second cell body 921 should be able to be set in the same horizontal plane.

[0094] Optionally, the first starting angle can be 0°, that is, the angle between the first fixing plate 130 (mentioned below) at the bottom of the first support assembly 100 and the fixing frame 400 is 0°, and the first fixing plate 130 and the fixing frame 400 are arranged parallel. The second starting angle can be 0°, that is, the angle between the second fixing plate 230 (mentioned below) at the bottom of the second support assembly 200 and the fixing frame 400 is 0°, and the second fixing plate 230 and the fixing frame 400 are arranged parallel.

[0095] See Figure 5 As shown, the battery core processing equipment is in an intermediate state, the first support assembly 100 is at a first preset angle relative to the fixing frame 400, and the second support assembly 200 is at a second preset angle relative to the fixing frame 400.

[0096] The first support assembly 100 is at a first preset angle relative to the fixing frame 400, the first sub-cell 910 is placed on the first support assembly 100, and the board surface of the first fixing plate 130 is set at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction; in this way, the first side surface 9113 of the first cell body 911 can be set at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction; similarly, the second support assembly 200 is at a second preset angle relative to the fixing frame 400, the second sub-cell 920 is placed on the second support assembly 200, and the board surface of the second fixing plate 130 is set at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction; in this way, the first side surface 9213 of the second cell body 921 can be set at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction.

[0097] During the switching process from the initial state to the intermediate state, the first side surface 9113 of the first battery cell body 911 and the first side surface 9213 of the second battery cell body 921 rotate toward each other, and finally rotate to the closed state.

[0098] During this process, the shaping member 320 can be located above the support base 310 , forming a fixed space 330 for fixing the tabs and the end cover 930 between the shaping member 320 and the support base 310 , thereby preventing the first tab 912 and the second tab 922 from moving relative to the end cover 930 .

[0099] The first and second preset angles can be manually set based on actual needs, but should not be set too large or too small, so that the first and second tabs 912, 922 can stably form a fold line along the edge of the shaping member 320. If the angle value is too large, the shaping member 320 will interfere with the first and second support assemblies 100, 200. If the angle value is too small, the shaping member 320 will loosen before the first and second tabs 912, 922 form a stable fold line, which will cause the first and second tabs 912, 922 to move relative to the end cap 930.

[0100] In the embodiment of the present application, the first preset angle may be 30°, that is, the bottom of the first support assembly 100 rotates 30° counterclockwise around the first rotation axis 100a from the first starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400. The second preset angle may be 30°, that is, the bottom of the second support assembly 200 rotates 30° clockwise around the second rotation axis 200a from the second starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400.

[0101] Optionally, the first preset angle may be defined as the angle between the first fixing plate 130 and the fixing frame 400 being any value between 15° and 45°; and the second preset angle may be defined as the angle between the second fixing plate 230 and the fixing frame 400 being any value between 15° and 45°. The first preset angle and the second preset angle are generally equal in value.

[0102] See Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the battery core processing equipment is in a closed state, the first support assembly 100 is at a first core closing angle relative to the fixing frame 400, and the second support assembly 200 is at a second core closing angle relative to the fixing frame 400.

[0103] The first support assembly 100 is positioned at a first closing angle relative to the mounting frame 400. The first sub-cell 910 is placed on the first support assembly 100, and the surface of the first fixing plate 130 is parallel to the second direction and perpendicular to the first direction. This allows the first side surface 9113 of the first cell body 911 to be perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the second direction. Similarly, the second support assembly 200 is positioned at a second closing angle relative to the mounting frame 400, and the second sub-cell 920 is placed on the second support assembly 200, allowing the first side surface 9213 of the second cell body 921 to be perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the second direction. Thus, the surface of the first fixing plate 130 (described below) on the first support assembly 100 and the surface of the second fixing plate 230 (described below) on the second support assembly 200 are positioned relative to each other in the first direction, allowing the larger first side surface 9113 of the first cell body 911 and the larger first side surface 9213 of the second cell body 921 to align with each other.

[0104] The first closing angle can be 90°, meaning that the bottom of the first support assembly 100 rotates 90° counterclockwise about the first rotation axis 100a from the first starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400, which is equivalent to rotating another 60° counterclockwise about the first rotation axis 100a from the first preset angle. The second closing angle can be 90°, meaning that the bottom of the second support assembly 200 rotates 90° clockwise about the second rotation axis 200a from the second starting angle relative to the fixing frame 400, which is equivalent to rotating another 60° clockwise about the second rotation axis 200a from the second preset angle.

[0105] Here, the bottom of the first supporting assembly 100 may be a first fixing plate 130 (mentioned below); the bottom of the second supporting assembly 200 may be a second fixing plate 230 (mentioned below).

[0106] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the battery cell processing equipment switches from the starting state to the intermediate state.

[0107] The first support assembly 100 rotates around the first rotation axis 100a from a first starting angle to a first preset angle, and the second support assembly 200 rotates around the second rotation axis 200a from a second starting angle to a second preset angle.

[0108] During this process, the shaping member 320 and the support seat 310 are arranged relative to each other along the second direction, and a fixed space 330 for fixing the pole ear and the end cover 930 is formed between the shaping member 320 and the support seat 310; thereby avoiding abnormal movement of the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 relative to the end cover 930 during the core assembly process.

[0109] In addition, when the battery cell processing equipment is in the initial state, the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 have not yet been completely bent to form a stable first bending line and a second bending line. The shaping piece 320 is crimped onto the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922, which can provide shaping for the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922. The first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 stably form a bending line along the edge of the shaping piece 320, so that the consistency of the first bending line and the second bending line is good, thereby preventing the quality of the core from being unstable, facilitating automated production efficiency, and improving production efficiency.

[0110] In some embodiments, see Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the battery cell processing equipment switches from the starting state to the intermediate state.

[0111] The first support assembly 100 rotates about the first rotation axis 100a from the first preset angle to the first core-closing angle, and the second support assembly 200 rotates about the second rotation axis 200a from the second preset angle to the second core-closing angle. The shaping member 320 moves away from the support base 310. After the first and second tabs 912, 922 are stably formed into a fold line along the edge of the shaping member 320, the shaping member 320 moves to the ends of the support base 310 along the third direction. This prevents the shaping member 320 from interfering with the gradually approaching first and second cell bodies 911, 921, and prevents the tabs from tearing. After the shaping member 320 is removed, the terminal post positioning groove 311 and other auxiliary structures on the support base 310 are used to position the end cap 930.

[0112] In some embodiments, see Figures 8 to 11 As shown, the third support assembly 300 includes a connecting plate 340 and a drive unit 350. The connecting plate 340 is movably mounted on the fixing frame 400 along the second direction; the support base 310 is fixed to the connecting plate 340; and the drive unit 350 is in transmission connection with the shaping member 320 to drive the shaping member 320 to move relative to the connecting plate 340.

[0113] The connecting plate 340 serves as a fixing member for fixing the support seat 310, the shaping member 320 and the driving unit 350; when the connecting plate 340 moves along the second direction, it can drive the support seat 310 and the shaping member 320 to move as a whole along the second direction; and the shaping member 320 can move relative to the connecting plate 340.

[0114] The support seat 310 moves along the second direction relative to the fixing frame 400, thereby driving the support seat 310 and the shaping member 320 to move as a whole along the second direction. During this process, the relative positions of the support seat 310 and the shaping member 320 remain unchanged; the driving unit 350 can drive the shaping member 320 to move relative to the connecting plate 340 to form a fixed space 330 between the shaping member 320 and the support seat 310, thereby fixing the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 in the process of switching the battery cell processing equipment from the starting state to the intermediate state to prevent them from moving abnormally relative to the end cover 930, thereby avoiding the pole ear tearing.

[0115] In some embodiments, see Figures 8 to 11 As shown, the third support assembly 300 includes two shaping members 320 and two sets of drive units 350. The support base 310 extends in a long strip along the third direction. The two shaping members 320 are located at either end of the support base 310 along the third direction. Each set of drive units 350 includes a horizontal drive member 351 and a vertical drive member 352. The vertical drive member 352 is in transmission connection with the shaping member 320 to drive the shaping member 320 to reciprocate along the second direction. The horizontal drive member 351 is capable of driving the shaping member 320 to reciprocate along the third direction. The third direction, the second direction, and the first direction are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0116] Specifically, the horizontal driving member 351 is fixed on the connecting plate 340 and is connected to the shaping member 320 through the vertical driving member 352. The horizontal driving member 351 can drive the vertical driving member 352 and the shaping member 320 to move back and forth along the third direction.

[0117] In this way, the shaping member 320 is driven to move back and forth along the second direction relative to the connecting plate 340 by the vertical driving member 352; the shaping member 320 is driven to move back and forth along the third direction relative to the connecting plate 340 by the horizontal driving member 351; when the first battery cell body 911 is fixed on the first support assembly 100 and the second battery cell body 921 is fixed on the second support assembly 200, the shaping member 320 first rises to a certain height along the second direction, and then moves to above the support seat 310 along the third direction, and then the shaping member 320 descends to a certain height along the second direction to be pressed against the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 913. On the second pole ear 922; in the process of switching the battery cell processing equipment from the initial state to the intermediate state, the shaping piece 320 cooperates with the support seat 310 at the bottom to fix the first pole ear 912, the second pole ear 922 and the end cover 930 from the top and bottom to prevent relative displacement, and the shaping piece 320 is crimped on the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922, which can provide shaping for the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922. The first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 form a stable fold line along the edge of the shaping piece 320, so that the first bending line and the second bending line have good consistency.

[0118] Optionally, the horizontal driving member 351 is a cylinder or a motor; the vertical driving member 352 is a cylinder or a motor.

[0119] In some embodiments, see Figures 8 to 11 As shown, the battery core processing equipment includes a third driving mechanism 530 fixedly connected to the fixing frame 400, and the third driving mechanism 530 is transmission-connected to the connecting plate 340 to drive the connecting plate 340 to reciprocate relative to the fixing frame 400 along the second direction.

[0120] Specifically, the battery cell processing equipment also includes a support part 531, a third guide rail 532 and a sliding block 533. The support part 531 can be an inverted L-shaped fixed plate, wherein the top surface is fixedly connected to the fixed frame 400, for example, by welding, bolt connection, etc.; the side surface 5311 of the support part 531 extends downward along the second direction, so that the third driving mechanism 530 is fixed on the side surface 5311 of the support part 531. The third guide rail 532 is arranged on the side surface 5311 of the support part 531 along the second direction. The sliding block 533 is fixed to the connecting plate 340 as a whole by bolts. The sliding block 533 is slidably set on the third guide rail 532, and the sliding block 533 is driven by the third driving mechanism 530 to slide back and forth along the third guide rail 532. Thus, the third driving mechanism 530 is transmission-connected to the connecting plate 340, and the third driving mechanism 530 drives the connecting plate 340 to move back and forth along the second direction relative to the fixed frame 400.

[0121] Alternatively, the third drive mechanism 530 is a cylinder device. In other embodiments, in order to facilitate precise adjustment of the distance between the third support assembly 300 and the second support assembly 200 and the first support assembly 100 along the second direction, the third drive mechanism 530 can be a servo motor, which has higher movement precision and faster response speed.

[0122] Optionally, the support portion 531 can be made of a material with a certain degree of hardness and strength, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, carbon steel, etc.; in this way, the support portion 531 can provide sufficient strength to support the third driving mechanism 530, the third guide rail 532, and the sliding block 533. Reinforcing ribs 534 can also be added to the support portion 531 to increase its structural strength.

[0123] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 7 ,as well as Figure 10 As shown, the first supporting assembly 100 includes a first rotator 110 , a first fixing seat 120 and a first fixing plate 130 .

[0124] The first fixing plate 130 is used to fix the battery cell body; corresponding to the embodiment of the present application, the first fixing plate 130 is used to fix the first battery cell body 911 .

[0125] There are many ways to fix the first battery cell body 911. In some embodiments, refer to Figure 12 As shown, the first support assembly 100 may include two groups of first drive cylinders 140 and first positioning claws 150 connected to the first drive cylinders 140. The two groups of first drive cylinders 140 are arranged on the first fixed plate 130 along the third direction. The first drive cylinders 140 drive the first positioning claws 150 to move closer to each other along the third direction. The first positioning claws 150 may be designed with an arc structure that matches the shape of the first battery cell body 911 to better position the first battery cell body 911.

[0126] In other embodiments, the first fixing plate 130 may be provided with a positioning groove (not shown) to fix the first battery cell body 911. Alternatively, a base may be provided on the first fixing plate 130 to adsorb the first battery cell body 911 on the first fixing plate 130 by negative pressure.

[0127] The first fixing seat 120 is movably disposed on the fixing frame 400 along the first direction. Specifically, the first supporting assembly 100 may include a first guide rail 160 disposed on the fixing frame 400 along the first direction, and the first fixing seat 120 is slidably disposed on the first guide rail 160.

[0128] The first fixing plate 130 is rotatably connected to the first fixing base 120. The first rotator 110 is in transmission connection with the first fixing plate 130 to drive the first fixing plate 130 to rotate about the first rotation axis 100a. There can be two first fixing bases 120, one at each end of the first fixing plate 130 along the third direction. Two sets of corresponding first guide rails 160 are provided to respectively engage with the two first fixing bases 120. The first rotator 110 can be mounted on one of the first fixing bases 120 and in transmission connection with one end of the first fixing plate 130. This allows the first fixing base 120 to be movably mounted on the fixing frame 400 along the first direction.

[0129] Alternatively, the first rotator 110 may be a motor.

[0130] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 7 ,as well as Figure 12 As shown, the battery core processing equipment includes a first driving mechanism 510, which is transmission-connected to the first fixing seat 120 to drive the first fixing seat 120 to move along a first direction.

[0131] The first driving mechanism 510 is a servo motor, whose output shaft is connected to the first screw rod 111, and the first fixing rod 170 is connected between the two first fixing seats 120; a screw hole is opened on the first fixing rod 170, and the first screw rod 111 is screwed therein. When the servo motor drives the first screw rod 111 to rotate, the thread converts the rotation into movement of the first fixing rod 170 relative to the first screw rod 111 along the first direction, thereby driving the first fixing seat 120 to reciprocate along the first direction relative to the fixing frame 400 under the guidance of the first guide rail 160.

[0132] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 7 ,as well as Figure 13 As shown, the second supporting assembly 200 includes a second rotator 210 , a second fixing seat 220 and a second fixing plate 230 .

[0133] The second fixing plate 230 is used to fix the battery cell body; corresponding to the embodiment of the present application, the second fixing plate 230 is used to fix the second battery cell body 921 .

[0134] There are many ways to fix the second cell body 921; There are many ways to fix the second cell body 921. In some embodiments, refer to Figure 13 As shown, the second support assembly 200 may include two groups of second drive cylinders 240 and second positioning claws 250 connected to the second drive cylinders 240. The two groups of second drive cylinders 240 are arranged on the second fixed plate 230 along the third direction. The second drive cylinders 240 drive the second positioning claws 150 to move closer to each other along the third direction. The second positioning claws 150 may be designed with an arc structure that matches the shape of the second battery cell body 921 to better position the second battery cell body 921.

[0135] In other embodiments, the second fixing plate 230 may be provided with a positioning groove (not shown) to fix the second battery cell body 921. Alternatively, a base may be provided on the second fixing plate 230 to adsorb the second battery cell body 921 onto the second fixing plate 230 by negative pressure.

[0136] The second fixing seat 220 is movably arranged on the fixing frame 400 along the first direction; specifically, the second support assembly 200 may include a second guide rail 260, the second guide rail 260 is arranged on the fixing frame 400 along the first direction, and the second fixing seat 220 is slidably arranged on the first guide rail 160.

[0137] The second fixing plate 230 is rotatably connected to the second fixing base 220; the second rotator 210 is transmission-connected to the second fixing plate 230 to drive the second fixing plate 230 to rotate around the second rotation axis 200a;

[0138] The second fixing plate 230 is rotatably connected to the second fixing base 220. The second moving device 210 is in transmission connection with the second fixing plate 230 to drive the second fixing plate 220 to rotate about the second mannequin rotation axis 200a. There can be two second fixing bases 220, one at each end of the second fixing plate 230 along the third direction. Two sets of corresponding second guide rails 260 are provided to respectively engage with the two first fixing bases 120. The second rotator 210 can be disposed on one of the second fixing bases 220 and in transmission connection with one end of the first fixing plate 220. This allows the second fixing base 220 to be movably mounted on the fixing frame 400 along the first direction.

[0139] Alternatively, the second rotator 210 may be a motor.

[0140] In some embodiments, see Figures 3 to 7 ,as well as Figure 13 As shown, the battery core processing equipment includes a second driving mechanism 520, which is transmission-connected to the second fixing seat 220 to drive the second fixing seat 220 to move along the first direction.

[0141] The second drive mechanism 520 is a servo motor; its specific transmission structure can be similar to that of the first drive mechanism 510. The output shaft of the second drive mechanism 520 is connected to a second screw, and a second fixing rod is connected between the two second fixing bases 220. The second fixing rod has a screw hole formed in it, into which the second screw is threaded. When the servo motor drives the second screw to rotate, the thread converts the rotation into movement of the second fixing rod relative to the second screw in the first direction, thereby driving the second fixing base 220 to reciprocate in the first direction relative to the fixing frame 400 under the guidance of the second guide rail 260.

[0142] In some embodiments, the battery cell processing equipment is in the initial state, see Figure 1 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 As shown, the surface of the first fixing plate 130 is used to place the flat first battery cell body 911. The first support assembly 100 is at a first starting angle, and the surface of the first fixing plate 130 is perpendicular to the second direction and parallel to the first direction. The surface of the second fixing plate 230 is used to place the flat second battery cell body 912. The second support assembly 200 is at the first starting angle, and the surface of the second fixing plate 230 is perpendicular to the second direction and parallel to the first direction.

[0143] In some embodiments, the battery cell processing equipment is in an intermediate state, see Figure 5 、 Figure 12 as well as Figure 13As shown, the first support assembly 100 is at a first preset angle; the surface of the first fixing plate 130 is angled relative to the first direction and the second direction. The second support assembly 200 is at a first preset angle; the surface of the second fixing plate 230 is angled relative to the first direction and the second direction.

[0144] Before reaching the first preset angle from the starting angle, the shaping member 320 is pressed onto the first and second tabs 912 , 922 to facilitate bending of the first and second tabs 912 , 922 along the edge of the shaping member 320 to form a first bending line.

[0145] Typically, the angle between the first fixing plate 130 and the first direction should not be too large, and can be any value between 15° and 45°. If the angle is too small, the shaping member 320 will be removed before the first and second tabs 912 and 922 have time to form stable first and second bending lines, causing the first and second tabs 912 and 922 to move relative to the end cap 930, which may lead to tearing. If the angle is too large, the shaping member 320 may interfere with other structures when it is removed.

[0146] In some embodiments, the battery cell processing equipment is in a closed state, see Figure 2 、 Figure 6 as well as Figure 12 As shown,

[0147] When the first support assembly 100 is at the first closing angle, the surface of the first fixing plate 130 is parallel to the second direction and perpendicular to the first direction. When the second support assembly 200 is at the first closing angle, the surface of the second fixing plate 230 is parallel to the second direction and perpendicular to the first direction. This means that as the first support assembly 100 moves from its initial position, through an intermediate state, to its closed position, the surface of the first fixing plate 130 remains parallel to the first rotation axis 100a. Similarly, as the second support assembly 200 moves from its initial position, through an intermediate state, to its closed position, the surface of the second fixing plate 230 remains parallel to the second rotation axis 200a, without intersecting it.

[0148] The second aspect of the present application provides a battery cell processing method, using the above-mentioned battery cell processing equipment to perform a core joining operation; Figure 14 As shown, the battery cell processing method includes:

[0149] S10, fixing the battery cell body on the first supporting assembly 100 and the second supporting assembly 200 respectively.

[0150] S20, rotate the first support assembly 100 around the first rotation axis 100a to a first core-coupling angle, and at the same time rotate the second support assembly 200 around the second rotation axis 200a to a second core-coupling angle; the first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 move toward each other along the first direction, and the third support assembly 300 moves toward the first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 along the second direction.

[0151] By movably setting the first support component 100 and the second support component 200 along the first direction, and movably setting the third support component 300 along the second direction, during the core assembly process, the battery cell processing equipment can perform distance compensation in the first direction and the second direction respectively, so that the distance between the first bending line and the first rotation axis 100a and the distance between the second bending line and the second rotation axis 200a remain unchanged, thereby effectively preventing the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 from tearing.

[0152] In some embodiments, step S20 specifically includes:

[0153] S21. When the first support assembly 100 rotates from the first starting angle to the first preset angle, and the second support assembly 200 rotates from the second starting angle to the second preset angle, the first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 remain fixed with the third support assembly 300 along the first direction.

[0154] That is to say, during the process of switching the battery cell processing equipment from the initial state to the intermediate state, the first support assembly 100 and the second support assembly 200 remain fixed with the third support assembly 300. At this time, the shaping member 320 is mainly used to press downward along the second direction on the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 to avoid abnormal movement of the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 relative to the end cover 930, and the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 can be shaped. The first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 form a stable fold line along the edge of the shaping member 320, so that the consistency of the first bending line and the second bending line is good.

[0155] S22: The shaping member 320 is moved away from the supporting base 310. In this way, the shaping member 320 is prevented from interfering with the first supporting assembly 100 and the second supporting assembly 200.

[0156] S23. When the first support component 100 rotates from the first preset angle to the first core-closing angle, and the second support component 200 rotates from the second preset angle to the second core-closing angle; the first support component 100 and the second support component 200 respectively move closer to the third support component 300 along the first direction, and the third support component 300 moves closer to the first support component 100 and the second support component 200 along the second direction.

[0157] By movably setting the first support component 100 and the second support component 200 along the first direction, and movably setting the third support component 300 along the second direction, during the core assembly process, the battery cell processing equipment can perform distance compensation in the first direction and the second direction respectively, so that the distance between the first bending line and the first rotation axis 100a and the distance between the second bending line and the second rotation axis 200a remain unchanged, thereby effectively preventing the first pole ear 912 and the second pole ear 922 from tearing.

[0158] A third aspect of the present application provides a battery production line, which includes the above-mentioned battery cell processing equipment.

[0159] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0160] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery core processing equipment, characterized in that, The battery core processing equipment includes: A first support assembly (100) is used to fix the battery cell body, and the first support assembly (100) is capable of rotating around a first rotation axis; a second support assembly (200) for fixing the battery cell body, the second support assembly (200) being capable of rotating about a second rotation axis; the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being arranged in parallel; and a third support assembly (300) for fixing the tab and the end cover (930); the third support assembly (300) comprises a support seat (310) and a shaping member (320); the shaping member (320) is movably arranged relative to the support seat (310); The battery cell processing device has a starting state. In the starting state, the shaping member (320) is configured to be crimped onto the pole tab to provide shaping for the pole tab and form a fold line along the edge of the shaping member (320) on the pole tab.

2. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery core processing equipment comprises a fixing frame (400); The first supporting assembly (100) and the second supporting assembly (200) are movably arranged on the fixing frame (400) along a first direction, and the first supporting assembly (100) and the second supporting assembly (200) are respectively arranged on both sides of the third supporting assembly (300) along the first direction; The third supporting assembly (300) is movably arranged on the fixing frame (400) along a second direction; the second direction is arranged perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the first support assembly (100) rotates around the first rotation axis until the first support assembly (100) and the fixing frame (400) are clamped at a first preset angle, and the second support assembly (200) rotates around the second rotation axis until the second support assembly (200) and the fixing frame (400) are clamped at a second preset angle, the shaping member (320) moves away from the support seat (310); A pole positioning groove (311) is formed on the support seat (310).

4. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third support assembly (300) comprises a connecting plate (340) and a driving unit (350); The connecting plate (340) is movably arranged on the fixing frame (400) along the second direction; The support seat (310) is fixed on the connecting plate (340); The driving unit (350) is in transmission connection with the shaping member (320) to drive the shaping member (320) to move relative to the connecting plate (340).

5. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The third support assembly (300) comprises two shaping members (320) and two groups of driving units (350); The two shaping members (320) are respectively located at two ends of the support seat (310) along the third direction; Each group of the driving units (350) includes a horizontal driving member (351) and a vertical driving member (352); The vertical driving member (352) is in transmission connection with the shaping member (320) to drive the shaping member (320) to reciprocate along the second direction; The horizontal driving member (351) is capable of driving the shaping member (320) to reciprocate along the third direction; The third direction, the second direction and the first direction are arranged perpendicular to each other.

6. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The battery core processing equipment comprises a third driving mechanism (530) fixedly connected to the fixed frame (400), and the third driving mechanism (530) is transmission-connected to the connecting plate (340) to drive the connecting plate (340) to reciprocate along a second direction relative to the fixed frame (400).

7. The battery core processing equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The first supporting assembly (100) comprises a first rotator (110), a first fixing seat (120) and a first fixing plate (130); The first fixing plate (130) is used to fix the battery cell body; The first fixing seat (120) is movably arranged on the fixing frame (400) along the first direction; The first fixing plate (130) is rotatably connected to the first fixing seat (120); the first rotator (110) is transmission-connected to the first fixing plate (130) to drive the first fixing plate (130) to rotate around a first rotation axis; The first supporting assembly (100) is at the first preset angle; the plate surface of the first fixing plate (130) is arranged at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction.

8. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery core processing equipment comprises a first driving mechanism (510), wherein the first driving mechanism (510) is transmission-connected to the first fixing seat (120) to drive the first fixing seat (120) to move along the first direction.

9. The battery core processing equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The second supporting assembly (200) comprises a second rotator (210), a second fixing seat (220) and a second fixing plate (230); The second fixing plate (230) is used to fix the battery cell body; The second fixing seat (220) is movably arranged on the fixing frame (400) along a first direction; The second fixing plate (230) is rotatably connected to the second fixing seat (220); the second rotator (210) is transmission-connected to the second fixing plate (230) to drive the second fixing plate (230) to rotate around a second rotation axis; The second supporting assembly (200) is at the first preset angle; the plate surface of the second fixing plate (230) is arranged at an angle to the first direction and at an angle to the second direction.

10. The battery core processing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that: The battery core processing equipment comprises a second driving mechanism (520), wherein the second driving mechanism (520) is transmission-connected to the second fixing seat (220) to drive the second fixing seat (220) to move along the first direction.

11. A method for processing a battery core, using the battery core processing equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 10 to perform a core closing operation; characterized in that: include: Fixing the battery cell body to the first supporting assembly (100) and the second supporting assembly (200) respectively; The battery core processing equipment has a starting state, in which the battery core processing equipment presses the shaping piece (320) onto the pole lug to shape the pole lug and forms a fold line along the edge of the shaping piece (320) on the pole lug; The first support component (100) is rotated around the first rotation axis to a first core-coupling angle, and the second support component (200) is rotated around the second rotation axis to a second core-coupling angle; the first support component (100) and the second support component (200) are moved toward each other along a first direction, and the third support component (300) is moved toward the first support component (100) and the second support component (200) along the second direction.

12. The battery core processing method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The steps of rotating the first support assembly (100) around the first rotation axis to a first core-closed angle, and rotating the second support assembly (200) around the second rotation axis to a second core-closed angle; the first support assembly (100) and the second support assembly (200) approaching each other along a first direction, and the third support assembly (300) approaching the first support assembly (100) and the second support assembly (200) along the second direction specifically include: When the first support assembly (100) rotates from a first starting angle to a first preset angle, and the second support assembly (200) rotates from a second starting angle to a second preset angle, the first support assembly (100) and the second support assembly (200) remain fixed with the third support assembly (300) along the first direction; The shaping member (320) is away from the support seat (310); When the first support component (100) rotates from the first preset angle to the first core-closing angle, and the second support component (200) rotates from the second preset angle to the second core-closing angle, the first support component (100) and the second support component (200) respectively move closer to the third support component (300) along the first direction, and the third support component (300) moves closer to the first support component (100) and the second support component (200) along the second direction.

13. A battery production line, characterized in that: Comprising the battery core processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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