A dust removal device

Abstract

The application provides a dust removal device, and relates to the technical field of new energy lithium battery production. The device comprises: a mounting frame provided with a track, the track having a first transfer position and a second transfer position opposite to the conveying line of the material; a cleaning module having at least one medium channel, the medium channel circulating a medium used for dust removal; a transfer module slidingly connected to the track, the transfer module comprising a displacement mechanism and a clamping mechanism for taking and placing the material, the clamping mechanism having at least an opening communicating with the medium channel and a first stroke of the conveying line of the material under the driving of the displacement mechanism; and a driving module driving the transfer module to move to the first transfer position / second transfer position, and the clamping mechanism performing clamping / release actions on the material. The first transfer position and the second transfer position are dynamically connected to other production lines, so that the other production lines and the dust removal device can keep continuous operation during dust removal, time is saved, and efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy lithium battery production technology, and in particular to a dust removal device for lithium battery production. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of science and technology, various new energy technologies are constantly being introduced. Among them, lithium batteries have become an indispensable part of smartphones, electric vehicles, and other products. In the production of lithium batteries, the pre-packaged battery cells need to be placed inside an aluminum casing, and then the aluminum casing and cover plate are welded together using high-energy lasers to complete the battery cell encapsulation process.

[0003] From the time the aluminum shell and cover are finished to the time the battery cell is sealed, a lot of dust particles can easily adhere to the inside of the aluminum shell. If they are not cleaned before sealing, the battery cell separator may be punctured, causing a short circuit inside the battery, reducing the yield of lithium batteries, and also making accidents more likely.

[0004] Currently, manual or mechanical dust removal is commonly used for aluminum casings and covers. Both methods require pausing the previous production line, removing the aluminum casing / cover from that line, cleaning and removing the dust, before pausing the next production line to place the cleaned aluminum casing / cover. Therefore, existing aluminum casing / cover dust removal methods require frequent interruptions to upstream and downstream processing, significantly extending lithium battery production time, reducing production efficiency, and consequently increasing production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a dust removal device. By setting up a first transfer position and a second transfer position to dynamically connect with other production lines, both the other production lines and the dust removal device can maintain continuous operation during the material dust removal process, saving time and improving efficiency. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] This invention specifically provides a dust removal device, comprising: a mounting frame with a track, the track having a first transfer position and a second transfer position, the first transfer position and the second transfer position being directly opposite to a material conveying line; a cleaning module fixed to the mounting frame, the cleaning module having at least one media channel through which a dust removal medium flows; a transfer module slidably connected to the track, the transfer module including a displacement mechanism and a clamping mechanism for picking up and placing the material, the clamping mechanism having a first stroke under the drive of the displacement mechanism, the first stroke at least connecting the opening of the media channel and the material conveying line; and a driving module fixed to the mounting frame and driving the transfer module to move along the track, wherein when the driving module drives the transfer module to move to the first transfer position / second transfer position, the clamping mechanism performs a clamping / releasing action on the material.

[0007] Furthermore, the displacement mechanism includes a telescopic component, one end of which is slidably connected to the track. The drive module drives the telescopic component to slide along the track, and the telescopic component drives the clamping mechanism to move closer to / away from the material conveyor line.

[0008] Furthermore, the opening direction of the medium channel is vertically upward; the displacement mechanism also includes a flipping component disposed on the mounting bracket, the flipping component driving the clamping mechanism to flip in the vertical plane and move closer to / away from the opening of the medium channel.

[0009] Furthermore, it includes multiple transfer modules, and the drive module drives each transfer module to move along the track. The drive module is an electric drive or a magnetic drive.

[0010] Furthermore, multiple transfer modules are evenly distributed on the track.

[0011] Furthermore, the cleaning module also includes a positive pressure fan, which is connected to the medium channel.

[0012] Furthermore, the cleaning module also includes a negative pressure fan, which is connected to the medium channel.

[0013] Furthermore, multiple media channels are evenly arranged along the track, and the number of media channels is the same as the number of clamping mechanisms.

[0014] Furthermore, the track is a circular track.

[0015] Furthermore, the openings of the plurality of media channels are disposed on the inner side of the annular track, and the flipping assembly drives the clamping mechanism to flip around the annular track.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0017] In this invention, the unloading position of the upstream station and the loading position of the downstream station are dynamically connected to the first transfer position and the second transfer position in the dust removal device, respectively. Thus, during the dust removal process of the material by the dust removal device, both the upstream and downstream stations can maintain continuous operation, saving lithium battery production time and improving production efficiency.

[0018] Secondly, the dust removal device is equipped with multiple transfer modules and multiple media channels. After the clamping mechanism picks up the material, it can find the nearest media channel opening for cleaning in the shortest possible time, saving time. Multiple clamping mechanisms carrying materials can simultaneously clean the material at the corresponding media channel openings, further improving the dust removal efficiency on the material. The material can then be fed into downstream processes more quickly, accelerating the production pace and further improving the production efficiency of lithium batteries. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the dust removal device;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A diagram from another angle.

[0022] In all views, the same label indicates equivalent or similar parts or components.

[0023] 10. Mounting bracket; 20. Track; 30. Opening of media channel; 31. Cleaning mechanism; 40. Clamping mechanism; 41. Displacement mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0025] In the description of this specification, the terms "Embodiment 1," "this embodiment," or "in one embodiment," etc., indicate that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example; moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any appropriate manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0026] In the description of this specification, the terms "connection," "installation," "fixing," "setting," and "having" are interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In the description of this specification, relational terms such as “first” and “second” are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase “comprising one…” does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0028] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown, a dust removal device includes a mounting frame 10, a cleaning module, a transfer module, and a drive module. A track 20 is provided on the mounting frame 10, and the track 20 has a first transfer position and a second transfer position, which are respectively opposite to the material conveying line. The cleaning module is fixed to the mounting frame 10 and includes a media channel through which a dust removal medium flows. The dust removal medium can be gas, water, alcohol, or other solvents, etc. The transfer module is slidably connected to the track 20 and includes a displacement mechanism 41 and a clamping mechanism 40. The clamping mechanism 40 is used to pick up and place materials, and under the drive of the displacement mechanism 41, the clamping mechanism 40 has a first stroke, which connects the opening 30 of the media channel and the material conveying line. The drive module is fixed to the mounting frame 10 and drives the transfer module to move along the track 20. When the drive module drives the transfer module to the first transfer position, the clamping mechanism 40 clamps the material; when the drive module drives the transfer module to the second transfer position, the clamping mechanism 40 releases the material.

[0029] In operation, the upstream station has a discharge position, and the first transfer position of the dust removal device is directly opposite the discharge position. After processing a material, the upstream station transports it to the discharge position of this production line. The drive module drives the transfer module to move along the track 20, while the displacement mechanism 41 on the transfer module drives the clamping mechanism 40 to approach the upstream station. When the transfer module moves to the first transfer position, the material moves to the discharge position, at which point the clamping mechanism 40 approaches and picks up the material. Afterward, the drive module continues to drive the transfer module to move along the track 20, and the displacement mechanism 41 on the transfer module drives the clamping mechanism 40 to approach the opening 30 of the medium channel, cleaning and removing dust from the material on the clamping mechanism 40 through the medium channel.

[0030] In this embodiment, during the dust removal process of materials such as aluminum shells and cover plates, the unloading position of the upstream station and the first transfer position of the dust removal device are dynamically connected. That is, when unloading materials that have completed the upstream station process, there is no need to stop the processing operation of the upstream station. Thus, the upstream station can continue to process, while the dust removal device completes the dust removal and cleaning of the materials, reducing the waste of extra time, greatly improving the production efficiency of lithium batteries, and saving production costs.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second transfer station is aligned with the conveying trajectory of the downstream station. Specifically, the downstream station has a loading station, and the second transfer station and the loading station are aligned. After the displacement mechanism 41 drives the clamping mechanism 40 to bring the material it has picked up close to the opening 30 of the medium channel and completes the cleaning and dust removal operation using the medium channel, the drive module drives the transfer module to move along the track 20 to the second transfer station. The clamping mechanism 40 moves closer to the downstream station under the drive of the displacement mechanism 41. When the displacement mechanism 41 is aligned with the loading station, the clamping mechanism 40 places the cleaned material into the loading station of the downstream station. The downstream station continues to operate, processing the material in the loading station.

[0032] Similarly, the dust removal device in this embodiment can use the media channel to clean materials such as aluminum shells and cover plates. The second transfer position of the dust removal device and the loading position of the downstream station are dynamically connected, that is, when the dust-removed material is loaded to the loading position of the downstream station, there is no need to stop the processing operation of the downstream station. The downstream station can maintain continuous processing operation, saving time costs and improving the production efficiency of lithium batteries.

[0033] In one embodiment, the track 20 on the mounting frame 10 is a circular track 20. A first transfer position and a second transfer position are provided at opposite ends of the circular track 20, corresponding to the unloading position of the upstream station and the loading position of the downstream station, respectively. Driven by the drive module, the transfer module dynamically picks up materials from the unloading position of the upstream station, cleans the materials, and then dynamically places them onto the loading position of the downstream station. The unloading position of the upstream station and the loading position of the downstream station are dynamically connected to a transfer position, allowing both the upstream and downstream stations to maintain continuous operation while the dust removal device is used to remove dust from the materials. This further saves lithium battery production time and improves production efficiency.

[0034] In other embodiments, the upstream station can be on different production lines or on the same production line. The corresponding shape of the annular track 20 can be set according to the actual material position and unloading position to ensure that the dust removal device can continuously perform dust removal and cleaning work on a large amount of materials.

[0035] In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism 41 includes a telescopic component, one end of which is slidably connected to the track 20, and the other end is driven to connect to the clamping mechanism 40. The drive module drives the telescopic component to slide along the track 20, and the telescopic component drives the clamping mechanism 40 to move closer to / away from the upstream and downstream workstations.

[0036] Specifically, the telescopic assembly includes a telescopic cylinder, and the clamping mechanism 40 includes a pair of grippers disposed at the output end of the telescopic cylinder and a gripper cylinder fixed on the mounting bracket 10. The gripper cylinder drives one of the grippers and drives the pair of grippers to open and close. The two transfer positions are located directly above the unloading position of the upstream station and the loading position of the downstream station, respectively. As the drive module drives the transfer module to move along the circular track 20, the telescopic assembly moves towards the transfer position, the telescopic cylinder operates to drive its output end to descend, and then the telescopic cylinder drives the pair of grippers to approach the upstream / downstream station. The gripper cylinder drives the pair of grippers to open and close, and the pair of grippers clamp or release materials, completing the unloading of materials at the upstream station or the loading of materials at the downstream station.

[0037] In other embodiments, the telescopic component can also be a telescopic electric cylinder or a telescopic hydraulic cylinder, or it can be a lead screw telescopic or rack and pinion telescopic, etc., and the telescopic stroke of the telescopic component is adjustable. The clamping mechanism 40 can also be a suction cup assembly, a robotic arm, etc.

[0038] In one embodiment, the track 20 on the mounting bracket 10 is a circular track 20, and the opening 30 of the medium channel is vertically upward. The opening 30 of the medium channel is fixed to the inner side of the circular track 20 by the mounting bracket 10. The displacement mechanism 41 also includes a flipping component. The output end of the flipping component drives the clamping mechanism 40 to flip and move closer to / away from the opening 30 of the medium channel.

[0039] During operation, after the grippers pick up the material at the unloading position, the drive module drives the transfer module away from the first transfer position, and the output end of the telescopic cylinder rises, causing the pair of grippers to move upward. When the output end of the telescopic cylinder reaches its highest point, the telescopic cylinder stops working. In the vertical plane, the output end of the flipping component drives the pair of grippers to rotate 180 degrees around the track 20 towards the opening 30 of the medium channel, so that the material held by the pair of grippers is facing the opening 30 of the medium channel. The opening of the aluminum shell / cover plate held by the pair of grippers at the upstream station is facing upward. After being flipped by the flipping mechanism, the opening of the aluminum shell / cover plate faces downward and directly towards the opening 30 of the medium channel, which can thoroughly clean the inside of the aluminum shell / cover plate, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the inside of the aluminum shell / cover plate, reducing the possibility of dust particles puncturing the cell separator, improving the yield of lithium batteries, and ensuring the quality of lithium batteries.

[0040] Specifically, the flipping assembly includes a flipping cylinder and a sliding connecting rod fixed between a pair of grippers. The output end of the flipping cylinder drives one of the grippers to flip 180 degrees around track 20, while the other gripper flips synchronously under the drive of the sliding connecting rod. In other embodiments, the flipping assembly can also be configured to drive the pair of grippers to flip via a motor and belt drive.

[0041] In other embodiments, the track 20 can also be an elliptical ring track 20. The clamping mechanism 40 exchanges materials with the upstream and downstream workstations on two opposite straight segments of the elliptical ring track 20. The straight segments can provide sufficient time for the clamping mechanism 40 and the upstream / downstream workstations to run synchronously for a period of time, so as to complete the material transfer smoothly in a relatively static state, avoiding the pulling damage to the material caused by excessively fast transfer speed, reducing losses in the lithium battery production process, and saving production costs.

[0042] In one embodiment, the dust removal device includes multiple transfer modules, each driven by a drive module that moves along the track 20. The drive module can be either an electric drive or a magnetic drive. Specifically, multiple telescopic components are evenly distributed on the track 20, and the output end of each telescopic component is connected to a corresponding clamping mechanism 40. Furthermore, multiple media channels are evenly arranged along the track 20, with the number of media channels matching the number of clamping mechanisms 40. When a clamping mechanism 40 picks up material, it can quickly locate the nearest media channel opening 30 for cleaning, saving time. Multiple clamping mechanisms 40 carrying material can simultaneously clean the material in their corresponding media channels, further improving the dust removal efficiency. This allows the material to be fed into downstream processes more quickly, accelerating the production pace and further improving the production efficiency of lithium batteries.

[0043] In one embodiment, the cleaning module includes a cleaning mechanism 31, which includes a positive pressure fan. The opening 30 of the media channel serves as an air blowing port. The positive pressure fan can deliver clean gas through the air blowing port, using air blowing to expel dust particles from inside the aluminum shell / cover plate, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning the interior of the aluminum shell / cover plate. In other embodiments, the cleaning mechanism 31 may include a negative pressure fan. The opening 30 of the media channel serves as an air intake port. The motor inside the negative pressure fan rotates at high speed, drawing air in through the air intake port, creating a certain vacuum near the suction port. Dust particles inside the aluminum shell / cover plate are then drawn into the negative pressure fan through the air intake port, achieving the cleaning and dust removal of the aluminum shell / cover plate.

[0044] The above description of the embodiments is intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand and apply the technology of this invention. Those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications to these examples and apply the general principles described herein to other embodiments without creative effort. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Modifications in the following situations should be within the scope of protection of this invention: ① New technical solutions implemented based on the technical solution of this invention and combined with existing common knowledge, where the technical effects of the new technical solution do not exceed the technical effects of this invention; ② Equivalent substitutions of some features of the technical solution of this invention using known technology, resulting in the same technical effects as those of this invention; ③ Extendable technical solutions based on the technical solution of this invention, where the substantive content of the extended technical solution does not exceed the technical solution of this invention; ④ Equivalent transformations made using the content of this specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields.

Claims

1. A dust removal device for lithium battery production, characterized in that, include: The mounting frame is equipped with a track, which has a first transfer position and a second transfer position that are respectively aligned with the material conveying line, and the track is a circular track. A cleaning module is fixed on the mounting bracket. The cleaning module has multiple media channels through which a medium for dust removal flows. The opening direction of the media channels is vertically upward. The multiple media channels are evenly arranged along the annular track, and the openings of the multiple media channels are located on the inner side of the annular track. Multiple transfer modules are slidably connected to and evenly distributed on the annular track. Each transfer module includes a displacement mechanism and a clamping mechanism for picking up and placing materials. The clamping mechanism has a first stroke driven by the displacement mechanism, and the first stroke connects at least the opening of the medium channel and the material conveying line. The displacement mechanism includes a telescopic component and a flipping component disposed on the mounting frame. The flipping component is driven to connect to the clamping mechanism, and the flipping component drives the clamping mechanism to flip around the annular track in a vertical plane, moving closer to / away from the opening of the medium channel. One end of the telescopic component is slidably connected to the annular track, and a drive module drives the telescopic component to slide along the annular track. The telescopic component drives the clamping mechanism to move closer to / away from the material conveying line. A drive module, which is fixed on the mounting frame, drives each of the transfer modules to move along the circular track. When the drive module drives the transfer module to the first transfer position / second transfer position, the clamping mechanism performs a clamping / releasing action on the material.

2. The dust removal device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive module is an electric drive or a magnetic drive.

3. The dust removal device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning module also includes a positive pressure fan, which is connected to the medium channel.

4. The dust removal device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning module also includes a negative pressure fan, which is connected to the medium channel.

5. The dust removal device as described in claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that, The number of media channels is the same as the number of clamping mechanisms.

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