Tab shaping device

Abstract

The application discloses a tab shaping device and relates to the technical field of battery cell production. The tab shaping device is used for shaping the tab of a battery cell. The tab shaping device comprises a carding mechanism and a suction mechanism. The carding mechanism comprises a driving assembly and a carding piece. The carding piece is connected with the driving assembly. The driving assembly is used for driving the carding piece to move so as to card the tab back and forth in the thickness direction of the tab. The suction mechanism comprises two oppositely arranged suction assemblies. During the process of carding the tab by the carding piece, the two suction assemblies are respectively arranged at the opposite sides of the carding piece. The two suction assemblies are used for relatively sucking air at the two ends in the width direction of the tab. The tab shaping device provided by the application can adjust the bad state of the tab, improve the welding quality of the tab and avoid the damage of the tab.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery cell manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a tab shaping device. Background Technology

[0002] The tabs on the electrode sheet are relatively thin. During the stacking or winding of the electrode sheet, the tabs are prone to folding, wrinkling, misalignment and other defects, which seriously affect the subsequent tab welding and can easily lead to tab damage. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tab shaping device that can comb the tabs to adjust their undesirable condition, improve the welding quality of the tabs, and avoid damage to the tabs.

[0004] This invention provides a technical solution:

[0005] A tab shaping device is used to shape the tabs of a battery cell, the tab shaping device comprising:

[0006] A combing mechanism includes a drive assembly and a combing component, the combing component being connected to the drive assembly, the drive assembly driving the combing component to move back and forth in the thickness direction of the tab;

[0007] The suction mechanism includes two suction components arranged opposite each other. During the process of the combing member combing the tab, the two suction components are respectively located on opposite sides of the combing member. The two suction components are used to suction air from opposite ends of the tab in the width direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the electrode shaping device also includes a main body, on which a slide rail is provided;

[0009] The drive assembly includes a motor and a transmission assembly. The motor shaft is threadedly engaged with the transmission assembly and is parallel to the slide rail. The transmission assembly is slidably engaged with the slide rail and is connected to the combing component.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a threaded sleeve, a connecting block, a connecting rod, and a slider. The threaded sleeve is threadedly engaged with the rotating shaft, the connecting block is connected to the threaded sleeve, the connecting rod is connected to the connecting block, and the two sliders are respectively disposed at both ends of the connecting rod, and the two sliders are slidably engaged with the two slide rails.

[0011] Furthermore, the combing component includes an interconnected mounting portion and an elastic combing portion. The mounting portion is connected to the drive assembly, and the elastic combing portion is used to comb the end of the tab along the thickness direction of the tab under the drive of the mounting portion.

[0012] Furthermore, there are two elastic combing sections, and the elastic combing sections are arc-shaped, with the convex arc sides of the two elastic combing sections arranged opposite each other.

[0013] Furthermore, the suction assembly is provided with suction nozzles, and the two suction nozzles of the two suction assemblies are arranged opposite each other at both ends in the width direction of the electrode tab, and the two suction nozzles are used for the two ends of the electrode tab to extend into each other in the width direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the suction assembly includes a suction fan and a duct, with the suction end of the suction fan connected to one end of the duct and the other end of the duct connected to the suction nozzle.

[0015] Furthermore, the suction nozzle includes an upper mouth wall and a lower mouth wall arranged opposite to each other. When the electrode tab is inserted into the suction nozzle, the upper mouth wall and the lower mouth wall are respectively located on both sides in the thickness direction of the electrode tab. From the mouth of the suction nozzle to the inside, the distance between the upper mouth wall and the lower mouth wall gradually increases.

[0016] Furthermore, both the upper and lower lip walls are arc-shaped, and the convex arc sides of the upper and lower lip walls are arranged opposite to each other.

[0017] Furthermore, the tab shaping device also includes a flattening mechanism, which is used to press the tab along the thickness direction of the tab after the carding member has finished carding the tab.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, the tab shaping device provided by this invention features a combing mechanism that can comb the tabs to correct defects such as folds, wrinkles, and misalignments. A suction mechanism draws air from both ends of the tab in the width direction, ensuring the tab remains flat during combing and preventing folds. The combing and suction mechanisms work together to achieve excellent tab combing results. Therefore, the beneficial effects of the tab shaping device provided by this invention include: correcting defects in the tabs, improving tab welding quality, and preventing tab damage. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 A partial structural schematic diagram of the tab shaping device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the combing component;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle combing component during the combing of the electrode tabs;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the central suction nozzle in practical applications.

[0024] Icons: 100-Electrode shaping device; 110-Cardging mechanism; 111-Motor; 112-Threaded sleeve; 113-Connecting block; 114-Connecting rod; 115-Slider; 116-Cardging component; 1161-Mounting part; 1162-Elastic carding part; 120-Suction mechanism; 121-Suction assembly; 1211-Suction nozzle; 1212-Suction fan; 1213-Air duct; 1214-Upper nozzle wall; 1215-Lower nozzle wall; 130-Main body; 131-Slide rail; 200-Electrode. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0026] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0027] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. They are only used to facilitate the description of this invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "set" and "connection" should be 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 invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Example

[0033] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 , Figure 1 The diagram shown is a partial structural schematic of the tab shaping device 100 provided in this embodiment.

[0034] The tab shaping device 100 provided in this embodiment is used to comb and shape the tab 200 before welding, adjust the undesirable state of the tab 200, thereby ensuring the welding quality of the tab 200 and avoiding damage to the tab 200.

[0035] The tab shaping device 100 includes a main body 130, a combing mechanism 110, a suction mechanism 120, and a flattening mechanism (not shown in the figure). The combing structure is set on the main body 130. The combing mechanism 110 is used to perform contact combing on the tab 200. The suction mechanism 120 is used to perform non-contact combing on the tab 200 and ensures the safe operation of the contact combing process of the combing mechanism 110. The flattening mechanism is used to press the tab 200 after the combing mechanism 110 and the suction mechanism 120 have completed combing, in order to prepare for the subsequent welding of the tab 200 and prevent the tab 200 from being in a bad state again before welding.

[0036] Specifically, the combing mechanism 110 includes a drive component and a combing element 116. The drive component is disposed on the main body 130, and the combing element 116 is connected to the drive component. The drive component is used to drive the combing element 116 to move so as to comb the tab 200 back and forth in the thickness direction of the tab 200, thereby achieving contact combing of the tab 200.

[0037] The main body 130 is provided with a slide rail 131. When the battery cell is placed, the extension direction of the slide rail 131 is parallel to the stacking direction of the tabs 200, that is, parallel to the thickness direction of the tabs 200. The drive assembly includes a motor 111 and a transmission assembly. The shaft of the motor 111 is threadedly engaged with the transmission assembly, and the shaft is parallel to the slide rail 131. The transmission assembly is slidably engaged with the slide rail 131, and the transmission assembly is connected to the combing member 116.

[0038] In this embodiment, the motor 111 has an external thread on its shaft, and the transmission component has an internal thread that engages with the external thread of the shaft. In practical applications, when the motor 111 moves and its shaft rotates, the transmission component's rotation tendency is restricted due to the sliding engagement with the slide rail 131. Therefore, the shaft and the transmission component rotate relative to each other, and the shaft slides along the slide rail 131, thereby driving the combing member 116 to reciprocate in a direction parallel to the thickness of the tab 200, so that the combing member 116 combs the tab 200 back and forth in the thickness direction of the tab 200.

[0039] Considering the large length of the tab 200, bending or other activities often occur at the end furthest from the electrode, resulting in defects such as folds, wrinkles, or misalignments. Therefore, in this embodiment, the combing component 116, driven by the transmission assembly, repeatedly combs the end of the tab 200 along its length. During the combing process, defects such as bends, wrinkles, and misalignments at the end of the tab 200 are restored to their original state under the action of the combing component 116 and the elastic recovery of the tab 200 itself.

[0040] In this embodiment, two slide rails 131 are arranged side by side on the main body 130, and the combing mechanism 110 is located between the two slide rails 131. Specifically, the transmission component is located between the two slide rails 131 and slides in cooperation with each of the two slide rails 131. In this embodiment, the transmission component includes a threaded sleeve 112, a connecting block 113, a connecting rod 114, and a slider 115. The threaded sleeve 112 is threadedly engaged with the rotating shaft, the connecting block 113 is connected to the threaded sleeve 112, the connecting rod 114 is connected to the connecting block 113, and the two sliders 115 are respectively located at both ends of the connecting rod 114, and slide in cooperation with the two slide rails 131.

[0041] In practical applications, when the motor 111 starts and its shaft rotates in the positive direction, it drives the threaded sleeve 112 to rotate. This, in turn, drives the two sliders 115 to slide along the two slide rails 131 via the connecting block 113 and the connecting rod 114, thus converting the rotational motion of the motor 111 shaft into the linear motion of the combing component 116. It can be understood that by having the two sliders 115 at both ends of the connecting rod 114 slide in contact with the two slide rails 131, the smoothness of the entire transmission assembly's linear motion along the slide rails 131 is ensured. This guarantees the smooth linear motion of the combing component 116, preventing sudden changes in motion that could damage the tabs 200 and ensuring the combing quality of the tabs 200.

[0042] Please refer to the following: Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the combing component 116. Figure 3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the combing component 116 combing the tab 200.

[0043] In this embodiment, the combing component 116 is made of a polymer material, which can prevent static electricity generation. The combing component 116 includes an interconnected mounting part 1161 and an elastic combing part 1162. The mounting part 1161 is connected to the drive assembly, and the elastic combing part 1162 is used to comb the end of the tab 200 along the thickness direction of the tab 200 under the drive of the mounting part 1161.

[0044] The surface of the elastic combing part 1162 is smooth and has a certain degree of elasticity, preventing scratches on the electrode tab 200 during the combing process. In this embodiment, the elastic combing part 1162 has an arc-shaped sheet structure, and there are two elastic combing parts 1162, with the convex arc sides of the two elastic combing parts 1162 arranged opposite to each other.

[0045] It is understandable that the two elastic combing parts 1162 are arranged opposite each other on their convex arc sides. During the process of the mounting part 1161 driving the two elastic combing parts 1162 to reciprocate along the thickness direction of the tab 200, there is an elastic combing part 1162 combing the tab 200 in each single stroke, ensuring that the combing process is carried out continuously and efficiently.

[0046] During the process of applying force to the tab 200 by either of the two elastic combing parts 1162 to comb the tab 200, the convex arc side of the remaining elastic combing part 1162 can provide support for the elastic combing part 1162 that performs the combing function, so as to avoid excessive deformation of the elastic combing part 1162 under the force of the tab 200, which would lead to a decrease in combing effect.

[0047] The suction mechanism 120 in this embodiment includes two suction components 121 arranged opposite to each other. During the process of the combing member 116 combing the tab 200, the two suction components 121 are respectively located on opposite sides of the combing member 116. The two suction components 121 are used to suction air relative to each other at both ends in the width direction of the tab 200.

[0048] Understandably, in practical applications, the two suction components 121 draw air from opposite ends of the tab 200 in the width direction, which can achieve the effect of non-contact pulling of the tab 200, so that the tab 200 is restored from a defective state to a flat state. Furthermore, while the two suction components 121 are drawing air, they can also quickly restore the tab 200 to a flat state after it has been bent by the combing member 116, preventing the tab 200 from bending excessively under the action of the combing member 116 and thus avoiding breakage.

[0049] For any one of the suction components 121, in operation, it can absorb air from opposite sides in the thickness direction of the tab 200, causing the air on both sides of the tab 200 to enter the suction component 121 under pressure against the tab 200, thus subjecting the tab 200 to a tensile force in the width direction. When two suction components 121 suction air from opposite ends in the width direction of the tab 200, the tab 200 is flattened.

[0050] In this embodiment, the suction assembly 121 includes a suction fan 1212, an air duct 1213, and a suction nozzle 1211. The suction end of the suction fan 1212 is connected to one end of the air duct 1213, and the other end of the air duct 1213 is connected to the suction nozzle 1211. The two suction nozzles 1211 of the two suction assemblies 121 are arranged opposite each other at both ends in the width direction of the tab 200, and the two suction nozzles 1211 are used for the two ends of the tab 200 in the width direction to extend into each other.

[0051] It should be noted that, in the working state, one end of the tab 200 in the width direction extends into the air intake 1211, and there are gaps between the tab 200 and the cavity wall of the air intake 1211 on both sides in the thickness direction, so that air on both sides of the tab 200 in the thickness direction can be drawn into the air intake 1211, ensuring that the airflow on both sides compresses the tab 200.

[0052] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 , Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the suction nozzle 1211 in practical application.

[0053] In this embodiment, the suction nozzle 1211 includes an upper mouth wall 1214 and a lower mouth wall 1215 disposed opposite to each other. When the tab 200 is inserted into the suction nozzle 1211, the upper mouth wall 1214 and the lower mouth wall 1215 are respectively located on both sides in the thickness direction of the tab 200. From the mouth of the suction nozzle 1211 to the inside, the distance between the upper mouth wall 1214 and the lower mouth wall 1215 gradually increases, forming a flat duckbill structure.

[0054] With one end of the tab 200 extending into the suction nozzle 1211 in the width direction, the opposite sides of the tab 200 in the thickness direction correspond to the upper mouth wall 1214 and the lower mouth wall 1215 of the suction nozzle 1211, respectively, and there is a gap between them. As the distance between the upper mouth wall 1214 and the lower mouth wall 1215 gradually increases from the opening of the suction nozzle 1211 to the inside, the maximum suction force can be generated at the end of the tab 200 in the width direction when the suction nozzle 1211 is suctioning. The suction forces generated by the two suction nozzles 1211 combine to ensure that the tab 200 is flattened.

[0055] In addition, in order to allow the airflow to enter the suction nozzle 1211 smoothly from both sides of the tab 200, in this embodiment, for any suction nozzle 1211, the upper nozzle wall 1214 and the lower nozzle wall 1215 are both arc-shaped, and the convex arc sides of the upper nozzle wall 1214 and the lower nozzle wall 1215 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0056] In practical applications, for any end of the tab 200 in the width direction, the airflow trajectory from the outside into the suction nozzle 1211 on opposite sides of the tab 200 in the thickness direction is roughly U-shaped. The lowest point of the U-shaped trajectory corresponds to the end of the tab 200 in the width direction, where the airflow velocity on both sides is the maximum, achieving reliable compression and pulling of the end of the tab 200. In other words, the suction nozzle 1211 structure in this embodiment enables the airflow on both sides of the tab 200 in the thickness direction to fit more closely to the surface of the tab 200, thereby better compressing and pulling the tab 200, avoiding airflow turbulence when the airflow enters the suction nozzle 1211 from the end of the tab 200, and preventing the tab 200 from swinging significantly and causing confusion and wrinkling.

[0057] When the combing mechanism 110 and the suction mechanism 120 comb the tab 200 together, the two suction components 121 of the suction mechanism 120 continuously maintain the suction state, and the parameters such as the power of the two suction components 121 and the suction fan 1212 are kept consistent, that is, to ensure that the tab 200 is subjected to approximately the same tensile force at its two ends in the width direction, so as to avoid the tab 200 from deflecting to one side and causing bending damage.

[0058] The two suction components 121 keep the tabs 200 flat. When the combing component 116 combs the ends of the tabs 200 along the length direction, when the gap between adjacent tabs 200 increases due to the action of the combing component 116, the wrinkles or bends between the tabs 200 are quickly flattened by the pulling action of the suction components 121, thereby eliminating the defective condition.

[0059] After the combing mechanism 110 and the suction mechanism 120 work together to comb the tab 200, the flattening mechanism starts to operate. The flattening mechanism presses the tab 200 along the thickness direction of the tab 200, so that the tabs 200 fit tightly together, eliminating the gaps between the tabs, and preparing for the subsequent welding of the tabs 200. This avoids the tabs 200 from having too large gaps due to the mutual back-to-back movement before welding, which would cause new wrinkles.

[0060] In this embodiment, the flattening mechanism includes an upper pressing block and a lower pressing block. The upper pressing block is connected to a cylinder. After the tab 200 completes combing, it is placed on the lower pressing block. Then, the cylinder drives the upper pressing block to gradually move closer to the lower pressing block until the upper and lower pressing blocks clamp the tab 200 together. In other embodiments, the specific structure of the flattening mechanism can be adjusted according to actual application conditions.

[0061] In practical applications, two tab shaping devices 100 provided in this embodiment can be arranged simultaneously to achieve synchronous shaping of two tabs 200 of different types on the same core.

[0062] Currently, to prevent the tab 200 from bending or wrinkling, a reinforcing rib structure is formed on the tab 200 to enhance its support. This method inevitably leads to an increase in the thickness and unevenness of the tab 200. The increased thickness makes the tab 200 difficult to bend, and the excessive thickness after bending affects the battery's energy density. The unevenness of the tab 200 can easily lead to poor soldering when welding the tab 200 to the adapter or terminal post, resulting in poor contact and affecting the battery's overcurrent capacity.

[0063] The tab shaping device 100 provided in this embodiment eliminates the need to form redundant structures on the tab 200 compared to the prior art. It uses the combing mechanism 110, the suction mechanism 120 and the flattening mechanism to eliminate the undesirable condition of the tab 200, improve the welding quality of the tab 200 and avoid damage to the tab 200.

[0064] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tab shaping device for shaping the tabs of a battery cell, characterized in that, The electrode shaping device includes: A combing mechanism includes a drive assembly and a combing component. The combing component is connected to the drive assembly, and the drive assembly drives the combing component to move so as to comb the electrode tab back and forth in the thickness direction of the electrode tab. The combing component includes an interconnected mounting part and an elastic combing part. The mounting part is connected to the drive assembly, and the elastic combing part is used to comb the end of the electrode tab in the length direction along the thickness direction of the electrode tab under the drive of the mounting part. The suction mechanism includes two suction components arranged opposite to each other. During the process of the combing member combing the tab, the two suction components are respectively located on opposite sides of the combing member. The two suction components are used to suction air from opposite ends of the tab in the width direction.

2. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode shaping device also includes a main body, on which a slide rail is provided; The drive assembly includes a motor and a transmission assembly. The motor shaft is threadedly engaged with the transmission assembly and is parallel to the slide rail. The transmission assembly is slidably engaged with the slide rail and is connected to the combing component.

3. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission assembly includes a threaded sleeve, a connecting block, a connecting rod, and a slider. The threaded sleeve is threadedly engaged with the rotating shaft, the connecting block is connected to the threaded sleeve, the connecting rod is connected to the connecting block, and the two sliders are respectively disposed at both ends of the connecting rod, and the two sliders are slidably engaged with the two slide rails.

4. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of elastic combing parts is two, and the elastic combing parts are arc-shaped, with the convex arc sides of the two elastic combing parts arranged opposite each other.

5. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction assembly is provided with a suction nozzle, and the two suction nozzles of the two suction assemblies are arranged opposite each other at both ends of the tab in the width direction. The two suction nozzles are used to allow the two ends of the tab in the width direction to extend into each other.

6. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The suction assembly includes a suction fan and a duct. The suction end of the suction fan is connected to one end of the duct, and the other end of the duct is connected to the suction nozzle.

7. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The suction nozzle includes an upper mouth wall and a lower mouth wall arranged opposite to each other. When the electrode tab is inserted into the suction nozzle, the upper mouth wall and the lower mouth wall are respectively located on both sides in the thickness direction of the electrode tab. From the mouth of the suction nozzle to the inside, the distance between the upper mouth wall and the lower mouth wall gradually increases.

8. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the upper and lower lip walls are arc-shaped, and the convex arc sides of the upper and lower lip walls are arranged opposite each other.

9. The electrode ear shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tab shaping device further includes a flattening mechanism, which is used to press the tab along the thickness direction of the tab after the combing component has combed the tab.

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