A welding apparatus and method

Abstract

This application discloses a welding device and method. The welding device includes a welding assembly and a clamping assembly. The welding assembly is disposed beside the clamping assembly. The clamping assembly includes a first worktable, a second worktable, a plurality of first clamping components, and a plurality of second clamping components. The plurality of first clamping components are arranged side-by-side at intervals on the first worktable. An interval station is formed between two adjacent first clamping components. End stations are formed at both ends of the plurality of first clamping components along the length of the module. The plurality of second clamping components are disposed on the second worktable and are positioned at corresponding positions of the end stations and / or the interval stations. When welding the busbar, heat can be dissipated through the interval stations and end stations, avoiding heat concentration. At the same time, the first and second clamping components pre-fix different areas to be welded, and welding in batches helps to dissipate heat during the welding process, avoiding the problem of the busbar arching in the middle position and the difficulty in heat dissipation caused by existing welding methods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery module manufacturing technology, and in particular to a welding equipment and method. Background Technology

[0002] In the battery production process, modules and busbars need to be welded together. The existing welding method usually involves clamping the two ends of the busbar with a clamping fixture and then welding directly. The welding points on the busbar and the module are close together, which causes the heat generated during the welding process to accumulate and not easily dissipate through the two ends. This causes the busbar in the middle to arch, resulting in poor welding or deformed welding. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a welding device and method to solve the problem that existing welding methods for modules and busbars easily cause the busbar in the middle position to bulge and the heat to be difficult to dissipate.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the first aspect of this application provides a welding device, comprising: a welding assembly and a clamping assembly;

[0005] The welding assembly is located beside the clamping assembly;

[0006] The clamping assembly includes: a first worktable, a second worktable, a plurality of first clamping components and a plurality of second clamping components;

[0007] Several of the first clamping components are disposed on the first worktable;

[0008] When the number of the first clamping components is greater than two, an interval station is formed between two adjacent first clamping components;

[0009] If the first clamping component forms end stations at both ends along the length of the module;

[0010] Several second clamping members are disposed on the second worktable and are positioned at the fitting positions of the end station and / or the interval station.

[0011] Furthermore, the width of the interval station is at least equal to the width of a set of busbars.

[0012] Furthermore, the first clamping component comprises two parts, which are respectively disposed on the first worktable at the positions of the two trisection lines in the length direction of the module being clamped.

[0013] Furthermore, the first clamping component comprises three parts, which are respectively disposed on the first worktable at the positions of the three quarter lines in the length direction of the module being clamped.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes dust removal components;

[0015] The dust removal component is disposed on the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

[0016] Furthermore, the dust removal assembly includes: a dust removal pipe assembly;

[0017] Two sets of dust removal pipes are symmetrically arranged above both the first and second clamping members;

[0018] The dust removal pipe assembly includes several dust removal pipes;

[0019] The bottom surface of the dust removal pipe is provided with several dust removal ports.

[0020] Furthermore, it also includes transmission components;

[0021] The transmission component is located below the clamping component and is used to transfer the module from below the first workbench to below the second workbench.

[0022] Furthermore, the transmission component is a lifting mechanism.

[0023] Furthermore, the first clamping member and / or the second clamping member are copper nozzle assemblies.

[0024] A second aspect of this application provides a welding method applied to the welding equipment described in any of the above claims;

[0025] The method includes the following steps:

[0026] Control the first clamping element to press down to clamp the busbar and module;

[0027] The busbars pressed by the first clamping member are welded along the direction from the middle to the end of the module by the welding assembly until all the busbars pressed by the first clamping member are welded.

[0028] After the busbar and module are transferred to the area below the second workbench, the second clamping member is controlled to press down to clamp the busbar and module;

[0029] The busbars pressed by the second clamping member are welded by the welding assembly until all busbars pressed by the second clamping member are welded.

[0030] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, this application provides a welding device and method. The welding device includes a welding assembly and a clamping assembly. The welding assembly is disposed beside the clamping assembly. The clamping assembly includes a first worktable, a second worktable, a plurality of first clamping components, and a plurality of second clamping components. The plurality of first clamping components are arranged side by side at intervals on the first worktable. An interval station is formed between two adjacent first clamping components. End stations are formed at both ends of the plurality of first clamping components along the length direction of the module. The plurality of second clamping components are disposed on the second worktable and are disposed at the corresponding positions of the end stations and / or the interval stations. In this solution, when the first clamping components clamp the busbar for welding, heat can be dissipated through the interval stations and end stations, avoiding heat concentration. At the same time, in this solution, the first and second clamping components are pre-fixed with different areas to be welded, and welding is carried out in batches, which helps to dissipate heat during the welding process and avoids the problem of the busbar in the middle position arching and heat not being easily dissipated in the existing welding method. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 A top perspective view of a welding device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 A welding device provided in this application embodiment is shown in a partial perspective view of a welding assembly;

[0034] Figure 3 Another top perspective view of a welding device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 Provided for the embodiments of this application Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the image;

[0036] Figure 5 Provided for the embodiments of this application Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the image;

[0037] Figure 6 A top view of a clamping assembly of a welding device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the first clamping component of a welding device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application 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 this application. Based on the embodiments in this application specification, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a replaceable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0042] Please see Figures 1 to 6 The first aspect of this application provides a welding device, including a welding assembly 1 and a clamping assembly 2. Both the welding assembly 1 and the clamping assembly 2 can be disposed on the device body 8, with the welding assembly 1 located beside the clamping assembly 2. The welding assembly 1 is used to weld the module 6 and the busbar 5 on the device body 8.

[0043] The clamping assembly 2 includes: a first worktable 21, a second worktable 22, a plurality of first clamping members 23, and a plurality of second clamping members 24; the plurality of first clamping members 23 are arranged side by side at intervals on the first worktable 21; when the number of first clamping members 23 is greater than two, an interval station 25 is formed between two adjacent first clamping members 23; the plurality of first clamping members 23 form end stations 26 at both ends along the length direction of the module 6; the plurality of second clamping members 24 are disposed on the second worktable 22, and are disposed at the fitting positions of the end stations 26 and / or the fitting positions of the interval stations 25. The fitting position refers to the position where the second clamping member 24 is embedded when the first worktable 21 and the second worktable 22 are fitted together; that is, in this embodiment, the second clamping member 24 is configured to fit into the first clamping member 23.

[0044] The first workbench 21 and the second workbench 22 are both mounted on the main body 8 of the equipment, serving as mounting brackets for the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24. When the number of first clamping members 23 is greater than two, they are arranged side by side with intervals between them. The parallel and interval arrangement means that different first clamping members 23 are aligned with each other on a straight line or circumference and are spaced apart from each other.

[0045] In one implementation, the second workbench 22 can be aligned with the first workbench 21 in a straight line, that is, the module 6 located below the first workbench 21 can be moved in a straight line to the area below the second workbench 22; correspondingly, the second clamping member 24 and the first clamping member 23 are arranged in a straight line and aligned side by side.

[0046] In another implementation, the second workbench 22 can be aligned with the center of the first workbench 21, that is, the module 6 located below the first workbench 21 can be rotated and translated to the area below the second workbench 22 through circumferential motion; correspondingly, the second clamping member 24 and the first clamping member 23 are arranged circumferentially aligned.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first workbench 21 is provided with an interval station 25 and / or an end station 26, so that the heat generated by welding can be dissipated to the outer periphery through the interval station 25 and / or the end station 26, avoiding the problem of heat accumulation causing deformation of the busbar 5.

[0048] It should be noted that the second clamping member 24 may be provided only at the interval station 25 and not at the end station 26. For example, the first clamping member 23 includes three members, which are respectively provided at both ends and the middle of the corresponding module 6; correspondingly, the second clamping member 24 includes two members and is provided on the two interval stations 25 formed by the fitting of the three first clamping members 23. In this case, when welding the module 6 and the busbar 5 below the first worktable 21, in addition to allowing the heat generated by welding to be dissipated through the interval station 25, the first clamping member 23 located in the middle of the corresponding module 6 can also press the busbar 5 in the middle position, further preventing the busbar 5 in the middle from deforming and arching upwards.

[0049] The second clamping member 24 may be provided only at the end station 26 and not at the interval station 25. For example, the first clamping member 23 includes one and is provided at the middle position of the module 6 it clamps; correspondingly, the second clamping member 24 includes two and is provided on the two end stations 26 formed by fitting the first clamping member 23.

[0050] The second clamping member 24 may also be provided only at the end station 26 and not at the interval station 25. For example, the first clamping member 23 includes two members and is provided at the position between the middle and the end of the corresponding module 6; the second clamping member 24 includes two members and is provided on the two end stations 26. That is, in this case, the interval station 25 formed between the two first clamping members 23 is only used for heat dissipation and is not used as the fitting position of the second clamping member 24.

[0051] The second clamping member 24 can also be partially set at the end station 26 and the other part set at the interval station 25, and the second clamping member 24 and the first clamping member 23 correspond one-to-one with the position of the busbar 5 to be welded on the module 6.

[0052] In this embodiment, by setting up a first workbench 21 and a second workbench 22, the welding assembly 1 first welds the busbar 5 and the area to be welded of the module 6 pressed under the first workbench 21. Then, by moving the module 6 and the busbar 5 to the area under the second workbench 22, the welding assembly 1 welds the remaining areas to be welded of the busbar 5 and the module 6 pressed under the second workbench 22. During the process of moving the module 6 and the busbar 5, the heat can be further dissipated.

[0053] As a further improvement, the width of the interval station 25 is at least equal to the width of a set of busbars 5.

[0054] Specifically, the width of the interval station 25 and the width of the busbar 5 both refer to the dimensions along the length of the module 6. In this embodiment, at least one busbar 5 can be provided on the interval station 25, that is, at least one set of busbar 5 widths can be provided between two adjacent first clamping members 23 to ensure sufficient heat dissipation during welding.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first clamping member 23 includes two members, which are respectively disposed at the positions of the two trisection lines in the length direction of the module 6 clamped by the first worktable 21.

[0056] In this embodiment, there are three second clamping members 24, two of which are located at the end station 26 and one at the interval station 25. In this embodiment, the two first clamping members 23 are located at the trisection lines of the clamped module 6, which makes the stress on the module 6 and the busbar 5 relatively uniform during welding and less prone to deformation due to welding stress.

[0057] In another embodiment, the first clamping member 23 includes three members, which are respectively disposed at the positions of the three quarter lines in the length direction of the module 6 clamped by the first worktable 21.

[0058] In this embodiment, there are five second clamping members 24, two of which are located at the end station 26 and three at the interval station 25. In this embodiment, the three first clamping members 23 are positioned at the four bisectors of the module they clamp, which makes the stress on the module 6 and the busbar 5 relatively uniform during welding and less prone to deformation due to welding stress.

[0059] In one embodiment, see Figure 7 It also includes a dust removal component 3; the dust removal component 3 is disposed beside the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24. Wherein, the dust removal component 3 is disposed beside the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24 means that it can be disposed at the top, side or other positions of the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24.

[0060] The dust removal component 3 can remove the dust generated during the welding process, preventing the module 6 and the busbar 5 from being contaminated with dust.

[0061] Furthermore, the dust removal assembly 3 includes: a dust removal pipe group 31; two dust removal pipe groups 31 are symmetrically arranged above the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24; the dust removal pipe group 31 includes a plurality of dust removal pipes 32; the bottom surface of the dust removal pipes 32 is provided with a plurality of dust removal ports. Wherein, when there are multiple dust removal pipes 32, the multiple dust removal pipes 32 can be arranged at intervals.

[0062] Compared to existing single-pipe dust removal methods, in this embodiment, two sets of dust removal pipe groups 31 are provided above each first clamping member 23 and second clamping member 24, which can provide a better dust removal effect for the clamping assembly 2. At the same time, several dust removal pipes 32 are spaced apart in each dust removal pipe group 31, and each dust removal pipe 32 is provided with several dust removal ports, which can avoid the problem of uneven air delivery and poor dust removal effect caused by airflow entering from only a single dust removal port.

[0063] In one embodiment, a transfer component 4 is also included; the transfer component 4 is disposed below the clamping component 2 and is used to transfer the module 6 from below the first worktable 21 to below the second worktable 22.

[0064] The transmission component 4 can be, for example, a conveyor belt; after the module 6 and busbar 5 are welded under the first workbench 21, the first workbench 21 moves away from the module 6, and then the conveyor belt transports the module 6 and busbar 5 to the second workbench 22. Then the second workbench 22 presses down to press the module 6 and busbar 5 together for subsequent welding.

[0065] In one implementation, the transmission component 4 in this embodiment is a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism can separate the module 6 and busbar 5 from the first clamping member 23 by lowering it, and then the lifting mechanism moves horizontally to below the second clamping member 24, and then rises to make the module 6 and busbar 5 clamped by the second clamping member 24.

[0066] By setting the transmission component 4 as a lifting mechanism, it is possible to move only the module 6 and the busbar 5 without moving the positions of the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24 during the welding process, thereby reducing the error caused by the workpiece docking.

[0067] In one embodiment, both the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24 are copper nozzle assemblies.

[0068] In this embodiment, a copper nozzle assembly is used as the first clamping member 23 and the second clamping member 24, so that during welding, the welding gun included in the welding assembly 1 can be inserted into the copper nozzle to perform welding, thus ensuring welding accuracy.

[0069] The second aspect of this application provides a welding method applicable to the welding equipment described in any of the above claims;

[0070] The method includes the following steps:

[0071] S1. Control the first clamping member 23 to press down, so as to clamp the busbar 5 and module 6 below it.

[0072] Taking the transmission component 4 as a lifting mechanism as an example; before welding, the busbar 5 is first installed on the surface of the module 6. When the module 6 and the busbar 5 are moved to the position directly below the first clamping member 23, the lifting mechanism rises and lifts the module 6 to the position of the first worktable 21. Then the first clamping member 23 presses down to clamp the busbar 5 and the module 6, and part of the busbar 5 is clamped and fixed.

[0073] S2. Weld the busbars 5 pressed under the first clamping member 23 along the direction from the middle to the end of the module 6 using the welding assembly 1, until all the busbars 5 pressed under the first clamping member 23 are welded.

[0074] Taking the first clamping component 23, which includes three components and is respectively set on the first worktable 21, at the positions of the three quarter-divided lines in the length direction of the module 6, as an example; during welding, the welding component 1 first welds the busbar 5 at the middle position in the length direction of the module, and then welds the two busbars 5 at the quarter-divided positions.

[0075] By welding the busbar 5 located near the middle of the length of module 6 first, it is possible to further prevent the busbar 5 located in the middle from arching upwards during the welding process, thereby reducing the possibility of incomplete welding and deformed welding, and improving the welding quality.

[0076] S3. After transferring the busbar 5 and module 6 to below the second workbench 22, control the second clamping member 24 to press down to clamp the busbar 5 and module 6.

[0077] The transmission component 4 descends to separate the module 6 and busbar 5 from the first clamping member 23. Then, the transmission component 4 moves horizontally to move the busbar 5 and module 6 below the second worktable. Then, it rises to lift the module 6 to the position of the second worktable 22. After that, the second clamping member 24 presses down to clamp the busbar 5 below.

[0078] S4. Weld the busbars 5 pressed under the second clamping member 24 by welding assembly 1 until all the busbars 5 pressed under the second clamping member 24 are welded.

[0079] After welding is completed, the transmission component 4 descends, causing the busbar 5 and module 6 to separate from the second clamping member 24. Then, the transmission component 4 moves horizontally to bring the busbar 5 and module 6 out of the main body 8 of the equipment.

[0080] It should be noted that in the welding equipment and welding method provided in the embodiments of this application, by setting the first workbench 21 and the second workbench 22, continuous uninterrupted production can be achieved while satisfying the heat dissipation of the busbar 5; for example, the welding component 1 can include two, one of which can weld a module 6 under the second workbench 22 while the other welding component 1 can weld another module 6 under the first workbench 21, thereby achieving alternating uninterrupted production and improving production efficiency.

[0081] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing examples or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. However, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A welding device, characterized in that, include: Welding assembly (1) and clamping assembly (2); The clamping assembly (2) includes: a first worktable (21), a second worktable (22), a plurality of first clamping parts (23) and a plurality of second clamping parts (24); Several of the first clamping elements (23) are disposed on the first worktable (21); End stations (26) are formed at both ends along the length of the module (6); When the number of the first clamping parts (23) is greater than two, an interval station (25) is formed between two adjacent first clamping parts (23). A plurality of second clamping members (24) are disposed on the second worktable (22) and are disposed at the fitting position of the end station (26) and / or the fitting position of the interval station (25); The welding assembly (1) is used to weld the module (6) to the busbar (5).

2. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the interval station (25) is at least equal to the width of a set of busbars (5).

3. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping member (23) includes two parts, and is respectively disposed at the positions of the two trisection lines in the length direction of the module (6) clamped by the first worktable (21).

4. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping member (23) includes three parts, and is respectively disposed at the positions of the three quarter lines in the length direction of the module (6) clamped by the first worktable (21).

5. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes dust removal components (3); The dust removal component (3) is arranged on the side of the first clamping member (23) and on the side of the second clamping member (24).

6. The welding equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The dust removal assembly (3) includes: a dust removal pipe assembly (31); Two sets of dust removal pipe groups (31) are symmetrically arranged above the first clamping member (23) and the second clamping member (24); The dust removal pipe assembly (31) includes several dust removal pipes (32); The bottom surface of the dust removal pipe (32) is provided with several dust removal ports.

7. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a transmission component (4); The transmission component (4) is located below the clamping component (2) and is used to transfer the module (6) from below the first workbench (21) to below the second workbench (22).

8. The welding equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transmission component (4) is a lifting mechanism.

9. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping member (23) and / or the second clamping member (24) are copper nozzle assemblies.

10. A welding method, characterized in that, Applied to the welding equipment according to any one of claims 1-9; The method includes the following steps: Control the first clamping element (23) to press down to clamp the busbar (5) and the module (6); By using the welding assembly (1) along the direction from the middle to the end of the module (6), the busbars (5) pressed by the first clamping member (23) are welded until all the busbars (5) pressed by the first clamping member (23) are welded; After the busbar (5) and module (6) are transferred to the area below the second workbench (22), the second clamping member (24) is pressed down to clamp the busbar (5) and module (6). The busbars (5) pressed by the second clamping member (24) are welded by the welding assembly (1) until all the busbars (5) pressed by the second clamping member (24) are welded.

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