A welding method and a welding auxiliary device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of battery technology and discloses a welding method and a welding auxiliary device for welding a current collecting plate and a cover plate. The welding method utilizes a support assembly to support the current collecting plate. The welding method comprises: placing the support assembly on top of the battery cell; placing the current collecting plate on the side of the support assembly facing away from the battery cell; placing the cover plate on the side of the current collecting plate facing away from the battery cell; pressing down the cover plate so that the current collecting plate is flat due to the cooperation of the cover plate and the support assembly; and welding the current collecting plate to the cover plate. The welding method disclosed in the present application can eliminate the gap between the current collecting plate and the cover plate, avoid the risk of cold welding and welding through, and improve the yield of the battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a welding method and a welding auxiliary device. Background Art

[0002] When welding the collector plate to the cover plate of a cylindrical battery, the collector plate welding surface must be in close contact with the cover plate welding surface to ensure a gap between them. This gap is usually controlled by holding the battery against the collector plate and cover plate. However, due to the thinness of the collector plate and its easy deformation, the gap between the collector plate and cover plate cannot be controlled. The gap will cause abnormal welds and weld penetration, which will increase the battery defect rate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a welding method and a welding auxiliary device for ensuring that the collecting plate and the cover plate are tightly fitted during welding, thereby avoiding the risks of cold welding and welding through and improving the yield of the battery.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a welding method for welding a current collecting plate and a cover plate, wherein the welding method uses a support assembly to support the current collecting plate; the welding method comprises:

[0005] Placing the support assembly on top of the battery cell;

[0006] Placing the current collecting plate on a side of the support assembly facing away from the battery cell;

[0007] placing the cover plate on the side of the current collecting plate facing away from the battery cell;

[0008] Pressing down the cover plate so that the collecting plate is in a flat state under the cooperation of the cover plate and the supporting assembly;

[0009] The collecting plate is welded to the cover plate.

[0010] The welding method provided in this application utilizes a support assembly to support the current collecting plate, thereby ensuring that the current collecting plate remains flat during welding to the cover plate. Specifically, when the current collecting plate is placed on the support assembly, the edges of the current collecting plate are deformed and bent. When the current collecting plate and the cover plate are subsequently welded, the cover plate is pressed down, and the cover plate and the support assembly cooperate to compress the current collecting plate, flattening the current collecting plate and eliminating the gap between the current collecting plate and the cover plate. This can avoid the risk of cold welding and welding through, thereby improving the battery yield.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present application provides a welding auxiliary device for assisting in welding a battery cell, a current collecting plate and a cover plate, wherein the welding auxiliary device includes a support assembly, which is arranged on the top of the battery cell and is used to support the current collecting plate.

[0012] The welding auxiliary device provided in this application is equipped with a support assembly. When welding is required, the support assembly is located on top of the battery cell and is used to support the collector plate. When welding the collector plate to the cover plate, the cover plate is pressed down, and the cover plate and the support assembly cooperate to compress the collector plate, making the collector plate flat and eliminating the gap between the collector plate and the cover plate. This can avoid the risk of cold welding and welding through, thereby improving the yield rate of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a welding auxiliary device in an embodiment of the present application;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a top view of the welding auxiliary device in an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the battery core during welding in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of a support plate in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart of the steps of the welding method in the embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 6 This is another step flow chart of the welding method in the embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 7 This is another step flow chart of the welding method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0020] In the picture:

[0021] 10-battery cell; 11-ear; 20-collecting plate; 30-cover plate; 100-support assembly; 110-support plate; 111-first support part; 112-second support part; 120-avoidance hole; 200-clamping assembly; 210-first clamping block; 220-second clamping block; 300-lifting assembly; 310-support plate; 320-thimble. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] The present application provides a welding auxiliary device and welding method for welding a battery cell, a current collector, and a cover plate. The welding auxiliary device assists in welding the battery cell, the current collector, and the cover plate to ensure that the current collector and the cover plate are tightly fitted together during welding, thereby avoiding the risk of cold welds and weld-throughs and improving the battery yield. The welding auxiliary device and welding method are described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, when welding the battery cell 10 in the embodiment of the present application, the collecting plate 20 can be welded to the tab 11 of the battery cell 10 first, and then the collecting plate 20 can be welded to the cover plate 30, thereby completing the welding between the three.

[0025] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The welding auxiliary device in the embodiment of the present application may include a support assembly 100, a clamping assembly 200 and a lifting assembly 300, wherein the clamping assembly 200 can be used to clamp the battery cell 10 to position the battery cell 10, the support assembly 100 can be used to support the collecting plate 20 to keep the collecting plate 20 flat, and the lifting assembly 300 can be used to drive the battery cell 10 to move.

[0026] Specifically, the clamping assembly 200 may include a first clamping block 210 and a second clamping block 220, and the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 may be relatively close to each other or relatively far apart. When the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 are relatively far apart, the gap between them becomes larger, which makes it easier to place the battery cell 10 between the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220. When the first clamping block 210 is relatively close to each other, the gap between them gradually becomes smaller, and the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 can respectively fit with the outer surfaces of different parts of the battery cell 10. Under the joint clamping action of the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220, the battery cell 10 can be clamped, thereby positioning the battery cell 10.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, when the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 of this embodiment are clamped together, a cylindrical structure is formed therebetween. The central portion of the cylindrical structure has a hollow structure, which can be used to accommodate the battery cell 10. The diameter of the hollow structure can be the same as the diameter of the battery cell 10. In this case, the entire outer surface of the battery cell 10 is in close contact with the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220, thereby maximally positioning the battery cell 10.

[0028] It should be understood that in the above embodiment, the clamping assembly 200 is used to position the cylindrical battery cell 10. If the battery cell 10 is in another shape, such as a square, the clamping assembly 200 can clamp the corners of the square battery cell 10 to position the battery cell 10.

[0029] Continue to refer Figure 1 The lifting assembly 300 is located between the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220. The lifting assembly 300 may include a support plate 310 and ejector pins 320. The support plate 310 may be used to place the battery cell 10, and the ejector pins 320 are located on the side of the support plate 310 facing away from the battery cell 10. The ejector pins 320 may be used to drive the support plate 310 to move along the height direction of the battery cell 10, thereby driving the battery cell 10 to move along its height direction, thereby adjusting the relative position of the battery cell 10 so that the battery cell 10 can be better welded to the current collecting plate 20 or the cover plate 30.

[0030] The diameter of the support plate 310 can be less than or equal to the diameter of the battery cell 10. Thus, when the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 cooperate to clamp the battery cell 10, the support plate 310 does not interfere with the clamping action of the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220. As an embodiment, the diameter of the support plate 310 can be the same as the diameter of the battery cell 10. When the battery cell 10 is placed on the support plate 310, there is no need to deliberately align the battery cell 10 with the support plate 310. Subsequently, when the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 are moved, the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 can automatically align the battery cell 10 with the support plate 310.

[0031] After the battery cell 10 is clamped using the clamping assembly 200, the support assembly 100 can be placed on top of the battery cell 10. At this time, the support assembly 100 is located on the side of the battery cell 10 where the tab 11 is away from the battery cell 10. The current collecting tray 20 can be placed on the side of the support assembly 100 away from the battery cell 10, and the support assembly 100 can be used to support the current collecting tray 20. Then, the cover plate 30 can be placed on the side of the current collecting tray 20 away from the battery cell 10, and the cover plate 30 can be pressed down. Under the joint action of the cover plate 30 and the support assembly 100, the current collecting tray 20 can be made flat. During subsequent welding, since the current collecting tray 20 is in a flat state, the gap between the current collecting tray 20 and the cover plate 30 is eliminated. When welding the current collecting tray 20 and the cover plate 30, the risk of cold welding or welding through can be avoided.

[0032] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4The support assembly 100 may include a support plate 110, with a central portion of the support plate 110 having a relief hole 120. The relief hole 120 may be circular, and portions of the support plate 110 surrounding the relief hole 120 may be used to support the edge of the current collecting tray 20. The relief hole 120 not only supports the current collecting tray 20 but also facilitates welding the current collecting tray 20 to the battery cell 10.

[0033] Furthermore, the support plate 110 may include a first support portion 111 and a second support portion 112, each of the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 having an arc-shaped end portion, and the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 may be relatively close to or relatively far apart. It is understood that when the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 are relatively far apart, the gap between them becomes larger, making it easier to place the battery cell 10 between the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112. When the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 are relatively close to each other, the gap between them gradually decreases until the two arc-shaped ends of the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 merge into a circular avoidance hole 120 structure.

[0034] In this embodiment, the support plate 110 may be in the shape of a circular ring as a whole, or the support plate 110 may be in the shape of a square with a hole in the middle, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0035] The welding auxiliary device in this embodiment may further include a first drive device (not shown) that drives the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 to move relative to each other. Driven by the first drive device, the first clamping block 210 and the second clamping block 220 can be ensured to move only in the horizontal direction. Of course, the welding auxiliary device may further include a second drive device (not shown) that drives the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 to move relative to each other. Driven by the second drive device, the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112 can be ensured to move only in the horizontal direction.

[0036] During the welding process of the battery cell 10 in the embodiment of the present application, the battery cell 10 can first be driven up and down by the jacking assembly 300 for pre-positioning. After the clamping assembly 200 clamps the battery cell 10 and the support assembly 100 supports the collecting plate 20, the battery cell 10 can also be driven by the jacking assembly 300 to be precisely positioned so that the collecting plate 20 can be welded to the battery cell 10.

[0037] It should be understood that after the current collecting tray 20 is welded to the battery cell 10, the battery cell 10 does not need to be transported. Instead, the cover plate 30 can be directly welded to the current collecting tray 20, thereby avoiding the risk of the battery cell 10 being bumped during transport. Furthermore, the above process can save the time of secondary positioning of the battery cell 10, which is conducive to improving production efficiency.

[0038] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, by setting up a lifting assembly 300, when welding battery cells 10 of different models (different models here refer to the same diameter but different heights), the battery cells 10 can be moved by utilizing the lifting assembly 300, thereby facilitating positioning between the battery cells 10 and the support assembly 100.

[0039] Based on the welding auxiliary device in the above embodiment, as an implementation scheme, Figure 5 The welding method in the embodiment of the present application may include the following steps:

[0040] Step S101: placing the battery cell 10 on the lifting assembly 300;

[0041] Step S102: Clamping the battery cell 10 using the clamping assembly 200;

[0042] Step S103: welding the current collecting plate 20 and the battery cell 10;

[0043] Step S104: placing the support assembly 100 on top of the battery cell 10 , with the current collecting plate 20 located on the side of the support assembly 100 facing away from the battery cell 10 ;

[0044] Step S105: placing the cover plate 30 on the side of the current collecting tray 20 facing away from the battery cell 10;

[0045] Step S106: Press down the cover plate 30 so that the collecting plate 20 is in a flat state under the cooperation of the cover plate 30 and the support assembly 100;

[0046] Step S107 : welding the collecting plate 20 and the cover plate 30 .

[0047] As will be appreciated, the welding method in this embodiment first welds the collecting tray 20 to the battery cell 10, then inserts the support assembly 100 between the collecting tray 20 and the battery cell 10, and finally places the cover plate 30 and welds the cover plate 30 to the collecting tray 20. During the welding process between the collecting tray 20 and the battery cell 10, the collecting tray 20 deforms due to the welding, and subsequently the cover plate 30 and the support assembly 100 cooperate to flatten the collecting tray 20.

[0048] In actual application, when executing the above step S104 , the battery cell 10 may be moved by using the lifting assembly 300 so that the battery cell 10 and the current collecting plate 20 are moved as a whole until the current collecting plate 20 is in contact with the support assembly 100 .

[0049] Or, as another embodiment, in combination Figure 6 The welding method in the embodiment of the present application may include the following steps:

[0050] Step S201: placing the battery cell 10 on the lifting assembly 300;

[0051] Step S202: Clamping the battery cell 10 using the clamping assembly 200;

[0052] Step S203: placing the support assembly 100 on top of the battery cell 10;

[0053] Step S204: placing the current collecting plate 20 on the side of the support assembly 100 facing away from the battery cell 10;

[0054] Step S205: placing the cover plate 30 on the side of the current collecting tray 20 away from the battery cell 10, and pressing down the cover plate 30 so that the current collecting tray 20 is flat under the cooperation of the cover plate 30 and the support assembly 100;

[0055] Step S206: remove the cover plate 30;

[0056] Step S207: welding the current collecting plate 20 and the battery cell 10;

[0057] Step S208 : placing the cover plate 30 on the side of the current collecting tray 20 facing away from the battery cells, and welding the current collecting tray 20 and the cover plate 30 .

[0058] Or, as another embodiment, in combination Figure 7 The welding method in the embodiment of the present application may include the following steps:

[0059] Step S301: placing the battery cell 10 welded to the current collecting plate 20 on the lifting assembly 300;

[0060] Step S302: Clamp the battery cell 10 using the clamping assembly 200;

[0061] Step S303: placing the support assembly 100 between the battery cell 10 and the current collecting plate 20;

[0062] Step S304: placing the cover plate 30 on the side of the current collecting tray 20 away from the battery cells 10, and pressing down the cover plate 30 so that the current collecting tray 20 is flat under the cooperation of the cover plate 30 and the support assembly 100;

[0063] Step S305 : welding the collecting plate 20 and the cover plate 30 .

[0064] In the welding method of this embodiment, when placing the collecting tray 20 on the support assembly 100, the clamping jaws can be used to move the collecting tray 20, thereby facilitating alignment between the collecting tray 20 and the battery cells 10. In the event that the collecting tray deforms during transport, the supporting assembly 100 and the cover plate 30 are used to reshape the collecting tray 20, making it flat. During the subsequent welding process, the supporting assembly 100 continuously supports the collecting tray 20, preventing deformation during welding.

[0065] In actual application, in the three welding methods described above, when the auxiliary welding device only includes the support assembly 100, the welding steps may refer to steps S103 to S107, or steps S203 to S208, or steps S303 to S206. When the auxiliary welding device only includes the support assembly 100 and the lifting assembly 300, the welding steps may refer to steps S101 and steps S103 to S107, or steps S201 and steps S203 to S208, or steps S301 and steps S303 to S306. When the welding auxiliary device only includes the support assembly 100 and the clamping assembly 200, the welding steps may refer to steps S102 to S107, or steps S202 to S208, or steps S302 to S306.

[0066] Furthermore, in step S102, S202, or S302, when clamping the battery cell 10, other structures may be used to clamp the battery cell 10, and the clamping assembly is not limited to the clamping assembly in the embodiment of the present application. Furthermore, when driving the battery cell 10 to move along its height direction, other structures may be used to achieve this, and the lifting assembly is not limited to the lifting assembly in the embodiment of the present application.

[0067] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A welding method for welding a collecting plate and a cover plate, characterized in that: The welding method utilizes a support assembly to support the collecting plate; the welding method includes: Placing the support assembly on top of the battery cell; Placing the current collecting plate on a side of the support assembly facing away from the battery cell; placing the cover plate on a side of the collecting plate facing away from the supporting assembly; Pressing down the cover plate so that the collecting plate is in a flat state under the cooperation of the cover plate and the supporting assembly; Remove the cover plate and weld the battery cell to the current collecting plate; The collecting plate is welded to the cover plate.

2. The welding method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before welding the battery cell to the current collecting plate, the welding method further comprises: The battery core is driven to move along a height direction of the battery core so that the battery core and the current collecting plate are positioned.

3. The welding method according to claim 1, wherein: Before placing the support assembly on top of the battery cell, the welding method further includes: The battery core is clamped to position the battery core.

4. A welding auxiliary device applied to the welding method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, for assisting in welding a collecting plate and a cover plate, characterized in that: The welding auxiliary device includes a support assembly, which is arranged on the top of the battery core and is used to support the collecting plate.

5. The welding auxiliary device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The support assembly includes a support plate, and a middle portion of the support plate is provided with an avoidance hole so that the support plate is used to support the edge portion of the collecting plate.

6. The welding auxiliary device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The support plate includes a first support portion and a second support portion, and the first support portion and the second support portion can be relatively close to each other or relatively far apart.

7. The welding auxiliary device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Also included is a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly being used to clamp and position the battery cell; The clamping assembly includes a first clamping block and a second clamping block. The first clamping block and the second clamping block can be relatively close to or relatively far away from each other, and the first clamping block and the second clamping block can respectively fit with the outer surfaces of different parts of the battery cell.

8. The welding auxiliary device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a lifting component, which is used to drive the battery cell to move along the height direction of the battery cell.

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