Ordering device for cylindrical batteries and ordering method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a sorting device and a sorting method for cylindrical batteries. The device comprises a control unit, a first conveying mechanism and a second conveying mechanism arranged in a cross manner. The first conveying mechanism comprises a first conveying belt, and the second conveying mechanism comprises two second conveying belts and a third conveying belt. Through the sorting device and the sorting method, the irregularly sorted cylindrical batteries on the first conveying belt can be converted to the regularly sequentially sorted cylindrical batteries on the second conveying mechanism. The switching process is efficient and stable, and the efficiency of the subsequent boxing process is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated testing equipment, and more particularly to a sorting device and sorting method for cylindrical batteries. Background Technology

[0002] On the automated inspection line for cylindrical batteries, after the cylindrical batteries have been inspected, the unqualified products need to be removed. This will result in some gaps between the cylindrical batteries that are arranged in a fixed position on the conveyor belt, which will affect the subsequent automated process of picking up qualified products in batches and packaging them.

[0003] Existing technologies employ methods such as clamping the screened cylindrical batteries one by one onto another conveyor belt using clamps, and then reordering them, but this method is very inefficient; another method involves sending the qualified and unqualified products to a feeding machine after screening, and then reloading them to complete the reordering, but this method is not only inefficient, but also prone to collisions that cause secondary damage during the collection process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned technical problems by providing a sorting device and method for cylindrical batteries, which can quickly re-sort the screened cylindrical batteries to facilitate subsequent batch packaging processes and effectively improve automation efficiency.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries is provided, comprising a control unit, a first motor, a first conveying mechanism, and a sensor group, wherein the first motor drives the first conveying mechanism to move along a first direction; a second motor and a second conveying mechanism are provided, wherein the second motor drives the second conveying mechanism to move along a second direction; the first direction is the same as the second direction;

[0006] The first conveying mechanism includes a first synchronous belt and a first synchronous belt pulley group. The first synchronous belt is provided with first baffles that are equidistantly arranged at a first interval. A first battery slot is formed between two adjacent first baffles for placing cylindrical batteries.

[0007] The second conveying mechanism includes a second synchronous belt, a third synchronous belt, and a second synchronous belt pulley set. The second synchronous belt is provided with second baffles that are equidistant from each other at a second interval, and the third synchronous belt is provided with third baffles that are equidistant from each other at a third interval. A second battery slot is formed between two adjacent second baffles for placing one end of a cylindrical battery, and a third battery slot is formed between two adjacent third baffles for placing the other end of a cylindrical battery.

[0008] One end of the first conveyor mechanism and one end of the second conveyor mechanism are arranged to cross each other, so that the first synchronous belt is located between the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries as described in the first aspect is provided, wherein the sensor group includes a pair or more through-beam sensors, each through-beam sensor being distributed on both sides of a first synchronous belt.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries as described in the first aspect is provided, wherein a first synchronous pulley group includes a first synchronous pulley, a second synchronous pulley, a third synchronous pulley, and a fourth synchronous pulley, and a first synchronous belt is sleeved on the first synchronous pulley, the second synchronous pulley, the third synchronous pulley, and the fourth synchronous pulley such that the first synchronous belt is in the form of a parallelogram.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries as described in the third aspect is provided, wherein the second synchronous pulley group includes a fifth synchronous pulley, a sixth synchronous pulley, a seventh synchronous pulley, and an eighth synchronous pulley, and the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt are respectively sleeved on both sides of the fifth synchronous pulley, the sixth synchronous pulley, the seventh synchronous pulley, and the eighth synchronous pulley, such that the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt are both parallelograms.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries as described in the fourth aspect is provided, wherein the distance between the second and third synchronous belts is greater than the width of the first synchronous belt, and one end of the first synchronous belt extends between the second and third synchronous belts such that the first synchronous belt intersects with the second and third synchronous belts.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries, as in the fifth aspect, is provided, wherein the distances of the first spacing, the second spacing, and the third spacing are equal.

[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a sorting device for cylindrical batteries as described in the sixth aspect is provided, wherein a first cover plate and a second cover plate are provided at the intersection of a first synchronous belt and a second synchronous belt and a third synchronous belt.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a sorting method for cylindrical batteries is provided, the method comprising:

[0016] The control unit recognizes that each cylindrical battery after detection and screening is placed in its original fixed position into the corresponding first battery slot on the first synchronous belt. The first motor drives the first synchronous belt to move at a constant speed in the first direction.

[0017] The first synchronous belt carries each cylindrical battery and moves at a constant speed along the first direction past the sensor group. The control unit identifies the empty positions of the cylindrical batteries in each first battery slot arranged sequentially on the first synchronous belt based on the information fed back by the sensor group.

[0018] When the first synchronous belt carrying the cylindrical battery reaches the intersection, the cylindrical battery is located in the first battery slot on the first synchronous belt, and its two ends enter the second battery slot of the second synchronous belt and the third battery slot of the third synchronous belt respectively. The second motor drives the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt to move at a constant speed in the second direction, which is the same as the first direction. When the first synchronous belt continues to move at a constant speed in the first direction, the cylindrical battery leaves the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt and is then carried and transported by the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt.

[0019] When the empty position of the first battery slot on the first synchronous belt is close to the intersection point, the control unit controls the first motor to drive the first synchronous belt to accelerate in the first direction. Through the differential movement between the first synchronous belt and the second and third synchronous belts, the cylindrical battery located at the empty position on the first synchronous belt accelerates to the intersection point. Then the cylindrical battery is removed from the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt and is carried and transported by the second and third synchronous belts.

[0020] Similarly, by controlling the uniform or accelerated movement of the first synchronous belt through the control unit, the cylindrical batteries that are arranged at intervals on the first synchronous belt are transformed into cylindrical batteries that are transported on the second and third synchronous belts in a sequential order.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by the control unit identifying the cylindrical batteries on the first synchronous belt, the first synchronous belt is controlled to make different movements relative to the second and third synchronous belts at the same speed or different speeds, so that the cylindrical batteries located on the first synchronous belt are converted into sequentially arranged on the second and third synchronous belts at the intersection position for subsequent conveying. The degree of automation is high and the efficiency of subsequent processes is effectively improved.

[0022] Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, indicating how the principles of the present invention can be employed. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which form part of the specification, are provided to provide a further understanding of the invention and illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. Together with the text description, they serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements throughout.

[0024] In the attached diagram:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of AA;

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged view of the end of the first conveying mechanism;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged view of the end of the second conveying mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Specific embodiments of the invention are specifically disclosed in the description and drawings, illustrating partial implementations in which the principles of the invention can be employed. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0031] This invention first provides a sorting device for cylindrical batteries. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is its top view. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of AA, Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged view of the end of the first conveying mechanism; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged view of the end of the second conveying mechanism. (See attached image.) Figure 1-5 As shown, the sorting device 01 for cylindrical batteries includes a control unit (not shown in the figure), a first motor 1, a first conveying mechanism 2, and a sensor group 3. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor group includes one or more through-beam sensors, each distributed on both sides of the first conveying mechanism 2. In the figure, a pair of through-beam sensors 31 and 32 are marked as an example. The first motor 1 drives the first conveying mechanism 2 to move along a first direction. The second motor 4 drives the second conveying mechanism 5 to move along a second direction. Further, the first direction in which the first conveying mechanism 2 moves is the same as the second direction in which the second conveying mechanism 5 moves, and the cylindrical batteries are conveyed from the first conveying mechanism 2 to the second conveying mechanism 5.

[0032] The first conveying mechanism 2 includes a first synchronous belt 21 and a first synchronous pulley group. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first synchronous pulley group includes a first synchronous pulley 22, a second synchronous pulley 23, a third synchronous pulley 24, and a fourth synchronous pulley 25. The first synchronous belt 21 is sleeved on the first synchronous pulley 22, the second synchronous pulley 23, the third synchronous pulley 24, and the fourth synchronous pulley 25, making the first synchronous belt 21 appear as a parallelogram. The first synchronous belt 21 is provided with first baffles that are equidistantly arranged at a first interval. In the figure, one of the first baffles 211 is marked as an example. Two adjacent first baffles form a first battery slot for placing cylindrical batteries. In the figure, one of the cylindrical batteries 001 is marked as an example.

[0033] The second conveying mechanism 5 includes a second synchronous belt 51, a third synchronous belt 52, and a second synchronous pulley group. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second synchronous pulley group includes a fifth synchronous pulley 53, a sixth synchronous pulley 54, a seventh synchronous pulley 55, and an eighth synchronous pulley 56. The second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 are respectively sleeved on both sides of the fifth synchronous pulley 53, the sixth synchronous pulley 54, the seventh synchronous pulley 55, and the eighth synchronous pulley 56, so that both the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 are parallelograms. The second synchronous belt 51 is provided with second baffles that are equidistant from a second spacing, and one of the second baffles 511 is shown in the figure. The third synchronous belt 52 is provided with third baffles that are equidistant from a third spacing, and one of the third baffles 521 is shown in the figure. A second battery slot is formed between two adjacent second baffles for placing one end of a cylindrical battery, and a third battery slot is formed between two adjacent third baffles for placing the other end of a cylindrical battery.

[0034] One end of the first conveying mechanism 2 and one end of the second conveying mechanism 5 are arranged to cross each other, so that the first synchronous belt 21 is located between the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 is greater than the width of the first synchronous belt 21, and one end of the first synchronous belt 21 extends between the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52, resulting in an intersection point between the first synchronous belt 21 and the second and third synchronous belts 51 and 52. Preferably, the first spacing between the first baffles on the first synchronous belt 21, the second spacing between the second baffles on the second synchronous belt 51, and the third spacing between the third baffles on the third synchronous belt 52 are all equal. Therefore, when the cylindrical battery located on the first synchronous belt 21 is transported to the intersection point, it can be received by the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 and reordered for subsequent transport.

[0036] Preferably, in order to prevent the cylindrical battery from being switched unsmoothly at the intersection of the synchronous belts, a first cover plate 61 and a second cover plate 62 are provided at the intersection of the first synchronous belt 21 with the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52. The first cover plate 61 and the second cover plate 62 are respectively provided on both sides of the intersection, and their shape is similar to a V to adapt to the shape formed by each synchronous belt at the intersection. By setting the cover plate, the cylindrical battery is prevented from being arched so that it can smoothly enter each battery slot.

[0037] Accordingly, the present invention also provides a sorting method for cylindrical batteries. First, the control unit identifies that each cylindrical battery, after detection and screening, is placed in its original fixed position into its corresponding first battery slot on the first synchronous belt 21. See [link to documentation]. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The cylindrical batteries on the first synchronous belt 21 are arranged irregularly, and there are gaps between some of the cylindrical batteries; at this time, the first motor 1 drives the first synchronous belt 21 to move at a constant speed in the first direction.

[0038] When the first synchronous belt 21 carries each cylindrical battery and moves at a constant speed along the first direction past the sensor group 3, the control unit identifies the empty positions of the cylindrical batteries in each first battery slot arranged sequentially on the first synchronous belt 21 based on the information fed back by the pairs of photoelectric sensors in the sensor group 3.

[0039] When the first synchronous belt 21 carrying the cylindrical battery reaches the intersection, the cylindrical battery is located in the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt 21, and its two ends enter the second battery slot of the second synchronous belt 51 and the third battery slot of the third synchronous belt 52 respectively. The second motor 4 drives the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 to move at a constant speed in the second direction, which is the same as the first direction. At the intersection, the first synchronous belt moves downward, while the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 move upward. As the first synchronous belt 21, the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 continue to move at a constant speed in the first direction, the cylindrical battery leaves the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt 21 and is then carried and transported by the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52.

[0040] When the empty position of the first battery slot on the first synchronous belt 21 is close to the intersection point, the control unit controls the first motor 1 to drive the first synchronous belt 21 to accelerate in the first direction. Through the differential movement between the first synchronous belt 21 and the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52, the cylindrical battery located after the empty position on the first synchronous belt 21 accelerates to the intersection point. Then the cylindrical battery is removed from the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt 21 and is carried and transported by the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52.

[0041] Similarly, by controlling the first synchronous belt 21 to move at a constant speed or accelerate, the cylindrical batteries that are arranged at intervals on the first synchronous belt 21 are transformed into cylindrical batteries that are sequentially arranged and transported on the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52. At this time, see... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 The cylindrical batteries located on the second synchronous belt 51 and the third synchronous belt 52 are sorted according to a certain rule. All cylindrical batteries are transported in sequence, which ensures that they can be packed into boxes in the subsequent boxing process and effectively improves the automation efficiency of the entire cylindrical battery testing line.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, and many features of these embodiments become clear from this detailed description. Furthermore, since many modifications and alterations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to the precise structures and operations illustrated and described, but rather to encompass all suitable modifications.

Claims

1. A sorting device for cylindrical batteries, characterized in that, It includes a control unit, a first motor, a first conveying mechanism, and a sensor group. The first motor drives the first conveying mechanism to move along a first direction. It also includes a second motor and a second conveying mechanism. The second motor drives the second conveying mechanism to move along a second direction. The first direction is the same as the second direction. The first conveying mechanism includes a first synchronous belt and a first synchronous belt pulley group. The first synchronous belt is provided with first baffles that are equidistantly arranged at a first interval. A first battery slot is formed between two adjacent first baffles for placing cylindrical batteries. The second conveying mechanism includes a second synchronous belt, a third synchronous belt, and a second synchronous belt pulley set. The second synchronous belt is provided with second baffles that are equidistant from each other at a second interval, and the third synchronous belt is provided with third baffles that are equidistant from each other at a third interval. A second battery slot is formed between two adjacent second baffles for placing one end of a cylindrical battery, and a third battery slot is formed between two adjacent third baffles for placing the other end of a cylindrical battery. One end of the first conveying mechanism and one end of the second conveying mechanism are arranged to cross each other, such that the first synchronous belt is located between the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt; The distances between the first spacing, the second spacing, and the third spacing are equal.

2. The sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor group includes one or more pairs of through-beam sensors, with each through-beam sensor distributed on both sides of the first synchronization belt.

3. The sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first synchronous belt pulley group includes a first synchronous belt pulley, a second synchronous belt pulley, a third synchronous belt pulley, and a fourth synchronous belt pulley. The first synchronous belt is sleeved on the first synchronous belt pulley, the second synchronous belt pulley, the third synchronous belt pulley, and the fourth synchronous belt pulley, so that the first synchronous belt presents a parallelogram shape.

4. The sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second synchronous pulley set includes a fifth synchronous pulley, a sixth synchronous pulley, a seventh synchronous pulley, and an eighth synchronous pulley. The second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt are respectively sleeved on both sides of the fifth synchronous pulley, the sixth synchronous pulley, the seventh synchronous pulley, and the eighth synchronous pulley, so that the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt are both parallelograms.

5. The sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that, The distance between the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt is greater than the width of the first synchronous belt, and one end of the first synchronous belt extends between the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt, so that the first synchronous belt intersects with the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt.

6. The sorting device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 5, characterized in that, A first cover plate and a second cover plate are provided at the intersection of the first synchronous belt, the second synchronous belt, and the third synchronous belt.

7. A sorting method for cylindrical batteries, characterized in that, The control unit recognizes that each cylindrical battery after detection and screening is placed in its original fixed position into the corresponding first battery slot on the first synchronous belt. The first motor drives the first synchronous belt to move at a constant speed in the first direction. The first synchronous belt carries each cylindrical battery and moves at a constant speed along the first direction past the sensor group. The control unit identifies the empty positions of the cylindrical batteries in each first battery slot arranged sequentially on the first synchronous belt based on the information fed back by the sensor group. When the first synchronous belt carrying the cylindrical battery reaches the intersection, the cylindrical battery is located in the first battery slot on the first synchronous belt, and its two ends enter the second battery slot of the second synchronous belt and the third battery slot of the third synchronous belt respectively. The second motor drives the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt to move at a constant speed in the second direction, which is the same as the first direction. When the first synchronous belt continues to move at a constant speed in the first direction, the cylindrical battery leaves the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt and is then carried and transported by the second synchronous belt and the third synchronous belt. When the empty position of the first battery slot on the first synchronous belt is close to the intersection point, the control unit controls the first motor to drive the first synchronous belt to accelerate in the first direction. Through the differential movement between the first synchronous belt and the second and third synchronous belts, the cylindrical battery located at the empty position on the first synchronous belt accelerates to the intersection point. Then the cylindrical battery is removed from the first battery slot of the first synchronous belt and is carried and transported by the second and third synchronous belts. Similarly, by controlling the uniform or accelerated movement of the first synchronous belt through the control unit, the cylindrical batteries that are arranged at intervals on the first synchronous belt are transformed into cylindrical batteries that are transported on the second and third synchronous belts in a sequential order.

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