Cylindrical battery tab welding equipment and welding method

Abstract

The present invention provides a cylindrical battery tab welding device and a welding method, which include a workbench, and a cell loading mechanism, a circulating line mechanism, a cam picking mechanism, a vibrating plate feeding mechanism, an upper cover transporting and bending mechanism, a laser welding mechanism, a visual inspection mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a folding mechanism, and a unloading plate mechanism, all of which are arranged on the workbench. The cell loading mechanism includes a first cell loading position and a cell unloading position. The circulating line mechanism includes a circulating conveyor belt arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the transmission direction of the circulating conveyor belt includes a second cell loading position, an upper cover loading position, a bending position, a welding position, a visual inspection position, a rotating position, a folding position, and a battery unloading position arranged in sequence along a straight line. The welding method uses the above-mentioned cylindrical battery tab welding device for welding. The cylindrical battery tab welding device and the welding method provided by the present invention have a high degree of automation, do not require manual intervention, have high production efficiency, save manpower, and have uniform product quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automation equipment, and in particular to a cylindrical battery tab welding device and a welding method. Background Art

[0002] A semi-finished cylindrical battery consists of a shell, a cell, and a top cover. The shell is open at one end, housing the cell. One tab of the cell extends vertically out of the shell, and the top cover is separate from the shell and the cell. The processing requires welding the tab to the top cover before snapping the top cover onto the shell. Existing tab welding equipment has a low degree of automation, requiring manual intervention at some stages. This results in low production efficiency, wasted labor, and inconsistent product quality.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a cylindrical battery tab welding device and a welding method to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides cylindrical battery tab welding equipment and a welding method, which have a high degree of automation, do not require manual intervention, have high production efficiency, save manpower, and have uniform product quality.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is:

[0006] A cylindrical battery tab welding device comprises a workbench, and a cell loading mechanism, a circulating line mechanism, a cam material taking mechanism, a vibrating plate material feeding mechanism, an upper cover conveying and bending mechanism, a laser welding mechanism, a visual inspection mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a folding mechanism, and a material unloading and swinging plate mechanism, all of which are arranged on the workbench;

[0007] The workbench is arranged horizontally;

[0008] The battery cell loading mechanism includes a linear conveyor belt arranged in a transverse direction, and the transmission direction of the linear conveyor belt includes a first battery cell loading position and a battery cell unloading position;

[0009] The circulating line mechanism includes a circulating conveyor belt arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the transmission direction of the circulating conveyor belt includes a second battery cell loading position, an upper cover loading position, a bending position, a welding position, a visual inspection position, a rotation position, a folding position and a battery unloading position arranged in sequence along a straight line;

[0010] The cam picking mechanism is used to move the battery cell from the battery cell unloading position to the second battery cell loading position;

[0011] The vibrating plate feeding mechanism is located at the upper material position of the upper cover;

[0012] The upper cover conveying and bending mechanism is located at the upper material position and the bending position of the upper cover;

[0013] The laser welding mechanism is located at the welding position;

[0014] The visual detection mechanism is located at the visual detection position;

[0015] The rotating mechanism is located at the rotating position;

[0016] The folding mechanism is located at the folding position;

[0017] The unloading swing plate mechanism is located at the battery unloading position.

[0018] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment described in the present invention, the circulating line mechanism includes multiple circulating trolleys and multiple jigs, the circulating trolleys connect the circulating conveyor belt and the jig, the jig includes a first step and a second step, the second step is higher than the first step, the first step is provided with a battery cell positioning groove, and the second step is provided with an upper cover positioning groove.

[0019] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment described in the present invention, the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism includes a first horizontal driving member, a first vertical driving member, a first cylinder, a pressure plate, a second cylinder, a bending knife and a connecting block; the pressure plate is arranged vertically, the first cylinder is connected to the pressure plate, and the first cylinder is used to drive the pressure plate to move vertically; the bending knife is arranged obliquely, the second cylinder is connected to the bending knife, and the second cylinder is used to drive the bending knife to move obliquely; the connecting block connects the first cylinder and the second cylinder, the first vertical driving member is connected to the connecting block, and the first vertical driving member is used to drive the pressure plate and the bending knife to move vertically; the first horizontal driving member is connected to the first vertical driving member, and the first horizontal driving member is used to drive the pressure plate and the bending knife to move horizontally.

[0020] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment described in the present invention, the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism also includes a suction cup, a second horizontal drive member and a second vertical drive member, the second vertical drive member is connected to the suction cup, and the second vertical drive member is used to drive the suction cup to move vertically, the second horizontal drive member is connected to the second vertical drive member, and the second horizontal drive member is used to drive the suction cup to move horizontally.

[0021] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment described in the present invention, the rotating mechanism includes a first rotating clamping cylinder, which is movably arranged above the rotating position.

[0022] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment of the present invention, the rotating mechanism further comprises:

[0023] A vertical plate, which is arranged vertically and fixed on the workbench;

[0024] A mounting plate is arranged vertically and connected to the vertical plate, and a vertical slide groove is provided on the mounting plate;

[0025] a bearing movably disposed in the slide groove;

[0026] a swing arm, one end of which is a first end and the other end of which is a second end, wherein the first end is movably connected to the outer ring of the bearing;

[0027] a vertical linear guide rail, a slider of the vertical linear guide rail being connected to the mounting plate, a track of the vertical linear guide rail being connected to the inner ring of the bearing and the first rotary clamping cylinder; and

[0028] The motor, whose rotating shaft is connected to the second end, is used to drive the swing arm to rotate, thereby driving the first rotary clamping cylinder to move vertically.

[0029] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment described in the present invention, the folding mechanism includes a second rotary clamping cylinder and a third cylinder; the third cylinder is connected to the second rotary clamping cylinder and is used to drive the second rotary clamping cylinder to move laterally.

[0030] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment of the present invention, the unloading and swinging plate mechanism includes:

[0031] A material tray is arranged to slide in a transverse direction;

[0032] A third transverse driving member, connected to the material tray, for driving the material tray to slide transversely; and

[0033] The unloading robot is slidably arranged to move the battery from the battery unloading position to the material tray.

[0034] In the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment described in the present invention, the battery cell feeding mechanism includes a stopper and a pressure sensor. The stopper is arranged at the battery cell unloading position, and the pressure sensor is arranged on a side of the stopper close to the battery cell.

[0035] Another technical solution of the present invention is:

[0036] A cylindrical battery tab welding method is provided, which uses the above-mentioned cylindrical battery tab welding equipment for welding, and the cylindrical battery tab welding method comprises the following steps:

[0037] S11, the battery cell loading mechanism transports the battery cells loaded into the housing from the first battery cell loading position to the battery cell unloading position in a straight line;

[0038] S12, the cam picking mechanism moves the battery cell from the battery cell unloading position to the second battery cell loading position;

[0039] S13, the circulating line mechanism sequentially and linearly transports the product from the second battery cell loading position to the upper cover loading position, the bending position, the welding position, the visual inspection position, the rotation position, the folding position, and the battery unloading position;

[0040] S14, the vibrating plate feeding mechanism conveys the upper cover;

[0041] S15, the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism moves the upper cover to the upper cover loading position;

[0042] S16, the upper cover conveying and bending mechanism bends the tab;

[0043] S17, the laser welding mechanism welds the tab to the upper cover;

[0044] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment and welding method of the present invention transports the battery cells loaded into the shell from the first battery cell loading position to the battery cell unloading position in a straight line through the battery cell loading mechanism, and moves the battery cells from the battery cell unloading position to the second battery cell loading position through the cam picking mechanism; transports the products from the second battery cell loading position in a straight line to the upper cover loading position, bending position, welding position, visual inspection position, rotation position, folding position and battery unloading position in sequence through the circulating line mechanism; transports the upper cover through the vibrating plate feeding mechanism; and transports the battery cells through the upper cover. The bending mechanism moves the upper cover from the output port of the vibrating disk feeding mechanism to the upper cover loading position; the upper cover handling and bending mechanism bends the tabs; the laser welding mechanism welds the tabs to the upper cover; the visual inspection mechanism inspects the welding of the tabs and the upper cover; the battery is rotated 90° by the rotating mechanism; the tabs are folded by the folding mechanism to connect the upper cover and the shell; the battery is removed from the battery unloading position by the unloading swing plate mechanism. The above mechanisms can work simultaneously with a high degree of automation, no manual intervention is required, the production efficiency is high, and manpower is saved, and the product quality is uniform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. The drawings described below are only drawings corresponding to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a cylindrical battery tab welding device provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic top view of the structure of a cell feeding mechanism of a cylindrical battery tab welding device provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3A schematic side view of the structure of a circulating conveyor belt of a cylindrical battery tab welding device provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a jig for cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a jig carrying an upper cover and a battery cell for a cylindrical battery tab welding device provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of part A.

[0053] Figure 8 Another structural schematic diagram of the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of the rotating mechanism of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the rotating mechanism of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 11 A schematic structural diagram of the folding mechanism of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 12 A schematic structural diagram of the blanking and swinging plate mechanism of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] in,

[0059] 11. Workbench,

[0060] 12. Battery cell loading mechanism, 121. Linear conveyor belt, 1211. First battery cell loading position, 1212. Battery cell unloading position, 122. Stopper, 123. Fixed plate,

[0061] 13. Circular line mechanism,

[0062] 131. Circular conveyor belt, 1311. Second cell loading position, 1312. Upper cover loading position, 1313. Bending position, 1314. Welding position, 1315. Visual inspection position, 1316. Rotation position, 1317. Folding position, 1318. Battery unloading position,

[0063] 132. Circulating trolley,

[0064] 133, fixture, 1331, first step, 13311, battery cell positioning groove, 1332, second step, 13321, upper cover positioning groove,

[0065] 14. Cam material taking mechanism,

[0066] 15. Vibrating plate feeding mechanism,

[0067] 16. Upper cover transport and bending mechanism,

[0068] 160. First transverse drive member, 161. First vertical drive member, 162. First cylinder, 163. Pressing plate, 164. Second cylinder, 165. Bending knife, 166. Connecting block, 167. Suction cup, 168. Second transverse drive member, 169. Second vertical drive member,

[0069] 17. Visual inspection agency,

[0070] 18. Rotating mechanism,

[0071] 181. First rotary clamping cylinder, 182. Vertical plate, 183. Mounting plate, 1831. Slideway, 184. Bearing, 185. Swing arm, 186. Motor, 187. Vertical linear guide rail,

[0072] 19. Folding mechanism, 191. Second rotary clamping cylinder, 192. Third cylinder,

[0073] 20. Material unloading plate mechanism, 201. Material plate, 202. Third transverse driving member, 203. Material unloading manipulator.

[0074] In the figures, structurally similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] 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 those skilled in the art without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0076] Directional terms mentioned in the present invention, such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "side", "top" and "bottom", are only used with reference to the directions of the drawings. The directional terms used are used to illustrate and understand the present invention, and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0077] The terms "first" and "second" in the present invention are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, and should not be used as a limitation on the order of precedence.

[0078] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0079] A semi-finished cylindrical battery consists of a shell, a cell, and a top cover. The shell is open at one end, housing the cell. One tab of the cell extends vertically out of the shell, and the top cover is separate from the shell and the cell. The processing requires welding the tab to the top cover before snapping the top cover onto the shell. Existing tab welding equipment has a low degree of automation, requiring manual intervention at some stages. This results in low production efficiency, wasted labor, and inconsistent product quality.

[0080] The following is a preferred embodiment of a cylindrical battery tab welding device and a welding method provided by the present invention that can solve the above technical problems.

[0081] Please refer to Figures 1-12 The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a cylindrical battery tab welding device, which includes a workbench 11, and a cell loading mechanism 12, a circulating line mechanism 13, a cam picking mechanism 14, a vibrating disk feeding mechanism 15, an upper cover conveying and bending mechanism 16, a laser welding mechanism, a visual inspection mechanism 17, a rotating mechanism 18, a folding mechanism 19 and a unloading swing plate mechanism 20, all of which are arranged on the workbench 11. The workbench 11 is arranged horizontally. The cell loading mechanism 12 includes a linear conveyor belt 121 and two fixed plates 123 arranged in the transverse direction. The linear conveyor belt 121 is annular and is driven by a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The transmission direction of the linear conveyor belt 121 includes a first cell loading position 1211 and a cell unloading position 1212. The two fixed plates 123 are arranged in parallel and are located on both sides of the linear conveyor belt 121. They can block the cell and prevent it from escaping from the linear conveyor belt 121.

[0082] The circulating line mechanism 13 includes a longitudinally arranged circular conveyor belt 131. The circular conveyor belt 131 is annular and is driven by a driving pulley and a driven pulley. The conveyor belt 131 includes a second battery cell loading position 1311, a top cover loading position 1312, a bending position 1313, a welding position 1314, a visual inspection position 1315, a rotation position 1316, a folding position 1317, and a battery unloading position 1318, which are arranged in a straight line. The second battery cell loading position 1311 is located to one side of the battery cell unloading position 1212 in the horizontal direction and is located on the side of the battery cell unloading position 1212 away from the first battery cell loading position 1211.

[0083] The cam picking mechanism 14 is used to move the battery cells from the battery cell unloading position 1212 to the second battery cell loading position 1311. The vibrating plate feeding mechanism 15 is located at the upper cover loading position 1312. The upper cover transport and bending mechanism 16 is located at the upper cover loading position 1312 and the bending position 1313. The laser welding mechanism, which can be a traditional laser welding mechanism, is located at the welding position 1314. The visual inspection mechanism 17 is located at the visual inspection position 1315. The rotating mechanism 18 is located at the rotating position 1316. The folding mechanism 19 is located at the folding position 1317. The unloading swing plate mechanism 20 is located at the battery unloading position 1318.

[0084] The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment of the present invention transports the battery cells loaded into the shell from the first battery cell loading position 1211 to the battery cell unloading position 1212 in a straight line through the battery cell loading mechanism 12, and moves the battery cells from the battery cell unloading position 1212 to the second battery cell loading position 1311 through the cam picking mechanism 14; transports the products from the second battery cell loading position 1311 in a straight line to the upper cover loading position 1312, the bending position 1313, the welding position 1314, the visual inspection position 1315, the rotation position 1316, the folding position 1317 and the battery unloading position 1318 in sequence through the circulating line mechanism 13; transports the upper cover through the vibration disk feeding mechanism 15; The upper cover is moved from the output port of the vibration disk feeding mechanism 15 to the upper cover loading position 1312 through the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism 16; the pole ear is bent by the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism 16; the pole ear and the upper cover are welded by the laser welding mechanism; the welding of the pole ear and the upper cover is inspected by the visual inspection mechanism 17; the battery is rotated 90° by the rotating mechanism 18; the pole ear is folded by the folding mechanism 19 so that the upper cover and the shell are connected; the battery is removed from the battery unloading position 1318 by the unloading swing plate mechanism 20. The above mechanisms can work simultaneously, with a high degree of automation, no need for manual intervention, high production efficiency, manpower saving, and uniform product quality.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5The circulating line mechanism 13 includes a plurality of circulating trolleys 132 and a plurality of jigs 133. The circulating trolleys 132 are connected to the circulating conveyor belt 131 and the jigs 133, and the circulating trolleys 132 are detachably connected to the jigs 133. The jig 133 includes a first step 1331 and a second step 1332. The second step 1332 is higher than the first step 1331. The first step 1331 is provided with a battery cell positioning groove 13311, and the second step 1332 is provided with an upper cover positioning groove 13321. With the above structure, the battery cell loaded into the shell is placed in the battery cell positioning groove 13311, and the upper cover is placed in the upper cover positioning groove 13321, so that the battery cell and the upper cover can be transported stably. The circulating trolley 132 is detachably connected to the jig 133, and jigs 133 of different sizes can be replaced according to the size of the battery cell and the upper cover.

[0086] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The upper cover transporting and bending mechanism 16 includes a first horizontal driving member 160, a first vertical driving member 161, a first cylinder 162, a pressure plate 163, a second cylinder 164, a bending knife 165 and a connecting block 166. The pressure plate 163 is arranged vertically, the first cylinder 162 is connected to the pressure plate 163, and the first cylinder 162 is used to drive the pressure plate 163 to move vertically. The bending knife 165 is arranged at a 45° angle, with the head of the bending knife 165 facing the pressure plate 163, the second cylinder 164 is connected to the bending knife 165, and the second cylinder 164 is used to drive the bending knife 165 to move obliquely. The connecting block 166 connects the first cylinder 162 and the second cylinder 164, the first vertical driving member 161 is connected to the connecting block 166, and the first vertical driving member 161 is used to drive the pressure plate 163 and the bending knife 165 to move vertically. The first transverse drive member 160 is fixed to the workbench 11 and connected to the first vertical drive member 161. The first transverse drive member 160 is used to drive the pressing plate 163 and the bending knife 165 to move transversely. With the above structure, the positions of the pressing plate 163 and the bending knife 165 can be adjusted by the first transverse drive member 160 and the first vertical drive member 161. The pressing plate 163 is driven downward by the first cylinder 162 to press the top of the tab. The bending knife 165 is driven obliquely by the second cylinder 164 to bend the tab. Through the cooperation of the pressing plate 163 and the bending knife 165, the tab is formed into a Z shape, with the middle section of the tab extending vertically and the two sections on both sides extending transversely. The bent state of the tab is stable and does not generate stress. The top of the tab can be fitted with the upper cover, and the tab extends close to the main body and shell of the battery cell, making the structure compact.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 8The upper cover transport and bending mechanism 16 also includes a suction cup 167, a second transverse drive member 168, and a second vertical drive member 169. The second vertical drive member 169 is connected to the suction cup 167 and is used to drive the suction cup 167 to move vertically. The second transverse drive member 168 is connected to the second vertical drive member 169 and is used to drive the suction cup 167 to move horizontally. In the above structure, the upper cover is moved by the suction cup 167, which prevents the upper cover from deforming, facilitates transportation, and is easy to control.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 9 The rotating mechanism 18 includes a first rotating clamping cylinder 181, which is movably arranged above the rotating position 1316. With this structure, the battery cell can be clamped by the first rotating clamping cylinder 181, and then rotated 90 degrees clockwise, so that the part connecting the tab and the upper cover is suspended in the air, which facilitates the subsequent folding operation of the tab.

[0089] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The rotating mechanism 18 also includes a vertical plate 182, a mounting plate 183, a bearing 184, a swing arm 185, a vertical linear guide 187 and a motor 186. The vertical plate 182 is arranged vertically and fixed on the workbench 11. The mounting plate 183 is arranged vertically and connected to the vertical plate 182. A vertical slide 1831 is provided on the mounting plate 183. The bearing 184 is movably arranged in the slide 1831. One end of the swing arm 185 is the first end, and the other end is the second end. The first end is movably connected to the outer ring of the bearing 184. The slider of the vertical linear guide 187 is connected to the mounting plate 183, and the track of the vertical linear guide 187 is connected to the inner ring of the bearing 184 and the first rotary clamping cylinder 181. The rotating shaft of the motor 186 is connected to the second end, which is used to drive the swing arm 185 to rotate, thereby driving the first rotary clamping cylinder 181 to move vertically. With the above structure, the motor 186 drives the swing arm 185 to rotate, the swing arm 185 drives the bearing 184 to move along the slide groove 1831, and the bearing 184 drives the track of the vertical linear guide 187 to move up and down, thereby driving the first rotary clamping cylinder 181 to move up and down, making the movement process stable and the movement stroke easy to control.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 11 The folding mechanism 19 includes a second rotary clamping cylinder 191 and a third cylinder 192. The third cylinder 192 is connected to the second rotary clamping cylinder 191 and is used to drive the second rotary clamping cylinder 191 to move horizontally. With the above structure, after the second rotary clamping cylinder 191 moves horizontally, it first clamps the tab, and then the second rotary clamping cylinder 191 rotates, thereby folding the tab and buckling the upper cover onto the housing.

[0091] Please refer to Figure 12The unloading tray mechanism 20 includes a tray 201, a third transverse driving member 202 and a unloading manipulator 203. The tray 201 is arranged to slide in the transverse direction. The third transverse driving member 202 is connected to the tray 201 and is used to drive the tray 201 to slide in the transverse direction. The unloading manipulator 203 is slidably arranged to move the battery from the battery unloading position 1318 to the tray 201. With the above structure, the tray 201 can be moved to a suitable position by the third transverse driving member 202, and then the shell with the upper cover can be moved to the tray 201 by the unloading manipulator 203. After the tray 201 is full, the tray 201 can be removed.

[0092] Please refer to Figure 2 The cell loading mechanism 12 includes a stopper 122 and a pressure sensor. The stopper 122 is located at the cell unloading position 1212, and the pressure sensor is located on the side of the stopper 122 closest to the cell. In the above structure, the stopper 122 prevents the cell loaded into the housing from escaping from the linear conveyor belt 121. When the pressure sensor sends a signal, indicating that a cell has reached the stopper 122, the cam pick-up mechanism 14 can then convey the cell.

[0093] The preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides a cylindrical battery tab welding method, which is welded using the above-mentioned cylindrical battery tab welding equipment. The cylindrical battery tab welding method includes the following steps: S11, the battery cell loading mechanism 12 transports the battery cell loaded into the shell from the first battery cell loading position 1211 to the battery cell unloading position 1212 in a straight line; S12, the cam picking mechanism 14 moves the battery cell from the battery cell unloading position 1212 to the second battery cell loading position 1311; S13, the circulating line mechanism 13 transports the product from the second battery cell loading position 1311 in a straight line to the upper cover loading position 1312, the bending position 1313, the welding position 1314, and the visual inspection position 1315 in sequence. 15. Rotation position 1316, folding position 1317 and battery unloading position 1318; S14. Vibrating disk feeding mechanism 15 transports the upper cover; S15. Upper cover transporting and bending mechanism 16 moves the upper cover to the upper cover loading position 1312; S16. Upper cover transporting and bending mechanism 16 bends the tab; S17. Laser welding mechanism welds the tab to the upper cover; S18. Visual inspection mechanism 17 inspects the welding of the tab and the upper cover; S19. Rotation mechanism 18 rotates the battery 90°; S20. Folding mechanism 19 folds the tab so that the upper cover and the shell are connected; and S21. Unloading swing plate mechanism 20 removes the battery from the battery unloading position 1318.

[0094] The working process of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0095] 1. The battery cell loading mechanism 12 is used to linearly transport the battery cells loaded into the housing from the first battery cell loading position 1211 to the battery cell unloading position 1212;

[0096] 2. When the battery cell reaches the stopper 122, the pressure sensor sends a signal, and the cam picking mechanism 14 moves the battery cell from the battery cell unloading position 1212 to the second battery cell loading position 1311, and the battery cell is located in the battery cell positioning groove 13311;

[0097] 3. The product is transported linearly from the second battery cell loading position 1311 to the upper cover loading position 1312, the bending position 1313, the welding position 1314, the visual inspection position 1315, the rotation position 1316, the folding position 1317 and the battery unloading position 1318 through the circulating line mechanism 13;

[0098] 4. The upper cover is delivered through the vibrating plate feeding mechanism 15;

[0099] 5. The upper cover is moved to the upper cover material position 1312 by the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism 16, and the upper cover is located in the upper cover positioning groove 13321;

[0100] 6. Bend the tab by the upper cover handling and bending mechanism 16: the first horizontal driving member 160 and the first vertical driving member 161 adjust the positions of the pressing plate 163 and the bending knife 165, and the first cylinder 162 drives the pressing plate 163 to move downward to press the top of the tab, and the second cylinder 164 drives the bending knife 165 to move obliquely to bend the tab. Through the cooperation of the pressing plate 163 and the bending knife 165, the tab is Z-shaped, with the middle section of the tab extending vertically and the two sections on both sides extending horizontally, so that the top of the tab can be fitted with the upper cover;

[0101] 7. Weld the tabs to the upper cover using a laser welding mechanism;

[0102] 8. Rotate the battery 90° using the rotating mechanism 18: Motor 186 drives the swing arm 185 to rotate, which drives the bearing 184 to move along the slide 1831. The bearing 184 drives the track of the vertical linear guide 187 to move up and down, thereby driving the first rotary clamping cylinder 181 to move up and down; the first rotary clamping cylinder 181 first clamps the battery cell and then rotates 90° clockwise;

[0103] 9. Fold the tab by the folding mechanism 19: the second rotary clamping cylinder 191 first clamps the tab, and then the second rotary clamping cylinder 191 rotates to fold the tab, and at the same time buckles the upper cover on the shell;

[0104] 10. Remove the battery from the battery unloading position 1318 through the unloading tray mechanism 20: the third horizontal drive member 202 moves the tray 201 to a suitable position, and then the unloading robot 203 moves the shell covered with the upper cover onto the tray 201. After the tray 201 is full, remove the tray 201.

[0105] This completes the working process of the cylindrical battery tab welding equipment of this preferred embodiment.

[0106] The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment and welding method of the present invention uses a cell loading mechanism to linearly transport the cell loaded into the shell from the first cell loading position to the cell unloading position, and uses a cam picking mechanism to move the cell from the cell unloading position to the second cell loading position; uses a circulating line mechanism to linearly transport the product from the second cell loading position to the upper cover loading position, bending position, welding position, visual inspection position, rotation position, folding position and battery unloading position in sequence; uses a vibrating plate feeding mechanism to transport the upper cover; uses an upper cover conveying and bending mechanism to transport the upper cover from the vibration plate to the upper cover. The output port of the movable disc feeding mechanism moves to the upper cover loading position; the tab is bent by the upper cover handling and bending mechanism; the tab is welded to the upper cover by the laser welding mechanism; the welding of the tab and the upper cover is inspected by the visual inspection mechanism; the battery is rotated 90° by the rotating mechanism; the tab is folded by the folding mechanism to connect the upper cover and the shell; the battery is removed from the battery unloading position by the unloading swing plate mechanism. The above mechanisms can work simultaneously, with a high degree of automation, no need for manual intervention, high production efficiency, manpower saving, and uniform product quality.

[0107] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed as above in terms of preferred embodiments, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field, within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, who makes equivalent replacements or changes based on the concept of the technical solution of the present invention, should be covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cylindrical battery tab welding device, characterized in that: It includes a workbench, and a cell loading mechanism, a circulating line mechanism, a cam material taking mechanism, a vibration plate feeding mechanism, an upper cover conveying and bending mechanism, a laser welding mechanism, a visual inspection mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a folding mechanism and a material unloading and swinging plate mechanism, all of which are arranged on the workbench; The workbench is arranged horizontally; The battery cell loading mechanism includes a linear conveyor belt arranged in a transverse direction, and the transmission direction of the linear conveyor belt includes a first battery cell loading position and a battery cell unloading position; The circulating line mechanism includes a circulating conveyor belt arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the transmission direction of the circulating conveyor belt includes a second battery cell loading position, an upper cover loading position, a bending position, a welding position, a visual inspection position, a rotation position, a folding position and a battery unloading position arranged in sequence along a straight line; The cam picking mechanism is used to move the battery cell from the battery cell unloading position to the second battery cell loading position; The vibrating plate feeding mechanism is located at the upper material position of the upper cover; The upper cover conveying and bending mechanism is located at the upper material position and the bending position of the upper cover; The laser welding mechanism is located at the welding position; The visual detection mechanism is located at the visual detection position; The rotating mechanism is located at the rotating position; The folding mechanism is located at the folding position; The unloading swing plate mechanism is located at the battery unloading position; Wherein, the folding mechanism includes a second rotary clamping cylinder and a third cylinder; the third cylinder is connected to the second rotary clamping cylinder and is used to drive the second rotary clamping cylinder to move horizontally.

2. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circulating line mechanism includes multiple circulating trolleys and multiple jigs. The circulating trolleys are connected to the circulating conveyor belt and the jig. The jig includes a first step and a second step. The second step is higher than the first step. The first step is provided with a battery cell positioning groove, and the second step is provided with an upper cover positioning groove.

3. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper cover transporting and bending mechanism includes a first horizontal driving member, a first vertical driving member, a first cylinder, a pressure plate, a second cylinder, a bending knife and a connecting block; the pressure plate is arranged vertically, the first cylinder is connected to the pressure plate, and the first cylinder is used to drive the pressure plate to move vertically; the bending knife is arranged obliquely, the second cylinder is connected to the bending knife, and the second cylinder is used to drive the bending knife to move obliquely; the connecting block connects the first cylinder and the second cylinder, the first vertical driving member is connected to the connecting block, and the first vertical driving member is used to drive the pressure plate and the bending knife to move vertically; the first horizontal driving member is connected to the first vertical driving member, and the first horizontal driving member is used to drive the pressure plate and the bending knife to move horizontally.

4. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper cover transport and bending mechanism also includes a suction cup, a second horizontal drive member and a second vertical drive member, the second vertical drive member is connected to the suction cup, the second vertical drive member is used to drive the suction cup to move vertically, the second horizontal drive member is connected to the second vertical drive member, and the second horizontal drive member is used to drive the suction cup to move horizontally.

5. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating mechanism includes a first rotating clamping cylinder, which is movably arranged above the rotating position.

6. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rotating mechanism further comprises: A vertical plate, which is arranged vertically and fixed on the workbench; A mounting plate is arranged vertically and connected to the vertical plate, and a vertical slide groove is provided on the mounting plate; a bearing movably disposed in the slide groove; a swing arm, one end of which is a first end and the other end of which is a second end, wherein the first end is movably connected to the outer ring of the bearing; a vertical linear guide rail, a slider of the vertical linear guide rail being connected to the mounting plate, a track of the vertical linear guide rail being connected to the inner ring of the bearing and the first rotary clamping cylinder; and The motor, whose rotating shaft is connected to the second end, is used to drive the swing arm to rotate, thereby driving the first rotary clamping cylinder to move vertically.

7. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blanking and swinging plate mechanism comprises: A material tray is arranged to slide in a transverse direction; A third transverse driving member, connected to the material tray, for driving the material tray to slide transversely; and The unloading robot is slidably arranged to move the battery from the battery unloading position to the material tray.

8. The cylindrical battery tab welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery cell feeding mechanism includes a stopper and a pressure sensor. The stopper is arranged at the battery cell unloading position, and the pressure sensor is arranged on a side of the stopper close to the battery cell.

9. A cylindrical battery tab welding method, characterized in that: The cylindrical battery tab welding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used for welding, and the cylindrical battery tab welding method comprises the steps of: S11, the battery cell loading mechanism transports the battery cells loaded into the housing from the first battery cell loading position to the battery cell unloading position in a straight line; S12, the cam picking mechanism moves the battery cell from the battery cell unloading position to the second battery cell loading position; S13, the circulating line mechanism sequentially and linearly transports the product from the second battery cell loading position to the upper cover loading position, the bending position, the welding position, the visual inspection position, the rotation position, the folding position, and the battery unloading position; S14, the vibrating plate feeding mechanism conveys the upper cover; S15, the upper cover transporting and bending mechanism moves the upper cover to the upper cover loading position; S16, the upper cover conveying and bending mechanism bends the tab; S17, the laser welding mechanism welds the tab to the upper cover; S18, the visual inspection mechanism inspects the welding between the tab and the upper cover; S19, the rotating mechanism rotates the battery 90°; S20, the folding mechanism folds the tab so that the upper cover and the housing are connected; and S21, the unloading plate mechanism moves the battery away from the battery unloading position.

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