A lithium battery folding device

Abstract

A kind of lithium battery folding equipment, including laminating table and pole piece feeding mechanism, pole piece feeding mechanism is used to cut pole piece and feed pole piece on laminating table, two pole piece feeding mechanisms are oppositely arranged on the both sides of laminating table, and cut pole piece is fed to laminating table alternately to complete pole piece lamination. Since the cut pole piece for lamination is directly fed to the laminating table after cutting, the pole piece does not need to be transported, positioned and the like, greatly reducing the risk of damage and secondary pollution, avoiding cumulative error in the process of transfer, improving product accuracy, and the pole piece transportation, positioning and the like are no longer needed, the equipment occupies small space, the manufacturing cost is lower, and the structure is simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy lithium battery technology, specifically to a lithium battery stacking device. Background Technology

[0002] Existing lithium battery cell forming and stacking integrated machines all employ multiple stacking processes, resulting in large footprints, high manufacturing costs, and complex structures. Additionally: The existing Z-shaped cutting and stacking integrated machine requires multiple belts to transport the electrode sheets during the production process. Since the belts are used for long-term recycling and their surfaces are in contact with the products for a long time, the belts are easily contaminated and difficult to clean, which can easily cause product damage and secondary pollution during product transportation.

[0003] The production process of the existing Z-shaped cutting and stacking integrated machine requires multiple sets of mechanical transfers and uses X, Y, θ platforms to correct and position the product. Frequent transfers can easily cause damage and secondary contamination to the product. Moreover, the alternating transfer of multiple sets of robotic arms results in cumulative errors between the mechanical structures, leading to reduced or uncontrollable product precision.

[0004] Existing Z-shaped cutting and stacking integrated machines require a multi-station segmented design, which increases the size of the equipment, increases the cost due to the increased number of mechanisms, and the stacking of multiple stations makes the equipment more prone to failure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a lithium battery cutting and stacking device.

[0006] According to a first aspect, one embodiment provides a lithium battery stacking apparatus, comprising: Stacking table; And, an electrode feeding mechanism, the electrode feeding mechanism including an electrode driving component, an electrode cutting component and an electrode feeding component; the electrode driving component is used to pull and drive the electrode; the electrode cutting component is used to cut the electrode; the electrode feeding component is used to feed the cut electrode to the stacking table; The two electrode feeding mechanisms are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the stacking table. The two electrode feeding mechanisms are used to alternately feed the cut electrode sheets to the stacking table to complete the electrode stacking.

[0007] The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment according to the above embodiment has electrode feeding mechanisms set at both ends of the stacking table. After the electrode is cut, it is directly fed to the stacking table, which eliminates the need for transportation and positioning of the electrode, greatly reducing the risk of damage and secondary contamination. It also avoids the cumulative error during the transfer process, improves product accuracy, and eliminates the need for electrode transportation and positioning stations. The equipment has a small footprint, low manufacturing cost, and simple structure. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrode drive component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic front view of the electrode driving component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 4 This is a rear view structural schematic diagram of the electrode driving component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 5 This is a right-side structural schematic diagram of the electrode driving component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrode cutting component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the left-side structure of the electrode cutting component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode loading component of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode loading structure of a lithium battery stacking device in one embodiment; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure knife on the stacking table of a lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment in one embodiment; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the pressing knife on the stacking table of a lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment in one embodiment; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a lithium battery stacking device using a start-stop fixed-cutting method in one embodiment. Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the lithium battery stacking device using a follow-up cutting method in one embodiment; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the replacement and switching principle of the stacking stage of a lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment in one embodiment; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the replacement and switching principle of the stacking stage of the lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment in another embodiment; Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery stacking system in one embodiment; Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the array combination of lithium battery stacking equipment in one embodiment.

[0009] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Electrode feeding mechanism; 11. Electrode driving component; 111. First driving roller; 112. Second driving roller; 113. Driving roller motor; 114. Electrode slot; 12. Electrode cutting component; 121. Upper blade; 1211. Cutting blade; 1212. Upper blade plate; 122. Lower blade; 123. Cutting blade motor; 13. Electrode feeding component; 131. Upper clamping plate; 132. Lower clamping plate; 133. Clamping plate motor; 134. Eccentric transmission Components; 135. Transmission plate; 136. Slider rail pair; 14. Linear drive component; 2. Stacking table; 21. Pressing knife; 31. Guide post; 32. Guide rod; 4. Electrode guide structure; 41. Guide slope; 51. Positioning buckle; 52. Positioning groove; 10. Electrode; 100. Lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment; 200. Negative electrode composite sheet manufacturing equipment; 300. Positive electrode composite sheet manufacturing equipment; 400. Separator manufacturing equipment; 1000. Lithium battery cutting and stacking system. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by associated similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to this application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of this application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0011] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can be rearranged or adjusted in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are only for the clear description of a particular embodiment and do not imply a necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a particular order must be followed.

[0012] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used solely to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages). In this embodiment of the invention, the lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment includes a stacking table and an electrode feeding mechanism. The electrode feeding mechanism is used to cut the electrode sheets and feed them onto the stacking table. Two electrode feeding mechanisms are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the stacking table, alternately feeding the cut electrode sheets onto the stacking table to complete the electrode stacking. Since the electrode sheets for stacking are directly fed onto the stacking table after cutting, there is no need for operations such as transporting and positioning the electrode sheets, which greatly reduces the risk of damage and secondary contamination, avoids the cumulative error during the transfer process, improves product accuracy, and eliminates the need for electrode sheet transport and positioning stations. The equipment has a small footprint, low manufacturing cost, and simple structure.

[0013] The present application will be described below through specific embodiments.

[0014] Example 1: like Figures 1 to 17 As shown in one embodiment of this application, a lithium battery cutting and stacking device 100 is provided, including an electrode feeding mechanism 1 and a stacking table 2. The electrode feeding mechanism 1 includes an electrode driving component 11, an electrode cutting component 12, and an electrode feeding component 13. The electrode driving component 11 is used to pull and drive the electrode 10, the electrode cutting component 12 is used to cut the electrode 10, and the electrode feeding component 13 is used to feed the cut electrode 10 onto the stacking table 2. The two electrode feeding mechanisms 1 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the stacking table 2, and the two electrode feeding mechanisms 1 alternately feed the cut electrode 10 onto the stacking table 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that the types of electrode 10 fed alternately by the electrode feeding mechanisms 1 on both sides are different. Generally speaking, one side feeds positive electrode 10 (including positive electrode composite 10), and the other side feeds negative electrode 10 (including negative electrode composite 10), so as to form a lithium battery cell after stacking.

[0015] Since the electrode 10 used for stacking is directly fed to the stacking table 2 after being cut, there is no need to transport or position the electrode 10, which greatly reduces the risk of damage and secondary contamination, avoids the cumulative error during the transfer process, improves product accuracy, and eliminates the need for electrode transportation and positioning stations. The equipment occupies little space, has low manufacturing cost, and has a simple structure.

[0016] The electrode drive 11 is used to pull and drive the electrode 10 to feed the electrode 10 into the electrode cutting member 12 and the electrode loading member 13 to complete subsequent operations. In one embodiment, such as... Figures 2 to 5As shown, the electrode drive component 11 includes a first drive roller 111, a second drive roller 112, a drive roller motor 113, and an electrode groove 114. The first drive roller 111 and the second drive roller 112 are arranged opposite to each other, and the drive roller motor 113 drives the first drive roller 111. The electrode 10 passes through the gap between the first drive roller 111 and the second drive roller 112 and enters the electrode groove 114. The drive roller motor 113 drives the first drive roller 111 to rotate to provide traction force to the electrode 10. The electrode groove 114 guides the electrode 10, allowing it to pass through the electrode groove 114 and enter the electrode cutting component 12. The electrode groove 114 also limits the electrode 10, preventing interference and damage to other components.

[0017] Electrode cutting component 12 is used to cut electrode sheets 10. The cut electrode sheets 10 are then fed to the stacking table 2 via electrode feeding component 13. In one embodiment, as shown... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the electrode cutting component 12 includes an upper blade 121, a lower blade 122, and a cutting motor 123. The upper blade 121 and the lower blade 122 are arranged opposite to each other. The upper blade 121 includes a cutting blade 1211. The cutting motor 123 is used to reciprocate and drive the upper blade 121 so that the upper blade 121 approaches or moves away from the lower blade 122. When the upper blade 121 approaches the lower blade 122, the cutting blade 1211 completes the cutting of the electrode 10 at the lower blade 122. In this embodiment, the cutting motor 123 drives the upper blade 121 through an eccentric structure to achieve reciprocating drive of the upper blade 121. The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment 100 in this application is an automated device. To ensure work efficiency, the cutting of the electrode 10 should be precise. In this embodiment, the upper blade 121 also includes an upper blade plate 1212, on which a cutting blade 1211 is disposed. A cutting motor 123 drives the upper blade plate 1212. The upper blade plate 1212 is connected to several guide posts 31 or guide rods 32 arranged along the movement direction of the upper blade plate 1212. Under the action of the guide posts 31 and guide rods 32, the excess degrees of freedom of the upper blade plate 1212 are locked, and the upper blade plate 1212 can only reciprocate in a preset direction, thereby ensuring the cutting accuracy of the cutting blade 1211. At the same time, in order to ensure the normal operation of the electrode cutting component 12, it is necessary to ensure that the electrode 10 can be cut. In this embodiment, the end of the cutting blade 1211 that contacts the electrode 10 when cutting the electrode 10 is inclined to improve the cutting effect of the cutting blade 1211. If the cutting end of the cutting blade 1211 is set flush, the front and rear sections may still be partially stuck together after cutting due to the tension of the electrode 10 itself, making it impossible to cut completely and affecting the operation of the equipment. However, when the cutting end of the cutting blade 1211 is set at an angle, the protruding side of the cutting blade 1211 can ensure that the electrode 10 is cut off. In this way, the tension structure at the cutting point of the electrode 10 is destroyed, and other parts can also be completely cut off by the cutting blade 1211.

[0018] The electrode loading component 13 is used to load the cut electrode 10 onto the stacking table 2. In one embodiment, as shown... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the electrode loading component 13 includes an upper clamping plate 131, a lower clamping plate 132, and a clamping plate motor 133. The clamping plate motor 133 is used to reciprocate and drive the upper clamping plate 131 so that the upper clamping plate 131 approaches or moves away from the lower clamping plate 132, thereby clamping or releasing the electrode 10. In this embodiment, the clamping plate motor 133 drives the upper clamping plate 131 through an eccentric structure to achieve reciprocating drive of the upper clamping plate 131. Specifically, the output shaft of the clamping plate motor 133 is connected to the eccentric transmission component 134, the eccentric transmission component 134 is connected to the transmission plate 135, and the transmission plate 135 is connected to the upper clamping plate 131. With this configuration, when the clamping plate motor 133 is working, it drives the transmission plate 135 to perform reciprocating linear motion through the eccentric transmission component 134, and the transmission plate 135 further drives the upper clamping plate 131 to perform linear reciprocating motion. To ensure the accuracy of the movement of the upper clamping plate 131, the transmission plate 135 is equipped with two sets of slider slide rail pairs 136. One set of slider slide rail pairs 136 is connected to a fixed component on the electrode feeding part 13 to limit the movement direction of the transmission plate 135. The other set of slider slide rail pairs 136 is connected to the upper clamping plate 131, which on the one hand realizes the transmission of the transmission plate 135 to the upper clamping plate 131, and on the other hand also limits the movement direction of the upper clamping plate 131. The limiting directions of the two sets of slider slide rail pairs 136 are consistent, which is used to ensure the accuracy of the movement of the upper clamping plate 131 and ensure the normal operation of the equipment.

[0019] The electrode 10 is fed into the electrode cutting component 12 and the electrode loading component 13 by the electrode driving component 11. That is, after the electrode 10 is separated from the electrode driving component 11, there is no longer any traction force pulling the electrode 10. The electrode 10 is pushed entirely by the driving force of the electrode driving component 11. In order to ensure the normal loading of the electrode 10, in one embodiment, the electrode cutting component 12 and the electrode loading component 13 are provided with electrode guiding structures 4. The electrode guiding structure 4 is provided with a guide slope 41. When the electrode driving component 11 pushes the electrode 10, it is only necessary for the front end of the electrode 10 to contact the guide slope 41. Under the action of the guide slope 41, the electrode 10 can be guided to the correct position, ensuring the normal loading of the electrode 10.

[0020] The electrode 10 completes the stacking operation on the stacking table 2. During the stacking process, the stacked portions should be pressed together to ensure product quality. In one embodiment, such as... Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the stacking table 2 is equipped with several pressing knives 21, which are used to press the already stacked portions on the stacking table 2. Simultaneously, since the electrode sheets 10 need to be continuously fed during the stacking process, the pressing knives 21 also assist in the feeding of the electrode sheets 10. When the electrode feeding mechanism 1 is withdrawn, the pressing knives 21 are in position A, pressing the already stacked portions. When the electrode feeding mechanism 1 is inserted for feeding, the pressing knives 21 are slightly raised and then withdrawn from the stacking table 2 to position B. After the electrode feeding mechanism 1 reaches the feeding position, the pressing knives 21 return to position A (those skilled in the art will understand that the position should be slightly higher because the stacked thickness has increased; for ease of description, it is still referred to as position A here), and the pressing knives 21 press down to fix the newly fed electrode sheets 10.

[0021] One of the core features of the lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment 100 is that the electrode 10 is stacked in an interlocking manner through the cooperation of the electrode cutting part 12 and the electrode feeding part 13 in the left and right electrode feeding mechanism 1. Different cutting processes can be adopted according to different needs and conditions.

[0022] In one embodiment, the electrode feeding mechanism 1 uses a start-stop fixed-cut method to cut the electrode 10. Specifically, as shown... Figure 12 As shown, the electrode feeding mechanism 1 also includes a linear drive 14, and the electrode feeding component 13 is disposed on the linear drive 14. The linear drive 14 is used to reciprocate to drive the electrode feeding component 13 so that the electrode feeding component 13 can feed the cut electrode 10 to the stacking table 2. During start-stop fixed-cutting, the electrode drive 11 intermittently drives the electrode 10 (the electrode drive 11 drives the electrode 10 to move a set distance towards the electrode cutter 12). The electrode cutter 12 cuts the electrode 10 at a fixed position (the cutter motor 123 drives the upper cutter 121 to cut the electrode 10, and the clamping motor 133 drives the upper clamping plate 131 to clamp the cut electrode 10). The linear drive 14 drives the electrode loading component 13 to load the cut electrode 10 onto the stacking table 2. The pressure knife 21 assists in loading (the pressure knife 21 presses down to fix the electrode 10, the clamping motor 133 drives the upper clamping plate 131 to release the electrode 10, and the linear drive 14 drives the electrode loading component 13 to retract). The above steps are repeated to achieve single or multiple electrode stacking. When using the start-stop fixed-cutting method for stacking, only the electrode loading component 13 needs to be driven, resulting in less interference space.

[0023] In one embodiment, the electrode feeding mechanism 1 uses a follow-cutting method to cut the electrode 10. Specifically, as shown... Figure 13As shown, the electrode feeding mechanism 1 also includes a linear drive 14. The electrode cutting part 12 and the electrode feeding part 13 are both mounted on the linear drive 14. The linear drive 14 drives the electrode cutting part 12 and the electrode feeding part 13 to move synchronously. During the follow-up cutting process, the electrode drive 11 continuously drives the electrode 10, while the linear drive 14 simultaneously drives the electrode cutter 12 and the electrode loading 13, ensuring that the electrode cutter 12 and the electrode loading 13 move at the same speed as the electrode 10. Just before reaching the loading position, the electrode cutter 12 cuts the electrode 10, and the electrode loading 13 clamps the electrode 10. When the electrode 10 is finished cutting, it also reaches the loading position. The pressure cutter 21 presses down to fix the electrode 10, the upper cutter 121 of the electrode cutter 12 resets, and the electrode loading 13 releases the electrode 10. The linear drive 14 then drives the electrode cutter 12 and the electrode loading 13 back, repeating the above steps to achieve single or multiple electrode stacking. Using the follow-up cutting method for stacking allows for continuous driving of the electrode 10, resulting in high loading efficiency.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will understand that an appropriate method should be selected for cutting and stacking based on actual needs and conditions. In this embodiment, a start-stop fixed-cutting method is selected for cutting and stacking. When using this method, the relative positions of the electrode drive 11 and the electrode cutter 12 are fixed. To facilitate their positioning and installation, the electrode drive 11 is provided with a positioning buckle 51, and the electrode cutter 12 is provided with a positioning groove 52. The positioning buckle 51 can be engaged with the positioning groove 52 to assist in the installation and positioning of the electrode drive 11 and the electrode cutter 12, making operation easier.

[0025] In order to further reduce the auxiliary time in the production process of the lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment 100 in this application, two stacking tables 2 are provided between the two electrode feeding mechanisms 1. The positions of the two stacking tables 2 can be switched alternately, which greatly reduces the feeding auxiliary time.

[0026] In one embodiment, such as Figure 14 As shown, the two stacking tables 2 alternately switch by rotating concentrically. The electrode feeding mechanism 1 on both sides moves to avoid the position. The two stacking tables 2 rotate on a circular trajectory S to realize the position change. The switching time of the two stacking tables 2 is 0~2S.

[0027] In one embodiment, such as Figure 15 As shown, the two stacking tables 2 move back and forth (the avoidance direction of the electrode feeding mechanism 1 is defined as left and right) and the two stacking tables 2 move alternately in the back and forth direction to achieve the switching of positions. The switching time of the two stacking tables 2 is 0~2S.

[0028] Example 2, like Figure 16As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a lithium battery cutting and stacking system 1000, including a negative electrode composite sheet manufacturing equipment 200, a positive electrode composite sheet manufacturing equipment 300, a separator manufacturing equipment 400, and a lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment 100 as described in any embodiment of this application.

[0029] The negative electrode composite sheet manufacturing equipment 200 can be existing equipment or a new equipment that will emerge in the future. It only requires introducing the manufactured negative electrode composite sheet into the lithium battery slitting and stacking equipment 100. The same applies to the positive electrode composite sheet manufacturing equipment 300 and the separator manufacturing equipment 400, which will not be described in detail here. When the lithium battery slitting and stacking equipment 100 of this application is applied to an existing lithium battery slitting and stacking system, few parts need to be changed, only some parameters need to be modified according to different requirements, and the changeover time is short.

[0030] like Figure 17 As shown, because the lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment has 100 stations and a symmetrical structure, the equipment occupies little space, and multiple sets of lithium battery cutting and stacking systems can be arranged in an array of 1000 units for combination.

[0031] According to the lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment described in the above embodiments, since the electrode sheets for stacking are directly fed to the stacking table after being cut, there is no need for operations such as transporting and positioning the electrode sheets, which greatly reduces the risk of damage and secondary contamination, avoids cumulative errors during the transfer process, improves product accuracy, and eliminates the need for electrode sheet transport and positioning stations. The equipment has a small footprint, low manufacturing cost, simple structure, convenient maintenance, and high uptime. At the same time, the two stacking tables alternate, significantly reducing the auxiliary time for stacking.

[0032] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. A lithium battery cutting and stacking device, characterized in that, include: Stacking table; And, an electrode feeding mechanism, which includes an electrode driving component, an electrode cutting component, and an electrode feeding component; The electrode driving component is used to pull and drive the electrode; The electrode cutting component is used to cut electrode sheets; The electrode feeding component is used to feed the cut electrode sheets to the stacking table; The two electrode feeding mechanisms are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the stacking table. The two electrode feeding mechanisms are used to alternately feed the cut electrode sheets to the stacking table to complete the electrode stacking. The electrode feeding mechanism further includes a linear drive, the electrode feeding component is disposed on the linear drive, and the linear drive is used to reciprocate the electrode feeding component so that the electrode feeding component can feed the cut electrode to the stacking table; the electrode cutting component is disposed on the linear drive, and the linear drive drives the electrode cutting component and the electrode feeding component to move synchronously. The number of stacking platforms is 2, and the positions of the two stacking platforms can be switched alternately. Both the electrode cutting component and the electrode loading component are provided with electrode guiding structures, and the electrode guiding structures are provided with guide slopes. The electrode guiding structures are used to assist in the transportation of the electrodes.

2. The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode cutting component includes a cutting motor, an upper blade, and a lower blade. The upper blade includes a cutting blade. The cutting motor is used to reciprocate the upper blade so that the upper blade approaches or moves away from the lower blade. When the upper blade approaches the lower blade, the cutting blade completes the electrode cutting at the lower blade.

3. The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The upper blade includes an upper blade plate, the cutting blade is disposed on the upper blade plate, the cutting motor is used to drive the upper blade plate, and the upper blade plate is connected to a plurality of guide posts or guide rods arranged along the movement direction of the upper blade plate.

4. The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cutting blade is tilted at one end when cutting the electrode to improve the cutting effect.

5. The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode loading component includes a clamping motor, an upper clamping plate, and a lower clamping plate. The clamping motor is used to reciprocate to drive the upper clamping plate so that the upper clamping plate approaches or moves away from the lower clamping plate, thereby clamping or releasing the electrode.

6. The lithium battery cutting and stacking equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The stacking table is equipped with a pressing knife, which is used to press the stacked sheets on the stacking table.

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