Welding dust removal device

Abstract

The application discloses a welding dust removal device, which comprises a body, a first dust removal mechanism and a second dust removal mechanism. The body is provided with a laser inlet and a laser outlet at two ends in a first direction. A cavity is formed in the body and is communicated with the laser inlet and the laser outlet. The body comprises a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is provided with a first dust suction port communicated with the cavity. The second wall is provided with a second dust suction port communicated with the cavity. In the first direction, the distance from the center of the second dust suction port to the laser outlet is smaller than the distance from the center of the first dust suction port to the laser outlet. The first dust removal mechanism is connected to the first dust suction port. The second dust removal mechanism is connected to the second dust suction port. The technical scheme provided by the application can improve the quality of the battery.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application based on the invention with application number 202210996113.6, application date August 18, 2022, applicants Jiangsu Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and CATL, entitled "Welding Dust Removal Device". Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to a welding dust removal device. Background Technology

[0003] Energy conservation and emission reduction are key to the sustainable development of the automotive industry, and electric vehicles, due to their energy-saving and environmentally friendly advantages, have become an important component of this sustainable development. For electric vehicles, battery technology is a crucial factor in their development.

[0004] In the development of battery technology, how to improve battery quality is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a welding dust removal device that can improve battery quality.

[0006] This application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] This application provides a welding dust removal device, including a body, with a laser inlet and a laser outlet respectively provided at both ends along a first direction. A chamber is formed inside the body, connecting the laser inlet and the laser outlet. The body includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall has a first dust extraction port communicating with the chamber, and the second wall has a second dust extraction port communicating with the chamber. Along the first direction, the distance from the center of the second dust extraction port to the laser outlet is less than the distance from the center of the first dust extraction port to the laser outlet. A first dust removal mechanism is connected to the first dust extraction port, and a second dust removal mechanism is connected to the second dust extraction port.

[0008] In the above scheme, the welding dust removal device is applied to laser welding. The laser enters the chamber through the laser inlet and exits through the laser outlet, acting on the workpiece. The weld is formed at the location of the laser outlet. The first and second dust suction ports are located on the first and second walls, respectively, providing negative pressure adsorption force to the chamber at different positions. They can respectively adsorb the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes, large-diameter welding fumes and particles generated during welding. Since the second dust suction port is closer to the laser outlet than the first dust suction port, i.e., closer to the weld, the second dust suction port can effectively absorb the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes around the weld. The first dust suction port, which is farther away from the weld than the second dust suction port, can absorb large-diameter welding fumes and particles with a certain kinetic energy, so as to ensure that the laser effectively acts on the surface of the workpiece.

[0009] For example, small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds generated during welding, due to their low kinetic energy, tend to remain around the weld seam and can be extracted through the second dust removal mechanism via the second suction port. Conversely, large-diameter welding fumes and particles, possessing greater kinetic energy, will travel a certain distance along the first direction, overcoming the negative pressure suction of the second suction port and can be extracted through the first dust removal mechanism via the first suction port. When the welding dust removal device is applied to the side seam welding of battery modules, it effectively removes the plasma clouds, welding fumes, and particles generated during welding, thereby improving the welding quality of the end plates and side plates of the battery module and ultimately enhancing the battery quality.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this application, the first wall and the second wall are two adjacent walls of the body.

[0011] In the above scheme, since the first wall and the second wall are adjacent, the first dust suction port set on the first wall and the second dust suction port set on the second wall can act on different positions of the chamber, and can respectively suck out large-diameter welding fumes, particles, small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds in the chamber.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the body further includes a third wall and a fourth wall, the first wall and the third wall are disposed opposite to each other along a second direction, the second wall and the fourth wall are disposed opposite to each other along a third direction, the area of ​​the first wall and the third wall is smaller than the area of ​​the second wall and the fourth wall, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0013] In the above scheme, the first wall has a smaller area than the second wall. Since they share a single side, the first wall is narrower than the second wall, making the laser exit and laser entrance elongated. This allows the laser to act between the side plate and the end plate, forming a weld seam with an elongated hole. Simultaneously, the smaller distance between the second and fourth walls helps to constrain the movement trajectory of large-diameter welding fumes and particles, reducing their interference with the laser within the chamber.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this application, the length direction of the first suction port is parallel to the first direction, and the length direction of the second suction port is parallel to the second direction.

[0015] In the above scheme, the first dust suction port is elongated and extends along the first direction, which can effectively suck out large-diameter welding fumes and particles moving along the first direction; the second dust suction port is elongated and extends along the second direction, which can effectively suck out plasma clouds and small-diameter welding fumes around the weld.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this application, the first dust removal mechanism includes a first dust removal hood and a first dust removal pipe. The first dust removal hood is connected to the first wall and covers the first dust suction port. One end of the first dust removal pipe is connected to the first dust removal hood.

[0017] In the above scheme, one end of the first dust removal pipe is connected to the first dust removal hood, and the other end can be connected to a negative pressure device so that the first dust removal hood can generate negative pressure adsorption force at the first dust suction port, thereby adsorbing large-diameter welding fumes and particles in the chamber.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this application, the first dust cover has a bottom surface facing away from the first wall, and the distance between the bottom surface and the first wall gradually increases along the direction from the laser emission outlet to the laser emission inlet.

[0019] In the above scheme, when in use, the first wall can be the wall surface of the body closest to the ground. The bottom surface of the first dust hood is set as an inclined surface, which allows large-diameter welding fumes and particles to slide along the bottom surface under the action of gravity and finally be sucked out under the action of negative pressure.

[0020] According to some embodiments of this application, the second dust removal mechanism includes a second dust removal hood and a second dust removal pipe. The second dust removal hood is connected to the second wall and covers the second dust suction port. One end of the second dust removal pipe is connected to the second dust removal hood.

[0021] In the above scheme, one end of the second dust removal pipe is connected to the second dust removal hood, and the other end can be connected to a negative pressure device so that the second dust removal hood can generate negative pressure adsorption force at the second dust suction port, thereby adsorbing small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds in the chamber.

[0022] According to some embodiments of this application, the third wall is provided with a compressed gas inlet, which is connected to the chamber.

[0023] In the above scheme, the third wall and the first wall are arranged opposite each other, so that the compressed gas can flow through the compressed gas inlet to the first dust suction port, so as to blow large-diameter welding fumes and particles toward the first dust suction port and ensure that large-diameter welding fumes and particles do not remain in the chamber.

[0024] According to some embodiments of this application, the third wall is provided with a protective gas inlet, which is connected to the chamber and is closer to the laser emission outlet than the compressed gas inlet.

[0025] In the above scheme, a protective gas inlet is set on the third wall to introduce protective gas into the chamber. On the one hand, it can isolate the weld from the air and achieve the purpose of protecting the weld; on the other hand, the protective gas with a certain kinetic energy can act on the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes, so that the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes have a certain kinetic energy and can be easily absorbed by the second dust suction port.

[0026] According to some embodiments of this application, the welding dust removal device further includes: a first pressing part connected to one end of the body where the laser outlet is provided, the first pressing part being used to press a first workpiece to be welded; a second pressing part connected to one end of the body where the laser outlet is provided, the second pressing part being used to press a second workpiece to be welded; wherein, at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part is floatingly connected to the body.

[0027] In the above solution, at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part is set to be floatingly connected to the body, which enables the first pressing part and the second pressing part to absorb the difference between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, ensuring that the welding dust removal device can simultaneously press the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and avoiding poor welding quality due to unstable relative position between the welding dust removal device and the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

[0028] According to some embodiments of this application, the first workpiece is a side plate of a battery module, the second workpiece is an end plate of a battery module, the first clamping part is fixedly connected to the body, and the second clamping part is floatingly connected to the body.

[0029] In the above scheme, the welding dust removal device can be applied to the side sealing welding of the battery module. In the design process of the battery module, the end plate will protrude from the side plate in the first direction. Therefore, under this condition, the second clamping part is set to float and connect to the body, which can effectively absorb the dimensional difference between the end plate and the side wall, and ensure that the welding dust removal device tightly attaches the side plate and the end plate.

[0030] According to some embodiments of this application, the second pressing part is movably connected to the body along the first direction; the welding dust removal device further includes an elastic element disposed between the second pressing part and the body.

[0031] In the above scheme, when the second pressing part abuts against the end plate, the elastic element is compressed due to the thickness difference between the end plate and the side plate, and the second pressing part always abuts against the end plate under the elastic force of the elastic element.

[0032] According to some embodiments of this application, the welding dust removal device further includes a guide member, which is connected to one end of the body where the laser emission outlet is located and extends along the first direction, and the second pressing part is slidably connected to the guide member.

[0033] In the above scheme, the second clamping part is slidably connected to the guide member and slides along the first direction under the guidance of the guide member to ensure effective clamping of the end plate.

[0034] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the welding dust removal device in some embodiments of this application;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a side view of a welding dust removal device in some embodiments of this application;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a welding dust removal device in some embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the welding dust removal device, end plate, and side plate in some embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the welding dust removal device, end plate, and side plate in some embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the body and the second clamping part in some embodiments of this application.

[0042] Icons: 10-Body; 11-Laser inlet; 12-Laser outlet; 13-Cavity; 14-First wall; 140-First dust suction port; 15-Second wall; 150-Second dust suction port; 16-Third wall; 160-Compressed gas inlet; 161-Protective gas inlet; 17-Fourth wall; 20-First dust removal mechanism; 21-First dust removal hood; 210-Bottom surface; 22-First dust removal pipe; 30-Second dust removal mechanism; 31-Second dust removal hood; 32-Second dust removal pipe; 40-First pressing part; 50-Second pressing part; 51-Elastic element; 52-Guide element; 10a-End plate; 10b-Side plate; x-First direction; y-Second direction; z-Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used in the description of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the description, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the description, claims, or accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order or hierarchy.

[0045] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0046] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "attachment" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three possibilities: A exists, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists. Additionally, in this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0048] In the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of various components in the embodiments of this application shown in the accompanying drawings, as well as the overall thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of the integrated device, are merely illustrative and should not constitute any limitation on this application.

[0049] In this application, "multiple" means two or more (including two).

[0050] In this application, the battery may include lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion primary batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, or magnesium-ion batteries, etc., and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. The battery may be cylindrical, flat, cuboid, or other shapes, etc., and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0051] The battery mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to a single physical module that includes one or more battery modules to provide higher voltage and capacity.

[0052] The battery module mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to a single physical module comprising one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. The battery module also includes end plates and side plates. The end plates are arranged in pairs, and multiple stacked battery cells are located between the two end plates. The side plates are located on the sides of the multiple stacked battery cells, and the battery cells are secured by connecting the end plates and side plates.

[0053] End plates and side plates are often fixed together by welding. Currently, to improve the welding efficiency and quality of end plates and side plates, laser welding is commonly used. However, laser welding generates large-diameter welding fumes and particles with a certain kinetic energy. Therefore, a welding dust removal device is used to remove dust during laser welding of end plates and side plates. The welding dust removal device is placed against the end plates and side plates, and the laser passes through the internal chamber of the welding dust removal device and acts on the end plates and side plates. After moving a certain distance within the internal chamber of the welding dust removal device, the large-diameter welding fumes and particles with a certain kinetic energy are drawn out of the welding dust removal device under the negative pressure of the dust removal port at the bottom of the device. This prevents the large-diameter welding fumes and particles from interfering with the shape of the weld and ensures the quality of the weld.

[0054] Currently, from a market perspective, electric vehicles have become an important component of the sustainable development of the automotive industry. Batteries provide energy for vehicle operation and the functioning of various electrical components within the vehicle. For electric vehicles, battery technology is a crucial factor in their development. Improving battery quality is a pressing technical challenge that needs to be addressed in the development of battery technology.

[0055] As mentioned above, using laser welding in conjunction with a welding dust removal device can effectively improve welding quality when welding end plates and side plates. However, in the actual production of battery modules, even with laser welding and a welding dust removal device, weld defects still exist, affecting battery quality. The inventors discovered that the cause of this problem is that during the welding process, due to the high intensity of the laser, a physical interaction occurs between the laser and the material surface. Atoms absorb the laser energy and become ionized. When the electron density increases to a certain level, a plasma cloud is formed (the plasma cloud shields the laser, absorbing its energy). The plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes have low kinetic energy and linger around the weld for a long time, absorbing laser energy and blocking the laser, preventing it from reaching the surface of the workpiece (end plates and side plates). This results in weld defects such as porosity, spatter, and humps, affecting weld quality.

[0056] In view of this, to address the problem of low battery quality caused by the impact of plasma clouds and small-particle welding fumes generated during welding on the laser, the inventors, through in-depth research, designed a welding dust removal device, which includes a main body, a first dust removal mechanism, and a second dust removal mechanism. A laser inlet and a laser outlet are formed at opposite ends along a first direction on the main body, and a chamber is formed inside the main body, connecting the laser inlet and the laser outlet. A first suction port and a second suction port are formed on different walls of the main body. The first suction port is connected to the first dust removal mechanism to generate negative pressure. The second suction port is connected to the second dust removal mechanism to generate negative pressure.

[0057] In the above scheme, the welding dust removal device can remove large-diameter welding fumes and particles from the internal cavity of the main body through the first dust suction port; at the same time, it can remove the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes remaining around the weld from the internal cavity of the main body through the second dust suction port, so that the laser can effectively act on the surface of the workpiece, forming a high-quality weld, thereby improving the quality of the battery.

[0058] It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the welding of end plates and side plates of battery modules, but can also be applied to the welding of other structures in the field of battery technology, such as the casing of battery cells, the battery box, etc. Furthermore, they are not limited to the field of battery technology, but can also be applied to welding processes in other fields. For the sake of brevity, the following embodiments all use the end plates and side plates of battery modules as examples for illustration.

[0059] According to some embodiments of this application, this application provides a welding dust removal device; please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1-3 , Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the welding dust removal device in some embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a side view of a welding dust removal device in some embodiments of this application. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a welding dust removal device in some embodiments of this application.

[0060] The welding dust removal device includes a body 10, a first dust removal mechanism 20, and a second dust removal mechanism 30. The body 10 has a laser inlet 11 and a laser outlet 12 at its two ends along a first direction x. A chamber 13 is formed inside the body 10, connecting the laser inlet 11 and the laser outlet 12. The body 10 includes a first wall 14 and a second wall 15. The first wall 14 has a first suction port 140 communicating with the chamber 13, and the second wall 15 has a second suction port 150 communicating with the chamber 13. Along the first direction x, the distance from the center of the second suction port 150 to the laser outlet 12 is less than the distance from the center of the first suction port 140 to the laser outlet 12. The first dust removal mechanism 20 is connected to the first suction port 140. The second dust removal mechanism 30 is connected to the second suction port 150.

[0061] The main body 10 is the main structure of the welding dust removal device, with its two ends open along the first direction x. One end has a laser inlet 11, and the other end has a laser outlet 12. (Combined) Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the cooperation between the welding dust removal device and the end plate 10a and side plate 10b in some embodiments of this application. Figure 4 In the image, the laser is indicated by the label "B".

[0062] The laser outlet 12 contacts the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b. The laser can pass through the cavity 13 inside the body 10 from the laser inlet 11, and be emitted from the laser outlet 12 to act on the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b to form a weld, thereby realizing the welding of the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b.

[0063] In this application, the first direction x can be parallel to the laser direction. The first suction port 140 is a perforated structure disposed on the first wall 14 and communicating with the chamber 13. It is connected to the first dust removal mechanism 20 and, under the action of the first dust removal mechanism 20, can provide negative pressure suction force to the chamber 13. The second suction port 150 is a perforated structure disposed on the second wall 15 and communicating with the chamber 13. It is connected to the second dust removal mechanism 30 and, under the action of the second dust removal mechanism 30, can provide negative pressure suction force to the chamber 13. The center of the second suction port 150 is closer to the laser exit port 12 than the center of the first suction port 140, meaning the second suction port 150 is closer to the weld than the first suction port 140.

[0064] The first dust removal mechanism 20 can be a component that provides negative pressure adsorption to the first suction port 140, and the second dust removal mechanism 30 can be a component that provides negative pressure adsorption to the second suction port 150. The first wall 14 and the second wall 15 are two different walls of the body 10, and the planes on which the first wall 14 and the second wall 15 lie are not the same plane. Therefore, the first suction port 140 and the second suction port 150 can provide negative pressure adsorption to different locations in the chamber 13 to adsorb different substances. These different substances can include: large-diameter welding fumes and particles with a certain kinetic energy, and plasma clouds and small-diameter welding fumes with lower kinetic energy that remain around the weld. The particle size of the large-diameter welding fumes can be 10µm-100µm. The particle size of the small-diameter welding fumes can be 2.5µm-10µm.

[0065] In the above scheme, the first suction port 140 and the second suction port 150 are located on the first wall 14 and the second wall 15, respectively, providing negative pressure adsorption force to the chamber 13 at different positions. They can respectively adsorb the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes, large-diameter welding fumes and particles generated during welding, so as to ensure that the laser effectively acts on the surface of the workpiece. The second suction port 150 is closer to the laser exit port 12 than the first suction port 140, that is, closer to the weld. Therefore, the second suction port 150 can effectively draw out the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes around the weld, while the large-diameter welding fumes and particles with a certain kinetic energy will move a certain distance along the first direction x and then be drawn out by the first suction port 140.

[0066] For example, in some embodiments, when using a welding dust removal device, the first wall 14 can be the wall of the body 10 closest to the ground, and the first dust suction port 140 on the first wall 14 can be regarded as the bottom dust removal port. When welding the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b, the small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds generated during welding, due to their low kinetic energy, will remain around the weld seam, and can therefore be sucked out by the second dust removal mechanism 30 through the second dust suction port 150. However, the large-diameter welding fumes and particles generated during welding, due to their relatively high kinetic energy, will move a certain distance along the first direction x, breaking free from the negative pressure adsorption force of the second dust suction port 150, and can be sucked out by the first dust removal mechanism 20 through the first dust suction port 140. Therefore, not only can large-diameter welding fumes and particles be effectively removed, but small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds can also be effectively removed, thereby ensuring the welding quality of the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b, resulting in a high-quality battery.

[0067] According to some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first wall 14 and the second wall 15 are two adjacent walls of the main body 10.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first wall 14 and the second wall 15 share a common edge, that is, the first wall 14 and the second wall 15 are connected to each other. When using a welding dust removal device, the first wall 14 can be the bottom wall of the body 10, and the second wall 15 can be the side wall of the body 10 connected to the bottom wall.

[0069] In the above scheme, since the first wall 14 and the second wall 15 are adjacent, the first dust suction port 140 set on the first wall 14 and the second dust suction port 150 set on the second wall 15 can act on different positions of the chamber 13, and can respectively suck out large-diameter welding fumes, particles, small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds in the chamber 13, ensuring that the laser can effectively act on the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b to form a high-quality weld.

[0070] According to some embodiments of this application, in conjunction with Figures 1-3 The body 10 also includes a third wall 16 and a fourth wall 17. The first wall 14 and the third wall 16 are arranged opposite each other along the second direction y, and the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17 are arranged opposite each other along the third direction z. The area of ​​the first wall 14 and the third wall 16 is smaller than the area of ​​the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17. The first direction x, the second direction y and the third direction z are perpendicular to each other.

[0071] In some embodiments, the outer contour of the body 10 may be square, and it is formed by four walls sequentially surrounding a chamber 13. See also Figure 1 The first wall 14 can be regarded as the bottom wall of the body 10, the third wall 16 can be regarded as the top wall of the body 10, and the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17 can be two opposite side walls of the body 10.

[0072] The second direction y can be regarded as the height direction of the body 10, the third direction z can be regarded as the thickness direction of the body 10, and the first direction x can be the length direction of the body 10, which is perpendicular to the height direction and the thickness direction.

[0073] The statement that "the area of ​​the first wall 14 and the third wall 16 is smaller than the area of ​​the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17" can mean that the first wall 14 and the third wall 16 are narrower, i.e., the distance between the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17 is smaller than the distance between the first wall 14 and the third wall 16. Alternatively, it can mean that the laser exit 12 and the laser entrance 11 of the body 10 are elongated, allowing the laser to form effective welds on the side plate 10b and the end plate 10a.

[0074] In the above scheme, the area of ​​the first wall 14 is smaller than that of the second wall 15. Since they share a common side, the first wall 14 is narrower than the second wall 15, making the laser exit 12 and the laser entrance 11 elongated. This allows the laser to act between the side plate 10b and the end plate 10a, forming a weld with an elongated hole. Simultaneously, because the distance between the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17 is small, it can constrain the movement trajectory of large-diameter welding fumes and particles, reducing the interference of large-diameter welding fumes and particles on the laser in the chamber 13.

[0075] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 3 The length direction of the first suction port 140 is parallel to the first direction x, and the length direction of the second suction port 150 is parallel to the second direction y.

[0076] When welding side plate 10b and end plate 10a, the second direction y can be the length direction of the weld, and the first direction x can be the direction of movement of large-diameter welding fumes and particles. "The length direction of the first suction port 140 is parallel to the first direction x" means that the first suction port 140 extends along the first direction x, and the resulting negative pressure adsorption force can act on large-diameter welding fumes and particles moving along the first direction x. "The length direction of the second suction port 150 is parallel to the second direction y" means that the second suction port 150 extends along the length direction of the weld, and the resulting negative pressure adsorption force can effectively act on the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes around the weld.

[0077] In the above scheme, the first dust suction port 140 is elongated and extends along the first direction x, which can effectively suck out large-diameter welding fumes and particles moving along the first direction x; the second dust suction port 150 is elongated and extends along the second direction y, which can effectively suck out the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes around the weld.

[0078] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The first dust removal mechanism 20 includes a first dust removal hood 21 and a first dust removal pipe 22. The first dust removal hood 21 is connected to the first wall 14 and covers the first dust suction port 140. One end of the first dust removal pipe 22 is connected to the first dust removal hood 21.

[0079] The first dust removal hood 21 is a component that covers and encloses the first dust suction port 140. The first dust removal hood 21 is connected to the first dust removal pipe 22. When the end of the first dust removal pipe 22 away from the first dust removal hood 21 is connected to a negative pressure device, the negative pressure device generates negative pressure, which can generate negative pressure adsorption force through the first dust removal hood 21 at the first dust suction port 140. This allows large-diameter welding fumes and particles in the chamber 13 to be adsorbed into the first dust removal hood 21 and then enter the first dust removal pipe 22 for collection by the negative pressure device.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first dust cover 21 can be fixed to the first wall 14 by bolts, and a sealing connection with the first wall 14 can be achieved with the help of a sealing ring.

[0081] In the above scheme, one end of the first dust removal pipe 22 is connected to the first dust removal hood 21, and the other end can be connected to a negative pressure device so that the first dust removal hood 21 can generate a negative pressure adsorption force at the first dust suction port 140, thereby adsorbing large-diameter welding fumes and particles in the chamber 13.

[0082] In other embodiments, the first dust removal mechanism 20 may include a first dust removal pipe 22, one end of which is directly connected to the first dust suction port 140.

[0083] According to some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 The first dust cover 21 has a bottom surface 210 that is away from the first wall 14. Along the direction from the laser outlet 12 to the laser inlet 11, the distance between the bottom surface 210 and the first wall 14 gradually increases.

[0084] See Figure 3 The bottom surface 210 of the first dust cover 21 is inclined toward the laser injection port 11.

[0085] In the above scheme, when in use, the first wall 14 can be the wall surface of the body 10 closest to the ground. The bottom surface 210 of the first dust removal hood 21 is set as an inclined surface, which allows large-diameter welding fumes and particles to slide along the bottom surface 210 under the action of gravity and finally be sucked out under the action of negative pressure.

[0086] According to some embodiments of this application, see Figure 1 The second dust removal mechanism 30 includes a second dust removal hood 31 and a second dust removal pipe 32. The second dust removal hood 31 is connected to the second wall 15 and covers the second dust suction port 150. One end of the second dust removal pipe 32 is connected to the second dust removal hood 31.

[0087] The second dust hood 31 is a component that covers and encloses the second dust suction port 150. The second dust hood 31 is connected to the second dust suction pipe 32. When the end of the second dust suction pipe 32 away from the second dust hood 31 is connected to a negative pressure device, the negative pressure device generates a negative pressure, which can generate a negative pressure adsorption force at the second dust suction port 150 through the second dust hood 31. This allows small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds in the chamber 13 to be adsorbed into the second dust hood 31 and then enter the second dust suction pipe 32 for collection by the negative pressure device.

[0088] In some embodiments, the second dust cover 31 can be fixed to the second wall 15 by bolts, and a sealing connection with the second wall 15 can be achieved with the help of a sealing ring.

[0089] In the above scheme, one end of the second dust removal pipe 32 is connected to the second dust removal hood 31, and the other end can be connected to a negative pressure device so that the second dust removal hood 31 can generate a negative pressure adsorption force at the second dust suction port 150, thereby adsorbing small-diameter welding fumes and plasma clouds in the chamber 13.

[0090] In other embodiments, the second dust removal mechanism 30 may include a second dust removal pipe 32, one end of which is directly connected to the second dust suction port 150.

[0091] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The third wall 16 is provided with a compressed gas inlet 160, which is connected to the chamber 13.

[0092] The compressed gas inlet 160 is a portion for introducing compressed gas into the chamber 13. In some embodiments, the compressed gas can be an airflow with a certain velocity, such as high-velocity air. In some embodiments, in the second direction y, the projection of the compressed gas inlet 160 onto the first wall 14 is covered by the first dust extraction port 140. In some embodiments, there can be multiple compressed gas inlets 160, and the multiple compressed gas inlets 160 can be arranged at intervals along the first direction x. In this embodiment, the shape of the compressed gas inlet 160 is not limited; it can be circular, square, or triangular, etc.

[0093] In the above scheme, the third wall 16 and the first wall 14 are arranged opposite to each other, so that the compressed gas can flow through the compressed gas inlet 160 to the first dust suction port 140, so as to blow large-diameter welding fumes and particles toward the first dust suction port 140, ensuring that large-diameter welding fumes and particles do not remain in the chamber 13.

[0094] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4The third wall 16 is provided with a protective gas inlet 161, which is connected to the chamber 13 and is closer to the laser emission outlet 12 than the compressed gas inlet 160.

[0095] The protective gas inlet 161 is located on the third wall 16 and is used to introduce protective gas into the chamber 13. The protective gas is a gas that can protect the weld and isolate it from the air. The protective gas can be nitrogen.

[0096] See Figure 4 The protective gas inlet 161 is located close to the laser exit 12 so that the protective gas can act on the weld. In some other embodiments, the first wall 14 may also be provided with a protective gas inlet 161, which can also provide protective gas to the weld. In some other embodiments, both the first wall 14 and the third wall 16 may be provided with protective gas inlets 161 to simultaneously provide protective gas to the weld, ensuring that the weld is isolated from the air.

[0097] In some embodiments, the third wall 16 has a centerline extending along a first direction x, which divides the third wall 16 into a first portion close to the second wall 15 and a second portion away from the second wall 15. To ensure that the shielding gas effectively covers the weld, the shielding gas inlet 161 may be located in the second portion. The shielding gas is continuously supplied to the weld through the shielding gas inlet 161. The shielding gas with a certain flow rate can blow away the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes, so as to facilitate the adsorption of the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes by the second dust extraction port 150. And because the shielding gas is continuously supplied, the weld can be effectively isolated from the air.

[0098] In the above scheme, a protective gas inlet 161 is provided on the third wall 16, which can introduce protective gas into the chamber 13. On the one hand, it can isolate the weld from the air and achieve the purpose of protecting the weld; on the other hand, the protective gas with a certain kinetic energy can act on the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes, so that the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes have a certain kinetic energy and can be easily absorbed by the second dust suction port 150.

[0099] Based on some embodiments of this application, please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the welding dust removal device, end plate 10a, and side plate 10b in some embodiments of this application. Figure 5In the diagram, the laser is indicated by the symbol "B". The welding dust removal device also includes a first clamping part 40 and a second clamping part 50. The first clamping part 40 is connected to one end of the main body 10 where the laser outlet 12 is provided, and is used to clamp the first workpiece to be welded. The second clamping part 50 is connected to one end of the main body 10 where the laser outlet 12 is provided, and is used to clamp the second workpiece to be welded. At least one of the first clamping part 40 and the second clamping part 50 is floatingly connected to the main body 10.

[0100] The welding dust removal device is used for welding the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The first pressing part 40 is connected to the body 10 and is used to press the first workpiece. The second pressing part 50 is connected to the body 10 and is used to press the second workpiece.

[0101] "At least one of the first pressing part 40 and the second pressing part 50 is floatingly connected to the body 10" can mean that the first pressing part 40 can move relative to the body 10 along the first direction x under the action of an external force, or it can mean that the second pressing part 50 can move relative to the body 10 along the first direction x under the action of an external force, or it can mean that both the first pressing part 40 and the second pressing part 50 can move relative to the body 10 along the first direction x under the action of an external force.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first workpiece and the second workpiece have a dimensional difference in one direction, and this dimensional difference is not fixed. If both the first clamping part 40 and the second clamping part 50 are fixedly connected to the body 10, the first clamping part 40 may not be able to clamp the first workpiece, or the second clamping part 50 may not be able to clamp the second workpiece. This results in an unstable relative positional relationship between the welding dust removal device, the first workpiece, and the second workpiece, thereby affecting the welding quality. Therefore, the function of "at least one of the first clamping part 40 and the second clamping part 50 is floatingly connected to the body 10" can include using the floating characteristic to compensate for the dimensional difference between the first workpiece and the second workpiece in one direction, ensuring that the first clamping part 40 can clamp the first workpiece and that the second clamping part 50 can clamp the second workpiece.

[0103] In the above solution, at least one of the first pressing part 40 and the second pressing part 50 is configured to be floatingly connected to the body 10, which enables the first pressing part 40 and the second pressing part 50 to absorb the difference between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, ensuring that the welding dust removal device can simultaneously press the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and avoiding poor welding quality caused by the unstable relative position between the welding dust removal device and the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

[0104] According to some embodiments of this application, the first workpiece is the side plate 10b of the battery module, the second workpiece is the end plate 10a of the battery module, the first pressing part 40 is fixedly connected to the body 10, and the second pressing part 50 is floatingly connected to the body 10.

[0105] In the above scheme, the welding dust removal device can be applied to the side sealing welding of the battery module. During the design process of the battery module, in the first direction x, the end plate 10a will protrude from the side plate 10b. Therefore, under this condition, the second pressing part 50 is set to float connected to the body 10, which can effectively absorb the dimensional difference between the end plate 10a and the side wall, and ensure that the welding dust removal device tightly attaches the side plate 10b and the end plate 10a.

[0106] In other embodiments, when the first workpiece is the side plate 10b of the battery module and the second workpiece is the end plate 10a of the battery module, the first pressing part 40 can also be floatingly connected to the body 10, so as to satisfy that the first pressing part 40 can press the side plate 10b and the second pressing part 50 can press the end plate 10a.

[0107] According to some embodiments of this application, the second pressing part 50 is movably connected to the body 10 along the first direction x; the welding dust removal device also includes an elastic element 51, which is disposed between the second pressing part 50 and the body 10.

[0108] "The second pressing part 50 is movably connected to the body 10 along the first direction x" can mean that the second pressing part 50 can approach or move away from the body 10 along the first direction x under the action of an external force to adhere to the end plate 10a. The elastic member 51 is a component that can provide an elastic force to the second pressing part 50 so that the second pressing part 50 can always press against the end plate 10a under the action of the elastic force.

[0109] In the above scheme, when the second pressing part 50 abuts against the end plate 10a, the elastic member 51 is compressed due to the thickness difference between the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b, and the second pressing part 50 is always abutting against the end plate 10a under the elastic force of the elastic member 51.

[0110] According to some embodiments of this application, see Figure 6 , Figure 6 The diagram shows the interior of the body 10 and the second pressing part 50 in some embodiments of this application. The welding dust removal device also includes a guide 52, which is connected to one end of the body 10 where the laser outlet 12 is provided and extends along the first direction x. The second pressing part 50 is slidably connected to the guide 52.

[0111] The guide member 52 may be columnar and extend along the first direction x, so that the second pressing part 50 can move precisely along the outer periphery of the guide member 52 in the first direction x.

[0112] In some embodiments, a guide groove is formed on the end face of the second pressing part 50 facing the body 10, and the guide groove slides in engagement with the guide member 52.

[0113] In some embodiments, the guide member 52 may be confined in the guide groove along the first direction x, which can realize the floating characteristic of the second pressing part 50 on the one hand, and make the second pressing part 50 connected to the body 10 on the other hand to prevent the second pressing part 50 from detaching from the body 10.

[0114] In some embodiments, the guide member 52 may be a guide stud, and the elastic member 51 may be a spring. The spring is sleeved on the guide stud and can provide elastic force to the second pressing part 50 so that the second pressing part 50 always tends to press the end plate 10a away from the body 10. In some embodiments, one end of the spring may be connected to the second pressing part 50, and the other end of the spring may be connected to the body 10 to prevent the second pressing part 50 from disengaging from the body 10.

[0115] In the above scheme, the second pressing part 50 is slidably connected to the guide member 52 and slides along the first direction x under the guidance of the guide member 52 to ensure effective pressing of the end plate 10a.

[0116] Unlike the scheme where the guide groove is formed on the second pressing part 50 and the guide member 52 is connected to the body 10, in other embodiments, the guide groove is formed on the end face of the body 10, one end of the guide member 52 is connected to the second pressing part 50, and the other end of the guide member 52 is slidably engaged with the guide groove.

[0117] According to some embodiments of this application, this application provides a welding dust removal device; please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1-6 The welding dust removal device can be used for welding dust removal of the end plates 10a and side plates 10b of the battery module. The welding dust removal device includes a body 10, a first dust removal mechanism 20 and a second dust removal mechanism 30. The body 10 has a laser injection inlet 11 and a laser injection outlet 12 at both ends along the first direction x.

[0118] At the laser exit 12 of the main body 10, a first clamping part 40 and a second clamping part 50 are provided. The first clamping part 40 can be connected to the main body 10 by welding, bonding, or integral molding, or it can be fixed to the main body by threaded parts. The first clamping part 40 is used to clamp the side plate 10b. The second clamping part 50 is connected to the main body 10 by a guide stud, and the second clamping part 50 can slide along the guide stud in the first direction x. The guide stud is fitted with a spring, and the spring provides elastic force to the second clamping part 50, so that the second clamping part 50 floats relative to the main body 10 in the first direction x, so as to ensure that the second clamping part 50 can clamp the end plate 10a. The laser passes through the laser entrance 11 through the chamber 13 of the welding dust removal device and acts on the position to be welded between the end plate 10a and the side plate 10b to form a weld.

[0119] The body 10 includes a first wall 14, a second wall 15, a third wall 16, and a fourth wall 17. The first wall 14 and the third wall 16 are arranged opposite each other along a second direction y, and the second wall 15 and the fourth wall 17 are arranged opposite each other along a third direction z. When a welding dust removal device is used, the first wall 14 can be the bottom wall of the body 10, the second wall 15 can be the side wall adjacent to the first wall 14, and the third wall 16 can be the top wall of the body 10. A protective gas inlet 161 can be provided on the third wall 16 to provide nitrogen gas to the weld and protect it.

[0120] Because it is laser welding, the plasma cloud, small-diameter welding fumes, large-diameter welding fumes and particles generated during welding can block the laser and affect the formation of the weld, resulting in low welding quality.

[0121] To this end, the first wall 14 is provided with a first dust suction port 140 communicating with the chamber 13. The first dust suction port 140 can serve as a bottom dust removal port, generating negative pressure adsorption force through the negative pressure provided by the first dust removal mechanism 20, in order to adsorb large-diameter welding fumes and particles (10um to 100um) with a certain kinetic energy that move along the first direction x from the weld seam towards the laser injection port 11. To ensure the effectiveness of adsorption, the first dust suction port 140 is elongated and extends along the first direction x. To further ensure the effectiveness of adsorption, the third wall 16 can be formed with a compressed gas inlet 160, through which compressed gas is supplied to the chamber 13 to blow the large-diameter welding fumes and particles (10um to 100um) towards the first dust suction port 140. The second wall 15 is provided with a second dust suction port 150, which can be a side dust removal port. The negative pressure provided by the second dust removal mechanism 30 generates a negative pressure adsorption force to adsorb the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes (2.5µm to 10µm) surrounding the weld. To ensure the effectiveness of the adsorption, the second dust suction port 150 is elongated and extends along the second direction y. The second dust suction port 150 can be positioned corresponding to the weld, i.e., it can be located close to the laser exit port 12. In some embodiments, nitrogen gas provided by the protective gas inlet 161 can provide a certain kinetic energy to the plasma cloud and small-diameter welding fumes (2.5µm to 10µm), allowing them to be easily adsorbed by the second dust suction port 150.

[0122] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A welding dust removal device, characterized in that, include: The body has a laser inlet and a laser outlet at its two ends along a first direction. A cavity is formed inside the body, connecting the laser inlet and the laser outlet. The body includes a first wall and a second wall, which are adjacent walls. The first wall has a first suction port communicating with the cavity, and the second wall has a second suction port communicating with the cavity. Along the first direction, the distance from the center of the second suction port to the laser outlet is less than the distance from the center of the first suction port to the laser outlet. The body also includes a third wall and a fourth wall. The first wall and the third wall are opposite each other along a second direction, and the second wall and the fourth wall are opposite each other along a third direction. The areas of the first wall and the third wall are less than the areas of the second wall and the fourth wall. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. The length direction of the first suction port is parallel to the first direction, and the length direction of the second suction port is parallel to the second direction. The first dust removal mechanism is connected to the first dust suction port; The second dust removal mechanism is connected to the second dust suction port; The first clamping part is connected to one end of the body where the laser emission outlet is provided, and the first clamping part is used to clamp the first workpiece to be welded; The second clamping part is connected to one end of the body where the laser emission outlet is provided, and the second clamping part is used to clamp the second workpiece to be welded; In this embodiment, at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part is floatingly connected to the body; The first workpiece is a side plate of the battery module, the second workpiece is an end plate of the battery module, the first clamping part is fixedly connected to the body, and the second clamping part is floatingly connected to the body; The second clamping part is movably connected to the body along the first direction; The welding dust removal device also includes an elastic element, which is disposed between the second pressing part and the main body; The welding dust removal device further includes a guide member, which is connected to one end of the body where the laser emission outlet is located and extends along the first direction. The second pressing part is slidably connected to the guide member.

2. The welding dust removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dust removal mechanism includes a first dust removal hood and a first dust removal pipe. The first dust removal hood is connected to the first wall and covers the first dust suction port. One end of the first dust removal pipe is connected to the first dust removal hood.

3. The welding dust removal device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first dust cover has a bottom surface facing away from the first wall, and the distance between the bottom surface and the first wall gradually increases along the direction from the laser emission outlet to the laser emission inlet.

4. The welding dust removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second dust removal mechanism includes a second dust removal hood and a second dust removal pipe. The second dust removal hood is connected to the second wall and covers the second dust suction port. One end of the second dust removal pipe is connected to the second dust removal hood.

5. The welding dust removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third wall is provided with a compressed gas inlet, which is connected to the chamber.

6. The welding dust removal device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third wall is provided with a protective gas inlet, which is connected to the chamber and is closer to the laser emission outlet than the compressed gas inlet.

Images