Electrode roll handling system and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The application discloses an electrode roll conveying system and a working method thereof. The electrode roll conveying system comprises: an electrode roll conveying device, which is used for conveying electrode ears of each small electrode roll to a buffer rack along a first channel in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; and is also used for conveying the electrode ears on the buffer rack to a cutting roll machine along the first channel in the first direction, conveying the electrode ears on the buffer rack to the cutting roll machine along a second channel in the second direction, so as to keep the electrode ears of each small electrode roll entering the cutting roll machine consistent, wherein the second channel and the first channel are located in opposite directions of the buffer rack respectively. The application effectively improves the transfer efficiency of the small electrode roll and the utilization rate of the warehouse area (the buffer rack).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of lithium battery production technology, specifically relating to an electrode roll transport system and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] As automation in the lithium battery industry deepens, the handling of electrode rolls in coating, rolling, slitting, coiling, and stacking processes is becoming increasingly automated and intelligent. Coated copper or aluminum foil electrode rolls are slitting equipment to produce several small electrode rolls. These small electrode rolls are unloaded from the slitting equipment and transported to the coiling equipment for loading, and then formed into core packages by the coiling / stacking equipment. Currently, existing automation solutions often use AGVs or assistive arms as conveying devices for small electrode rolls, picking up and placing only one small electrode roll at a time. This results in frequent docking with the slitting, coiling, and buffer racks, and high conveying frequency. Furthermore, due to the uneven production between the slitting and coiling / stacking equipment, buffer racks are required. Current solutions, where each buffer rack holds only one small electrode roll, result in a large number of required devices and occupy many passageways. These factors lead to low conveying efficiency, a large number of conveying devices, high investment costs, and increased system complexity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an electrode roll handling system and its operating method, which effectively improves the transfer efficiency of small electrode rolls and the utilization rate of storage areas (buffer racks).

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, an electrode roll handling system is provided, comprising: an electrode roll conveying device, the electrode roll conveying device being used to transport small electrode rolls with tabs facing a first direction and a second direction to a buffer rack along a first channel, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; and being used to transport small electrode rolls with tabs facing the first direction on the buffer rack to a slitting machine table along the first channel and to transport small electrode rolls with tabs facing the second direction on the buffer rack to the slitting machine table along a second channel, so as to keep the tabs of each small electrode roll entering the slitting machine table in the same orientation, wherein the second channel and the first channel are respectively located in opposite directions of the buffer rack.

[0006] Furthermore, the small electrode rolls are obtained by slitting the large electrode rolls using a slitting machine. The large electrode rolls placed on the unwinding mechanism of the slitting machine are finally slitted into several small electrode rolls with the tabs facing the first direction and several small electrode rolls with the tabs facing the second direction, and are respectively stored on the winding A axis and winding B axis of the slitting machine.

[0007] Furthermore, the electrode roll conveying device includes: a traveling device; a movable upper device mounted on the traveling device and slidably connected to the traveling device; a cantilever shaft and a pushing mechanism mounted on the movable upper device, wherein the cantilever shaft is used to support the small electrode roll, and the pushing mechanism is used for positioning the small electrode roll between the small electrode roll and the cantilever shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a first detection device disposed on the outside of the cantilever shaft for detecting whether there is a small electrode roll within a set range of the cantilever shaft.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a second detection device disposed at the end of the cantilever shaft for detecting the code to be detected at a designated position.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a limiting device disposed on the cantilever shaft. When the second detection device detects the code being detected, the limiting device releases the restriction on the pushing mechanism, and the pushing mechanism operates to complete the positioning of the small electrode roll.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a third detection device disposed on the lower side of the end of the cantilever shaft for detecting the relative position of the cantilever shaft and the buffer frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the buffer rack includes several trays for storing small electrode rolls, the trays being slidably connected to the base via slide rails mounted on the base.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a fourth detection device disposed on the bracket for detecting whether a small electrode roll exists on the bracket; and a servo drive mechanism disposed on the base for changing the spacing between two adjacent brackets.

[0014] In a second aspect, a method for operating an electrode roll transport system is provided. The electrode roll transport system is the same as the electrode roll transport system described in the first aspect. The method is executed by an electrode roll conveying device and includes: transporting each small electrode roll with its tabs facing a first direction and a second direction along a first channel to a buffer rack; transporting the small electrode rolls with their tabs facing the first direction on the buffer rack along the first channel to a slitting machine; and transporting the small electrode rolls with their tabs facing the second direction on the buffer rack to the slitting machine along a second channel, so as to maintain the tab orientation of each small electrode roll entering the slitting machine consistent.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are as follows: The present invention uses an electrode roll conveying device to transport small electrode rolls with tabs facing a first direction and a second direction to a buffer rack along a first channel, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; the electrode roll conveying device transports small electrode rolls with tabs facing a first direction on the buffer rack to a slitting machine along the first channel and transports small electrode rolls with tabs facing a second direction on the buffer rack to the slitting machine along the second channel, so as to keep the tab orientation of each small electrode roll entering the slitting machine consistent, wherein the second channel and the first channel are respectively located in opposite directions of the buffer rack; the reversing device is eliminated, which effectively improves the transfer efficiency of small electrode rolls and the utilization rate of the storage area (buffer rack). Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an electrode roll transport system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the reversal of the buffer rack and small electrode roll in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the buffer rack in state 1 (with rolls adjacent to each other);

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the middle buffer rack in state 2 (roll separated);

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the tab orientation of the small electrode roll in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of the state of the large electrode roll before it is cut at the unwinding mechanism; (b) is a small electrode roll stored on the winding A axis after the large electrode roll is cut, with its tab facing downward; (c) is a small electrode roll stored on the winding B axis after the large electrode roll is cut, with its tab facing upward; and (d) is the tab orientation required by the cutting machine.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the polar roll conveying device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is an optimized conveying process diagram in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Slitting machine; 11. Unwinding mechanism; 12. Rewinding A-axis; 13. Rewinding B-axis; 14. Slitting machine pushing mechanism; 2. Electrode roll conveying equipment; 21. Cantilever shaft; 211. Limiting device; 212. First detection device; 213. Second detection device; 215. Third detection device; 22. Pushing mechanism; 23. Traveling device; 24. Movable upper structure; 3. Buffer rack; 31. Bracket; 33. Fourth detection device; 34. Base; 341. Slide rail; 4. Sliding machine; 5. Roll; 6. Small electrode roll; 7. First channel; 8. Second channel; 9. Large electrode roll. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Example 1:

[0026] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, an electrode roll handling system includes: a slitting machine 1, an electrode roll conveying device 2, a buffer rack 3, a cutting machine 4, a roll 5, and small electrode rolls 6. The electrode roll conveying device 2 is adapted to unload materials from the slitting machine 1 into the buffer rack 3. The buffer rack 3 can store multiple small electrode rolls 6. The buffer rack 3 has a first channel 7 and a second channel 8 on both sides. The electrode roll conveying device 2 takes one small electrode roll 6 from the buffer rack 3 at a time and then conveys it to the cutting machine 4.

[0027] The electrode roll conveying device 2 is used to transport each small electrode roll 6 with the tab facing a first direction and a second direction to the buffer rack 3 along the first channel 7, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0028] The electrode roll conveying device 2 is also used to transport the small electrode rolls 6 with the tabs facing the first direction on the buffer rack 3 to the slitting machine table 4 along the first channel 7, and to transport the small electrode rolls 6 with the tabs facing the second direction on the buffer rack 3 to the slitting machine table 4 along the second channel 8, so as to keep the tabs of each small electrode roll 6 entering the slitting machine table 4 in the same direction. The second channel 8 and the first channel 7 are located in opposite directions to the buffer rack 3.

[0029] The slitting machine 1 includes an unwinding mechanism 11, a take-up A-axis 12, a take-up B-axis 13, and a slitting machine pusher mechanism 14. The large electrode roll 9 is placed on the unwinding mechanism 11 of the slitting machine 1, and after slitting, it is finally slitted into 2N small electrode rolls 6, which are then fixed on the take-up A-axis 12 and take-up B-axis 13 of the slitting machine 1. The tabs of the small electrode rolls 6 loaded on the take-up A-axis 12 and the take-up B-axis 13 have different orientations, such as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0030] The electrode roll conveying device 2 includes a cantilever shaft 21, a pushing mechanism 22, a traveling device 23, and a movable upper structure 24. The movable upper structure 24 is mounted on the traveling device 23 and can slide relative to it. The pushing mechanism 22 and the cantilever shaft 21 are mounted on the movable upper structure 24. The cantilever shaft 21 also includes a limiting device 211, a first detection device 212, a second detection device 213, a code to be detected, and a third detection device 215. The first detection device 212 is located on the outside of the cantilever shaft 21 and is used to detect the presence or absence of the small electrode roll 6. The second detection device 213 is located at the end of the cantilever shaft and is used to detect the code to be detected, which is installed inside the outer female heads of the take-up A shaft 12 and the take-up B shaft of the slitting machine 1. The second detection device 213 is installed on the upper outer side of the cantilever shaft end. When it detects that the electrode roll has completely entered the cantilever shaft (i.e., when the second detection device 213 detects the code being detected), the limit device 211 rises, releasing the restriction on the pushing mechanism 22. The pushing mechanism 22 then moves, positioning the roll 5. The third detection device 215 is located on the lower side of the end of the cantilever shaft 21, detecting its position relative to the buffer frame 3 to ensure the material picking accuracy in the X direction. Figure 6 As shown.

[0031] The buffer rack 3 includes several brackets 31, a fourth detection device 33, and a base 34. The brackets 31 are fixed to slide rails 341 on the base 34 by bolts, and the brackets 31 are slidably connected to the base 34 via the slide rails 341. The fourth detection device 33 is mounted on the brackets 31 and is used to detect the presence or absence of electrode rolls. The buffer rack 3 also includes a servo drive mechanism disposed on the base 34 for changing the spacing between two adjacent brackets 31.

[0032] The main working steps of the electrode roll handling system include: slitting and unloading, transferring to the buffer rack, retrieving material from the buffer rack, and transferring to the slitting machine.

[0033] Slitting and cutting:

[0034] The electrode roll conveyor 2 moves to the take-up shaft side of the slitting machine 1 via the walking device 23. The second detection device 213 inside the cantilever shaft 21 detects the code installed in the female head of the take-up A shaft 12 and take-up B shaft 13 of the slitting machine 1, and then feeds back the position information to the control system. The control system moves in both X and Z dimensions via the movable upper device 24 to ensure docking accuracy. Then, the slitting machine pusher mechanism 14 pushes the roll 6 so that N small electrode rolls 6 slide from the take-up A shaft 12 onto the cantilever shaft 21. The slitting machine pusher mechanism 14 then retracts. The second detection device 213 is a trigger sensor; if no obstruction is detected, it triggers the limit device 211 to spring upwards. Next, the pusher mechanism 22 moves outwards, positioning the N small electrode rolls 6 on the cantilever shaft 21.

[0035] Transfer to cache rack

[0036] The electrode roll conveying device 2 transports the electrode rolls to the side of the buffer rack 3 through the first channel 7 on one side of the buffer rack 3. Then the walking device 23 enters the interior of the buffer rack 3. The third detection device 215 on the cantilever shaft 21 detects downwards. When the positioning photoelectric sensor on the buffer rack 3 is detected, the positioning is considered complete. The movable upper device 24 moves downwards and places N small electrode rolls 6 on each bracket 31. The electrode roll conveying device 2 exits and returns to the cycle of slitting and unloading-buffer rack.

[0037] Buffer rack material retrieval

[0038] The electrode roll conveyor 2 moves to the side of the buffer rack 3 via the first channel 7 on one side (transferring the small electrode roll 6 from the take-up A axis 12, with its electrode tabs facing the first direction), or moves to the side of the buffer rack 3 via the second channel 8 on the other side (transferring the small electrode roll 6 from the take-up B axis 13, with its electrode tabs facing the second direction). Then the traveling device 23 enters the buffer rack 3, and the third detection device 215 on the cantilever shaft 21 detects downwards. When the positioning photoelectric sensor on the buffer rack 3 is detected, the positioning is considered complete. Then the tensioning mechanism of the cantilever shaft 21 is activated to tension the inner arm of the roll 5. Next, the movable upper device 24 is raised upwards. When it is raised to a height H, the rotation telescopic limit mechanism is activated to prevent the small electrode roll 6 from falling.

[0039] Transfer to the coil cutter.

[0040] In this embodiment, the electrode roll conveying device 2 employs a movable upper structure and a second detection device 213 for detecting the position of the slitting machine's take-up shaft, along with a detection code. It can dynamically track the roll position, enabling unmanned docking of multiple electrode rolls under certain bending deflection. The buffer rack 3 is designed with upper and lower channels, namely a first channel 7 and a second channel 8. The small electrode rolls 6 enter through the first channel 7, are placed on the buffer rack 3, and then retrieved through the second channel 8, thus reducing the need for a reversing frame and achieving reversing of the small electrode rolls 6. The buffer rack 3 uses adjustable brackets 31, with adjustable spacing between each bracket 31, facilitating single-roll retrieving by using a tensioning design on the cantilever shaft of the electrode roll conveying device 2.

[0041] Example 2:

[0042] Based on the electrode roll transport system described in Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides a method for operating the electrode roll transport system. The electrode roll transport system is the same as that described in Embodiment 1. The method is executed by the electrode roll conveying device 2 and includes: transporting each small electrode roll 6 with its tabs facing a first direction and a second direction to the buffer rack 3 along the first channel 7; transporting the small electrode rolls 6 with their tabs facing a first direction on the buffer rack 3 to the slitting machine table 4 along the first channel 7; and transporting the small electrode rolls 6 with their tabs facing a second direction on the buffer rack 3 to the slitting machine table 4 along the second channel 8, so as to keep the tabs of each small electrode roll 6 entering the slitting machine table 4 in the same orientation.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrode roll transport system, characterized in that, include: Electrode roll conveying device (2), the electrode roll conveying device (2) is used to transport each small electrode roll (6) with the electrode tab facing a first direction and a second direction to a buffer rack (3) along a first channel (7), wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; It is also used to transport small electrode rolls (6) with tabs facing the first direction on the buffer rack (3) to the slitting machine table (4) along the first channel (7) and to transport small electrode rolls (6) with tabs facing the second direction on the buffer rack (3) to the slitting machine table (4) along the second channel (8), so as to keep the tabs of each small electrode roll (6) entering the slitting machine table (4) in the same direction. The second channel (8) and the first channel (7) are respectively located in opposite directions of the buffer rack (3).

2. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The small electrode roll (6) is obtained by slitting the large electrode roll (9) by the slitting machine (1). The large electrode roll (9) placed on the unwinding mechanism (11) of the slitting machine (1) is finally slitted into several small electrode rolls (6) with the tabs facing the first direction and several small electrode rolls (6) with the tabs facing the second direction, and stored on the winding A axis (12) and winding B axis (13) of the slitting machine (1) respectively.

3. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polar roll conveying device (2) includes: Walking device (23); A movable superstructure (24) is installed on the walking device (23) and slidably connected to the walking device (23); A cantilever shaft (21) and a pushing mechanism (22) are installed on the movable superstructure (24). The cantilever shaft (21) is used to support the small electrode roll (6), and the pushing mechanism (22) is used to position the small electrode roll (6) between the cantilever shaft (21).

4. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a first detection device (212) disposed on the outside of the cantilever shaft (21) for detecting whether there is a small electrode roll (6) within a set range of the cantilever shaft (21).

5. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a second detection device (213) disposed at the end of the cantilever shaft (21) for detecting a code to be detected disposed at a designated position.

6. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting device (211) set on the cantilever shaft (21). When the second detection device (213) detects the code to be detected, the limiting device (211) releases the restriction on the pushing mechanism (22), and the pushing mechanism (22) moves to complete the positioning of the small electrode roll (6).

7. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a third detection device (215) disposed on the lower side of the end of the cantilever shaft (21) for detecting the relative position of the cantilever shaft (21) and the buffer frame (3).

8. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer rack (3) includes several brackets (31) for storing small electrode rolls (6), and the brackets (31) are slidably connected to the base (34) via slide rails (341) mounted on the base (34).

9. The electrode roll transport system according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a fourth detection device (33) disposed on the bracket (31) for detecting whether a small electrode roll (6) is present on the bracket (31); A servo drive mechanism disposed on the base (34) for changing the spacing between two adjacent brackets (31).

10. A method for operating an electrode roll transport system, characterized in that, The electrode roll transport system is the electrode roll transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the method is performed by the electrode roll conveying device (2), including: Along the first channel (7), each small electrode roll (6) with the tab facing the first direction and the second direction is transported to the buffer rack (3); Along the first channel (7), the small electrode roll (6) with the tabs facing the first direction on the buffer rack (3) is transported to the slitting machine table (4); Along the second channel (8), the small electrode rolls (6) with the tabs facing the second direction on the buffer rack (3) are transported to the slitting machine (4) to keep the tabs of each small electrode roll (6) entering the slitting machine (4) facing the same direction.

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