A process for packing battery cell modules into a box

Abstract

This invention discloses a process for loading battery cell modules into boxes, including a pallet clamping assembly and a box clamping assembly. The pallet clamping assembly includes pallet hooks capable of clamping and releasing the pallet; the box clamping assembly includes box hooks capable of clamping and releasing the box. The main steps are as follows: 1) Stack and assemble the battery cell modules on the pallet. After stacking and assembly, the modules are loaded into the box loading station via a module trolley, while a Park trolley carries the boxes into the box loading station simultaneously; 2) Place the battery cell modules and the pallet on a pressure table using the pallet hooks; 3) Clamp the boxes using the box hooks and move them to the pressure table, completing the battery cell module loading operation; 4) After the battery cell modules are loaded into the box, the pressure table pressurizes them; 5) The pallet hooks clamp the pallet and the pressurized products together and move them to the Park trolley; 6) Proceed to the next station. This invention achieves a simpler module loading process, shorter cycle time, higher module loading efficiency, and simplified equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a process for loading battery cell modules into a box. Background Technology

[0002] In the lithium battery industry, the traditional cell module boxing process is as follows: 1. A Park trolley carries a pallet and box into the boxing station; 2. The lower box gripper picks up the pallet and lower box and moves them to the pressure table; 3. The lower box gripper then picks up the lower box and moves it to the trolley (leaving the pallet); 4. A module (BLOCK) flatbed trolley carries the module into the boxing station; 5. The module suction gripper picks up the module and moves it to the pallet on the pressure table; 6. The lower box gripper picks up the lower box again and moves it to the pressure table for boxing; 7. After boxing, the pressure table applies pressure; 8. Finally, the lower box gripper picks up the pallet and the pressurized product together and moves them to the Park trolley; 9. The trolley moves the product away to the next station.

[0003] The above process is quite complex and cannot meet the customer's requirements for cycle time. There is an urgent need for a new module loading process that can simplify the process, shorten the cycle time, and improve the module loading efficiency, while simplifying the equipment structure, reducing equipment investment costs, and reducing the space occupied by the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a process for placing battery cell modules into a box. The battery cell modules are stacked and assembled on a tray. After the stacking and assembly is completed, the modules are placed on a pressure table, and then the box is moved to the pressure table for pressurization.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows: a clamping mechanism is provided above the pressure table. The clamping mechanism includes a pallet clamping assembly and a box clamping assembly. The pallet clamping assembly includes a pallet hook capable of clamping and releasing the pallet; the box clamping assembly includes a box hook capable of clamping and releasing the box. The specific steps are as follows: 1) Stack the battery cell modules onto a tray. After stacking and assembly, the modules are loaded into the boxing station by a module trolley. At the same time, the Park trolley carries the box into the boxing station. 2) The pallet clamping assembly moves to the top of the module trolley and descends to the corresponding position of the pallet. The pallet hook clamps the pallet, and the cell module and the pallet rise, are positioned and moved to the top of the pressure table, and then descend to the pressure table position. The pallet hook releases the pallet, placing the cell module and the pallet on the pressure table. Then the pallet clamping assembly exits the pressure table. 3) The box clamping assembly moves to the top of the Park trolley and descends to the corresponding position of the box. The box hook clamps the box and moves it to the pressure table to complete the cell module insertion operation. Then the box clamping assembly exits the pressure table. 4) After the battery cell modules are placed into the box, the pressure table pressurizes them; 5) The pallet clamping assembly picks up the pallet and the pressurized product together and moves them to the Park trolley; 6) The Park cart moves the pallet and the pressurized product to the next workstation.

[0006] Its further technical solution is: It also includes an I-shaped frame, and the pallet clamping assembly is provided in four sets, which are respectively set at the four corners of the I-shaped frame.

[0007] Its further technical solution is: The pallet clamping assembly includes a vertically arranged first driving member and a horizontally arranged second driving member. The second driving member is located at the output end of the first driving member. The pallet hook has an L-shaped structure and is located at the output end of the second driving member facing the pallet. In step 2), the pallet hook clamps and releases the pallet under the synchronous drive of the first driving member and the second driving member.

[0008] Its further technical solution is: The second driving component is fixedly mounted on a horizontal side plate, and the pallet hook is slidably connected to the horizontal side plate via a horizontal guide rail mounted on the horizontal side plate.

[0009] Its further technical solution is: The first driving component is fixedly mounted on a vertical side plate. The stroke output end of the first driving component is fixedly connected to a horizontal side plate through a connector. A slider is provided on the back of the horizontal side plate, and the slider matches the vertical guide rail mounted on the vertical side plate.

[0010] Its further technical solution is: The first driving component and the second driving component can be one of the linear driving sources such as electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, and hydraulic cylinder.

[0011] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are as follows: This process eliminates the step of the module suction claw lifting the module and moving it to the pressure table, thus eliminating the need for module suction claws in the process structure and simplifying the equipment; moreover, in this process, the tray and the battery cell module are clamped together and moved to the pressure table, making the module placement in the box more stable; there is also no risk of the battery cell module falling off; in particular, this module placement process simplifies the process, greatly shortens the cycle time, and improves the efficiency of module placement in the box. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall tray clamping assembly used in this invention; Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of the pallet clamping assembly used in this invention; Figure 3This is a front view of the tray clamping assembly used in this invention; The components are: 1. I-beam frame; 11. Main beam; 12. First secondary beam; 2. Pallet clamping assembly; 21. First drive component; 22. Second drive component; 23. Pallet hook; 24. Horizontal side plate; 25. Horizontal guide rail; 26. Vertical side plate; 27. Vertical guide rail. Detailed Implementation

[0013] In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0014] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the process of placing a battery cell module into a box according to the present invention includes a gantry frame and a pallet clamping assembly 2 and a box clamping assembly that can move freely along the length and width of the gantry frame. The pallet clamping assembly 2 is disposed on an I-shaped frame 1. The I-shaped frame 1 includes a main beam 11 and two sets of secondary beams 12 perpendicular to the main beam 11.

[0015] The pallet clamping assembly 2 has four sets, which are respectively set at the four corners of the I-shaped frame 1, that is, at both ends of the two sets of first sub-beams 12. The pallet clamping assembly 2 includes a pallet hook 23, a vertically set first drive member 21 and a horizontally set second drive member 22. The second drive member 22 is set at the output end of the first drive member 21, and the pallet hook 23 is set at the output end of the second drive member 22. The pallet hook 23 has an L-shaped structure. The four sets of pallet hooks 23 can clamp the pallet under the synchronous drive of the first drive member 21 and the second drive member 22.

[0016] The first driving component 21 and the second driving component 22 can be linear driving sources such as cylinders, electric cylinders, and hydraulic cylinders, and can be configured according to actual needs.

[0017] Specifically, such as Figure 2The second driving component 22 is fixedly mounted on a horizontal side plate 24. The pallet hook 23, driven by the second driving component 22, is slidably connected to the horizontal side plate 24 via a horizontal guide rail 25. The first driving component 21 is fixedly mounted on a vertical side plate 26. The stroke output end of the first driving component 21 is fixedly connected to the horizontal side plate 24 via a connector. A slider is provided on the back of the horizontal side plate 24, and the slider matches the vertical guide rail 27 mounted on the vertical side plate 26. Driven by the first driving component 21, the horizontal side plate 24 drives the pallet hook 23 to slide vertically and connect to the vertical side plate 26. This allows for clamping, moving, and releasing of the pallet, and also enables appropriate adjustment according to the size of the pallet to accommodate different pallet sizes.

[0018] The box clamping assembly (not shown) and the pallet clamping assembly 2 are respectively disposed at both ends of the gantry frame. The box clamping assembly includes a box hook that can clamp and release the box.

[0019] The method for placing the battery cell module into the box includes: The battery cell modules are stacked and assembled on a tray. After the stacking and assembly are completed, they are loaded into the boxing station by a module trolley. At the same time, the Park trolley carries the box into the boxing station. The tray clamping assembly 2 moves above the module trolley and descends to the corresponding position of the tray. Under the synchronous drive of the first drive member 21 and the second drive member 22, the tray can be clamped. The battery cell module and the tray then rise, are positioned and translated to the top of the pressure table, and descend to the pressure table position. The four sets of tray hooks 23 release the tray through the stroke of the first drive member 21 and the second drive member 22, so that the battery cell module and the tray are placed on the pressure table. Then the tray clamping assembly 2 exits the pressure table. The box clamping assembly moves to the top of the Park trolley and descends to the corresponding position of the box. The box is stably clamped by the box hook and moved to the pressure table to complete the insertion of the battery cell module into the box. Then the box clamping assembly exits the pressure table. After the battery cell modules are placed into the box, they are pressurized by the pressure table; Finally, pallet clamping component 2 clamps the pallet and the pressurized product together and moves them to the Park trolley; The park cart moved it to the next workstation.

[0020] This structure can complete the module loading process with a simpler workflow, shorter cycle time, and more stable loading, meeting customers' requirements for high cycle times in module loading. Compared with existing equipment, it has been greatly simplified in structure, saving equipment costs and space, and significantly improving loading efficiency by completing the module loading process in a shorter time. The following comparison between the existing module loading process and the module loading process of this structure makes the advantages and disadvantages more intuitive: The existing module packing process includes: S1: The Park cart carrying the pallet and box enters the box-in station; S2: Pallet clamping assembly 2 clamps the pallet and box and moves them to the pressure table. S3: The box clamping assembly then lifts the box and moves it to the trolley, leaving the pallet behind; S4: The module (BLOCK) flatbed trolley carries the module into the boxing station; S5: The module suction claw picks up the module and moves it onto the tray of the pressure table; S6: The box clamping assembly picks up the box again and moves it to the pressure table for box insertion; S7: After the boxes are placed in the pressurization table, pressure is applied; S8: Finally, pallet clamping assembly 2 clamps the pallet and the pressurized product together and moves them to the Park trolley; S9: The trolley moves it away and flows into the next workstation.

[0021] The module loading process in this invention includes: 1) The Park cart carrying the box and the module cart carrying the tray and the cell module enter the box-in station at the same time; 2) The tray clamping assembly 2 clamps the tray and the battery cell module together and moves them to the pressure table; 3) The box clamping assembly picks up the box and moves it to the pressure table for insertion; 4) After the contents are placed in the box, pressurize them using a pressure table; 5) Finally, pallet clamping component 2 clamps the pallet and the pressurized product together and moves them to the Park trolley; 6) The Park cart moves it away to the next workstation.

[0022] In summary, comparing the traditional module loading process with this new structure's module loading process: the traditional process requires nine steps with a cycle time of 271 seconds; while this new structure only requires six steps with a cycle time of 204 seconds. Furthermore, this new structure eliminates the need for module suction claws, simplifying the equipment. When the module suction claws lift the module and move it to the tray on the pressure table, anti-drop and precise module placement must be considered. In the second step, the tray clamping component 2 clamps the tray and the battery cell module together and moves them to the pressure table, making module loading more stable. Therefore, this new module loading process can replace the traditional module loading process to meet the requirements of high-efficiency loading.

[0023] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit 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. A process for inserting battery cell modules into a casing, characterized in that: A clamping mechanism is provided above the pressure table. The clamping mechanism includes a pallet clamping assembly (2) and a box clamping assembly. The pallet clamping assembly (2) includes a pallet hook (23) capable of clamping and releasing the pallet. The box clamping assembly includes a box hook capable of clamping and releasing the box. The specific steps are as follows: 1) Stack the battery cell modules onto a tray. After stacking and assembly, the modules are loaded into the boxing station by a module trolley. At the same time, the Park trolley carries the box into the boxing station. 2) The tray clamping assembly (2) moves to the top of the module trolley and descends to the corresponding position of the tray. The tray hook (23) clamps the tray. The cell module and the tray then rise, are positioned and moved to the top of the pressure table, and descend to the pressure table position. The tray hook (23) releases the tray and places the cell module and the tray on the pressure table. Then the tray clamping assembly (2) exits the pressure table. 3) The box clamping assembly moves to the top of the Park trolley and descends to the corresponding position of the box. The box hook clamps the box and moves it to the pressure table to complete the cell module insertion operation. Then the box clamping assembly exits the pressure table. 4) After the battery cell modules are placed into the box, the pressure table pressurizes them; 5) The pallet clamping assembly (2) clamps the pallet and the pressurized product together and moves them to the Park trolley; 6) The Park cart moves the pallet and the pressurized product to the next workstation.

2. The process for inserting a battery cell module into a casing according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an I-shaped frame (1), and the tray clamping assembly (2) is provided in four sets, which are respectively set at the four corners of the I-shaped frame (1).

3. The process for inserting a battery cell module into a casing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pallet clamping assembly (2) includes a vertically arranged first drive member (21) and a horizontally arranged second drive member (22). The second drive member (22) is located at the output end of the first drive member (21). The pallet hook (23) has an L-shaped structure and is located at the output end of the second drive member (22) facing the pallet. In step 2), the pallet hook (23) clamps and releases the pallet under the synchronous drive of the first drive member (21) and the second drive member (22).

4. The process for inserting a battery cell module into a casing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second driving member (22) is fixedly mounted on a horizontal side plate (24), and the pallet hook (23) is slidably connected to the horizontal side plate (24) via a horizontal guide rail (25) mounted on the horizontal side plate (24).

5. The process for inserting a battery cell module into a casing according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first driving member (21) is fixedly mounted on a vertical side plate (26). The stroke output end of the first driving member (21) is fixedly connected to the horizontal side plate (24) through a connector. The horizontal side plate (24) has a slider on its back, and the slider is matched with the vertical guide rail (27) mounted on the vertical side plate (26).

6. The process for inserting a battery cell module into a casing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first driving component (21) and the second driving component (22) are any one of electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, and hydraulic cylinder.

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