A battery cell manufacturing equipment

Abstract

This invention provides a battery cell manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a feeding device, an incoming material detection component, a directional bending device, a coil straightening device, a cutting device, a cutting detection component, an electrode straightening device, and a controller. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus uses an incoming material detection component at the outlet of the feeding device to read the incoming material information of the coil and feed it back to the controller. The directional bending device bends the incoming material in the reverse direction to obtain a coil with a specific bending direction. The controller, based on the incoming material information and other data, controls the coil straightening device to straighten the coil after directional bending by the directional bending device, and the cutting device cuts the straightened coil into electrode sheets. The cutting detection component performs two inspections on the cut electrode sheets to obtain the electrode warpage rate of the two inspections. The controller controls the electrode straightening device to straighten the electrode sheets according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage rate or springback rate to obtain electrode sheets that meet the warpage requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery cell manufacturing, and in particular to a battery cell manufacturing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] During battery manufacturing, bending of the electrode material strips can affect subsequent processes (such as lamination). Therefore, the incoming electrode material needs to be processed to eliminate warping and ensure that the flatness of the cut electrodes meets the usage requirements.

[0003] Current straightening methods often employ techniques such as upper and lower roller groups pressing against each other and multi-roller winding with equal diameters to straighten the electrode strip. This straightening equipment is complex and cannot differentiate between different incoming materials, the tab area and coating area of ​​the electrode, or materials with varying degrees of curvature. Furthermore, the equipment cannot detect and straighten the cut electrode sheets after the electrode strip has undergone further bending, resulting in unsatisfactory straightening during stacking and consequently affecting the quality of the battery cell.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a battery cell manufacturing equipment to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery cell manufacturing equipment that solves the technical problem of how to straighten electrodes based on warpage caused by different process nodes.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A battery cell manufacturing apparatus includes: a feeding device for supplying coiled material; an incoming material detection component for reading incoming material information of the coiled material, the incoming material detection component being disposed at the outlet of the feeding device; a directional bending device for directionally bending the coiled material to obtain a coiled material with a specific bending direction, the directional bending device being disposed at the outlet of the feeding device; a coiled material straightening device for straightening the coiled material, the coiled material straightening device being disposed at the outlet of the directional bending device; and a cutting device for cutting the straightened coiled material into electrode sheets, the cutting device being disposed at the outlet of the coiled material straightening device. The device includes: a cutting detection component for detecting the electrode warpage of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device, wherein the cutting detection component performs at least two detections on the same electrode sheet, and the cutting detection component is located at the outlet of the cutting device; an electrode straightening device for straightening the electrode sheet, and the electrode straightening device is located at the outlet of the cutting device; and a controller, wherein the coil straightening device, the electrode straightening device, the coil detection component, and the cutting detection component are all communicatively connected to the controller, and the controller controls the straightening amount of the coil straightening device and the electrode straightening device according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, the incoming material information includes at least roll material information, roll diameter information, warp direction, and roll warp rate, so that the controller controls the straightening direction and straightening amount of the roll straightening device and the electrode straightening device according to the incoming material information.

[0009] In some embodiments of this application, the cutting detection component includes a first reader and a second reader. The first reader is used to read the electrode warpage of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device for the first time and form first warpage information. The second reader is used to read the electrode warpage of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device for the second time and form second warpage information. The first reader and the second reader are both disposed between the cutting device and the electrode sheet straightening device, and are both communicatively connected to the controller so that the controller can control the electrode sheet straightening device to straighten the electrode sheet by comparing the difference between the first warpage information and the second warpage information.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the cutting detection component further includes a detection transport component for transporting the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device, so that the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device springs back during transport, and the detection transport component is disposed between the first reader and the second reader.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the cell manufacturing equipment further includes a straightening and detection component. The straightening and detection component is disposed at the outlet of the electrode straightening device and is communicatively connected to the controller. The straightening and detection component is used to read the straightened electrode information of the electrode after it has been straightened by the electrode straightening device, so that the controller can determine whether the electrode meets the straightening requirements. When the electrode meets the straightening requirements, the electrode enters the next process.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the straightening electrode information includes at least electrode warpage information.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the roll straightening device includes a roll straightening mechanism and a roll detection component. The roll detection component is used to detect the working status of the roll straightening mechanism in real time and is communicatively connected to the controller so that the controller can control the adjustment amount of the roll straightening mechanism in real time according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the electrode straightening device includes an electrode straightening mechanism and an electrode detection component. The electrode detection component is used to detect the working status of the electrode straightening mechanism in real time and is communicatively connected to the controller so that the controller can control the adjustment amount of the electrode straightening mechanism in real time according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, the cell manufacturing equipment further includes a stacking device for stacking the electrodes into a cell, the stacking device being disposed at the outlet of the electrode straightening device.

[0016] In some embodiments of this application, the cell manufacturing equipment further includes a hot pressing device for hot pressing the cell, the hot pressing device being disposed at the discharge port of the stacking device.

[0017] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the present invention has at least the following advantages and positive effects:

[0018] The battery cell manufacturing equipment of this invention incorporates an incoming material detection component at the outlet of the feeding device to read the incoming material information of the coil and feed it back to the controller. Simultaneously, a directional bending device reverse-bends the incoming material to obtain a coil with a specific bending direction, preventing inconsistent bending degrees that could lead to unsatisfactory straightening results. The controller, using data such as the incoming material information, controls a coil straightening device to straighten the coil after directional bending. A cutting device then cuts the straightened coil into electrode sheets. A cutting detection component performs two inspections on the cut electrode sheets, obtaining the electrode warpage rate from both inspections, and feeds this rate back to the controller to obtain the electrode rebound rate. The controller, based on the incoming material information and the electrode warpage rate or rebound rate, controls the electrode straightening device to straighten the electrode sheets, thereby obtaining electrode sheets that meet the warpage requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the control flow of a battery cell manufacturing equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control flow of the coil straightening device of the battery cell manufacturing equipment in this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control flow of the electrode straightening device in the battery cell manufacturing equipment of this embodiment.

[0022] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0023] 10-Feeding device; 11-Incoming material inspection component; 12-Oriented bending device; 13-Roll straightening device; 14-Cutting device; 15-Cutting inspection component; 16-Electrode straightening device; 17-Controller; 18-Inspection and conveying component; 19-Straightening and inspection component; 131-Roll straightening mechanism; 132-Roll inspection component; 151-First reader; 152-Second reader; 161-Electrode straightening mechanism; 162-Electrode inspection component. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention can have various variations in different embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the descriptions and illustrations herein are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the present invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that, in the embodiments shown in the drawings, the indications of direction or positional relationships (such as up, down, left, right, front, and back, etc.) are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. These descriptions are appropriate when these elements are in the positions shown in the drawings. If the description of the positions of these elements changes, these directional indications also change accordingly.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] The solution is further illustrated by the following examples:

[0028] A cell manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing battery cells.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 The battery cell manufacturing equipment of this embodiment includes: a feeding device 10 for providing coiled material, an incoming material detection component 11 for reading incoming material information of the coiled material, a directional bending device 12 for directional bending of the coiled material, a coiled material straightening device 13 for straightening the coiled material, a cutting device 14 for cutting the straightened coiled material into electrode sheets, a cutting detection component 15 for detecting the electrode sheet warpage of the electrode sheets, an electrode sheet straightening device 16 for straightening the electrode sheets, and a controller 17.

[0030] Therefore, the cell manufacturing equipment uses an incoming material detection component 11 at the outlet of the feeding device 10 to read the incoming material information of the coil and feed it back to the controller 17. Simultaneously, a directional bending device 12 is used to bend the incoming material in the reverse direction to obtain a coil with a specific bending direction, thus avoiding inconsistent bending degrees and unsatisfactory straightening results. Meanwhile, the controller 17 uses the incoming material information and other data to control the coil straightening device 13 to straighten the coil after directional bending by the directional bending device 12, and the cutting device 14 cuts the straightened coil into electrode sheets. The cutting detection component 15 performs two inspections on the cut electrode sheets to obtain the electrode sheet warpage rate from the two inspections, and feeds the two inspections of electrode sheet warpage rate back to the controller 17 to obtain the electrode sheet springback rate. The controller 17 controls the electrode sheet straightening device 16 to straighten the electrode sheets according to the incoming material information and the electrode sheet warpage rate or springback rate, thereby obtaining electrode sheets that meet the warpage requirements.

[0031] In this embodiment, the feeding device 10 includes a roller for placing the roll of material, which is continuously fed by rotation.

[0032] In addition, the incoming material detection component 11 is located at the outlet of the feeding device 10 to read the incoming material information of the coil and feed it back to the controller 17. The incoming material information includes at least the coil material information, coil diameter information, warpage direction, and coil warpage rate, so that the controller 17 can specifically control the straightening direction and straightening amount of the coil straightening device 13 and the electrode straightening device 16 based on the incoming material information. For example, different straightening amounts can be set according to different coil materials; different straightening rollers can be set according to different coil diameters to straighten the coil; different straightening amounts can be set according to different warpage directions and coil warpage rates, etc.

[0033] In this embodiment, the directional bending device 12 is disposed at the outlet of the feeding device 10 to directionally bend the roll material exiting the feeding device 10, thereby obtaining a roll material bent in a specific direction and with a specific warp rate. It should be noted that since roll materials of different materials have different warp directions and degrees, and the materials and warp rates of the tab area and coating area of ​​the same roll material are different, while the straightening direction and straightening range of the roll material straightening device 13 are fixed, the straightening effect of the roll material straightening device 13 will differ when faced with roll materials with different warp directions and degrees. Therefore, in this embodiment, the directional bending device 12 first bends the incoming roll material in the reverse direction to bend the roll material in a specific direction and obtain a corresponding warp rate, thereby facilitating the straightening of the roll material by the roll material straightening device 13.

[0034] See Figure 2 The roll straightening device 13 includes a roll straightening mechanism 131 and a roll detection component 132. The roll straightening mechanism 131 is used to straighten the roll until the warpage meets the cutting requirements. In this embodiment, the roll straightening mechanism 131 is communicatively connected to a controller 17, meaning the controller 17 can control the roll straightening mechanism 131 to operate, thereby automatically adjusting the straightening of the roll by the roll straightening mechanism 131.

[0035] In addition, the roll material detection component 132 is used to detect the working status of the roll material straightening mechanism 131 in real time, such as the initial straightening position of the roll material straightening mechanism 131, as well as the straightening position and the rotational speed of the straightening roller during the straightening process. The roll material detection component 132 is communicatively connected to the controller 17 to provide real-time feedback on the operation of the roll material straightening mechanism 131 to the controller 17, enabling the controller 17 to grasp the real-time position of the roll material straightening mechanism 131 and to control the adjustment amount of the roll material straightening mechanism 131 in real time based on the incoming material information and electrode warpage information, thereby completing the straightening of the roll material by the roll material straightening device 13.

[0036] It should be noted that the roll straightening device 13 is located at the outlet of the directional bending device 12 so that the roll straightening device 13 can straighten the roll after it has been directionally bent by the directional bending device 12.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cutting device 14 is located at the outlet of the straightening device. The cutting device 14 is used to cut the coiled material straightened by the coiled material straightening device 13 into electrode sheets.

[0038] A cutting detection component 15 is disposed at the outlet of the cutting device 14. The cutting detection component 15 is used to detect the electrode warpage rate of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device 14. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the cutting detection component 15 performs at least two measurements on the same electrode sheet to obtain the electrode warpage rate of the same electrode sheet at different time periods. Specifically, the first and second measurements of the electrode sheet by the cutting detection component 15 need to have a certain time interval to allow the electrode sheet to spring back within this time interval, thereby obtaining the springback rate of the electrode sheet. This enables the controller 17 to control the electrode sheet straightening device 16 to better straighten the electrode sheet, preventing the straightened electrode sheet from being affected by springback and other factors on its flatness.

[0039] In this embodiment, the cutting detection component 15 includes a first reader 151 and a second reader 152. The first reader 151 is used to read the electrode warpage rate of the electrode sheet cut by the cutting device 14 for the first time, and form first warpage rate information. The second reader 152 is used to read the electrode warpage rate of the electrode sheet cut by the cutting device 14 for the second time, and form second warpage rate information. Both the first reader 151 and the second reader 152 are disposed between the cutting device 14 and the electrode sheet straightening device 16, and are communicatively connected to the controller 17. The controller 17 obtains the electrode sheet's springback rate by comparing the difference between the first and second warpage rate information, thereby controlling the electrode sheet straightening device 16 to straighten the electrode sheet.

[0040] Of course, it should be noted that in some other embodiments, the cutting detection component 15 may be equipped with more readers to perform more detections on the same electrode and read the warpage information of the electrode, thereby obtaining the springback rate of the electrode at different times, and thus ensuring that the electrode straightening device 16 accurately straightens the electrode.

[0041] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the cutting detection component 15 further includes a detection transport component 18 for transporting the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device 14, so that the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device 14 can spring back during transport. The detection transport component is disposed between the first reader 151 and the second reader 152. The detection transport component 18 is used to transport the electrode sheet from the cutting device 14 to the electrode sheet straightening device 16. At the same time, during the transport process of the detection transport component 18, a certain transport speed is set so that the electrode sheet has enough time to recover between the completion of cutting and before entering the straightening stage, thereby ensuring that the cutting detection component 15 can accurately read the warpage of the electrode sheet, and thus ensuring that the electrode sheet straightening device 16 can accurately straighten the electrode sheet.

[0042] See Figure 3 The electrode straightening device 16 includes an electrode straightening mechanism 161 and an electrode detection component 162. The electrode straightening mechanism 161 straightens the electrodes to ensure they meet the flatness requirements for stacking, preventing electrode warping from affecting the battery's energy storage and safety. The electrode detection component 162 monitors the working status of the electrode straightening mechanism 161 in real time, such as its initial straightening position, its straightening position during the straightening process, and the rotational speed of the straightening rollers. The electrode detection component 162 is communicatively connected to a controller 17, enabling the controller 17 to control the adjustment amount of the electrode straightening mechanism 161 in real time based on incoming material information and electrode warping rate. The adjustment amount of the electrode straightening mechanism 161 is the relative positional amount between the straightening components of the electrode straightening mechanism 161, thereby achieving electrode straightening; that is, the straightening amount of the electrode straightening mechanism 161 for the electrode.

[0043] In this embodiment, the electrode straightening device 16 is disposed at the outlet of the cutting device 14. It should be noted that, since the cutting detection component 15 is provided with a detection and conveying component 18, the electrode straightening device 16 is disposed at the outlet of the detection and conveying component 18.

[0044] See Figure 1 The controller 17 is also connected to the roll straightening device 13, the electrode straightening device 16, the roll detection component 132, and the cutting detection component 15.

[0045] In this embodiment, the incoming material detection component 11 feeds back the incoming material information it reads to the controller 17, and the cutting detection component 15 feeds back the first warpage information and the second warpage information (i.e., the electrode warpage) it reads to the controller 17. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the controller 17 is also equipped with a database module to store the incoming material information read by the incoming material detection component 11 and the first warpage information and the second warpage information (i.e., the electrode warpage) read by the cutting detection component 15, and to use them for data comparison and reference.

[0046] In addition, the controller 17 controls the straightening amount of the coil straightening device 13 and the electrode straightening device 16 on the electrode after comparing and referencing the incoming material information and electrode warpage rate with the data in the database module.

[0047] See Figure 1 The cell manufacturing equipment also includes a straightening and detection component 19. The straightening and detection component 19 is located at the discharge port of the electrode straightening device 16 and is connected to the controller 17. The straightening and detection component 19 is used to read the straightened electrode information of the electrode after it has been straightened by the electrode straightening device 16, so that the controller 17 can determine whether the electrode meets the straightening requirements. When the electrode meets the straightening requirements, the electrode enters the next process.

[0048] The information for straightening the electrode sheets includes at least the electrode warpage rate. Of course, the information for straightening the electrode sheets may also include the size and shape of the electrode sheets, so as to ensure that the electrode sheets can enter the next process with a specific shape, size and straightness, thus ensuring the yield rate of battery cell manufacturing.

[0049] In this embodiment, the cell manufacturing equipment also includes a stacking device for stacking electrodes into a cell, and the stacking device is disposed at the discharge port of the electrode straightening device 16.

[0050] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the stacking device is provided with a diaphragm feeding mechanism and a stacking table mechanism. The diaphragm feeding mechanism is used to provide the diaphragm, and the stacking table mechanism is used to stack the diaphragm and electrode sheets into a cell stack.

[0051] In addition, the battery cell manufacturing equipment also includes a hot pressing device for hot pressing the battery cells, which is located at the discharge port of the stacking device.

[0052] In this embodiment, after the electrode sheets and separator are stacked into a cell stack, the cell manufacturing equipment transfers the cell stack to a hot pressing device. The hot pressing device hot-presses the cell stack to ensure that the cell stack meets the usage requirements.

[0053] It should be noted that the stacking and hot pressing processes of the electrode sheets are subsequent processes after the electrode sheets are straightened by the electrode sheet straightening device 16.

[0054] Although the invention has been described with reference to several typical embodiments, it should be understood that the terminology used is illustrative and exemplary, and not restrictive. Since the invention can be embodied in many forms without departing from the spirit or essence of the invention, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limited to any of the foregoing details, but should be interpreted broadly within the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims. Therefore, all variations and modifications falling within the scope of the claims or their equivalents should be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, The battery cell manufacturing equipment includes: A feeding device used to supply coiled material; An incoming material detection component is used to read the incoming material information of the roll material, and the incoming material detection component is located at the outlet of the feeding device; A directional bending device is used to bend the roll in the opposite direction to obtain a roll with a bending direction. The directional bending device is disposed at the outlet of the feeding device. A roll straightening device is used to straighten the roll material, and the roll straightening device is located at the outlet of the directional bending device; A cutting device for cutting straightened rolls into electrode sheets, the cutting device being located at the outlet of the roll straightening device; A cutting detection component is used to detect the electrode warpage of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device, and the cutting detection component performs at least two detections on the same electrode sheet. The cutting detection component is located at the discharge port of the cutting device. An electrode straightening device for straightening the electrode, wherein the electrode straightening device is disposed at the discharge port of the cutting device; and The controller is connected to the roll straightening device, the electrode straightening device, the incoming material detection component, and the cutting detection component. The controller controls the straightening amount of the roll straightening device and the electrode straightening device according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage. The cutting detection component includes a first reader and a second reader. The first reader is used to read the electrode warpage of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device for the first time and form first warpage information. The second reader is used to read the electrode warpage of the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device for the second time and form second warpage information. Both the first reader and the second reader are disposed between the cutting device and the electrode straightening device, and are communicatively connected to the controller, so that the controller can control the electrode straightening device to straighten the electrode by comparing the difference between the first warp information and the second warp information. The cutting detection component further includes a detection transport component for transporting the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device, so that the electrode sheet formed by the cutting device springs back during transport, and the detection transport component is disposed between the first reader and the second reader.

2. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The incoming material information includes at least the coil material information, coil diameter information, warping direction, and coil warping rate, so that the controller controls the straightening direction and straightening amount of the coil straightening device and the electrode straightening device according to the incoming material information.

3. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell manufacturing equipment also includes a straightening and detection component. The straightening and detection component is located at the outlet of the electrode straightening device and is communicatively connected to the controller. The straightening and detection component is used to read the straightened electrode information of the electrode after it has been straightened by the electrode straightening device, so that the controller can determine whether the electrode meets the straightening requirements. When the electrode meets the straightening requirements, the electrode enters the next process.

4. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The straightened electrode information includes at least electrode warpage information.

5. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coil straightening device includes a coil straightening mechanism and a coil detection component. The coil detection component is used to detect the working status of the coil straightening mechanism in real time and is connected to the controller so that the controller can control the adjustment amount of the coil straightening mechanism in real time according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage.

6. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode straightening device includes an electrode straightening mechanism and an electrode detection component. The electrode detection component is used to detect the working status of the electrode straightening mechanism in real time and is connected to the controller so that the controller can control the adjustment amount of the electrode straightening mechanism in real time according to the incoming material information and the electrode warpage.

7. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell manufacturing equipment also includes a stacking device for stacking the electrode sheets into a cell, the stacking device being disposed at the discharge port of the electrode sheet straightening device.

8. The cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The battery cell manufacturing equipment also includes a hot pressing device for hot pressing the battery cells, and the hot pressing device is located at the discharge port of the stacking device.

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