Battery nitrogen filling and shaping device and nitrogen filling and shaping method

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device, comprising: a shaping support frame, with a nitrogen filling area provided on the top of the shaping support frame; a clamping jaw assembly, comprising a first shaping fixture, a second shaping fixture, and a pressing plate, all of which are movable along the X-axis direction, wherein the clamping end of the first shaping fixture and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture are fitted and pressed against each other to define the shape of the battery; a nitrogen filling lifting assembly, comprising a nitrogen unit, a nitrogen filling nozzle, and a lifting unit, wherein the nitrogen unit is connected to the nitrogen filling nozzle, and the lifting unit is used to cause the nitrogen filling nozzle to descend so as to pass through a through slot to press the top of the battery and input nitrogen into the liquid injection port of the battery; a first X-axis moving assembly; and a second X-axis moving assembly. The battery can be positioned and shaped by the clamping jaw assembly, and the battery injection port is filled with inert gas to make the concave part of the battery convex, so that the battery is shaped into a set qualified specification shape, so that the battery product size meets the process requirements and the product defect rate is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery processing, and in particular to a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device and a nitrogen filling and shaping method. Background Art

[0002] In the power battery assembly line, from the entry of the battery cell into the shell to the welding of the sealing pins, the battery cell shell undergoes processes such as clamping, extrusion, and welding, which may cause the battery cell to deform, resulting in the overall size of the product being unqualified and scrapped.

[0003] The traditional battery processing line has the following defects:

[0004] 1. Manual battery shaping or existing battery shaping devices have low working efficiency;

[0005] 2. The concave parts of the battery cannot be reshaped, which does not meet the process requirements and the defective rate of battery production is high. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device, which can position and shape the battery through a clamping claw assembly, fill the battery filling port with inert gas to make the concave part of the battery convex, and shape the battery into a set qualified specification shape, so that the battery product size meets the process requirements and reduces the product defect rate.

[0007] The embodiments of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A battery nitrogen filling and shaping device, comprising:

[0009] A shaping support frame, wherein a nitrogen-filled area is provided on the top of the shaping support frame;

[0010] A clamping jaw assembly, comprising a first shaping fixture, a second shaping fixture, and a pressing plate, each of which is movable along the X-axis direction; the pressing plate is provided with a through slot and is disposed inside the nitrogen-filled area; the first shaping fixture and the second shaping fixture are movable below the nitrogen-filled area; the clamping end of the first shaping fixture and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture are pressed against each other to define the shape of the battery;

[0011] a nitrogen filling lifting assembly, comprising a nitrogen unit, a nitrogen filling nozzle, and a lifting unit, wherein the nitrogen unit is connected to the nitrogen filling nozzle, and the lifting unit is used to cause the nitrogen filling nozzle to descend so as to pass through the through slot to press against the top of the battery and input nitrogen into the liquid filling port of the battery;

[0012] A first X-axis moving assembly is used to drive the nitrogen charging lifting assembly and the pressing plate to move along the X-axis direction;

[0013] The second X-axis moving assembly includes a first fixture moving unit for causing the first shaping fixture to move and a second fixture moving unit for causing the second shaping fixture to move.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the clamping end of the first shaping fixture is provided with a first groove, and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture is provided with a second groove. The first groove and the second groove fit together to form a closed shaping space, and the closed shaping space is adapted to the shape and size of the battery.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the nitrogen unit includes an input element, a pressure detection element, a switching element and an output element. The input element includes a proportional valve and a first air-controlled diaphragm valve connected in sequence, and the output element includes a gas-liquid separator and a second air-controlled diaphragm valve connected in sequence.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, a speed regulating valve is provided between the gas-liquid separator and the second gas-controlled diaphragm valve.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the output element is further provided with an exhaust filter structure, and the exhaust filter structure is provided at the output end of the second air-controlled diaphragm valve.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the shaping support frame is provided with a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are located in the same horizontal plane, the first shaping fixture slides with the first guide rail, and the second shaping fixture slides with the second guide rail.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, there are at least two clamping jaw assemblies, and each clamping jaw assembly corresponds to one nitrogen-filling lifting assembly.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the switching element is a three-position five-way solenoid valve.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, a suction cup is provided at the output end of the nitrogen filling nozzle to ensure that the nitrogen filling nozzle is in sealed communication with the battery liquid filling port.

[0022] A nitrogen filling and shaping method for a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device comprises the following steps:

[0023] Step S1: transporting the battery to be nitrogen-filled to a corresponding position below the nitrogen-filling area, and driving the first shaping fixture and the second shaping fixture to move toward and press the battery to be nitrogen-filled respectively;

[0024] Step S2: controlling the first X-axis moving assembly to drive the nitrogen filling nozzle of the nitrogen filling lifting assembly to align with the liquid filling port of the battery to be nitrogen-filled, adjusting the position of the pressing plate to fit the top of the battery, and driving the lifting unit to press and seal the nitrogen filling nozzle with the liquid filling port of the battery to be nitrogen-filled;

[0025] Step S3: Controlling the first air-controlled diaphragm valve in the input element to ventilate and charge the battery with nitrogen. If the detected air pressure value does not reach the set value, nitrogen charging continues. After the battery is protruded into place, if the detected air pressure value reaches the set value, the battery nitrogen charging is completed, and the first air-controlled diaphragm valve in the input element is closed, and nitrogen input is stopped.

[0026] Step S4: The second air-controlled diaphragm valve is opened, and the gas inside the battery is separated by the gas-liquid separator and then discharged into the exhaust filter structure;

[0027] Step S5: sequentially control the lifting unit to reset so that the nitrogen filling nozzle is separated from the liquid injection port of the battery, control the second X-axis moving assembly to reset so that the first shaping fixture and the second shaping fixture are separated, control the first X-axis moving assembly to reset so that the nitrogen filling lifting assembly and the pressure plate return to their initial positions, and move the battery below the nitrogen filling area after nitrogen filling is completed to complete the nitrogen filling shaping action.

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0029] The present invention can drive the nitrogen filling lifting assembly to move and the pressing plate to align the battery to be shaped through the first X-axis moving assembly, and the battery is positioned and shaped through the first shaping fixture, the second shaping fixture and the pressing plate of the clamping jaw assembly, and the lifting unit drives the nitrogen filling nozzle to fill the battery filling port with inert gas to make the concave part of the battery convex, and the battery is shaped into a set qualified specification shape, so that the battery product size meets the process requirements, the product defect rate is reduced, the degree of automation is high, and the work efficiency is high. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the main structure of a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the local enlarged structure at A in the middle;

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the layout structure of a nitrogen unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Icons: 1. Shaping support frame; 2. First shaping fixture; 21. First groove; 3. Second shaping fixture; 31. Second groove; 4. Nitrogen filling area; 5. Nitrogen unit; 51. Proportional valve; 52. First air-controlled diaphragm valve; 53. Gas-liquid separator; 54. Second air-controlled diaphragm valve; 55. Speed ​​regulating valve; 56. Exhaust filter structure; 6. Nitrogen filling nozzle; 61. Press plate; 7. Lifting unit; 8. First X-axis moving assembly; 9. Second X-axis moving assembly; 91. First fixture moving unit; 92. Second fixture moving unit; 10. Pressure detection element; 11. First guide rail; 12. Second guide rail; 13. Switching element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] For better understanding and implementation, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0039] Example

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4A battery nitrogen filling and shaping device comprises: a shaping support frame 1, a nitrogen filling area 4 is opened on the top of the shaping support frame 1; a clamping jaw assembly comprises a first shaping fixture 2, a second shaping fixture 3 and a pressing plate 61, which are all movable along the X-axis direction; the pressing plate 61 is provided with a through slot and is arranged on the inner side of the nitrogen filling area 4; the first shaping fixture 2 and the second shaping fixture 3 can be moved to the bottom of the nitrogen filling area 4, and the clamping end of the first shaping fixture 2 and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture 3 are pressed against each other to define the shape of the battery; nitrogen filling lifting The assembly includes a nitrogen unit 5, a nitrogen filling nozzle 6 and a lifting unit 7. The nitrogen unit 5 is connected to the nitrogen filling nozzle 6. The lifting unit 7 is used to cause the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 to descend so as to pass through the through slot to press the top of the battery and input nitrogen to the liquid filling port of the battery; the first X-axis moving assembly 8 is used to drive the nitrogen filling lifting assembly and the pressure plate 61 to move along the X-axis direction; the second X-axis moving assembly 9 includes a first fixture moving unit 91 for moving the first shaping fixture 2 and a second fixture moving unit 92 for moving the second shaping fixture 3.

[0041] Furthermore, the clamping end of the first shaping fixture 2 is provided with a first groove 21, and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture 3 is provided with a second groove 31. The first groove 21 and the second groove 31 fit together to form a closed shaping space, which is adapted to the shape and size of the battery.

[0042] Furthermore, the nitrogen unit 5 includes an input element, a pressure detection element 10, a switching element 13 and an output element. The input element includes a proportional valve 51 and a first air-controlled diaphragm valve 52 connected in sequence, and the output element includes a gas-liquid separator 53 and a second air-controlled diaphragm valve 54 connected in sequence.

[0043] Furthermore, a speed regulating valve 55 is provided between the gas-liquid separator 53 and the second gas-controlled diaphragm valve 54 .

[0044] Furthermore, the output element is further provided with an exhaust filter structure 56 , and the exhaust filter structure 56 is provided at the output end of the second air-controlled diaphragm valve 54 .

[0045] Furthermore, the shaping support frame 1 is provided with a first guide rail 11 and a second guide rail 12 , the first guide rail 11 and the second guide rail 12 are located in the same horizontal plane, the first shaping fixture 2 slides with the first guide rail 11 , and the second shaping fixture 3 slides with the second guide rail 12 .

[0046] Furthermore, the number of the clamping jaw assemblies is set to at least two, and each clamping jaw assembly corresponds to a nitrogen filling lifting assembly.

[0047] Furthermore, a suction cup is provided at the output end of the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 to ensure that the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 is in sealed communication with the battery liquid filling port.

[0048] A nitrogen filling and shaping method for a battery nitrogen filling and shaping device comprises the following steps:

[0049] Step S1: transporting the battery to be filled with nitrogen to the corresponding position below the nitrogen filling area 4, and driving the first shaping fixture 2 and the second shaping fixture 3 to move closer to and press the battery to be filled with nitrogen;

[0050] Step S2: Control the first X-axis moving assembly 8 to drive the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 of the nitrogen filling lifting assembly to align with the liquid filling port of the battery to be nitrogen-filled, adjust the position of the pressing plate 61 to fit the top of the battery, and drive the lifting unit 7 to press and seal the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 with the liquid filling port of the battery to be nitrogen-filled;

[0051] Step S3: Controlling the first air-controlled diaphragm valve 52 in the input element to ventilate and charge the battery with nitrogen. If the detected air pressure value does not reach the set value, nitrogen charging continues. After the battery is protruded into place, if the detected air pressure value reaches the set value, the battery nitrogen charging is completed, and the first air-controlled diaphragm valve 52 in the input element is closed, and the nitrogen input is stopped.

[0052] Step S4: The second air-controlled diaphragm valve 54 is opened, and the gas inside the battery is separated by the gas-liquid separator 53 and then discharged into the exhaust filter structure 56;

[0053] Step S5: sequentially control the lifting unit 7 to reset so that the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 is separated from the liquid injection port of the battery, control the second X-axis moving assembly 9 to reset so that the first shaping fixture 2 and the second shaping fixture 3 are separated, control the first X-axis moving assembly 8 to reset so that the nitrogen filling lifting assembly and the pressing plate 61 return to their initial positions, and move the battery below the nitrogen filling area 4 after nitrogen filling is completed, thereby completing the nitrogen filling shaping action.

[0054] Working principle of the present invention:

[0055] The present invention can drive the nitrogen filling lifting assembly to move and the pressing plate 61 to align the battery to be shaped through the first X-axis moving assembly 8, and the battery is positioned and shaped through the first shaping fixture 2, the second shaping fixture 3 and the pressing plate 61 of the clamping jaw assembly, and the lifting unit 7 drives the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 to fill the battery filling port with inert gas to make the concave part of the battery convex, and shape the battery into the set qualified specification shape, so that the battery product size meets the process requirements, the product defect rate is reduced, the degree of automation is high, and the work efficiency is high.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first X-axis moving component 8 can be a horizontal moving mechanism such as a linear module, which is used to drive the nitrogen filling lifting component to move and the pressure plate 61 to move back and forth. The left and right reciprocating movement is based on Figure 2The pressing plate 61 can be connected to the bottom of the nitrogen-charging lifting assembly by a screw or a slide rail. Specifically, the pressing plate 61 can be sleeved on the screw through a connecting piece, and the screw is fixed to the frame of the nitrogen-charging lifting assembly. The lifting unit 7 and the nitrogen unit 5 are both arranged on the frame; adjust the horizontal displacement between the pressing plate 61 and the nitrogen-charging lifting assembly. In this embodiment, the nitrogen charging nozzle 6 is located directly above the through slot of the pressing plate 61, and the positions of the nitrogen charging nozzle 6 and the through slot remain unchanged. Therefore, the moving end of the first X-axis moving assembly 8 can synchronously drive the nitrogen charging nozzle 6 and the pressing plate 61 to move horizontally, reducing the steps of adjusting the two.

[0057] The opening of the first groove 21 of the first shaping fixture 2 and the opening of the second groove 31 of the second shaping fixture 3 are both set towards the nitrogen filling area 4; after the first shaping fixture 2 and the second shaping fixture 3 are closed, the first groove 21 and the second groove 31 form a cavity mold that matches the shape of the battery, that is, the qualified specification shape is set. The compacted battery is located in the cavity mold to avoid excessive deformation of the battery or uneven shaping of the concave part of the battery due to nitrogen filling. The pressing plate 61 can further limit the top of the battery. Since a pad is set at the bottom of the battery before the battery is transferred to the nitrogen filling area 4, each end face of the battery has a limiting structure to avoid uneven shaping of the concave part of the battery and ensure smooth battery shaping. The suction cup of the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 can pass through the through groove and seal with the battery filling port.

[0058] In this embodiment, it can be connected to an external nitrogen source and a pump source can be provided inside. The nitrogen unit 5 can also include a nitrogen cylinder, which is one of the nitrogen sources. The nitrogen source provides nitrogen to the input element, and the nitrogen is equally delivered to multiple nitrogen filling nozzles 6 through the proportional valve 51. The device can be provided with multiple nitrogen filling lifting components and clamping jaw components, and can perform nitrogen filling and shaping treatment on multiple batteries at the same time; the nitrogen after passing through the proportional valve 51 is delivered to the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 after the first air-controlled diaphragm valve 52 is opened, and the nitrogen is input into the battery through the battery filling port. The pressure detection element 10 is a corrosion-resistant pressure gauge. When the pressure detection element 10 detects that the nitrogen filling reaches a certain pressure value, the nitrogen filling operation is completed. The discharged stray gas or excess nitrogen is separated by the gas-liquid separator 53, which can avoid the loss of battery liquid while ensuring the discharge of stray gas or excess nitrogen.

[0059] During the nitrogen charging process, the switching element 13 switches the gas circuit to the intake gas circuit, the first gas-controlled diaphragm valve 52 is in the open state, and the second gas-controlled diaphragm valve 54 is in the closed state. When the nitrogen charging is completed, the switching element 13 switches the gas circuit to the exhaust gas circuit, the first gas-controlled diaphragm valve 52 is in the closed state, and the second gas-controlled diaphragm valve 54 is in the open state.

[0060] The switching element 13 in this embodiment is a three-position five-way solenoid valve, which is connected to the first air-controlled diaphragm valve 52 and the second air-controlled diaphragm valve 54. The switching element 13 is used to switch the air intake path. When the nitrogen unit 5 is not charging nitrogen or the battery is charged with nitrogen, the switching element 13 connects the air path to the second air-controlled diaphragm valve 54 for exhaust. At this time, the first air-controlled diaphragm valve 52 for intake is closed, the nitrogen unit stops charging the battery with nitrogen, and the second air-controlled diaphragm valve 54 is opened. The discharged impurities or excess nitrogen are filtered and processed by the exhaust filter structure 56, and the discharged mixed gas is filtered and purified.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first fixture moving unit 91, the second fixture moving unit 92, and the lifting unit 7 of the second X-axis moving assembly 9 can all be selected from telescopic mechanisms such as cylinders, and the first guide rail 11 and the second guide rail 12 can both improve the linear movement accuracy of the first shaping fixture 2 and the second shaping fixture 3; the battery in this embodiment is a square shell battery, the shaping support frame 1 is a hollow square frame setting, and the nitrogen filling area 4 is the hollow position of the shaping support frame 1, which can ensure that the nitrogen filling nozzle 6 passes through the hollow position of the shaping support frame 1 and matches the battery filling port below this position. The frame of the shaping support frame 1 also provides a mobile installation position for the first shaping fixture 2 and the second shaping fixture 3. Figure 4 B is a square shell battery, which is the battery in this embodiment.

[0062] The technical means disclosed in the solutions of the present invention are not limited to those disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above-mentioned technical features. It should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and such improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery nitrogen filling and shaping device, characterized in that: include: A shaping support frame, wherein a nitrogen-filled area is provided on the top of the shaping support frame; A clamping jaw assembly, comprising a first shaping fixture, a second shaping fixture, and a pressing plate, each of which is movable along the X-axis direction; the pressing plate is provided with a through slot and is disposed inside the nitrogen-filled area; the first shaping fixture and the second shaping fixture are movable below the nitrogen-filled area; the clamping end of the first shaping fixture and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture are pressed against each other to define the shape of the battery; a nitrogen filling lifting assembly, comprising a nitrogen unit, a nitrogen filling nozzle, and a lifting unit, wherein the nitrogen unit is connected to the nitrogen filling nozzle, and the lifting unit is used to cause the nitrogen filling nozzle to descend so as to pass through the through slot to press against the top of the battery and input nitrogen into the liquid filling port of the battery; A first X-axis moving assembly is used to drive the nitrogen charging lifting assembly and the pressing plate to move along the X-axis direction; The second X-axis moving assembly includes a first fixture moving unit for causing the first shaping fixture to move and a second fixture moving unit for causing the second shaping fixture to move; the clamping end of the first shaping fixture is provided with a first groove, and the clamping end of the second shaping fixture is provided with a second groove, the first groove and the second groove are fitted together to form a closed shaping space, and the closed shaping space is adapted to the shape and size of the battery; the nitrogen unit includes an input element, a pressure detection element, a switching element and an output element, the input element includes a proportional valve and a first air-controlled diaphragm valve connected in sequence, the output element includes a gas-liquid separator and a second air-controlled diaphragm valve connected in sequence; a speed regulating valve is provided between the gas-liquid separator and the second air-controlled diaphragm valve; the output element is also provided with an exhaust filter structure, and the exhaust filter structure is provided at the output end of the second air-controlled diaphragm valve; The pressing plate is sleeved on the screw through a connecting piece, and the screw is fixed on the frame of the nitrogen filling lifting assembly. The lifting unit and the nitrogen unit are both arranged on the frame; the nitrogen filling nozzle is located just above the through slot of the pressing plate.

2. The battery nitrogen filling and shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shaping support frame is provided with a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are located in the same horizontal plane, the first shaping fixture is slidably matched with the first guide rail, and the second shaping fixture is slidably matched with the second guide rail.

3. The battery nitrogen filling and shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are at least two clamping jaw assemblies, and each clamping jaw assembly corresponds to one nitrogen-filling lifting assembly.

4. The battery nitrogen filling and shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the nitrogen filling nozzle is provided with a suction cup to ensure that the nitrogen filling nozzle is in sealed communication with the battery liquid filling port.

5. The battery nitrogen filling and shaping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching element is a three-position five-way solenoid valve.

6. The method for nitrogen filling and shaping of a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step S1: transporting the battery to be nitrogen-filled to a corresponding position below the nitrogen-filling area, and driving the first shaping fixture and the second shaping fixture to move toward and press the battery to be nitrogen-filled respectively; Step S2: controlling the first X-axis moving assembly to drive the nitrogen filling nozzle of the nitrogen filling lifting assembly to align with the liquid filling port of the battery to be nitrogen-filled, adjusting the position of the pressing plate to fit the top of the battery, and driving the lifting unit to press and seal the nitrogen filling nozzle with the liquid filling port of the battery to be nitrogen-filled; Step S3: Controlling the first air-controlled diaphragm valve in the input element to ventilate and charge the battery with nitrogen. If the detected air pressure value does not reach the set value, nitrogen charging continues. After the battery is protruded into place, if the detected air pressure value reaches the set value, the battery nitrogen charging is completed, and the first air-controlled diaphragm valve in the input element is closed, and nitrogen input is stopped. Step S4: The second air-controlled diaphragm valve is opened, and the gas inside the battery is separated by the gas-liquid separator and then discharged into the exhaust filter structure; Step S5: sequentially control the lifting unit to reset so that the nitrogen filling nozzle is separated from the liquid injection port of the battery, control the second X-axis moving assembly to reset so that the first shaping fixture and the second shaping fixture are separated, control the first X-axis moving assembly to reset so that the nitrogen filling lifting assembly and the pressure plate return to their initial positions, and move the battery below the nitrogen filling area after nitrogen filling is completed to complete the nitrogen filling shaping action.

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