Collinear flexible production system of power battery module and CTP

Abstract

The invention discloses a collinear flexible production system of a power battery module and a CTP, and relates to the field of battery pack production processes. Comprising a cell sorting unit, a side plate welding unit, a heating and standing unit, a cell stacking unit, a laser welding unit and a PACK manufacturing unit which are dispatched and connected through an AGV. The battery cell sorting unit is used for completing battery cell sorting and offline; the side plate welding unit is used for stacking and extruding the battery cells into groups and welding the battery cells; the heating and standing unit is used for heating the module; the cell stacking unit is used for CTP module forming, cell data binding and insulation and voltage resistance testing; the laser welding unit is used for welding a busbar to a battery cell pole, and the whole battery pack enters welding equipment to complete welding; and the PACK manufacturing unit is used for installing electrical components of the battery pack. According to the invention, the process routes of the module and the CTP are mixed into the same production line, and free combination of the flexible process is realized through intelligent scheduling of the AGV, so that multi-variety and small-batch collinear production is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery pack production technology, and more specifically to a co-linear flexible production system for power battery modules and CTP. Background Art

[0002] There are two assembly technology routes for power battery packs: the first is to assemble battery cells into modules, and then install the modules in the battery pack, forming a three-level assembly mode of "battery cell-module-battery pack"; the second is CTP, namely Cell to PACK, in which the battery cells are directly integrated into the battery pack, eliminating the intermediate module form.

[0003] The two assembly technologies correspond to two different production process routes. When planning the process lines, the conventional approach is to plan different process lines for different assembly technologies. At present, there is no process line in China that produces these two assembly technologies on the same line. Therefore, for those skilled in the art, how to achieve common flexible production of power battery modules and CTP is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a co-production system of a power battery module and CTP to solve the problems raised in the background technology.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme: a co-linear flexible production system for power battery modules and CTP, which specifically includes a cell sorting unit, a side panel welding unit, a heating and standing unit, a cell stacking unit, a laser welding unit, and a PACK manufacturing unit connected by AGV scheduling, and the connection relationship between the various units is dynamically adjusted by the AGV scheduling according to production needs; wherein the cell sorting unit is used to complete the unpacking of incoming cell materials, cell transportation, cell testing and grading, and cell offline; the side panel welding unit is used to squeeze the cell stacking delivered by the cell sorting unit The battery packs produced by the battery stacking unit are pressed into groups and the module end plates and side plates are welded; the heating and standing unit is used to heat the side plate welding unit to complete the welding of the modules; the battery cell stacking unit includes multiple process routes, which are used to box the welding modules of the heating and standing unit and perform CTP module forming, battery cell data binding, and insulation withstand voltage testing; the laser welding unit is used to weld the busbar to the battery cell pole and the collection harness to the busbar. The battery packs produced by the battery cell stacking unit are all welded after entering the welding equipment as a whole pack; the PACK manufacturing unit is used for the installation and testing of electrical components of the battery pack.

[0006] Optionally, the battery cell sorting unit, the side panel welding unit, the heating and standing unit, the battery cell stacking unit, the laser welding unit, and the PACK manufacturing unit are also internally connected through AGV scheduling.

[0007] Optionally, the battery cell sorting unit includes a 3D vision component, a loading robot, a battery cell scanning component, an OCV testing system, a unloading robot, a conveyor roller component, and a battery cell conveying cart, which are connected in sequence.

[0008] Optionally, the side panel welding unit includes a manual stacking table, a first gluing system component, a robotic welding system, a module conveying component, and a module code scanning and binding component; the manual stacking table stacks and squeezes the battery cells conveyed from the battery cell sorting unit into groups; the first gluing system component is used for gluing between battery cells, between battery cells and end plates, and between battery cells and side panels; the robotic welding system completes the welding of module end side panels; the module conveying component conveys the welded module to the module cart; the module code scanning and binding component binds and uploads the battery cell data.

[0009] Optionally, the multiple process routes include a module process route and a CTP process route; and distributed flexible manufacturing of different process routes is achieved through intelligent scheduling of AGV.

[0010] Optionally, the laser welding unit includes a BUSBAR installation tool, a BUSBAR welding assembly, a collection harness welding assembly, and a module EOL test system connected in sequence; wherein the BUSBAR installation tool is used to limit the BUSBAR on the battery cell pole to ensure the accuracy of the relative position of the BUSBAR and the battery cell; the BUSBAR welding assembly is used to weld the bus to the battery cell pole to complete the connection between the battery cells, and the collection harness welding assembly is used to weld the collection harness to the bus; the module EOL test system is used for battery pack insulation testing to determine the insulation condition of the battery pack.

[0011] Optionally, the PACK manufacturing unit is designed as a standard workstation, and the workbench of the standard workstation is movable, so that the work content and the number of workstations can be flexibly adjusted according to demand.

[0012] Optionally, the heating and static unit includes a wind heating device, a heating chamber, and a lifting drive device connected in sequence.

[0013] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that, compared with the prior art, the present invention discloses a co-line flexible production system for power battery modules and CTP, which has the following beneficial technical effects: 1. Integrate the module process and CTP process into the same process production line, break down the battery pack assembly process into parts, and form a distributed flexible manufacturing unit with flexible production capacity. The production output can be dynamically adjusted according to production demand. Due to the standardized design of the production line, products with high demand can be expanded to other manufacturing units through AGV scheduling to achieve rapid switching response; 2. AGV is used to connect the flexible manufacturing unit and the units. Intelligent scheduling of production is realized according to different processes and production capacities. Personnel flexibility can dynamically adjust personnel operation positions according to production needs. The process is flexible and the process mode is 1+N, where 1 is the basic process and N is the process difference of different products. 3. The PACK manufacturing unit is designed as a standard workstation. The work content and number of workstations can be flexibly adjusted according to demand; 4. Reduce costs, reduce space occupation and personnel input, and improve production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a system structure diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] The embodiment of the present invention discloses a co-line flexible production system for power battery modules and CTP, such as Figure 1 As shown, it specifically includes a cell sorting unit, a side panel welding unit, a heating and standing unit, a cell stacking unit, a laser welding unit, and a PACK manufacturing unit connected through AGV scheduling. The connection relationship between each unit is dynamically adjusted through AGV scheduling according to production needs; wherein, the cell sorting unit is used to complete the unpacking of incoming cell materials, cell transportation, cell test grading, and cell offline; the side panel welding unit is used to extrude and group the cell stacks transported from the cell sorting unit; the heating and standing unit is used to heat the side panel welding unit to complete the welding module; the cell stacking unit contains multiple process routes, which are used for boxing, CTP module forming, cell data binding, and insulation withstand voltage testing of the welding modules completed by the heating and standing unit; the laser welding unit is used to weld the bus to the cell pole and the collection harness to the bus. For the battery packs produced by the cell stacking unit, the whole pack enters the welding equipment to complete the welding; the PACK manufacturing unit is used for the installation and detection of electrical components of the battery pack.

[0018] Furthermore, the battery cell sorting unit, side panel welding unit, heating and standing unit, battery cell stacking unit, laser welding unit, and PACK manufacturing unit are also connected through AGV scheduling.

[0019] Furthermore, the cell sorting unit includes a 3D vision component, a loading robot, a cell code scanning component, an OCV test system, a feeding robot, a conveyor roller component, and a cell conveying trolley, which are connected in sequence. Through the cooperation between these components, the cell unpacking, cell conveying, cell testing and grading, and cell offline are completed.

[0020] Furthermore, the side panel welding unit includes a manual stacking table, a first gluing system component, a robot welding system, a module conveying component, a module code scanning and binding component, and a module conveying trolley; the first gluing system component is used for gluing between cells, between cells and end plates, and between cells and side plates; the manual stacking table stacks and squeezes the cells conveyed from the cell sorting unit into groups, the robot welding system completes the module end and side panel welding, the module conveying component conveys the welded module to the module conveying trolley, and the module code scanning and binding component performs cell data binding and uploading. The heating and static unit includes a wind heating device, a heating bin, and a lifting drive device. The heating and static unit is used to heat the module and accelerate the solidification of the two-component structural adhesive between the end and side plates and the cell. The workpiece of the heating and static unit comes from the module of the side panel welding unit, and the module trolley is pulled by the AGV to be conveyed to the heating and static unit.

[0021] Furthermore, the battery stacking unit includes a module transfer assembly, a module rotation assembly, a module transfer box assembly, an accompanying welding trolley, a laser marking machine, a label printer, a second glue coating system assembly, a module molding tool, a battery code scanning and binding assembly, and an insulation and voltage withstand test system. The battery stacking unit is used for welding module boxing, CTP module molding, battery data binding, and insulation and voltage withstand test processes.

[0022] The battery stacking unit has two process routes, including the module process route and the CTP process route. The distributed flexible manufacturing of different process routes is realized through the intelligent scheduling of AGV. The specific process routes are: First: Small module process route, the module is transported to the lifting point by AGV, the operator uses G-FORCE to clamp the module into the flip assembly, completes the heating film pasting, and uses G-FORCE to lift the module into the lower box. AGV completes the code scanning binding and insulation withstand voltage test with the lower box and module. The lower box is fixed on the welding trolley, and the online position is the intersection of the module line and the PACK line. In addition to transporting and fixing the lower box, the welding trolley is also loaded with the assembly materials required for the battery cell stacking unit loaded from the online position. The lower box is transported to the lower box cleaning station, the lower box insulation pad installation station, and the lower box gluing station in turn to complete the corresponding process content.

[0023] Second: CTP process route, the battery cells are transported by AGV to the battery cell boxing station, the battery cell handling and foam pasting between the battery cells are completed, and the battery cells are placed in the lower box to complete the initial stacking; after the operation is completed, the AGV transports the lower box and the battery cells to the module clamping station, and then uses the module forming tooling to squeeze the battery cells into groups, and fix them with bolts. The AGV carries the lower box and the module to complete the code scanning binding and insulation withstand voltage test. The empty lower box transportation route is consistent with the small module process.

[0024] Furthermore, the laser welding unit includes a BUSBAR installation tool, a BUSBAR welding assembly, a collection harness welding assembly, and a module EOL test system which are connected in sequence; wherein, the BUSBAR installation tool is used to limit the BUSBAR on the battery cell pole to ensure the accuracy of the relative position of the BUSBAR and the battery cell; the BUSBAR welding assembly is used to weld the bus to the battery cell pole to complete the connection between the battery cells; the collection harness welding assembly is used to collect battery cell parameters; the module EOL test system is used for battery pack insulation testing to determine the insulation condition of the battery pack.

[0025] Furthermore, the PACK manufacturing unit includes a transfer component, a KIT meal distribution component, a movable standard workbench, a tightening component, a code scanning component, an accompanying trolley, an airtightness detection component, a PACK EOL detection component, a weighing component, and a label printing component. The PACK manufacturing unit is used for the installation of battery pack electrical components. The accompanying trolley and the battery pack are transported by AGV throughout the process and stop at the designated workstation. The operator gives a release instruction after completion. The PACK manufacturing unit is designed as a standard workstation, which includes a standard workstation, an industrial computer, a code scanning gun, etc. The workstation is equipped with a standard quick plug and is movable. The workstation operation content and the number of workstations can be flexibly adjusted according to demand.

[0026] In this embodiment, the process routes of the co-production system of power battery modules and CTP for different products are as follows: Module process route: battery cell sorting → side panel welding → module heating and static → module boxing → laser welding (BUSBAR / V-sense welding) → PACK electrical installation CTP process route: battery cell sorting → battery cell boxing → laser welding (BUSBAR / V-sense welding) → PACK electrical installation Through the above process flow, the co-production of modules and battery packs using the CTP process solution can be achieved.

[0027] In this specification, each embodiment is described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. For the device disclosed in the embodiment, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the method part.

[0028] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A co-production system for power battery modules and CTP, characterized in that: Specifically, it includes a cell sorting unit, a side panel welding unit, a heating and standing unit, a cell stacking unit, a laser welding unit, and a PACK manufacturing unit connected through AGV scheduling. The connection relationship between each unit is dynamically adjusted through the AGV scheduling according to production needs; wherein, the cell sorting unit is used to complete the unpacking of incoming cell materials, cell transportation, cell testing and grading, and cell offline; the side panel welding unit is used to extrude the cell stacks delivered by the cell sorting unit into groups and complete the welding of the module end plate and the side panel; the heating and standing unit is used to extrude the cell stacks delivered by the cell sorting unit into groups and complete the welding of the module end plate and the side panel; The unit is used to heat the side panel welding unit to complete the welding module; the battery cell stacking unit includes multiple process routes, which are used to box the welding module of the heating and static unit and perform CTP module forming, battery cell data binding, and insulation withstand voltage test; the laser welding unit is used to weld the bus to the battery cell pole and the collection harness to the bus. The battery packs produced by the battery cell stacking unit are all put into the welding equipment as a whole pack to complete the welding; the PACK manufacturing unit is used for the installation and inspection of electrical components of the battery pack.

2. A co-production system for power battery modules and CTP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery cell sorting unit, the side panel welding unit, the heating and standing unit, the battery cell stacking unit, the laser welding unit, and the PACK manufacturing unit are also connected internally through AGV scheduling.

3. The co-production system of a power battery module and CTP according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The battery cell sorting unit includes a 3D vision component, a loading robot, a battery cell code scanning component, an OCV testing system, a unloading robot, a conveying roller component, and a battery cell conveying trolley which are connected in sequence.

4. The co-production system of a power battery module and CTP according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The side panel welding unit includes a manual stacking table, a first gluing system component, a robot welding system, a module conveying component, and a module code scanning and binding component; the manual stacking table stacks and squeezes the battery cells conveyed from the battery cell sorting unit into groups; the first gluing system component is used for gluing between battery cells, between battery cells and end plates, and between battery cells and side panels; the robot welding system completes the welding of module end side panels; the module conveying component conveys the welded module to the module cart; the module code scanning and binding component performs battery cell data binding and uploading.

5. The co-production system of a power battery module and CTP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple process routes include a module process route and a CTP process route; distributed flexible manufacturing of different process routes is achieved through the intelligent scheduling of AGV.

6. The co-production system of a power battery module and CTP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser welding unit includes a BUSBAR installation tool, a BUSBAR welding assembly, a collection harness welding assembly, and a module EOL test system which are connected in sequence; wherein the BUSBAR installation tool is used to limit the BUSBAR on the battery cell pole to ensure the accuracy of the relative position of the BUSBAR and the battery cell; the BUSBAR welding assembly is used to weld the bus to the battery cell pole to complete the connection between the batteries, and the collection harness welding assembly is used to weld the collection harness to the bus; the module EOL test system is used for battery pack insulation testing to determine the insulation condition of the battery pack.

7. The co-production system of a power battery module and CTP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PACK manufacturing unit is designed as a standard workstation, and the workbench of the standard workstation is movable, and the work content and the number of workstations can be flexibly adjusted according to needs.

8. The co-production system of a power battery module and CTP according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating and static unit comprises a wind heating device, a heating chamber, and a lifting and lowering driving device which are connected in sequence.

Images