Battery cell transport system for battery cells

Abstract

A battery cell transport system for a battery cell having a first electrode and a second electrode is provided. The system includes a basket having first, second, third and fourth sidewalls coupled to a bottom wall and an extension member. The extension member is coupled to the first sidewall. The basket holds the battery cell such that the first electrode and the second electrode face the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively. The system includes a transport device that holds the basket on top thereof. The system includes first and second vertical members disposed proximate first and second sides of the transport device, respectively. When the basket is in an undesired position on the transport device, the extension member is in contact with the second vertical member, thereby preventing the basket from moving past the first and second vertical elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a battery cell transport system for a battery cell and a method for transporting a battery cell. Background Art

[0002] During the battery pack manufacturing process, the inventors herein have recognized the need to verify the operational position of a basket holding battery cells during movement of the basket to ensure the correct position / orientation of the basket on a transport device.

[0003] In particular, the inventors herein have recognized a need for a battery cell transport system that prevents a basket from advancing past a particular location when the basket has an undesired position / orientation on a transport device. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery cell transport system for battery cells and a method for transporting battery cells.

[0006] Technical Solution

[0007] A battery cell transport system for a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment is provided. The battery cell has a battery housing, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on a first end and a second end of the battery housing, respectively. The battery cell transport system includes a basket having a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall coupled to a bottom wall and an extension member. The first side wall and the second side wall are coupled to and located between the third side wall and the fourth side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall extend parallel to each other. The extension member is coupled to the first side wall and extends outward from the first side wall. The basket holds the battery cell therein so that the first electrode points to the first side wall and the second electrode points to the second side wall. The battery cell transport system also includes a transport device that holds the basket thereon and moves the basket in a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall. The battery cell transport system also includes a first vertical member and a second vertical member, and the first vertical member and the second vertical member are disposed to be close to a first side and a second side of the transport device, respectively. When the basket is in an undesired position on the transport device, an extension member on the basket contacts the second vertical member, thereby preventing the basket from moving past the first vertical member and the second vertical member.

[0008] A method for transporting a battery cell according to another exemplary embodiment is provided. The battery cell has a battery housing, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on a first end and a second end of the battery housing, respectively. The method includes providing a basket having a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall coupled to a bottom wall and an extension member. The first side wall and the second side wall are coupled to and located between the third side wall and the fourth side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall extend parallel to each other. The extension member is coupled to the first side wall and extends outward from the first side wall. The method also includes providing a transport device for moving the basket. The method also includes providing a first vertical member and a second vertical member, the first and third vertical members being disposed close to a first side and a second side of the transport device, respectively. The method also includes arranging the battery cell in the basket so that the first electrode points to the first side wall and the second electrode points to the second side wall. The method also includes arranging the basket in an undesired position on the transport device. The method further includes moving the basket in a first direction using the transport device so that when the basket is in an undesired position on the transport device, an extension member on the basket contacts the second vertical member and prevents the basket from moving past the first vertical member and the second vertical member. The first direction is parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a battery cell transport system for transporting battery cells according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein a basket holding the battery cells has an undesirable position on a transport device;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another simplified schematic diagram of a battery cell transport system of FIG. 1 , wherein a basket holding battery cells has a desired position on a transport device;

[0011] Figure 3 is an example Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first vertical member and a second vertical member, a horizontal top member, a transport device, and at least one basket utilized in a battery cell transport system;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 an enlarged view of at least one basket and a portion of a first vertical member having a slot therein;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top view of a basket utilized in a battery cell transport system;

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 a top view of a portion of a first side wall of the basket;

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 a side view of a portion of a first side wall of the basket;

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 a perspective view of a portion of a first side wall of a basket;

[0017] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 An isometric view of an extended portion of the basket;

[0018] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 a top view of an extended portion of; and

[0019] Fig.11 and Fig.12 is a flow chart of a method for transporting battery cells according to another exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Reference Figures 1 to 10 , a battery cell transport system 20 for transporting battery cells 30 , 32 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] The battery cell transport system 20 includes a basket 60, a transport device 70, a first vertical member 81, a second vertical member 82, and a horizontal top member 83 (eg, Figure 3 The advantage of the battery cell transport system 20 is that when the basket 60 is placed in an undesirable position on the transport device 70 (such as Figure 1 ), the battery cell transport system 20 prevents the basket 60 from moving past the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82 (and as a result, the battery cells 30, 32 that are inappropriately positioned relative to the transport device 70 will not advance to the subsequent welding process).

[0022] As used herein, the term "close" means within a distance of 0 feet to 1 foot.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figures 5 to 8 , a basket 60 is provided to hold the battery cells 30, 32 therein. The basket 60 has a first side wall 101, a second side wall 102, a third side wall 103, and a fourth side wall 104 coupled to the bottom wall 110, and extension members 121, 122. The first side wall 101 and the second side wall 102 are coupled to the third side wall 103 and the fourth side wall 104 and are located between the third side wall 103 and the fourth side wall 104, and extend parallel to each other. The first side wall 101 includes a first opening 131 and a second opening 132 (such as Figure 7). The basket 60 holds the battery cell 30 therein so that its first electrode 121 points toward the first side wall 101 and its second electrode 322 points toward the second side wall 102. In addition, the basket 60 holds the battery cell 32 therein so that its first electrode 421 points toward the first side wall 101 and its second electrode 422 points toward the second side wall 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the first side wall 101, the second side wall 102, the third side wall 103, and the fourth side wall 104 and the bottom wall 110 are made of plastic.

[0024] Reference Figures 5 to 8 , extension members 121, 122 are coupled to and extend outwardly from first sidewall 101. The structure of extension members 121, 122 is identical, so only the structure of extension member 121 will be discussed in more detail herein. Additionally, the attachment of extension members 121, 122 to basket 60 is performed in a similar manner, so only the attachment of extension member 121 will be discussed herein.

[0025] Reference Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the extension member 121 includes a coupling wall 140 and a first leg member 141 and a second leg member 142 coupled to the coupling wall 140 and extending from the coupling wall 140 in a first direction. The first leg member 141 has an inner surface 150 that defines a flange 151 that is parallel to the coupling wall 140 and spaced apart from the coupling wall 130. In addition, the second leg member 142 has an inner surface 160 that defines a flange 161 that is spaced apart from the coupling wall 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the extension member 121 is made of plastic. Referring to Figure 7 and Fig.10 , coupling wall 140 is disposed against an inner surface of first side wall 101 of basket 60 , so that first and second leg members 141 , 142 extend through first and second openings 131 , 132 of first side wall 101 , respectively, and flanges 151 , 161 are disposed against an outer surface of first side wall 101 .

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The transport device 70 is configured to hold the basket 60 thereon and to move the basket 60 in a first direction toward the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82. The transport device 70 has a first side 241 and a second side 242. The first direction is parallel to the first side wall 101 and the second side wall 102 of the basket 60 and parallel to the first side 241 and the second side 242. In an exemplary embodiment, the transport device 70 is a conveyor system.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4, the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82 are disposed respectively close to the first side 241 and the second side 242 of the transport device 70. The horizontal top member 83 is coupled to and located between the top ends of the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82. The first vertical member 81 has a slot 260 extending therein.

[0028] When the basket 60 has a desired position / placement on the transport device 70 (e.g. Figure 2 241 ), the transport device 70 moves the basket 60 so that the first extension member 121 and the second extension member 122 move through the slot 260 in the first vertical member 81, and the basket 60 moves past the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82. When the first side wall 101 and the extension members 121, 122 of the basket 60 approach the first side 241 of the transport device 70, the basket 60 has a desired position on the transport device 70 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 shown).

[0029] Alternatively, when the basket is in an undesired position / placement on the transport device 70 (e.g. Figure 1 1, 122 on the basket 60 contacts the second vertical member 82, thereby preventing the basket 60 from moving past the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82. When the first side wall 101 and the extension members 121, 122 of the basket 60 are disposed proximate to the second side 242 of the transport device 70, the basket 60 is in an undesirable position on the transport device 70 (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 shown).

[0030] Reference Figure 1 The battery cell 30 includes a battery housing 300, a first electrode 321, and a second electrode 322. The first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are respectively disposed on the first end 301 and the second end 302 of the battery housing 300. In addition, the battery cell 32 includes a battery housing 400, a first electrode 421, and a second electrode 422. The first electrode 421 and the second electrode 422 are respectively disposed on the first end 401 and the second end 402 of the battery housing 400.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 , a flow chart of a method for transporting a battery cell 30 will be explained according to another exemplary embodiment. For simplicity, the battery cell 30 and the extension member 121 will be described in the following method.

[0032] In step 500, a user provides a battery cell 30 having a battery case 300, a first electrode 321 and a second electrode 322. The first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are disposed on the first end 301 and the second end 302 of the battery case 300, respectively.

[0033] At step 502, the user provides a basket 60 having a first side wall 101, a second side wall 102, a third side wall 103, and a fourth side wall 104 coupled to a bottom wall 110, and an extension member 121. The first side wall 101 and the second side wall 102 are coupled to and located between the third side wall 103 and the fourth side wall 104, and extend parallel to each other. The extension member 121 is coupled to the first side wall 101 and extends outward from the first side wall 101.

[0034] At step 504 , the user provides a transportation device 70 .

[0035] At step 506 , the user provides first and second vertical members 81 , 82 disposed proximate first and second sides 241 , 242 of the transport device 70 , respectively.

[0036] At step 508 , the user places the battery cells 30 in the basket 60 such that the first electrodes 321 point toward the first side wall 101 and the second electrodes 322 point toward the second side wall 102 .

[0037] At step 510, the user places the basket 60 in an undesired position on the transport device 70 (e.g. Figure 1 242 of the transport device 70), so that the transport device 70 holds the basket 60 thereon and moves the basket 60 in a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the first side wall 101 and the second side wall 102. When the first side wall 101 and the extension member 121 of the basket 60 approach the second side 242 of the transport device 70, the basket 60 is in an undesirable position (such as Figure 1 shown).

[0038] At step 512 , transport device 70 moves basket 60 in a first direction such that extension member 121 on basket 60 contacts second vertical member 82 and prevents basket 60 from moving past first and second vertical members 81 , 82 when basket 60 is in an undesired position on transport device 70 .

[0039] At step 514, the user places the basket 60 at a desired location on the transport device 70 (eg, Figure 2 ), so that the transport device 70 holds the basket 60 thereon and moves the basket 60 in the first direction. When the first side wall 101 and the extension member 121 of the basket 60 are arranged close to the first side of the transport device 70, the basket 60 is in the desired position (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 shown).

[0040] At step 516 , the transport device 70 moves the basket 60 in a first direction so that when the basket 60 is in a desired position on the transport device 70 , the extension member 121 on the basket 60 moves through the slot 260 in the first vertical member 81 and allows the basket 60 to move past the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82 .

[0041] The battery cell transport system 20 and associated methods provide substantial advantages over other systems and methods. In particular, the battery cell transport system 20 prevents the basket 60 from moving past the first vertical member 81 and the second vertical member 82 when the basket 60 is placed in an undesirable position on the transport device 70 (and as a result, the battery cells 30, 32 that are in an improper position relative to the transport device 70 are not advanced to the subsequent welding process).

[0042] Although the claimed invention has been described in detail in conjunction with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the claimed invention may be modified to include any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described but commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, although various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Therefore, the claimed invention should not be considered to be limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A battery cell transport system for a battery cell, the battery cell having a battery housing, a first electrode and a second electrode; the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on a first end and a second end of the battery housing, the battery cell transport system comprising: a basket having first, second, third, and fourth side walls coupled to the bottom wall and an extension member; The first side wall and the second side wall are coupled to the third side wall and the fourth side wall and are located between the third side wall and the fourth side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall extend parallel to each other; the extension member is coupled to the first sidewall and extends outwardly from the first sidewall; the basket retaining the battery cell therein such that the first electrode is directed toward the first side wall and the second electrode is directed toward the second side wall; a transport device that holds the basket thereon and moves the basket in a first direction that is parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall; and a first vertical member and a second vertical member, wherein the first vertical member and the second vertical member are disposed proximate to a first side and a second side of the transport device, respectively, and when the basket is in an undesirable position on the transport device, the extension member on the basket contacts the second vertical member, thereby preventing the basket from moving past the first vertical member and the second vertical member.

2. The battery cell transport system according to claim 1, wherein: When the basket is in a desired position on the transport device, the extension member on the basket moves through the slot in the first vertical member, thereby allowing the basket to move through the first and second vertical members.

3. The battery cell transport system according to claim 2, wherein: The basket is in the desired position on the transport device when the first sidewall of the basket and the extension member are proximate the first side of the transport device.

4. The battery cell transport system according to claim 1, wherein: The basket is in the undesired position on the transport device when the first sidewall of the basket and the extension member are positioned proximate the second side of the transport device.

5. The battery cell transportation system according to claim 1, further comprising: A horizontal top member is coupled to and located between top ends of the first vertical member and the second vertical member.

6. The battery cell transport system according to claim 1, wherein: The first side wall of the basket has a first opening and a second opening disposed through the first side wall.

7. The battery cell transport system according to claim 1, wherein: The extension member has a coupling wall and a first leg member and a second leg member, the first leg member and the second leg member being coupled to the coupling wall and extending from the coupling wall in the first direction; the first leg member having a first inner surface defining a first flange; and The second leg member has a second inner surface defining a second flange.

8. The battery cell transport system according to claim 7, wherein: The coupling wall is disposed against an inner surface of the first side wall of the basket such that the first and second leg members extend through first and second openings of the first side wall, respectively, and the first and second flanges are disposed against an outer surface of the first side wall.

9. A method for transporting a battery cell, the battery cell having a battery housing, a first electrode and a second electrode; the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on a first end and a second end of the battery housing, the method comprising the following steps: providing a basket having first, second, third and fourth side walls coupled to a bottom wall and an extension member; The first side wall and the second side wall are coupled to the third side wall and the fourth side wall and are located between the third side wall and the fourth side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall extend parallel to each other; the extension member is coupled to the first sidewall and extends outwardly from the first sidewall; providing a transport device for moving the basket; providing a first vertical member and a second vertical member, the first vertical member and the second vertical member being disposed proximate a first side and a second side of the transport device, respectively; placing the battery cell in the basket such that the first electrode is directed toward the first side wall and the second electrode is directed toward the second side wall; placing the basket in an undesirable position on the transport device; as well as The basket is moved in a first direction using the transport device such that when the basket is in the undesired position on the transport device, the extension member on the basket contacts the second vertical member and prevents the basket from moving past the first vertical member and the second vertical member, the first direction being parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: placing the basket at a desired location on the transport device; as well as The basket is moved in the first direction using the transport device such that when the basket is in the desired position on the transport device, the extension member on the basket moves through the slot in the first vertical member and the basket moves past the first and second vertical members.

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