A screw assembly device for a battery stack automatic production line

Abstract

The application discloses a screw assembling device for a battery stack automatic production line, which comprises a shell, characterized in that: an X-axis locking cylinder is arranged in the shell and is distributed along a Y-axis direction; a working end of the X-axis locking cylinder is provided with an X-axis locking pin; an X-axis supporting plate is arranged in the shell; an X-axis moving frame is slidably connected to the X-axis supporting plate through an X-axis sliding rail sliding block mechanism; the X-axis moving frame is composed of two parts, i.e., an X-axis plate and a Y-axis plate which are connected to each other and are vertically distributed; a first positioning hole is formed in the X-axis plate; the X-axis locking pin and the first positioning hole are matched with each other; the Y-axis plate is slidably connected to a Y-axis moving frame through a Y-axis sliding rail sliding block mechanism; a Y-axis locking cylinder is arranged on the Y-axis moving frame and is distributed along an X-axis direction; a working end of the Y-axis locking cylinder is provided with a Y-axis locking pin; and second positioning holes matched with the Y-axis locking pin are formed in the Y-axis moving frame and the Y-axis plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated production of battery stacks, and in particular to a screw assembly device for an automated production line of battery stacks. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the electric vehicle welding workshop, battery stacking and storage are done manually. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In order to save labor costs, improve efficiency and avoid safety accidents, some OEMs will adopt automated lines. In this way, traditional manual operations cannot meet the cycle time and accuracy requirements of automated assembly, so there is a need to realize automated assembly. The simplest and most direct method is to directly connect automated assembly equipment (such as a tightening gun) to a robotic arm, allowing the robotic arm to move the equipment in space and automate the assembly of the workpiece. However, automated equipment generates reaction forces during operation. Taking a tightening gun as an example, when it moves to the workpiece under the guidance of the robotic arm and performs the tightening operation, the resulting reaction force is directly transmitted to the robotic arm. This means that the robotic arm will experience vibrations from time to time during long-term operation. These vibrations can affect the robotic arm's motion accuracy or, in severe cases, shorten its lifespan.

[0003] Therefore, a method or apparatus is needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention addresses the aforementioned shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line. This device features a simple structure, ingenious design, and reasonable layout, effectively absorbing vibrations generated by reaction forces during assembly and thus protecting the robotic arm.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is: a screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line, comprising a housing 1, characterized in that: an X-axis locking cylinder 2 distributed along the Y-axis direction is provided inside the housing 1, and an X-axis locking pin 3 is provided at the working end of the X-axis locking cylinder 2; an X-axis support plate 4 is provided inside the housing 1, and an X-axis moving frame is slidably connected to the X-axis support plate 4 via an X-axis slide rail slider mechanism 5; the X-axis moving frame consists of two parts, an X-axis plate 6 and a Y-axis plate, which are connected to each other and perpendicularly distributed; a first positioning hole 7 is provided on the X-axis plate 6, and the X-axis locking pin 3 matches the first positioning hole 7. The Y-axis plate is slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame 9 via a Y-axis slide rail slider mechanism 8. A Y-axis locking cylinder 10 distributed along the X-axis direction is provided on the Y-axis moving frame 9. A Y-axis locking pin is provided at the working end of the Y-axis locking cylinder 10. Both the Y-axis moving frame 9 and the Y-axis plate are provided with a second positioning hole 11 that matches the Y-axis locking pin. A Z-axis cylinder 12 is installed at the bottom of the Y-axis moving frame 9. The working end of the Z-axis cylinder 12 is connected to the bottom end of the tightening gun support frame 13. The tightening gun support frame 13 is slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame 9 through a Z-axis slide rail slider mechanism 14. The Y-axis moving frame 9 is also equipped with a Z-axis buffer cylinder 15. The working end of the Z-axis buffer cylinder 15 is connected to the gripper slide plate 16. The gripper slide plate 16 is also slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame 9 through a Z-axis slide rail slider mechanism 14. A gripper cylinder 17 is provided on the gripper slide plate 16, and a gripper 18 is provided on the working end of the gripper cylinder 17.

[0006] A C-shaped frame 19 distributed along the X-axis is fixedly installed inside the housing 1, and an X-direction limiting frame 20 is provided at the bottom of the X-axis plate, with the end of the X-direction limiting frame 20 located inside the C-shaped frame 19.

[0007] The Y-axis moving frame 9 is provided with a Y-direction limiting frame 21 distributed along the Y-axis direction, and the top of the X-axis plate 6 is provided with a Y-direction limiting block 22 located inside the Y-direction limiting frame 21.

[0008] The gripper slide plate 16 is provided with a gripper slide plate trigger block 23, and the Y-axis moving frame 9 is provided with a gripper slide plate trigger switch 24 that matches the gripper slide plate trigger block 23.

[0009] The gripper slide plate 16 is equipped with an upper sensor 25 and a lower sensor 26. When the gripper 18 simultaneously grips the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28, the upper sensor 25 can detect the tightening gun head 27, and the lower sensor 26 can detect the workpiece 28.

[0010] The end of the tightening gun support frame 13 is also provided with a distance sensor 29, and the distance measuring direction of the distance sensor 29 is parallel to the axial direction of the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: This type of screw assembly device for automated battery stack production lines features a simple structure, ingenious design, and reasonable layout. In traditional screw assembly processes, the tightening gun and the robotic arm are rigidly connected. Therefore, the reaction force generated by the tightening gun during operation is directly transmitted to the robotic arm, affecting its positional accuracy under prolonged vibration. To address this issue, this application designs a special structure where the housing is rigidly connected to the robotic arm, while the support frame fixing the tightening gun can displace relative to the housing in the X and Y axes. Simultaneously, the support frame can be adjusted in the Z axis, allowing the tightening gun, which directly contacts the workpiece being assembled, to adaptively displace relative to the housing in multiple directions. This absorbs the vibration generated by the tightening gun during operation, preventing its transmission to the robotic arm and thus protecting it and extending its service life.

[0012] Furthermore, this device has a simple manufacturing process and low production cost, so it can be said to have many advantages and is particularly suitable for promotion and application in this field, with a very broad market prospect. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (with the tightening gun bracket removed).

[0014] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (direction one).

[0015] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (direction two).

[0016] Figure 4 This is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic diagram of the gripper cylinder part in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram (direction three) of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the gripper holding the workpiece in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 7The diagram shows a screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line, comprising a housing 1 as a base. An X-axis locking cylinder 2, distributed along the Y-axis, is disposed within the housing 1. An X-axis locking pin 3 is provided at the working end of each X-axis locking cylinder 2. An X-axis support plate 4 is disposed within the housing 1. An X-axis moving frame is slidably connected to the X-axis support plate 4 via an X-axis slide rail slider mechanism 5. The X-axis moving frame consists of an X-axis plate 6 and a Y-axis plate, which are interconnected and perpendicularly distributed. A first positioning hole 7 is provided on the X-axis plate 6, and the X-axis locking pin 3 matches the first positioning hole 7. The Y-axis plate is slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame 9 via a Y-axis slide rail slider mechanism 8. A Y-axis locking cylinder 10 distributed along the X-axis direction is provided on the Y-axis moving frame 9. A Y-axis locking pin is provided at the working end of the Y-axis locking cylinder 10. Both the Y-axis moving frame 9 and the Y-axis plate are provided with a second positioning hole 11 that matches the Y-axis locking pin. A Z-axis cylinder 12 is installed at the bottom of the Y-axis moving frame 9. The working end of the Z-axis cylinder 12 is connected to the bottom end of the tightening gun support frame 13. The tightening gun support frame 13 is slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame 9 through a Z-axis slide rail slider mechanism 14. The Y-axis moving frame 9 is also equipped with a Z-axis buffer cylinder 15. The working end of the Z-axis buffer cylinder 15 is connected to the gripper slide plate 16. The gripper slide plate 16 is also slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame 9 through a Z-axis slide rail slider mechanism 14. A gripper cylinder 17 is provided on the gripper slide plate 16, and a gripper 18 is provided on the working end of the gripper cylinder 17.

[0021] A C-shaped frame 19 distributed along the X-axis is fixedly installed inside the housing 1, and an X-direction limiting frame 20 is provided at the bottom of the X-axis plate, with the end of the X-direction limiting frame 20 located inside the C-shaped frame 19.

[0022] The Y-axis moving frame 9 is provided with a Y-direction limiting frame 21 distributed along the Y-axis direction, and the top of the X-axis plate 6 is provided with a Y-direction limiting block 22 located inside the Y-direction limiting frame 21.

[0023] The gripper slide plate 16 is provided with a gripper slide plate trigger block 23, and the Y-axis moving frame 9 is provided with a gripper slide plate trigger switch 24 that matches the gripper slide plate trigger block 23.

[0024] The gripper slide plate 16 is equipped with an upper sensor 25 and a lower sensor 26. When the gripper 18 simultaneously grips the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28, the upper sensor 25 can detect the tightening gun head 27, and the lower sensor 26 can detect the workpiece 28.

[0025] The end of the tightening gun support frame 13 is also provided with a distance sensor 29, and the distance measuring direction of the distance sensor 29 is parallel to the axial direction of the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28.

[0026] The working process of the screw assembly device for the automated production line of battery stacks in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: The tightening gun 32 is installed on the tightening gun support frame 13, the housing 1 is connected to the robotic arm, the Z-axis cylinder 12 can drive the tightening gun support frame 13 to move relative to the Y-axis moving frame 9 in the Z-axis direction; while the Y-axis moving frame 9 can move relative to the Y-axis plate in the Y-axis direction, and the Y-axis plate (i.e., the X-axis moving frame) can move relative to the X-axis support plate 4 (i.e., the housing 1) in the X-axis direction. That is to say, the tightening gun 32 can be adjusted relative to the robotic arm in three-dimensional space. In the non-processing state, the X-axis locking pin 3 is inserted into the first positioning hole 7, and the Y-axis locking pin is simultaneously inserted into the second positioning hole 11 opened in the Y-axis moving frame 9 and the Y-axis plate. The Z-axis cylinder 12 is not working. At this time, the tightening gun support frame 13 is locked in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions and is relatively fixed to the housing 1. Therefore, the relative position relationship between the muzzle position of the tightening gun 32 and the robotic arm is determined. At this time, the robotic arm can drive the device to move in space and drive the muzzle of the tightening gun 32 to the nut that needs to be tightened. After the tightening gun 32 moves into position, the Z-axis cylinder 12 drives the tightening gun support frame 13 to move along the Z-axis direction, and the position of the tightening gun 32's nozzle moves towards the workpiece, and the tightening gun head 27 forms a connection with the nut 30; then the X-axis locking pin 3 and the Y-axis locking pin retract, and the tightening gun 32 regains its degree of freedom. In this way, when the tightening gun 32 is working, the tightening gun 32 will move relative to the housing 1 (i.e., the robotic arm) in the X and Y axis directions under the action of the reaction force, thereby absorbing vibration and preventing the robotic arm from being impacted; Before the tightening operation is performed, the gripper cylinder 17 operates, driving the gripper 18 to grip the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28. The gripper 18 grips the connection between the two workpieces, keeping them coaxial. A long bolt 31 passes through the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28. The tightening gun 32 needs to tighten the nut 30 onto the top of the long bolt 31 to achieve a fixed connection between the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28. The tightening gun 32 is only allowed to operate when the upper sensor 25 can detect the tightening gun head 27 and the lower sensor 26 can detect the workpiece 28.

[0027] During the tightening operation, the Z-axis buffer cylinder 15 maintains pressure. When the tightening gun 32 is subjected to the impact force from the tightening gun head 27 and the workpiece 28 in the axial direction, the gripper slide 16 moves accordingly, and the air pressure in the Z-axis buffer cylinder 15 is used to offset the impact force, preventing the tightening gun 32 and the device from directly bearing rigid impact force.

Claims

1. A screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with X-axis locking cylinders (2) distributed along the Y-axis direction. The working end of the X-axis locking cylinder (2) is provided with an X-axis locking pin (3). An X-axis support plate (4) is provided in the housing (1). An X-axis moving frame is slidably connected to the X-axis support plate (4) through an X-axis slide rail slider mechanism (5). The X-axis moving frame is composed of two parts, an X-axis plate (6) and a Y-axis plate, which are connected to each other and distributed perpendicularly. A first positioning hole (7) is provided on the X-axis plate (6). The X-axis locking pin (3) matches the first positioning hole (7). The Y-axis plate is slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame (9) through the Y-axis slide rail slider mechanism (8). The Y-axis moving frame (9) is provided with Y-axis locking cylinders (10) distributed along the X-axis direction. The working end of the Y-axis locking cylinder (10) is provided with a Y-axis locking pin. The Y-axis moving frame (9) and the Y-axis plate are both provided with a second positioning hole (11) that matches the Y-axis locking pin. The bottom of the Y-axis moving frame (9) is provided with a Z-axis cylinder (12). The working end of the Z-axis cylinder (12) is connected to the bottom end of the tightening gun support frame (13). The tightening gun support frame (13) is slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame (9) through the Z-axis slide rail slider mechanism (14). The Y-axis moving frame (9) is also equipped with a Z-axis buffer cylinder (15). The working end of the Z-axis buffer cylinder (15) is connected to the gripper slide plate (16). The gripper slide plate (16) is also slidably connected to the Y-axis moving frame (9) through a Z-axis slide rail slider mechanism (14). A gripper cylinder (17) is provided on the gripper slide plate (16). A gripper (18) is provided on the working end of the gripper cylinder (17).

2. The screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: A C-shaped frame (19) distributed along the X-axis is fixedly installed inside the housing (1), and an X-direction limiting frame (20) is provided at the bottom of the X-axis plate. The end of the X-direction limiting frame (20) is located inside the C-shaped frame (19).

3. The screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Y-axis moving frame (9) is provided with a Y-direction limiting frame (21) distributed along the Y-axis direction, and the top of the X-axis plate (6) is provided with a Y-direction limiting block (22) located in the Y-direction limiting frame (21).

4. The screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gripper slide (16) is provided with a gripper slide trigger block (23), and the Y-axis moving frame (9) is provided with a gripper slide trigger switch (24) that matches the gripper slide trigger block (23).

5. The screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gripper slide (16) is equipped with an upper sensor (25) and a lower sensor (26). When the gripper (18) simultaneously grips the tightening gun head (27) and the workpiece (28), the upper sensor (25) can detect the tightening gun head (27), and the lower sensor (26) can detect the workpiece (28).

6. The screw assembly device for an automated battery stack production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the tightening gun support frame (13) is also provided with a distance sensor (29), and the distance measuring direction of the distance sensor (29) is parallel to the axial direction of the tightening gun head (27) and the workpiece (28).

Images