Electroplating equipment and electroplating method

Abstract

The invention discloses electroplating equipment and an electroplating method.The electroplating equipment comprises a first electroplating bath, a second electroplating bath and a conveying mechanism, and an anode piece capable of directly facing the first face of a battery piece in the electroplating state is arranged in the first electroplating bath; an anode piece capable of directly facing the first surface of the battery piece and an anode piece capable of directly facing the second surface of the battery piece in an electroplating state are arranged in the second electroplating bath, and the conveying mechanism can transfer the battery piece from the first electroplating bath to the second electroplating bath. According to the invention, the plated area on the first surface of the battery piece is pre-electroplated in the first electroplating bath, and then the plated areas on the two surfaces of the battery piece are simultaneously electroplated in the second electroplating bath, so that the adhesion effect of metal ions on the plated areas is improved; the probability that the electric field line acting on the first surface of the battery piece is wound on the second surface of the battery piece is reduced, and the risk that a plated area on the first surface of the battery piece is broken or the grid line is lost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cell electroplating, and in particular to an electroplating device and an electroplating method. Background Art

[0002] According to the posture of the battery cell during electroplating, the process of electroplating the metal grid line of the battery cell is divided into horizontal electroplating and vertical electroplating. Chinese patent CN217733298U discloses a horizontal electroplating device for battery cells, and introduces the structure and principle of a horizontal electroplating device for double-sided electroplating of battery cells. During the electroplating process, both sides of the battery cell need to be immersed in the electroplating solution. Chinese patent CN116103732A discloses a vertical electroplating device, equipment and method, and introduces the structure and principle of a vertical electroplating device for double-sided electroplating of battery cells. During the electroplating process, both sides of the battery cell need to be immersed in the electroplating solution. Regardless of horizontal or vertical electroplating, both sides of the battery cell need to be immersed in the electroplating solution.

[0003] When both sides of the cell are immersed in the plating solution and both sides of the cell are electroplated at the same time, local electric field lines will be disordered, causing bypass plating, resulting in broken grids or missing grid lines in the plated area of ​​the cell. In particular, the plated areas on both sides of the cell are different, and the side with a larger plated area on the cell is more likely to have broken grids or missing grid lines. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electroplating device and an electroplating method to solve one of the technical problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention are as follows.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electroplating device, comprising a first electroplating tank, a second electroplating tank and a conveying mechanism, wherein the first electroplating tank is provided with an anode component capable of facing a first surface of a battery cell in an electroplating state, the second electroplating tank is provided with an anode component capable of facing a first surface of a battery cell in an electroplating state and an anode component facing a second surface of a battery cell, and the conveying mechanism is capable of transferring the battery cell from the first electroplating tank to the second electroplating tank;

[0007] In the electroplating working state, when the battery cell is located in the first electroplating tank, the anode component located in the first electroplating tank is electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the first side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply; when the battery cell is located in the second electroplating tank, the anode component located in the second electroplating tank is electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply, the first side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply, and the second side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply; wherein, the plated area on the first side of the battery cell is larger than the plated area on the second side of the battery cell.

[0008] In some embodiments, the electroplating equipment further comprises a second liquid isolating tank disposed between the first electroplating tank and the second electroplating tank, a first overflow hole is provided on a side wall of the first electroplating tank close to the second liquid isolating tank, the first electroplating tank is connected to the second liquid isolating tank through the first overflow hole, a second overflow hole is provided on a side wall of the second electroplating tank close to the second liquid isolating tank, the second electroplating tank is connected to the second liquid isolating tank through the second overflow hole;

[0009] The conveying mechanism is a roller conveying mechanism, which can make the battery sheet pass through the first overflow hole and the second overflow hole in sequence, so as to horizontally convey the battery sheet from the first electroplating tank to the second electroplating tank;

[0010] In the first electroplating tank, the anode member is horizontally arranged below the conveying path of the battery cell, and in the second electroplating tank, the anode member is horizontally arranged below and above the conveying path of the battery cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the roller conveying mechanism includes a plurality of conveying rollers, which are arranged in sequence at intervals, and the rotation axes of the plurality of conveying rollers are perpendicular to the conveying direction of the battery cells, and the rotation axes of the plurality of conveying rollers are arranged horizontally; a pressure roller is arranged above some of the conveying rollers to cooperate with them, and the pressure roller is used to mortgage the battery cells on the conveying rollers, so that sufficient friction can be provided to drive the battery cells to move during the rotation of the conveying rollers.

[0012] In some embodiments, the conveying roller includes a roller shaft and a roller sleeve fixedly mounted outside the roller shaft, and a spiral structure is disposed on the roller sleeve.

[0013] In some embodiments, a first liquid isolating tank is further provided upstream of the first electroplating tank, a first overflow hole is provided on a side wall of the first electroplating tank close to the first liquid isolating tank, and the first electroplating tank is connected to the first liquid isolating tank through the first overflow hole;

[0014] A third liquid isolating tank is further arranged downstream of the second electroplating tank. A second overflow hole is opened on the side wall of the second electroplating tank close to the third liquid isolating tank. The second electroplating tank is connected to the third liquid isolating tank through the second overflow hole.

[0015] In some embodiments, the electroplating apparatus further comprises at least one of a first liquid reflux device, a second liquid reflux device, a third liquid reflux device, and a fourth liquid reflux device;

[0016] Wherein, the first liquid reflux device is connected to the first electroplating tank and the first liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the first liquid isolating tank into the first electroplating tank;

[0017] The second liquid reflux device is connected to the first electroplating tank and the second liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the second liquid isolating tank into the first electroplating tank;

[0018] The third liquid reflux device is connected to the second electroplating tank and the second liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the second liquid isolating tank into the second electroplating tank;

[0019] The fourth liquid reflux device is connected to the second electroplating tank and the third liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the third liquid isolating tank into the second electroplating tank;

[0020] The first liquid reflux device, the second liquid reflux device, the third liquid reflux device and the fourth liquid reflux device all include a liquid pump and a liquid infusion pipeline.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first liquid isolation tank, the first electroplating tank, the second liquid isolation tank, the second electroplating tank and the third liquid isolation tank constitute an upper tank body, and a lower tank body connecting the first liquid isolation tank, the second liquid isolation tank and the third liquid isolation tank is arranged below the upper tank body.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first electroplating tank is provided with an auxiliary anode component that can face the second side of the battery cell in the electroplating state; in the electroplating working state, when the battery cell is located in the first electroplating tank, the auxiliary anode component is electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the second side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply.

[0023] In some embodiments, the conveying mechanism is a linear module or a chain conveying mechanism or a robot;

[0024] When the conveying mechanism is a linear module, a lifting drive mechanism is fixedly provided on the driving end of the linear module, and a clamp is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism, and the clamp is used to clamp and fix the battery cell and expose the plated area on the battery cell;

[0025] When the conveying mechanism is a chain conveying mechanism, a lifting drive mechanism is fixedly provided on the conveying chain of the chain conveying mechanism, and a clamp is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism, and the clamp is used to clamp and fix the battery cell and expose the plated area on the battery cell;

[0026] When the conveying mechanism is a robot, a lifting drive mechanism is fixedly provided on the driving end of the robot, and a clamp is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism, and the clamp is used to clamp and fix the battery cell and expose the plated area on the battery cell.

[0027] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electroplating method, comprising the following steps:

[0028] Pre-electroplating the plated area on the first surface of the cell to form a metal grid line substrate;

[0029] Electroplating the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the cell simultaneously to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell;

[0030] The plated area on the first surface of the cell is larger than the plated area on the second surface of the cell.

[0031] In some embodiments, when the plated area on the first surface of the battery cell is pre-plated, the plating solution is immersed in only the first surface of the battery cell;

[0032] When electroplating is performed simultaneously on the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the battery cell, the electroplating solution is made to immerse the first side and the second side of the battery cell.

[0033] In some embodiments, when the plated area on the first surface of the battery cell is pre-plated, the plating solution does not immerse the first surface of the battery cell, and the first surface of the battery cell is wetted by the transfer roller with the solution;

[0034] When electroplating is performed simultaneously on the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the battery cell, the electroplating solution is made to immerse the first side and the second side of the battery cell.

[0035] In some embodiments, when the plated area on the first surface of the battery cell is pre-plated, the current density acting on the plated area on the first surface is J1; when the plated areas on the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell are electroplated at the same time, the current density acting on the plated area on the first surface is J2; so that J1 is greater than J2.

[0036] Due to the application of the above-mentioned technical scheme, the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages compared with the prior art: the plating area on the first side of the battery cell is pre-plated in a first plating tank to form a metal grid line substrate, and then the plating areas on both sides of the battery cell are simultaneously electroplated in a second plating tank to form metal grid lines on both sides of the battery cell; during double-sided electroplating, the plating area on the first side of the battery cell has formed a metal grid line substrate, and continuing to electroplating on the metal grid line substrate can enhance the adhesion effect of metal ions, reduce the probability of the electric field lines acting on the first side of the battery cell being wrapped around the second side of the battery cell, and reduce the risk of broken grids or missing grid lines in the plating area on the first side of the battery cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Attached Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electroplating equipment in Example 1 of the present invention in a state without electroplating solution,

[0038] Attached Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electroplating equipment in the state of having the electroplating solution in Example 1 of the present invention,

[0039] Attached Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an electroplating device with a liquid replenishing device in Example 1 of the present invention,

[0040] Attached Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the conveying roller in Example 1 of the present invention,

[0041] Attached Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the first electroplating tank in the electroplating state in Example 1 of the present invention,

[0042] Attached Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the second electroplating tank in the electroplating state in Example 1 of the present invention,

[0043] Attached Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electroplating equipment in Example 2 of the present invention in a state without electroplating solution,

[0044] Attached Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an electroplating device provided with an auxiliary anode member in Example 2 of the present invention,

[0045] Attached Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the first electroplating tank in the electroplating state in Example 2 of the present invention,

[0046] Attached Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electroplating equipment in Example 3 of the present invention in which the fixture is not immersed in the electroplating solution,

[0047] Attached Fig.11 It is a schematic structural diagram of an electroplating device in which a fixture is immersed in an electroplating solution in Example 3 of the present invention;

[0048] Attached Fig.12 Schematic diagram of the arrangement structure of the anode member and the auxiliary anode member in Example 3 of the present invention;

[0049] The meanings of the reference numerals are as follows:

[0050] The first liquid isolation tank 11, the first liquid passage hole 111, the first electroplating tank 12, the first overflow hole 121, the second liquid isolation tank 13, the second liquid passage hole 131, the second electroplating tank 14, the second overflow hole 141, the third liquid isolation tank 15, the third liquid passage hole 151, the lower tank body 16, the liquid outlet hole 161, the conveying mechanism 2, the conveying roller 21, the roller shaft 211, the roller sleeve 212, the spiral structure 213, the pressure roller 22, the anode component 3, the auxiliary anode component 31, the battery cell 4, the power supply 5, the liquid pump 61, the liquid delivery pipeline 62, the clamp 7, and the lifting drive mechanism 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the description of these embodiments is used to help understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation of the present invention. Embodiment 1 is not just one embodiment, but a collection of embodiments with similar schemes or features, and the same is true for other embodiments.

[0052] Example 1

[0053] like Figure 1-Figure 6 As shown, an electroplating device includes a first electroplating tank 12, a second electroplating tank 14 and a conveying mechanism 2. The first electroplating tank 12 is provided with an anode component 3 that can face the first side of the battery cell 4 in the electroplating state. The second electroplating tank 14 is provided with an anode component 3 that can face the first side of the battery cell 4 in the electroplating state and an anode component 3 that faces the second side of the battery cell 4. The conveying mechanism 2 can transfer the battery cell 4 from the first electroplating tank 12 to the second electroplating tank 14.

[0054] In the electroplating working state, when the battery cell 4 is located in the first electroplating tank 12, the anode component 3 in the first electroplating tank 12 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 5, and the first side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5; when the battery cell 4 is located in the second electroplating tank 14, the anode component 3 in the second electroplating tank 14 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 5, the first side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5, and the second side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5; wherein, the plated area on the first side of the battery cell 4 is larger than the plated area on the second side of the battery cell 4.

[0055] The plane where the first surface of the battery cell 4 is located is defined as the first reference plane, and the plane where the second surface of the battery cell 4 is located is defined as the second reference plane. The first surface of the battery cell 4 is directly opposite to the anode component 3, which means that the orthographic projection of the anode component 3 on the first reference plane at least partially overlaps with the first surface of the battery cell 4. The second surface of the battery cell 4 is directly opposite to the anode component 3, which means that the orthographic projection of the anode component 3 on the second reference plane at least partially overlaps with the second surface of the battery cell 4.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first side of the battery cell 4 and the second side of the battery cell 4 are collectively referred to as the double sides of the battery cell 4. When the battery cell 4 is placed horizontally, the first side of the battery cell 4 refers to the lower surface of the battery cell 4, and the second side of the battery cell 4 refers to the upper surface of the battery cell 4. The lower surface of the battery cell 4 and the upper surface of the battery cell 4 are collectively referred to as the double sides of the battery cell 4.

[0057] Specifically, in the first electroplating tank 12, the anode component 3 is horizontally arranged below the conveying path of the battery cell 4, and the anode component 3 can be multiple, and the multiple anode components 3 are arranged in sequence along the conveying direction of the battery cell 4. The conveying mechanism 2 first conveys the battery cell 4 horizontally to the first electroplating tank 12, so that at least the lower surface of the battery cell 4 is immersed in the electroplating solution, the anode component 3 is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 5, and the lower surface of the battery cell 4 is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5. When the battery cell 4 is horizontally conveyed in the first electroplating tank 12, the battery cell 4 can move to the position (electroplating position) where the lower surface of the battery cell 4 and the anode component 3 are directly opposite, so that an electric field of sufficient strength is formed between the lower surface of the battery cell 4 and the anode component 3, and the plated area on the lower surface of the battery cell 4 is pre-electroplated to form a metal grid line substrate. When there are multiple anode components 3, the battery cell 4 can be moved to multiple electroplating positions corresponding to the multiple anode components 3 in sequence. Of course, there is also a situation where the lower surface of the battery cell 4 is directly opposite to multiple anode components 3 at the same time. The anode component 3 can be a planar mesh structure or a planar plate structure.

[0058] There are two groups of anode components 3 in the second electroplating tank 14. The first group of anode components 3 is located below the conveying path of the battery cell 4, and the second group of anode components 3 is located above the conveying path of the battery cell 4. The first group of anode components 3 includes at least one anode component 3, and the second group of anode components 3 includes at least one anode component 3. At least part of the first group of anode components 3 and at least part of the second group of anode components 3 are arranged opposite to each other. Preferably, the first group of anode components 3 and the second group of anode components 3 are arranged opposite to each other in a one-to-one correspondence. The conveying mechanism 2 conveys the battery cell 4 from the first electroplating tank 12 to the second electroplating tank 14 horizontally, so that the lower surface and the upper surface of the battery cell 4 are immersed in the electroplating solution, all the anode components 3 are connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 5, and the lower surface and the upper surface of the battery cell 4 are connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5. When the cell 4 is horizontally transported in the second electroplating tank 14, the cell 4 can move to a position (electroplating position) where the lower surface of the cell 4 and the first group of anode components 3 face each other, so that an electric field of sufficient strength is formed between the lower surface of the cell 4 and the anode components 3, and the plated area on the lower surface of the cell 4 is electroplated to form metal grid lines; at the same time, the upper surface of the cell 4 faces the second group of anode components 3, so that an electric field of sufficient strength is formed between the upper surface of the cell 4 and the second group of anode components 3, and the plated area on the upper surface of the cell 4 is electroplated to form metal grid lines. That is, in the second electroplating tank 14, the plated areas on the first and second surfaces of the cell 4 can be electroplated simultaneously to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell 4.

[0059] After the electroplating is completed in the second electroplating tank 14 , the conveying mechanism 2 conveys the battery cell 4 horizontally out of the second electroplating tank 14 .

[0060] In this embodiment, the plating area on the first side (lower surface) of the cell 4 is larger than the plating area on the second side (upper surface) of the cell 4. If double-sided electroplating is directly performed, the first side of the cell 4 is prone to uneven plating, and even broken grids or missing grid lines. Therefore, in this embodiment, the plating area on the first side of the cell 4 is pre-plated in the first electroplating tank 12 to form a metal grid line base, and then the plating areas on both sides of the cell 4 are simultaneously electroplated in the second electroplating tank 14 to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell 4. During double-sided electroplating, the plating area on the first side of the cell 4 has formed a metal grid line base. Continuing to electroplating on the metal grid line base can enhance the adhesion effect of metal ions, reduce the probability of the electric field lines acting on the first side of the cell 4 being wound around the second side of the cell 4, and reduce the risk of broken grids or missing grid lines in the plating area on the first side of the cell 4.

[0061] In some embodiments, Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, the electroplating equipment further includes a second liquid isolating tank 13 disposed between the first electroplating tank 12 and the second electroplating tank 14. A first overflow hole 121 is provided on the side wall of the first electroplating tank 12 near the second liquid isolating tank 13. The first electroplating tank 12 is connected to the second liquid isolating tank 13 through the first overflow hole 121. A second overflow hole 141 is provided on the side wall of the second electroplating tank 14 near the second liquid isolating tank 13. The second electroplating tank 14 is connected to the second liquid isolating tank 13 through the second overflow hole 141. The conveying mechanism 2 is a roller conveying mechanism, which can make the battery cell 4 pass through the first overflow hole 121 and the second overflow hole 141 in sequence, so as to horizontally convey the battery cell 4 from the first electroplating tank 12 to the second electroplating tank 14. The use of the roller conveying mechanism facilitates the horizontal conveying of the battery cell 4.

[0062] The electroplating liquid in the first electroplating tank 12 is continuously discharged through the first overflow hole 121, and the replenishing device (such as the first liquid reflux device or the second liquid reflux device described below) replenishes the first electroplating tank 12 synchronously, so that the electroplating liquid in the first electroplating tank 12 is in a flowing state, and the liquid level of the electroplating liquid in the first electroplating tank 12 can be kept constant; the electroplating liquid in the first electroplating tank 12 is in a flowing state, which can make the metal ions in the electroplating liquid more evenly distributed, and can improve the uniformity of electroplating. Similarly, the electroplating liquid in the second electroplating tank 14 is continuously discharged through the second overflow hole 141, and the replenishing device (such as the third liquid reflux device or the fourth liquid reflux device described below) replenishes the second electroplating tank 14 synchronously, so that the electroplating liquid in the second electroplating tank 14 is in a flowing state, and the liquid level of the electroplating liquid in the second electroplating tank 14 can be kept constant; the electroplating liquid in the second electroplating tank 14 is in a flowing state, which can make the metal ions in the electroplating liquid more evenly distributed, and can improve the uniformity of electroplating.

[0063] In addition, the first electroplating tank 12 and the second electroplating tank 14 are connected through a first overflow hole 121 opened on the side wall of the first electroplating tank 12 close to the second liquid isolating tank 13, and a second overflow hole 141 opened on the side wall of the second electroplating tank 14 close to the second liquid isolating tank 13, so that the battery cell 4 passes through the first overflow hole 121 and the second overflow hole 141 in turn, and the battery cell 4 can be horizontally transported from the first electroplating tank 12 to the second electroplating tank 14.

[0064] Specifically, the first electroplating tank 12 is provided with first overflow holes 121 on two side walls spaced apart along the conveying direction of the battery cell 4, and the conveying mechanism 2 can convey the battery cell 4 into the first electroplating tank 12 through the first overflow holes 121, and convey the battery cell 4 out of the first electroplating tank 12 after the electroplating is completed. Similarly, the second electroplating tank 14 is provided with second overflow holes 141 on two side walls spaced apart along the conveying direction of the battery cell 4, and the conveying mechanism 2 can convey the battery cell 4 into the second electroplating tank 14 through the second overflow holes 141, and convey the battery cell 4 out of the second electroplating tank 14 after the electroplating is completed.

[0065] In some embodiments, Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, the roller conveying mechanism includes a conveying roller 21, which is arranged in sequence and at intervals. The rotation axes of the plurality of conveying rollers 21 are perpendicular to the conveying direction of the battery cell 4, and the rotation axes of the plurality of conveying rollers 21 are arranged horizontally; a pressure roller 22 is arranged above some of the conveying rollers 21 to cooperate with them, and the pressure roller 22 is used to mortgage the battery cell 4 on the conveying roller 21, so that sufficient friction can be provided during the rotation of the conveying roller 21 to drive the battery cell 4 to move. The conveying rollers 21 are arranged in sequence and at intervals, so that the electroplating solution can contact the battery cell 4 through the intervals of the conveying rollers 21, and the anode member 3 is directly opposite to the battery cell 4 through the intervals of the conveying rollers 21, so as to form an electric field between the anode member 3 and the battery cell 4. The pressure roller 22 can mortgage the battery cell 4 on the conveying roller 21, so that sufficient friction can be provided during the rotation of the conveying roller 21 to drive the battery cell 4 to move; in addition, the risk of the battery cell 4 slipping or floating in the electroplating solution due to buoyancy can be reduced.

[0066] In some embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the conveying roller 21 includes a roller shaft 211 and a roller sleeve 212 fixedly sleeved outside the roller shaft 211, and a spiral structure 213 is provided on the roller sleeve 212. The spiral structure 213 on the roller sleeve 212 can increase the friction force of the conveying roller 21 driving the battery cell 4; in addition, the electroplating liquid can contact the battery cell 4 through the gap on the spiral structure 213, which can improve the electroplating effect.

[0067] In some embodiments, Figure 1-Figure 3As shown, a first liquid isolating tank 11 is further provided upstream of the first electroplating tank 12, and a first overflow hole 121 is provided on the side wall of the first electroplating tank 12 close to the first liquid isolating tank 11, and the first electroplating tank 12 is connected to the first liquid isolating tank 11 through the first overflow hole 121. By providing the first overflow hole 121 on the side wall of the first electroplating tank 12 close to the first liquid isolating tank 11, the battery cell 4 can be horizontally transported into the first electroplating tank 12. A third liquid isolating tank 15 is further provided downstream of the second electroplating tank 14, and a second overflow hole 141 is provided on the side wall of the second electroplating tank 14 close to the third liquid isolating tank 15, and the second electroplating tank 14 is connected to the third liquid isolating tank 15 through the second overflow hole 141. By providing the second overflow hole 141 on the side wall of the second electroplating tank 14 close to the third liquid isolating tank 15, the battery cell 4 can be horizontally transported out of the second electroplating tank 14.

[0068] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the electroplating equipment further includes at least one of a first liquid reflux device, a second liquid reflux device, a third liquid reflux device and a fourth liquid reflux device. The first liquid reflux device is connected to the first electroplating tank 12 and the first liquid isolating tank 11, respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid of the first liquid isolating tank 11 into the first electroplating tank 12. The second liquid reflux device is connected to the first electroplating tank 12 and the second liquid isolating tank 13, respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid of the second liquid isolating tank 13 into the first electroplating tank 12. The third liquid reflux device is connected to the second electroplating tank 14 and the second liquid isolating tank 13, respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid of the second liquid isolating tank 13 into the second electroplating tank 14. The fourth liquid reflux device is connected to the second electroplating tank 14 and the third liquid isolating tank 15, respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid of the third liquid isolating tank 15 into the second electroplating tank 14. The first liquid reflux device, the second liquid reflux device, the third liquid reflux device and the fourth liquid reflux device all include a liquid pump 61 and a liquid delivery pipeline 62.

[0069] In other embodiments, when the cell 4 is located in the first electroplating tank 12, the first side of the cell 4 does not contact the electroplating solution, that is, the height of the electroplating solution level in the first electroplating tank 12 is lower than the height of the first side of the cell 4. The cell 4 is supported and conveyed by the conveying roller 21 in the first electroplating tank 12, and the conveying roller 21 is partially immersed in the electroplating solution. The conveying roller 21 can transfer the electroplating solution wetted on itself to the cell 4 by its own rotation, that is, wet the first side of the cell 4 by carrying the liquid, so that the plated area on the first side of the cell 4 can be electroplated. The first side of the cell 4 does not contact the electroplating solution, so that the cell 4 can be quickly transported by the conveying roller 21 in the first electroplating tank 12, and the conveying roller 21 can transfer the electroplating solution wetted on itself to the cell 4 by its own rotation, and then pre-electroplating the plated area on the first side of the cell 4 to form a thinner metal grid line substrate. In addition, it can also reduce the risk of the electroplating solution overflowing the second side of the cell 4 due to vibration or unstable liquid level.

[0070] Example 2

[0071] like Figure 7-9 As shown, different from Example 1, the first liquid isolating tank 11, the first electroplating tank 12, the second liquid isolating tank 13, the second electroplating tank 14 and the third liquid isolating tank 15 constitute an upper tank body, and a lower tank body 16 connecting the first liquid isolating tank 11, the second liquid isolating tank 13 and the third liquid isolating tank 15 is arranged below the upper tank body. The electroplating liquid can be collected from the first liquid isolating tank 11, the second liquid isolating tank 13 and the third liquid isolating tank 15 to the lower tank body 16. The lower tank body 16 has a large volume and can store a large amount of electroplating liquid. The first liquid isolating tank 11, the second liquid isolating tank 13 and the third liquid isolating tank 15 are intermediate tank bodies connected to the lower tank body 1, and can be designed to have a smaller volume, so that the length of the first liquid isolating tank 11, the second liquid isolating tank 13 and the third liquid isolating tank 15 in the direction of conveying the battery cell 4 can be smaller, thereby reducing the length dimension of the electroplating equipment in the direction of conveying the battery cell 4.

[0072] Specifically, the first liquid isolating tank 11 is connected to the lower tank body 16 through the first liquid through hole 111, the second liquid isolating tank 13 is connected to the lower tank body 16 through the second liquid through hole 131, and the third liquid isolating tank 15 is connected to the lower tank body 16 through the third liquid through hole 151. The lower tank body 16 is provided with a liquid outlet hole 161, through which the plating liquid can flow back to the first plating tank 12 and / or the second plating tank 14.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first electroplating tank 12 is provided with an auxiliary anode member 31 that can face the second surface of the battery cell 4 in the electroplating state; in the electroplating working state, when the battery cell 4 is located in the first electroplating tank 12, the auxiliary anode member 31 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power source 5, and the second surface of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power source 5. The current density acting on the auxiliary anode member 31 is much smaller than the current density acting on the anode member 3, so that a small current electroplating loop is formed between the positive electrode of the power source 5, the auxiliary anode member 31, the second surface of the battery cell 4 and the negative electrode of the power source 5, thereby inhibiting the corrosion of the second surface of the battery cell 4 by the electroplating solution. For example, the current acting on the auxiliary anode member 31 is far less than 0.1-2ASD, and the current acting on the anode member 3 is 15-50ASD.

[0074] The other structures of the electroplating equipment in this embodiment can refer to the scheme in Example 1 or be appropriately improved on the basis of the scheme in Example 1, and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0075] Example 3

[0076] In this embodiment, the battery cell 4 is kept in a vertical state during electroplating, so part of the structure of the electroplating equipment in this embodiment is different from that of the electroplating equipment in Example 1.

[0077] like Figure 10-11 As shown, an electroplating device includes a first electroplating tank 12, a second electroplating tank 14 and a conveying mechanism 2. The first electroplating tank 12 is provided with an anode component 3 that can face the first side of the battery cell 4 in the electroplating state. The second electroplating tank 14 is provided with an anode component 3 that can face the first side of the battery cell 4 in the electroplating state and an anode component 3 that faces the second side of the battery cell 4. The conveying mechanism 2 can transfer the battery cell 4 from the first electroplating tank 12 to the second electroplating tank 14.

[0078] In the electroplating working state, when the battery cell 4 is located in the first electroplating tank 12, the anode component 3 in the first electroplating tank 12 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 5, and the first side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5; when the battery cell 4 is located in the second electroplating tank 14, the anode component 3 in the second electroplating tank 14 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 5, the first side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5, and the second side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 5; wherein, the plated area on the first side of the battery cell 4 is larger than the plated area on the second side of the battery cell 4.

[0079] In some embodiments, the conveying mechanism 2 is a linear module or a chain conveying mechanism or a manipulator. When the conveying mechanism 2 is a linear module, a lifting drive mechanism 8 is fixedly provided on the driving end of the linear module, and a clamp 7 is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism 8. When the conveying mechanism 2 is a chain conveying mechanism, a lifting drive mechanism 8 is fixedly provided on the conveying chain of the chain conveying mechanism, and a clamp 7 is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism 8. When the conveying mechanism 2 is a manipulator, a lifting drive mechanism 8 is fixedly provided on the driving end of the manipulator, and a clamp 7 is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism 8. Among them, the clamp 7 is used to clamp and fix the battery cell 4 and expose the plated area on the battery cell 4. For example, the clamp 7 clamps the edge area of ​​the battery cell 4 and exposes the middle area of ​​the battery cell 4. The plated area of ​​the battery cell 4 is located in the middle area of ​​the battery cell 4.

[0080] Specifically, the conveying mechanism 2 conveys the fixture 7 carrying the cell 4 to the top of the first electroplating tank 12, and the lifting and driving mechanism 8 drives the fixture 7 carrying the cell 4 to descend into the first electroplating tank 12, and the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 is pre-plated in the first electroplating tank 12 to form a metal grid line substrate. After the electroplating of the metal grid line substrate is completed, the lifting and driving mechanism 8 drives the fixture 7 carrying the cell 4 to rise to the top of the first electroplating tank 12, and the conveying mechanism 2 conveys the fixture 7 carrying the cell 4 to the top of the second electroplating tank 14, and the lifting and driving mechanism 8 drives the fixture 7 carrying the cell 4 to descend into the second electroplating tank 14, and the plated areas on the first surface and the second surface of the cell 4 are electroplated simultaneously in the second electroplating tank 14 to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell 4. After completing the metal grid line electroplating on both sides of the battery cell 4, the lifting drive mechanism 8 drives the clamp 7 carrying the battery cell 4 to rise to just above the second electroplating tank 14, and the conveying mechanism 2 conveys the clamp 7 carrying the battery cell 4 to the unloading position, and unloads the clamp 7 carrying the battery cell 4 or the battery cell 4 at the unloading position.

[0081] In this embodiment, the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 is pre-plated in the first plating tank 12 to form a metal grid line substrate, and then the plated areas on both sides of the cell 4 are simultaneously plated in the second plating tank 14 to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell 4. During double-sided plating, the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 has formed a metal grid line substrate, and continuing to electroplating on the metal grid line substrate can improve the adhesion effect of metal ions, reduce the probability that the electric field lines acting on the first surface of the cell 4 will be wrapped around the second surface of the cell 4, and reduce the risk of broken grids or missing grid lines in the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4.

[0082] In some embodiments, Fig.12 As shown, the first electroplating tank 12 is provided with an auxiliary anode member 31 that can face the second side of the battery cell 4 in the electroplating state; in the electroplating working state, when the battery cell 4 is located in the first electroplating tank 12, the auxiliary anode member 31 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power source 5, and the second side of the battery cell 4 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the power source 5. The current density acting on the auxiliary anode member 31 is much smaller than the current density acting on the anode member 3, so that a small current electroplating loop is formed between the positive electrode of the power source 5, the auxiliary anode member 31, the second side of the battery cell 4 and the negative electrode of the power source 5, thereby inhibiting the corrosion of the second side of the battery cell 4 by the electroplating solution. This process can be called micro electroplating. For example, the current acting on the auxiliary anode member 31 is far less than 0.1-2ASD, and the current acting on the anode member 3 is 15-50ASD.

[0083] Specifically, in the first electroplating tank 12, there are two groups of anode components 3, which are respectively electroplated on the first sides of two or two groups of battery cells 4, and there are two groups of auxiliary anode components 31, which are respectively micro-electroplated on the second sides of two or two groups of battery cells 4. In the second electroplating tank 14, there are two groups of anode components 3, which are respectively electroplated on the first sides of two or two groups of battery cells 4, and there are two groups of auxiliary anode components 31, which are respectively electroplated on the second sides of two or two groups of battery cells 4.

[0084] Other structures of the electroplating equipment in this embodiment, such as the electroplating circuit structure and the liquid replenishing device, can refer to the scheme in Example 1 or be appropriately improved on the basis of the scheme in Example 1, and will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0085] Example 4

[0086] An electroplating method includes the following steps: firstly electroplating the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 to form a metal grid line substrate; then electroplating the plated areas on the first surface and the second surface of the cell 4 at the same time to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell 4; wherein the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 is larger than the plated area on the second surface of the cell 4. During double-sided electroplating, the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 has formed a metal grid line substrate, and continuing to electroplating on the metal grid line substrate can improve the adhesion effect of metal ions, reduce the probability of the electric field lines acting on the first surface of the cell 4 being wound around the second surface of the cell 4, and reduce the risk of broken grids or missing grid lines in the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4.

[0087] In some embodiments, when the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 is pre-plated, the plating solution is immersed in only the first surface of the cell 4, and the second surface of the cell 4 does not contact the plating solution, so that the electric field lines acting on the first surface of the cell 4 cannot go around to the second surface of the cell 4, avoiding the occurrence of plating around, and a uniform metal grid line substrate can be formed by plating the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4. When the plated areas on the first and second surfaces of the cell 4 are electroplated at the same time, the plating solution is immersed in the first and second surfaces of the cell 4, so that both sides of the cell 4 can be electroplated at the same time.

[0088] Specifically, in the first electroplating tank 12, the plated area on the first side of the cell 4 is pre-plated to form a metal grid line substrate; in the second electroplating tank 14, the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the cell 4 are simultaneously plated to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell 4. After the cell 4 is horizontally transported to the first electroplating tank 12 to complete the electroplating of the metal grid line substrate, it is then horizontally transported to the first electroplating tank 12 to complete the electroplating of the metal grid line, and the liquid level of the electroplating solution in the second electroplating tank 14 is higher than the liquid level of the electroplating solution in the first electroplating tank 12.

[0089] In other embodiments, when the cell 4 is located in the first electroplating tank 12, the first side of the cell 4 does not contact the electroplating solution, that is, the height of the electroplating solution level in the first electroplating tank 12 is lower than the height of the first side of the cell 4. The cell 4 is supported and conveyed by the conveying roller 21 in the first electroplating tank 12, and the conveying roller 21 is partially immersed in the electroplating solution. The conveying roller 21 can transfer the electroplating solution wetted on itself to the cell 4 by its own rotation, that is, wet the first side of the cell 4 by carrying the liquid, so that the plated area on the first side of the cell 4 can be electroplated. The first side of the cell 4 does not contact the electroplating solution, so that the cell 4 can be quickly transported by the conveying roller 21 in the first electroplating tank 12, and the conveying roller 21 can transfer the electroplating solution wetted on itself to the cell 4 by its own rotation, and then pre-electroplating the plated area on the first side of the cell 4 to form a thinner metal grid line substrate. In addition, it can also reduce the risk of the electroplating solution overflowing the second side of the cell 4 due to vibration or unstable liquid level.

[0090] In some embodiments, when the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 is pre-plated, the current density acting on the plated area on the first surface is J1; when the plated areas on the first surface and the second surface of the cell 4 are simultaneously plated, the current density acting on the plated area on the first surface is J2; so that J1 is greater than J2. That is, when the plated area on the first surface of the cell 4 is pre-plated, the occurrence of bypass plating is alleviated, and a larger current density J1 can be used for electroplating to improve the electroplating efficiency; when the plated areas on the first surface and the second surface of the cell 4 are simultaneously plated, a smaller current density J2 is used for electroplating, so that the interference between the electric field acting on the first surface of the cell 4 and the electric field acting on the second surface of the cell 4 is reduced, thereby reducing the probability of bypass plating and improving the electroplating effect.

[0091] The electroplating method in this embodiment can be applied to the electroplating equipment in embodiments 1-3.

[0092] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable people familiar with this technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it. They cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electroplating device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a first electroplating tank, a second electroplating tank and a conveying mechanism, wherein the first electroplating tank is provided with an anode component which can face the first side of the battery cell in the electroplating state, the second electroplating tank is provided with an anode component which can face the first side of the battery cell in the electroplating state and an anode component which faces the second side of the battery cell, and the conveying mechanism can transfer the battery cell from the first electroplating tank to the second electroplating tank; In the electroplating working state, when the battery cell is located in the first electroplating tank, the anode component located in the first electroplating tank is electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the first side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply; when the battery cell is located in the second electroplating tank, the anode component located in the second electroplating tank is electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply, the first side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply, and the second side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply; wherein, the plated area on the first side of the battery cell is larger than the plated area on the second side of the battery cell.

2. The electroplating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electroplating equipment further comprises a second liquid isolating tank disposed between the first electroplating tank and the second electroplating tank, a first overflow hole is provided on a side wall of the first electroplating tank close to the second liquid isolating tank, the first electroplating tank is connected to the second liquid isolating tank through the first overflow hole, a second overflow hole is provided on a side wall of the second electroplating tank close to the second liquid isolating tank, the second electroplating tank is connected to the second liquid isolating tank through the second overflow hole; The conveying mechanism is a roller conveying mechanism, which can make the battery sheet pass through the first overflow hole and the second overflow hole in sequence, so as to horizontally convey the battery sheet from the first electroplating tank to the second electroplating tank; In the first electroplating tank, the anode member is horizontally arranged below the conveying path of the battery cell, and in the second electroplating tank, the anode member is horizontally arranged below and above the conveying path of the battery cell.

3. The electroplating equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The roller conveying mechanism includes a plurality of conveying rollers, which are arranged in sequence at intervals, and the rotation axes of the plurality of conveying rollers are perpendicular to the conveying direction of the battery cells, and the rotation axes of the plurality of conveying rollers are arranged horizontally; a pressure roller is arranged above some of the conveying rollers to cooperate with them, and the pressure roller is used to mortgage the battery cells on the conveying rollers, so that sufficient friction can be provided to drive the battery cells to move during the rotation of the conveying rollers.

4. The electroplating equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The conveying roller comprises a roller shaft and a roller sleeve fixedly sleeved outside the roller shaft, and a spiral structure is arranged on the roller sleeve.

5. The electroplating equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first liquid isolating tank is further arranged upstream of the first electroplating tank, a first overflow hole is opened on the side wall of the first electroplating tank close to the first liquid isolating tank, and the first electroplating tank is connected to the first liquid isolating tank through the first overflow hole; A third liquid isolating tank is further arranged downstream of the second electroplating tank. A second overflow hole is opened on the side wall of the second electroplating tank close to the third liquid isolating tank. The second electroplating tank is connected to the third liquid isolating tank through the second overflow hole.

6. The electroplating equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electroplating apparatus further comprises at least one of a first liquid reflux device, a second liquid reflux device, a third liquid reflux device, and a fourth liquid reflux device; Wherein, the first liquid reflux device is connected to the first electroplating tank and the first liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the first liquid isolating tank into the first electroplating tank; The second liquid reflux device is connected to the first electroplating tank and the second liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the second liquid isolating tank into the first electroplating tank; The third liquid reflux device is connected to the second electroplating tank and the second liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the second liquid isolating tank into the second electroplating tank; The fourth liquid reflux device is connected to the second electroplating tank and the third liquid isolating tank respectively, so as to pump the electroplating liquid in the third liquid isolating tank into the second electroplating tank; The first liquid reflux device, the second liquid reflux device, the third liquid reflux device and the fourth liquid reflux device all include a liquid pump and a liquid infusion pipeline.

7. The electroplating equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first liquid isolating tank, the first electroplating tank, the second liquid isolating tank, the second electroplating tank and the third liquid isolating tank constitute an upper tank body, and a lower tank body connecting the first liquid isolating tank, the second liquid isolating tank and the third liquid isolating tank is arranged below the upper tank body.

8. The electroplating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electroplating tank is provided with an auxiliary anode component which can face the second side of the battery cell in the electroplating state; in the electroplating working state, when the battery cell is located in the first electroplating tank, the auxiliary anode component is electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the second side of the battery cell is electrically connected to the negative pole of the power supply.

9. The electroplating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying mechanism is a linear module or a chain conveying mechanism or a robot; When the conveying mechanism is a linear module, a lifting drive mechanism is fixedly provided on the driving end of the linear module, and a clamp is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism, and the clamp is used to clamp and fix the battery cell and expose the plated area on the battery cell; When the conveying mechanism is a chain conveying mechanism, a lifting drive mechanism is fixedly provided on the conveying chain of the chain conveying mechanism, and a clamp is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism, and the clamp is used to clamp and fix the battery cell and expose the plated area on the battery cell; When the conveying mechanism is a robot, a lifting drive mechanism is fixedly provided on the driving end of the robot, and a clamp is fixedly provided on the driving end of the lifting drive mechanism, and the clamp is used to clamp and fix the battery cell and expose the plated area on the battery cell.

10. An electroplating method, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Pre-electroplating the plated area on the first surface of the cell to form a metal grid line substrate; Electroplating the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the cell simultaneously to form metal grid lines on both sides of the cell; The plated area on the first surface of the cell is larger than the plated area on the second surface of the cell.

11. The electroplating method according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the plated area on the first side of the battery cell is pre-plated, the plating solution is immersed in only the first side of the battery cell; When electroplating is performed simultaneously on the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the battery cell, the electroplating solution is made to immerse the first side and the second side of the battery cell.

12. The electroplating method according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the plated area on the first side of the battery cell is pre-plated, the plating solution is not immersed in the first side of the battery cell, and the first side of the battery cell is wetted by the transfer roller; When electroplating is performed simultaneously on the plated areas on the first side and the second side of the battery cell, the electroplating solution is made to immerse the first side and the second side of the battery cell.

13. The electroplating method according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the plated area on the first side of the battery cell is pre-plated, the current density acting on the plated area on the first side is J1; when the plated areas on the first and second sides of the battery cell are simultaneously electroplated, the current density acting on the plated area on the first side is J2; so that J1 is greater than J2.

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