Gripper for gripping bus bar of battery pack of vehicle, gripping system and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to a gripper for gripping a vehicle battery pack busbar, a gripping system and an associated method. The clamp holder comprises a base and a clamping device, wherein the base is provided with a gas path channel; the deformation part is made of a flexible material and comprises a suction cup, the suction cup is provided with an air hole and a clamping face suitable for clamping a busbar, the side wall is arranged to surround the suction cup and is connected with the base and the suction cup, and a retractable cavity is defined by the side wall, the base and the suction cup together; and the cavity is communicated with the air channel and is communicated with the clamping surface through the air hole. The gripper according to the present invention has a number of advantages, in particular, the gripper comprises a deformation portion made of a flexible material, which can be adaptively deformed according to the shape of the surface of the busbar to fit the surface of the busbar so as to grip each region of the busbar. In addition, the clamp holder is simple in structure, low in cost and convenient to popularize and apply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of clamping tools, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a clamp for clamping a vehicle battery pack bus bar, a clamping system including the clamp, and a method for moving a vehicle battery pack bus bar by using the clamping system. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle power battery pack, multiple battery cells need to be connected through a bus (also called a copper bus or busbar). The bus plays the role of transmitting current and connecting electrical equipment in the circuit.

[0003] Busbars come in many shapes and are currently mainly fixed manually. However, manual fixing can cause electrical hazards and is inefficient, which is not in line with the automation trend of factories. Traditional clamps can only be used for parts of one shape and cannot fix busbars of different shapes, thus limiting the structure of the busbar. Configuring different clamps for busbars of different shapes will increase the cost and complexity of the entire production system. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a clamp for clamping a busbar of a vehicle battery pack to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art. That is, the clamp according to the present invention can be applied to the movement and installation of busbars of various shapes.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides a clamp for clamping a vehicle battery pack bus, the clamp comprising: a base, the base being provided with an air path channel; and a deformation portion, the deformation portion being made of a flexible material and comprising a suction cup, the suction cup being provided with an air hole and a clamping surface suitable for clamping the bus, and a side wall, the side wall being arranged to surround the suction cup and connect the base and the suction cup, and the side wall, the base and the suction cup jointly define a shrinkable cavity, the cavity being connected to the air path channel and being connected via the air hole and the clamping surface.

[0006] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the side wall is configured to surround and sleeve onto the base.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the deformation portion further includes a connection portion, and the connection portion is connected to the side wall opposite to the suction cup and adheres to the base.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the suction cup is configured to be circular or elongated.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the air holes are configured to be circular or elongated.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the flexible material is rubber.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the deformation portion is connected to the base by gluing.

[0012] The second aspect of the present invention provides a clamping system for clamping a vehicle battery pack bus, comprising: a clamping subsystem, including a plurality of clamps according to the first aspect of the present invention; a pipe subsystem, including a main pipe and a plurality of branch pipes arranged in parallel, one end of each of the plurality of branch pipes being connected to the air path channel of the corresponding clamper, and the other end being connected to the main pipe; and a power subsystem, connected to the main pipe and configured to provide negative pressure airflow.

[0013] The third aspect of the present invention provides a method for moving a vehicle battery pack bus by means of the clamping system according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein at least two clamps of the multiple clamps of the clamping subsystem are respectively positioned at corresponding positions of the bus; the power subsystem is started to provide a negative pressure airflow; the clamping surface of the suction cup of each of the at least two clamps clamps the bus at the corresponding position with the aid of the negative pressure airflow; and the at least two clamps are moved to position the bus to a desired position.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the corresponding positions of the busbar respectively clamped by the at least two clamps are located on different planes that are parallel to or angled with each other.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the clamp according to the present invention has several advantages, in particular: the clamp according to the present invention includes a deformable portion made of a flexible material, which can be adaptively deformed according to the shape of the bus surface to fit the bus surface, thereby grasping various areas of the bus. In addition, the clamp has a simple structure, low cost, and is easy to promote and apply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following preferred embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components.

[0017] Figure 1 is a stereoscopic diagram of an embodiment of the clamp of the present invention cooperating with a busbar;

[0018] Figure 2 is a stereoscopic diagram of various busbars to which the clamp of the present invention is applicable;

[0019] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a clamping system including the clamp of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to implement and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0021] In this specification, when describing the structural position of each component, directional expressions such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", etc. are not absolute, but relative. When the components are arranged as shown in the figure, these directional expressions are appropriate, but when the position of the components in the figure changes, these directional expressions should also change accordingly. Directional expressions such as "front", "left", "right" are relative to the direction of the bus.

[0022] In this specification, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "fixed", "connected" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this specification can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the clamp 100 for clamping the bus 50 of the vehicle battery pack of the present invention includes a base 20 and a deformation portion 30 connected to the bottom of the base 20. An air path channel 21 is provided in the base 20. The deformation portion 30 includes a suction cup 31 and a side wall 32. The suction cup 31 is provided with a first air hole 311 and a clamping surface 312 suitable for clamping the bus 50. The side wall 32 is arranged to surround the suction cup 31 and connect the base 20 and the suction cup 31, and the side wall 32, the base 20 and the suction cup 31 jointly define a retractable cavity 33, and the cavity 33 is connected to the air path channel 21 and is connected via the air hole 311 and the clamping surface 312. The deformation portion 30 is made of a flexible material, and preferably, the deformation portion 30 is made of rubber.

[0024] The busbar 50 may extend in a long and thin shape along the length direction, and may be bent upward or downward to form a step-like shape, or may be twisted in the width direction and then bent upward or downward to extend, and the bending or twisting angle may be between 0 and 180 degrees. Multiple busbars 50 may be arranged in a concentrated or dispersed manner in the battery pack according to actual needs. For example, multiple busbars 50 may be arranged adjacent to each other along the width direction, or may be stacked along the thickness or width direction.

[0025] Figure 250a to 50g in the figure show several typical busbar shapes applicable to the above-mentioned clamp 100. For example, the busbar 50a includes a first section 501 extending in the same plane and a second section 502 extending upwardly obliquely from the left end of the first section 501. For another example, the busbar 50b and the busbar 50f have the same shape and are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction, wherein the busbar 50b includes a third section 503 and a fourth section 504 which are approximately parallel, and a fifth section 505 and a sixth section 506 which connect the third section 503 and the fourth section 504. Among them, the fourth section 504 is higher than the third section, and the fifth section 505 extends downwardly obliquely from the left end of the third section 503. The sixth section 506 is in a shape of approximately right-angle bending, and the upper end of the sixth section 506 is connected to the right end of the fourth section 504, and the right end of the sixth section 506 is connected to the left end of the fifth section 505. For another example, the busbar 50c includes a seventh section 507 extending in the length direction, and an eighth section 508 and a ninth section 509 twisted forward and extending from both ends of the seventh section. For another example, the main bodies 510 of the busbars 50d and 50g are stacked in the thickness direction, and the end portions 511 are twisted from the respective main bodies 510 and stacked in the width direction.

[0026] The suction cup 31 and the side wall 32 can be adaptively deformed according to the shape of the surface of the bus 50 so that the clamping surface 312 of the suction cup 31 fits the surface of the bus 50, thereby grasping various areas of the bus 50. Due to the flexible structure of the deformation part 30 similar to the tentacles of an octopus, it can adapt to various surface shapes of the bus by changing its shape. The suction cup 31 is, for example, set to a circular or elongated shape, such as a rectangular, elliptical, long strip or irregular shape, etc. Preferably, the first air hole 311 is located in the middle of the suction cup 31. The first air hole 311 can be set to a circular or elongated shape, such as a rectangular, elliptical, long strip or irregular shape, etc. Since the bus 50 is mostly long strip, it is preferred that the suction cup 31 and the first air hole 311 can be set to an adaptive elliptical or long strip, wherein the direction with a larger size corresponds to the length direction of the bus 50, which can improve the fit between the clamping surface 312 of the suction cup 31 and the bus 50. Therefore, the clamp 100 of the present invention reduces the restrictions on the shape of the busbar and simplifies the complexity of the clamping device, thereby effectively reducing production costs.

[0027] According to the illustrated embodiment, the deformation portion 30 further includes a connection portion 34, which is, for example, configured to be a circular or elongated shape substantially similar to the suction cup 31, such as a rectangular, oval, elongated strip or irregular shape. The connection portion 34 is connected to the side wall 32 opposite to the suction cup 31 and is attached to the base 20. More specifically, the edge of the connection portion 34 is connected to the upper edge of the side wall 32, and the upper surface of the connection portion 34 is attached to the lower surface of the base 20, for example, by adhesive connection. The connection portion 34 is provided with a second air hole 341 communicating with the air passage 21, so that the cavity 33 is connected to the air passage 21 through the second air hole 341.

[0028] According to another embodiment not shown, the side wall 32 may be arranged to surround and sleeve the outer surface of the base 20. More specifically, the upper edge of the side wall 32 is connected to the outer surface 22 of the base 20, and the side wall 32 and the base 20 are connected, for example, by gluing. According to other embodiments, the deformation portion 30 and the base 20 may also be sealed and connected in other ways, which is not limited by the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the present invention also relates to a clamping system 200 for clamping a busbar 50 of a vehicle battery pack, comprising a clamping subsystem 210, a pipe subsystem 220 and a power subsystem 230. The clamping subsystem 210 comprises a plurality of the above-mentioned clamps 100 suitable for clamping the busbar 50, and the plurality of clamps 100 are arranged at intervals in a substantially horizontal direction in an initial state. The pipe subsystem 220 comprises a main pipe 221 and a plurality of branch pipes 222 arranged in parallel, one end of each of the branch pipes 222 is connected to the air passage 21 of the corresponding clamp 100, and the other end is connected to the main pipe 221. The power subsystem 230 is connected to the main pipe 221 and is configured to provide a negative pressure airflow to extract air between the suction cup 31 and the surface of the busbar 50. The plurality of clamps 100 are in contact with the busbar 50, thereby increasing the contact area and improving the stability of the grip.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a method for moving a vehicle battery pack bus 50 by means of the above-mentioned clamping system 200, which mainly includes the following steps: positioning at least two of the multiple clamps 100 of the clamping subsystem 210 to the corresponding positions of the bus 50; starting the power subsystem 230 to provide a negative pressure airflow; the clamping surface 312 of the suction cup 31 of each of the at least two clamps 100 clamps the bus 50 at the corresponding position with the help of the negative pressure airflow; and moving at least two clamps 100 to position the bus 50 to the desired position. The corresponding positions of the bus 50 respectively clamped by at least two clamps 100 can be located on different planes that are parallel or angled to each other. For example, in the working state, a plurality of holders 100 move to corresponding positions in the horizontal direction according to the shape of the bus 50 and rise and fall to different heights in the vertical direction to grasp parts of the bus 50 in different planes, such as Figure 2 The busbar 50a in the middle can move and lift the two grippers 100 to the center position of the first section 501 and the second section 502 respectively to grasp the two sections respectively. According to a variant embodiment, the multiple grippers 100 can also be adaptively rotated to grasp the inclined plane, for example Figure 2 The busbar 50a in the embodiment can be rotated to the same angle as the second section 502 by the clamper 100 corresponding to the second section 502, and then the second section 502 can be grasped. It can be understood that the surface of the busbar 50 can be a smooth surface or a rough surface or be provided with a concave-convex shape.

[0031] The support system of the present invention can meet the installation requirements of the battery pack and the high JPH (Jobs Per Hour) standards of the factory, protect operators from electric shock caused by contact with high-voltage components, improve the safety and work efficiency of operations, and realize the full automation mode of the battery pack assembly line.

[0032] The technical content and technical features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that under the creative ideas of the present invention, technicians in this field can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concepts, but all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] The description of the above embodiments is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A clamp (100) for clamping a busbar (50) of a vehicle battery pack, characterized in that: The holder (100) comprises: A base (20), wherein the base (20) is provided with an air passage (21); and The deformation part (30) is made of a flexible material and includes a suction cup (31), the suction cup (31) being provided with an air hole (311) and a clamping surface (312) suitable for clamping the busbar (50), and A side wall (32), wherein the side wall (32) is arranged to surround the suction cup (31) and connect the base (20) and the suction cup (31), and the side wall (32), the base (20) and the suction cup (31) jointly define a retractable cavity (33), and the cavity (33) is connected to the air path channel (21) and is connected to the clamping surface (312) via the air hole (311).

2. The holder (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall (32) is configured to surround and sleeve the base (20).

3. The holder (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deformation portion (30) further comprises a connection portion (34), wherein the connection portion (34) is connected to the side wall (32) opposite to the suction cup (31) and is attached to the base (20).

4. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The suction cup (31) is configured to be circular or elongated.

5. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The air hole (311) is configured to be circular or elongated.

6. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The flexible material is rubber.

7. The holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The deformation portion (30) is connected to the base (20) by gluing.

8. A clamping system (200) for clamping a busbar (50) of a vehicle battery pack, characterized in that: include: A clamping subsystem (210), comprising a plurality of clamps (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A pipeline subsystem (220), comprising a main pipeline (221) and a plurality of branch pipelines (222) arranged in parallel, wherein one end of each of the plurality of branch pipelines (222) is connected to the gas path (21) of the corresponding holder (100), and the other end is connected to the main pipeline (221); as well as The power subsystem (230) is in communication with the main pipeline (221) and is configured to provide negative pressure airflow.

9. A method for moving a vehicle battery pack busbar (50) by means of a clamping system (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that: include: Positioning at least two of the plurality of clamps (100) of the clamping subsystem (210) at corresponding positions of the busbar (50); Activating the power subsystem (230) to provide negative pressure airflow; The clamping surface (312) of the suction cup (31) of each of the at least two clampers (100) clamps the busbar (50) at the corresponding position by means of the negative pressure airflow; as well as The at least two clamps (100) are moved to position the busbar (50) to a desired position.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The corresponding positions of the busbar (50) respectively clamped by the at least two clamps (100) are located on different planes that are parallel to or angled with each other.

Images