Positioning device and method for in-shell contour detection and pre-welding mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of new energy batteries, and discloses an in-shell contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device and method.The in-shell contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device comprises a fixing frame, a set of battery positioning plates are fixedly arranged on the fixing frame, the middles of the battery positioning plates are provided with openings, and a plurality of positioning claws are arranged on the edges of the openings; the positioning hook claw is used for providing pressure to flatten a tilted top cover during press fitting of the battery; the battery positioning plate is mounted on the fixing frame, the battery positioning plate can be tightly pressed at a gap between a battery top cover and an aluminum shell through the positioning hook claws, and the tilted top cover is pressed back to the aluminum shell, so that the height of a welding step and a welding gap are ensured to be within a process specification; and the phenomena of poor contour detection caused by tilting of the top cover and laser leakage during pre-welding and full welding are prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of new energy batteries, and in particular to a device and method for detecting a shell entry contour and positioning a pre-welding mechanism. Background Art

[0002] The manufacturing process of power batteries is very complicated and requires high precision of equipment. After the battery cell is put into the shell, it is moved from the shell entry station to the press-fit station through actions such as servo manipulators or cylinders. However, in order to ensure the sealing of the battery, the outer circumference of the top cover of the battery cell and the aluminum shell is slightly larger than the inner circumference of the aluminum shell when designing the size. Therefore, after the press-fit station, the middle of the top cover of the battery will be slightly bent upward and arched. In this state, the contour detection of the battery after entering the shell is prone to poor contour detection. At the same time, the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell caused by the press-fit tool is too large, which will cause laser leakage during battery pre-welding and damage the battery cell in the aluminum shell; the step height between the top cover and the aluminum shell is too high, which will cause cold welding and broken welding of the battery top cover, affecting the sealing of the battery. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device and method. The battery positioning plate can be pressed tightly in the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell through the positioning hook, pressing the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell, ensuring that the welding step height and the welding gap are within the process specifications.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, a shell profile detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device comprises a fixed frame, on which a group of battery positioning plates are fixedly arranged, the battery positioning plates have an opening in the middle, and a plurality of positioning claws are arranged at the edges of the opening, the positioning claws are used to provide pressure to flatten the top cover of the battery that is lifted up during press-fitting.

[0006] As a further implementation, a hollow area is provided in the middle of the fixed frame, and the battery positioning plate is detachably installed in the hollow area of ​​the fixed frame.

[0007] As a further implementation, a support plate is provided at the edge of the hollow area, and the fixed frame supports the battery positioning plate through the support plate and is fixedly connected to the battery positioning plate.

[0008] As a further implementation, the hollow area is rectangular, and the support plate includes a first support plate arranged on a short side of the hollow area and a second support plate arranged on a long side of the hollow area.

[0009] As a further implementation, fixing holes are correspondingly provided on the edges of the first support plate, the second support plate and the battery positioning plate, and the support plate and the battery positioning plate are detachably connected through fixing members.

[0010] As a further implementation, the size of the opening area of ​​the battery positioning plate is determined according to the battery model.

[0011] As a further implementation, the opening shape of the battery positioning plate is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the battery; the gap between the hooks on the battery positioning plate is determined according to the length and position of the laser track during pre-welding.

[0012] As a further implementation, the fixed frame cooperates with the servo axis through a slider and a guide rail to achieve back and forth movement between the contour detection station and the pre-welding station.

[0013] As a further implementation, the guide rail is connected to a lifting mechanism.

[0014] In a second aspect, a shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning method, using any of the shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning devices as described above, comprises the following steps:

[0015] The fixed frame carrying the battery positioning plate moves to the contour detection station via the guide rail; the fixed frame is lowered by the lifting mechanism to press the battery on the contour detection station, so that the hook claws on the battery positioning plate are pressed on the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell, pressing the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell; after the contour detection is completed, the fixed frame enters the pre-welding station, presses the battery entering the pre-welding station, and then pre-welds the battery.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] 1. A battery positioning plate is installed on the fixed frame of the present invention. The battery positioning plate can be pressed tightly at the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell through the positioning hooks, pressing the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell, ensuring that the welding step height and the welding gap are within the process specifications; ensuring that there will be no contour detection gap NG, battery laser leakage, or battery top cover cold welding or broken welding problems.

[0018] 2. The battery positioning plate of the present invention is detachably connected to the fixed frame, and a suitable battery positioning plate can be selected according to the battery model to ensure that the positioning claws are accurately pressed in the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell.

[0019] 3. The fixed frame of the present invention can drive the battery positioning plate to move back and forth between the contour detection station and the pre-welding station, and cooperate with the lifting mechanism to lift and lower, so as to realize the positioning and pressing of the battery at different stations, thereby preventing poor contour detection caused by the lifting of the top cover and laser leakage during pre-welding and full welding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a front structural diagram of the shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a back structural diagram of the shell profile detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is a front structural schematic diagram of a fixed frame in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the back structure of a fixed frame in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the front structure of a battery positioning plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the back structure of a battery positioning plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 It is a detailed diagram of the contact part between the hook of the positioning device and the battery in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the figure: the distances or sizes between parts are exaggerated to show the positions of various parts, and the schematic diagram is for reference only.

[0029] Among them: 1. fixed frame; 2. battery positioning plate; 3. positioning hook; 4. fixing hole; 5. battery, 6. contact part between the hook and the battery; 11. first support plate, 12. second support plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in the present invention have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 1-Figure 7As shown, a shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device comprises a fixed frame 1, a battery positioning plate 2, a positioning hook 3 and a fixing hole 4, the battery positioning plate is mounted on the fixed frame 1, the positioning hook 3 is arranged on the battery positioning plate 2, the fixed frame 1 drives the positioning hook 3 on the battery positioning plate 2 to press the battery, to ensure that before the contour detection of the battery cell, the horizontal heights of the top cover and the aluminum shell are consistent, and the gap between the top cover and the aluminum shell is also very small; thereafter, the contour detection and determination and pre-welding are performed while the battery is maintained in this state, to complete the shell entry pre-welding process.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the fixing frame 1 is rectangular, and a hollow area is provided in the middle of the fixing frame 1, and the battery positioning plate is detachably installed in the hollow area of ​​the fixing frame 1. The battery positioning plate 2 has an opening in the middle, and a plurality of positioning claws 3 are provided at the edge of the opening, and the positioning claws 3 are used to provide pressure to flatten the top cover of the battery that is raised during press installation.

[0034] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the hollow area of ​​the fixed frame 1 is rectangular, and its size is adapted to the battery positioning plate so that the battery positioning plate 2 can be clipped into the hollow area. Support plates are provided at the four edges of the hollow area. The fixed frame 1 supports the battery positioning plate 2 through the support plates and is fixedly connected to the battery positioning plate 2.

[0035] The support plate includes two sets of first support plates 11 and second support plates 12, wherein the first support plates 11 are arranged on the two short sides of the hollow area, and the second support plates 12 are arranged on the two long sides of the hollow area. Figure 3 shown.

[0036] The first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are respectively arranged at the middle position of the edge of the corresponding hollow area, and the bottom surfaces of the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are flush with the bottom surface of the fixed frame 1 and are in the same plane. The thickness of the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 is less than the thickness of the fixed frame 1, and the sum of the thickness of the support plate and the thickness of the battery positioning plate 2 is equal to the thickness of the fixed frame 1, so that after the battery positioning plate 2 is installed, the top surface of the battery positioning plate 2 is flush with the top surface of the fixed frame 1.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of fixing holes 4 are provided on the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12, wherein the first support plate 11 is provided with two fixing holes 4, and the second support plate 12 is provided with five fixing holes 4. Figure 5As shown, the same number of fixing holes 4 are arranged on the edges of the rectangular battery positioning plate 2. After the battery positioning plate is placed on the support plate, the battery positioning plate 2 is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 1 through the fixing holes and corresponding fixing parts. The fixing holes 4 are M6 screw holes.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, the middle position of the battery positioning plate 2 is open, and a plurality of positioning claws are arranged at the edge of the opening, wherein the size of the opening area of ​​the battery positioning plate 2 is determined according to the battery model, so that when facing different models of batteries, the positioning claws 3 can be accurately pressed on the battery by replacing the battery positioning plates with different opening areas. Therefore, the opening shape of the battery positioning plate is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the battery.

[0039] First, let's introduce the general automatic shell pre-welding machine after the battery 5 is shelled:

[0040] After the battery cell is put into the shell, it is moved from the shell insertion station to the pressing station through the actions of the servo manipulator or cylinder. The main function of the pressing station is to press the loose battery cell and the aluminum shell into a whole as much as possible, that is, to press the top cover of the battery cell into the aluminum shell, and try to ensure that the top cover and the aluminum shell are level; but in order to ensure the sealing of the battery, the top cover of the battery cell and the aluminum shell are designed in size, and the outer circumference of the top cover should be slightly larger than the inner circumference of the aluminum shell. Therefore, after the pressing station, the middle of the top cover of the battery will be slightly bent upwards and arched. If the battery is in this state If contour detection and pre-welding are directly performed in the state, contour detection NG or laser leakage problems will inevitably occur; the battery after pressing will enter the contour detection station again through the servo manipulator or cylinder and other actions. After entering the station, the long and short sides of the battery will be pressed, which is generally completed by the cylinder. Because the top cover is tilted, the horizontal height of the long side of the top cover and the edge of the aluminum shell is inconsistent. When the long side is pressed, the upper edge of the aluminum shell will be directly pressed on the black plastic part on the inside of the top cover instead of the edge of the top cover, resulting in contour detection gap NG. If the positioning hook is not used to position and press the battery, the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell is too large, which will cause laser leakage during battery pre-welding and damage the battery cell in the aluminum shell; the step height between the top cover and the aluminum shell is too high, which will cause the battery top cover to be fully welded and broken, affecting the sealing of the battery.

[0041] In this embodiment, a battery positioning plate 2 with positioning hooks is added to the contour detection station and the pre-welding station. After the battery positioning plate 2 is added, the battery positioning plate 2 is first moved to press the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell, and in this state, the long and short sides of the aluminum shell are pressed tightly, so that before the contour detection of the battery cell, the horizontal heights of the top cover and the aluminum shell are consistent, and the gap between the top cover and the aluminum shell is also very small; thereafter, the contour detection and determination and pre-welding are performed while the battery is maintained in this state to complete the shell pre-welding process.

[0042] Different positioning plates can be used according to different models of batteries 5. The positioning claws on the battery positioning plate are used to flatten the top cover that is tilted after entering the shell, so as to achieve the purpose of keeping the battery top cover and the aluminum shell level during contour detection and pre-welding. The horizontal heights of all positioning claws are consistent. When the battery enters the detection station, all positioning claws will fall between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell, and the tilted top cover will be flattened by pressure, thereby ensuring the reliability of contour detection and pre-welding.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, most of the positioning claws 3 are distributed on the left and right long sides of the rectangular hollow of the battery positioning plate 2, which are used to locate the long sides of the battery; a small number of claws are distributed on the upper and lower short sides of the rectangular hollow, which are used to locate the short sides of the battery. The positioning claws 3 and the battery positioning plate are milled out in one piece. Different battery positioning plates can be directly replaced according to different battery models. This embodiment can effectively prevent the poor contour detection caused by the top cover lifting after the battery is put into the shell and pressed, as well as the laser leakage phenomenon during pre-welding and full welding.

[0044] The size of the hollow area of ​​the fixed frame 1 of this embodiment changes with the size of the battery positioning plate. The fixed frame cooperates with the servo shaft through a slider and a guide rail to realize back and forth operation between the contour detection station and the pre-welding station. The guide rail is connected to the lifting mechanism. Specifically, a servo shaft is provided inside the guide rail, and the servo shaft is connected to the drive motor. A slider is provided on the servo shaft, and the bottom of the slider is fixedly connected to the fixed frame 1. The guide rail, the servo shaft, and the servo motor are an integral structure. The guide rail is also connected to the lifting mechanism. The lifting structure can be a cylinder or a telescopic rod or other structures. By driving the overall structure of the guide rail to rise and fall, the fixed frame drives the battery positioning plate to rise and fall.

[0045] The battery positioning plate 2 of this embodiment is fixed on the fixed frame 1 and is used to locate the position between the top cover and the aluminum shell of the battery. When the battery comes out of the pressing station and moves to the contour detection station, the fixed frame descends to allow the positioning claws 3 on the battery positioning plate 2 to press the gap between the top cover and the aluminum shell of the battery, pressing the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell to ensure that the welding step height and welding gap are within the process specifications. The position of the positioning claws 3 of the battery positioning plate 2 in contact with the battery is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the hook and battery contact part 6 are determined by the distance from the battery pole to the edge of the aluminum shell and the thickness of the aluminum shell, which is generally 1mm-3mm. The hooks positioned on the long side use long hooks near the middle of the battery top cover, and short hooks near the two ends of the battery top cover. The gap between the hooks is determined by the length and position of the laser track during pre-welding.

[0046] Embodiment 2

[0047] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 1-Figure 7As shown, a shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning method, using the shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device as described in Example 1, includes the following steps:

[0048] First, select a suitable fixing frame 1 and a battery positioning plate according to the battery model for assembly, and then install the fixing frame 1 on the slider;

[0049] The fixed frame carrying the battery positioning plate moves to the contour detection station through guide rails, sliders, and servo axes; the fixed frame descends through the lifting mechanism to press the battery on the contour detection station, so that the hook claws on the battery positioning plate are pressed on the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell, pressing the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell; then the contour detection is performed, and after the contour detection is completed, the fixed frame continues to enter the pre-welding station, presses the battery entering the pre-welding station, and then pre-welds the battery; after completion, the fixed frame moves back and forth between the contour detection station and the pre-welding station and continues to work.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shell profile detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device, characterized in that: The battery positioning plate comprises a fixed frame, on which a group of battery positioning plates are fixedly arranged. The battery positioning plates are opened in the middle and a plurality of positioning claws are arranged at the edges of the openings. The positioning claws are used to provide pressure to flatten the top cover of the battery that is raised during press-fitting.

2. The shell profile detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hollow area is provided in the middle of the fixing frame, and the battery positioning plate is detachably installed in the hollow area of ​​the fixing frame.

3. The shell profile detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A support plate is provided at the edge of the hollow area, and the fixed frame supports the battery positioning plate through the support plate and is fixedly connected to the battery positioning plate.

4. The shell profile detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hollow area is rectangular, and the support plate includes a first support plate arranged on the short side of the hollow area and a second support plate arranged on the long side of the hollow area.

5. The shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Fixing holes are correspondingly arranged on the edges of the first support plate, the second support plate and the battery positioning plate, and the support plate and the battery positioning plate are detachably connected through the fixing parts.

6. The shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The size of the opening area of ​​the battery positioning plate is determined according to the battery model.

7. The shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening shape of the battery positioning plate is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the battery; the gap between the hooks on the battery positioning plate is determined according to the length and position of the laser track during pre-welding.

8. The shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed frame cooperates with the servo axis through a slide block and a guide rail to realize back and forth operation between the contour detection station and the pre-welding station.

9. The shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide rail is connected to the lifting mechanism.

10. A method for detecting shell profile and positioning pre-welding mechanism, characterized in that: The shell entry contour detection and pre-welding mechanism positioning device as claimed in claim 9 comprises the following steps: The fixed frame carrying the battery positioning plate moves to the contour detection station via the guide rail; the fixed frame is lowered by the lifting mechanism to press the battery on the contour detection station, so that the hook claws on the battery positioning plate are pressed on the gap between the battery top cover and the aluminum shell, pressing the raised top cover back into the aluminum shell; after the contour detection is completed, the fixed frame enters the pre-welding station, presses the battery entering the pre-welding station, and then pre-welds the battery.

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