Air tightness detection device and method for battery aluminum shell and battery production line

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric detection cell technology, in particular to an air tightness detection device and method for a battery aluminum shell and a battery production line. The air tightness detection device comprises a wrapping clamp, an air tightness detection device and a control device, the wrapping clamp is provided with an accommodating cavity, and the accommodating cavity is used for accommodating a battery aluminum shell; the inflating mechanism is connected with the battery aluminum shell and is used for inflating the battery aluminum shell; and the sound wave signal detection mechanism is arranged in the wrapping clamp and is used for detecting a sound wave signal generated by the battery aluminum shell. A closed detection environment in the detection process is realized through the wrapping clamp, and the sound wave signal detection mechanism and the vibration signal detection mechanism collect sound wave signals and vibration signals in the detection process, so that the gas leakage position of the aluminum shell battery can be accurately positioned, the detection precision is improved, and meanwhile, various detection gases can be selected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to battery detection technology, and more specifically, to an airtightness detection device and method for a battery aluminum shell and a battery production line. Background Art

[0002] Once there is a leak in the battery aluminum shell, the electrolyte will leak, which may cause damage to the battery at the least, or even cause the entire battery pack to catch fire and become scrapped, resulting in great economic losses. Therefore, the airtightness of the aluminum shell is of great significance to the quality and safety of the battery. After the battery aluminum shell on the production line is assembled with the pole core, the cover plate will be connected and sealed (welded or bonded, etc.). In order to ensure the safety of the next step of liquid injection, it needs to be tested for airtightness.

[0003] A common method is to use helium detection to detect leaks. However, this process cannot accurately locate the location of gas leaks. At the same time, helium is required in the implementation process. Although it can be recycled, the helium consumed is still very expensive, and helium mainly relies on imports from abroad. Therefore, whether from the perspective of cost saving or ensuring supply chain security, it is very necessary to develop a new high-precision aluminum shell air tightness detection device. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a battery aluminum shell airtightness detection device and a battery production line, which can accurately locate the gas leakage position of the aluminum shell battery, reduce the detection cost, and can select a variety of detection gases.

[0005] The first aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device, the detection device comprising:

[0006] A wrapping fixture, wherein the wrapping fixture is provided with a receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity is used to receive the battery aluminum shell;

[0007] An inflation mechanism, the inflation mechanism is connected to the battery aluminum shell and is used to inflate the battery aluminum shell;

[0008] An acoustic wave signal detection mechanism is installed in the accommodating cavity and is used to detect the acoustic wave signal generated by the battery aluminum shell.

[0009] In one feasible implementation, a vibration signal detection mechanism is installed or placed in the accommodating cavity to detect the vibration signal generated by the battery aluminum shell.

[0010] In a feasible implementation, the wrapping jig can be split into a plurality of sub-jigs, and the plurality of sub-jigs can be reassembled into the wrapping jig.

[0011] In a feasible implementation, the inflation mechanism includes one or more air tubes and one or more air nozzles, and the air tubes are passed through the wrapping fixture to connect the air nozzles and an external air supply device.

[0012] In a feasible embodiment, the acoustic wave signal detection mechanism includes one or more detection probes and one or more signal transmission lines. The signal transmission lines are passed through the wrapping clamp to connect the detection probes and an external device. The detection probes are mounted on the inner wall of the wrapping clamp.

[0013] In a feasible implementation, the detection probe may be, but is not limited to, a MEMS digital microphone, a high-frequency microphone, and a photoelectric microphone.

[0014] In a feasible implementation, an elastic buffer is installed between the wrapping clamp and the battery aluminum shell.

[0015] In a feasible implementation, the elastic buffer is silicone rubber.

[0016] In one achievable embodiment, a pressure relief valve is further included, and the pressure relief valve is installed on the battery aluminum shell.

[0017] In one feasible implementation, the vibration signal detection mechanism includes a vibration sensor and a signal transmission line. The vibration sensor is mounted on the wrapping fixture and is in direct contact with the battery housing. The signal transmission line passes through the wrapping fixture and is used to connect the vibration sensor to an external device.

[0018] In a feasible implementation, the wrapping fixture is also equipped with a vacuum exhaust pipe and a vacuum breaking air pipe.

[0019] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a battery production line, comprising an air tightness detection device for a battery aluminum shell as described in any one of the above items.

[0020] In a feasible implementation, the package can be transported on an assembly line by means of, but not limited to, a conveyor belt, a chain, a track, or magnetic levitation.

[0021] A second aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an airtightness detection method, characterized in that it is used in the above-mentioned detection device and the battery production line, and the method includes:

[0022] Filling gas into the battery aluminum shell through the inflation mechanism;

[0023] Acquiring the acoustic wave information outside the battery aluminum shell and / or the vibration frequency of the battery aluminum shell through an acoustic wave signal detection mechanism and / or a vibration signal detection mechanism;

[0024] The airtightness of the battery aluminum shell is determined according to the acquired sound wave information outside the battery aluminum shell and / or the acquired vibration frequency of the battery aluminum shell.

[0025] The embodiments of the present application provide a method, device and battery production line for detecting the airtightness of a battery aluminum shell, which can accurately locate the gas leakage position during the process of detecting the airtightness of the battery aluminum shell, reduce the detection cost, and at the same time do not limit the detection gas and are not restricted by the supply of helium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the specification and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the specification.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of a battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device on the conveyor belt;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the air tightness detection device for the aluminum shell of a Changdao battery;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the Changdao battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device;

[0032] 6. Air pipe; 7. Air nozzle; 8. Battery aluminum shell; 10. Detection probe; 12. Pressure relief valve; 13. Vacuum exhaust pipe; 14. Vacuum breaking air pipe; 15. Conveyor belt; 16. Silicone rubber; 18. Vibration sensor; 19. Signal transmission line; 20. Wrapping fixture; 21. Sub-fixture one; 24. Sub-fixture two. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the related art, the air tightness detection mechanism of the battery aluminum shell generally uses the helium detection process to detect leaks. However, the helium detection mechanism in the related art has low detection accuracy and needs to rely on helium to detect the air tightness of the battery aluminum shell. The use of expensive and limited source helium is relatively high in terms of cost, and the related helium detection mechanism cannot accurately locate the leaking position of the battery aluminum shell.

[0034] In response to the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a method, device and battery production line for the airtightness of a battery aluminum shell, which utilizes a wrapping mechanism, an inflation mechanism, an acoustic signal detection mechanism and a vibration signal detection mechanism to achieve airtightness detection of the battery aluminum shell and location of the leakage position. It has a simple structure, reduces costs, and does not rely on helium.

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar components or components with the same or similar functions. The described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0036] The following specific embodiments are used to describe in detail the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0037] It should be noted that the detection device, method and production line provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various different battery detection equipment.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device of the embodiment of the present application is used to detect the air tightness of the battery aluminum shell, including: a wrapping clamp 20, which is provided with a accommodating cavity for accommodating the battery aluminum shell 8 to isolate the signal of the external noise source during the battery detection process. The wrapping clamp 20 is not only used to accommodate the battery aluminum shell 8, but also can accommodate electrical components and air path components required in the detection process; an inflation mechanism, the inflation mechanism is connected to the battery aluminum shell 8, and is used to inflate the battery aluminum shell 8; an acoustic wave signal detection mechanism, the acoustic wave signal detection mechanism is installed in the wrapping clamp 20, and is used to collect the acoustic wave signal generated by the battery aluminum shell 8 during the detection process; a vibration signal detection mechanism, the vibration signal detection mechanism is installed in the wrapping clamp 20, and is used to collect the vibration signal generated by the battery aluminum shell 8 during the detection process.

[0039] The wrapping fixture 20 can be split into multiple sub-clamps to facilitate the assembly of batteries, electrical components and gas circuit components. At the same time, multiple sub-clamps are also convenient for replacing the battery model to be tested and transporting and disassembling the testing device on the battery production line. In the embodiment of the present application, the wrapping fixture 20 is split into sub-clamp 1 21 and sub-clamp 2. The inflation mechanism is used to inflate the battery aluminum shell 8 during the detection process. It is installed in the wrapping fixture 20. The inflation mechanism includes one or more and one or more gas nozzles 7, which are connected to the air pipe 6 and the external gas supply device that penetrates the wrapping fixture 20. The gas used in the detection process can be air or nitrogen and other safe gases.

[0040] The acoustic signal detection mechanism includes one or more detection probes 10 and one or more signal transmission lines 19. The signal transmission line 19 is arranged in the wrapping fixture 20 to connect the detection probe 10 and the external device. The detection probe 10 is installed on the inner wall of the wrapping fixture 20. In the embodiment of the present application, the acoustic signal detection mechanism includes a plurality of detection probes 10 installed in a sub-clamp 21. The signal transmission line 19 is arranged in the sub-clamp 21 to connect the detection probe 10 and the external device. The detection probe 10 can be selected but not limited to a MEMS digital microphone, a high-frequency microphone and a photoelectric microphone. The detection probes 10 are arranged in a matrix along the surface of the battery aluminum shell 8, and the gas leakage position of the battery aluminum shell 8 is accurately located by using the direction and time difference of the received signal.

[0041] Since the battery aluminum shell 8 will expand and deform after being injected with high-pressure gas, in order to suppress this situation, its shape needs to be clamped and fixed. The wrapping clamp 20 and the wall of the battery aluminum shell 8 need to avoid direct rigid contact. Therefore, an elastic buffer is installed between the wrapping clamp 20 and the battery aluminum shell 8. The elastic buffer is used to provide protection for the battery aluminum shell 8 during the detection process and during the overall movement of the detection device. The elastic buffer can be selected from but is not limited to silicone rubber 16.

[0042] The detection device also includes a pressure relief valve 12, which is installed on the battery aluminum shell 8. In the embodiment of the present application, the pressure relief valve 12 is installed on the battery aluminum shell 8 and communicates with the outside through a pipeline penetrating the sub-clamp 1 21, and is used to release the high-pressure gas entering from the gas nozzle during the detection process. The typical range of the diameter of the gas nozzle 7 and the pressure relief valve 12 is 1 to 10 mm, which can be selected according to the size of the battery to be detected and the beat requirement.

[0043] The vibration signal detection mechanism includes a vibration sensor 18 and a sensor signal transmission line 19. The vibration sensor 18 is in direct contact with the battery shell and is used to detect the vibration signal generated by the battery aluminum shell 8, and is mainly used to receive the high-frequency vibration generated by the airflow escaping into the solid aluminum shell. The sensor signal transmission line 19 is passed through the wrapping clamp 20 to connect the vibration sensor 18 with an external device. In the embodiment of the present application, the signal transmission line 19 is passed through the sub-clamp 1 21 to connect the vibration sensor 18 placed in the accommodating cavity of the wrapping clamp 20 with the external device.

[0044] The wrapping fixture 20 is also equipped with a vacuum exhaust pipe 13 and a vacuum breaking air pipe 14. The vacuum exhaust hole is used to evacuate or draw negative pressure to the containing chamber in the wrapping fixture 20. The vacuum breaking air pipe 14 is used to connect the containing chamber of the wrapping fixture 20 with the external environment or the inflation device to restore the containing chamber from low pressure to a pressure level close to the atmosphere.

[0045] The battery aluminum shell airtightness detection device can be set on the battery production line. The wrapping fixture 20 can be transported on the assembly line and perform airtightness detection work by means of but not limited to conveyor belts, chains, rails, and magnetic levitation. In an embodiment of the present application, the wrapping fixture 20 can be transported on the assembly line and perform airtightness detection work by means of a conveyor belt 15.

[0046] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an airtightness detection method, comprising: filling gas into the interior of a battery aluminum shell 8 through an inflation mechanism; obtaining the sound wave information outside the battery aluminum shell 8 and / or obtaining the vibration frequency of the battery aluminum shell 8 through a sound wave signal detection mechanism and / or a vibration signal detection mechanism; and judging the airtightness of the battery aluminum shell 8 based on the obtained sound wave information outside the battery aluminum shell 8 and / or the obtained vibration frequency of the battery aluminum shell 8.

[0047] The specific detection steps are as follows:

[0048] Step 1: Place the battery to be tested into the wrapping fixture 20 on the conveyor belt, and then drive the motor to move it to the inspection station of the battery aluminum shell 8 to wait for airtightness testing.

[0049] Step 2: The inflation nozzle 7 at the high-pressure inflation and detection end is precisely inserted into the inflation nozzle 7 on the battery cover, and finally the battery is completely wrapped by the wrapping fixture 20 and isolated from the external environment.

[0050] Step 3: The high frequency microphone and vibration sensor start recording data.

[0051] Step 4: The high-pressure inflation nozzle 7 starts working and injects high-pressure gas into the battery. The inflation process can be divided into three stages: the first stage uses a slower pressurization rate to prevent the internal structure of the battery from being damaged by the high-speed airflow, and the pressurization rate is usually controlled at 5-20 kPa / s; the second stage is the rapid filling stage, during which the gas pressure inside the battery is quickly raised to the set value, and the pressurization rate usually used is 50-200 kPa / s; the third stage is the pressure maintenance period, during which the pressure is maintained for 5-60 seconds.

[0052] Step 5: While step 4 is being implemented, the vacuum exhaust pipe 13 starts to work, and the air pressure inside the detection chamber is evacuated to 70% to 90% of the atmospheric pressure.

[0053] Step 6: The high-frequency microphone and vibration sensor transmit the data recorded during the inflation phase to the computer, which analyzes and determines whether the battery has an airtightness problem.

[0054] Step 7: The electric cylinder drives the detection device to return to the position before the detection. The conveyor belt transports the detected batteries to the subsequent workstations, and the batteries that fail the detection are discarded.

[0055] As shown in the figure, the rapid batch implementation method of the detection method can also be to detect multiple battery aluminum shells 8 of the same batch at the same time. That is, the detection device is designed as an array structure, with multiple independent accommodating cavities, each accommodating cavity has similar settings and functions as described above, and can detect the airtightness of the aluminum shell separately, thereby also realizing rapid and comprehensive detection.

[0056] The present invention can further make corresponding structural adaptations to the wrapping fixture 20 according to the different shapes of aluminum shells that need to be leak tested, but the detection principles are similar and are suitable for battery aluminum shells 8 of various shapes such as long, short, square, cylindrical, etc.

[0057] Therefore, the airtightness method, device and battery production line of the battery aluminum shell of the embodiment of the present application can realize the airtightness detection of the battery aluminum shell 8 and the positioning of the leakage position, improve the detection accuracy, simple structure, reduce cost, and do not rely on helium.

[0058] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0059] In the embodiments of the present application, the devices or elements referred to or implied must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise precisely and specifically specified.

[0060] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the description and claims of the embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, for example.

[0061] In addition, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements explicitly listed, but may include other steps or elements not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0062] The term "plurality" in this article refers to two or more than two. The term "and / or" in this article is just a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0063] It should be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0064] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present application, which follows the general principles of the present application and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present application. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the following claims.

[0066] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device, characterized in that: include: A wrapping fixture, wherein the wrapping fixture is provided with a receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity is used to receive the battery aluminum shell; An inflation mechanism, the inflation mechanism is connected to the battery aluminum shell and is used to inflate the battery aluminum shell; an acoustic wave signal detection mechanism, the acoustic wave signal detection mechanism is installed in the accommodating cavity and is used to detect the acoustic wave signal generated by the battery aluminum shell.

2. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection device also includes: A vibration signal detection mechanism is installed in or placed in the accommodating cavity and is used to detect the vibration signal generated by the battery aluminum shell.

3. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wrapping jig can be disassembled into a plurality of sub-jigs, and a plurality of the sub-jigs can be reassembled into the wrapping jig.

4. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflation mechanism includes one or more air tubes and one or more air nozzles. The air tubes are passed through the wrapping fixture and are used to connect the air nozzles and an external air supply device.

5. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The acoustic wave signal detection mechanism includes one or more detection probes and one or more signal transmission lines. The signal transmission lines are passed through the wrapping fixture and are used to connect the detection probes and external devices. The detection probes are installed on the inner wall of the wrapping fixture.

6. The detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The detection probe may be, but is not limited to, a MEMS digital microphone, a high-frequency microphone, and a photoelectric microphone.

7. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic buffer is installed between the wrapping clamp and the battery aluminum shell.

8. The detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic buffer is made of silicone rubber.

9. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure relief valve, which is installed on the battery aluminum shell.

10. The detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vibration signal detection mechanism includes a vibration sensor and a sensor signal transmission line. The vibration sensor is in direct contact with the battery housing. The sensor signal transmission line is passed through the wrapping fixture to connect the vibration sensor with an external device.

11. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wrapping fixture is also equipped with a vacuum exhaust pipe and a vacuum breaking air pipe.

12. A battery production line, comprising the battery aluminum shell air tightness detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The battery production line according to claim 12, characterized in that: The packaging fixture can be transported on the assembly line by means of, but not limited to, conveyor belts, chains, tracks, and magnetic levitation.

14. A method for detecting air tightness, characterized in that: Used in the detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the method comprises: Filling gas into the battery aluminum shell through the inflation mechanism; Acquiring the sound wave information outside the battery aluminum shell and / or the vibration frequency of the battery aluminum shell through the sound wave signal detection mechanism and / or the vibration signal detection mechanism; The airtightness of the battery aluminum shell is determined according to the acquired sound wave information outside the battery aluminum shell and / or the acquired vibration frequency of the battery aluminum shell.

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