Isostatic pressing treatment method of solid-state battery cell and automatic production line

Abstract

The invention discloses an isostatic pressing treatment method of a solid-state battery cell and an automatic production line, and relates to the field of battery preparation devices. The isostatic pressing processing method of the solid-state battery cell comprises an isostatic pressing module and further comprises the steps that the battery cell is placed in a static pressing cavity in the isostatic pressing module, and the battery cell is fixed through a positioning device; increasing the pressure in the static pressure chamber, and continuously monitoring the pressure of each area in the static pressure chamber through a pressure sensor; through the arrangement of the conveying belt module, the rolling module, the lamination module, the feeding module, the discharging module, the isostatic pressing module, the detection module, the formation and capacity grading module and the PACK module, the battery cell can be automatically and rapidly produced and treated, the production progress is accelerated, meanwhile, when isostatic pressing treatment is carried out on the battery cell, through the arrangement of a pressure sensor, the production efficiency is improved, and the production cost is reduced. The damage of the battery cell caused by local overlarge pressure is avoided, and the damage rate is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of battery preparation devices, and specifically relates to an isostatic pressing method and an automated production line for solid-state battery cells. Background Art

[0002] At present, with the booming development of the new energy industry, solid-state batteries have become the focus of the industry due to their high energy density and excellent safety. The production process of solid-state battery cells is the core factor determining the overall performance of the battery. However, although the existing production lines have achieved a certain degree of automation, the actual production technology still faces many severe challenges.

[0003] In the isostatic pressing of solid-state battery cells, there is a problem of uneven pressure distribution in the isostatic pressing chamber. Although some equipment is equipped with pressure monitoring devices, the regulation means are relatively lagging, and it is impossible to balance the pressure in each area in real time and accurately. The phenomenon of excessive local pressure occurs from time to time, which not only easily causes damage to the battery cells, greatly increases the production cost, but also seriously reduces the product qualification rate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a battery preparation device that can overcome or at least partially solve the above problems.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells, including an isostatic pressing module, and further including:

[0006] Placing the battery cells into the isostatic pressing chamber in the isostatic pressing module and fixing the battery cells through a positioning device;

[0007] Subsequently, increasing the pressure inside the isostatic pressing chamber and continuously monitoring the pressure in each area of the isostatic pressing chamber through a pressure sensor;

[0008] Calculating the average value of the pressure values based on the signals sent by the pressure sensor, and stopping pressurization and maintaining the current pressure after the average value reaches the first preset value;

[0009] After maintaining the pressure in the isostatic pressing chamber for a preset time period, reducing the pressure in the isostatic pressing chamber, and removing the battery cells and cooling them after reaching the second preset pressure value.

[0010] Further, the isostatic pressing module includes a static pressure chamber, a fixed limiting component, a pressure changing device, a pressure sensor, a removing component, and a temperature reducing component. A plurality of isostatic pressing areas are provided inside the static pressure chamber for installing the pressure changing device and the pressure sensor to generate a constant pressure inside. The fixed limiting component and the removing component are both installed inside the static pressure chamber, and the temperature reducing component is located at the discharging end of the removing component.

[0011] Furthermore, the fixed limiting component is used to fix the battery cell inside the static pressure chamber.

[0012] Still further, the removing component is used to remove the battery cell after isostatic pressing to the temperature reducing component.

[0013] Further, the temperature reducing component is used to reduce the temperature of the battery cell to room temperature.

[0014] An automated production line for solid-state battery cells includes an isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells, and further includes:

[0015] A conveyor belt module for transporting the battery and the raw materials of the battery, moving them from one production area to another production area;

[0016] A rolling module for rolling the coated electrode sheet to make the electrode sheet reach the required thickness and density;

[0017] A stacking module for stacking and combining the rolled positive and negative electrode sheets and the separator in a certain order and manner to form the battery cell;

[0018] A loading module including a loading manipulator for moving the stacked battery cell by the manipulator and moving it into the isostatic pressing module;

[0019] An unloading module including an unloading manipulator for removing the battery cell processed by the isostatic pressing module by the manipulator;

[0020] A detection module including a battery detection device for detecting the battery cell removed by the unloading manipulator and classifying the detected battery cells as qualified or unqualified through the conveyor belt module;

[0021] A formation and grading module using series high voltage formation for charging the qualified battery cells after detection, activating the positive and negative electrode materials of the battery, and enabling the battery to have normal charge and discharge performance;

[0022] A PACK module for packaging the battery cells after charge and discharge.

[0023] Further, clamping assemblies are fixedly connected to both the loading manipulator and the unloading manipulator. The clamping assembly includes a mounting plate, a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a clamping plate, and a vision sensor. The two first cylinders are symmetrically and fixedly connected to the mounting plate. The two second cylinders are fixedly connected to the telescopic ends of the first cylinders, and the telescopic ends of the two second cylinders are arranged oppositely. The clamping plate is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the second cylinder. The vision sensor is installed on the second cylinder and is used to detect the position of the battery cell.

[0024] Still further, an extrusion airbag is fixedly connected to the clamping surface of the clamping plate, and a connecting pipe is connected to the extrusion airbag.

[0025] Further, the battery detection device includes an X-ray photographing device and a pushing assembly. The X-ray photographing device is used to detect the appearance of the battery cell after isostatic pressing.

[0026] Still further, the pushing assembly is used to classify the battery cells after being photographed by the X-ray photographing device. The qualified ones are pushed onto the conveyor belt leading to formation, and the unqualified ones are pushed onto the conveyor belt for subsequent separate recycling treatment.

[0027] After adopting the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art: Through the settings of the conveyor belt module, rolling module, stacking module, loading module, unloading module, isostatic pressing module, detection module, formation and grading module, and PACK module, the present invention can automatically and quickly produce and process battery cells, accelerating the production progress. At the same time, when performing isostatic pressing on the battery cells, through the setting of the pressure sensor, damage to the battery cells caused by excessive local pressure is avoided, reducing the damage rate. Description of the Drawings

[0028] In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a conveyor belt module, a loading module, an unloading module, a processing module, and an isostatic pressing processing module in an isostatic pressing processing method and an automated production line for a solid-state battery cell proposed by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a loading module in an isostatic pressing processing method and an automated production line for a solid-state battery cell proposed by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a first schematic structural diagram of a clamping assembly on a manipulator in an isostatic pressing processing method and an automated production line for a solid-state battery cell proposed by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4This is a second schematic diagram of an isostatic pressing method for a solid-state battery cell and a structure of a clamping component on a manipulator in an automated production line proposed by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 The present invention proposes an isostatic pressing method and an automated production line for solid-state battery cells Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of part A;

[0034] Figure 6 This is an isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells and a flow chart of production line modules in an automated production line proposed by the present invention.

[0035] In the figure: 1. Loading robot; 101. Mounting plate; 102. Cylinder 1; 103. Cylinder 2; 104. Clamping plate; 105. Visual sensor; 106. Extrusion airbag; 107. Connecting pipe; 2. Isostatic pressing module; 3. Unloading robot; 4. Battery detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0037] Embodiment 1:

[0038] Reference Figures 1-6 A method for isostatic pressing of solid-state battery cells, comprising an isostatic pressing module 2, and further comprising: placing the battery cells in a static pressure chamber in the isostatic pressing module 2, and fixing the battery cells by a positioning device; then increasing the pressure inside the static pressure chamber, and continuously monitoring the pressure of each area in the static pressure chamber by a pressure sensor; calculating the average pressure value through a signal sent by the pressure sensor, and stopping the pressure increase and maintaining the current pressure after the average pressure reaches a first preset value; after maintaining the pressure in the static pressure chamber for a preset period of time, reducing the pressure in the static pressure chamber, and after reaching a second preset pressure value , remove the battery cell and cool it down, the isostatic pressing module 2 includes a static pressing chamber, a fixed limit assembly, a transformer, a pressure sensor, a removal assembly, and a cooling assembly. A plurality of isostatic pressing areas are arranged inside the static pressing chamber for installing a transformer and a pressure sensor for generating a constant pressure inside. The fixed limit assembly and the removal assembly are both installed in the static pressing chamber, the cooling assembly is located at the unloading end of the removal assembly, the fixed limit assembly is used to fix the battery cell in the static pressing chamber, the removal assembly is used to move the isostatically pressed battery cell out to the cooling assembly, and the cooling assembly is used to reduce the temperature of the battery cell to room temperature.

[0039] The positioning component in the present device includes a plurality of groups of clamping cylinders for fixing the manipulator lowered by the manipulator, and a small conveyor belt is also provided in the processing module 2. After the isostatic pressing treatment of the battery cells is completed, the removing component is removed, and the removing component is one or more cylinders. The battery cells are moved to the conveyor belt by extending the telescopic end, and then transported to the cooling component through the conveyor belt. The cooling component can be a fan or an air pump, which continuously cools the battery cells on the conveyor belt.

[0040] Specifically, when in use, the battery cell is fixed in the static pressure chamber by the positioning component, and then the transformer is started to increase the pressure in the static pressure chamber, and the pressure on the battery cell is detected by the pressure sensor. Since multiple static pressure areas are provided, the pressure in multiple static pressure areas is affected by various factors, and the pressure values ​​may differ slightly. At this time, the pressure values ​​are detected by multiple groups of pressure sensors, the pressure information is recorded, and the average value is selected by a computer. After the average value reaches the first preset pressure value, the transformer is stopped from increasing the pressure, and the pressure in the static pressure area is kept within a range. The battery cell is statically pressurized, which is beneficial to ensure the isostatic pressure treatment effect on the solid-state battery cell. When the pressure in the isostatic pressure chamber is maintained for a preset time period, the isostatic pressure treatment of the solid-state battery cell has been completed. At this time, the isostatic pressure chamber needs to be decompressed, that is, the transformer component is controlled to slowly reduce the pressure, and the pressure in the isostatic pressure chamber is made less than the second preset pressure, so as to facilitate the subsequent removal of the battery cell by removing the component.

[0041] The removed battery cells will be located under the cooling component, which can be a fan arranged side by side on the conveyor belt. The battery cells will be cooled by the rotation of the fan. Finally, the cooled battery cells will be picked up by the unloading robot 3 and sent to the next inspection process.

[0042] Embodiment 2:

[0043] Reference Figures 1-6 , an automated production line for solid-state battery cells, including an isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells, and also comprising:

[0044] A conveyor belt module, including multiple sets of conveyor belts, used to transport batteries and raw materials for batteries, and move them from one production area to another production area;

[0045] Rolling module, which rolls the coated pole piece to achieve the required thickness and density;

[0046] The stacking module is formed by stacking the positive and negative electrode sheets and the separator after rolling in a certain order and method to form a battery cell;

[0047] The loading module includes a loading robot 1, which moves the stacked battery cells to the isostatic pressing module 2;

[0048] A material unloading module, including a material unloading robot 3, through which the battery cells processed by the isostatic pressing module 2 are removed;

[0049] The detection module includes a battery detection device 4, which is used to detect the battery cells removed by the unloading robot 3, and classify the detected battery cells into qualified and unqualified ones through the conveyor belt module;

[0050] The module is divided into capacity modules and connected in series with high voltage to charge qualified battery cells after testing, activate the positive and negative electrode materials of the battery, and make the battery have normal charging and discharging performance;

[0051] The PACK module is used to package the battery cells after charging and discharging. The loading robot 1 and the unloading robot 3 are fixedly connected with a clamping assembly, which includes a mounting plate 101, a cylinder 102, a cylinder 2 103, a clamping plate 104, and a visual sensor 105. The two groups of cylinders 102 are symmetrically fixedly connected to the mounting plate 101, and the two groups of cylinders 2 103 are fixedly connected to the telescopic ends of the cylinders 102, and the telescopic ends of the two groups of cylinders 2 103 are arranged opposite to each other. The clamping plate 104 is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the cylinder 2 103, and the visual sensor The device 105 is installed on the cylinder 103 and is used to detect the position of the battery cell. The clamping surface of the clamping plate 104 is fixedly connected with an extrusion airbag 106, and the extrusion airbag 106 is connected with a connecting tube 107. The battery detection device 4 includes an X-ray camera and a pushing component. The X-ray camera is used to detect the appearance of the battery cell after isostatic pressing. The pushing component is used to classify the battery cells after being photographed by the X-ray camera, and the qualified ones are pushed onto the conveyor belt leading to the formation, and the unqualified ones are pushed onto the conveyor belt for subsequent separate recycling processing.

[0052] First, when in use, at the initial stage of solid-state battery cell production, the coated electrode will enter the rolling module.

[0053] The rolling module has the following components: a rolling machine, a thickness measuring instrument, and a tension control system; the rolling machine consists of a pair of rollers rotating in opposite directions. By adjusting the roller spacing and rotation speed, pressure is applied to the pole piece for rolling. During this process, the thickness measuring instrument measures the thickness of the pole piece online in real time and feeds the data back to the control system so that the rolling machine parameters can be adjusted in time to make the pole piece reach the precise thickness required by the design. At the same time, the tension control system controls the tension of the pole piece during the rolling process in real time to prevent the pole piece from wrinkling, breaking and other problems, ensuring that the pole piece reaches the specified density standard after rolling.

[0054] The sheets are transported to the next lamination process through the conveyor belt in the conveyor belt module.

[0055] The stacking module has the following components: a stacking machine (including an unwinding device, a deflection correction device, a stacking device, and a hot pressing device), and a visual inspection system. The positive and negative electrode sheets and the diaphragm coils after rolling are placed on the unwinding device of the stacking machine. During the transmission of the electrode sheets and diaphragms, the deflection correction device monitors and adjusts their positions in real time to ensure accurate transmission. Subsequently, the stacking device stacks the electrode sheets and diaphragms in a specific order and manner to construct a battery cell structure. The visual inspection system detects the stacking position and alignment of the electrode sheets and diaphragms in real time. Once a deviation is found, feedback is given in a timely manner for adjustment. After the stacking is completed, the hot pressing device performs preliminary hot pressing on the cells to enhance the stability of the cell structure.

[0056] The finalized battery cells are transported by the conveyor belt module to the robot loading link.

[0057] The loading module has the following components: a loading robot 1 (including a robot arm, a servo motor, and a control system), a clamping assembly (including a mounting plate 101, a cylinder 1 102, a cylinder 2 103, a clamping plate 104, a visual sensor 105, and an extrusion airbag 106); the loading robot 1 of the loading module, its servo motor receives instructions from the control system and drives the robot arm to move, the visual sensor 105 first accurately detects the position of the battery cells after stacking, and then the two groups of cylinders 1 102 drive cylinder 2 103 to move to a suitable position, and then cylinder 2 103 extends out, driving the clamping plate 104 to clamp the battery cells, and the extrusion airbag 106 on the clamping plate 104 adjusts the air pressure in the connecting tube 107 when contacting the battery cells, and adaptively fits the surface of the battery cells to achieve stable clamping.

[0058] The loading robot 1 transports the battery cell to a designated position of the isostatic pressure chamber in the isostatic pressure module 2 .

[0059] The isostatic pressing module has the following components: an isostatic pressing device (including an isostatic pressing chamber, a transformer, a pressure sensor, a fixed limit assembly, a removal assembly, and a cooling assembly); a fixed limit assembly is provided in the isostatic pressing chamber of the isostatic pressing module. After the battery cell is placed in the specified position, the fixed limit assembly quickly fixes the battery cell to ensure that its position is stable during the isostatic pressing process. The transformer in the isostatic pressing chamber starts to work and gradually pressurizes the inside of the chamber. The pressure sensors distributed in various areas of the isostatic pressing chamber monitor the pressure value in real time and feed the data back to the control system. The control system calculates the average value of the pressure value based on the pressure sensor signal. When the average value reaches a first preset value, the pressure is stopped and the current pressure is maintained. After the pressure is maintained for a preset time period, the transformer starts to reduce the pressure in the isostatic pressing chamber. When the pressure drops to a second preset pressure value, the removal assembly removes the battery cell that has completed isostatic pressing and transfers it to the cooling assembly. The cooling assembly, such as a cooling fan or a coolant circulation device, starts to cool the battery cell to reduce its temperature to room temperature.

[0060] The unloading module has the same components as the loading module.

[0061] The structure of the unloading robot 3 of the unloading module is the same as that of the loading robot 1. The servo motor drives the robot arm to move to the unloading position of the isostatic pressing module 2. After the visual sensor 105 detects the position of the battery cell, the cylinder 102 and the cylinder 2 103 cooperate to drive the clamping plate 104 to clamp the cooled battery cell, and then move it to the conveyor belt to transport the battery cell to the detection module.

[0062] The detection module has the following components: a battery detection device 4 (including an X-ray camera and a pushing assembly); after the battery cell enters the detection area with the conveyor belt, the X-ray camera uses X-rays to penetrate the battery cell, obtains an internal structure image, and detects whether the battery cell has appearance and internal defects. After the detection is completed, the cylinder, push rod and other components in the pushing assembly perform classification operations based on the detection results, and push qualified battery cells onto the conveyor belt leading to the chemical component module, while unqualified battery cells are pushed onto the conveyor belt for subsequent separate recycling processing.

[0063] The battery cell capacity module has the following components: charging and discharging equipment and a battery management system (BMS). Qualified battery cells are transported to the battery cell capacity module via a conveyor belt. The charging and discharging equipment provides adjustable voltage and current output, and uses a series high-voltage method to charge the battery cells to activate the positive and negative electrode materials. The battery management system monitors the voltage, current, temperature and other parameters of the battery cells during the charging and discharging process in real time. Once an abnormal parameter is found, feedback will be immediately adjusted to ensure that the charging and discharging process is safe, stable and meets process requirements, so that the battery has normal charging and discharging performance.

[0064] The PACK module has the following components: packaging equipment (including shell molding equipment, battery cell assembly equipment, welding equipment, and sealing equipment); the battery cells that have completed charging and discharging are transported to the PACK module by a conveyor belt, the shell molding equipment such as an injection molding machine first makes the battery shell, the battery cell assembly equipment assembles the battery cell with the shell, connecting lines, etc., the welding equipment welds the connecting lines, and finally the sealing equipment seals the battery to ensure the sealing of the battery package, and finally forms a solid-state battery product that can be used.

[0065] The present invention can automatically and quickly process the production of battery cells and accelerate the production schedule by setting up a conveyor belt module, a roller pressing module, a lamination module, a loading module, a unloading module, an isostatic pressing module 2, a detection module, a chemical component module, and a PACK module. At the same time, when the battery cells are subjected to isostatic pressing, the pressure sensor is set up to avoid damage to the battery cells caused by local excessive pressure and reduce the damage rate.

[0066] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the present invention can make some changes or modify the technical contents suggested above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for isostatic pressing of a solid-state battery cell, comprising an isostatic pressing module (2), characterized in that: Also includes: The battery cells are respectively placed in the static pressure chamber of the static pressure module (2), and the battery cells are fixed by a positioning device; Then, the pressure inside the static pressure chamber is increased, and the pressure in various areas of the static pressure chamber is constantly monitored by the pressure sensor; The average value of the pressure value is calculated by the signal sent by the pressure sensor, and after the average value reaches a first preset value, the pressure is stopped and the current pressure is maintained; After the pressure in the isostatic chamber is maintained for a preset period of time, the pressure in the isostatic chamber is reduced, and after reaching a second preset pressure value, the battery cells are removed and cooled.

2. The isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The isostatic pressure module (2) comprises a static pressure chamber, a fixed limit assembly, a pressure transformer, a pressure sensor, a removal assembly, and a cooling assembly. The static pressure chamber is provided with a plurality of isostatic pressure areas for installing the pressure transformer and the pressure sensor to generate a constant pressure inside. The fixed limit assembly and the removal assembly are both installed in the static pressure chamber, and the cooling assembly is located at the unloading end of the removal assembly.

3. The isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixed limiting assembly is used to fix the battery cell in the static pressure chamber.

4. The isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells according to claim 3, characterized in that: The removal assembly is used to remove the battery cells that have been isostatically pressed to the cooling assembly.

5. The isostatic pressing method and automated production line for solid-state battery cells according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cooling component is used to reduce the temperature of the battery cell to room temperature.

6. An automated production line for solid-state battery cells, comprising the isostatic pressing method for solid-state battery cells according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes: A conveyor belt module, including multiple sets of conveyor belts, used to transport batteries and raw materials for batteries, and move them from one production area to another production area; Rolling module, which rolls the coated pole piece to achieve the required thickness and density; The stacking module is formed by stacking the positive and negative electrode sheets and the separator after rolling in a certain order and method to form a battery cell; A loading module, comprising a loading robot (1), which moves the stacked battery cells to an isostatic pressing module (2); A material unloading module, comprising a material unloading robot (3), which is used to remove the battery cells processed by the isostatic pressing module (2); The detection module comprises a battery detection device (4) for detecting the battery cells removed by the unloading robot (3) and classifying the detected battery cells through the conveyor belt module; The module is divided into capacity modules and connected in series with high voltage to charge qualified battery cells after testing, activate the positive and negative electrode materials of the battery, and make the battery have normal charging and discharging performance; The PACK module packages the battery cells after charging and discharging.

7. The automated production line of a solid-state battery cell according to claim 6, characterized in that: The loading robot (1) and the unloading robot (3) are both fixedly connected with a clamping assembly, and the clamping assembly includes a mounting plate (101), a cylinder one (102), a cylinder two (103), a clamping plate (104), and a visual sensor (105). Two groups of the cylinder one (102) are symmetrically fixedly connected to the mounting plate (101), and two groups of the cylinder two (103) are both fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the cylinder one (102), and the telescopic ends of the two groups of the cylinder two (103) are arranged opposite to each other. The clamping plate (104) is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the cylinder two (103), and the visual sensor (105) is installed on the cylinder two (103) for detecting the position of the battery cell.

8. The automated production line of solid-state battery cells according to claim 7, characterized in that: An extrusion airbag (106) is fixedly connected to the clamping surface of the clamping plate (104), and a connecting pipe (107) is connected to the extrusion airbag (106).

9. The automated production line of a solid-state battery cell according to claim 6, characterized in that: The battery detection device (4) comprises an X-ray camera and a pushing assembly, and the X-ray camera is used to detect the appearance of the battery cell after isostatic pressing.

10. The automated production line of solid-state battery cells according to claim 9, characterized in that: The pushing component is used to classify the battery cells after being photographed by the X-ray camera, and the qualified ones are pushed onto the conveyor belt leading to the formation, and the unqualified ones are pushed onto the conveyor belt for subsequent separate recycling processing.

Images