Turnover battery cell gripper

Abstract

The invention discloses a reversible battery cell gripper. The reversible battery cell gripper comprises a frame assembly and a gripper assembly, the gripper assembly comprises a moving frame, a vertical mechanism, an overturning plate, a gripper frame, an overturning mechanism, a rotating mechanism and a material grabbing hand. The moving frame slides on the frame assembly, the vertical mechanism is fixed to the moving frame, the output end of the vertical mechanism is connected with the turnover plate, the turnover mechanism is arranged on the turnover plate, the output end of the turnover mechanism is connected with the gripper frame and used for driving the gripper frame to turn over, and the rotating mechanism is arranged on the gripper frame and used for driving the gripper frame to turn over. The output end of the rotating mechanism is connected with the material grabbing hand and used for driving the material grabbing hand to rotate, and the material grabbing hand is used for grabbing materials. The stacking work of the battery cells can be completed through the single mechanical arm, the occupied area is smaller, and the cost of the device is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery module assembly, and particularly to a flip - able cell gripper. Background Art

[0002] In the production process of power batteries, first, cells need to be produced, and then the cells are stacked and assembled into a power battery module. The cell module is composed of multiple stacked cells. During the production process of the cell module, it is necessary to place the individual cells in the material box onto the operating device, and then place the operating device carrying the cells on the transmission line to be transported to the assembly line of the cell module. The manipulator set on the side of the assembly line grabs each cell and assembles them into a cell module.

[0003] Since the adjacent two cells are connected with positive and negative electrodes alternating, the adhesive surfaces of the cells are different. In the prior art, two manipulators are used to transport the cells, and the two manipulators transport the cells with positive electrodes and the cells with negative electrodes respectively. This method requires two manipulators and a material box, resulting in a large floor area and high cost of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a flip - able cell gripper, including: a frame assembly and a gripper assembly; The gripper assembly includes: a moving frame, a vertical mechanism, a flip - plate, a gripper frame, a flip - mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and a material - grabbing hand; The moving frame slides on the frame assembly, the vertical mechanism is fixed on the moving frame, the output end of the vertical mechanism is connected to the flip - plate, the flip - mechanism is arranged on the flip - plate, the output end of the flip - mechanism is connected to the gripper frame for driving the gripper frame to flip, the rotating mechanism is arranged on the gripper frame, the output end of the rotating mechanism is connected to the material - grabbing hand for driving the material - grabbing hand to rotate, and the material - grabbing hand is used for grabbing materials.

[0005] Further, the flip - mechanism includes: a flip - cylinder, a flip - rack, a flip - gear, and a flip - shaft; The flip - cylinder is fixed on the flip - plate, the output end of the flip - cylinder is connected to the flip - rack, the flip - shaft is rotatably connected to the flip - plate, the flip - gear is arranged on the flip - shaft, the flip - rack meshes with the flip - gear, and one end of the gripper frame is connected to the flip - shaft.

[0006] Further, the rotating mechanism includes: a rotating cylinder, a rotating rack, a rotating gear, and a rotating shaft; The rotating cylinder is fixed on the gripper frame, the output end of the rotating cylinder is connected to the rotating rack, the rotating rack is slidably arranged on the gripper frame, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the gripper frame, the first end of the rotating shaft is connected to the rotating gear, the second end is connected to the material - grabbing hand, and the rotating gear meshes with the rotating rack.

[0007] Further, the material grabbing hand includes: a grabbing hand cylinder and a clamping jaw; The grabbing hand cylinder is fixed to the second end of the rotating shaft. The grabbing hand cylinder has two output ends, and clamping jaws are connected to both output ends of the grabbing hand cylinder. The grabbing hand cylinder is used to drive the two clamping jaws to grab materials.

[0008] Further, the vertical mechanism includes: a vertical cylinder, a guiding track, and a guiding block; The vertical cylinder is fixed to the moving frame. The output end of the vertical cylinder is connected to the flipping plate. The guiding track is fixed to the flipping plate, and the guiding block is fixed to the moving frame. The guiding block is slidably connected to the guiding track.

[0009] Further, the grabbing hand assembly includes: a driving mechanism, a moving plate, and a moving slider; Moving plates are provided at both ends of the moving frame. A moving slider is provided below the moving plate. The moving slider is slidably connected to the frame assembly. The driving mechanism is arranged on the moving frame, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the moving frame to slide on the frame assembly.

[0010] Further, the driving mechanism includes: a driving motor, a driving shaft, and a driving gear; The driving motor is fixed to the moving frame. The output end of the driving motor is connected to the driving shaft, and driving gears are connected to both ends of the driving shaft.

[0011] Further, the frame assembly includes: a frame body, a driving rack, and a buffer; Driving racks are provided on both sides of the frame body. The driving racks are meshed with the driving gears. Buffers are provided at both ends of the frame body, and the buffers are arranged corresponding to the moving plates.

[0012] Further, the frame assembly includes: a detection switch; The detection switch is arranged on the frame body. The detection switch is arranged corresponding to the outside of the driving rack. A detection plate is provided on the moving plate corresponding to the detection switch.

[0013] According to an invertible cell grabbing hand of an embodiment of the present invention, in this application, the moving frame moves above the cell on the frame assembly. The vertical mechanism drives the flipping plate to move downward so that the material grabbing hand can grab the cell. The rotating mechanism can drive the material grabbing hand to rotate 180°. According to the need of cell stacking, the rotating mechanism can rotate the material grabbing hand clockwise or counterclockwise so that the positive and negative electrodes of adjacent two cells are alternately connected. The flipping mechanism can drive the grabbing hand frame to perform a 90° flip so that the cell is flipped from a vertical position to a flat position, and then the cell is stacked to the discharging position, realizing that a single manipulator can complete the stacking work of the cells, occupying less floor area and reducing the cost of the device.

[0014] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of the claimed technology. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 Structural diagram of a flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Structural diagram of the gripper assembly of a flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Structural diagram of the gripper assembly of another flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 Structural diagram of the gripper assembly of yet another flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 Structural diagram of the flipped state of the gripper assembly of a flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 Structural diagram of the flipped state of the gripper assembly of another flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 Structural diagram of the flipped state of the gripper assembly of yet another flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Reference numerals in the drawings: 1 is the frame assembly, 11 is the frame body, 12 is the driving rack, 13 is the buffer, 14 is the detection switch, 2 is the gripper assembly, 3 is the moving frame, 31 is the moving plate, 32 is the detection plate, 33 is the driving motor, 34 is the driving shaft, 35 is the driving gear, 4 is the vertical mechanism, 41 is the vertical cylinder, 42 is the guiding track, 43 is the guiding block, 5 is the flipping plate, 6 is the gripper frame, 7 is the flipping mechanism, 71 is the flipping cylinder, 72 is the flipping rack, 73 is the flipping gear, 74 is the flipping shaft, 8 is the rotating mechanism, 81 is the rotating cylinder, 82 is the rotating rack, 83 is the rotating gear, 84 is the rotating shaft, 9 is the material - grasping hand, 91 is the gripper cylinder, 92 is the jaw. Detailed Embodiments

[0017] The following will describe in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings and further elaborate on the present invention.

[0018] First, in combination with Figures 1 to 7 A flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is used for alternately stacking the positive and negative electrodes of the cell.

[0019] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, a flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a frame assembly 1 and a gripper assembly 2; The gripper assembly 2 includes: a moving frame 3, a vertical mechanism 4, a flipping plate 5, a gripper frame 6, a flipping mechanism 7, a rotating mechanism 8, and a material gripper 9; The moving frame 3 slides on the frame assembly 1. The vertical mechanism 4 is fixed on the moving frame 3. The output end of the vertical mechanism 4 is connected to the flipping plate 5. The flipping mechanism 7 is arranged on the flipping plate 5. The output end of the flipping mechanism 7 is connected to the gripper frame 6 and is used to drive the gripper frame 6 to flip. The rotating mechanism 8 is arranged on the gripper frame 6. The output end of the rotating mechanism 8 is connected to the material gripper 9 and is used to drive the material gripper 9 to rotate. The material gripper 9 is used to grasp materials.

[0020] In this application, the moving frame 3 moves above the battery cell on the frame assembly 1. The vertical mechanism 4 drives the flipping plate 5 to move downward so that the material gripper 9 can grasp the battery cell. The rotating mechanism 8 can drive the material gripper 9 to rotate 180°. According to the need of battery cell stacking, the rotating mechanism 8 can rotate the material gripper 9 clockwise or counterclockwise so that the positive and negative electrodes of two adjacent battery cells are alternately connected. The flipping mechanism 7 can drive the gripper frame 6 to flip 90°, so that the battery cell is flipped from a vertical position to a flat position, and then the battery cell is stacked to the discharging position, realizing that a single manipulator can complete the stacking work of the battery cells, occupying less floor area and reducing the cost of the device.

[0021] As Figures 2 to 7 shown, the flipping mechanism 7 includes: a flipping cylinder 71, a flipping rack 72, a flipping gear 73, and a flipping shaft 74; The flipping cylinder 71 is fixed on the flipping plate 5. The output end of the flipping cylinder 71 is connected to the flipping rack 72. The flipping shaft 74 is rotatably connected to the flipping plate 5. The flipping gear 73 is arranged on the flipping shaft 74. The flipping rack 72 meshes with the flipping gear 73. One end of the gripper frame 6 is connected to the flipping shaft 74.

[0022] The flipping cylinder 71 can drive the flipping rack 72 to move linearly. Through the meshing of the flipping rack 72 and the flipping gear 73, the flipping rack 72 drives the flipping gear 73 to rotate during the movement, so that the flipping gear 73 and the flipping shaft 74 rotate synchronously, driving the gripper frame 6 to rotate around the flipping shaft 74, making the gripper frame 6 flip 90°, and flipping the battery cell from a vertical position to a flat position.

[0023] In this embodiment, two flipping shafts 74 are installed on the flipping plate 5. The two flipping shafts 74 are on the same straight line. Flipping cylinders 71 are arranged at both ends of the flipping shaft 74. Each flipping cylinder 71 moves synchronously. The output end direction of the flipping cylinder 71 is perpendicular to the flipping shaft 74. The output end of each flipping cylinder 71 is connected to a flipping rack 72. Flipping gears 73 are arranged on the flipping shaft 74 corresponding to the flipping racks 72.

[0024] As Figures 2 to 7As shown, the rotation mechanism 8 includes: a rotation cylinder 81, a rotation rack 82, a rotation gear 83, and a rotation shaft 84; The rotation cylinder 81 is fixed on the gripper frame 6. The output end of the rotation cylinder 81 is connected to the rotation rack 82. The rotation rack 82 is slidably arranged on the gripper frame 6. The rotation shaft 84 is rotatably connected to the gripper frame 6. The first end of the rotation shaft 84 is connected to the rotation gear 83, and the second end is connected to the material gripper 9. The rotation gear 83 meshes with the rotation rack 82.

[0025] The rotation cylinder 81 can drive the rotation rack 82 to move linearly. Through the meshing of the rotation rack 82 and the rotation gear 83, the rotation rack 82 drives the rotation gear 83 to rotate during the movement, so that the rotation gear 83 and the rotation shaft 84 rotate synchronously, driving the material gripper 9 to rotate around the rotation shaft 84. By the extension and contraction of the output end of the rotation cylinder 81, the material gripper 9 can rotate 180° clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0026] As Figures 2 to 7 shown, the material gripper 9 includes: a gripper cylinder 91 and clamping jaws 92; The gripper cylinder 91 is fixed at the second end of the rotation shaft 84. The gripper cylinder 91 has two output ends. Both output ends of the gripper cylinder 91 are connected with clamping jaws 92. The gripper cylinder 91 is used to drive the two clamping jaws 92 to grab materials.

[0027] In this embodiment, the gripper cylinder 91 has two output ends. The gripper cylinder 91 can drive the two clamping jaws 92 to approach or move away from each other. When the gripper cylinder 91 drives the two clamping jaws 92 to approach each other, it can grab the battery cells.

[0028] As Figures 2 to 7 shown, the vertical mechanism 4 includes: a vertical cylinder 41, a guide rail 42, and a guide block 43; The vertical cylinder 41 is fixed on the moving frame 3. The output end of the vertical cylinder 41 is connected to the turning plate 5. The guide rail 42 is fixed on the turning plate 5. The guide block 43 is fixed on the moving frame 3. The guide block 43 is slidably connected with the guide rail 42.

[0029] The vertical cylinder 41 can drive the turning plate 5 to move up and down. Through the guiding function of the guide rail 42 and the guide block 43, the turning plate 5 moves up and down perpendicular to the moving frame 3.

[0030] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, the gripper assembly 2 includes: a driving mechanism, a moving plate 31, and a moving slider; Both ends of the moving frame 3 are provided with moving plates 31. Below the moving plates 31 are moving sliders, which are slidably connected to the frame assembly 1. The driving mechanism is arranged on the moving frame 3 and is used to drive the moving frame 3 to slide on the frame assembly 1.

[0031] The driving mechanism includes: a driving motor 33, a driving shaft 34 and a driving gear 35; The driving motor 33 is fixed on the moving frame 3. The output end of the driving motor 33 is connected to the driving shaft 34, and both ends of the driving shaft 34 are connected to the driving gears 35.

[0032] The frame assembly 1 includes: a frame body 11, a driving rack 12 and a buffer 13; Both sides of the frame body 11 are provided with driving racks 12, which are engaged with the driving gears 35. Both ends of the frame body 11 are provided with buffers 13, and the buffers 13 are arranged corresponding to the moving plates 31.

[0033] The driving motor 33 is used to rotate the driving shaft 34, so that the driving gears 35 on the driving shaft 34 rotate. Through the engagement of the driving rack 12 and the driving gears 35, the moving plates 31 slide on the frame body 11 through the moving sliders, so that the moving frame 3 makes a linear movement on the frame body 11. The buffer 13 can prevent the moving frame 3 from detaching from the frame body 11 during the movement.

[0034] Such as Figure 1 The frame assembly 1 includes: a detection switch 14; The detection switch 14 is arranged on the frame body 11, and the detection switch 14 is correspondingly arranged outside the driving rack 12. A detection plate 32 is arranged on the moving plate 31 corresponding to the detection switch 14.

[0035] The detection switch 14 corresponds to the storage position and stacking position of the battery cells. When the detection plate 32 triggers the detection switch 14, the detection switch 14 will control the driving motor 33 to stop, so that the moving frame 3 stops on the frame body 11, and the moving frame 3 is stopped at the storage position or stacking position of the battery cells.

[0036] Above, refer to Figures 1 to 7A flip - able cell gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. In the present application, the moving frame 3 moves above the cell on the frame assembly 1, and the vertical mechanism 4 drives the turning plate 5 to move downward so that the gripper 9 can grasp the cell. The rotating mechanism 8 can drive the gripper 9 to rotate 180°. According to the need of cell stacking, the rotating mechanism 8 can rotate the gripper 9 clockwise or counterclockwise so that the positive and negative electrodes of two adjacent cells are alternately connected. The turning mechanism 7 can drive the gripper frame 6 to turn 90°, turning the cell from a vertical position to a flat position, and then stacking the cell to the discharging position, realizing that a single manipulator can complete the cell stacking work, with a smaller floor area and reduced cost of the device.

[0037] It should be noted that in this specification, the terms "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non - exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the said element.

[0038] Although the content of the present invention has been introduced in detail through the above - mentioned preferred embodiments, it should be recognized that the above description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. After those skilled in the art have read the above content, various modifications and substitutions of the present invention will be obvious. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A reversible battery cell gripper, characterized in that, Comprising: A frame component and a gripper component; The gripper component includes: a moving frame, a vertical mechanism, a turning plate, a gripper frame, a turning mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and a material gripper; The moving frame slides on the frame component. The vertical mechanism is fixed on the moving frame. The output end of the vertical mechanism is connected to the turning plate. The turning mechanism is arranged on the turning plate. The output end of the turning mechanism is connected to the gripper frame and is used to drive the gripper frame to turn. The rotating mechanism is arranged on the gripper frame. The output end of the rotating mechanism is connected to the material gripper and is used to drive the material gripper to rotate. The material gripper is used to grasp materials.

2. The flip - type battery cell gripper according to claim 1, wherein, The turning mechanism includes: a turning cylinder, a turning rack, a turning gear, and a turning shaft; The turning cylinder is fixed on the turning plate. The output end of the turning cylinder is connected to the turning rack. The turning shaft is rotatably connected to the turning plate. The turning gear is arranged on the turning shaft. The turning rack meshes with the turning gear. One end of the gripper frame is connected to the turning shaft.

3. The flipable cell gripper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating mechanism includes: a rotating cylinder, a rotating rack, a rotating gear, and a rotating shaft; The rotating cylinder is fixed on the gripper frame. The output end of the rotating cylinder is connected to the rotating rack. The rotating rack is slidably arranged on the gripper frame. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the gripper frame. The first end of the rotating shaft is connected to the rotating gear, and the second end is connected to the material gripper. The rotating gear meshes with the rotating rack.

4. The flipable battery cell gripper according to claim 1, wherein, The material gripper includes: a gripper cylinder and a jaw; The gripper cylinder is fixed on the second end of the rotating shaft. The gripper cylinder has two output ends. Both output ends of the gripper cylinder are connected with jaws. The gripper cylinder is used to drive the two jaws to grasp materials.

5. The flipable cell gripper according to claim 1, wherein The vertical mechanism includes: a vertical cylinder, a guiding track, and a guiding block; The vertical cylinder is fixed on the moving frame. The output end of the vertical cylinder is connected to the turning plate. The guiding track is fixed on the turning plate. The guiding block is fixed on the moving frame. The guiding block is slidably connected to the guiding track.

6. The flipable battery cell gripper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gripper component includes: a driving mechanism, a moving plate, and a moving slider; Moving plates are arranged at both ends of the moving frame. Moving sliders are arranged below the moving plates. The moving sliders are slidably connected to the frame component. The driving mechanism is arranged on the moving frame. The driving mechanism is used to drive the moving frame to slide on the frame component.

7. The flipable cell gripper according to claim 6, wherein, The driving mechanism includes: a driving motor, a driving shaft, and a driving gear; The driving motor is fixed on the moving frame. The output end of the driving motor is connected to the driving shaft. The driving shaft is connected to the driving gears at both ends.

8. The flipable cell gripper according to claim 7, wherein The frame component includes: a frame body, a driving rack, and a buffer; Driving racks are arranged on both sides of the frame body. The driving racks mesh with the driving gears. Buffers are arranged at both ends of the frame body. The buffers are arranged corresponding to the moving plates.

9. The flipable cell gripper according to claim 8, characterized in that, The frame component includes: a detection switch; The detection switch is arranged on the frame body. The detection switch is arranged corresponding to the outside of the driving rack. A detection plate is arranged on the moving plate corresponding to the detection switch.

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