Formation, clamping and positioning mechanism for metal shell battery

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of battery formation, and particularly relates to a metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism which comprises a positioning frame body, a lower pressing plate, a lower pressing driving part, a power connection probe, a rotary contact head and a base plate, the positioning frame body is provided with a front-back through positioning cavity which is used for positioning a battery; guide limiting structures are arranged on the two sides of the upper end of the positioning cavity, the two ends of the lower pressing plate are slidably connected with the corresponding guide limiting structures, the power connection probe is arranged in the lower pressing plate, and the lower end of the power connection probe extends out of the bottom end of the lower pressing plate; the downward pressing driving piece is connected with the downward pressing plate and used for keeping the downward pressing plate, so that the power connection probe is connected with the battery in the positioning cavity; the rotary contact is arranged on one side of the positioning frame body, and the rotary contact is electrically connected with the power connection probe; the base plate is arranged on one side of the frame body in a turnover or translation mode, and the inner side of the base plate comprises a supporting part capable of stretching into the positioning cavity. The position of the battery can be ensured, and pressure of formation equipment is prevented from being applied to the side wall of a metal shell of the battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of battery formation, and in particular relates to a metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism. Background Art

[0002] A battery cell is a product whose active material can be reactivated by recharging after discharge, allowing continued use. Battery cells are widely used in electrical devices such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, and vehicles. Ensuring the safety of battery cells is a key research area in the development of battery technology.

[0003] To overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies, the Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN119133731A discloses a battery cell, a metal housing, and an electrical device. The battery cell includes a housing assembly and a battery cell. The housing assembly includes a metal housing and a cover. The metal housing includes a bottom plate and side plates. The bottom plate and side plates enclose a battery cell accommodating cavity with an opening. The side plate includes a folding edge structure. The folding edge structure includes two or more folding edges. The two or more folding edges are connected in sequence. A buffer space is formed between any two adjacent folding edges. A folding edge adjacent to the cover is connected to the cover. The cover covers the battery cell accommodating cavity. The battery cell is disposed in the battery cell accommodating cavity. When the battery cell is subjected to an impact force, causing the battery cell to move relative to the housing assembly, when the battery cell impacts the metal housing, the folding edge structure on the side plate in the area subjected to the impact can first be subjected to force and deform outward, causing the folding edge structure to unfold. During the unfolding process, the folding edge structure can effectively absorb the impact force of the battery cell, thereby effectively reducing the impact force that needs to be borne by the connection area between the metal housing and the cover. Therefore, the battery cell can effectively absorb the impact energy of the battery cell through the folding structure, reduce the load borne by the connection area between the metal shell and the cover, thereby reducing the possibility of separation of the connection area between the metal shell and the cover, and reducing the possibility of electrolyte leakage in the battery cell.

[0004] In addition, the metal shell and the cover body are connected by a welding process, which makes the connection between the metal shell and the cover body less difficult and easy to perform the connection operation on the metal shell and the cover body, while effectively ensuring the sealing between the metal shell and the cover body. Take the metal shell as an example for explanation. Punching equipment and a stamping die are used to stamp a stainless steel blank to obtain a stainless steel shell. The stainless steel shell includes a bottom plate and a side plate. The side plate has a folded edge. Then, by using a bending device and a bending die, the number of folded edges is increased on the basis of the stainless steel shell and the metal shell is formed. The folding angle and the structure of the folded edge are controlled by the bending die. The battery cell is placed in the battery cell accommodating cavity of the metal shell, and then the metal shell and the cover body are welded. After vacuum drying, electrolyte injection, standing, and formation, the battery cell is formed.

[0005] The production process of the single cell disclosed in the above patent document generally includes the first half of the battery production process and the second half of the formation and capacity separation process. The first half of the process can be divided into positive electrode slurry drawing, negative electrode slurry drawing, positive electrode sheet, negative electrode sheet, steel shell assembly, liquid injection, testing, packaging, etc. In the second half of the process, the formation and capacity separation of the battery are related to whether the indicators such as cell consistency and yield rate can meet the requirements, and are an important part of the cell activation test. Because after the production of the single cell of the battery is completed, it is restricted by the battery production process, and the consistency of parameters such as capacity, voltage, current, internal resistance, etc. is not high, so it is necessary to form and separate the battery to maintain the consistency of the lithium battery cell.

[0006] In the technical solution of the above-mentioned patent document, the battery cells are placed in the metal shell, and then the cover is sealed to seal the battery cells in the metal shell. After the battery packaging is completed, the battery is then filled with liquid for formation. During the formation process, the battery needs to be pressurized and the pressure must be adjusted in real time. Because the shell of the metal shell battery is stamped, the side wall strength of the shell is relatively large. In addition, the bottom of the stamped shell is an arc structure, and this arc structure is strong and not easily deformed under pressure. Therefore, when the metal shell battery is placed in the battery formation fixture for pressure formation, it is difficult to apply pressure to the battery cells inside the battery. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a metal shell battery forming clamping and positioning mechanism, which aims to solve the problem in the prior art that it is difficult to accurately apply pressure to the battery cell during the pressure forming process of metal shell batteries due to the side walls of the metal shell.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism, comprising a positioning frame, a lower pressure plate, a lower pressure driving member, an electrical connection probe, a switching contact and a pad; the positioning frame is provided with a positioning cavity that passes through the front and back, and the positioning cavity is used to position the battery; guide limit structures are provided on both sides of the upper end of the positioning cavity, and the two ends of the lower pressure plate are slidably connected with the corresponding guide limit structures, the electrical connection probe is provided in the lower pressure plate, and the lower end of the electrical connection probe extends out of the bottom end of the lower pressure plate; the lower pressure driving member is connected to the lower pressure plate, and is used to maintain the lower pressure plate so that the electrical connection probe is connected to the battery in the positioning cavity; the switching contact is provided on one side of the positioning frame, and the switching contact is electrically connected to the electrical connection probe; the pad can be flipped or translated and is provided on one side of the frame, and the inner side of the pad includes a support portion that can extend into the positioning cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, connecting rods extend from both sides of the upper end of the pad; and a supporting groove is provided at the upper end of one side of the positioning frame, and the supporting groove is used to support and limit the connecting rods.

[0010] Furthermore, the support portion includes a rubber pad, the support groove includes a translation section, and the connecting rod can translate in the translation section.

[0011] Furthermore, positioning rods are provided at both ends of the supporting groove, and the connecting rod is provided with an annular groove for cooperating with the positioning rods.

[0012] Furthermore, the front and rear sides of the positioning frame have the same structure and are symmetrically arranged.

[0013] Furthermore, the width of the positioning cavity is greater than the width of the battery, and the lower ends of both sides of the positioning cavity are provided with inwardly extending limiting protrusions, and the bottom end of the lower pressure plate is also provided with a limiting top rod, and the limiting top rod is used to keep the battery in the positioning cavity.

[0014] Furthermore, elastic retaining members extending inward are provided on both sides of the positioning cavity.

[0015] Furthermore, the elastic limiting part includes a slider, a compression spring and a limit pin; the side wall of the positioning frame is provided with a mounting slot hole, the mounting slot hole passes through the positioning cavity, a step position is provided in the mounting slot hole, the slider is arranged in the mounting slot hole, and the slider is provided with a limit boss; the limit pin is arranged in the mounting slot hole, and the compression spring abuts between the limit pin and the limit boss; a pin hole is also provided on the slider, and the positioning frame is provided with a waist-shaped hole to avoid the pin hole.

[0016] Furthermore, the positioning cavity passes through to the top side of the positioning frame and forms two side frames; the guide and limiting structure includes a guide groove arranged on the side frame, the end of the lower pressure plate includes a connecting portion extending into the guide groove, and the lower pressure drive member includes a lower pressure spring arranged in the guide groove; and a socket is also provided on the lower pressure plate.

[0017] Furthermore, the power connection components are in two groups and are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the positioning frame.

[0018] The above one or more technical solutions in the metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism provided by the embodiment of the present invention have at least the following technical effects:

[0019] Battery to be formed is loaded in the positioning cavity, and the overlapped edge of the cover plate of battery is limited in the edge of the positioning cavity. Under the effect of the downward pressing driving member, the pressing plate is kept in the positioning cavity by the battery, and the electric probe is connected with the pole of the battery. Pad is installed to a side of the positioning frame, and the support portion on the pad inboard fits on one side of the cover of the battery, and can avoid the side wall of the metal shell by the support portion. In the formation process, the positioning frame of the battery is loaded in the formation equipment, and when the battery is applied with pressure by the formation equipment, the pressure is applied to the cover by the support portion of the pad again, so that the cover is slightly deformed, and pressure is applied to the battery core. Therefore avoid the pressure of the formation equipment from being applied to the side wall of the metal shell of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the other side of the metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a backing plate of a metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connected," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0029] In one embodiment of the metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism of the present invention, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , including a positioning frame 100, a lower pressure plate 200, a lower pressure drive member 300, an electrical probe 400, a switching contact 500 and a pad 600. Specifically, the positioning frame 100 is provided with a positioning cavity 101 that passes through from front to back. The positioning cavity 101 is used to position the battery, and the edge of the battery cover can be limited to the edge position formed by the mouth of the positioning cavity 101. Among them, the size of the positioning cavity 101 can be set according to the size of the battery to ensure that the center of the battery positioned in the positioning cavity 101 remains the same. In addition, the thickness of the positioning frame 100 can also be set according to the thickness of the battery. Specifically, a step position can be set on the front and back sides of the positioning frame 100 to avoid air leakage, so that the thickness of the part of the positioning frame 100 that holds the battery is smaller than the thickness of the battery. Guide limit structures 700 are provided on both sides of the upper end of the positioning cavity 101, and the two ends of the lower pressure plate 200 are slidably connected to the corresponding guide limit structures 700. In this embodiment, the guide limit structure 700 can be a structure such as a guide rail.

[0030] Preferably, refer to Figures 1 to 3The guide and limiting mechanism 102 can also be a guide groove provided on both sides of the positioning frame 100. The guide groove has a bottom. A connecting portion 210 extends from the end of the lower pressing plate 200. The connecting portion 210 extends into the guide groove, and the bottom of the guide groove can limit and support the connecting portion 210. Specifically, the positioning cavity 101 extends to the top side of the positioning frame 100 and forms two side frames 110. The guide groove is provided on the side frames.

[0031] The power probe 400 is disposed within the lower pressing plate 200, with the lower end of the power probe 400 extending beyond the bottom end of the lower pressing plate 200. The downward pressing drive 300 is connected to the lower pressing plate 200, and is used to maintain the lower pressing plate 200 and connect the power probe 400 to the battery pole within the positioning cavity 101. Specifically, when the battery is loaded into the positioning cavity 101, the driving force of the downward pressing drive 300 can be overcome first, so that the lower pressing plate 200 is moved away from the positioning cavity 101. This allows the battery to be smoothly loaded into the positioning cavity 101, and then the downward pressing drive 300 drives the lower pressing plate 200 downward, allowing the power probe 400 to detect the battery pole. In this embodiment, the downward pressing drive 300 can be a compression spring, solenoid, etc. installed in the guide groove.

[0032] Further, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 To automatically load the battery into the positioning cavity 101, a socket 201 is provided on the lower pressing plate 200. This can be inserted into the socket 201 using the opening mechanism on the automated production line, overcoming the driving force of the downward pressing drive 300 to move the lower pressing plate 200. This prevents the power probe 400 from interfering with the loaded battery, allowing the battery to be grasped and loaded into the positioning cavity 101 by the automated robot. A switching contact 500 is provided on one side of the positioning frame 100, specifically at the upper end of the frame 110. The switching contact 500 has a contact surface extending out of the positioning frame 100 for contacting the power connection unit of the formation equipment; the switching contact 500 is electrically connected to the power connection probe 400. More preferably, the power connection contacts 500 can be two sets, symmetrically arranged on either side of the positioning frame 100, to enable power connection to both the left and right sides. The switching contact 500 is a conventional electrical switching structure in the art and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0033] The backing plate 600 is reversibly or translatably mounted on one side of the frame 100. The inner side of the backing plate 600 includes a support portion 610 that extends into the positioning cavity 101. When installing a battery into the positioning cavity, the backing plate 600 is removed. Once the battery is installed in the positioning cavity 101, the backing plate 600 is mounted on the positioning frame 100.

[0034] Preferably, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4, the backing plate 600 is flipped and removably mounted on one side of the positioning frame 100. Specifically, connecting rods 620 extend from both sides of the upper end of the backing plate 600. A support groove 102 is provided on one upper end of the positioning frame 100. The support groove 102 is used to support and limit the connecting rod 620, and when the connecting rod 620 is placed in the support groove 102, the backing plate can swing and cover one side of the positioning cavity 101. Specifically, in the present embodiment, after the battery is loaded into the positioning cavity 101, the connecting rod 620 of the backing plate 600 is loaded into the support groove 102 so that the backing plate 600 can cover one side of the cover of the battery. When the metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism containing the battery is loaded into the formation fixture for formation, the formation equipment is electrically connected to the battery through the switching contact 500. The pressure generated by the formation equipment is applied to the backing plate 600, which in turn applies pressure to the battery via the support portion 610 within the backing plate 600. This balances the pressure on the battery while slightly deforming the battery cover, further applying pressure to the battery cells. This prevents the pressure from the formation equipment from being applied to the sidewalls of the battery's metal shell, ensuring precise control of the pressure applied to the battery cells during formation.

[0035] Further, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 A positioning rod 103 can be disposed within the support groove 102. The connecting rod 620 is provided with an annular groove 621. When the connecting rod 620 is positioned within the support groove 102, the annular groove 621 is positioned on the positioning rod 103. This maintains the widthwise position of the backing plate 600, ensuring that when the backing plate 600 presses against the battery cover, it avoids the side panels of the battery metal housing, further facilitating deformation of the battery cover, thereby achieving the goal of applying pressure to the battery cells within the battery housing without being affected by the metal housing side panels.

[0036] Further, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the support portion 610 includes a rubber pad, the support groove 102 includes a translation section 104, and the connecting rod 620 can translate in the translation section 104. Specifically, in this embodiment, after the battery is loaded into the positioning cavity 101, the connecting rod 620 of the pad 600 is loaded into the support groove 102, so that the pad 600 can cover the side of the battery with a limiting edge. The pressure applied to the battery in the formation equipment acts directly on the pad 600, so that the pad 600 can translate and apply pressure to the battery, thereby further ensuring that the battery can be subjected to balanced pressure. In this embodiment, the pad 600 can be a stainless steel plate, which has a certain elastic deformation and is more convenient for applying pressure to the battery. In addition, the connecting rod 620 is bent and wrapped by the upper end of the pad 600 to be fixedly connected. 102

[0037] Further, refer to Figure 1The width of the positioning cavity 101 is greater than the width of the battery. The lower ends of both sides of the positioning cavity 101 are provided with inwardly extending limiting protrusions 105. The bottom end of the lower pressing plate 200 is also provided with a limiting push rod 220. The limiting push rod 220 is used to keep the battery in the positioning cavity 101. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the battery is positioned in the positioning cavity 101, the side walls of the battery are limited by the limiting protrusions 105, and the position above the limiting protrusions 105 can avoid the side walls of the battery. Therefore, when the battery is loaded into the positioning cavity 101, it can be loaded from the part above the limiting protrusions 105. Under the action of the gravity of the battery, it is guided into the space formed by the two limiting protrusions 105, which facilitates the battery to be loaded into the positioning cavity 101. In addition, after the battery is loaded into the positioning cavity 101, the limiting push rod 220 of the lower pressing plate 200 limits the top plate of the battery.

[0038] Further, refer to Figure 1 Elastic retaining members 120 extending inward are further provided on both sides of the positioning cavity 101. The elastic retaining members 120 can further hold the battery in the positioning cavity 101, thereby preventing the battery from falling out of the positioning cavity 101 during transportation of the metal shell battery.

[0039] Specifically, the elastic limiting member 120 includes a slider 121, a compression spring 122 and a limiting pin 123. Figure 4 The sidewall of the positioning frame 100 is provided with a mounting slot 106, which extends through the positioning cavity 101. A step 107 is provided within the mounting slot 106. A slider 121 is disposed within the mounting slot 105 and is provided with a limiting boss 124. A limiting pin 123 is disposed within the mounting slot 105, with a compression spring 122 abutting between the limiting pin 123 and the limiting boss 124. A latch hole 125 is also provided on the slider 121, and the positioning frame 100 is provided with a waist-shaped hole to avoid the latch hole 125. In this embodiment, when the battery is loaded into the positioning cavity 101, a latch can be inserted into the latch hole 125 and the slider 121 can be moved to push the slider 121 out of the positioning cavity 101, so that the battery can be loaded conveniently. After the battery is loaded, the slider 121 can be pushed back to its original position under the restoring action of the compression spring 122, and the slider 121 can be kept on the side wall of the battery.

[0040] Furthermore, the front and back sides of the positioning frame 300 are symmetrically structured, and the left and right sides are also symmetrically structured, and both sides are provided with electrical contacts 500. Therefore, the battery positioning fixture 300 can be used in any reverse direction.

[0041] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism, characterized by: The battery pack is constructed by a process of moving the battery pack around and over the battery pack's base, and the unit is constructed so that the battery pack can be easily reliably mounted on the base, with the base having a plurality of moving parts, each of which is adapted to move relative to the battery pack's base. The battery pack is constructed so that the battery pack can be easily reliably mounted on the base, with the base having a plurality of moving parts, each of which is adapted to move relative to the battery pack's base.

2. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Connecting rods extend from both sides of the upper end of the pad; a supporting groove is provided on the upper end of one side of the positioning frame, and the supporting groove is used to support and limit the connecting rods.

3. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support portion includes a rubber pad, the support groove includes a translation section, and the connecting rod can translate in the translation section.

4. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: Positioning rods are provided at both ends of the supporting groove, and the connecting rod is provided with an annular groove for cooperating with the positioning rods.

5. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The front and rear sides of the positioning frame have the same structure and are symmetrically arranged.

6. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The width of the positioning cavity is greater than the width of the battery. The lower ends of both sides of the positioning cavity are provided with inwardly extending limiting protrusions. The bottom end of the lower pressure plate is also provided with a limiting push rod, and the limiting push rod is used to keep the battery in the positioning cavity.

7. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: Elastic retaining members extending inward are also provided on both sides of the positioning cavity.

8. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic limiting component includes a slider, a compression spring and a limiting pin; the side wall of the positioning frame is provided with a mounting slot hole, the mounting slot hole passes through the positioning cavity, a step is provided in the mounting slot hole, the slider is arranged in the mounting slot hole, and the slider is provided with a limiting boss; the limiting pin is arranged in the mounting slot hole, and the compression spring abuts between the limiting pin and the limiting boss; a pin hole is also provided on the slider, and the positioning frame is provided with a waist-shaped hole to avoid the pin hole.

9. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The positioning cavity passes through to the top side of the positioning frame and forms two side frames; the guide and limiting structure includes a guide groove arranged on the side frame, the end of the lower pressure plate is provided with a connecting portion extending into the guide groove, and the lower pressure drive member includes a lower pressure spring arranged in the guide groove; the lower pressure plate is also provided with a socket.

10. The metal shell battery formation clamping and positioning mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two groups of power connection components, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the positioning frame.

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