Cylindrical battery fixing device with improved disassembly function

Abstract

Disclosed is a cylindrical battery fixing device including: a lower case formed in the shape of a flat plate, the lower case having a through-hole configured to allow a cylindrical battery to be vertically inserted therethrough; an upper case fixed to the top of the lower case, the upper case being formed in a substantially cylindrical or three-edged cylinder shape, the upper case being provided in a lower end thereof with guide grooves arranged at intervals of 120 degrees; and three fixing units respectively inserted into the guide grooves of the upper case, the fixing units being movable along an upper surface of the lower case in a direction toward a center of the lower case, each fixing unit being provided on a front surface thereof with a fixing jaw configured to be inserted and fixed to a hemming portion of the cylindrical battery, wherein a fixing block is coupled to the rear surface of each fixing unit, and two or more compression springs are provided between the fixing block and the upper housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2023-0180142, filed on December 12, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery fixture with an improved disassembly function. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cylindrical battery fixture with an improved disassembly function that can smoothly discharge a manufactured or processed cylindrical battery after the cylindrical battery is secured to the cylindrical battery fixture for manufacturing or processing. Background Art

[0003] According to the shape of the battery case, secondary batteries are divided into: cylindrical batteries, which have an electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical metal can; prismatic batteries, which have an electrode assembly housed in a prismatic metal can; and pouch batteries, which have an electrode assembly housed in a pouch-shaped case made of aluminum laminate.

[0004] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a conventional cylindrical battery fixture. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lower housing of a conventional cylindrical battery fixture, and Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a fixing block of a conventional cylindrical battery fixing device.

[0005] Figures 1 to 3 The cylindrical battery fixture shown is a device for securing cylindrical batteries for a crimping process. The cylindrical battery fixture includes: a lower housing 10 having a through-hole 11 through which the cylindrical battery extends; an upper housing 20 secured to the top of the lower housing 10, having guide grooves 21 and housing securing portions 22 formed at 120-degree intervals; a securing unit 30 configured to secure the cylindrical battery; and three compression springs 40 positioned between a securing block 32 provided on the rear surface of the securing unit 30 and the upper housing 20.

[0006] In a conventional cylindrical battery fixture, while the fixing jaws 31 of the fixing unit 30 are in close contact with the cylindrical battery to secure it, the pressing portion moves downward from above to press the cylindrical battery, forming a press-fit portion on the cylindrical battery. After the press-fit process, the fixing unit 30 is moved back, at which point one-sided eccentricity may occur due to the presence of a compression spring 40.

[0007] The fixing unit 30 moves forward toward the center of the cylindrical battery or moves backward away from the center of the cylindrical battery via a compression spring 40. When the fixing unit 30 moves backward, it must rebound due to the elastic force of the compression spring 40, but the fixing unit may be stuck in the middle due to eccentricity.

[0008] Patent document 1 discloses a device for producing cylindrical secondary battery cells, which includes: a fixing member configured to press and fix the inner recess of a battery can; and a second moving part configured to move the fixing member, the second moving part being composed of a hydraulic pump or a motor, but Patent document 1 does not disclose any configuration for improving the disassembly function.

[0009] Patent document 2 discloses a crimping device for a lithium battery, which includes a crimping portion configured to press a cylindrical lithium battery using multiple springs to form a crimping portion at the cylindrical lithium battery, which is different from a configuration for pressing, supporting and fixing a curling portion.

[0010] Patent Documents 3 and 4 also do not disclose fixed jaws, and do not disclose any configuration for improving the disassembly function associated therewith.

[0011] (Prior art literature)

[0012] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2023-0131764 (“Patent Document 1”)

[0013] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1998-0078956 (“Patent Document 2”)

[0014] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 115472891 (“Patent Document 3”)

[0015] Chinese Utility Model Publication No. 218524843 ("Patent Document 4"). Summary of the Invention

[0016] Technical issues

[0017] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery fixing device with an improved disassembly function, which can prevent eccentricity of a fixing unit when fixing and releasing a cylindrical battery.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery fixture with an improved disassembly function, which can prevent the fixture unit from being caught by the peripheral portion due to eccentricity when the fixture unit moves forward and backward.

[0019] Technical Solutions

[0020] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a cylindrical battery fixing device, which includes: a lower shell 100, which is formed in the shape of a flat plate and has a through hole 110, and the through hole is configured to allow a cylindrical battery to be vertically inserted therethrough; an upper shell 200, which is fixed to the top of the lower shell 100, and is formed in the shape of a substantially cylindrical or triangular prism, and is provided with guide grooves 210 arranged at intervals of 120 degrees in its lower end portion; and three fixing units. 300, the fixing units are respectively inserted into the guide grooves 210 of the upper shell 200, and the fixing units can be moved along the upper surface of the lower shell 100 in a direction toward the center of the lower shell 100, and each fixing unit is provided with a fixing claw 310 on its front surface, which is configured to be inserted into and fixed to the curling portion of the cylindrical battery, wherein the rear surface of each fixing unit 300 is connected to a fixing block 320, and two or more compression springs 400 are provided between the fixing block 320 and the upper shell 200.

[0021] The compression springs 400 may be symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the guide groove 210 .

[0022] One end of each distal end portion of the compression spring 400 may be fixed to the housing fixing portion 220 of the upper housing 200 , and the other end of each distal end portion of the compression spring may be fixed to the distal end fixing portion 325 of the fixing block 320 .

[0023] The compression spring 400 provided at the fixing block 320 and the upper housing 200 may be located at the same level.

[0024] The fixing unit 300 may include: a front end portion 340 formed in a concave shape, the front end portion being provided with a forward-protruding fixing claw 310 at the center thereof; a central portion 350, the central portion being connected to the lower end portion of the front end portion 340, the central portion being formed in a roughly hexahedral shape, the central portion extending through the guide groove 210, and the fixing block 320 being connected to the central portion 350.

[0025] The length of the guide groove 210 may be equal to or greater than ½ of the length of the central portion 350 .

[0026] When the fixing units are coupled to be engaged with each other, the fixing jaws 310 of the three fixing units 300 may form a circle.

[0027] The cylindrical battery fixing device may include a synchronization unit (not shown) configured to enable the three fixing units 300 to move simultaneously by the same displacement when the three fixing units 300 move along the upper surface of the lower shell 100 in a direction toward the center of the lower shell or in a direction away from the center of the lower shell.

[0028] The cylindrical batteries C may be positioned through the through-holes 110 of the lower case 100 such that a portion of the cylindrical batteries protrudes upward from the lower case 100 .

[0029] The guide grooves may be provided at intervals of 90 degrees or 75 degrees in the lower end portion of the upper case, and the fixing units may be provided in four or five.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0031] Beneficial effects

[0032] In the cylindrical battery fixing device with improved disassembly function according to the present invention, the fixing unit is moved by two compression springs, thereby preventing unilateral eccentricity of the fixing unit.

[0033] In the cylindrical battery fixing device with improved disassembly function according to the present invention, when the fixing unit is moved backward by the two compression springs, even if the fixing unit rebounds by the elastic force of the compression springs, no eccentricity occurs, thereby preventing the fixing unit from being stuck by the peripheral part.

[0034] In the cylindrical battery fixing device with improved disassembly function according to the present invention, the length of the guide groove is equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the central portion, and thus the central portion is guided longer, thereby preventing eccentricity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a conventional cylindrical battery fixture.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the lower shell of a conventional cylindrical battery fixing device.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a fixing block of a conventional cylindrical battery fixing device.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lower case of a cylindrical battery fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fixing block of a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating fixing a cylindrical battery using a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Now, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, when describing the operating principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, when the detailed description of the known functions and configurations incorporated herein may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description of these known functions and configurations will be omitted.

[0043] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this part may not only be directly connected to the other part, but also be indirectly connected to the other part via another part. In addition, the inclusion of a certain element does not mean the exclusion of other elements, but means that such elements may also be included unless otherwise mentioned.

[0044] Unless otherwise limited, the description for embodying elements by limitation or addition can be applied to all inventions and is not limited to a specific invention.

[0045] Throughout the description and claims of this application, unless otherwise mentioned, singular forms are intended to include plural forms.

[0046] In the description and claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, "or" includes "and." Therefore, "including A or B" refers to three cases, namely, the case including A, the case including B, and the case including A and B.

[0047] Hereinafter, a cylindrical battery fixing device with improved disassembly function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a sectional view of a lower housing of a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a fixing block of a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating fixing a cylindrical battery using a cylindrical battery fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown in FIG, the cylindrical battery fixing device according to the present invention includes a lower case 100 , an upper case 200 , a fixing unit 300 and a compression spring 400 .

[0050] The lower case 100 is formed in the shape of a flat plate, is fixed, and is provided at its central portion with a through hole 110 through which the cylindrical battery C can be placed. When the cylindrical battery C is positioned through the through hole 110 of the lower case 100, a portion of the cylindrical battery C protrudes upward from the lower case 100.

[0051] The upper housing 200 is located above the lower housing 100, is fixed, and is formed in a generally cylindrical or triangular shape, wherein guide grooves 210 are provided at intervals of 120 degrees in the lower end portion of the cylinder or triangular prism. Two housing fixing portions 220 are provided in each of the guide grooves 210 of the upper housing 200, and the distal end of the compression spring 400 is fixed to each of the housing fixing portions 220.

[0052] The length of the guide groove 210 is equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the central portion 350, and thus the central portion 350 is guided longer, thereby preventing eccentricity of the fixing unit 300. In a conventional cylindrical battery fixing device, the length of the guide groove 21 is equal to or less than 1 / 2 of the length of the central portion 35.

[0053] The fixing unit 300 is configured to fix the cylindrical batteries C positioned through the through-holes 110 of the lower case 100 , and includes fixing jaws 310 , a fixing block 320 , a front end portion 340 , and a central portion 350 .

[0054] The fixing units 300 may be provided in three such that the fixing units are equally spaced about the central axis of the cylindrical battery C, and a synchronization unit (not shown) may be provided such that when the fixing units move along the upper surface of the lower shell 100 in a direction toward the center of the lower shell 100 or in a direction away from the center of the lower shell 100, the three fixing units may simultaneously move by the same displacement.

[0055] The synchronization unit (not shown) can be connected to the fixed unit 300 by bolts or screws and can operate based on the same principle as the principle of simultaneous movement of the three chucks. The technology for simultaneously moving the fixed unit 300 using the synchronization unit (not shown) is known in the mechanical field and has been used in chucks of lathes used for metal processing.

[0056] In addition, the three fixing units 300 may be arranged such that angles between adjacent fixing units 300 with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical battery C are the same.

[0057] The fixing jaws 310 are concave in shape, come into close contact with the cylindrical battery C to fix the cylindrical battery C, and are shaped to be inserted into the curling portion of the cylindrical battery C.

[0058] The concave shape of the fixing jaws 310 has the same curvature as the shape of the side surface of the cylindrical battery C in close contact therewith. When the fixing units 300 move forward in a direction toward the cylindrical battery C and engage with each other, the fixing jaws 310 of the three fixing units 300 form a circle.

[0059] When the fixing jaws 310 are positioned to engage with each other, the fixing jaws may have the same shape as the edge of the cylindrical battery C. In this case, the fixing force is the highest. Even if the fixing jaws 310 do not have the same shape as the edge of the cylindrical battery C, when the fixing jaws 310 are positioned to engage with each other, the fixing jaws 310 are preferably positioned at the same angle and the same distance from the central axis of the cylindrical battery C.

[0060] The fixing block 320 may be located at the rear of the central portion 350 positioned on the upper surface of the lower housing 100 to support the compression spring 400 , and may be flat.

[0061] The fixing block 320 may have a distal end fixing portion 325 recessed to a predetermined depth to prevent the compression spring 400 supported by the fixing block 320 from being supported at a position other than a designated position or deviating from the designated position.

[0062] The front end portion 340 extends vertically from the center portion 350 on the upper surface of the lower case 100 , and fixing claws 310 are formed on a side surface of the front end portion 340 adjacent to the cylindrical batteries C to protrude toward the cylindrical batteries C.

[0063] The front end portion 340 extends from a distal end of the central portion 350 close to the cylindrical batteries C in a vertical direction.

[0064] The central portion 350 has a substantially hexahedral shape, is located on the upper surface of the lower housing 100 through the guide groove 210 , and is connected to the fixing block 320 and the front end portion 340 to support them.

[0065] Here, the length of the guide groove 210 is equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the central portion 350. When the length of the guide groove 210 is equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the central portion 350, the central portion 350 is guided longer, thereby preventing eccentricity.

[0066] Despite Figure 6 The configuration for fixing the fixing block 320 and the central portion 350 is not specifically disclosed, but the fixing block 320 and the central portion 350 can be fixed and connected, for example, by using bolts, bolts and nuts, or press-fit screw components, and the components and methods capable of fixing and connecting the fixing block 320 and the central portion 350 are not particularly limited.

[0067] The compression spring 400 is an elastic spring, which participates in the movement of the fixing unit 300, and both side ends of the compression spring are fixed, wherein one side end of the compression spring is fixed to the distal end fixing part 325 of the fixing block 320, and the other side end of the compression spring is fixed to the shell fixing part 220 of the upper shell 200, thereby preventing the deviation of the compression spring.

[0068] The compression spring 400 fixed to the fixing block 320 and the housing fixing portion 220 is arranged to be located at the same level. This is because if the compression spring has different positions, pressure from the compression spring 400 is applied to different positions, thereby causing eccentricity.

[0069] The compression spring 400 is symmetrically arranged and fixed with respect to the central axis of the guide groove 210 to prevent eccentricity.

[0070] The surface S on which the compression spring 400 sits of the distal end fixing portion 325 of the fixing block 320 to which the compression spring 400 is fixed is symmetrically positioned at equally spaced distances relative to the central axis of the fixing block 320 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing eccentricity of the compression spring 400.

[0071] As needed, the present invention can provide a cylindrical battery fixing device with four or five fixing units 300 . In this case, four or five guide grooves 210 can be provided.

[0072] When four guide grooves 210 are provided, the guide grooves 210 may be spaced 90 degrees apart from each other, and when five guide grooves 210 are provided, the guide grooves 210 may be spaced 75 degrees apart from each other.

[0073] As an example, assuming that the number of the guide grooves 210 is n, the guide grooves 210 are spaced apart from each other by 360 / n degrees.

[0074] It is apparent that the fixing unit 300 and the compression spring 400 are also spaced apart from each other at the same angle according to the position of the guide groove 210 .

[0075] Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the detailed description of the present invention only discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and technical concept of the present invention, and it will be apparent that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0076] (Description of Reference Signs)

[0077] 10, 100: lower shell

[0078] 11, 110: through hole

[0079] 20, 200: Upper shell

[0080] 21, 210: guide groove

[0081] 22, 220: Shell fixed part

[0082] 30, 300: Fixed unit

[0083] 31, 310: Fixed jaws

[0084] 32, 320: fixed blocks

[0085] 33,325: distal end fixing portion

[0086] 40, 400: compression spring

[0087] 34, 340: front end portion

[0088] 35, 350: Central part

[0089] C: Cylindrical battery

[0090] S: Surface for the compression spring to sit on

Claims

1. A cylindrical battery fixing device, comprising: a lower case formed in the shape of a flat plate, the lower case having a through-hole configured to allow cylindrical batteries to be vertically inserted therethrough; an upper housing fixed to a top portion of the lower housing, the upper housing being formed in a substantially cylindrical or triangular cylindrical shape, the upper housing being provided with guide grooves arranged at intervals of 120 degrees in a lower end portion thereof; and Three fixing units, each of which is inserted into the guide groove of the upper shell, and is movable along the upper surface of the lower shell in a direction toward the center of the lower shell, each of which is provided with a fixing claw on its front surface, and the fixing claw is configured to be inserted into and fixed to the curling portion of the cylindrical battery, wherein A fixing block is connected to the rear surface of each fixing unit, and Two or more compression springs are provided between the fixing block and the upper housing.

2. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The compression springs are symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the guide groove.

3. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 2, wherein: One end of each distal end portion of the compression spring is fixed to the housing fixing portion of the upper housing, and The other end of each distal end portion of the compression spring is fixed to the distal end fixing portion of the fixing block.

4. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 2, wherein: The compression springs provided at the fixing block and the upper housing are located at the same level.

5. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing unit includes: a front end portion formed in a concave shape, the front end portion being provided at a center thereof with the fixing claw protruding forward; a central portion connected to a lower end portion of the front end portion, the central portion being formed in a substantially hexahedral shape, the central portion extending through the guide groove, and The fixing block is coupled to the central portion.

6. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 4, wherein: The length of the guide groove is equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the central portion.

7. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the three fixing units are coupled to be engaged with each other, the fixing claws of the three fixing units form a circle.

8. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 1 comprises a synchronization unit, wherein the synchronization unit is configured to enable the three fixing units to simultaneously move the same displacement when the three fixing units move along the upper surface of the lower shell in a direction toward the center of the lower shell or in a direction away from the center of the lower shell.

9. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The cylindrical battery is positioned through the through-hole of the lower case such that a portion of the cylindrical battery protrudes upward from the lower case.

10. The cylindrical battery fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide grooves are provided at intervals of 90 degrees or 75 degrees in the lower end portion of the upper housing, and The number of the fixing units is four or five.

Images