Welding device

Abstract

A welding apparatus according to one example of the present invention includes a welding portion including a lower jig having a seating portion open toward a welding target on which the welding target is seated, a lower lifting portion provided to lift the lower jig, and a laser irradiation portion provided to irradiate a foreign matter on the lower jig, and a foreign matter cleaning portion provided to clean the foreign matter on the lower jig. The laser irradiation portion is configured to irradiate the welding target with a laser beam, and the foreign matter cleaning portion includes a scraper configured to be able to enter the seating portion after the lower jig is lowered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding device, in particular to a laser welding device, and in particular to a welding device capable of automatically cleaning foreign matter attached to a welding cover.

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0103487, filed on August 8, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Figure 1 1 is a diagram for explaining a method of laser welding a welding target using a conventional laser welding device.

[0004] like Figure 1 As shown, the laser welding device 20 includes a welding cover 25. During laser welding, the electrode tabs 11 and the electrode leads 12 of the secondary battery are placed on the welding cover 25, and then the laser welding process is performed.

[0005] The electrode tabs 11 are provided to protrude from the electrode assembly 1 of the secondary battery.

[0006] The electrode lead 12 is stacked on the electrode tab 11 such that a portion overlaps the electrode tab 11 and the remaining portion protrudes to one side of the electrode tab 11 .

[0007] The welding mask 25 is provided on the portion where the electrode lead 12 overlaps the electrode tab 11. The laser welding device 20 irradiates the portion where the electrode lead 12 overlaps the electrode tab 11 with a laser beam B. The electrode lead 12 is coupled to the electrode tab 11 by welding.

[0008] During laser welding, foreign matter S (such as spatter) generated when the electrode lead 12 and the electrode tab 11 are melted flows downward to the weld cap 25 and simultaneously adheres to the inner periphery 26 of the weld cap 25 .

[0009] Figure 2 Schematic diagram for explaining a state in which foreign matter S generated during laser welding adheres to the inner periphery of the welding cap 25. As the number of welds increases, foreign matter S accumulates on the inner periphery 26 of the welding cap 25.

[0010] Such foreign matter S interferes with the laser beam B during laser welding. If laser welding is repeated with the foreign matter S attached to the welding cap 25, there is a problem of deterioration in welding quality. To solve this problem, conventionally, the welding cap 25 is periodically replaced.

[0011] When the welding cap 25 is replaced, the laser welding device 20 stops operating. Therefore, the welding of the welding target 10 is stopped due to the replacement time of the welding cap 25.

[0012] When the laser welding device 20 stops, a production loss occurs for the welding target 10. Therefore, a device capable of automatically cleaning the welding cap 25 without replacing the welding cap 25 is required. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The present invention is directed to providing a welding device capable of automatically cleaning foreign matter attached to a lower cover in a welding standby mode without stopping a welding portion.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] According to an example of the present invention, a welding device includes a welding part and a foreign matter cleaning part, the welding part includes a lower clamp, a lower lifting part and a laser irradiation part, the lower clamp has a placement part opening toward a welding target, the welding target is placed on the placement part, the lower lifting part is configured to lift and lower the lower clamp, the laser irradiation part is configured to irradiate the welding target with a laser beam, and the foreign matter cleaning part includes a scraper, and the scraper is configured to be able to enter the placement part after the lower clamp is lowered.

[0017] Furthermore, the foreign matter cleaning portion may be configured such that the scraper reciprocates within the seating portion along a length direction of the seating portion.

[0018] Furthermore, the seating portion may include a space portion for inserting the scraper and a seating surface for seating the welding target; the space portion may be open toward both ends in the longitudinal direction and the welding target, respectively. The seating portion may include an inner periphery forming the space portion.

[0019] In addition, the scraper may be disposed parallel to the length direction of the seating portion.

[0020] Furthermore, the length of the scraper may be greater than that of the seating portion, and the scraper may be provided so as to be able to contact an inner periphery of the seating portion when entering the seating portion.

[0021] Furthermore, when the scraper enters the seating portion, a portion of an outer surface of the scraper may contact an inner periphery of the seating portion along a circumferential direction of the scraper and may be exposed to an upper portion of the seating portion.

[0022] Furthermore, the foreign matter cleaning portion may include a cleaning driving portion that provides a driving force to the scraper so that the scraper performs linear reciprocating motion.

[0023] In addition, the welding device may include a control part that controls operations of the welding part and the foreign matter cleaning part.

[0024] Furthermore, the control portion may be configured to execute a welding mode in which the welding portion laser welds the welding target, and execute a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning portion removes foreign matter from the seating portion in a welding standby mode after completing the welding mode.

[0025] Furthermore, the control portion may be configured to execute the cleaning mode at a preset cycle.

[0026] In addition, the lower clamp may include a lower cover and a clamp seating portion, the lower cover having the seating portion and a suction channel connected to the seating portion, the lower cover and the foreign matter cleaning portion being mounted on the clamp seating portion, and the clamp seating portion being configured to be lifted and lowered by the lower lifting portion.

[0027] Furthermore, the suction passage may be connected to be in fluid communication with the space portion of the seating portion.

[0028] In addition, the control portion may be configured to raise the lower lifting portion in the welding mode to move the lower cover toward the welding position, and the control portion may be configured to lower the lower lifting portion in the welding standby mode to move the lower cover toward a lower standby position lower than the welding position.

[0029] Furthermore, the control portion may operate the foreign matter cleaning portion so that the scraper of the foreign matter cleaning portion enters the seating portion and reciprocates along a length direction of the seating portion when the lower lifting portion descends.

[0030] Furthermore, the control portion may be configured to raise the lower lifting portion after the foreign matter cleaning portion is operated so that the scraper is separated from the seating portion.

[0031] In addition, the welding portion may include an upper jig having a beam opening configured to allow the laser beam to pass therethrough, the beam opening being configured to face the seating portion, and the upper jig being configured to pressurize the welding target up and down together with the lower jig in the welding mode.

[0032] Furthermore, the welding portion may include a suction portion mounted on the lower fixture to be in fluid communication with the seating portion, the suction portion being configured to suck fumes generated in the welding target during the welding mode. The suction portion may be connected to be in fluid communication with the suction channel.

[0033] Furthermore, the control portion may be arranged to operate the suction portion in the cleaning mode.

[0034] Beneficial effects

[0035] As described above, the welding device related to at least one example of the present invention has the following effects.

[0036] The foreign matter cleaning part can perform a cleaning mode in the welding standby mode to automatically clean foreign matter attached to the inner periphery of the lower cover. Therefore, the present invention can perform a welding mode after periodically automatically cleaning the lower cover to improve the welding quality of the welding target.

[0037] Furthermore, by performing a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning portion cleans the lower cover in the welding standby mode, welding can be continuously performed on the welding target without stopping the welding portion.

[0038] Furthermore, by continuously performing welding on a welding target without stopping the welding section for replacement of the lower cover, the welding yield of the welding target can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, by using the foreign matter cleaning portion to perform periodic automatic cleaning, the labor and investment costs for replacing and cleaning the lower cover can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 1 is a diagram for explaining a method of laser welding a welding target using a conventional laser welding device.

[0041] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which foreign matter generated during laser welding adheres to the inner periphery of the welding cover.

[0042] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a welding device according to one example of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing a seating portion of a scraper and a lower clamp.

[0044] Figure 5 2 is a schematic diagram showing a seating portion of a lower jig.

[0045] Figures 6 to 8 Schematic diagrams showing various shapes of scrapers.

[0046] Figure 9 An operating state of the welding device in cleaning mode is shown.

[0047] Figure 10 An operating state of the welding device in welding mode is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Hereinafter, a welding device according to one example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Furthermore, regardless of the reference numerals, the same or corresponding components are given the same or similar reference numerals, repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the size and shape of each component shown may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation.

[0050] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a welding device 100 according to an example of the present invention, Figure 4 3 is a perspective view showing the scraper 510 and the seating portion 311 of the lower jig 310 .

[0051] in addition, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the placement portion 311 of the lower fixture, Figures 6 to 8 Schematic diagrams showing various shapes of scrapers.

[0052] A welding apparatus 100 according to an example of the present invention includes a welding portion 200 for laser welding a welding target 10 .

[0053] The welding portion 200 includes a lower clamp 310, a lower lifting portion 330 and a laser irradiation portion 600, wherein the lower clamp 310 has a placement portion 311 opening toward the welding target 10, the welding target 10 is placed on the placement portion 311, the lower lifting portion 330 is configured to lift the lower clamp 310, and the laser irradiation portion 600 is configured to irradiate the welding target with a laser beam.

[0054] Furthermore, the welding device 100 includes a foreign matter cleaning portion 500 for removing foreign matter from the seating portion 311 of the lower jig 310 .

[0055] The foreign matter cleaning portion 500 includes a scraper 510 provided to be able to enter the seating portion 311 after the lower jig 310 is lowered.

[0056] In addition, the welding device 100 according to an example of the present invention may include a welding unit 200 and a foreign matter cleaning unit 500. The welding unit 200 includes a lower clamp 300, a lower lifting unit 330, and a laser irradiation unit 600. The lower clamp 300 has a placement portion 311 opened toward the welding target 10, and the welding target 10 is placed on the placement portion 311. The lower lifting unit 330 is configured to lift the lower clamp 300. The laser irradiation unit 600 is configured to use a laser beam B (see FIG. Figure 10 ) irradiating the welding target 10, the foreign matter cleaning portion 500 includes a scraper 510, and the scraper 510 is provided to be able to enter the seating portion 311 after the lower jig 300 is lowered from the welding target 10.

[0057] In addition, the welding apparatus 100 may include a control part 700 that controls operations of the welding part 200 and the foreign matter cleaning part 500 .

[0058] Figure 9shows an operating state of the welding device in cleaning mode, Figure 10 An operating state of the welding device in welding mode is shown.

[0059] The welding device 100 includes a welding portion 200 configured to laser weld a welding target 10 in a welding mode. Figure 1 , the welding target 10 may be an electrode tab 11 and an electrode lead 12 of an electrode assembly 1 in a secondary battery. In the welding mode, the electrode tab 11 and the electrode lead 12 may be welded.

[0060] The welding part 200 includes a lower jig 300 having a seating portion 311 with an upper portion opened, the seating portion 311 being positioned in a welding mode such that a lower surface of the welding target 10 covers the seating portion 311 .

[0061] The lower jig 300 includes a lower cover 310 having a seating portion 311 . The lower cover 310 is a welding cover and may have a suction channel 317 .

[0062] In the welding mode, the welding target 10 is placed on the seating portion 311. The seating portion 311 may have a space portion 315 into which the scraper 510 may be inserted and a seating surface 313 on which the welding target 10 is mounted. The suction channel 317 may be connected to be in fluid communication with the space portion 315 of the seating portion 311.

[0063] In addition, the space portion 315 may be open toward both ends 311a, 311b in the length direction y and the welding target 10, respectively, and the seating portion 311 may have an inner periphery 312 forming the space portion 315. Foreign matter S may adhere to the inner periphery 312 in the welding mode.

[0064] In addition, the lower cover 310 is formed of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and durability. As an example, the lower cover 310 may be made of beryllium copper, cemented carbide, or high-speed steel.

[0065] The lower cover 310 is provided so that the seating portion 311 opens toward the upper portion. The seating portion 111 opens toward the welding target 10 and is provided so that the bottom portion can be in fluid communication with the suction passage 317 and the suction portion 340 described below.

[0066] Furthermore, the seating portion 311 is configured such that its length in the longitudinal direction y is smaller than the width W1 of the welding target 10. The length L1 of the seating portion 311 may be approximately 1 mm to 3 mm smaller than the width W1 of the welding target 10. For example, the seating portion 311 may have a length L1 of approximately 2.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0067] In addition, the lower jig 300 may include a jig seating portion 320 on which the lower cover 310 is mounted. On the jig seating portion 320, the lower cover 310 and the foreign matter cleaning portion 500 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the length direction y of the seating portion 311.

[0068] Furthermore, the lower clamp 300 may include a lower lifting portion 330 mounted on the clamp seating portion 320. The lower lifting portion 330 may be configured to lift and lower the clamp seating portion 320 in a height direction z that is perpendicular to the length direction y of the seating portion. In this configuration, when the clamp seating portion 320 rises, the lower cover 310 and the foreign matter cleaning portion 500 rise together, and when the clamp seating portion 320 descends, the lower cover 310 and the foreign matter cleaning portion 500 descend together.

[0069] The foreign matter cleaning portion 500 may be provided to enter the seating portion 311 after the lower jig 300 is lowered from the welding target 10 , thereby clearing the foreign matter S of the seating portion 311 .

[0070] In addition, the foreign matter cleaning unit 500 includes a scraper 510, and the scraper 510 is provided to be able to enter the seating portion 311. The scraper 510 is provided parallel to the longitudinal direction y of the seating portion.

[0071] The scraper 510 is provided to scrape off foreign matter S existing on the inner periphery 312 of the space portion 315 of the seating portion 311 using physical friction. The foreign matter S may be spatter generated in a welding mode, etc. The scraper 510 may be made of a metal material and may have a bar shape.

[0072] The scraper 510 may be disposed to enter the seating portion 311 so that a portion of its outer surface may contact the inner periphery 312 of the seating portion 311 along the circumference of the scraper 510 and is exposed to an upper portion of the seating portion 311 .

[0073] See also Figure 4 , the length L2 of the scraper 510 may be longer than the length L1 of the seating portion 311. Alternatively, the scraper 510 may be set to be shorter than the length L1 of the seating portion 311. However, when the scraper 510 is shorter than the length L1 of the seating portion 311, the driving shaft of the cleaning driving unit 520 connected to the scraper 510 may be set to be able to enter the seating portion 311 together with the scraper 510.

[0074] See also Figures 5 to 8 The scraper 510 may have a cross section capable of contacting the inner periphery 312 of the seating portion 311 in the width direction x of the seating portion 311 .

[0075] As an example, the scraper 510 may be configured to have a circular cross-section (see Figure 6 ), quadrilateral cross section (see Figure 7 ) or trapezoidal cross section (see Figure 8 ) columnar shape.

[0076] See also Figure 8 When the scraper 510 has a trapezoidal cross section, the scraper 510 may also be configured such that its short side is positioned inside the seating portion 311 when entering the seating portion 311 , and its long side parallel to the short side is exposed outside the seating portion 311 .

[0077] The foreign matter cleaning unit 500 may include a cleaning driving unit 520 that provides a driving force to the scraper 510 so that the scraper 510 moves linearly and reciprocatingly.

[0078] The cleaning driving unit 520 operates the scraper 510 in the cleaning mode so that the scraper 510 reciprocates along the length direction y of the seating portion within the seating portion 311. The cleaning driving unit 520 may be a motor or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0079] In addition, when the cleaning drive unit 520 operates, the scraper 510 scrapes off foreign matter S present on the inner periphery 312 of the seating portion 311 and / or the boundary between the seating surface 313 and the inner periphery 312 while reciprocating along the length direction y of the seating portion 311 .

[0080] Here, the seating surface 313 is a portion that extends to the upper portion of the inner periphery 312 and is used to seat the welding target 10 .

[0081] As described above, the welding apparatus 100 may include the control part 700 that controls operations of the welding part 200 and the foreign matter cleaning part 500 .

[0082] The control part 700 may be configured to execute a welding mode in which the welding part 200 laser welds a welding target, and execute a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning part 500 removes foreign matter from the seating part in a welding standby mode after the welding mode is completed.

[0083] The control part 700 executes a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning part 500 removes foreign matter from the seating part 311 in the welding standby mode after the welding mode is completed.

[0084] See also Figure 9 , the control part 700 lowers the lower lifting part 330 in the welding standby mode.

[0085] During the lowering operation of the lower lifting part 330, the jig seating part 320 moves downward in the height direction z. When the lower cover 310 is positioned at the lower standby position H1, the lower lifting part 330 stops operating. The lower standby position H1 is a position spaced below the welding position H2.

[0086] In the lowering operation of the lower lifting part 330 , the control part 700 allows the foreign matter cleaning part 500 to perform the cleaning mode at a preset cycle.

[0087] In the cleaning mode, the foreign matter cleaning unit 500 allows the scraper 510 to enter the seating portion 311, thereby reciprocating in the longitudinal direction y of the seating portion 311. In this case, the scraper 510 reciprocates between one end 311a of the seating portion 311 and the other end 311b of the seating portion 311 along the longitudinal direction y of the seating portion 311. The scraper 510 physically scrapes off foreign matter S from the inner periphery 312 of the seating portion 311 while reciprocating.

[0088] The foreign matter cleaning part 500 may perform a cleaning mode in the welding standby mode, thereby automatically cleaning the lower cover 310 without replacing the lower cover 310 .

[0089] In addition, the control part 700 operates the welding part 200 in the welding mode. In the welding mode, the welding part 200 laser welds the welding target 10.

[0090] Meanwhile, after the cleaning mode is completed and before the welding mode, the control portion 700 may be configured to raise the lower lifting portion 330 after operating the foreign matter cleaning portion 500 so that the scraper 510 is separated from the seating portion 311. In this case, the scraper 510 is separated from the seating portion 311 while moving backward in a direction away from the seating portion 311.

[0091] Meanwhile, the welding part 200 may include an upper jig 400 configured to pressurize the welding target 10 up and down together with the lower jig 300 in the welding mode, and a suction part 340 configured to suck fumes generated in the welding mode.

[0092] Furthermore, the upper jig 400 includes an upper cover 410 having a beam opening 411 provided so as to allow the laser beam B to pass therethrough. The upper cover 410 is a welding cover and is formed of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and durability.

[0093] In addition, the upper cover 410 is positioned above the lower cover 310 so that the beam opening 411 faces the seating portion 311. In addition, the upper cover 410 is provided to be spaced apart from the lower cover 310 in the upper and lower directions, with the welding target 10 inserted between the upper cover 410 and the lower cover 310. The upper cover 410 is provided so as to be able to contact the upper surface of the welding target 10 at the welding position H2 in the welding mode.

[0094] In addition, the upper fixture 400 further includes an upper lifting portion 420 configured to lift and lower the upper cover 410 along a height direction z.

[0095] The controller 700 operates the upper lifting unit 420 downward in the welding mode so that the upper cover 410 is positioned at the welding position H2. In addition, the upper cover 410 moves from the upper standby position H3 to the welding position H2.

[0096] In addition, the control part 700 operates the lower lifting part 520 upward so that the lower cover 310 is positioned at the welding position H2. In this case, the lower cover 310 moves from the lower standby position H1 to the welding position H2.

[0097] In addition, in the upward operation of the lower lifting part 330, the jig seating part 320 moves upward in the height direction z. When the lower cover 310 is positioned at the welding position H2, the lower lifting part 330 stops operating.

[0098] Also, the control part 700 allows the upper cover 410 and the lower cover 310 to pressurize the welding target 10 up and down at the welding position H2. In addition, the control part 700 operates the laser irradiation part 600 and the suction part 340 in the welding mode.

[0099] In the welding mode, the laser irradiation part 600 irradiates the welding target 10 with the laser beam B through the beam opening 411. The laser irradiation part 600 irradiates the welding target 10 with the laser beam B while moving in the length direction y of the seating portion.

[0100] In addition, the suction part 340 sucks fumes generated from the welding target 10 in the welding mode. The suction part 340 is installed on the lower jig 300 to be able to fluidly communicate with the seating part 311. The suction part 340 applies vacuum pressure P0 to the inside of the suction channel 317 in the welding mode.

[0101] At the same time, the control part 700 operates the suction part 340 in the cleaning mode. The suction part 340 is configured to suck foreign matter S in the cleaning mode.

[0102] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art with ordinary knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and these modifications, changes and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0103] Industrial Applicability

[0104] According to the welding apparatus related to at least one example of the present invention, a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning part cleans the lower cover may be performed in the welding standby mode.

Claims

1. A welding device comprising: a welding portion comprising a lower jig, a lower elevating portion, and a laser irradiating portion, wherein the lower jig has a seating portion opening toward a welding target, the welding target is seated on the seating portion, the lower elevating portion is configured to elevate the lower jig, and the laser irradiating portion is configured to irradiate the welding target with a laser beam; and The foreign matter cleaning portion includes a scraper, and the scraper is configured to enter the seating portion after the lower clamp is lowered.

2. The welding device according to claim 1, wherein The foreign matter cleaning portion is configured such that the scraper reciprocates within the seating portion along a length direction of the seating portion.

3. The welding device according to claim 2, wherein: The seating portion has a space portion for inserting the scraper and a seating surface for seating the welding target; The space portions are respectively open toward both ends in the length direction and the welding target.

4. The welding device according to claim 2, wherein: The scraper is arranged parallel to the length direction of the placement portion.

5. The welding device according to claim 3, wherein: The length of the scraper is greater than that of the seating portion, and the scraper is configured to contact an inner periphery of the seating portion when entering the seating portion.

6. The welding device according to claim 2, wherein: When the scraper enters the seating portion, a portion of an outer surface of the scraper contacts an inner periphery of the seating portion along a circumferential direction of the scraper, and a portion of the outer surface of the scraper is exposed to an upper portion of the seating portion.

7. The welding device according to claim 1, wherein: The foreign matter cleaning unit further includes a cleaning driving unit, which provides a driving force for the scraper to cause the scraper to perform linear reciprocating motion.

8. The welding device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that controls operations of the welding unit and the foreign matter cleaning unit; The control part executes a welding mode in which the welding part laser welds the welding target, and executes a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning part removes foreign matter from the seating part in a welding standby mode after the welding mode is completed.

9. The welding device according to claim 8, wherein: The control portion is configured to execute the cleaning mode at a preset cycle.

10. The welding device according to claim 8, wherein The lower clamp further includes a lower cover and a clamp placement portion, the lower cover having the placement portion and a suction channel connected to the placement portion, the lower cover and the foreign matter cleaning portion are mounted on the clamp placement portion, and the clamp placement portion is configured to be lifted and lowered by the lower lifting portion. The control unit raises the lower lifting unit in the welding mode to move the lower cover toward the welding position. The control portion lowers the lower lifting portion in the welding standby mode to move the lower cover toward a lower standby position lower than the welding position.

11. The welding device according to claim 10, wherein: The control unit operates the foreign matter cleaning unit so that the scraper of the foreign matter cleaning unit enters the seating portion and reciprocates along a length direction of the seating portion when the lower lifting unit descends.

12. The welding device according to claim 11, wherein The control portion is configured to raise the lower lifting portion after the foreign matter cleaning portion is operated so that the scraper is separated from the seating portion.

13. The welding device according to claim 8, wherein: The welding portion further comprises: an upper jig having a beam opening configured to allow the laser beam to pass therethrough, the beam opening being configured to face the seating portion, the upper jig being configured to pressurize the welding target upward and downward together with the lower jig in the welding mode; and A suction portion is mounted on the lower fixture to be in fluid communication with the seating portion, the suction portion being configured to suck fumes generated in the welding target in the welding mode.

14. The welding device according to claim 13, wherein: The control portion is configured to operate the suction portion in the cleaning mode.

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