A forming device, a lamination apparatus, and a battery production line

Abstract

A forming apparatus includes multiple connecting plates, multiple forming partitions, and a variable-pitch structure. The connecting plates connect adjacent forming partitions, and sheet material is inserted between adjacent forming partitions. The variable-pitch structure is used to move the forming partitions in a first direction to reduce the spacing between adjacent sheet materials, and the connecting plates are used to limit the sheet material in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. This forming apparatus can effectively improve the stacking efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, specifically to a forming apparatus, a stacking equipment, and a battery production line. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of battery manufacturing, stacking is an important process. Current stacking methods require positive electrode, separator and negative electrode to be laid layer by layer. In order to ensure the stacking yield, the stacking process requires the accurate relative positions of the positive electrode, separator and negative electrode. Therefore, the position of the electrode needs to be corrected during the layer-by-layer stacking. As a result, the stacking efficiency is low and cannot meet the current battery manufacturing efficiency requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a stacking method to solve the technical problem of low stacking efficiency in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the objectives of this application, the following technical solution is provided:

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a forming apparatus, which includes a plurality of connecting pieces, a plurality of forming partitions, and a variable-pitch structure; the connecting pieces connect adjacent forming partitions, and sheet material is inserted between adjacent forming partitions; the variable-pitch structure is used to move the forming partitions in a first direction to reduce the gap between adjacent sheet material, and the connecting pieces are used to limit the sheet material in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0006] In the forming apparatus provided in this application, sheet material is inserted between forming partitions, and the spacing between the forming partitions is reduced through a variable-pitch structure, thereby reducing the distance between the sheet materials and achieving sheet material compression. Compared to the prior art of laying and stacking sheet materials layer by layer, the sheet material insertion and stacking method in this application can compress and stack multiple sheet materials simultaneously, effectively improving stacking efficiency. Furthermore, since the sheet material is inserted into the forming apparatus, and the connecting piece can limit the position of the sheet material in the second direction when the forming partitions move in the first direction, the forming apparatus acts as a position reference when accommodating the inserted sheet material, utilizing the sheet material's own gravity combined with the limiting effect of the connecting piece. That is, the forming apparatus corrects the sheet material in at least one direction, thus eliminating the need for correction in at least one direction, effectively saving stacking time and further improving stacking efficiency.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the forming device is suitable for stacking a first sheet and a second sheet, the difference between the width of the first sheet and the width of the second sheet being a, and the connecting pieces include a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece arranged sequentially at intervals between the forming partitions, the first connecting piece being used to support the first sheet and the second connecting piece being used to support the second sheet; when the variable-pitch structure is in the unfolded state, a plurality of first connecting pieces are in the same plane in the second direction and a plurality of second connecting pieces are in the same plane in the second direction, the interval between the first connecting pieces and the second connecting pieces in the second direction is h and a > h > 0.

[0008] In the forming apparatus provided in this application, by designing the spacing between the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece in the second direction, the first sheet and the second sheet being supported can be staggered in the second direction according to the stacking requirements. That is, when the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece support the two types of sheet inserted into the forming apparatus, the two types of sheet are simultaneously corrected in the second direction, so that they can meet the subsequent pressing requirements, thereby improving the stacking efficiency.

[0009] In one possible implementation, 2 / 3a > h > 1 / 3a.

[0010] In one possible implementation, h = 1 / 2a.

[0011] In the forming apparatus provided in this application, by designing the relationship between the spacing h of the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece in the second direction and the difference a between the width of the first sheet and the width of the second sheet, the edge misalignment dimension between the two sheets inserted in the forming apparatus can meet the requirements of subsequent direct pressing of the sheet stacking.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the connecting piece is made of a flexible material, and when the connecting piece supports the first and second pieces, it deforms downward in the direction of gravity; and as the forming partition moves in the first direction, the deformation of the connecting piece in the direction of gravity changes.

[0013] In the forming apparatus provided in this application, the connecting piece is made of a flexible material, which can play a buffering role. Furthermore, the deformation of the connecting piece in the direction of gravity changes with the movement of the forming partition, so that the connecting piece disposed between the forming partition does not affect the forming apparatus from pressing the sheet material.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the connecting piece is made of a rigid material, and when the forming partition moves in the first direction, both the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are in the original plane in the second direction.

[0015] In the forming apparatus provided in this application, the connecting piece is made of a rigid material, and when the forming partition moves in the first direction, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece do not change in the second direction, so that the supported sheet material can always maintain a relatively constant position in the second direction, thereby playing an edge correction role for the sheet material in the second direction.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the variable pitch structure includes a first side plate and a second side plate, with multiple connecting pieces and multiple shaped partitions disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate move relative to each other in a first direction to drive the shaped partitions to move relative to each other in the first direction.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the distance between any two adjacent forming partitions is the forming distance C. The first side plate moves toward the second side plate to reduce the forming distance C, or the first side plate moves away from the second side plate to increase the forming distance C.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the variable pitch structure further includes a guide that defines the movement of the shaped partition along a first direction.

[0019] In the forming apparatus provided in this application, by setting a guide member, it is ensured that the forming partition moves only along the first direction, which means that the sheet material inserted in the forming apparatus also moves only along the first direction, thereby realizing the pressing function of the forming apparatus on the sheet material.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the guide includes a guide rod disposed along a first direction, the guide rod being connected to each forming partition to define movement of the forming partition along the guide rod in the first direction.

[0021] In one possible implementation, at least two layers of guide rods are provided in the second direction.

[0022] In one possible implementation, at least two sets of guide rods are provided in the third direction, which is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0023] In one possible implementation, at least three sets of guide rods are provided in the third direction, with the two sets of guide rods at both ends arranged symmetrically, and the number of guide rods in the middle set being greater than the number of guide rods in either of the two ends set.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a stacking apparatus, which includes the forming apparatus provided in the first aspect.

[0025] Thirdly, the present invention provides a battery production line, which includes the forming apparatus provided in the first aspect, and / or includes the stacking equipment provided in the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 These are schematic diagrams of the structure of the first and second sheets in some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of the structure of the first and second sheets in other embodiments;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the stacking method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the stacking method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 5 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the transfer trays in some embodiments;

[0032] Figure 6-8 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the tray device in some embodiments;

[0033] Figure 9-11 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the interaction between the material tray and the forming device in some embodiments;

[0034] Figure 12-13 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the forming apparatus in some embodiments;

[0035] Figure 14-15 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the cooperation between the forming device and the feeding device in some embodiments.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] 1-Lamination equipment; 100-First wafer; 200-Second wafer; 300-Preliminary electrode core;

[0038] 11-Forming device; 12-Plate device; 13-Discharging device;

[0039] 111-Connecting piece; 112-Forming partition; 113-Variable pitch structure; 121-Material tray; 122-Transfer tray;

[0040] 1111-First connecting piece; 1112-Second connecting piece; 1131-First side plate; 1132-Second side plate; 1133-Guide rod; 1221-Transfer base plate; 1222-Transfer partition; 1223-Transfer groove;

[0041] 1211-Supporting part; 1212-Misaligned part; 1213-Connecting part; 12221-First transfer partition; 12222-Second transfer partition; 12231-First transfer groove; 12232-Second transfer groove;

[0042] 12111-Material base plate; 12112-Material partition plate; 12113-Material trough;

[0043] 121121 - First material loading partition; 121122 - Second material loading partition; 121131 - First material loading trough; 121132 - Second material loading trough. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed" to another component, it can be directly on the other component or it can be in a middle component. When a component is said to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it may be in a middle component.

[0046] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this invention includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship of the terms "axial", "circumferential", "left", "inner", "outer" and other indicators are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0050] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0051] To facilitate understanding of the scheme, a brief explanation of the first piece of material 100 and the second piece of material 200 is provided here. Please refer to... Figure 1-2 The first and second sheets refer to sheet materials such as electrode materials and separator materials required in the lamination process.

[0052] Preferably, since the stacking method requires a certain rigidity from the sheet material, at least one of the first and second sheets is a composite electrode sheet with a separator, to achieve the multi-layer structure of "separator-negative electrode-separator-positive electrode-separator" required for the stacking process after pressing the first and second sheets together. For example, if one of the first and second sheets is a composite negative electrode sheet with separators on both opposite sides, the other is a positive electrode sheet; if one of the first and second sheets is a composite positive electrode sheet with separators on both opposite sides, the other is a negative electrode sheet; if one of the first and second sheets is a composite negative electrode sheet with a separator on one side, the other is a composite positive electrode sheet with a separator on the same side. However, it is not limited that the first and second sheets cannot be separators, as long as the separator can meet the rigidity requirements of the stacking method. For ease of explanation, the following embodiments use one of the first and second materials as a composite negative electrode sheet with a separator on both sides, and the other as a positive electrode sheet.

[0053] Furthermore, the shape of the sheet material is not limited and can be any desired shape such as rectangle, square, circle, trapezoid, or parallelogram. In the embodiments of this application, for ease of explanation, a rectangular sheet material is used as an example, but it is not limited to the shape of the sheet material being only rectangular.

[0054] This application provides a stacking method. Please refer to the embodiments for details. Figure 3-15 The stacking method includes the following steps:

[0055] In step S1, multiple first sheet materials 100 and multiple second sheet materials 200 are sequentially and spaced apart in the forming device 11 along the X direction, and there are sheet material gaps between adjacent first sheet materials 100 and second sheet materials 200, with the X direction being the horizontal direction;

[0056] In step S2, the forming device 11 operates to reduce the gap between the sheet materials along the X direction; when the gap between the sheet materials is reduced to a first preset range, the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 separate from the forming device 11 to form the initial formed electrode core 300.

[0057] In the stacking method provided in this application embodiment, by sequentially and intermittently inserting the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 with sheet gaps into the forming device 11, the sheet gaps can be reduced in the horizontal direction by the action of the forming device 11, that is, the multiple first sheets 100 and multiple second sheets 200 inserted therein are compressed. When the sheet gaps are reduced to a first preset range, the forming device 11 is separated from the sheet to obtain the compressed initial forming electrode core 300.

[0058] Furthermore, since the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 are inserted into the forming device 11, the forming device 11 can act as a position reference. That is, the forming device 11 corrects the deviation of the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 in at least one direction, thus saving the deviation correction action in at least one direction. Compared with the prior art, which requires deviation correction for each sheet laid, this application effectively improves the stacking efficiency. In addition, in the stacking method of this application, multiple first sheets 100 and multiple second sheets 200 can be pressed simultaneously by the action of the forming device 11, thereby further improving the stacking efficiency and saving stacking time.

[0059] In step S1 above, the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 are sequentially and intermittently inserted into the forming device 11 along the horizontal direction, that is, the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 are arranged layer by layer along the thickness direction of the sheet.

[0060] Optionally, the forming device 11 supports the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 in the direction of gravity, or the forming device 11 pulls and suspends the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 in the direction of gravity. As long as the forming device 11 can be positioned at the upper limit of the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 inserted therein in the direction of gravity.

[0061] In some preferred embodiments, the first connecting piece 1111 of the forming device 11 supports the first sheet material 100 in the Y direction, and the second connecting piece 1112 of the forming device 11 supports the second sheet material 200 in the Y direction. Furthermore, before the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 are disposed in the forming device 11, the distance between the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 in the Y direction is h, and h > 0. It should be noted that the Y direction is the direction of gravity, and the Y direction is also the width direction of the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200.

[0062] In the lamination method provided in this application embodiment, the first connecting piece 1111 supports the first sheet material 100 and the second connecting piece 1112 supports the second sheet material 200. Before the forming device 11 supports the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200, the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 have a gap in the direction of gravity, that is, the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 are on different preset horizontal planes. Therefore, when supporting the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200, the bottom end of the first sheet material 100 and the bottom end of the second sheet material 200 are also on different preset horizontal planes. Thus, by utilizing the gravity of the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 themselves and combining the horizontal positions of the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112, the width direction correction function can be achieved while supporting the two types of sheet materials, without the need to set a separate step of correction once for each layer of electrode sheet, which effectively improves the lamination efficiency.

[0063] It should be noted that the dimensions of the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 may or may not be the same, as long as the stacking requirements are met. In some embodiments of this application, to ensure that the lithium in the positive electrode sheet can be effectively embedded in the negative electrode sheet, thereby reducing the risk of lithium-ion crystallization, the size of the negative electrode sheet needs to be designed to be larger than the size of the positive electrode sheet. Therefore, during the stacking process, it is necessary to ensure that each edge of the negative electrode sheet is outside the corresponding edge of the positive electrode sheet, and in a preferred embodiment, the distance between each edge of the negative electrode sheet and the corresponding edge of the positive electrode sheet should be approximately equal. For ease of explanation, the difference between the width of the first sheet 100 and the width of the second sheet 200 is defined as 'a'.

[0064] In some optional implementations, the following steps S01-S02 are included before step S1:

[0065] Step S01: The first piece of material 100 is inserted into the transfer tray 122;

[0066] In step S02, the first piece of material 100 is transferred to the material tray 121, and the interval between any two adjacent pieces of material 100 is c and c > 0.

[0067] In step S03, the first piece of material 100 and the second piece of material 200 are sequentially and spaced apart on the material tray 121 along the X direction. The material tray 121 supports the bottom end of the first piece of material 100 and the bottom end of the second piece of material 200. The bottom ends of the first piece of material 100 and the bottom ends of the second piece of material 200 are flush with each other in the Y direction.

[0068] In step S04, the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 on the material tray 121 are transferred to the forming device 11; the bottom end of the first sheet 100 and the bottom end of the second sheet 200 on the forming device 11 are spaced apart by a distance b in the Y direction, and a > b > 0.

[0069] In some alternative implementations, 2 / 3a > b > 1 / 3a is set.

[0070] Furthermore, in some preferred embodiments, b = 1 / 2a.

[0071] Therefore, by designing the parameter relationship between a and b, the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 can maintain a suitable positional relationship when they are pressed and stacked, thereby ensuring the lithium-ion intercalation effect, reducing the risk of lithium-ion crystallization, improving the yield of stacking and the safety of the prepared battery.

[0072] In some optional embodiments, the second sheet 200 and the first sheet 100 are sequentially and spaced apart on the material tray 121, and the distance between any adjacent first sheet 100 and second sheet 200 is d, and 2 / 3c > d > 1 / 3c.

[0073] Furthermore, in some preferred embodiments, d = 1 / 2c.

[0074] In some optional implementations, step S2 specifically includes the following steps:

[0075] Step S21: The feeding device 13 clamps and fixes the pre-compressed electrode core to further reduce the gap between the sheets within the first preset range;

[0076] In step S22, the forming device 11 separates from the pre-compressed pole core to form the initial formed pole core 300.

[0077] When the gap between the sheet materials is reduced to the first preset range, the relative position between the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 is relatively stable when the forming device 11 separates from the pre-compressed pole core. That is, the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 do not move relative to each other in the direction of gravity, so the forming device 11 can be separated from the pre-compressed pole core.

[0078] In some alternative embodiments, the feeding device 13 clamps one end of the pre-compressed electrode core in the Z direction, and the forming device 11 supports the other end of the pre-compressed electrode core in the Z direction; the Z direction is the length direction of the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200.

[0079] It is understandable that when the feeding device 13 clamps and fixes one end of the pre-compressed electrode core along its length, and further compresses the pre-compressed electrode core while clamping it, the pre-compressed electrode core will be slightly open at the other end along its length due to the lever principle, thereby reducing the resistance when the forming device 11 and the pre-compressed electrode core are separated.

[0080] This application embodiment also provides a stacking device 1, which includes a forming device 11. The forming device 11 includes a plurality of connecting pieces 111 and a plurality of forming partitions 112. The connecting pieces 111 connect adjacent forming partitions 112. The forming partitions 112 can move in a first direction to cause the connecting pieces 111 to deform in a second direction. It should be further noted that since the stacking device 1 itself can be oriented in any direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction only need to be perpendicular to each other. It should be further noted that in the stacking device 1 provided in this embodiment, when the first direction is consistent with the aforementioned X direction, the second direction is consistent with the Y direction and the third direction is consistent with the Z direction.

[0081] In some optional embodiments, the stacking device 1 is used to stack the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200, and the difference between the width of the first sheet 100 and the width of the second sheet 200 is a. The connecting piece 111 includes a first connecting piece 1111 and a second connecting piece 1112 that are sequentially spaced between the forming partition 112. The first connecting piece 1111 is used to support the first sheet 100, and the second connecting piece 1112 is used to support the second sheet 200. The distance between the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 in the second direction is h, and a > h > 0.

[0082] In some alternative embodiments, the stacking device 1 further includes a tray device 12, which includes a transfer tray 122 and a loading tray 121.

[0083] In some specific embodiments, the material tray 121 includes a material base plate 12111 and a plurality of material partitions 12112. One end of the material partition 12112 is connected to one side of the material base plate 12111 to form a comb-like structure. The material partition 12112 includes a first material partition 121121 and a second material partition 121122 arranged sequentially at intervals. A material trough 12113 for accommodating a first piece of material 100 and / or a second piece of material 200 is formed between adjacent first material partitions 121121 and second material partitions 121122. The bottom of the material trough 12113 is located on the same plane in the second direction.

[0084] In some optional embodiments, the distance between any two adjacent forming partitions 112 is the forming distance C. The magnitude of the forming distance C is negatively correlated with the deformation of the connecting piece 111 in the second direction. When the forming distance C decreases to a second preset range, the distance between the protruding apex of the first connecting piece 1111 and the protruding apex of the second connecting piece 1112 in the second direction is B, and a > B > 0.

[0085] In some alternative implementations, 2 / 3a > B > 1 / 3a.

[0086] In some preferred embodiments, B = 1 / 2a.

[0087] In some alternative embodiments, when the forming partition 112 is in the extended state, the forming device 11 matches the width of the material tray 121 in the first direction.

[0088] In some alternative implementations, when the forming partition 112 is in the extended state, the width of any material loading groove 12113 is consistent with the forming distance C.

[0089] In some alternative embodiments, the forming device 11 moves relative to and through the material tray 121 in a second direction to transfer the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 on the material tray 121 to the forming device 11.

[0090] In some alternative embodiments, the material tray 121 includes a misalignment portion 1212 and a support portion 1211, the support portion 1211 being used to support the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200, and the misalignment portion 1212 being designed to allow the forming device 11 to pass through a notch in the material tray 121.

[0091] In some alternative embodiments, the material tray 121 includes at least two support portions 1211, and the misaligned portion 1212 includes a notch disposed between adjacent support portions 1211.

[0092] In some alternative embodiments, the number of supporting portions 1211 is at least four, and the number of misaligned portions 1212 is at least three.

[0093] In some alternative embodiments, the material tray 121 further includes a connecting portion 1213, and each support portion 1211 is connected to the connecting portion 1213.

[0094] In some specific embodiments, the transfer tray 122 includes a transfer base plate 1221 and a plurality of transfer partitions 1222, one end of the transfer partitions 1222 being connected to one side of the transfer base plate 1221 to form a comb-like structure.

[0095] Furthermore, the transfer partition 1222 includes a first transfer partition 12221 and a second transfer partition 12222 inserted sequentially at intervals. A transfer groove 1223 for accommodating a first sheet material 100 or a second sheet material 200 is formed between adjacent first transfer partitions 12221 and second transfer partitions 12222. The first transfer partitions 12221 and second transfer partitions 12222 can move relative to each other to change the width of the transfer groove 1223.

[0096] In some optional embodiments, the forming partition 112 moves in a first direction to reduce the sheet gap between the supported first sheet 100 and second sheet 200. When the sheet gap is reduced to a first preset range, the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 form a pre-compressed electrode core. The stacking device 1 also includes a feeding device 13 for clamping and fixing the pre-compressed electrode core to further reduce the sheet gap within the first preset range, and the forming device 11 is separated from the pre-compressed electrode core to form a pre-formed electrode core 300.

[0097] In some alternative embodiments, the feeding device 13 is disposed on one side of the forming device 11 in a third-direction orientation.

[0098] To further understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the forming device 11 in the stacking equipment 1 will be described in detail below.

[0099] The forming apparatus 11 provided in this application includes a plurality of connecting pieces 111, a plurality of forming partitions 112, and a variable-pitch structure 113. The connecting pieces 111 connect adjacent forming partitions 112, and sheet material is inserted between adjacent forming partitions 112. The variable-pitch structure 113 is used to move the forming partitions 112 in a first direction to reduce the spacing between adjacent sheet materials, and the connecting pieces 111 are used to limit the sheet material in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0100] In the forming apparatus 11 provided in this application embodiment, sheet material is inserted between forming partitions 112, and the spacing between forming partitions 112 is reduced by the variable spacing structure 113 to reduce the spacing between sheet material, thereby achieving sheet material compression. Compared with the prior art of laying and stacking sheet material layer by layer, the sheet material insertion and stacking method in this application can compress and stack multiple sheet materials at the same time, effectively improving the stacking efficiency.

[0101] Furthermore, since the sheet material is inserted into the forming device 11, and the connecting piece 111 can limit the position of the sheet material in the second direction when the forming partition 112 moves in the first direction, the forming device 11 acts as a position reference when accommodating the sheet material inserted therein by utilizing the weight of the sheet material itself combined with the limiting effect of the connecting piece 111. That is, the forming device 11 plays a corrective role for the sheet material in at least one direction, thus omitting the correction action in at least one direction, thereby effectively saving the stacking time and further improving the stacking efficiency.

[0102] In some optional embodiments, the forming device 11 is adapted to stack the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200, the difference between the width of the first sheet 100 and the width of the second sheet 200 is a, and the connecting piece 111 includes a first connecting piece 1111 and a second connecting piece 1112 arranged sequentially between the forming partition 112, the first connecting piece 1111 is used to support the first sheet 100, and the second connecting piece 1112 is used to support the second sheet 200; when the variable pitch structure 113 is in the unfolded state, the plurality of first connecting pieces 1111 are in the same plane in the second direction and the plurality of second connecting pieces 1112 are in the same plane in the second direction, the interval distance between the first connecting pieces 1111 and the second connecting pieces 1112 in the second direction is h and a > h > 0.

[0103] In the forming apparatus 11 provided in this application embodiment, by designing the interval distance between the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 in the second direction, the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 supported can be staggered in the second direction according to the stacking requirements. That is, when the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 support the two types of sheet materials inserted into the forming apparatus 11, the two types of sheet materials are simultaneously corrected in the second direction so that they can meet the subsequent pressing requirements, thereby improving the stacking efficiency.

[0104] In some alternative implementations, 2 / 3a > h > 1 / 3a.

[0105] In some preferred embodiments, h = 1 / 2a.

[0106] In the forming apparatus 11 provided in this application embodiment, by designing the relationship between the interval h of the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 in the second direction and the difference a between the width of the first sheet 100 and the width of the second sheet 200, the edge misalignment size between the two sheets inserted in the forming apparatus 11 can meet the requirements of subsequent direct pressing of the sheet stacking.

[0107] In some alternative embodiments, the connecting piece 111 is made of a flexible material, and the connecting piece 111 deforms downward in the direction of gravity when supporting the first piece 100 and the second piece 200; and as the forming partition 112 moves in the first direction, the deformation of the connecting piece 111 in the direction of gravity changes.

[0108] In some embodiments of the forming apparatus 11 provided in this application, the connecting piece 111 is made of a flexible material, which can play a buffering role, and the deformation of the connecting piece 111 in the direction of gravity changes with the movement of the forming partition 112, so that the connecting piece 111 disposed between the forming partitions 112 does not affect the forming apparatus 11 from pressing the sheet material.

[0109] In some alternative embodiments, the connecting piece 111 may be made of a rigid material, and when the forming partition 112 moves in the first direction, both the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 are in the original plane in the second direction.

[0110] In some other embodiments of the forming apparatus 11 provided in this application, the connecting piece 111 is made of a flexible material, and when the forming partition 112 moves in the first direction, the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 do not change in the second direction, so that the supported sheet material can always maintain a relatively constant position in the second direction, thereby playing an edge correction role for the sheet material in the second direction.

[0111] In some optional embodiments, the variable-pitch structure 113 includes a first side plate 1131 and a second side plate 1132, with a plurality of connecting pieces 111 and a plurality of shaped partitions 112 disposed between the first side plate 1131 and the second side plate 1132. The first side plate 1131 and the second side plate 1132 move relative to each other in a first direction to drive the shaped partitions 112 to move relative to each other in the first direction. The first side plate 1131 and the second side plate 1132 have greater rigidity than the shaped partitions 112 to facilitate the application of pushing or pulling forces to the shaped partitions 112.

[0112] In some alternative embodiments, the distance between any two adjacent forming partitions 112 is the forming distance C. The first side plate 1131 moves toward the second side plate 1132 to reduce the forming distance C, or the first side plate 1131 moves away from the second side plate 1132 to increase the forming distance C.

[0113] In some alternative embodiments, the variable pitch structure 113 further includes a guide that defines the movement of the shaped partition 112 along a first direction.

[0114] In the forming apparatus 11 provided in this application embodiment, by providing a guide member, it is ensured that the forming partition 112 moves only along the first direction, which means that the sheet material inserted in the forming apparatus 11 also moves only along the first direction, thereby realizing the pressing function of the forming apparatus 11 on the sheet material.

[0115] In some alternative embodiments, the guide includes a guide rod 1133 disposed along a first direction, the guide rod 1133 being connected to each forming partition 112 to limit the movement of the forming partition 112 along the guide rod 1133 in the first direction.

[0116] In some alternative implementations, at least two layers of guide rods 1133 are provided in the second direction.

[0117] In some alternative implementations, at least two sets of guide rods 1133 are provided in the third direction, which is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0118] In some specific implementations, at least three sets of guide rods 1133 are provided in the third direction, with the two sets of guide rods 1133 at both ends arranged symmetrically, and the number of the middle set of guide rods 1133 is greater than the number of either set of guide rods 1133 at the ends.

[0119] To further understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the material tray device 12 in the stacking equipment 1 will be described in detail below.

[0120] The material tray device 12 includes a material tray 121, which includes a material base plate 12111 and a plurality of material partitions 12112. One end of each material partition 12112 is connected to one side of the material base plate 12111 to form a comb-like structure. The material partitions 12112 include a first material partition 121121 and a second material partition 121122 that are sequentially spaced apart in a first direction. A material trough 12113 is formed between adjacent first material partitions 121121 and second material partitions 121122.

[0121] In the material tray device 12 provided in this embodiment, by connecting one end of the material-carrying partition 12112 to one side of the material-carrying base plate 12111 to form a comb-like structure, a material-carrying groove 12113 is formed between the first material-carrying partition 121121 and the second material-carrying partition 121122 arranged at intervals. This allows the sheet materials required in the stacking process to be directly inserted into the material-carrying groove 12113, thereby enabling the simultaneous transport of multiple sheet materials inserted into the material-carrying groove 12113 via the material tray 121. This effectively improves the sheet material transport efficiency, and thus improves the stacking efficiency. Furthermore, the method of directly inserting the sheet materials into the material-carrying groove 12113 for transport has initially stacked the sheet materials layer by layer, making it easier for the subsequent stacking and pressing steps, thereby saving the overall stacking time.

[0122] In some alternative embodiments, the width of the loading groove 12113 is variable, allowing the loading tray 121 to clamp sheet material inserted therein. For example, the loading base plate 12111 may include a first loading base plate and a second loading base plate, with one end of the first loading partition 121121 fixedly connected to one side of the first loading base plate, and one end of the second loading partition 121122 fixedly connected to one side of the second loading base plate. The first loading base plate and the second loading base plate are movable relative to each other in a first direction, thereby causing the first loading partition 121121 and the second loading partition to move relative to each other in the first direction, thereby adjusting the width of the loading groove 12113 to clamp or release sheet material.

[0123] In some alternative embodiments, the material tray 121 includes a plurality of material troughs 12113, the bottoms of the plurality of material troughs 12113 being located on the same plane in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

[0124] In some alternative implementations, the width of any two adjacent material troughs 12113 is the same.

[0125] In some alternative embodiments, the material tray 121 includes a misalignment portion 1212 and a support portion 1211, the support portion 1211 being used to support materials, and the misalignment portion 1212 including a notch for transferring materials.

[0126] In some alternative embodiments, the material tray 121 includes at least two support portions 1211, and the misaligned portion 1212 includes a notch disposed between adjacent support portions 1211.

[0127] In some alternative embodiments, the number of supporting portions 1211 is at least four, and the number of misaligned portions 1212 is at least three.

[0128] In some optional embodiments, the support portion 1211 includes a first support portion 1211, a second support portion 1211, a third support portion 1211, and a fourth support portion 1211 arranged sequentially in a third direction. The gap between the first support portion 1211 and the second support portion 1211 is a first misaligned portion 1212, the gap between the second support portion 1211 and the third support portion 1211 is a second misaligned portion 1212, and the gap between the third support portion 1211 and the fourth support portion 1211 is a third misaligned portion 1212. The width of the second misaligned portion 1212 is greater than the width of the first misaligned portion 1212, and the width of the first misaligned portion 1212 is the same as the width of the third misaligned portion 1212.

[0129] In some optional embodiments, the material tray device 12 further includes a transfer tray 122, which includes a transfer base plate 1221 and a plurality of transfer partitions 1222. One end of each transfer partition 1222 is connected to one side of the transfer base plate 1221 to form a comb-like structure. Each transfer partition 1222 includes a first transfer partition 12221 and a second transfer partition 12222 inserted sequentially at intervals. A transfer trough 1223 for receiving material is formed between adjacent first transfer partitions 12221 and second transfer partitions 12222. The first transfer partitions 12221 and second transfer partitions 12222 are movable relative to each other to change the width of the transfer trough 1223.

[0130] In some optional embodiments, the transfer base plate 1221 includes a first transfer base plate and a second transfer base plate. The first transfer base plate is fixedly connected to the first transfer partition 12221, and the second transfer base plate is fixedly connected to the second transfer partition 12222. The first transfer base plate and the second transfer base plate can move relative to each other in a first direction, thereby causing the first transfer partition 12221 and the second transfer partition 12222 to move relative to each other in the first direction, so as to change the width of the transfer groove 1223.

[0131] In some optional embodiments, the transfer trough 1223 includes a first transfer trough 12231 for accommodating the first sheet material 100 and a second transfer trough 12232 for accommodating the second sheet material 200, with the first transfer trough 12231 and the second transfer trough 12232 arranged alternately in sequence; the transfer tray 122 is used to transfer the first sheet material 100 or the second sheet material 200.

[0132] In some optional embodiments, the material loading trough 12113 includes a first material loading trough 121131 for supporting the first sheet material 100 and a second material loading trough 121132 for supporting the second sheet material 200, with the first material loading trough 121131 and the second material loading trough 121132 arranged alternately. The distance between any two adjacent first transfer troughs 12231 is the same as the distance between any two adjacent first material loading troughs 121131, and the distance between any two adjacent second transfer troughs 12232 is the same as the distance between any two adjacent second material loading troughs 121132. It should be noted that the distance between adjacent first transfer troughs 12231 is the distance between the centerlines of adjacent first transfer troughs 12231, and the distance between adjacent first material loading troughs 121131 is the distance between the centerlines of adjacent first material loading troughs 121131.

[0133] In some alternative implementations, the number of loading troughs 12113 is greater than or equal to the number of transfer troughs 1223.

[0134] In some alternative embodiments, the transfer tray 122 can be flipped in the direction of gravity so that the opening of the transfer groove 1223 is facing upward or downward; when the opening of the transfer groove 1223 is facing upward, the transfer tray 122 is used to support and clamp the first piece 100 or the second piece 200; when the opening of the transfer groove 1223 is facing downward and corresponds to the opening of the loading groove 12113, the transfer tray 122 is used to release the first piece 100 or the second piece 200 so that the first piece 100 or the second piece 200 is transferred to the corresponding first loading groove 121131 or second loading groove 121132.

[0135] In some preferred embodiments, the material carrier tray 121 and the transfer tray 122 have the same structure and function. When the first piece of material 100 is inserted into the transfer tray 122, the second piece of material 200 of the same quantity can be inserted into the material carrier tray 121 at the same time. Then the first piece of material 100 in the transfer tray 122 is transferred to the material carrier tray 121, thereby realizing that the first piece of material 100 and the second piece of material 200 are inserted into the material carrier tray 121 in sequence at intervals.

[0136] In summary, in the stacking device 1 provided in this application embodiment, after the first sheet material 100 is inserted into the transfer tray 122, the width of the transfer groove 1223 is changed so that the transfer tray 122 clamps the first sheet material 100; then the transfer tray 122 is flipped so that the opening of the transfer groove 1223 faces downward, and the transfer tray 122 and the loading tray 121 are vertically aligned, so that the first transfer groove 12231 clamping the first sheet material 100 corresponds to the first loading groove 121131 of the loading tray 121; then the width of the transfer groove 1223 is increased, and the transfer tray 122 releases the first sheet material 100, so that the first sheet material 100 is transferred to the loading tray 121. Before the first sheet material 100 is transferred to the loading tray 121, the step of inserting the second sheet material 200 into the loading tray 121 has been completed, so at this time, the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 200 are inserted into the loading tray 121 in sequence at intervals. After the first sheet 100 is transferred to the loading tray 121, the transfer tray 122 can begin to prepare to receive subsequent sheets.

[0137] Because of the misalignment portion 1212 between the supporting portions 1211 of the material tray 121, the forming device 11 in its unfolded state first faces the misalignment portion 1212 below the material tray 121, so that the first connecting piece 1111 corresponds to the first material loading groove 121131 and the second connecting piece 1112 corresponds to the second material loading groove 121132. Then, the forming device 11 moves from bottom to top relative to the material tray 121 until the forming device 11 passes through the material tray 121 via the misalignment portion 1212, so that the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 200 are transferred into the forming device 11. At this time, due to the misalignment design of the first connecting piece 1111 and the second connecting piece 1112 in the direction of gravity, the positional correction of the two sheets in the direction of gravity is achieved at the same time as they are transferred into the forming device 11, thus greatly improving the overall stacking efficiency. After the two types of sheet materials are transferred to the forming device 11, the material tray 121 can begin to prepare to receive subsequent sheet materials.

[0138] After confirming that the two types of sheets in the forming device 11 meet the stacking requirements, the forming partition 112 moves relative to each other to reduce the gap between the sheets, thus initially compressing the two sheets to obtain a pre-compressed electrode core. Then, the unloading device 13 clamps one end of the pre-compressed electrode core that extends out of the forming device 11 in the length direction, and while clamping the pre-compressed electrode core, the unloading device 13 further compresses the pre-compressed electrode core in the first direction. Then, the forming device 11 separates from the pre-compressed electrode core to obtain the initial formed electrode core 300. After completely separating from the pre-compressed electrode core, the forming device 11 is converted back to the unfolded state to prepare to receive subsequent sheets.

[0139] This application also provides a battery production line, which stacks wafers using the stacking method provided in the above embodiments, and / or the battery production line includes the stacking equipment 1 provided in the second aspect.

[0140] Since the battery production line provided in this application embodiment has the same effect as the stacking equipment 1 provided in the above embodiment, it will not be described again.

[0141] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "embodiment," "specific embodiment," "example," or "specific example," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0142] The above description discloses only one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes of the above embodiments can be implemented, and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A forming apparatus, characterized in that, The forming device includes multiple connecting pieces, multiple forming partitions, and a variable pitch structure; The connecting piece connects adjacent forming partitions, and sheet material is inserted between adjacent forming partitions; The variable-pitch structure is used to move the forming partition in a first direction to reduce the spacing between adjacent sheets, and the connecting piece is used to limit the sheet in a second direction; the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. The forming device is suitable for stacking a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein the difference between the width of the first sheet and the width of the second sheet is a, characterized in that the connecting piece includes a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece arranged sequentially at intervals between the forming partitions, wherein the first connecting piece is used to support the first sheet and the second connecting piece is used to support the second sheet; When the variable-pitch structure is in the unfolded state, multiple first connecting pieces are in the same plane in the second direction and multiple second connecting pieces are in the same plane in the second direction. The distance between the first connecting pieces and the second connecting pieces in the second direction is h and a > h > 0.

2. The forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, 2 / 3a > h > 1 / 3a.

3. The forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, h = 1 / 2a.

4. The forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting piece is made of a flexible material. When the connecting piece supports the first piece and the second piece, it deforms downward in the direction of gravity. As the forming partition moves in the first direction, the deformation of the connecting piece in the direction of gravity changes.

5. The forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting piece is made of a rigid material. When the formed partition moves in the first direction, both the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are in the original plane in the second direction.

6. The forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The variable pitch structure includes a first side plate and a second side plate, and a plurality of connecting pieces and a plurality of shaped partitions are disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate move relative to each other in a first direction to drive the shaped partitions to move relative to each other in the first direction.

7. The forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The distance between any two adjacent forming partitions is the forming distance C. The first side plate moves toward the second side plate to decrease the forming distance C, or the first side plate moves away from the second side plate to increase the forming distance C.

8. The forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The variable pitch structure further includes a guide member that defines the movement of the shaped partition along a first direction.

9. The forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The guide includes a guide rod disposed along a first direction, the guide rod being connected to each of the shaped partitions to limit the movement of the shaped partition along the guide rod in the first direction.

10. The forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, At least two layers of the guide rods are provided in the second direction.

11. The forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, At least two sets of guide rods are provided in a third direction, which is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.

12. The forming apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, At least three sets of guide rods are provided in the third direction, with the two sets of guide rods at both ends arranged symmetrically, and the number of the guide rods in the middle set is greater than the number of the guide rods in either of the two ends set.

13. A stacking device, characterized in that, The stacking equipment includes the forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1-12.

14. A battery production line, characterized in that, The battery production line includes the forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1-12, and / or the battery production line includes the stacking equipment according to claim 13.

Images