Tab leveling device and tab leveling method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing and processing, and discloses a tab leveling device and a tab leveling method.The tab leveling device comprises a leveling assembly, the leveling assembly comprises a plurality of leveling pieces arranged in the circumferential direction of the leveling assembly, each leveling piece is provided with a fixed part and a movable part, and the interior of each movable part is hollow to form a containing cavity; a through opening communicated with the containing cavity is formed in the leveling piece, gas can be filled into the containing cavity or extracted from the containing cavity through the through opening, so that the movable parts can deform relative to the fixed part, the leveling assembly has a containing state and a leveling state, in the containing state, the multiple movable parts are matched to define a containing groove to contain the tabs, and in the leveling state, the multiple movable parts are matched with the containing groove to define the tabs. And at least part of the movable part forms a flattening surface. According to the tab flattening device, the two actions of folding and flattening the tabs can be conveniently completed by utilizing the flattening assembly, so that the purpose of flattening the tabs is achieved, the flattening efficiency is improved, meanwhile, the phenomena of inward folding and outward folding of the tabs due to interference during pre-folding can be avoided, and the flattening quality of the tabs is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing and processing, in particular to a tab flattening device and a tab flattening method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The tab is a conductive part connecting the internal electrode (positive and negative electrode) of the battery cell and the external terminal. In the processing of cylindrical batteries, tab flattening is usually a necessary process step to match the tab with the battery cover plate or shell.

[0003] However, the existing tab flattening is not only poor in quality but also complex in process, which affects the tab flattening quality and efficiency. SUMMARY

[0004] The tab flattening device and method provided by the embodiments of the application can make the tabs aligned in place, improve the tab flattening quality, and improve the tab flattening efficiency to some extent, and solve the technical problems of poor tab flattening quality and complex tab flattening process.

[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the application provide a tab flattening device, which comprises a flattening assembly, the flattening assembly comprising a plurality of flattening pieces arranged along the circumference thereof, each of the flattening pieces having a fixed part and a movable part, the movable part being hollow inside to form an accommodating cavity, the flattening piece being provided with a through port communicating with the accommodating cavity, and the through port being used to fill the accommodating cavity with gas or extract the gas in the accommodating cavity, so that the movable part can be deformed relative to the fixed part, and the flattening assembly has an accommodating state and a flattening state. In the accommodating state, the plurality of movable parts cooperatively define an accommodating groove to accommodate the tab. In the flattening state, at least part of the movable part forms a flattening surface.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the flattening assembly is provided and has the accommodating state and the flattening state. In the accommodating state, the movable part of the flattening assembly can define the accommodating groove to accommodate the tab. In the flattening state, at least part of the movable part can form the flattening surface. Therefore, when the flattening assembly is switched from the accommodating state to the flattening state, the flattening assembly can complete the two actions of folding and flattening the tab, achieve the purpose of tab flattening, eliminate the pre-folding step of the tab during the winding of the battery cell, simplify the steps for tab flattening, improve the flattening efficiency, and avoid the inner folding and outer folding of the tab caused by the interference during the pre-folding, so as to ensure the tab to be aligned in place to some extent and improve the flattening quality of the tab flattening device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the movable part can be flipped relative to the fixed part to switch the flattening assembly between the accommodating state and the flattening state.

[0008] In the technical solution, the difficulty of switching between the accommodating state and the flattening state of the flattening assembly is reduced, so that the flattening assembly can complete the two actions of folding and flattening the tab, and the purpose of flattening the tab is achieved, thereby reducing the difficulty of flattening the tab by the flattening device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the movable part is a flexible member.

[0010] In the technical solution, the movable part can deform relative to the fixed part, so that the flattening assembly can switch between the accommodating state and the flattening state, further reducing the difficulty of switching between the accommodating state and the flattening state of the flattening assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fixed part and the movable part are arranged along a first direction, the movable part includes a plurality of convex parts arranged along the first direction, the convex parts are hollow inside to form the accommodating cavity, and the convex parts are configured to deform with the amount of gas filled in the accommodating cavity.

[0012] In the technical solution, when the convex parts deform with the amount of gas filled in the accommodating cavity, the movable part can deform relative to the fixed part, and the flattening assembly can switch between the accommodating state and the flattening state, facilitating the flattening of the tab by the flattening assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fixed part is provided with a through hole communicating with the accommodating cavity.

[0014] In the technical solution, the through hole can be used to fill or extract the gas in the accommodating cavity, the filling and extraction of the gas in the accommodating cavity are realized, and the difficulty of filling and extracting the gas in the accommodating cavity is reduced, so that the movable part can deform relative to the fixed part.

[0015] In some embodiments, the tab flattening device further includes an adapter, the adapter is arranged at the through hole, and the adapter is formed with a filling port communicating with the accommodating cavity.

[0016] In the technical solution, the difficulty of filling and extracting the gas in the accommodating cavity is further reduced, and the adapter is also conducive to ensuring the airtightness of the accommodating cavity to a certain extent, avoiding leakage of the gas in the accommodating cavity, so that the movable part can effectively deform relative to the fixed part.

[0017] In some embodiments, the tab flattening device further includes a base and a connecting member, and the connecting member connects the base and the fixed part, respectively.

[0018] In the technical scheme, the base and the fixed part can be connected, the connection difficulty of the base and the fixed part is reduced, the stability of the fixed part is improved, the movable part is supported by the fixed part, the movable part can be deformed relative to the fixed part, and the leveling assembly can have an accommodating state and a leveling state.

[0019] In some embodiments, the connecting piece connects the fixed part through the adapter.

[0020] In the technical scheme, the adapter can not only reduce the filling and extraction difficulty of the gas in the accommodating cavity and ensure the air tightness of the accommodating cavity to a certain extent, but also realize the fixed connection of the connecting piece and the fixed part, thereby reducing the connection difficulty of the connecting piece and the fixed part.

[0021] In some embodiments, the adapter includes a first adapter part, a second adapter part and a third adapter part, the first adapter part is sequentially arranged in the through hole and the connecting piece, the second adapter part and the third adapter part are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the first adapter part, and the side faces of the second adapter part and the third adapter part facing each other are respectively in abutting cooperation with the fixed part and the connecting piece.

[0022] In the technical scheme, the adapter can be fixedly connected with the fixed part and the connecting piece respectively, so that the fixed connection of the fixed part and the connecting piece is realized by the adapter, and the connection stability of the fixed part and the connecting piece is ensured to a certain extent.

[0023] In some embodiments, the connecting piece is formed with an opening connecting cavity, and at least part of the fixed part is arranged in the connecting cavity.

[0024] In the technical scheme, the contact area of the fixed part and the connecting piece can be increased, the connection strength of the connecting piece and the fixed part is improved, and the position stability of the fixed part is ensured to a certain extent.

[0025] In some embodiments, the two adjacent leveling pieces are arranged at intervals.

[0026] In the technical scheme, when the movable part is deformed relative to the fixed part, the interference between the two adjacent leveling pieces can be avoided, so that the leveling assembly can effectively switch between the accommodating state and the leveling state, and the switching difficulty is reduced.

[0027] In some embodiments, the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces is in the range of 3°-7°.

[0028] In the technical scheme, not only can the two adjacent leveling pieces be arranged at intervals, but also the leveling piece itself has a certain area, so that the leveling effect of the leveling assembly on the tab is improved.

[0029] In some embodiments, the flattening assembly is a rubber piece or a silica gel piece.

[0030] In the above technical solution, the movable part can effectively deform relative to the fixed part, so that the flattening assembly can switch between the accommodating state and the flattening state, thereby realizing the flattening work on the tab.

[0031] In some embodiments, the tab flattening device further comprises a pressure sensor, which is arranged on the movable part, and is used to detect the pressure applied by the movable part to the tab.

[0032] In the above technical solution, the pressure sensor is used to real-time feedback the flattening situation of the tab by the flattening assembly, and the gas filling amount in the accommodating cavity is adjusted in real time according to the pressure sensor, so as to improve the flattening effect of the tab by the flattening assembly.

[0033] In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a tab flattening method, which adopts the tab flattening device described above, and comprises the following steps: arranging the tab in the accommodating groove of the flattening assembly in the accommodating state; and filling gas into the accommodating cavity through the through hole to control the flattening assembly to switch to the flattening state to flatten the tab.

[0034] In the above technical solution, by adopting the tab flattening device described above, the flattening quality and efficiency of the tab can be improved to a certain extent while the tab is flattened.

[0035] Additional aspects and advantages of the application will become apparent from the following description, which is by way of illustration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiments will be briefly introduced as follows. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and therefore should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can also be obtained without creative labor.

[0037] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tab flattening device according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a top view of a tab flattening device according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a flattening assembly in a flattening state according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3; and Figure 3 FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4.Figure 5 A schematic view of a screed assembly according to some embodiments of the present application in a stowed condition; Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of Figure 5 Figure 7 A schematic view of a screed assembly according to some other embodiments of the present application in a stowed condition; Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of Figure 7 Figure 9 A schematic view of a screed assembly according to some other embodiments of the present application in a screeding condition; Figure 10 A schematic view from another angle of Figure 9 Figure 11 A schematic view of a screed according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 12 A schematic view of an adapter according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 13 A schematic view of a base according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 14 A schematic view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present application; Figure 15 A flowchart of a tab flattening method according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0038] Reference Signs: 1000, tab flattening device; 100, screed assembly; 110, fixed portion; 111, through opening; 120, movable portion; 121, receiving slot; 123, receiving cavity; 124, protrusion; 130, screed; 200, adapter; 210, filling opening; 220, first adapter portion; 230, second adapter portion; 240, third adapter portion; 300, base; 310, first through hole; 400, connector; 410, connecting cavity; 420, second through hole; 430, third through hole; 500, fastener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] ​​​In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the present application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application belongs; the terms used in the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application; the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof in the description of the present application and the claims and the above description of drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first", "second" and the like in the description of the present application and the claims or the above description of drawings are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a particular order or primary and secondary relationship.

[0041] In the present application, the phrase "embodiments" means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears at various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiments, nor is it necessarily mutually exclusive or alternative embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0042] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mount", "connect", "connection", "attach" should be understood broadly, for example, can be fixedly connected, can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; can be internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] In the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in the present application generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, the same reference signs represent the same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width and other dimensions of various components in the embodiments of the present application shown in the drawings, and the overall thickness, length, width and other dimensions of the integrated device are only exemplary and should not constitute any limitation on the present application.

[0045] “Multiple” appearing in the present application means two or more, including two.

[0046] In the embodiments of the present application, the battery cell can be a secondary battery, which refers to a battery cell that can be activated by charging after discharging.

[0047] The battery cell can be a lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, a sodium lithium ion battery, a lithium metal battery, a sodium metal battery, a lithium sulfur battery, a magnesium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lead-acid battery, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0048] The battery cell generally includes a shell and an electrode assembly contained in the shell. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The separator is arranged between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and active ions (such as lithium ions) are inserted and extracted between the positive electrode and the negative electrode during the charging and discharging process of the battery cell. The separator is arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, which can prevent the positive and negative electrodes from short-circuiting, and at the same time, the active ions can pass through.

[0049] In some embodiments, the battery cell further includes an electrolyte, which plays a role in conducting ions between the positive and negative electrodes. The present application does not have specific limitations on the type of electrolyte, which can be selected according to the needs. The electrolyte can be liquid, gel or solid.

[0050] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly can be a winding structure, a laminated structure, or a hybrid structure of winding and laminating. The electrode assembly is provided with a tab, which can guide the current out of the electrode assembly. The tab includes a positive tab and a negative tab, and the number of tabs is multiple. The multiple tabs are arranged in layers.

[0051] In the production process of the battery cell, the positive electrode sheet, the separator and the negative electrode sheet are arranged in layers and then wound. The winding forms an electrode roll core, which is shaped by rolling to form an electrode assembly. The electrode roll core includes a main body portion and a tab portion extending from the main body portion. The main body portion can include a wound electrode sheet, which includes a current collector and an active material. The tab portion includes multiple stacked tabs. The tabs are connected to the current collector and are integrally manufactured with the current collector. The main body portion and the tab portion of the electrode roll core are arranged in sequence along the axial direction Z of the electrode roll core.

[0052] At present, in order to reduce the space occupied by the tab part in the shell and improve the welding efficiency between the tab and the adapter piece, a flattening device is needed to fold and flatten the tab part, and then weld it with the end face of the main body part.

[0053] The existing flattening device generally adopts a pre-folding wheel and a flattening wheel to cooperate to flatten the tab. In the flattening process, the tab is first pre-bent, generally divided into one-fold and two-fold, and then the bent tab is wound, and then a one-pat and two-pat device is used to flatten the tab.

[0054] However, in the above tab winding process, due to the close tab, the tab is prone to interference, resulting in the phenomenon of inside folding and outside folding of the tab in the bending process. In this way, in the process of tab flattening, the inside folded and outside folded tabs are prone to wrinkle or even fold, resulting in poor quality of the tab. At the same time, the above flattening steps are relatively complex, which affects the tab flattening efficiency.

[0055] In view of this, combined with Figures 1-14 It is shown that the present application provides a tab flattening device 1000, which sets the flattening assembly 100, sets the flattening assembly 100 to have a fixed part 110 and a movable part 120, and sets the movable part 120 to be deformable relative to the fixed part 110, so that the flattening assembly 100 has an accommodation state and a flattening state. In the accommodation state, the movable part 120 can define an accommodation slot 121 for accommodating the tab, and in the flattening state, at least part of the movable part 120 can form a flattening surface. In this way, when the tab needs to be flattened, the flattening assembly 100 can be first switched to the accommodation state, so that the tab is arranged in the accommodation slot 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodation state. Then, when the flattening assembly 100 is switched to the flattening state, the tab can be flattened by the tab flattening device 1000. The step of pre-bending the tab is omitted, and the folding and flattening of the tab are integrated into one step, making the tab flattening step more simple and efficient. Not only can the tab flattening efficiency be improved, but also the tab quality can be ensured to a certain extent.

[0056] The tab flattening device 1000 according to the embodiments of the present application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Combined with Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is shown that the tab flattening device 1000 includes a flattening assembly 100.

[0058] Among them, as Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the flattening assembly 100 has a fixed part 110 and a movable part 120, the movable part 120 is deformable relative to the fixed part 110 to make the flattening assembly 100 have a containing state and a flattening state, in the containing state, the movable part 120 defines a containing slot 121 to contain the tab (not shown in the figure), in the flattening state, at least part of the movable part 120 is formed into a flattening surface.

[0059] That is, by setting the movable part 120 to be deformable relative to the fixed part 110, the flattening assembly 100 can have a containing state and a flattening state, in the containing state, the movable part 120 defines a containing slot 121 to contain the tab, and in the flattening state, at least part of the movable part 120 is formed into a flattening surface, so when the flattening assembly 100 is switched to the containing state, the tab can be placed in the containing slot 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the containing state, so that the tab is close to the flattening assembly 100, and then when the flattening assembly 100 is controlled to switch to the flattening state, the tab can be flattened by the tab flattening device 1000, which eliminates the step of pre-bending the tab, and realizes the integration of the two actions of folding and flattening the tab into one step, which can not only simplify the structure of the tab flattening device 1000, but also simplify the flattening step of the tab, making the flattening step of the tab more simple and efficient, and improving the flattening efficiency of the tab.

[0060] At the same time, since the step of pre-bending the tab is eliminated, the tab can also avoid the phenomenon of inside folding and outside folding due to pre-folding interference, further avoiding the tab from being wrinkled or even folded when flattening the tab, so that the tab can be aligned in place, thereby improving the quality and working performance of the tab.

[0061] That is, the tab flattening device 1000 of the embodiment of the present application, by setting the flattening assembly 100 having a containing state and a flattening state, not only eliminates the step of pre-bending the tab, but also avoids the phenomenon of inside folding and outside folding of the tab due to pre-folding interference, thereby not only improving the flattening efficiency of the tab, but also ensuring the quality and working performance of the tab to a certain extent.

[0062] It should be noted that through the above setting, during the actual processing of the battery monomer, the electrode assembly can be formed into a winding first, and the tab does not need to be pre-folded during the winding process. After the electrode assembly is wound, the tab is placed in the containing slot 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the containing state, and then the flattening assembly 100 is controlled to switch from the containing state to the flattening state to realize the folding and flattening of the tab, thereby achieving the purpose of flattening the tab.

[0063] At the same time, during the flattening process, the flattening assembly 100 can be controlled to cycle between the containing state and the flattening state, thereby improving the flattening effect of the tab flattening device 1000 on the tab.

[0064] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is arranged opposite to the tab flattening device 1000, and when the flattening assembly 100 is switched to the accommodating state, the electrode assembly can be controlled to move towards the tab flattening device 1000, or the tab flattening device 1000 can be controlled to move towards the electrode assembly, or both the electrode assembly and the tab flattening device 1000 can be controlled to move towards each other, so that the tab can be arranged in the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodating state, thereby facilitating the flattening of the tab by the tab flattening device 1000.

[0065] It should be further noted that the tab flattening device 1000 of the present application can be applied to the tab flattening of cylindrical battery monomers, and the tab flattening device 1000 of the present application can make the tab flattening of cylindrical battery monomers more simple and efficient by integrating the folding and flattening into one step.

[0066] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the flattening assembly 100 includes a plurality of flattening pieces 130 arranged along the circumference of the flattening assembly 100, each flattening piece 130 has a fixed part 110 and a movable part 120, and in the accommodating state, the movable parts 120 of the plurality of flattening pieces 130 cooperate to define the accommodating groove 121. In this way, when the flattening assembly 100 needs to be switched between the accommodating state and the flattening state, the plurality of flattening pieces 130 can be controlled to switch between the accommodating state and the flattening state, respectively. Compared with the entire flattening assembly 100, the volume of the flattening piece 130 is reduced, thereby reducing the difficulty of switching the flattening piece 130 between the accommodating state and the flattening state, thereby reducing the difficulty of switching the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodating state and the flattening state, facilitating the folding and flattening of the tab by the flattening assembly 100, and reducing the difficulty of tab flattening.

[0067] In specific examples, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the flattening assembly 100 is formed by six flattening pieces 130 arranged along the circumference thereof, and the six flattening pieces 130 cooperate to reduce the difficulty of switching the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodating state and the flattening state.

[0068] Of course, in other embodiments, the flattening assembly 100 can also include two, three or other number of flattening pieces 130, which are not specifically limited herein.

[0069] In some embodiments, the movable portion 120 can be flipped relative to the fixed portion 110 to switch the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodating state and the flattening state. In other words, the accommodating state and the flattening state of the flattening assembly 100 are mainly achieved by the deformation and flipping of the movable portion 120 relative to the fixed portion 110. This can further reduce the difficulty of switching the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodating state and the flattening state, facilitate the use of the flattening assembly 100 to flatten the tabs, and thus reduce the difficulty of the flattening device in flattening the tabs.

[0070] In a specific example, when gas is filled into the accommodating cavity 123 or gas is extracted from the accommodating cavity 123 through the through-portion 111, the movable portion 120 can be deformed relative to the fixed portion 110. During the deformation of the movable portion 120, the movable portion 120 can be flipped relative to the fixed portion 110, so that the leveling assembly 100 has a accommodating state and a leveling state. Moreover, since gas can be filled into the accommodating cavity 123 or gas can be extracted from the accommodating cavity 123 through the through-portion 111, the leveling assembly 100 can switch between the accommodating state and the leveling state.

[0071] Of course, in some other embodiments, during the deformation of the movable portion 120 , at least a portion of the movable portion 120 may be configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion 110 , so that the leveling assembly 100 can switch between the accommodating state and the leveling state.

[0072] in, Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 Schematic diagrams showing the movable portion 120 before and after deformation relative to the fixed portion 110 in some embodiments are shown respectively; Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 Schematic diagrams of other embodiments are respectively shown, showing the movable portion 120 before and after deformation relative to the fixed portion 110 .

[0073] It should be noted that the difference between the above two embodiments is that Figures 3-6 In the embodiment of the present invention, when the movable portion 120 is not deformed relative to the fixed portion 110, that is, before the movable portion 120 is deformed relative to the fixed portion 110, the leveling assembly 100 is formed in a leveled state (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG), when the tab leveling device 1000 is required to level the tab, the movable portion 120 needs to be first controlled to deform relative to the fixed portion 110 so that the leveling assembly 100 switches to the accommodating state (as shown in FIG). Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown), the electrode assembly and the tab leveling device 1000 are controlled to move relative to each other;Figures 7-10 In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , when the active part 120 is not deformed relative to the fixed part 110, that is, before the active part 120 is deformed relative to the fixed part 110, the flattening assembly 100 is formed in a storage state (as shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 ), when it is necessary to flatten the tab using the tab flattening device 1000, the electrode assembly and the tab flattening device 1000 are directly controlled to move relative to each other, and then the active part 120 is deformed relative to the fixed part 110, so that the flattening assembly 100 is switched to a flattening state (as shown in and

[0074] ).

[0075] In some embodiments, the active part 120 is a flexible part. Thus, the active part 120 can be deformed relative to the fixed part 110, so that the storage state and the flattening state of the flattening assembly 100 can be achieved by deforming the active part 120 relative to the fixed part 110, further reducing the difficulty of switching the flattening assembly 100 between the storage state and the flattening state, and facilitating the flattening of the tab using the flattening assembly 100.

[0076] In some embodiments, the flattening part 130 is made of liquid silicone rubber casting process. Thus, the flattening part 130 is formed as a flexible part, so that the active part 120 is formed as a flexible part, facilitating the deformation of the active part 120 relative to the fixed part 110.

[0077] At the same time, the casting process can improve the structural quality of the flattening part 130 while reducing the difficulty of forming the flattening part 130, thereby reducing the difficulty of forming the flattening assembly 100.

[0078] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the active part 120 is internally hollow to form a containing cavity 123, and the containing cavity 123 is filled with gas to deform the active part 120 relative to the fixed part 110. The difficulty of deforming the active part 120 relative to the fixed part 110 can be reduced, so that the active part 120 can be effectively deformed relative to the fixed part 110, achieving the switching of the flattening assembly 100 between the storage state and the flattening state, so as to facilitate the flattening work of the tab by the flattening assembly 100.

[0079] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4And Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed part 110 and the movable part 120 are arranged along a first direction, and the movable part 120 includes a plurality of convex parts 124 arranged along the first direction, the convex parts 124 are internally hollowed to form accommodating cavities 123, and the convex parts 124 are configured to be deformed along with the filling amount of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123. Since the convex parts 124 are formed as part of the movable part 120, when the convex parts 124 are deformed along with the filling amount of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123, the movable part 120 can be deformed relative to the fixed part 110, the switching of the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodating state and the flattening state is realized, and the flattening work of the tab by the flattening assembly 100 is realized.

[0080] In a specific example, since the movable part 120 is formed as a flexible piece, when the filling amount of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123 increases, the outer peripheral wall of the convex part 124 is deformed outwardly and bulges, and the plurality of convex parts 124 arranged along the first direction are pressed against each other, at this time, the side of the movable part 120 away from the fixed part 110 can move towards the bottom of the flattening assembly 100 and drive the entire movable part 120 to overturn relative to the fixed part 110, so that the flattening assembly 100 can be switched to the flattening state to flatten the tab (as shown in FIG. 2). Figure 10 When the filling amount of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123 gradually decreases, the outer peripheral wall of the convex part 124 can be deformed inwardly and concave, at this time, the side of the movable part 120 away from the fixed part 110 can move towards the top of the flattening assembly 100 and drive the entire movable part 120 to overturn relative to the fixed part 110, so that the flattening assembly 100 can be switched to the accommodating state to accommodate the tab (as shown in FIG. 3), thereby facilitating the flattening of the tab by the flattening assembly 100. Figure 5

[0081] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixed part 110 is provided with a through port 111 communicating with the accommodating cavities 123. The through port 111 can realize the communication between the accommodating cavities 123 and the external space, so as to facilitate the filling of the gas into the accommodating cavities 123 by the through port 111 or the extraction of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123 by the through port 111, so that the movable part 120 can be deformed relative to the fixed part 110, and the filling difficulty of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123 is reduced. Figure 11 Of course, in other embodiments, a through port 111 communicating with the accommodating cavities 123 can also be provided on the movable part 120 (not shown in the embodiment), and the through port 111 can also realize the communication between the accommodating cavities 123 and the external space, so as to facilitate the filling of the gas into the accommodating cavities 123 by the through port 111 or the extraction of the gas in the accommodating cavities 123 by the through port 111.

[0082]

[0083] ​​That is, the flattening piece 130 is provided with a through hole 111 communicating with the accommodating cavity 123, which can be arranged on the fixed part 110 of the flattening piece 130 or on the movable part 120 of the flattening piece 130.

[0084] In some embodiments, the gas pump communicates with the accommodating cavity 123 through the through hole 111, and the accommodating cavity 123 can be pumped and inflated by the gas pump to control the deformation of the movable part 120, so as to control the switching of the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodating state and the flattening state.

[0085] Specifically, when the movable part 120 is not deformed relative to the fixed part 110 and the flattening assembly 100 is formed into the flattening state (as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 ), the gas in the accommodating cavity 123 can be first extracted by the gas pump, so that the side of the movable part 120 away from the fixed part 110 can be lifted towards the top of the flattening assembly 100, so that the flattening assembly 100 can be switched to the accommodating state to accommodate the tab (as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 ), then the electrode assembly is placed directly below the coaxial center of the flattening assembly 100, and the relative movement of the electrode assembly and the flattening assembly 100 is controlled, and when the tab of the electrode assembly moves into the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100, the inflation of the accommodating cavity 123 is controlled by the gas pump, so that the side of the movable part 120 away from the fixed part 110 can be flattened towards the bottom of the flattening assembly 100 to form a flattening surface (as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 ), so as to realize the flattening of the tab by the flattening assembly 100, and the flattening assembly 100 can be switched between the accommodating state and the flattening state through the continuous pumping and inflation of the accommodating cavity 123 by the gas pump during the flattening process, so as to realize the multiple flattening of the tab and improve the flattening quality of the tab.

[0086] When the movable part 120 is not deformed relative to the fixed part 110 and the flattening assembly 100 is formed into the accommodating state (as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), the electrode assembly can be first placed directly below the coaxial center of the flattening assembly 100, and the relative movement of the electrode assembly and the flattening assembly 100 is controlled, and when the tab of the electrode assembly moves into the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100, the inflation of the accommodating cavity 123 is controlled by the gas pump, so that the side of the movable part 120 away from the fixed part 110 can be flattened towards the bottom of the flattening assembly 100 to form a flattening surface (as shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown), the tabs are leveled using the leveling assembly 100, and during the leveling process, the accommodating cavity 123 can be continuously evacuated and inflated by an air pump, so that the leveling assembly 100 can be cyclically switched between the accommodating state and the leveling state, thereby achieving multiple leveling of the tabs and improving the leveling quality of the tabs.

[0087] It should be noted that, considering that the movable part 120 can be deformed relative to the fixed part 110, when a through-portion 111 communicating with the accommodating cavity 123 is provided on the movable part 120, an elastic tube (such as a rubber tube or a silicone tube, etc.) can be connected to the through-portion 111, and the air pump is connected to the through-portion 111 through the elastic tube. When the movable part 120 is deformed relative to the fixed part 110, the elastic tube itself can be deformed to avoid disconnection between the air pump and the through-portion 111, thereby enabling the air pump to communicate with the accommodating cavity 123 through the through-portion 111.

[0088] In some embodiments, combined Figure 1 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the tab leveling device 1000 further includes an adapter 200, which is disposed at the through-port 111. A filling port 210 is formed on the adapter 200 and communicates with the accommodating chamber 123. In other words, the present application is not limited to extracting or filling the gas in the accommodating chamber 123 directly through the through-port 111. The gas in the accommodating chamber 123 can also be extracted or filled through the adapter 200, thereby reducing the flexibility of extracting and filling the gas in the accommodating chamber 123.

[0089] At the same time, the adapter 200 also makes it easier to reduce the difficulty of connecting the accommodating chamber 123 with the air pump and improve the sealing of the connection between the accommodating chamber 123 and the air pump, thereby facilitating the extraction or filling of gas in the accommodating chamber 123, so that the leveling assembly 100 can switch between the accommodating state and the leveling state, and to a certain extent ensure the airtightness of the accommodating chamber 123, thereby improving the deformation effect of the movable part 120 relative to the fixed part 110.

[0090] In some embodiments, combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the adapter 200 includes a plurality of adapters 200, and the number of the plurality of adapters 200 corresponds one to one with the number of the plurality of flattening members 130, so that each flattening member 130 can extract or fill the gas in the accommodating cavity 123 through an air pump, so that the movable portion 120 of each flattening member 130 can be deformed relative to the fixed portion 110, so that the flattening assembly 100 can switch between the accommodating state and the flattening state.

[0091] At the same time, by setting the number of the plurality of adapters 200 and the number of the plurality of flattening members 130 to be in one-to-one correspondence, the airtightness of each flattening member 130 can be guaranteed to a certain extent, thereby improving the working performance of the flattening member 130 .

[0092] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 , the lug flattening device 1000 further comprises a base 300 and a connecting piece 400, the connecting piece 400 connects the base 300 and the fixed part 110 respectively. Thus, the connection of the base 300 and the fixed part 110 is realized, which facilitates the stable support of the fixed part 110 of the flattening piece 130 by the base 300 and improves the positional stability of the fixed part 110, so that the fixed part 110 can be prevented from moving when the gas in the accommodation cavity 123 is extracted or filled, thereby enabling the movable part 120 to deform relative to the fixed part 110 and realizing the switching of the flattening assembly 100 between the accommodation state and the flattening state.

[0093] At the same time, by using the connecting piece 400 to realize the fixed connection of the base 300 and the fixed part 110, the connection difficulty of the base 300 and the fixed part 110 can be reduced.

[0094] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 , the lug flattening device 1000 further comprises a plurality of fasteners 500, the base 300 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 310, the connecting piece 400 is provided with a plurality of second through holes 420, the number of the plurality of fasteners 500, the plurality of first through holes 310 and the plurality of second through holes 420 are one-to-one corresponding, and the fasteners 500 are sequentially arranged in the second through holes 420 and the first through holes 310, so as to realize the fixed connection of the base 300 and the connecting piece 400 by the fasteners 500, thereby facilitating the fixed connection of the base 300 and the connecting piece 400 by the connecting piece 400 and reducing the connection difficulty of the base 300 and the fixed part 110.

[0095] In some embodiments, the fastener 500 is a fastening bolt or a fastening screw, etc.

[0096] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 , the connecting piece 400 connects the fixed part 110 through the adapter 200. That is, the adapter 200 not only realizes the matched communication of the accommodation cavity 123 and the air pump, but also realizes the fixed connection of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110, thereby facilitating the simplification of the structure of the lug flattening device 1000.

[0097] Meanwhile, the adapter 200 can reduce the connection difficulty of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110, realize the fixed connection of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110, thereby realizing the fixed connection of the base 300 and the fixed part 110, improving the position stability of the fixed part 110, that is, improving the position stability of the leveling assembly 100, so that the movable part 120 of the leveling assembly 100 can effectively deform under the driving of the gas to control the leveling assembly 100 to switch between the containing state and the leveling state.

[0098] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 12 , the adapter 200 includes a first adapter part 220, a second adapter part 230, and a third adapter part 240. The first adapter part 220 is sequentially arranged in the through hole 111 and the connecting piece 400. The second adapter part 230 and the third adapter part 240 are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the first adapter part 220. The sides of the second adapter part 230 and the third adapter part 240 facing each other are respectively in abutting cooperation with the fixed part 110 and the connecting piece 400. Thus, the connecting piece 400 can be connected to the fixed part 110 through the adapter 200, and the fixed connection difficulty of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110 is reduced.

[0099] Meanwhile, by arranging the sides of the second adapter part 230 and the third adapter part 240 facing each other in abutting cooperation with the fixed part 110 and the connecting piece 400, the fixed connection of the fixed part 110 and the connecting piece 400 can be realized by the adapter 200 itself without the need to arrange other fastening connecting pieces. This not only reduces the fixed connection difficulty of the fixed part 110 and the connecting piece 400, but also is conducive to simplifying the structure of the tab leveling device 1000.

[0100] In some embodiments, the second adapter part 230 is arranged in the fixed part 110, and the third adapter part 240 is arranged outside the fixed part 110. The side of the second adapter part 230 facing the third adapter part 240 is in abutting cooperation with the inner wall of the fixed part 110, and the side of the third adapter part 240 facing the second adapter part 230 is in abutting cooperation with the side of the connecting piece 400 facing away from the fixed part 110. Thus, the sides of the second adapter part 230 and the third adapter part 240 facing each other can be respectively in abutting cooperation with the fixed part 110 and the connecting piece 400, so as to realize the fixed connection of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110 by the adapter 200.

[0101] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 12As shown, the radial dimension of the second adapter 230 gradually decreases in the direction away from the third adapter 240, so that the first adapter 220 is sequentially threaded through the through hole 111 and the connecting piece 400 through the second adapter 230, thereby facilitating the fixed connection of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110.

[0102] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 1 , Figure 12 and Figure 14 As shown, the connecting piece 400 is further provided with a third through hole 430, and the adapter 200 is sequentially threaded through the third through hole 430 and the through hole 111 to realize the fixed connection of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110 by the adapter 200, and to reduce the connection difficulty of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110.

[0103] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 14 As shown, the connecting piece 400 is formed with an open connection cavity 410, and at least part of the fixed part 110 is arranged in the connection cavity 410. By arranging the open connection cavity 410, the contact area of the fixed part 110 and the connecting piece 400 can be increased, thereby improving the connection strength of the connecting piece 400 and the fixed part 110, and facilitating the position stability of the fixed part 110.

[0104] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 are arranged at intervals to avoid interference between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 when the movable part 120 can deform relative to the fixed part 110, thereby to some extent ensuring that the leveling assembly 100 can effectively switch between the accommodation state and the leveling state, and reducing the switching difficulty.

[0105] In some embodiments, the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 is in the range of 3°-7°. It should be noted that the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 herein refers to the included angle between the two sides of the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 arranged close to each other, or can be understood as the angle formed after the extension lines of the adjacent sides of the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 intersect at the center of the leveling assembly 100. When the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 is too small, the spacing between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 will be too small, thereby causing interference between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 when deformed, affecting the switching between the accommodation state and the leveling state of the leveling assembly 100; when the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 is too large, the spacing between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 will be too large, affecting the leveling effect of the tab of the leveling assembly 100.

[0106] To sum up, the present application sets the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 to 3°-7°, which can ensure the appropriate distance between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 to a certain extent, avoiding interference between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 during deformation, and also ensuring the flattening effect of the flattening assembly 100 on the tab to a certain extent.

[0107] Specifically, the included angle between the two adjacent leveling pieces 130 is 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, or 7°, etc.

[0108] In some embodiments, the tab flattening device 1000 further comprises a pressure sensor (not shown in the figure) arranged on the movable part 120, which is used to detect the pressure applied by the movable part 120 to the tab. In order to use the pressure sensor to feedback the flattening situation of the flattening assembly 100 on the tab in real time, and to adjust the gas filling amount in the accommodating cavity 123 in real time according to the pressure sensor, thereby improving the flattening effect of the flattening assembly 100 on the tab, and making the tab arrangement effect better.

[0109] In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is arranged in the accommodating cavity 123, which can not only detect the pressure applied by the movable part 120 to the tab, but also protect the pressure sensor with the movable part 120, prolong the service life of the pressure sensor, and avoid the pressure sensor hindering the flattening of the flattening assembly 100 on the tab, further improving the flattening effect of the flattening assembly 100 on the tab.

[0110] The tab flattening method of the present application embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] The tab flattening method adopts the aforementioned tab flattening device 1000, and the specific structure of the tab flattening device 1000 is not described here.

[0112] As shown in the figure, the tab flattening method of the present application embodiment comprises: Figure 15 S1, arranging the tab in the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodating state.

[0113] In this step, the tab can be arranged close to the flattening assembly 100 to ensure that the tab can be effectively flattened when the flattening assembly 100 switches to the flattening state.

[0114] S2, filling gas into the accommodating cavity 123 through the through hole 111 to control the flattening assembly 100 to switch to the flattening state to flatten the tab.

[0115] In this step, the flattening assembly 100 switches to the flattening state, which can realize the folding and flattening of the tab, thereby realizing the flattening of the tab. ​

[0116] From the above structure, it can be seen that the tab flattening method of the embodiment of the application can improve the tab flattening quality and efficiency to a certain extent while achieving tab flattening by using the tab flattening device 1000.

[0117] In some embodiments, before the tab is arranged in the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodating state, it further includes: determining whether the flattening assembly 100 is in the accommodating state; when the flattening assembly 100 is in the accommodating state, directly arranging the tab in the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodating state; and when the flattening assembly 100 is in the non-accommodating state, switching the flattening assembly 100 to the accommodating state. In this way, the tab can be effectively arranged in the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodating state, thereby ensuring that the tab can be effectively flattened when the flattening assembly 100 is switched from the accommodating state to the flattening state.

[0118] In some embodiments, the gas in the accommodating cavity 123 can be extracted through the through hole 111 to control the flattening assembly 100 to switch to the accommodating state.

[0119] In some embodiments, after the flattening assembly 100 is switched to the accommodating state, it includes: controlling the electrode assembly to move towards the tab flattening device 1000, or controlling the tab flattening device 1000 to move towards the electrode assembly, or simultaneously controlling the electrode assembly and the tab flattening device 1000 to move towards each other, so as to arrange the tab in the accommodating groove 121 of the flattening assembly 100 in the accommodating state.

[0120] It can be understood that other configurations of the tab flattening device 1000 and the tab flattening method according to the embodiment of the application (for example, the specific structure and working principle of the pressure sensor) are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0121] It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0122] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A tab leveling device, characterized in that: include: A leveling assembly (100) includes a plurality of leveling members (130) arranged along its circumference, each of the leveling members (130) having a fixed portion (110) and a movable portion (120), the movable portion (120) being hollow inside to form a receiving cavity (123), and a through-port (111) communicating with the receiving cavity (123) being provided on the leveling member (130), through which gas can be filled into or extracted from the receiving cavity (123) so that the movable portion (120) can be deformed relative to the fixed portion (110), so that the leveling assembly (100) has a receiving state and a leveling state, wherein in the receiving state, the plurality of movable portions (120) cooperate to define a receiving groove (121) to receive a tab, and in the leveling state, at least a portion of the movable portion (120) is formed into a flat surface.

2. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable portion (120) can be flipped relative to the fixed portion (110) to switch the leveling assembly (100) between the accommodating state and the leveling state.

3. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable part (120) is a flexible part.

4. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed portion (110) and the movable portion (120) are arranged along a first direction, the movable portion (120) comprises a plurality of convex portions (124) arranged along the first direction, the convex portions (124) are hollow inside to form the accommodating cavity (123), and the convex portions (124) are configured to be deformable according to the amount of gas filled in the accommodating cavity (123).

5. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing portion (110) is provided with the opening (111) communicating with the accommodating cavity (123).

6. The tab leveling device according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a transfer piece (200), the transfer piece (200) being arranged at the through opening (111), and a filling port (210) communicating with the accommodating cavity (123) being formed on the transfer piece (200).

7. The tab leveling device according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a base (300) and a connecting member (400), wherein the connecting member (400) connects the base (300) and the fixing portion (110) respectively.

8. The tab leveling device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting member (400) is connected to the fixing portion (110) via the adapter (200).

9. The tab leveling device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The adapter (200) comprises a first adapter portion (220), a second adapter portion (230) and a third adapter portion (240), wherein the first adapter portion (220) is sequentially arranged through the through opening (111) and the connecting member (400), the second adapter portion (230) and the third adapter portion (240) are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the first adapter portion (220), and the side surfaces of the second adapter portion (230) and the third adapter portion (240) facing each other are respectively abutted against the fixing portion (110) and the connecting member (400).

10. The tab leveling device according to claim 7, characterized in that: An open connecting cavity (410) is formed on the connecting piece (400), and at least a portion of the fixing portion (110) is disposed in the connecting cavity (410).

11. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two adjacent leveling members (130) are arranged at intervals.

12. The tab leveling device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The value range of the included angle between two adjacent leveling members (130) is 3°-7°.

13. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leveling component (100) is a rubber component or a silicone component.

14. The tab leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure sensor, which is arranged on the movable part (120) and is used to detect the pressure applied by the movable part (120) to the tab.

15. A tab leveling method, characterized in that: The tab leveling device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 comprises: The tab is arranged in the receiving groove (121) of the leveling assembly (100) in the receiving state; Gas is filled into the accommodating cavity (123) through the through port (111) to control the flattening assembly (100) to switch to a flattening state to flatten the tab.

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