Battery cell quality inspection equipment

Abstract

The device comprises a rotating table, tools, reference positioning tables, an upper visual camera and a Z-axis telescopic air cylinder, the rotating table is provided with a plurality of sets of tools, the tools flow through a feeding station, a defect detection station and an OCV testing station along with the rotating table, the feeding station is provided with a plurality of reference positioning tables, and the upper visual camera is arranged on the upper visual camera. The reference positioning table is in butt joint with a tool through a linear module on which a plurality of feeding suction cups are hung. And the defect detection work station is provided with a plurality of upper visual cameras which are arranged right above the tool. By means of the mode, according to the battery cell quality inspection equipment, high-speed battery cell feeding is achieved through variable pitch adjustment, meanwhile, rapid and accurate positioning is achieved in combination with the reference positioning table 3, a downstream OCV quality inspection procedure can be accurately and electrically connected with a tab, virtual connection is effectively avoided, the OCV stability and accuracy are guaranteed, and meanwhile the inspection efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical testing equipment, and more particularly to a battery cell quality inspection device. Background Technology

[0002] Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) testing is a fundamental testing method commonly used in the field of electrochemistry, especially in research and applications related to batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical sensors. Its core principle is to measure the potential difference between the two electrodes of the tested system when no external current flows (i.e., the circuit is open), thereby analyzing the electrochemical characteristics of the system. It is primarily used to assess battery capacity consistency, self-discharge rate, and material compatibility. Because the battery cell tabs are flexible materials with a large contact area, they need to be fully pressed into contact during manual testing. However, the testing process is prone to damaging the tabs and the battery cell, and the pressing of the tabs can easily result in inaccurate results due to poor connection. Therefore, the reliability and stability of the test cannot achieve ideal results. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main technical problem solved by this invention is to provide a battery cell quality inspection device that enables high-speed feeding of battery cells through variable pitch adjustment, and achieves rapid and precise positioning by combining with the reference positioning stage 3. This allows the downstream OCV quality inspection process to accurately connect the electrode tabs, effectively avoids loose connections, ensures the stability and accuracy of OCV, and improves inspection efficiency.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A battery cell quality inspection device is provided, including a rotary table, tooling, a reference positioning stage, an upper vision camera, and a Z-axis telescopic cylinder. Multiple sets of tooling are arranged on the rotary table, and the tooling flows with the rotary table through a loading station, a defect detection station, and an OCV testing station. The loading station is equipped with several reference positioning stages, which connect to the tooling via a linear module with several loading suction cups. The defect detection station is equipped with several upper vision cameras arranged directly above the tooling. The OCV testing station is equipped with multiple sets of vertically aligned Z-axis telescopic cylinders, with paired energized electrodes installed at the front ends of the Z-axis telescopic cylinders for electrically connecting to the battery cell tabs.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the rotary table is mounted on a DD motor driver, the center of the rotary table is hollowed out and a slip ring is connected to it, the tooling is composed of a negative pressure suction plate and a stack of foam, the surface of the negative pressure suction plate is provided with negative pressure holes and connected to the slip ring, and the foam is provided with several perforations and covers the negative pressure holes.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference positioning stage is composed of a base plate and a panel stacked together. The base plate has grooves in the X and Y directions respectively, and the panel has corresponding wire holes in each groove. A slider is installed in the groove and covers the panel. A linear guide is connected to the slider along the groove direction. A transition plate is fixed on the linear guide. The transition plate is provided with a plurality of equidistant positioning holes. An X-axis guide block and a Y-axis guide block are modularly installed at the positioning holes and arranged on the surface of the panel. An X-axis reference baffle and a Y-axis reference baffle are provided on the edge of the panel facing the wire holes.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a U-shaped bearing seat is provided on the bottom surface of the base plate corresponding to each sink groove. An L-shaped swing arm is mounted on the U-shaped bearing seat. The U-shaped bearing seat has holes on both sides of the L-shaped swing arm and guide posts are inserted through them. A spring is sleeved on the guide post and a floating block is externally connected to it. The adapter plate is provided with an integrally formed extension arm. The floating block is connected to the extension arm. The spring is used to transmit the elastic force through the floating block to the X-axis guide block or the Y-axis guide block to clamp and fix the battery cell. The L-shaped swing arm is used to compress the spring to disconnect the transmission of elastic force and release the battery cell.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pulley is provided directly below the L-shaped swing arm, the pulley is mounted on a lifting cylinder, and the lifting cylinder is used to overcome the elastic force of the spring to make the L-shaped swing arm swing.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis guide block, the Y-axis guide block, the X-axis reference baffle, and the Y-axis reference baffle surround to form a cell reference positioning space. The bottom plate and the front plate have through holes in the reference positioning space. A photoelectric sensor is installed in the through hole, and the photoelectric sensor works in conjunction with the lifting cylinder.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loading station is connected to a loading robot, which is equipped with several second suction cups. The second suction cups are suspended from a Z-axis pressing cylinder via a slide table. The Z-axis pressing cylinder consists of a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a third cylinder, and a fourth cylinder, arranged sequentially and mounted on the same synchronous rail. A reference positioning block is arranged at the midpoint of the synchronous rail. The second cylinder has connecting rod one and connecting rod two horizontally mounted, and the third cylinder has connecting rod three and connecting rod four horizontally mounted. Connecting rod one, connecting rod two, connecting rod three, and connecting rod four... Each of the four rods has a waist hole. The first cylinder, the reference positioning block, and the fourth cylinder are threaded with control pins. The first connecting rod passes through the waist hole and the control pin to drive the first cylinder. The fourth connecting rod passes through the waist hole and the control pin to drive the fourth cylinder. The second and third connecting rods pass through the waist hole and the control pin to drive the reference positioning block. The front end of the loading robot is equipped with a main board. The linear guide and the reference positioning block are located on the main board. The main board is symmetrically equipped with translation cylinders at both ends. The translation cylinders are respectively connected to the first cylinder and the fourth cylinder for traction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the energized electrode is composed of a metal liner and a metal piston rod, and the Z-axis telescopic cylinder is composed of a pressing cylinder and a supporting cylinder mounted on a back plate. The metal piston rod is disposed on the pressing cylinder via an insulating plate, and the metal liner is disposed on the supporting cylinder via an insulating plate. The insulating plate is provided with an integrally formed extension portion, and the back plate is provided with a spring limiter that abuts against the extension portion. The metal piston rod and the metal liner are pressed together and used to electrically connect the tabs of the battery cell.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The battery cell quality inspection equipment provided by the present invention achieves high-speed feeding of battery cells through variable pitch adjustment, and at the same time achieves rapid and precise positioning by combining with the reference positioning stage 3, so that the downstream OCV quality inspection process can accurately connect the electrode tabs, effectively avoid poor connection, ensure the stability and accuracy of OCV, and improve the inspection efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments 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 based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein: Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a diagram of the energized electrode structure of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 3This is a structural diagram of a negative pressure suction plate of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a lifting cylinder of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a reference positioning stage according to a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the bottom surface of the reference positioning platform of a preferred embodiment of the battery cell quality inspection equipment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the Z-axis downward pressing cylinder of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of a translation cylinder of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a diagram of a limiter structure of a preferred embodiment of a battery cell quality inspection device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. 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.

[0015] like Figure 1-9 As shown, embodiments of the present invention include: A battery cell quality inspection device includes a rotary table 1, tooling 2, a reference positioning stage 3, an upper vision camera 4, and a Z-axis telescopic cylinder 5. Multiple sets of tooling 2 are mounted on the rotary table 1. The tooling 2 flows with the rotary table 1 through a loading station, a defect detection station, and an OCV testing station. The loading station is equipped with several reference positioning stages 3, which connect to the tooling 2 via a linear module 7 with a loading suction cup 6. The defect detection station is equipped with several upper vision cameras 4 positioned directly above the tooling 2. The OCV testing station is equipped with multiple sets of vertically aligned Z-axis telescopic cylinders 5. A pair of energized electrodes 8 are mounted on the front end of each Z-axis telescopic cylinder 5 for electrically connecting to the battery cell tabs.

[0016] The rotating table 1 is mounted on a DD motor driver at its bottom. The rotating table 1 has a hollow center and is connected to an air slip ring at the bottom. The tooling 2 is composed of a negative pressure suction plate 9 and foam 10 stacked together. The negative pressure suction plate 9 has negative pressure holes on its surface and is connected to the air slip ring. The foam 10 has several perforations and covers the negative pressure holes.

[0017] Furthermore, the reference positioning platform 3 is composed of a base plate 11 and a panel 12 stacked together. The base plate 11 has grooves 13 in the X and Y directions respectively. The panel 12 has wire holes 14 corresponding to each groove 13. A slider 15 covering the panel 12 is installed in the groove 13. A linear guide 16 arranged along the groove 13 is passed through the slider 15. A transition plate 17 is fixed on the linear guide 16. The transition plate 17 is provided with a plurality of equidistant positioning holes 18. An X-axis guide block 19 and a Y-axis guide block 20 arranged on the surface of the panel 12 are modularly installed at the positioning holes 18. An X-axis reference baffle 21 and a Y-axis reference baffle 22 facing the wire holes 14 are provided on the edge of the panel 12.

[0018] Furthermore, a U-shaped bearing seat 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the base plate 11 corresponding to each sink 13. An L-shaped swing arm 24 is mounted on the U-shaped bearing seat 23. The U-shaped bearing seat 23 has holes on both sides of the L-shaped swing arm 24 and guide posts 25 are inserted through them. A spring 26 is sleeved on the guide post 25 and a floating block 27 is externally connected to it. The adapter plate 17 is provided with an integrally formed extension arm 28. The floating block 27 is connected to the extension arm 28. The spring 26 is used to transmit the elastic force through the floating block 27 to the X-axis guide block 19 or the Y-axis guide block 20 to clamp and fix the battery cell. The L-shaped swing arm 24 is used to compress the spring 26 to disconnect the transmission of elastic force and release the battery cell.

[0019] Furthermore, a pulley 29 is provided directly below the L-shaped swing arm 24. The pulley 29 is mounted on a lifting cylinder 30, which is used to overcome the elastic force of the spring 26 to make the L-shaped swing arm 24 swing.

[0020] Furthermore, the X-axis guide block 19, Y-axis guide block 20, X-axis reference baffle 21, and Y-axis reference baffle 22 surround and form a cell reference positioning space. The base plate 11 and the panel 12 have through holes 31 in the reference positioning space. A photoelectric sensor 32 is installed in the through hole 31. The photoelectric sensor 32 works in conjunction with the lifting cylinder 30.

[0021] Furthermore, the loading station is connected to a loading robot 33, which is equipped with several second suction cups 34. The second suction cups 34 are suspended from the Z-axis pressing cylinder 36 via a slide table 35. The Z-axis pressing cylinder 36 consists of a first cylinder 36a, a second cylinder 36b, a third cylinder 36c, and a fourth cylinder 36d, which are arranged in sequence and mounted on the same synchronous rail 37. A reference positioning block 38 is arranged at the midpoint of the synchronous rail 37. The second cylinder 36b is horizontally mounted with connecting rod 1 39a and connecting rod 2 39b. The third cylinder 36c is horizontally mounted with connecting rod 39c and connecting rod 4 39d. Each cylinder 36a, the reference positioning block 38, and the fourth cylinder 36d are threaded with control pins 40. The first connecting rod 39a is connected to the first cylinder 36a by engaging with the control pins 40 through the waist holes. The fourth connecting rod 39d is connected to the fourth cylinder 36d by engaging with the control pins 40 through the waist holes. The second connecting rod 39b and the third connecting rod 39c are connected to the reference positioning block 38 by engaging with the control pins 40 through the waist holes. The front end of the loading robot 33 is equipped with a main board 41. The linear guide 16 and the reference positioning block 38 are located on the main board 41. The main board 41 is symmetrically equipped with translation cylinders 42 at both ends. The translation cylinders 42 are respectively connected to the first cylinder 36a and the fourth cylinder 36d for traction.

[0022] Furthermore, the energized electrode 8 is composed of a metal liner 43 and a metal piston rod 44, and the Z-axis telescopic cylinder 5 is composed of a pressing cylinder 46 and a supporting cylinder 47 mounted on a back plate 45. The metal piston rod 44 is disposed on the pressing cylinder 46 via an insulating plate 48, and the metal liner 43 is disposed on the supporting cylinder 47 via an insulating plate 48. The insulating plate 48 is provided with an integrally formed extension portion 49, and the back plate 45 is provided with a spring limiter 50 that abuts against the extension portion 49. The metal piston rod 44 and the metal liner 43 are pressed together and used to electrically connect the tabs of the battery cell.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the loading robot 33 picks up the battery cell from the upstream and then transports it to the reference positioning stage 3. The reference positioning stage 3 performs precise positioning of the battery cell. Then, the linear module 7 carries the loading suction cup 6 to pick up the battery cell, which is then transported to the tooling 2. The tooling 2 flows to the downstream station with the rotary table 1. First, the upper vision camera 4 performs surface defect detection, then scans the code for identification and traceability. Then, it flows into the downstream station for OCV detection. The detection requires power. The Z-axis telescopic cylinder 5 carries the energized electrode 8 to clamp the battery cell tab. After power is applied, the detection data is obtained and recorded. Then, it flows into the downstream station for air blowing and dust removal, and finally, it is transported off the production line.

[0024] like Figure 2As shown, in order to solve the electrical connection of the battery cell tabs, a metal liner 43 is used to support the bottom surface of the tabs, while a metal piston rod 44 is pressed down on the upper surface of the tabs to achieve full electrical connection and improve test stability and result accuracy.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, in order to protect the battery cells from scratches during the battery cell transportation process, a tooling structure combining foam and negative pressure is used to ensure that the battery cells can pass the inspection during defect detection, replacing the tooling structure of the traditional sink and enhancing the protection effect of the battery cells.

[0026] like Figure 4-6 As shown, in order to achieve accurate clamping of the electrode tabs and prevent abnormal electrical connections caused by only a small portion of the electrode tabs being clamped, panel 12 is provided to perform precise positioning and correction of the battery cell. The main action is as follows: the lifting cylinder 30 drives the pulley 29 to lift up and contact the L-shaped swing arm 24. Then, the L-shaped swing arm 24 pushes the floating block 27 to move outward. The floating block 27 pushes the extension arm 28 to make the adapter plate 17 and the slider 15 translate on the rail 16, thus constructing a reference positioning space. Then, the battery cell is sent into the reference positioning space. After the photoelectric sensor 32 detects the battery cell, the cylinder resets. Using the elastic force of the spring, the Y-axis guide block 20 and the X-axis guide block 19 can push the battery cell onto the Y-axis reference baffle 22 and the X-axis reference baffle 21.

[0027] like Figure 7-8 As shown, to solve the docking problem between the upstream material and the reference positioning table 3, four connecting rods are used to control four sets of second suction cups 34 under the action of two translation cylinders 42 to achieve separation. The extension of the translation cylinders 42 can cause all Z-axis pressing cylinders 36 on the synchronous linear rail 37 to separate symmetrically to both sides with the reference positioning block 38 as the center. The variable distance length is controlled by the matching of the cylinders and the waist hole, which can achieve the four-way material picking and separation effect.

[0028] In summary, this invention provides a battery cell quality inspection device that achieves high-speed battery cell feeding through variable pitch adjustment, and simultaneously achieves rapid and precise positioning by combining with the reference positioning stage 3. This enables the downstream OCV quality inspection process to accurately connect the electrode tabs, effectively avoiding loose connections, ensuring the stability and accuracy of OCV, and improving inspection efficiency.

[0029] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell quality inspection device, characterized in that, The system includes a rotary table, tooling, a reference positioning stage, an upper vision camera, and a Z-axis telescopic cylinder. Multiple sets of tooling are mounted on the rotary table, which flows with the rotary table through a loading station, a defect detection station, and an OCV testing station. The loading station has several reference positioning stages, which connect to the tooling via linear modules equipped with several loading suction cups. The defect detection station has several upper vision cameras positioned directly above the tooling. The OCV testing station has multiple sets of vertically aligned Z-axis telescopic cylinders, each with paired energized electrodes at its front end for electrical connection to the battery cell tabs.

2. The battery cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the rotary table is mounted on a DD motor driver. The center of the rotary table is hollowed out and connected to an air slip ring. The tooling consists of a negative pressure suction plate and stacked foam. The surface of the negative pressure suction plate has negative pressure holes and is connected to the air slip ring. The foam has several perforations and covers the negative pressure holes.

3. The cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference positioning platform is composed of a base plate and a panel stacked together. The base plate has grooves in the X and Y directions respectively. The panel has corresponding wire holes in each groove. A slider is installed in the groove and covers the panel. A linear guide is connected to the slider along the groove direction. A transition plate is fixed on the linear guide. The transition plate is provided with a number of equidistant positioning holes. X-axis guide blocks and Y-axis guide blocks are modularly installed on the panel surface at the positioning holes. X-axis reference baffles and Y-axis reference baffles are provided on the edge of the panel, facing the wire holes.

4. The cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the base plate is provided with U-shaped bearing seats corresponding to each sink. An L-shaped swing arm is mounted on the U-shaped bearing seat. The U-shaped bearing seat has holes on both sides of the L-shaped swing arm and guide posts are inserted through them. A spring is sleeved on the guide post and a floating block is connected to it. The adapter plate is provided with an integrally formed extension arm. The floating block is connected to the extension arm. The spring is used to transmit the elastic force through the floating block to the X-axis guide block or Y-axis guide block to clamp and fix the battery cell. The L-shaped swing arm is used to compress the spring to disconnect the transmission of elastic force and release the battery cell.

5. The cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, A pulley is provided directly below the L-shaped swing arm, and the pulley is mounted on a lifting cylinder, which is used to overcome the spring force to make the L-shaped swing arm swing.

6. The cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The X-axis guide block, Y-axis guide block, X-axis reference baffle, and Y-axis reference baffle surround and form a cell reference positioning space. The base plate and the panel have through holes in the reference positioning space. A photoelectric sensor is installed in the through hole and works in conjunction with the lifting cylinder.

7. The cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The loading station is connected to a loading robot arm, which is equipped with several second suction cups. These second suction cups are suspended from a Z-axis pressing cylinder via a slide table. The Z-axis pressing cylinder consists of a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a third cylinder, and a fourth cylinder, arranged sequentially and mounted in a four-way configuration on the same synchronous rail. A reference positioning block is positioned at the midpoint of the synchronous rail. The second cylinder has horizontally mounted connecting rod one and connecting rod two, and the third cylinder has horizontally mounted connecting rod three and connecting rod four. Connecting rods one, two, three, and four are all equipped with... The device has a waist hole, and the first cylinder, the reference positioning block, and the fourth cylinder are threadedly connected to control pins. The first connecting rod passes through the waist hole and the control pin to drive the first cylinder, the fourth connecting rod passes through the waist hole and the control pin to drive the fourth cylinder, and the second and third connecting rods pass through the waist hole and the control pin to drive the reference positioning block. The front end of the loading robot is equipped with a main board, the linear guide and the reference positioning block are located on the main board, and translation cylinders are symmetrically installed at both ends of the main board. The translation cylinders are respectively connected to the first cylinder and the fourth cylinder for traction.

8. The cell quality inspection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energized electrode consists of a metal liner and a metal piston rod. The Z-axis telescopic cylinder consists of a pressing cylinder and a supporting cylinder mounted on a back plate. The metal piston rod is mounted on the pressing cylinder via an insulating plate, and the metal liner is mounted on the supporting cylinder via an insulating plate. The insulating plate has an integrally formed extension. A spring limiter is provided on the back plate to abut against the extension. The metal piston rod and the metal liner are pressed together and used to electrically connect the tabs of the battery cell.

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