A double flexible circuit board bending machine for use in battery cells

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of battery cell technology, specifically to a double flexible circuit board bending machine for battery cells. The machine includes a machine base, a cover mounted on the top of the machine base, and a control panel on the surface of the cover. A long flexible circuit board bending mechanism is mounted on the left side of the machine base, used for inward bending of the two long flexible circuit boards of the battery cell. A short flexible circuit board bending mechanism is mounted on the surface of the machine base, located to one side of the long flexible circuit board bending mechanism, used for downward bending of the short flexible circuit board ends of the long flexible circuit boards. This invention improves the automation level of the bending machine, eliminating the need for manual operation during the bending process, reducing labor intensity and improving work efficiency. Furthermore, since the entire double flexible circuit board bending process is completed automatically by the machine without manual intervention, the bending position of the double flexible circuit boards is more uniform and standardized, and there are no missed bends, thereby increasing the yield rate of double flexible circuit board bending.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery cell technology, specifically to a double flexible board bending machine applied to battery cells. Background Technology

[0002] The ends of battery cells typically have dual flexible circuit boards. Therefore, during transportation or packaging, these boards need to be bent to prevent them from protruding and interfering with subsequent transportation and packaging. When bending the dual flexible circuit boards, first bend the two longer flexible circuit boards of the battery cell inward, and then bend the shorter flexible ends of the longer circuit boards downward, so that the dual flexible circuit boards are tightly attached to the battery cell.

[0003] However, currently, the bending of existing battery cells using double flexible circuit boards is all done manually, resulting in a low degree of automation in the process. This increases labor intensity and reduces work efficiency. Furthermore, because the entire bending process requires manual operation, the bending position is not standardized, thus reducing the yield rate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a double flexible board bending machine for use in battery cells, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, such as high labor intensity, low work efficiency, and non-standard bending position of manual bending.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a double flexible board bending machine for battery cells, comprising a machine base, a cover installed at the top of the machine base, and a control screen provided on the surface of the cover for controlling the operation of the entire machine; a long flexible board bending mechanism provided on the left side of the machine base for bending the two long flexible boards of the battery cell inward; and a short flexible leg bending mechanism installed on the surface of the machine base and on one side of the long flexible board bending mechanism for bending the short flexible legs at the ends of the long flexible boards downward.

[0006] The long flexible board bending mechanism includes a long flexible board turntable assembly, a cylinder flattening module, and a gripper rotation module. The long flexible board turntable assembly is installed on the surface of the machine tool and is used for transporting the battery cell. Two sets of cylinder flattening modules and gripper rotation modules are installed on the surface of the machine tool and on the outside of the long flexible board turntable assembly. The cylinder flattening module and gripper rotation module work together to bend the left and right long flexible boards of the battery cell.

[0007] The short flexible leg bending mechanism includes a short flexible leg turntable assembly, a flexible leg bending assembly, and a CCD camera. The short flexible leg turntable assembly is fixed on the surface of the machine tool. Two sets of flexible leg bending assemblies and one set of CCD cameras are installed on the surface of the machine tool and outside the short flexible leg turntable assembly. The flexible leg bending assembly is used to bend the short flexible legs at the ends of the left and right long flexible boards of the battery cell, while the CCD camera is used for visual inspection after bending.

[0008] Preferably, both the long soft plate turntable assembly and the short soft foot turntable assembly are composed of a platform, a stepper motor, an annular turntable, a positioning fixture, and a pressing cylinder. The platform is mounted on the surface of the machine base, and the annular turntable is rotatably connected to the surface of the platform.

[0009] Preferably, a stepper motor is installed at the bottom of the platform and is connected to the annular turntable for transmission. The stepper motor is used to drive the annular turntable to rotate. Four sets of positioning clamps are installed on the surface of the annular turntable for positioning and clamping the battery cell. A pressing cylinder is installed on the surface of the platform through a bracket for pressing down and fixing the battery cell.

[0010] Preferably, the long flexible board bending mechanism further includes a feeding conveyor line and a feeding robot. The feeding conveyor line is fixed to the surface of the machine base and is used for feeding the battery cells.

[0011] Preferably, a feeding robot is installed on the surface of the machine and on one side of the feeding conveyor line. The feeding robot is used to transport the battery cells to the positioning fixture of the long flexible board turntable assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the short flexible leg bending mechanism further includes a material handling robot, a feeding conveyor line, a feeding robot, an unloading robot, and a defective product conveyor line. The feeding conveyor line is fixed to the surface of the machine base and is used for feeding the battery cells.

[0013] Preferably, the material handling robot is fixed to the surface of the machine base, and the material handling robot is used to transport the battery cells in the long flexible plate turntable assembly to the feeding conveyor line; a feeding robot is installed on the surface of the machine base and on one side of the feeding conveyor line, and the feeding robot is used to transport the battery cells to the positioning fixture of the short flexible plate turntable assembly.

[0014] Preferably, a material unloading robot is installed on one side of the machine tool surface, which is used for unloading the battery cells after bending; a defective product conveyor line is installed on the machine tool surface and on one side of the material unloading robot, which is used for unloading defective products.

[0015] Preferably, the flexible bending assembly includes an X-axis lead screw module, a carrier, a Z-axis lead screw module, and a pressing roller. The X-axis lead screw module is fixed to the surface of the machine tool, and the carrier is mounted on the sliding seat of the X-axis lead screw module.

[0016] Preferably, a Z-axis lead screw module is installed at the top of the carrier, and a pressing roller for pressing down the short soft foot is installed on the slide of the Z-axis lead screw module via a bracket. A cylinder support platform is installed on the surface of the machine tool and on one side of the X-axis lead screw module via a bracket. The cylinder support platform is used for supporting the long soft board of the battery cell.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This double flexible board bending machine for battery cells, by setting up a long flexible board bending mechanism and a short flexible leg bending mechanism, allows the battery cell to be automatically bent inward by the cylinder flattening module and the gripper rotation module within the long flexible board bending mechanism after it is fed into the long flexible board bending mechanism. After bending, the long flexible board enters the short flexible leg bending mechanism, where the short flexible leg at the end of the long flexible board is bent downward by the flexible leg bending component. This invention improves the automation level of the bending machine, eliminating the need for manual operation during the bending process, reducing labor intensity and improving work efficiency. Moreover, since the entire double flexible board bending process is completed automatically by the machine without manual operation, the bending position of the double flexible board is more uniform and standardized, and there is no missed bending, thereby increasing the yield rate of double flexible board bending. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional internal structure diagram of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top-view enlarged structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the long flexible board bending mechanism of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the short flexible leg bending mechanism of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the long flexible plate bending mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the short flexible leg bending mechanism of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is an enlarged structural schematic diagram of the flexible leg bending component of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Machine base; 2. Machine cover; 21. Control panel; 3. Long flexible board bending mechanism; 31. Feeding conveyor line; 32. Feeding robot; 33. Long flexible board turntable assembly; 34. Cylinder flattening module; 35. Gripper rotation module; 4. Short flexible leg bending mechanism; 41. Material handling robot; 42. Feeding conveyor line; 43. Feeding robot; 44. Short flexible leg turntable assembly; 45. Flexible leg bending assembly; 451. X-axis lead screw module; 452. Carrier frame; 453. Z-axis lead screw module; 454. Pressing roller; 455. Cylinder support platform; 46. CCD camera; 47. Unloading robot; 48. Defective product conveyor line; 6. Stepper motor; 5. Carrier platform; 7. Circular turntable; 8. Positioning fixture; 9. Pressing cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. At the same time, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. 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.

[0028] The present invention provides a structure for a double flexible circuit board bending machine applied to battery cells, as shown in the following figure. Figure 1 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the machine includes a machine base 1, with a cover 2 installed on the top of the machine base 1. The surface of the cover 2 is equipped with a control screen 21, which is used for controlling the entire machine. A long flexible board bending mechanism 3 is provided on the left side of the machine base 1. The long flexible board bending mechanism 3 is used for bending the two long flexible boards of the battery cell inward. The long flexible board bending mechanism 3 includes a feeding conveyor line 31 and a feeding robot 32. The feeding conveyor line 31 is fixed to the surface of the machine base 1 and is used for feeding the battery cell. A feeding robot 32 is installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and on one side of the feeding conveyor line 31. The feeding robot 32 is used to transport the battery cell to the positioning fixture 8 of the long flexible board turntable assembly 33.

[0029] During implementation, the battery cells are fed to the feeding robot 32 via the feeding conveyor line 31, and then transported and loaded by the feeding robot 32.

[0030] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the long flexible board bending mechanism 3 also includes a long flexible board turntable assembly 33, a cylinder flattening module 34, and a gripper rotation module 35. The long flexible board turntable assembly 33 is installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and is used for transporting the battery cell. Two sets of cylinder flattening modules 34 and gripper rotation modules 35 are installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and outside the long flexible board turntable assembly 33. The cylinder flattening module 34 and gripper rotation module 35 cooperate to bend the left and right long flexible boards of the battery cell. The cylinder flattening module 34 includes a cylinder fixed on the machine base 1 by a bracket and a pressure plate installed on the output end of the cylinder. The gripper rotation module 35 consists of a cylinder gripper, a rotary motor, and a linear module. During installation, the linear module is fixed on the machine base 1 by a bracket. The sliding seat of the linear module fixes the rotary motor, and the cylinder gripper is installed on the output end of the rotary motor.

[0031] During implementation, the long flexible board turntable assembly 33 drives the battery cell to the first set of cylinder flattening module 34 and gripper rotating module 35. The gripper rotating module 35 clamps the long flexible board on one side of the battery cell, rotates it inward and pulls it. Then, the cylinder flattening module 34 squeezes it to achieve bending. Then, the other set of cylinder flattening module 34 and gripper rotating module 35 bends the long flexible board on the other side of the battery cell, completing the bending of the two long flexible boards.

[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 As shown, a short flexible leg bending mechanism 4 is installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and on one side of the long flexible board bending mechanism 3. The short flexible leg bending mechanism 4 is used for downward bending of the short flexible leg at the end of the long flexible board. The short flexible leg bending mechanism 4 includes a material handling robot 41, a feeding conveyor line 42, and a feeding robot 43. The feeding conveyor line 42 is fixed to the surface of the machine base 1 and is used for feeding the battery cells. The material handling robot 41 is fixed to the surface of the machine base 1 and is used to transport the battery cells in the long flexible board turntable assembly 33 to the feeding conveyor line 42. The feeding robot 43 is installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and on one side of the feeding conveyor line 42. The feeding robot 43 is used to transport the battery cells to the positioning fixture 8 of the short flexible leg turntable assembly 44.

[0033] During implementation, the material handling robot 41 moves the battery cells from the positioning clamp 8 in the long flexible plate turntable assembly 33 to the feeding conveyor line 42, and then feeds them to the short flexible foot turntable assembly 44 via the feeding robot 43.

[0034] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 as well as Figure 7As shown, the short flexible leg bending mechanism 4 also includes a short flexible leg turntable assembly 44, a flexible leg bending assembly 45, and a CCD camera 46. The short flexible leg turntable assembly 44 is fixed on the surface of the machine base 1. Two sets of flexible leg bending assemblies 45 and one set of CCD cameras 46 are installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and outside the short flexible leg turntable assembly 44. The flexible leg bending assembly 45 is used to bend the short flexible legs at the ends of the left and right long flexible boards of the battery cell, while the CCD camera 46 is used for visual inspection after bending.

[0035] During implementation, the short soft-leg turntable assembly 44 drives the battery cell to two sets of soft-leg bending assemblies 45 for short soft-leg bending. After bending, the appearance of the bending state is inspected by CCD camera 46.

[0036] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the flexible foot bending assembly 45 includes an X-axis lead screw module 451, a carrier frame 452, a Z-axis lead screw module 453, and a pressing roller 454. The X-axis lead screw module 451 is fixed to the surface of the machine base 1. The carrier frame 452 is installed on the sliding seat of the X-axis lead screw module 451. The Z-axis lead screw module 453 is installed on the top of the carrier frame 452. The pressing roller 454 for pressing down the short flexible foot is installed on the sliding seat of the Z-axis lead screw module 453 via a bracket. A cylinder support platform 455 is installed on the surface of the machine base 1 and on one side of the X-axis lead screw module 451 via a bracket. The cylinder support platform 455 is used for supporting the long flexible circuit board of the battery cell.

[0037] During implementation, the long flexible plate of the battery cell is supported by the cylinder support platform 455. Then, the X-axis lead screw module 451 drives the carrier 452 to move. The carrier 452 drives one end of the Z-axis lead screw module 453 to the top of the short flexible foot of the battery cell. Then, the Z-axis lead screw module 453 drives the downward roller 454 to roll the short flexible foot downward, completing the bending work of the short flexible foot of the battery cell.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the short flexible bending mechanism 4 includes a material unloading robot 47 and a defective product conveyor line 48. The material unloading robot 47 is installed on one side of the machine base 1 surface. The material unloading robot 47 is used for unloading the battery cells after bending. The defective product conveyor line 48 is installed on the machine base 1 surface and on one side of the material unloading robot 47. The defective product conveyor line 48 is used for unloading defective products.

[0039] During implementation, unqualified battery cells are transported to the defective product conveyor line 48 by the unloading robot 47 and discharged, while qualified unloading robots 47 will unload the cells.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 as well as Figure 7As shown, both the long soft-plate turntable assembly 33 and the short soft-foot turntable assembly 44 are composed of a platform 5, a stepper motor 6, an annular turntable 7, a positioning fixture 8, and a pressing cylinder 9. The platform 5 is mounted on the surface of the machine base 1, and the annular turntable 7 is rotatably connected to the surface of the platform 5. The stepper motor 6 is mounted at the bottom of the platform 5, and the stepper motor 6 is connected to the annular turntable 7 for transmission. The stepper motor 6 is used to drive the annular turntable 7 to rotate. Four sets of positioning fixtures 8 are mounted on the surface of the annular turntable 7. The positioning fixtures 8 are used to position and clamp the battery cells. The pressing cylinder 9 is mounted on the surface of the platform 5 through a bracket. The pressing cylinder 9 is used to press down and fix the battery cells.

[0041] During implementation, the battery cell is clamped and positioned by the positioning fixture 8, and then the stepper motor 6 drives the annular turntable 7 to rotate between each station. At the same time, during the bending process, the battery cell is pressed down and fixed by the pressing cylinder 9.

[0042] Working principle: In use, the battery cell is first fed into the feeding robot 32 through the feeding conveyor 31. The feeding robot 32 then transports the battery cell to the long flexible board turntable assembly 33. The long flexible board turntable assembly 33 drives the battery cell to the first set of cylinder flattening module 34 and gripper rotating module 35. The gripper rotating module 35 clamps the long flexible board on one side of the battery cell, rotates it inward, and pulls it. Then, the cylinder flattening module 34 squeezes it to achieve bending. Next, the other set of cylinder flattening module 34 and gripper rotating module 35 bends the long flexible board on the other side of the battery cell, completing the bending of the two long flexible boards.

[0043] Subsequently, the material handling robot 41 transports the battery cell from the positioning fixture 8 in the long flexible plate turntable assembly 33 to the feeding conveyor line 42. Then, the feeding robot 43 feeds the battery cell into the short flexible foot turntable assembly 44. The short flexible foot turntable assembly 44 drives the battery cell to two sets of flexible foot bending assemblies 45 for short flexible foot bending. After bending, the appearance of the bending state is inspected by the CCD camera 46. If the inspection fails, the unloading robot 47 transports the battery cell to the defective product conveyor line 48 for discharge. The qualified unloading robot 47 will unload the battery cell.

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A double flexible board bending machine for use in battery cells, comprising a machine base (1), characterized in that: The machine base (1) is equipped with a cover (2) at the top, and a control screen (21) is provided on the surface of the cover (2). The control screen (21) is used for the control of the entire machine. A long flexible board bending mechanism (3) is provided on the left side of the machine base (1). The long flexible board bending mechanism (3) is used for the inward bending of the two long flexible boards of the battery cell. A short flexible foot bending mechanism (4) is installed on the surface of the machine base (1) and on one side of the long flexible board bending mechanism (3). The short flexible foot bending mechanism (4) is used for the downward bending of the short flexible foot at the end of the long flexible board. The long flexible board bending mechanism (3) includes a long flexible board turntable assembly (33), a cylinder flattening module (34), and a gripper rotating module (35). The long flexible board turntable assembly (33) is installed on the surface of the machine base (1). The long flexible board turntable assembly (33) is used for transporting the battery cell. Two sets of cylinder flattening modules (34) and gripper rotating modules (35) are installed on the surface of the machine base (1) and on the outside of the long flexible board turntable assembly (33). The cylinder flattening module (34) and gripper rotating module (35) cooperate to bend the left and right long flexible boards of the battery cell. The short soft-leg bending mechanism (4) includes a short soft-leg turntable assembly (44), a soft-leg bending assembly (45), and a CCD camera (46). The short soft-leg turntable assembly (44) is fixed on the surface of the machine base (1). Two sets of soft-leg bending assemblies (45) and a set of CCD cameras (46) are installed on the surface of the machine base (1) and on the outside of the short soft-leg turntable assembly (44). The soft-leg bending assembly (45) is used to bend the short soft legs at the ends of the left and right long soft boards of the battery cell, while the CCD camera (46) is used for visual inspection after bending. The flexible foot bending assembly (45) includes an X-axis lead screw module (451), a carrier frame (452), a Z-axis lead screw module (453), and a pressing roller (454). The X-axis lead screw module (451) is fixed to the surface of the machine base (1). The carrier frame (452) is installed on the sliding seat of the X-axis lead screw module (451). The Z-axis lead screw module (453) is installed at the top of the carrier frame (452). The pressing roller (454) for pressing down the short flexible foot is installed on the sliding seat of the Z-axis lead screw module (453) through a bracket. A cylinder support platform (455) is installed on the surface of the machine base (1) and on one side of the X-axis lead screw module (451) through a bracket. The cylinder support platform (455) is used for supporting the long flexible circuit board of the battery cell.

2. The double flexible board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The long soft plate turntable assembly (33) and the short soft foot turntable assembly (44) are both composed of a platform (5), a stepper motor (6), an annular turntable (7), a positioning fixture (8) and a pressing cylinder (9). The platform (5) is mounted on the surface of the machine base (1), and the annular turntable (7) is rotatably connected to the surface of the platform (5).

3. The double flexible board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 2, characterized in that: A stepper motor (6) is installed at the bottom of the platform (5), and the stepper motor (6) is connected to the annular turntable (7) for transmission. The stepper motor (6) is used to drive the annular turntable (7) to rotate. Four sets of positioning clamps (8) are installed on the surface of the annular turntable (7). The positioning clamps (8) are used to position and clamp the battery cell. A pressing cylinder (9) is installed on the surface of the platform (5) through a bracket. The pressing cylinder (9) is used to press down and fix the battery cell.

4. The double flexible board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The long flexible board bending mechanism (3) also includes a feeding conveyor line (31) and a feeding robot (32). The feeding conveyor line (31) is fixed to the surface of the machine base (1) and is used for feeding the battery cells.

5. A double flexible board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 4, characterized in that: A feeding robot (32) is installed on the surface of the machine (1) and on one side of the feeding conveyor line (31). The feeding robot (32) is used to transport the battery cells to the positioning fixture (8) of the long flexible board turntable assembly (33).

6. A double flexible board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The short flexible leg bending mechanism (4) also includes a material handling robot (41), a feeding conveyor line (42), a feeding robot (43), a material unloading robot (47), and a defective product conveyor line (48). The feeding conveyor line (42) is fixed to the surface of the machine base (1) and is used for feeding the battery cells.

7. A double flexible board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material handling robot (41) is fixed to the surface of the machine base (1) and is used to transport the battery cells in the long soft board turntable assembly (33) to the feeding conveyor line (42); a feeding robot (43) is installed on the surface of the machine base (1) and on one side of the feeding conveyor line (42), and the feeding robot (43) is used to transport the battery cells to the positioning fixture (8) of the short soft foot turntable assembly (44).

8. A double flexible circuit board bending machine for battery cells according to claim 6, characterized in that: A material unloading robot (47) is installed on one side of the surface of the machine (1), which is used for unloading the battery cells after bending; a defective product conveyor line (48) is installed on the surface of the machine (1) and on one side of the material unloading robot (47), which is used for unloading defective products.

Images