Soft package module welding device and method

Abstract

The soft package module welding device comprises an outer frame and an inner frame, the outer frame is of a frame structure, the inner frame is rotationally arranged in the outer frame, the inner frame is used for fixing a soft package module, a welding guide groove is formed in the inner frame, and a welding head can penetrate through the welding guide groove to weld the shell. According to the soft package module welding device, the soft package module and the shell are fixed through the inner frame, and then the problem that multiple times of clamping are needed during multi-face welding is solved through rotation of the inner frame in the outer frame, so that multi-face welding can be conducted after one-time clamping, the standard stability is guaranteed, and the welding efficiency is improved. And meanwhile, the welding position can be conveniently guided through the welding guide groove, the welding efficiency and the welding effect are improved, the welding position can be rapidly positioned, and the sputtering damage risk of the exposed area of the shell can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of welding tooling technology for flexible packaging modules, and more specifically, relates to a welding device and method for flexible packaging modules. Background Technology

[0002] Soft-pack battery cells have many advantages such as high energy density, good safety performance, high thermal management efficiency, and strong structural flexibility. They can achieve increased battery life, controllable pressure relief, sizing flexibility, uniform heat transfer, and more advantageous process and customization costs.

[0003] In the manufacturing process of soft-pack modules, the module end plates, bottom plates, and side plates need to be extruded, positioned, and precisely welded. However, laser welding has high requirements for the gaps between the welded parts, uniformity, and repeatability of the welding position. Once the welding position deviates, the welding path is distorted, or the weld gap exceeds the tolerance, it will cause risks such as poor welding of the module shell end plates, weld explosion, missed welds, and weld burn-through, resulting in a reduction in the overall strength of the module and a shorter service life. Existing module shell welding requires multiple clamping operations when performing multi-sided welding. The number of clamping operations will seriously affect the product size and welding accuracy, increase the risk of welding defects, and require a large amount of manual intervention to match the production rhythm when achieving mass automated production. It is difficult to achieve fully automated robotic welding, resulting in high production costs, high risks, and limited applicability of existing welding methods. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a flexible module welding device that solves the problem of requiring multiple clamping operations when welding multi-sided module shells in existing technologies.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a flexible module welding apparatus for welding the outer shell of a module, comprising: The outer frame and the inner frame are provided. The outer frame is a frame structure, and the inner frame is rotatably disposed inside the outer frame. The inner frame is used to fix the soft package module. The inner frame is provided with a welding guide groove, through which the welding head can pass to weld the outer shell.

[0006] Optionally, the external frame includes: Two end plates are provided, spaced apart, and a supporting rib is provided between the two end plates; Two rocker handles are respectively mounted on the two end plates, the rotation axes of the two rocker handles are coaxially arranged, and the output ends of the two rocker handles are connected to the inner frame.

[0007] Optionally, the inner frame includes: A U-shaped frame, two ends of the U-shaped frame are connected with two handles respectively, the handles can drive the U-shaped frame to rotate, and two ends of the U-shaped frame are respectively provided with a relative moving extrusion plate; Two side plates, the two side plates are respectively hinged at two ends of the U-shaped frame, can form a groove structure with the U-shaped frame, and the side plates are provided with the welding guide groove and the heat conduction component; A cover plate, two ends of the cover plate are respectively detachably connected with the two side plates, and the cover plate is used for limiting the upper cover plate of the module; The welding guide groove is arranged on at least one of the U-shaped frame, the side plate and the cover plate.

[0008] Optionally, the extrusion plate comprises a plate body and a driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the plate body to move away from or close to the two ends of the U-shaped frame.

[0009] Optionally, the shell is in a cuboid structure, the shell comprises a plate-shaped module bottom plate, a module end plate, a plate-shaped module side plate and a U-shaped module upper cover plate, two ends of the module upper cover plate are not connected with the module bottom plate, the module side plate is located outside the module upper cover plate and is used for connecting the module upper cover plate and the module bottom plate.

[0010] Optionally, the shell further comprises: A side plate limiting block, the side plate limiting block is arranged on an inner bottom wall of the U-shaped frame, a plurality of side plate limiting blocks are arranged at intervals, and a guide surface is arranged on one end of the module side plate close to the side plate limiting block; An end plate limiting block, the end plate limiting block is arranged on the inner bottom wall of the U-shaped frame, and the end plate limiting block is used for limiting the positions of the module bottom plate and the module end plate; A top plate limiting block, the top plate limiting block is arranged on the side plate.

[0011] Optionally, four cuboid battery cells are arranged in the shell, and a vertical plate of the module upper cover plate is connected with a side wall of the module end plate through a protrusion. The end plate limiting block comprises a ladder and a convex plate, the ladder is used for supporting the module end plate, and the convex plate is used for cooperating with the side plate limiting block to limit the module side plate.

[0012] Optionally, the handle is further provided with a division rotary disc or a division rotary limiting mechanism.

[0013] Optionally, the shell further comprises: An automatic welding device, the automatic welding device can automatically identify the welding guide groove and perform welding on the welding guide groove area.

[0014] The application further provides a soft package module welding method, and the soft package module welding device is used. Assemble the soft-pack module into the inner frame; The inner frame is closed to limit the movement of the soft-pack module; Positioning welding is performed based on the welding guide groove.

[0015] The present invention also provides an electric locomotive driver's cab, including the aforementioned soft-pack module welding device.

[0016] This invention provides a flexible module welding device, which has the following advantages: This flexible module welding device uses an inner frame to fix the flexible module and the outer shell. The inner frame rotates within the outer frame, overcoming the need for multiple clamping operations during multi-sided welding. This allows for multi-sided welding after a single clamping, ensuring a stable reference and improving welding efficiency. Simultaneously, the welding guide groove facilitates guidance of the welding position, improving welding efficiency and quality. It enables rapid positioning of the welding position while avoiding the risk of sputtering damage to exposed areas of the outer shell.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flexible module welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 An exploded view of a flexible module welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible packaging module is shown in the flexible packaging module welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of step 4 of the flexible package module welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of step 6 of the flexible package module welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 01. Module base plate; 02. Module end plate; 03. Module side plate; 04. Module top cover plate; 1. External frame; 2. Internal frame; 3. Welding guide groove; 4. Side plate limiting block; 5. End plate limiting block; 6. Top plate limiting block; 1.1 End plate; 1.2 Crank handle; 1.3 Support rib; 2.1 U-shaped frame; 2.2 Side plate; 2.3 Cover plate; 2.4 Extrusion plate. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail. While preferred embodiments of the invention are described below, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0026] like Figures 1-2 As shown, a flexible module welding apparatus is used for welding the outer shell of the module, comprising: The outer frame 1 and the inner frame 2 are arranged in a frame structure. The inner frame 2 is rotatably set inside the outer frame 1. The inner frame 2 is used to fix the soft package module. The inner frame 2 is provided with a welding guide groove 3, and the welding head can pass through the welding guide groove 3 to weld the outer shell.

[0027] Specifically, the inner frame 2 secures the soft-pack module and the outer shell. The rotation of the inner frame 2 within the outer frame 1 overcomes the need for multiple clamping operations during multi-sided welding, allowing for multi-sided welding after a single clamping, ensuring a stable reference and improving welding efficiency. Simultaneously, the welding guide groove 3 facilitates guidance of the welding position, improving welding efficiency and quality. It enables rapid positioning of the welding position while avoiding the risk of sputtering damage to exposed areas of the outer shell.

[0028] Furthermore, the outer frame 1 is also equipped with lifting rings.

[0029] In this embodiment, the outer frame 1 includes: Two end plates are spaced apart, and a supporting rib is provided between the two end plates; Two cranks are respectively mounted on two end plates, and the rotation axes of the two cranks are coaxially arranged. The output ends of the two cranks are connected to the inner frame 2.

[0030] Specifically, the inner frame 2 is rotated by a crank to adapt to welding on different sides.

[0031] In this embodiment, the inner frame 2 includes: The U-shaped frame 2.1 has two cranks connected to its two ends respectively. The cranks can drive the U-shaped frame 2.1 to rotate. The two ends of the U-shaped frame 2.1 are respectively provided with relatively movable pressing plates 2.4. Two side plates 2.2 are respectively hinged to both ends of the U-shaped frame 2.1, and can form a trough structure with the U-shaped frame 2.1. The side plates 2.2 are provided with welding guide grooves 3 and heat conduction components. Cover plate 2.3, both ends of cover plate 2.3 are detachably connected to two side plates 2.2 respectively, and cover plate 2.3 is used for the upper cover plate 04 of the limiting module; The welding guide groove 3 is provided on at least one of the U-shaped frame 2.1, the side plate 2.2 and the cover plate 2.3.

[0032] Specifically, the U-shaped frame 2.1 supports the battery cell, the side plate 2.2 restricts the module side plate 03, and the cover plate 2.3 restricts the module top cover plate 04, thus comprehensively limiting the battery cell and ensuring its stability during flipping. The U-shaped frame 2.1, cover plate 2.3, and side plate 2.2 can be detachably connected and limited by locking bolts, and welding guide grooves 3, clearance grooves, and reinforcing ribs can be set according to usage requirements. The extrusion plate 2.4 drives the module end plate 02 to extrude the battery cell to form a rigid constraint, which can suppress the cyclic expansion of the battery cell, reduce contact resistance (tab-bus, battery cell-heat sink), shorten the heat transfer path, and avoid thermal runaway caused by local hot spots. The heat-conducting component is a heat-conducting spring. The side plate 2.2 strengthens the limitation of the module side plate 03 through the heat-conducting component, while the heat-conducting component accelerates the welding heat dissipation.

[0033] Furthermore, the cover plate 2.3 is provided with cross ribs, grid ribs, etc. to prevent the middle of the outer shell from bulging, and the extrusion plate 2.4 is provided with a groove on the side near the module end plate 02 to cooperate with the module end plate 02 to avoid damage to the wiring terminals.

[0034] Furthermore, the two ends of the extrusion plate 2.4 contact the module end plate 02 through the extension plate, and the extension plate is used to form a welding gap, which facilitates the welding of the module top cover plate 04 and the module end plate 02.

[0035] In this embodiment, the extrusion plate 2.4 includes a plate body and a driving mechanism, which is used to drive the plate body away from or near the two ends of the U-shaped frame 2.1.

[0036] Specifically, a drive mechanism drives the plate closer to the battery cell, thereby ensuring close contact between the module end plate 02 and the battery cell. The drive mechanism includes a spring mechanism, a lead screw and nut assembly, a cam assembly, and a scissor lift assembly.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the outer shell has a cuboid structure and includes a plate-shaped module base plate 01, a module end plate 02, a plate-shaped module side plate 03, and a U-shaped module top cover plate 04. The two ends of the module top cover plate 04 are not connected to the module base plate 01. The module side plate 03 is located outside the module top cover plate 04 and is used to connect the module top cover plate 04 and the module base plate 01.

[0038] Specifically, the module base plate 01, module end plate 02, plate-shaped module side plate 03, and U-shaped module top cover plate 04 work together to fix the battery cells, enabling the combined use of multiple battery cells.

[0039] In this embodiment, it also includes: Side plate limiting block 4 is set on the inner bottom wall of the U-shaped frame. Multiple side plate limiting blocks 4 are set at intervals, and a guide surface is set at one end near the module side plate 03. End plate limiting block 5 is set on the inner bottom wall of the U-shaped frame. End plate limiting block 5 is used to limit the position of module bottom plate 01 and module end plate 02. Top plate limiting block 6 is set on side plate 2.2.

[0040] Specifically, various limiting blocks are used to further restrict the position of each plate of the outer shell to prevent the outer shell from becoming loose.

[0041] Furthermore, after the outer shell is installed into the inner frame 2, the individual plates have not yet been welded. The position and posture of each plate are kept stable by the limiting blocks, which facilitates subsequent positioning and welding.

[0042] In this embodiment, four cuboid battery cells are disposed inside the housing, and the upright plate of the module cover plate 04 is connected to the side wall of the module end plate 02 through a protrusion.

[0043] Specifically, the module end plate 02 is provided with wiring terminals, and is therefore located at the center of the housing end face. The end plate limiting block 5 supports and maintains the height position, and the protruding connection avoids damage to the housing end face and affects the wiring terminals.

[0044] In this embodiment, the end plate limiting block 5 includes a ladder and a convex plate. The ladder is used to support the module end plate 02, and the convex plate is used to cooperate with the side plate limiting block 4 to limit the module side plate 03.

[0045] Specifically, the module end plate 02 is supported by a ladder platform, so that the module end plate 02 is aligned with the protrusion, and the protrusion prevents the corners of the module side plate 03 and the module top cover plate 04 from warping.

[0046] In this embodiment, the crank handle is also provided with an indexing rotary table or an indexing rotary limiting mechanism.

[0047] Specifically, the inner frame 2 is rotated 90 degrees by an indexing rotary table or an indexing rotary limit mechanism and then automatically stops in place, making it suitable for welding on all four sides of the outer shell.

[0048] Furthermore, the crank handle includes a cylinder, an outer frame 1 is provided with a rotating hole, one end of the cylinder is provided with a gripping handle, and the other end of the cylinder passes through the rotating hole and is connected to the inner frame 2. A lead screw and nut assembly is provided inside the cylinder. The moving end of the lead screw and nut assembly passes through the U-shaped frame 2.1 and is connected to the extrusion plate 2.4. The driving end of the lead screw and nut assembly is exposed outside the cylinder (the nut is fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder, and the lead screw is threaded inside the nut. Rotating the lead screw drives the lead screw to move axially. When the cylinder rotates, the lead screw rotates synchronously. When the lead screw rotates, the cylinder can remain stationary). The side wall of the outer frame 1 is provided with a spring limit card, and the cylinder is provided with a slot that cooperates with the spring limit card.

[0049] In this embodiment, it also includes: The automatic welding device can automatically identify the welding guide groove 3 and perform welding on the area of ​​the welding guide groove 3.

[0050] Specifically, the automated welding device automatically welds the clamped outer casing. It uses vision-based positioning and retrieves segmented welding programs to avoid welding program abnormalities caused by recognition errors, thereby reducing heat accumulation and lowering thermal stress.

[0051] Furthermore, the rotation axis of the inner frame 2 is the design reference axis of the soft package module, and it also coincides with the welding procedure reference line (the coincidence degree between the weld center axis and the design reference line is ≥99%).

[0052] The present invention also provides a method for welding flexible packaging modules, which, using the above-mentioned flexible packaging module welding apparatus, further includes: Assemble the soft-pack module into the inner frame 2; The inner frame 2 is closed to limit the movement of the soft-pack module; Positioning welding is performed based on the welding guide groove 3.

[0053] like Figures 3-5 As shown in the figure, when using the flexible battery module welding device in this embodiment, taking the combination of four battery cells into one flexible battery module as an example: Step 1: Adjust the welding device so that the opening of the U-shaped frame 2.1 of the inner frame 2 faces upward; Step 2: Place the module base plate 01 in, and arrange the four battery cells tightly on the module base plate 01; Step 3: Place the module end plate 02 and adjust the position of the extrusion plate 2.4 to ensure that the module end plate 02 is tightly attached to the battery cell; Step 4: Install the module top cover plate 04 to make the top of the battery cell flush; Step 5: Install module side plate 03 to make the two sides of the battery cell flush; Step 6: Flip the side panel 2.2, and then install the cover plate 2.3 to completely confine the outer shell within the inner frame 2; Step 7: Weld manually or using an automatic welding device according to the welding guide groove 3. After welding one side, flip the inner frame 2 to weld the next side. Each time it flips 90 degrees, it is locked. After flipping 3 times, the welding of the 6 sides of the shell is completed.

[0054] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A flexible module welding device for welding the outer shell of a module, characterized in that, include: The outer frame and the inner frame are provided. The outer frame is a frame structure, and the inner frame is rotatably disposed inside the outer frame. The inner frame is used to fix the soft package module. The inner frame is provided with a welding guide groove, through which the welding head can pass to weld the outer shell.

2. The flexible module welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external frame includes: Two end plates are provided, spaced apart, and a supporting rib is provided between the two end plates; Two rocker handles are respectively mounted on the two end plates, the rotation axes of the two rocker handles are coaxially arranged, and the output ends of the two rocker handles are connected to the inner frame.

3. The flexible module welding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner frame includes: A U-shaped frame, with its two ends connected to two cranks respectively, the cranks being able to drive the U-shaped frame to rotate, and each end of the U-shaped frame being provided with a relatively movable pressing plate; Two side plates are respectively hinged to both ends of the U-shaped frame, which can form a groove structure with the U-shaped frame. The side plates are provided with welding guide grooves and heat conduction components. A cover plate, the two ends of which are detachably connected to two side plates respectively, the cover plate being used as the upper cover plate of the limiting module; The welding guide groove is provided on at least one of the U-shaped frame, the side plate, and the cover plate.

4. The flexible module welding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The extrusion plate includes a plate body and a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism being used to drive the plate body away from or towards both ends of the U-shaped frame.

5. The flexible module welding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer shell has a cuboid structure and includes a plate-shaped module base plate, a module end plate, a plate-shaped module side plate, and a U-shaped module top cover plate. The two ends of the module top cover plate are not connected to the module base plate. The module side plate is located outside the module top cover plate and is used to connect the module top cover plate and the module base plate.

6. The flexible module welding apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Side plate limiting blocks are provided on the inner bottom wall of the U-shaped frame. Multiple side plate limiting blocks are provided at intervals, and a guide surface is provided at one end near the module side plate. An end plate limiting block is disposed on the inner bottom wall of the U-shaped frame. The end plate limiting block is used to limit the position of the module bottom plate and the module end plate. A top plate limiting block is disposed on the side plate.

7. The flexible module welding apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer casing contains four cuboid battery cells, and the upright plate of the module's upper cover is connected to the side wall of the module's end plate via a protrusion. The end plate limiting block includes a ladder and a protruding plate. The ladder is used to support the module end plate, and the protruding plate is used to cooperate with the side plate limiting block to restrict the module side plate.

8. The flexible module welding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The crank handle is also equipped with an indexing rotary table or an indexing rotary limit mechanism.

9. The flexible module welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An automatic welding device is provided, which can automatically identify the welding guide groove and weld the area of ​​the welding guide groove.

10. A method for welding flexible packaging modules, utilizing the flexible packaging module welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Also includes: Assemble the soft-pack module into the inner frame; The inner frame is closed to limit the movement of the soft-pack module; Positioning welding is performed based on the welding guide groove.

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