A pole piece printing device and printing method

Abstract

This application discloses an electrode printing apparatus and method. The electrode printing apparatus includes: a material preparation device with a first material box and a second material box, each including a box body and two cover plates. The box body defines a through-hole receiving space, which is configured to accommodate multiple electrodes. The two cover plates are closable on the upper and lower sides of the box body; a UV printing device configured to print UV insulating ink on one side of the electrode; and a conveying device configured to transfer the electrodes in the first material box one by one to the UV printing device and transfer the printed electrodes to the second material box, or to transfer the electrodes in the second material box one by one to the UV printing device and transfer the printed electrodes to the first material box. When all the electrodes in the first material box are transferred to the second material box, the second material box is flipped vertically to flip all the electrodes. This application has the advantage of high production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrode processing technology, and in particular to an electrode printing device and printing method. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of solid-state lithium batteries, insulating support frames need to be processed on the edges of both sides of the electrode to prevent edge deformation and short circuits during hot pressing, isostatic pressing, and high-pressure formation after stacking. Existing technologies typically use printing (traditional screen printing / offset printing), coating (squeegee / slot coating), and dispensing (needle / jet dispensing) processes to create these insulating support frames. These processes generally suffer from low efficiency. Furthermore, since both sides of the electrode need to be processed, after processing one side, the electrode needs to be flipped over to process the other side. This method also results in low processing efficiency during mass production. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes an electrode printing device with high production efficiency.

[0004] This application also proposes a electrode printing method applicable to the aforementioned electrode printing equipment.

[0005] The electrode printing apparatus according to the first aspect of this application includes:

[0006] A material preparation device is provided with a first material box and a second material box. Both the first material box and the second material box include a box body and two cover plates. The box body defines a vertically through-hole receiving space. The receiving space is configured to stack multiple electrode sheets. The two cover plates are openable and closable on the upper and lower sides of the box body.

[0007] A UV printing apparatus configured to print UV insulating ink on one side of the electrode sheet;

[0008] A transport device configured to transfer the electrode sheets in the first material box one by one to the UV printing device and transfer the printed electrode sheets to the second material box, or to transfer the electrode sheets in the second material box one by one to the UV printing device and transfer the printed electrode sheets to the first material box;

[0009] When all the electrode sheets in the first material box are transferred to the second material box, the second material box is flipped upside down to flip all the electrode sheets over.

[0010] The electrode printing apparatus according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0011] In this embodiment, an insulating support frame can be efficiently processed at the edge of the electrode using UV printing. UV printing has the advantage of extremely fast ink curing speed, enabling "printing and stacking immediately," significantly improving production efficiency. Based on this, a dual-material box design with a first and a second material box is adopted. The second material box can be used as a temporary storage container for the electrode in the intermediate stage of double-sided processing. After all the electrode in the first material box has completed single-sided processing and been transferred to the second material box, the entire second material box can be flipped up and down to achieve batch flipping of the electrode. Then, the other side of the electrode can be processed. This design allows for batch flipping of electrode, which can improve production speed and thus improve production efficiency.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the material preparation device is further provided with two support components, the support components including:

[0013] First base;

[0014] Two support sections are connected to the first base and can switch between the feeding area and the preparation area relative to the first base;

[0015] There are two first material boxes, which are respectively placed on the two support parts of the first support assembly; there are two second material boxes, which are respectively placed on the two support parts of the second support assembly; the conveying device is configured to pick up and place the electrode sheet from the loading area.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this application, a first positioning part is provided on the side of the cover plate away from the box body, and a second positioning part is provided at the upper end of the support part. The first positioning part and the second positioning part are configured as a concave-convex mating structure to restrict the horizontal movement of the first material box or the second material box relative to the support part.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this application, the support portion is slidably connected to the first base along a first direction, and the two support portions of the same support assembly are vertically offset;

[0018] The support assembly further includes a first drive mechanism, which is tractively connected to two support parts of the same support assembly and is used to drive the two support parts to move synchronously in opposite directions.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this application, in the two support portions of the same support assembly, the first support portion is provided with a clearance channel, and the second support portion is provided with a lifting platform; wherein, the second support portion can pass through the clearance channel, and the lifting platform can be raised to be flush with the upper end of the first support portion.

[0020] According to some embodiments of this application, the first driving mechanism includes:

[0021] Two synchronous pulleys are rotatably connected to the first base;

[0022] A timing belt, which is wound around the two timing pulleys;

[0023] Both of the support portions of the same support component are fixedly connected to the synchronous belt.

[0024] According to some embodiments of this application, the electrode includes a body portion and a tab protruding in a horizontal direction, and the UV printing apparatus is provided with:

[0025] A first adsorption platform is used to support the main body.

[0026] The second adsorption platform is disposed on one side of the first adsorption platform and is used to support the electrode tab;

[0027] The second adsorption platform is capable of horizontal movement relative to the first adsorption platform to support the tabs after they have been flipped up and down.

[0028] According to some embodiments of this application, when the electrode is supported on the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform, the edge of the electrode protrudes beyond the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform.

[0029] The UV printing device is also equipped with:

[0030] A backlight source is distributed around the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform and is configured to illuminate the edge of the electrode sheet upwards;

[0031] A visual positioning component, the visual positioning component being used to acquire the edge of the electrode.

[0032] According to some embodiments of this application, the UV printing apparatus is further provided with:

[0033] Multiple second bases, each of which is provided with the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform.

[0034] The electrode printing method according to the second aspect of this application, applied to the electrode printing apparatus of the above embodiment, includes the following steps:

[0035] The electrode sheets in the first material box are transferred one by one to the UV printing device, and the printed electrode sheets are transferred to the second material box;

[0036] After all the electrode sheets in the first material box are transferred to the second material box, the second material box is flipped up and down.

[0037] The electrodes in the second material box are transferred one by one to the UV printing device, and the printed electrodes are transferred to the first material box.

[0038] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0040] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the electrode printing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electrode printing device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the structure of the support component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the structure of the first material box according to an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the NG material box and the separator paper box according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the mobile component, the first adsorption platform, and the second adsorption platform according to an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform according to an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the visual positioning component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the printing component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the final fixing component and the vision inspection component according to an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Icon labels:

[0052] Electrode 10;

[0053] Frame 100, cover 110, NG material box 120, isolation paper box 130, fourth drive mechanism 140, support platform 150, safety light curtain 160;

[0054] Material preparation device 200, first material box 210, box body 211, cover plate 212, first positioning part 213, third positioning part 214, fourth positioning part 215, second material box 220, support assembly 230, first base 231, support part 232, second positioning part 233, first drive mechanism 234, lifting platform 235, synchronous pulley 236, synchronous belt 237, fifth drive mechanism 238;

[0055] The UV printing device 300 comprises: a first adsorption platform 310, a first vacuum suction plate 311, a second adsorption platform 320, a second vacuum suction plate 321, a backlight source 330, a vision positioning component 340, a vision positioning camera 341, an XYR adjustment platform 342, an open-aperture backlight source 343, a second base 350, a sixth drive mechanism 351, a printing component 360, a printing carriage 361, a seventh drive mechanism 362, an eighth drive mechanism 363, a pre-curing lamp 364, a circulation system 365, a dispensing valve 366, a final curing component 370, a final curing lamp 371, a ninth drive mechanism 372, a vision inspection component 380, a moving component 390, a second drive mechanism 391, and a third drive mechanism 392.

[0056] 400-ton conveying device. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0058] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, etc., are applied to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0059] In the description of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more. The use of "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated, or the order in which the technical features are indicated.

[0060] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0061] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the electrode printing apparatus of this application includes: a material preparation device 200, a UV printing device 300, and a conveying device 400.

[0062] The material preparation device 200 is provided with a first material box 210 and a second material box 220. Both the first material box 210 and the second material box 220 include a box body 211 and two cover plates 212. The box body 211 defines a vertically through-hole receiving space. The receiving space is configured to stack multiple electrode sheets 10. The two cover plates 212 are closable on the upper and lower sides of the box body 211. When either cover plate 212 is opened, the receiving space can be exposed for the electrode sheets 10 to enter and exit.

[0063] The UV printing device 300 is configured to print UV insulating ink on the single-sided edge of the electrode 10.

[0064] The conveying device 400 is configured to transfer the electrode sheets 10 in the first material box 210 one by one to the UV printing device 300 and transfer the printed electrode sheets 10 to the second material box 220, or to transfer the electrode sheets 10 in the second material box 220 one by one to the UV printing device 300 and transfer the printed electrode sheets 10 to the first material box 210.

[0065] When all the electrode sheets 10 in the first material box 210 are transferred to the second material box 220, the second material box 220 is flipped up and down to achieve the flipping of all the electrode sheets 10.

[0066] In use, the following steps are performed first: Open the cover 212 on the upper side of the first material box 210 and stack the electrode sheets 10 to be processed. Simultaneously, open the cover 212 on the upper side of the second material box 220. Next, the first surface of the electrode sheet 10 is processed: The conveying device 400 transfers the electrode sheet 10 on the top layer of the first material box 210 to the UV printing device 300. The UV printing device 300 prints UV insulating ink on the edge of the first surface of the electrode sheet 10. After printing, the conveying device 400 transfers the electrode sheet 10 to the second material box 220. The above steps are repeated until all the electrode sheets 10 in the first material box 210 are transferred to the second material box 220. Then, the electrode sheets 10 are flipped... First: Cover the second material box 220 with the cover plate 212, and flip the second material box 220 upside down to flip all the electrode sheets 10 inside the second material box 220; then process the second side of the electrode sheet 10: the conveying device 400 transfers the electrode sheet 10 on the top layer of the second material box 220 to the UV printing device 300, and the UV printing device 300 prints UV insulating ink on the edge of the second side of the electrode sheet 10. After printing, the conveying device 400 transfers the electrode sheet 10 to the first material box 210, and then repeats the above steps until all the electrode sheets 10 in the second material box 220 are transferred to the first material box 210. At this point, the processing of the double-sided insulating support frame of the electrode sheet 10 is completed.

[0067] The electrode printing equipment of this embodiment can efficiently process the insulating support frame on the edge of the electrode 10 by UV printing. UV printing has the advantage of extremely fast ink curing speed, which can realize "printing and stacking immediately", significantly improving production efficiency. On this basis, a dual material box design of first material box 210 and second material box 220 is adopted. The second material box 220 can be used as a temporary storage container for electrodes in the intermediate stage of double-sided processing. After all the electrodes 10 in the first material box 210 have completed single-sided processing and been transferred to the second material box 220, the entire second material box 220 can be flipped up and down to realize the batch flipping operation of the electrodes 10, and then the other side of the electrodes 10 can be processed. This design can flip the electrodes 10 in batches, which can improve the production speed and thus improve the production efficiency.

[0068] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the electrode printing equipment also includes a frame 100 for providing an installation and support carrier for the material preparation device 200, the UV printing device 300 and the handling device 400. The frame 100 is also covered with a cover 110, and all the above devices are located inside the cover 110 to separate the working environment from the external environment.

[0069] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the electrode printing equipment further includes an NG material box 120 and a release paper box 130, both placed on the frame 100. The NG material box 120 is used to hold defective products, and the release paper box 130 is used to hold release paper. The NG material box 120 and the release paper box 130 are manufactured separately, distinct from the first material box 210 and the second material box 220, and have a larger material loading capacity. The NG material box 120 and the release paper box 130 are distinguished by different colors and have obvious identification labels affixed. The NG material box 120 is equipped with a detection device for full material detection, and the release paper box 130 is equipped with a detection device for material shortage detection and electrode tab detection. The above-mentioned detection devices can be implemented by various conventional means in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0070] When the printed electrode 10 is defective, the conveying device 400 can transfer the defective electrode 10 from the UV printing device 300 to the NG material box 120. In addition, when the electrode 10 completes double-sided processing and is returned to the first material box 210, the conveying device 400 takes out a release paper from the isolation paper box 130 and covers the electrode 10 to separate each electrode 10.

[0071] In a further embodiment, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, a fourth drive mechanism 140 is provided on the frame 100. A support platform 150 is provided at the output end of the fourth drive mechanism 140, which can drive the support platform 150 to move along a first direction. This allows the support platform 150 to switch positions between the inside and outside of the operating range of the conveying device 400. Both the NG material box 120 and the isolation paper box 130 are placed on the support platform 150. When the NG material box 120 is not full and the isolation paper box 130 is not empty, the support platform 150 should be within the operating range of the conveying device 400. Clearly, when the support platform 150 is outside the operating range of the conveying device 400, it facilitates the operator's loading and unloading of the NG material box 120 and the isolation paper box 130.

[0072] In a further embodiment, the machine cover 110 is provided with an opening for taking out and putting in the NG material box 120 and the isolation paper box 130, so as to facilitate taking out and putting in the NG material box 120 and the isolation paper box 130.

[0073] The material preparation device 200 of this application embodiment is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the material preparation device 200 is further provided with two support components 230, each including a first base 231 and two support portions 232. The first base 231 is disposed on the frame 100; the support portions 232 are connected to the first base 231 and can switch between the loading area and the preparation area relative to the first base 231; wherein, two first material boxes 210 are provided, and the two first material boxes 210 are respectively placed on the two support portions 232 of the first support component 230; two second material boxes 220 are provided, and the two second material boxes 220 are respectively placed on the two support portions 232 of the second support component 230; the conveying device 400 is configured to pick up and place the electrode sheet 10 from the loading area. It should be noted that both the first material box 210 and the second material box 220 can be removed from the corresponding support part 232. When flipping the second material box 220 up and down, the second material box 220 is removed from the corresponding support part 232, then the cover plate 212 is closed, and then it is flipped up and down again. After flipping, the upper cover plate 212 is opened and the second material box 220 is put back on the corresponding support part 232.

[0075] Understandably, by adopting the above configuration, during material feeding, two first material boxes 210 can be filled and placed on the two support parts 232 of the first support assembly 230 at the same time, and two empty second material boxes 220 can be placed on the two support parts 232 of the second support assembly 230. When processing the first side of the electrode 10, after the second material box 220 in the feeding area is full, the full second material box 220 can be switched to the preparation area, which is convenient for the operator to manually flip the second material box 220. The empty second material box 220 is switched to the feeding area to receive subsequent electrode 10, reducing processing waiting time and ensuring equipment cycle time.

[0076] It should be noted that the division between the material preparation area and the material loading area can be determined according to the range of motion of the conveying device 400, so that the material loading area is within the range of motion of the conveying device 400 and the material preparation area is outside the range of motion of the conveying device 400. In this way, the operator can safely perform material loading and unloading and material box flipping operations in the material preparation area.

[0077] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, both cover plates 212 are provided with a first positioning part 213 on the side opposite to the box body 211, and a second positioning part 233 is provided at the upper end of the support part 232. The first positioning part 213 and the second positioning part 233 are configured as a concave-convex mating structure, so that the cooperation between the two can restrict the horizontal movement of the first material box 210 relative to the support part 232 or restrict the horizontal movement of the second material box 220 relative to the support part 232.

[0078] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the support portion 232 is slidably connected to the first base 231 along the first direction, and the two support portions 232 of the same support component 230 are staggered vertically; the support component 230 also includes a first drive mechanism 234, which is drively connected to the two support portions 232 of the same support component 230, and is used to drive the two support portions 232 of the same support component 230 to move synchronously in opposite directions (moving towards each other or moving away from each other).

[0079] In this embodiment, by setting the first driving mechanism 234, the two support parts 232 of the same support component 230 can be controlled to move synchronously, so as to realize the position exchange of the two support parts 232 of the same support component 230 in their sliding direction.

[0080] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, in the two support portions 232 of the same support assembly 230, the first support portion 232 is provided with a clearance channel, and the second support portion 232 is provided with a lifting platform 235; wherein, the second support portion 232 can pass through the clearance channel, and the lifting platform 235 can be raised to be flush with the upper end of the first support portion 232. Obviously, in the two support assemblies 230, the lifting platform 235 in the first support assembly 230 is used to support the first material box 210, and the lifting platform 235 in the second support assembly 230 is used to support the second material box 220.

[0081] In this embodiment, by adopting the above-described structure, when the second support part 232 of the two support parts 232 of the same support component 230 is switched to the loading area, the lifting platform 235 can be raised to a position flush with the upper end of the first support part 232, so that the conveying device 400 can pick up and put down the electrode sheet 10 in the same position.

[0082] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, in order to improve the degree of automation, a fifth drive mechanism 238 is provided on the support part 232 of the lifting platform 235. The fifth drive mechanism 238 is used to drive the lifting platform 235 to rise and fall. The fifth drive mechanism 238 may be a cylinder.

[0083] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first drive mechanism 234 includes two synchronous pulleys 236 and a synchronous belt 237. The synchronous pulleys 236 are rotatably connected to the first base 231, and their rotation axes extend vertically. The two synchronous pulleys 236 are arranged at intervals along a first direction. The synchronous belt 237 is wound around the two synchronous pulleys 236. The two support portions 232 of the same support assembly 230 are fixedly connected to the synchronous belt 237 and are located on opposite radial sides of the synchronous pulleys 236. By rotating the synchronous pulleys 236, the two support portions 232 can move synchronously in opposite directions.

[0084] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first drive mechanism 234 further includes a power device for driving at least one synchronous pulley 236 to rotate, which may be an electric motor.

[0085] In some embodiments of this application, the support component 230 further includes detection mechanisms such as a material box arrival detection mechanism, an electrode shortage detection mechanism, a material box flatness detection mechanism, and an electrode tab detection mechanism. The material box arrival detection mechanism is used to detect whether the first material box 210 or the second material box 220 has moved into place. The electrode shortage detection mechanism is used to detect whether there is a shortage of material in the first material box 210 or the second material box 220. The material box flatness detection mechanism is used to detect whether the first material box 210 or the second material box 220 is placed flat on the corresponding support part 232. The electrode tab detection mechanism is used to detect whether the electrode tabs in the first material box 210 or the second material box 220 are in the correct position. The above detection functions can be realized by sensors or detection cameras, which are conventional methods in the field of automation, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0086] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, a safety light curtain 160 is provided on the frame 100. The safety light curtain 160 is located between the loading area and the preparation area to serve as a safety reminder.

[0087] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the machine cover 110 is provided with pick-up and drop-off ports corresponding to the two support components 230 and a corresponding safety door, so as to facilitate the pick-up and drop-off of the first material box 210 and the second material box 220.

[0088] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first material box 210 and the second material box 220 have the same structure to facilitate mass production. Specifically, the cover plate 212 and the box body 211 are respectively provided with a third positioning part 214 and a fourth positioning part 215 on their opposing sides. The third positioning part 214 and the fourth positioning part 215 are configured with a concave-convex fit structure, thereby achieving the connection between the cover plate 212 and the box body 211 through the concave-convex fit. This arrangement facilitates the opening of the cover plate 212. Clearly, the cover plate 212 on both the upper and lower sides of the box body 211 is connected to the box body 211 using the above-described connection method.

[0089] It is conceivable that the accommodating space inside the box 211 can be adapted to the contour of the electrode 10. When this is set up, before processing the second side of the electrode 10 and putting it back into the first material box 210, the first material box 210 needs to be flipped up and down so that the accommodating space matches the flipped electrode 10.

[0090] The UV printing apparatus 300 of this application embodiment is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0091] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the electrode 10 includes a body portion and a tab protruding in a horizontal direction; the UV printing apparatus 300 is provided with a first adsorption platform 310 and a second adsorption platform 320. The first adsorption platform 310 is used to support the body portion of the electrode 10; the second adsorption platform 320 is disposed on one side of the first adsorption platform 310 and is used to support the tab of the electrode 10; wherein, the second adsorption platform 320 is capable of horizontal movement relative to the first adsorption platform 310 to suit support the tab of the electrode 10 after it has been flipped up and down.

[0092] In this embodiment, a first adsorption platform 310 and a second adsorption platform 320 are provided to provide stable support for the electrode 10; by allowing the second adsorption platform 320 to be horizontally movable relative to the first adsorption platform 310, the positional change of the tab after the electrode 10 is flipped can be matched.

[0093] It is evident that the conveying device 400 can pick up and place the electrode 10 from the first adsorption platform 310 and the second adsorption platform 320.

[0094] Reference Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, a first vacuum suction plate 311 is provided on the upper end of the first adsorption platform 310, and a second vacuum suction plate 321 is provided on the upper end of the second adsorption platform 320. Both are provided with negative pressure mechanisms to provide negative pressure, and are equipped with digital vacuum gauges to determine whether the electrode 10 is adsorbed by changes in vacuum pressure.

[0095] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, when the electrode 10 is supported on the first adsorption platform 310 and the second adsorption platform 320, the edge of the electrode 10 protrudes from the first adsorption platform 310 and the second adsorption platform 320; the UV printing apparatus 300 is also provided with a backlight source 330 and a visual positioning component 340; the backlight source 330 is distributed around the first adsorption platform 310 and the second adsorption platform 320 and is lower than the first vacuum suction plate 311 and the second vacuum suction plate 321, and the backlight source 330 is configured to illuminate the edge of the electrode 10 upwards; the visual positioning component 340 is used to obtain the edge of the electrode 10.

[0096] In this embodiment, by setting a backlight source 330 and a visual positioning component 340, the edge of the electrode 10 can be accurately identified, thereby improving the processing accuracy.

[0097] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 9 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the visual positioning component 340 includes a visual positioning camera 341 and an XYR adjustment platform 342. The visual positioning camera 341 is mounted on the frame 100 via the XYR adjustment platform 342, and an open-ended backlight 343 is provided on the lower side of the visual positioning camera 341. The visual positioning camera 341 is a conventional device in the field of automation, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0098] Reference Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the UV printing device 300 is further provided with a plurality of second bases 350, and each second base 350 is provided with a first adsorption platform 310 and a second adsorption platform 320; that is, multiple sets of first adsorption platforms 310 and second adsorption platforms 320 are provided, and each set can adsorb and fix one electrode 10. In this embodiment, two second bases 350 are provided.

[0099] It should be noted that when the UV printing device 300 prints UV insulating ink on the edge of the electrode 10, it involves multiple processes such as inkjet printing, pre-curing, and final curing. By setting up two second bases 350, two electrodes 10 can be processed at the same time. This can be achieved by placing the two second bases 350 at different positions under the UV printing device 300. For example, when one second base 350 is at the position corresponding to the inkjet process, the other second base 350 can be placed at the position corresponding to other processes. This can ensure the production cycle and improve production efficiency.

[0100] Furthermore, to position the second base 350 at different stations under the UV printing device 300, it can be achieved by moving the second base 350, or by moving the components performing the process, or both.

[0101] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first adsorption platform 310 is fixedly connected to the second base 350, and the second adsorption platform 320 is slidably connected to the second base 350 along the first direction; a sixth driving mechanism 351 is provided on the second base 350 for driving the second adsorption platform 320 to move. In this embodiment, the length direction of the first vacuum suction plate 311 is parallel to the second direction, and the width direction of the first vacuum suction plate 311 is parallel to the first direction.

[0102] In addition, the backlight source 330 is disposed on the second base 350.

[0103] It is conceivable that the sixth drive mechanism 351 can adopt a motor lead screw mechanism.

[0104] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the UV printing apparatus 300 further includes: a printing component 360, a finalization component 370, a vision detection component 380, and two moving components 390; wherein, along the first direction, the vision positioning component 340, the printing component 360, and the finalization component 370 are sequentially distributed, while the vision detection component 380 and the finalization component 370 are arranged side by side in the second direction; two second bases 350 are respectively connected to the two moving components 390, and the moving components 390 can control the horizontal movement of the second bases 350; the vision positioning component 340, the printing component 360, the finalization component 370, and the vision detection component 380 are all located above the moving path of the second bases 350.

[0105] In a further embodiment, refer to Figure 10 As shown, the printing assembly 360 includes: a printing head 361, a seventh drive mechanism 362, an eighth drive mechanism 363, a pre-fixing lamp 364, and a circulation system 365.

[0106] The printing carriage 361 is equipped with a dispensing valve 366 for spraying UV insulating ink onto the edge of the electrode 10. The printing carriage 361 is connected to the output of an eighth drive mechanism 363, which in turn is connected to the output of a seventh drive mechanism 362. The seventh drive mechanism 362 is mounted on the frame 100 and drives the eighth drive mechanism 363 to move along a second direction, thereby driving the printing carriage 361 to move along the second direction. The eighth drive mechanism 363 drives the printing carriage 361 to move up and down. A pre-curing lamp 364 is connected to the output of the seventh drive mechanism 362 and moves synchronously with the printing carriage 361 along the second direction. The pre-curing lamp 364 is used to initially cure the UV insulating ink after the printing carriage 361 sprays it onto the edge of the electrode 10. A circulation system 365 ensures that the ink supplied to the printing carriage 361 is always in an optimal state of uniform composition, stable viscosity, and no air bubbles, guaranteeing a stable and reliable printing process.

[0107] It is conceivable that both the first drive mechanism 234 and the eighth drive mechanism 363 can be linear modules.

[0108] In a further embodiment, refer to Figure 11 As shown, the final curing assembly 370 includes a final curing lamp 371 and a ninth drive mechanism 372. The final curing lamp 371 is used to perform final curing of the UV insulating ink on the edge of the electrode 10. The ninth drive mechanism 372 is disposed on the frame 100 and connected to the final curing lamp 371 to drive the final curing lamp 371 to move in the second direction.

[0109] In a further embodiment, refer to Figure 11 As shown, the vision inspection component 380 includes an appearance inspection camera, which is mounted on the frame 100. A strip light source providing illumination is also provided below the appearance inspection camera. The appearance inspection camera is used to perform appearance inspection on the electrode 10 to determine whether the electrode 10 is qualified. Appearance inspection cameras are standard equipment in the field of automation, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0110] In addition, the vision inspection component 380 is also connected to the output end of the ninth drive mechanism 372 and can move synchronously with the final lamp 371 along the second direction.

[0111] It is conceivable that the ninth drive mechanism 372 could be a linear module.

[0112] In a further embodiment, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 7As shown, the moving component 390 includes a second drive mechanism 391 and a third drive mechanism 392. The second drive mechanism 391 is mounted on the frame 100, and the third drive mechanism 392 is connected to the output end of the second drive mechanism 391. The second base 350 is connected to the output end of the third drive mechanism 392. The second drive mechanism 391 is used to drive the third drive mechanism 392 to move along a first direction, thereby driving the second base 350 to move along the first direction. The third drive mechanism 392 is used to drive the second base 350 to move along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and both are perpendicular to the vertical direction. By setting the moving component 390, the movement of the second base 350 on the horizontal plane can be realized.

[0113] The following describes the workflow of the UV printing apparatus 300 based on the above embodiments: First, the moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to a designated position to receive the electrode 10 transferred by the transport device 400. After receiving the electrode 10, the moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the visual positioning component 340 to perform visual positioning of the electrode 10. After visual positioning, the moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the printing component 360, and sprays UV insulating ink onto the edge of the electrode 10 through the printing head 361, and pre-cures the UV insulating ink through the pre-curing lamp 364. After pre-curing, the moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the final curing component 370 and the vision inspection component 380. The UV insulating ink on the edge of the electrode 10 is finally cured by the final curing lamp 371. Then, the vision inspection component 380 performs an appearance inspection on the electrode 10 to determine whether the electrode 10 is qualified. After the inspection, the moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the vision positioning component 340 for vision positioning again. Finally, the conveying device 400 transfers the qualified electrode 10 to the corresponding material box, and the unqualified ones to the NG material box 120.

[0114] This application also proposes a method for electrode printing, applied to the electrode printing apparatus of the first aspect embodiment described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0115] The electrode sheets 10 in the first material box 210 are transferred one by one to the UV printing device 300, and the printed electrode sheets 10 are transferred to the second material box 220.

[0116] After all the electrode sheets 10 in the first material box 210 are transferred to the second material box 220, the second material box 220 is flipped up and down.

[0117] The electrode sheets 10 in the second material box 220 are transferred one by one to the UV printing device 300, and the printed electrode sheets 10 are transferred to the first material box 210.

[0118] In this method, the second material box 220 is used as a temporary storage container for the electrode sheets in the intermediate stage of double-sided processing. After all the electrode sheets 10 in the first material box 210 have completed single-sided processing and been transferred to the second material box 220, the entire second material box 220 is flipped up and down to realize the batch flipping operation of the electrode sheets 10. Then the other side of the electrode sheets 10 is processed, which can improve the production speed and thus improve the production efficiency.

[0119] The electrode printing apparatus based on the first aspect embodiment described below describes a specific embodiment of an electrode printing method, which includes the following steps:

[0120] S1. Material preparation: Open the cover plate 212 on the upper side of the first material box 210, fill the electrode sheet 10, and place the first material box 210 on the corresponding support part 232; open the cover plate 212 on the upper side of the second material box 220, and place the empty second material box 220 on the corresponding support part 232.

[0121] S2. Process the first surface of electrode 10, specifically including:

[0122] S2.1 The conveying device 400 transfers the electrode 10 on the top layer of the first material box 210 to the first adsorption platform 310 and the second adsorption platform 320 of the second base 350 to adsorb and fix the electrode 10.

[0123] S2.2 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the lower side of the visual positioning component 340 to perform visual positioning of the electrode 10;

[0124] S2.3 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the printing component 360, sprays UV insulating ink onto the edge of the electrode 10 through the printing head 361, and pre-cures the UV insulating ink through the pre-curing lamp 364. Step S2.3 is repeated three times.

[0125] S2.4 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the final curing component 370 and the visual inspection component 380. The UV insulating ink on the edge of the electrode 10 is finally cured by the final curing lamp 371. Then, the visual inspection component 380 performs an appearance inspection on the electrode 10 to determine whether the electrode 10 is qualified.

[0126] S2.5 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the lower side of the visual positioning component 340, and performs visual positioning on the electrode 10 again. Then the conveying device 400 transfers the qualified electrode 10 to the second material box 220, and the unqualified electrode 10 to the NG material box 120.

[0127] S2.6 Repeat steps S2.1-S2.5 to process the first surface of each electrode 10 until the electrode 10 fills the second material box 220.

[0128] S3, Flip the electrode 10: Remove the full second material box 220, manually close the cover plate 212 and flip it up and down so that the second side of each electrode 10 faces up. Then open the cover plate 212 on the upper side of the flipped second material box 220 and put it back into the corresponding support part 232.

[0129] S4. Process the second surface of electrode 10, specifically including:

[0130] S4.1 The conveying device 400 transfers the electrode 10 on the top layer of the second material box 220 to the first adsorption platform 310 and the second adsorption platform 320 of the second base 350 to adsorb and fix the electrode 10.

[0131] S4.2 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the lower side of the visual positioning component 340 to perform visual positioning of the electrode 10;

[0132] S4.3 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the printing component 360, sprays UV insulating ink onto the edge of the electrode 10 through the printing head 361, and pre-cures the UV insulating ink through the pre-curing lamp 364. Step S4.3 is repeated three times.

[0133] S4.4 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the underside of the final curing component 370 and the visual inspection component 380. The UV insulating ink on the edge of the electrode 10 is finally cured by the final curing lamp 371. Then, the visual inspection component 380 performs an appearance inspection on the electrode 10 to determine whether the electrode 10 is qualified.

[0134] S4.5 The moving component 390 controls the second base 350 to move to the lower side of the visual positioning component 340, and performs visual positioning on the electrode 10 again. Then the conveying device 400 transfers the qualified electrode 10 to the first material box 210, and the unqualified electrode 10 is conveyed to the NG material box 120.

[0135] S4.6 The conveying device 400 conveys the release paper from the isolation paper box 130 to the first material box 210 to cover the electrode sheet 10;

[0136] S4.7 Repeat steps S4.1-S4.6 to process the second side of each electrode 10 until the electrode 10 fills the first material box 210.

[0137] S5. Manually unload the first material box 210 after it is full.

[0138] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0139] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this application.

Claims

1. An electrode printing device, characterized in that, include: A material preparation device is provided with a first material box and a second material box. Both the first material box and the second material box include a box body and two cover plates. The box body defines a vertically through-hole receiving space. The receiving space is configured to stack multiple electrode sheets. The two cover plates are openable and closable on the upper and lower sides of the box body. A UV printing apparatus configured to print UV insulating ink on one side of the electrode sheet; A transport device configured to transfer the electrode sheets in the first material box one by one to the UV printing device and transfer the printed electrode sheets to the second material box, or to transfer the electrode sheets in the second material box one by one to the UV printing device and transfer the printed electrode sheets to the first material box; When all the electrode sheets in the first material box are transferred to the second material box, the second material box is flipped up and down to flip all the electrode sheets over. The electrode includes a body portion and a tab protruding in a horizontal direction, and the UV printing device is provided with: A first adsorption platform is used to support the main body. The second adsorption platform is disposed on one side of the first adsorption platform and is used to support the electrode tab; The second adsorption platform is capable of horizontal movement relative to the first adsorption platform to support the tabs after they have been flipped up and down.

2. The electrode printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material preparation device is also provided with two support components, the support components including: First base; Two support sections are connected to the first base and can switch between the feeding area and the preparation area relative to the first base; There are two first material boxes, which are respectively placed on the two support parts of the first support assembly; there are two second material boxes, which are respectively placed on the two support parts of the second support assembly; the conveying device is configured to pick up and place the electrode sheet from the loading area.

3. The electrode printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cover plate has a first positioning part on the side opposite to the box body, and the upper end of the support part has a second positioning part. The first positioning part and the second positioning part are configured as a concave-convex mating structure to restrict the horizontal movement of the first material box or the second material box relative to the support part.

4. The electrode printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support portion is slidably connected to the first base along the first direction, and the two support portions of the same support assembly are vertically offset. The support assembly further includes a first drive mechanism, which is tractively connected to two support parts of the same support assembly and is used to drive the two support parts to move synchronously in opposite directions.

5. The electrode printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the two support portions of the same support assembly, the first support portion is provided with a clearance passage, and the second support portion is provided with a lifting platform; wherein the second support portion can pass through the clearance passage, and the lifting platform can be raised to be flush with the upper end of the first support portion.

6. The electrode printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first driving mechanism includes: Two synchronous pulleys are rotatably connected to the first base; A timing belt, which is wound around the two timing pulleys; Both of the support portions of the same support component are fixedly connected to the synchronous belt.

7. The electrode printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the electrode is supported on the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform, the edge of the electrode protrudes beyond the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform; The UV printing device is also equipped with: A backlight source is distributed around the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform and is configured to illuminate the edge of the electrode sheet upwards; A visual positioning component, the visual positioning component being used to acquire the edge of the electrode.

8. The electrode printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UV printing device is also equipped with: Multiple second bases, each of which is provided with the first adsorption platform and the second adsorption platform.

9. A method for printing electrode sheets, applied to the electrode sheet printing apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The electrode sheets in the first material box are transferred one by one to the UV printing device, and the printed electrode sheets are transferred to the second material box; After all the electrode sheets in the first material box are transferred to the second material box, the second material box is flipped up and down. The electrodes in the second material box are transferred one by one to the UV printing device, and the printed electrodes are transferred to the first material box.

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