Power battery appearance defect detection assembly line

Abstract

The invention provides a power battery appearance defect detection assembly line, and belongs to the technical field of battery appearance detection.The power battery appearance defect detection assembly line comprises a workbench, and a code scanning, feeding and carrying module, an appearance detection module, an NG receiving module and a non-defective product discharging module are fixedly installed on the workbench; the code scanning feeding carrying module is used for carrying incoming batteries to the code scanning NG conveying line or the appearance detection module according to code scanning storage information, the appearance detection module is used for detecting appearance defects of the batteries, and the NG receiving module is used for carrying the batteries with the appearance defects into a defective product box. And the non-defective product discharging module is used for transporting the remaining batteries with complete appearances to non-defective product discharging. According to the scheme, the code scanning, feeding and carrying module, the appearance detection module with multi-view coverage, the NG receiving module and the good product discharging module are integrated in the battery appearance defect detection assembly line, so that the automation level, the quality control capability and the production efficiency of battery appearance defect detection are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery appearance inspection technology, and more specifically to a power battery appearance defect inspection production line. Background Technology

[0002] Battery appearance defect detection is a critical process in lithium-ion battery manufacturing to ensure product appearance quality and consistency. It is typically performed after electrical performance tests such as formation and capacity testing to identify surface imperfections that may affect safety, reliability, or assembly performance. Common defect types include scratches on the casing, dents, bulges, misaligned or oxidized terminals, oil or dirt, misplaced or missing labels, and blurry, damaged, or unreadable QR codes.

[0003] Currently, mainstream battery appearance defect detection technologies mainly fall into three categories: manual visual inspection, rule-based traditional machine vision systems, and AI-driven intelligent vision inspection systems. Among these, manual visual inspection relies on the operator's experience and judgment, making it adaptable to small-batch, multi-variety, or flexible production lines, with low initial investment costs and flexible deployment. However, its detection efficiency is low, it is highly subjective, and easily affected by factors such as fatigue and fluctuations in attention, leading to high rates of missed detections and false positives. Furthermore, it is difficult to achieve structured data collection and closed-loop traceability, failing to meet the demands of large-scale, high-consistency production.

[0004] AI-driven intelligent visual inspection systems utilize deep learning models (such as convolutional neural networks and VisionTransformers) to automatically learn complex, unstructured, and even unknown defect features from a large number of labeled samples. They possess excellent generalization capabilities and high-precision recognition, making them particularly suitable for defect scenarios with diverse shapes, blurred boundaries, or low contrast. However, this technology is still in the early stages of industrialization and suffers from problems such as poor model interpretability, strong dependence on high-quality labeled data, and insufficient deployment stability. It requires long-term validation in the high-reliability battery manufacturing environment and is unlikely to fully replace mature solutions in the short term.

[0005] Currently, the most widely used system in industrial applications is still the rule-based traditional machine vision system. This solution achieves stable and efficient defect identification through preset image processing algorithms (such as edge detection, template matching, threshold segmentation, etc.), and has good real-time performance and engineering controllability in specific scenarios. However, some traditional vision systems still have some shortcomings in use: for example, they lack an efficient and reliable material diversion mechanism, and after scanning failure or detection of defects, they cannot isolate abnormal products in time, posing a quality risk of mixing into the flow of good products; in addition, some vision systems have incomplete detection field coverage, have visual blind spots, or are difficult to match the cycle time requirements of high-speed production lines, thus failing to achieve both high throughput and full-surface detection without omissions. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a power battery appearance defect detection line to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A power battery appearance defect detection production line includes a workbench, on which a barcode scanning and material handling module, an appearance inspection module, an NG (non-compliant) receiving module, and a compliant (good) product discharging module are fixedly installed. The feature is that: The barcode-based material handling module includes an incoming material conveyor line and a barcode-based handling device. One side of the incoming material conveyor line is equipped with a barcode-based NG conveyor line, and the other side of the incoming material conveyor line is equipped with a detection conveyor line. The barcode-based handling device transports the incoming batteries to the front of the detection conveyor line or the barcode-based NG conveyor line according to the barcode storage information. The appearance inspection module includes an inspection conveyor line. An end inspection mechanism and a shell surface inspection mechanism are provided on the side of the middle section of the inspection conveyor line. The end inspection mechanism is used to detect appearance defects of the battery electrodes, and the shell surface inspection mechanism is used to detect appearance defects of the curved surface of the battery shell. The NG receiving module is located at the rear of the inspection conveyor line. It includes an emptying conveyor line and a box conveyor line arranged in parallel. One end of the emptying conveyor line is equipped with a sorting and handling device, and the other end of the emptying conveyor line is equipped with a boxing and handling device. The sorting and handling device is used to transport the NG batteries detected by the appearance inspection module to the emptying conveyor line. The emptying conveyor line is used to arrange the batteries with uniform spacing. The boxing and handling device is used to transport the batteries with uniform spacing to the box conveyor line. The good product discharge module is located after the NG receiving module. The good product discharge module includes a discharge handling device and a discharge conveyor line. The discharge conveyor line is located on both sides of the end of the inspection conveyor line. The discharge handling device is used to transport the qualified batteries to the discharge conveyor line for discharge.

[0008] Preferably, the barcode scanning and handling device includes a barcode scanning and handling bracket and a barcode scanning translation mechanism installed on the barcode scanning and handling bracket. A pair of barcode scanning lifting components are fixedly installed below the barcode scanning translation mechanism. The barcode scanning lifting components near the detection conveyor line are provided with a barcode OK gripping device for gripping normally scanned batteries, and the barcode scanning lifting components near the barcode NG conveyor line are provided with a barcode NG gripping device for gripping abnormally scanned batteries.

[0009] Preferably, the barcode scanning lifting assembly includes a base plate arranged vertically, a lifting seat slidably mounted on the side of the base plate, a fixed block fixedly connected to the lifting seat, a barcode scanning lifting cylinder above the fixed block, the piston rod of the barcode scanning lifting cylinder passing through the fixed block from top to bottom and having a stop block, a baffle plate being provided in the section of the piston rod above the fixed block so that the fixed block is constrained between the baffle plate and the stop block, a buffer spring being sleeved on the piston rod section between the baffle plate and the fixed block, and the barcode scanning lifting cylinder being used to drive the lifting seat to move vertically.

[0010] Preferably, the QR code OK gripping device includes several independently controlled pen-shaped cylinders, which are evenly installed on one side of the lifting seat along the battery transport direction. A magnet for gripping the battery is fixedly installed at the piston rod end of each pen-shaped cylinder. A clearance plate is provided below each pen-shaped cylinder, and an adapter block matching the battery casing is provided below the clearance plate. The clearance plate and adapter block are respectively provided with clearance holes to facilitate the passage of the magnet. The QR code NG gripping device has the same structure as the QR code OK gripping device, except that the QR code NG gripping device includes a multi-axis cylinder. A synchronization plate is fixedly installed at the piston rod end of the multi-axis cylinder, and a set of magnets for synchronously gripping the battery is fixedly installed below the synchronization plate. The clearance plate and adapter block are respectively provided with clearance holes to facilitate the passage of the set of magnets.

[0011] Preferably, the end detection mechanism includes several end industrial cameras and end light sources. The end industrial cameras are slidably mounted on the worktable in a direction perpendicular to the detection conveyor line. The working distance between the end industrial cameras and the electrodes of the battery under test can be adjusted by sliding. The end light source is fixedly mounted between the end industrial cameras and the detection conveyor line to provide illumination during detection.

[0012] Preferably, the shell surface inspection mechanism includes a vision inspection mechanism and a rotation mechanism. The vision inspection mechanism includes a vision inspection bracket located on one side of the conveyor line, a connecting mechanism slidably mounted on the bracket along the transport direction of the conveyor line, and a vision inspection camera slidably mounted on the connecting mechanism in the vertical direction. The vision camera is located above the inspection conveyor line and is used to detect defects on the battery shell surface. The rotation mechanism is symmetrically installed on both sides of the inspection conveyor line below the vision inspection mechanism and is used to lift the battery to be inspected and rotate it. The rotation mechanism includes a rotating side plate that moves up and down in the vertical direction. Several active rotating shafts are horizontally mounted on the rotating side plate. Driven rotating shafts are provided on both sides of the active rotating shafts. When the rotating side plate is raised, the battery to be inspected is located between the active rotating shafts and the driven rotating shafts, and the battery rotates by rotating the active rotating shafts. The active rotating shafts are connected in series and driven by a detection motor.

[0013] Preferably, clamping mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the detection conveyor line. The clamping mechanisms are located on both sides of the detection conveyor line when the battery is physically operated. The clamping mechanisms include a propulsion cylinder and a clamping plate fixedly installed at the end of the piston rod of the propulsion cylinder. The clamping mechanisms are used to clamp the battery from both ends after physical operation to achieve battery alignment. Several independently controlled air venting cylinders are fixedly installed below the emptying conveyor line. The air venting cylinders are equidistantly arranged at one end of the emptying conveyor line corresponding to the boxing and handling device along the battery transport direction. The piston rod of the air venting cylinder is connected upward to two battery support blocks. The battery support blocks pass through the gaps on both sides of the conveyor belt of the emptying conveyor line from bottom to top to support the battery at equal distances. An emptying sensor for triggering the air venting cylinder is fixedly installed on the side of the emptying conveyor line corresponding to the position of the battery support block.

[0014] Preferably, the material box conveyor line is located on one side of the inspection conveyor line, and the emptying conveyor line is located between the inspection conveyor line and the material box conveyor line; the sorting and handling device includes a sorting and handling bracket and a sorting translation mechanism installed on the sorting and handling bracket, a sorting lifting assembly is fixedly installed below the sorting translation mechanism, and a sorting NG gripping device is provided on the sorting lifting assembly. The sorting NG gripping device is used to grip batteries with defects in appearance inspection. The sorting lifting assembly has the same structure as the barcode scanning lifting assembly, and the sorting NG gripping device has the same structure as the barcode scanning OK gripping device.

[0015] Preferably, the boxing and handling device includes a boxing and handling bracket and a boxing translation mechanism mounted on the boxing and handling bracket. A boxing lifting cylinder is fixedly connected to one side of the boxing translation mechanism via a connector. A flat plate is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the boxing lifting cylinder facing downward. A boxing side plate is fixedly installed below the flat plate in the vertical direction. A boxing gripping device is installed on the boxing side plate. The boxing gripping device has the same structure as the barcode scanning NG gripping device.

[0016] Preferably, the material handling device includes a material handling bracket and a material handling translation mechanism installed on the material handling bracket. A pair of material handling lifting components are slidably installed below the material handling translation mechanism along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the material transport direction. The material handling lifting components are provided with a material handling gripping device. The material handling lifting components have the same structure as the barcode lifting components, and the material handling gripping device has the same structure as the barcode gripping device.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the above-described technical solution of the present invention are as follows: This solution significantly improves the automation level, quality control capabilities, and production efficiency of battery appearance defect detection by integrating a barcode scanning and material handling module, a multi-view appearance inspection module, an NG (no good) receiving module, and a good product output module into the battery appearance defect inspection production line. Specifically, the barcode scanning and material handling module automatically sorts and transports batteries that have been successfully scanned and those that have failed, preventing abnormal materials from entering subsequent processes. The coordinated arrangement of the end-point inspection mechanism and the shell inspection mechanism, combined with an adjustable industrial camera, a dedicated light source, and a battery rotation mechanism, eliminates the blind spots of traditional vision systems, ensuring no omissions and high-precision imaging of the entire battery surface. By configuring the NG receiving module and the good product output module at the end of the inspection conveyor line, defective products are promptly isolated and organized, improving the automation and reliability of NG product handling. Simultaneously, qualified products are directly transferred to the output conveyor line, ensuring production line cycle time matching and high throughput operation. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation, and like or corresponding reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts, wherein: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the 3D structure of the barcode scanning, loading, and handling module; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of A in the middle; Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of B in the middle; Figure 5 This is a top view of the appearance inspection module; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the end-sensing detection mechanism; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shell surface inspection mechanism; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the rotating mechanism; Figure 9 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of C in the middle; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the NG receiving module's three-dimensional structure. Figure 11 for Figure 10 Enlarged view of D; Figure 12 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the good product discharge module; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the discharge cylinder connection.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Workbench; 2. Barcode scanning, loading, and handling module; 21. Incoming material conveyor line; 22. Barcode scanning NG conveyor line; 221. Buffer chute; 23. Barcode scanning and handling device; 231. Barcode scanning and handling support; 232. Barcode scanning translation mechanism; 2321. Barcode scanning hanger; 233. Barcode scanning lifting assembly; 2331. Base plate; 2332. Lifting seat; 2333. Fixing block; 2334. Barcode scanning lifting cylinder; 2335. Stop block; 2336. Baffle plate; 2337. Buffer spring; 2338. Barcode scanning slide rail slider; 2339. Barcode scanning mounting base; 234. QR code scanning and gripping device; 2341. Pen-shaped cylinder; 2342. Magnet; 2343. Clearance plate; 2344. Adapter block; 2345. Gripping mounting base; 2346. Guide rod; 2347. Inductive proximity sensor; 235. Barcode scanning and NG gripping device; 2351. Multi-axis cylinder; 2352. Synchronization plate; 3. Appearance inspection module; 31. Inspection conveyor line; 32. End-of-line inspection mechanism; 321. End-of-line industrial camera; 322. End-of-line light source; 323. End-of-line slide cylinder; 324. Inspection light source; 33. Shell surface inspection mechanism; 331. Visual inspection mechanism; 3311. Visual inspection bracket; 3312. Visual inspection camera; 3313. Visual inspection motor; 3314. Visual inspection slider; 3315. Visual inspection upright plate; 3316. Visual inspection mounting base; 3317. Visual inspection slider; 3318. Fine-tuning slide; 3319. Rotary slide; 332. Rotating mechanism; 3321. Rotating side plate; 3322. Driving shaft; 3323. Driven shaft; 3324. Detection motor; 3325. Rotary lifting cylinder; 34. Clamping mechanism; 341. Propulsion cylinder; 342. Clamping plate; 4. NG receiving module; 41. Venting conveyor line; 411. Venting cylinder; 412. Battery support block; 413. Venting sensor; 42. Material box conveyor line; 43. Sorting and handling device; 431. Sorting and handling support; 432. Sorting translation mechanism; 433. Sorting lifting assembly; 434. Sorting NG gripping device; 435. Sorting hanger; 44. Cartoning and handling device; 441. Cartoning and handling bracket; 442. Cartoning translation mechanism; 443. Connecting component; 444. Cartoning lifting cylinder; 445. Flat plate; 446. Cartoning side plate; 447. Cartoning gripping device; 448. Guide column; 449. Cartoning motor; 450. Cartoning guide rail slider; 5. Good product discharge module; 51. Discharge and handling device; 511. Discharge and handling bracket; 512. Discharge translation mechanism; 513. Discharge lifting assembly; 514. Discharge gripping device; 515. Discharge hanger; 516. Discharge cylinder; 517. Discharge guide rail slider; 52. Discharge conveyor line. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are only some, not all, of the embodiments disclosed. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] The principles and spirit of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to several representative embodiments. Example

[0022] A power battery appearance defect detection production line, such as Figure 1-13 As shown, the system includes a workbench 1, on which are fixedly installed a barcode scanning and feeding module 2, an appearance inspection module 3, an NG (no good) receiving module 4, and a good product output module 5. The barcode scanning and feeding module 2 is used to transport incoming batteries to the barcode scanning NG conveyor line 22 or the appearance inspection module 3 according to the barcode information stored. The appearance inspection module 3 is used to detect appearance defects in the batteries. The NG receiving module 4 is used to transport batteries with appearance defects to the defective product box. The good product output module 5 is used to transport the remaining batteries with intact appearances to the good product output section.

[0023] like Figure 2-4 As shown, the barcode scanning and material handling module 2 includes an incoming material conveyor line 21 and a barcode scanning and handling device 23. The incoming material conveyor line 21 is equidistantly and parallelly arranged on both sides with a detection conveyor line 31 and a barcode scanning NG conveyor line 22. The incoming material conveyor line 21 and the detection conveyor line 31 are both carrier-type conveyor lines with step-by-step transportation, used to stably and accurately transport batteries. One end of the barcode scanning NG conveyor line 22 is fixedly connected to a downwardly inclined buffer chute 221, and the barcode scanning NG conveyor line 22 transports the barcode scanning NG batteries to the buffer chute 221 for temporary storage.

[0024] The barcode scanning and handling device 23 includes a barcode scanning and handling bracket 231 and a barcode scanning translation mechanism 232 mounted on the barcode scanning and handling bracket 231. The barcode scanning translation mechanism 232 is located above the incoming material conveyor line 21, the inspection conveyor line 31, and the barcode scanning NG conveyor line 22. In this embodiment, the barcode scanning translation mechanism 232 is a guide rail embedded electric slide, preferably model Yinguang IX-10N-P20-400-1K-C. A pair of barcode scanning lifting components 233 are fixedly installed below the barcode scanning translation mechanism 232 via a barcode scanning hanger 2321. The barcode scanning translation mechanism 232 is used to drive the barcode scanning lifting components 233 to move horizontally perpendicular to the direction of battery transportation. Among them, the barcode scanning lifting component 233 near the inspection conveyor line 31 is provided with a barcode OK gripping device 234 for gripping normally scanned batteries, and the barcode scanning lifting component 233 near the barcode scanning NG conveyor line 22 is provided with a barcode NG gripping device 235 for gripping abnormally scanned batteries.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, the barcode scanning lifting assembly 233 includes a base plate 2331 arranged vertically. The barcode scanning lifting assembly 233 is fixedly connected to the barcode scanning hanger 2321 via the base plate 2331. A lifting seat 2332 is slidably mounted on the side of the base plate 2331 near the detection conveyor line 31 via a barcode scanning slide rail slider 2338. A fixing block 2333 is fixedly mounted on the lifting seat 2332. A barcode scanning lifting cylinder 2334 is provided above the fixing block 2333. The barcode scanning lifting cylinder 2334 is fixed via a barcode scanning mounting seat 2339. The piston rod of the barcode scanning lifting cylinder 2334 is fixedly mounted on the base plate 2331. It passes through the barcode scanning mounting seat 2339 from top to bottom and is provided with a baffle. The piston rod continues to extend through the fixing block 2333 and is provided with a stop block 2335, so that the fixing block 2333 is constrained between the baffle 2336 and the stop block 2335. A buffer spring 2337 is also sleeved on the piston rod section between the baffle 2336 and the fixing block 2333. The barcode scanning lifting cylinder 2334 is used to drive the lifting seat 2332 to move in the vertical direction.

[0026] like Figure 4As shown, the barcode scanning and gripping device 234 includes several independently controlled pen-shaped cylinders 2341. The pen-shaped cylinders 2341 are fixedly mounted on the side of the lifting seat 2332 near the detection conveyor line 31 via gripping mounting bases 2345. The pen-shaped cylinders 2341 are evenly distributed along the battery transport direction. Furthermore, a magnet 2342 for gripping the battery is fixedly mounted downwards at the piston rod end of the pen-shaped cylinder 2341. A guide rod 2346 is fixedly mounted above the magnet 2342, passing upwards through the gripping mounting base 2345 to hold the magnet 2342. 42. Stable gripping: A clearance plate 2343 is provided below the pen-shaped cylinder 2341. The clearance plate 2343 is fixedly installed on the lifting seat 2332. An adapter block 2344 matching the battery casing is fixedly installed below the clearance plate 2343. The clearance plate 2343 and the adapter block 2344 are respectively provided with clearance holes to facilitate the passage of the magnet 2342. An inductive proximity sensor 2347 (preferably Omron E2E-C06N04) for sensing the battery is fixedly installed on the clearance plate 2343 at the position corresponding to the pen-shaped cylinder 2341 (magnet 2342).

[0027] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the structure of the NG barcode grabbing device 235 is the same as that of the OK barcode grabbing device 234. The difference is that the NG barcode grabbing device 235 does not use an independently controlled pen-shaped cylinder 2341, but uses a multi-axis cylinder 2351 (preferably Airtac TCL series). The multi-axis cylinder 2351 is directly installed on the side of the lifting seat 2332 near the NG barcode conveyor line 22. A synchronization plate 2352 is fixedly installed at the end of its piston rod. A group magnet 2342 for synchronously grabbing several batteries is fixedly installed below the synchronization plate 2352. The clearance plate 2343 and the adapter block 2344 are respectively provided with clearance holes to facilitate the passage of the group magnet 2342.

[0028] In other embodiments, the structures of the OK scanning grabbing device 234 and the NG scanning grabbing device 235 can be interchanged according to the control logic. At least one grabbing device is guaranteed to use several independently controlled pen-shaped cylinders 2341 to ensure that the battery of the NG scanning device can be removed independently.

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, the appearance inspection module 3 includes an inspection conveyor line 31, an end inspection mechanism 32, and a shell inspection mechanism 33. The inspection conveyor line 31 is used to receive the scanned normal batteries transported by the barcode loading and handling module 2 and transport them to the end inspection mechanism 32 and the shell inspection mechanism 33. The end inspection mechanism 32 is used to detect appearance defects of the electrodes at both ends of the battery, and the shell inspection mechanism 33 is used to detect appearance defects of the curved surface of the battery shell.

[0030] like Figure 7As shown, the shell surface inspection mechanism 33 has multiple components, including a vision inspection mechanism 331 and a rotation mechanism 332. The vision inspection mechanism 331 includes a vision inspection bracket 3311 located on one side of the conveyor line, a connecting mechanism slidably mounted on the bracket along the transport direction of the conveyor line, and a vision inspection camera 3312 (preferably a Hikvision MV-CL042-90GM line scan camera and MVL-LF5040M-F lens) mounted vertically on the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a vision inspection slider 3314 and a vision inspection upright plate 3315 mounted on the vision inspection slider 3314. Specifically, the vision inspection... Several sets of vision inspection sliders 3314 driven by vision inspection motors 3313 are slidably mounted on the top of the measuring bracket 3311 along the battery transport direction. A vision inspection upright plate 3315 is fixedly mounted on the vision inspection sliders 3314 via connecting plates. A vision inspection camera 3312 is slidably mounted vertically on the side of the vision inspection upright plate 3315 near the inspection conveyor line 31. The vision inspection camera 3312 is located directly above the inspection conveyor line 31. A detection light source 324 is also fixedly mounted between the vision inspection camera 3312 and the inspection conveyor line 31, and the detection light source 324 is mounted on the vision inspection upright plate 3315. Specifically, the vision inspection camera 3312 is mounted on the bottom of the vision inspection mounting base 3316 via a fine-tuning slide 3318 (preferably LX80-L_Plande-80) and a rotary slide 3319 (preferably RSP80-L_Plande-80). The vision inspection mounting base 3316 is slidably mounted to the vision inspection upright plate 3315 via a vision inspection slider 3317. The visual inspection slider 3317 is raised and lowered manually to adjust the detection distance between itself and the battery casing surface. Once the height is adjusted, it remains unchanged during operation. In other embodiments, the visual inspection slider 3317 can be raised and lowered using an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, or similar device.

[0031] like Figure 8 As shown, the rotating mechanism 332 is symmetrically installed on both sides of the inspection conveyor line 31 below the vision inspection mechanism 331. It is used to lift the battery to be inspected and rotate it. The rotating mechanism 332 includes a rotating side plate 3321, which is mounted on the worktable via a rotating lifting cylinder 3325 and moves vertically under the drive of the rotating lifting cylinder 3325. Several active rotating shafts 3322 are horizontally installed on the rotating side plate 3321 along the battery axis. Each active rotating shaft 3322 has two... Each side is equipped with a driven rotating shaft 3323; when the rotating side plate 3321 is raised, the battery under test is lifted and clamped between the active rotating shaft 3322 and the driven rotating shaft 3323. The active rotating shaft 3322 drives the battery to rotate, thereby completely exposing the curved surface of the battery casing to the visual inspection camera 3312; the active rotating shaft 3322 passes through the rotating side plate 3321, and its end away from the inspection conveyor line is connected in series through a transmission component such as a belt or chain, and is driven to rotate synchronously by the inspection motor 3324.

[0032] like Figure 6 As shown, the end detection mechanism 32 is provided with several components, including an end industrial camera 321 and an end light source 322. The end industrial camera 321 is slidably mounted on the worktable 1 in a direction perpendicular to the detection conveyor line 31. Specifically, it is slidably mounted by an end slide cylinder 323 (preferably an Airtac HLQ12×10SA slide cylinder), which facilitates the electronic control adjustment of the working distance between the end industrial camera 321 and the battery electrode under test. The end light source 322 is fixedly mounted between the end industrial camera 321 and the detection conveyor line 31 to provide illumination during detection. The end light source includes a backlight source located on both sides of the camera running track and a ring light source located in front of the camera.

[0033] The number and position of the shell surface inspection mechanism 33 and the end inspection mechanism 32 can be set according to the inspection requirements of the production line. In this embodiment, three shell surface inspection mechanisms 33 are arranged sequentially, counted along the battery transport direction. The end inspection mechanism 32 is located between the first shell surface inspection mechanism and the second shell surface inspection mechanism, and eight end inspection mechanisms 32 are arranged sequentially. The end industrial camera 321 is preferably a Hikvision MV-CL042-90GM camera. According to the inspection sequence, two are used for priority individual inspection of the positive electrode (the end light sources 322 used are, in order, an FLR-100 low-angle light source and an HDR3-90-45 high-angle light source). One end light source 322 is used for synchronous detection of positive and negative electrodes (the end light sources 322 used are, in order, a set of planar shadowless light sources FQS3-66X66 and three sets of Hikvision surface light sources MV-LBSS-140-140010-02 with different angles for clamping the lens detection path). The last two end light sources 322 are used for separate detection of negative electrodes (the end light sources 322 used are, in order, FLR-100 and HDR3-90-45 ring light sources). The lenses used for the first and eighth end industrial cameras at the end detection are preferably Hikvision MVL-MF2528M-8MP, and the rest are preferably Hikvision MVL-MF5028M-80P010.

[0034] like Figure 9 As shown, clamping mechanisms 34 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inspection conveyor line 31. The clamping mechanisms 34 are located on both sides of the inspection conveyor line 31 when physical operations are performed on the battery (the barcode scanning and handling device 23 places the battery on the inspection conveyor line, and the rotating mechanism lifts and rotates the battery). Each clamping mechanism 34 includes a propulsion cylinder 341 and a clamping plate 342 fixedly installed at the end of the piston rod of the propulsion cylinder 341. The clamping mechanism 34 is used to clamp the battery from both ends after physical operations to achieve proper battery alignment. Specifically, the propulsion cylinder 341 can be mounted via a bracket or on a suitable structure; for example, during visual inspection, it can be directly mounted above the rotating side plate 3321 of the rotating mechanism 332.

[0035] like Figure 10-11 As shown, the NG receiving module 4 is located after the appearance inspection and includes an emptying conveyor line 41 and a box conveyor line 42 arranged in parallel. The emptying conveyor line 41 is located between the inspection conveyor line 31 and the box conveyor line 42. One end of the emptying conveyor line 41 is equipped with a sorting and handling device 43, and the other end of the emptying conveyor line 41 is equipped with a boxing and handling device 44. The sorting and handling device 43 is used to transport the NG batteries detected by the appearance inspection module 3 to the emptying conveyor line 41. The emptying conveyor line 41 is used to arrange the batteries with uniform spacing. The boxing and handling device 44 is used to transport the batteries with uniform spacing to the box storage on the box conveyor line 42. The loading and unloading of the box are all operated manually.

[0036] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the venting conveyor line 41 is a belt conveyor line. Several independently controlled venting cylinders 411 are equidistantly arranged below one end of the venting conveyor line 41 corresponding to the battery transport direction. The piston rod of the venting cylinder 411 is connected upward to two battery support blocks 412. The battery support blocks 412 pass through the gaps on both sides of the conveyor belt of the venting conveyor line 41 from bottom to top, and are used to lift the batteries at equal intervals. Venting sensors 413 for triggering the venting cylinders 411 are fixedly installed on the side of the venting conveyor line 41 at the positions of the battery support blocks 412 and the battery end electrodes. When the NG battery reaches the position, the venting cylinders 411 rise sequentially, lifting the batteries at equal intervals and arranging them with consistent spacing, which is convenient for boxing.

[0037] like Figure 10 As shown, the sorting and handling device 43 includes a sorting and handling bracket 431 and a sorting translation mechanism 432 (preferably a Silverlight IX-10N-P20-400-1K-C electric slide table) mounted on the sorting and handling bracket 431. The sorting translation mechanism 432 is located above the inspection conveyor line 31 and the empty conveyor line 41. Below the sorting translation mechanism 432, a sorting lifting component 433 that moves with the sorting translation mechanism 432 is fixedly installed via a sorting hanger 435. The sorting lifting component 433 is equipped with a sorting NG gripping device 434, which is used to grip batteries with defects in appearance inspection. The sorting lifting component 433 has the same structure as the barcode scanning lifting component 233, and the sorting NG gripping device 434 has the same structure as the barcode scanning OK gripping device 234 (i.e., it has an independently controlled cylinder for picking out batteries that fail appearance inspection separately).

[0038] The carton handling device 44 includes a carton handling bracket 441 and a carton translation mechanism 442 mounted on the carton handling bracket 441. The carton translation mechanism 442 is a carton guide slider 450 driven by a carton motor 449 (preferably Delta ECM-B3M-CX0604R, and preferably Yinguang HGH20CA). The carton translation mechanism 442 is located above the empty conveyor line 41 and the box conveyor line 42. A carton lifting cylinder 444 is fixedly connected to one side of the carton translation mechanism 442 via a connector 443, so that the lifting cylinder... 444 moves with the boxing translation mechanism 442; the piston rod of the boxing lifting cylinder 444 is fixedly connected to a flat plate 445 facing downwards, and a boxing side plate 446 is fixedly installed vertically below the flat plate 445. A boxing gripping device 447 is installed on the boxing side plate 446. The boxing gripping device 447 has the same structure as the barcode scanning NG gripping device 235 (that is, it can simultaneously grip all neatly arranged unqualified batteries); a guide column 448 is fixedly installed above the flat plate 445. The guide column 448 passes upwards through the connector 443 to maintain the stable operation of the boxing gripping device 447.

[0039] like Figure 12-13 As shown, the good product discharge module 5 is located after the NG receiving module 4, and includes a discharge conveying device 51 and a discharge conveyor line 52. The discharge conveyor line 52 is located on both sides of the end of the inspection conveyor line 31. The discharge conveying device 51 is used to transport the qualified batteries to the discharge conveyor line 52 for discharge.

[0040] The discharge conveying device 51 includes a discharge conveying bracket 511 and a discharge translation mechanism 512 (preferably a Silverlight IX-10N-P20-650-1K-C electric slide table) mounted on the discharge conveying bracket 511. The discharge translation mechanism 512 is located above the detection conveyor line 31 and the discharge conveyor line 52. A pair of discharge lifting components 513 are mounted on the discharge lifting bracket 515, so that the discharge lifting components 513 move with the discharge translation mechanism 512. Further, the discharge lifting components 513 are connected to a pair of discharge guide rail sliders 517 along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the material transport direction. The sliding installation includes a pair of discharge cylinders 516 fixedly installed below the discharge hanger 515. The piston rods of the discharge cylinders 516 are fixedly connected to the base plates of the pair of lifting components 513. The distance between the discharge lifting components 513 is adjusted by the discharge cylinders 516 to adapt to the position of the discharge conveyor line 52. The discharge lifting component 513 is equipped with a discharge gripping device 514. The discharge lifting component 513 has the same structure as the barcode lifting component 233, and the discharge gripping device 514 has the same structure as the barcode NG gripping device 235. It is used to grip qualified batteries and discharge them to the discharge conveyor line 52.

[0041] In this embodiment, there are two discharge conveyor lines 52, which are fixed on the worktables 1 on both sides of the detection conveyor line 31, and each discharge conveyor line 52 includes two parallel transport tracks. When the discharge handling device 51 is working, the discharge cylinder 516 adjusts the distance between the discharge lifting components 513 to adapt to the dual transport tracks and accurately transport the batteries to the transport tracks of the corresponding discharge conveyor lines 52 on both sides of the detection conveyor line 31.

[0042] The workflow of this solution is as follows: Batteries on the incoming material conveyor line 21 have been scanned, and the scanned information is read and stored inside the equipment. The scanning and loading / transfer module 2, based on the internally stored scanned information, handles batteries with abnormal or unscanned codes, placing NG (Not Good) batteries on the NG scanning conveyor line 22 and OK (Good) batteries on the inspection conveyor line 31. NG batteries are transported via the NG scanning conveyor line 22 and manually collected, while OK batteries are transported step-by-step (stop-and-go) on the inspection conveyor line 31 and inspected. During the movement of the inspection conveyor line 31, batteries undergo appearance inspection via the shell inspection mechanism 33 and the end inspection mechanism 32. After inspection, the system classifies good and NG batteries using the NG collection module 4. The NG collection module 4 only handles NG batteries; good batteries continue moving on the inspection conveyor line 31 and are then placed on the material channels of each discharge conveyor line 52 via the good product discharge module 5 for manual collection.

[0043] For NG batteries, they are placed on the NG emptying conveyor line 41 by the sorting and handling device 43 for emptying. After being neatly arranged, the batteries are placed into boxes on the box conveyor line 42 by the box handling device 44. The front end of the box conveyor line 42 is the manual loading position, the rear end is the manual unloading position, and the middle part is the battery boxing position. After the box is full, it is moved to the manual unloading position, where the whole box is removed by a person, completing the entire inspection and sorting process.

[0044] The above system is an external PLC control system. The running sequence and action logic of all actuators are uniformly coordinated and controlled by the PLC control system. This is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] The above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided merely by way of example. Many modifications, alterations, and alternatives will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in the practice of the invention. The appended claims are intended to define the scope of protection of the invention and therefore cover the modular compositions, equivalents, or alternatives within the scope of these claims.

Claims

1. A power battery appearance defect detection production line, comprising a workbench (1), wherein a barcode scanning and loading / transfer module (2), an appearance inspection module (3), an NG receiving module (4), and a good product discharging module (5) are fixedly installed on the workbench (1), characterized in that: The barcode loading and handling module (2) includes an incoming material conveyor line (21) and a barcode handling device (23). A barcode NG conveyor line (22) is provided on one side of the incoming material conveyor line (21), and a detection conveyor line (31) is provided on the other side of the incoming material conveyor line (21). The barcode handling device (23) transports the incoming batteries to the front of the detection conveyor line (31) or the barcode NG conveyor line (22) according to the barcode storage information. The appearance inspection module (3) includes an inspection conveyor line (31). The side of the middle section of the inspection conveyor line (31) is provided with an end inspection mechanism (32) and a shell surface inspection mechanism (33). The end inspection mechanism (32) is used to detect appearance defects of the battery electrode, and the shell surface inspection mechanism (33) is used to detect appearance defects of the curved surface of the battery shell. NG receiving module (4), the NG receiving module (4) is located at the rear section of the inspection conveyor line (31), including the empty conveyor line (41) and the box conveyor line (42) arranged in parallel. One end of the empty conveyor line (41) is provided with a sorting and handling device (43), and the other end of the empty conveyor line (41) is provided with a boxing and handling device (44). The sorting and handling device (43) is used to transport the NG batteries detected by the appearance inspection module (3) to the empty conveyor line (41). The empty conveyor line (41) is used to arrange the batteries with consistent spacing. The boxing and handling device (44) is used to transport the batteries with consistent spacing to the box conveyor line (42). Good product discharge module (5), which is located after NG receiving module (4), includes discharge handling device (51) and discharge conveyor line (52). The discharge conveyor line (52) is located on both sides of the end of the inspection conveyor line (31). The discharge handling device (51) is used to transport the qualified batteries to the discharge conveyor line (52) for discharge.

2. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode transport device (23) includes a barcode transport bracket (231) and a barcode translation mechanism (232) mounted on the barcode transport bracket (231). A pair of barcode lifting components (233) are fixedly installed below the barcode translation mechanism (232). The barcode lifting component (233) near the detection conveyor line (31) is provided with a barcode OK gripping device (234) for gripping the normal barcode battery, and the barcode lifting component (233) near the barcode NG conveyor line (22) is provided with a barcode NG gripping device (235) for gripping the abnormal barcode battery.

3. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 2, characterized in that: The barcode scanning lifting assembly (233) includes a base plate (2331) arranged vertically. A lifting seat (2332) is slidably mounted on the side of the base plate (2331). A fixing block (2333) is fixedly connected to the lifting seat (2332). A barcode scanning lifting cylinder (2334) is provided above the fixing block (2333). The piston rod of the barcode scanning lifting cylinder (2334) passes through the fixing block (2333) from top to bottom and is provided with a stop block (2335). A baffle plate (2336) is provided in the section of the piston rod above the fixing block (2333), so that the fixing block (2333) is constrained between the baffle plate (2336) and the stop block (2335). A buffer spring (2337) is also sleeved on the piston rod section between the baffle plate (2336) and the fixing block (2333). The barcode scanning lifting cylinder (2334) is used to drive the lifting seat (2332) to move vertically.

4. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 3, characterized in that: The QR code scanning and gripping device (234) includes several independently controlled pen-shaped cylinders (2341). The pen-shaped cylinders (2341) are evenly installed on one side of the lifting seat (2332) along the battery transport direction. The piston rod end of each pen-shaped cylinder (2341) is fixedly equipped with a magnet (2342) for gripping the battery. A clearance plate (2343) is provided below each pen-shaped cylinder (2341), and an adapter block (2344) matching the battery casing is provided below the clearance plate (2343). The clearance plate (2343) and the adapter block (2344) are respectively provided with corresponding features to facilitate... The structure of the NG barcode grabbing device (235) is the same as that of the OK barcode grabbing device (234), except that the NG barcode grabbing device (235) includes a multi-axis cylinder (2351), a synchronization plate (2352) is fixedly installed at the piston rod end of the multi-axis cylinder (2351), a group magnet (2342) for synchronously grabbing the battery is fixedly installed below the synchronization plate (2352), and a clearance hole is provided on the clearance plate (2343) and the adapter block (2344) to facilitate the passage of the group magnet (2342).

5. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end detection mechanism (32) is provided with several components, including an end industrial camera (321) and an end light source (322). The end industrial camera (321) is slidably mounted on the worktable (1) in a direction perpendicular to the detection conveyor line (31). The working distance between the end industrial camera (321) and the electrode of the battery under test is adjusted by sliding. The end light source (322) is fixedly mounted between the end industrial camera (321) and the detection conveyor line (31) to provide illumination during detection.

6. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell inspection mechanism (33) includes a vision inspection mechanism (331) and a rotating mechanism (332). The vision inspection mechanism (331) includes a vision inspection bracket (3311) located on one side of the conveyor line, a connecting mechanism slidably mounted on the bracket along the transport direction of the conveyor line, and a vision inspection camera (3312) slidably mounted on the connecting mechanism in the vertical direction. The vision camera is located above the inspection conveyor line (31) and is used to detect defects on the battery shell surface. The rotating mechanism (332) is symmetrically installed on both sides of the inspection conveyor line (31) below the vision inspection mechanism (331) and is used to detect defects on the battery shell surface. The battery to be tested is lifted and rotated. The rotating mechanism (332) includes a rotating side plate (3321) that moves up and down in the vertical direction. Several active rotating shafts (3322) are horizontally mounted on the rotating side plate (3321). Driven rotating shafts (3323) are provided on both sides of the active rotating shafts (3322). When the rotating side plate (3321) is lifted, the battery to be tested is located between the active rotating shafts (3322) and the driven rotating shafts (3323). The battery rotates by rotating the active rotating shafts (3322). The active rotating shafts (3322) are connected in series and driven by the detection motor (3324).

7. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection conveyor line (31) is symmetrically provided with clamping mechanisms (34) on both sides. The clamping mechanisms (34) are located on both sides of the detection conveyor line (31) when the battery is physically operated. The clamping mechanism (34) includes a propulsion cylinder (341) and a clamping plate (342) fixedly installed at the end of the piston rod of the propulsion cylinder (341). The clamping mechanism (34) is used to clamp the battery from both ends after the battery is physically operated to achieve battery alignment. Several independently controlled air venting cylinders (411) are fixedly installed below the venting conveyor line (41). An air venting cylinder (411) is equidistantly arranged at one end of the air venting conveyor line (41) corresponding to the boxing and handling device (44) along the battery transport direction. The piston rod of the air venting cylinder (411) is connected to two battery support blocks (412) upward. The battery support blocks (412) pass through the gaps on both sides of the conveyor belt of the air venting conveyor line (41) from bottom to top, and are used to lift the batteries at equal distances. An air venting sensor (413) for triggering the air venting cylinder (411) is fixedly installed on the side of the air venting conveyor line (41) corresponding to the position of the battery support block (412).

8. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 4, characterized in that: The material box conveyor line (42) is set on one side of the inspection conveyor line (31), and the emptying conveyor line (41) is located between the inspection conveyor line (31) and the material box conveyor line (42); the sorting and handling device (43) includes a sorting and handling bracket (431) and a sorting translation mechanism (432) installed on the sorting and handling bracket (431). A sorting lifting assembly (433) is fixedly installed below the sorting translation mechanism (432). A sorting NG gripping device (434) is provided on the sorting lifting assembly (433). The sorting NG gripping device (434) is used to grip batteries with defects in appearance inspection. The sorting lifting assembly (433) has the same structure as the barcode lifting assembly (233), and the sorting NG gripping device (434) has the same structure as the barcode OK gripping device (234).

9. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 7, characterized in that: The boxing and handling device (44) includes a boxing and handling bracket (441) and a boxing translation mechanism (442) mounted on the boxing and handling bracket (441). A boxing lifting cylinder (444) is fixedly connected to one side of the boxing translation mechanism (442) via a connector (443). A flat plate (445) is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the boxing lifting cylinder (444) facing downward. A boxing side plate (446) is fixedly installed below the flat plate (445) in the vertical direction. A boxing gripping device (447) is installed on the boxing side plate (446). The boxing gripping device (447) has the same structure as the barcode scanning NG gripping device (235).

10. The power battery appearance defect detection production line according to claim 4, characterized in that: The material handling device (51) includes a material handling bracket (511) and a material handling translation mechanism (512) installed on the material handling bracket (511). A pair of material handling lifting components (513) are slidably installed below the material handling mechanism (512) along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the material transport direction. The material handling lifting components (513) are provided with a material handling gripping device (514). The material handling lifting components (513) have the same structure as the barcode lifting components (233), and the material handling gripping device (514) has the same structure as the barcode NG gripping device (235).

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