Winding machine and winding method

Abstract

The invention discloses a winding machine and a winding method, and the winding machine comprises a winding needle which is used for winding a pole piece to obtain a first battery cell assembly; the shaping equipment is arranged at the downstream of the winding needle and is used for shaping the first battery cell assembly to obtain the shaped first battery cell assembly; the measuring light curtain is arranged on the shaping equipment, electrically connected with the controller and used for sending a first electric signal to the controller under the condition that the shaped first battery cell assembly is located at the shaping equipment, and the first electric signal is used for representing the first tab width of the shaped first battery cell assembly; and the controller is used for determining the width of the first tab based on the first electric signal, determining the dislocation amount of the first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly based on the width of the first tab, adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the dislocation amount of the first tab, and controlling the winding needle with the adjusted diameter to wind the pole piece to obtain a second battery cell assembly. Therefore, dislocation of the tabs can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a winding machine and winding method. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of battery technology, users have increasingly higher requirements for battery quality.

[0003] The production of battery cells involves processes such as winding, pre-pressing, and cold pressing. During the production process, misalignment of the tabs may occur, which can affect the safety of the battery.

[0004] Therefore, in order to reduce tab misalignment and improve safety, a solution is needed that can adjust the amount of tab misalignment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a winding machine and winding method that can effectively reduce tab misalignment.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a winding machine, comprising: a winding needle for winding an electrode sheet to obtain a first battery cell assembly; a shaping device disposed downstream of the winding needle for shaping the first battery cell assembly to obtain a shaped first battery cell assembly; a measuring light curtain disposed on the shaping device and electrically connected to a controller for sending a first electrical signal to the controller when the shaped first battery cell assembly is located at the shaping device, the first electrical signal being used to characterize the width of a first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly; and a controller for determining the width of the first tab based on the first electrical signal, determining the misalignment of the first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly based on the width of the first tab, adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the misalignment of the first tab, and controlling the winding needle with the adjusted diameter to wind the electrode sheet to obtain a second battery cell assembly.

[0007] Therefore, the tab width of the shaped cell assembly can be accurately measured by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous cell assembly (i.e., the first cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current cell assembly (i.e., the second cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0008] In some embodiments, the measurement light curtain includes: a transmitter, disposed opposite to the receiver and spaced at a preset distance, for transmitting measurement light to the receiver, wherein the position between the transmitter and the receiver is used to place the tab of the shaped first cell assembly; and a receiver, electrically connected to the controller, for receiving the measurement light passing through the tab, generating a first electrical signal based on the measurement light passing through the tab, and sending the first electrical signal to the controller.

[0009] In this way, the transmitting end emits measurement light, and the receiving end receives the measurement light that has passed through the tab, so that the change in light can accurately reflect the tab width. Therefore, the electrical signal generated based on the measurement light that has passed through the tab can accurately characterize the tab width.

[0010] In some embodiments, the winding machine further includes a feeding assembly disposed between the winding needle and the shaping device for moving the first cell assembly from the winding needle to the shaping device.

[0011] In this way, the first battery cell assembly can be automatically moved from the winding needle to the shaping equipment through the feeding component, realizing the automation of the battery cell assembly production process, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0012] In some embodiments, the unloading assembly includes: a first lifting shaft, an unloading robot, a robot telescopic cylinder, and a bidirectional module; the first lifting shaft, the robot telescopic cylinder, and the bidirectional module are electrically connected to the controller; the first lifting shaft, the robot telescopic cylinder, and the bidirectional module are mechanically connected to the unloading robot.

[0013] In this way, the battery cell assembly can be moved from the winding needle to the shaping equipment through the first lifting shaft, the unloading robot, the robot telescopic cylinder and the bidirectional module, without the need for manual operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0014] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to control the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move to the winding needle, control the robot telescopic cylinder to drive the unloading robot to pick up the first battery cell assembly from the winding needle, control the bidirectional module to drive the unloading robot to stretch the first battery cell assembly, and control the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move the stretched first battery cell assembly to the shaping device.

[0015] In this way, by controlling the first lifting shaft, the telescopic cylinder of the robotic arm, and the bidirectional module-driven unloading robotic arm, the first battery cell assembly can be automatically moved from the winding needle to the shaping equipment without human operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0016] In some embodiments, the shaping device includes a pre-pressing component and / or a cold-pressing component; the pre-pressing component is disposed downstream of the winding needle and is used to pre-press the first cell assembly to obtain a pre-pressed first cell assembly; the cold-pressing component is disposed downstream of the pre-pressing component and is used to cold-press the first cell assembly to obtain a cold-pressed first cell assembly.

[0017] In this way, the measuring light curtain can be set at the pre-pressing equipment to measure the tab width of the pre-pressed battery cell assembly, or it can be set at the cold pressing equipment to measure the tab width of the cold-pressed battery cell assembly. The setting of the measuring light curtain is more flexible.

[0018] In some embodiments, the pre-compression assembly includes: a sensor, a transplanting module, a pressing mechanism, a conveying mechanism, and a second lifting shaft; the sensor is disposed at a target position and electrically connected to a controller, the target position being used to place the first battery cell assembly; the transplanting module is mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism and electrically connected to the controller; the conveying mechanism is electrically connected to the controller; the second lifting shaft is mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism and electrically connected to the controller.

[0019] In this way, the first battery cell assembly can be pre-pressed automatically through the sensor, transplanting module, pressing mechanism, conveying mechanism and second lifting shaft, without the need for manual operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0020] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to control the conveying mechanism to convey the first battery cell assembly to the target position, control the sensor to detect whether the first battery cell assembly is placed at the target position, and if the first battery cell assembly is placed at the target position, control the transfer module to drive the pressing mechanism to move above the target position, and control the second lifting shaft to drive the pressing mechanism to pre-press the first battery cell assembly to obtain the pre-pressed first battery cell assembly.

[0021] In this way, the first battery cell assembly can be pre-pressed automatically by controlling the conveying mechanism, sensor, transfer module, pressing mechanism and second lifting shaft through the controller, without the need for manual operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0022] In some embodiments, the pre-pressing assembly further includes a base plate disposed below the conveying mechanism and a pressing mechanism disposed above the conveying mechanism; the transmitting end is disposed on the pressing mechanism and the receiving end is disposed on the base plate.

[0023] By placing the measuring light curtain on the pre-pressing assembly, the tab width can be measured during the pre-pressing process, saving time, improving production efficiency, and allowing for flexible setting of the positions of the transmitter and receiver.

[0024] In some embodiments, the pre-pressing assembly further includes a base plate disposed below the conveying mechanism and a pressing mechanism disposed above the conveying mechanism; the transmitting end is disposed on the base plate and the receiving end is disposed on the pressing mechanism.

[0025] By placing the measuring light curtain on the pre-pressing assembly, the tab width can be measured during the pre-pressing process, saving time, improving production efficiency, and allowing for flexible setting of the positions of the transmitter and receiver.

[0026] Secondly, this application provides a winding method applied to a winding machine as shown in any embodiment of the first aspect. The method includes: winding an electrode sheet with a pin to obtain a first battery cell assembly; shaping the first battery cell assembly with a shaping device to obtain a shaped first battery cell assembly, the shaping device being disposed downstream of the pin; when the shaped first battery cell assembly is located at the shaping device, sending a first electrical signal to a controller via a measuring light curtain, the first electrical signal being used to characterize the width of a first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly, the measuring light curtain being disposed at the shaping device; determining the width of the first tab by the controller based on the first electrical signal; determining the misalignment of the first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly by the controller based on the width of the first tab; adjusting the diameter of the pin by the controller based on the misalignment of the first tab; and controlling the pin with the adjusted diameter to wind the electrode sheet to obtain a second battery cell assembly.

[0027] Therefore, the tab width of the shaped cell assembly can be accurately measured by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous cell assembly (i.e., the first cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current cell assembly (i.e., the second cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0028] In some embodiments, before adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the first tab misalignment by the controller, the method further includes: obtaining first electrode parameters by the controller, the first electrode parameters being parameters used to generate the electrode of the second cell assembly; determining the second tab misalignment corresponding to the first electrode parameters by the controller based on a first preset correspondence, the first preset correspondence including the correspondence between the electrode parameters and the tab misalignment; the adjustment of the winding needle diameter based on the first tab misalignment by the controller includes: adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the first tab misalignment when the second tab misalignment is within a first preset range.

[0029] In this way, the amount of tab misalignment of the battery cell assembly that can be produced can be predicted based on the electrode parameters. If the amount of tab misalignment is determined to be within the acceptable range, the winding can then proceed, thus avoiding the production of battery cell assemblies with excessive tab misalignment and resulting in resource waste.

[0030] In some embodiments, the winding machine further includes an embossing roller and a tension roller, the embossing roller being used to roll the electrode sheet for generating the second battery cell assembly, and the tension roller being used to stretch the electrode sheet for generating the second battery cell assembly; the method further includes: if the misalignment of the second electrode tab exceeds a first preset range, adjusting the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller by a controller.

[0031] Thus, through the above process, if the tab misalignment of the battery cell assembly produced using the current electrode sheet exceeds the acceptable misalignment range, the thickness of the electrode sheet can be changed by adjusting the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller, thereby reducing the tab misalignment of the battery cell assembly and avoiding the production of battery cell assemblies with excessive tab misalignment, thus preventing resource waste.

[0032] In some embodiments, after determining the first tab misalignment of the first cell assembly based on the first tab width by the controller, the method further includes: winding the electrode sheet with a yarn to obtain a second cell assembly; shaping the second cell assembly with a shaping device to obtain a shaped second cell assembly; when the shaped second cell assembly is located at the shaping device, sending a second electrical signal to the controller through a measuring light curtain, the second electrical signal being used to characterize the second tab width of the shaped second cell assembly; determining the second tab width by the controller based on the second electrical signal; determining the third tab misalignment of the shaped second cell assembly based on the second tab width by the controller; and updating the first preset correspondence relationship by the controller based on the third tab misalignment when the third tab misalignment is within a second preset range.

[0033] Thus, through the above process, when the actual tab misalignment of the second cell assembly is less than the minimum tab misalignment predicted based on the first preset correspondence, the first preset correspondence can be recalibrated, thereby improving the accuracy of tab misalignment prediction and avoiding the production of cell assemblies with excessive tab misalignment.

[0034] In some embodiments, when the misalignment of the third electrode is within a second preset range, updating the first preset correspondence based on the misalignment of the third electrode by the controller includes: when the misalignment of the third electrode is within a second preset range, adding the misalignment of the third electrode and its corresponding first electrode parameters to the fitting sample set by the controller; when the number of fitting samples included in the fitting sample set reaches a preset threshold, fitting the fitting samples in the fitting sample set by the controller to obtain the second preset correspondence; and updating the first preset correspondence to the second preset correspondence by the controller.

[0035] In this way, through the above process, fitted samples can be collected during the production of battery cell components, and after the number of fitted samples reaches a preset threshold, the correspondence between electrode parameters and electrode misalignment can be refitted, thereby realizing automatic adjustment of the logic for predicting electrode misalignment and improving the accuracy of electrode misalignment prediction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned adjustment of the diameter of the winding needle by the controller based on the first tab misalignment includes: determining the first diameter change corresponding to the first tab misalignment by the controller based on a third preset correspondence, wherein the third preset correspondence includes the correspondence between the tab misalignment and the diameter change of the winding needle; and adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the first diameter change by the controller.

[0037] In this way, the change in the winding needle diameter corresponding to the misalignment of the first electrode can be determined by the pre-calibrated third preset correspondence, thereby achieving accurate adjustment of the winding needle diameter and effectively reducing the electrode misalignment of the small cell assembly.

[0038] In some embodiments, after determining the first tab misalignment of the shaped first cell assembly based on the width of the first tab by the controller, the method further includes: if the third tab misalignment exceeds a third preset range, obtaining multiple tab misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes by the controller; fitting the multiple tab misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes by the controller to obtain a fourth preset correspondence; and updating the third preset correspondence to the fourth preset correspondence by the controller.

[0039] Thus, through the above process, if the first diameter change determined based on the third preset correspondence is inaccurate, the correspondence between the tab misalignment and the diameter change of the winding needle can be refitted, thereby achieving automatic adjustment of the logic for determining the diameter change and improving the accuracy of the winding needle diameter adjustment.

[0040] Thirdly, this application provides a winding method applied to a controller in a winding machine as shown in any embodiment of the first aspect. The method includes: determining the width of the first tab of a shaped first battery cell assembly based on a first electrical signal, wherein the first electrical signal is an electrical signal sent to the controller via a measuring light curtain when the shaped first battery cell assembly is located at a shaping device, the first electrical signal being used to characterize the width of the first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly, the first battery cell assembly being obtained by winding a pin onto an electrode sheet, the shaped first battery cell assembly being obtained by shaping the first battery cell assembly using a shaping device, the measuring light curtain being disposed at the shaping device, and the shaping device being disposed downstream of the pin; determining the misalignment of the first tab of the shaped first battery cell assembly based on the width of the first tab; adjusting the diameter of the pin based on the misalignment of the first tab; and controlling the pin with the adjusted diameter to wind the electrode sheet to obtain a second battery cell assembly.

[0041] Therefore, the tab width of the shaped cell assembly can be accurately measured by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous cell assembly (i.e., the first cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current cell assembly (i.e., the second cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0042] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a winding machine provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a winding machine provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0046] Figure 3 This is the third schematic diagram of the structure of a winding machine provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0047] Figure 4 Fourth schematic diagram of a winding machine provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0048] Figure 5a Fifth of some embodiments of this application provides a structural schematic diagram of a winding machine;

[0049] Figure 5b This is the sixth schematic diagram of a winding machine provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0050] Figure 6 A control flowchart of a controller provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0051] Figure 7 One of the flowcharts for a winding method provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 8 A second flowchart illustrating a winding method provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 9 This is the third flowchart of a winding method provided for some embodiments of this application.

[0054] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0056] Unless otherwise specified, all embodiments and optional embodiments of this application can be combined to form new technical solutions.

[0057] Unless otherwise specified, all technical features and optional technical features of this application may be combined to form new technical solutions.

[0058] Unless otherwise specified, all steps of this application may be performed sequentially or randomly, preferably sequentially. For example, the method includes steps (a) and (b), indicating that the method may include steps (a) and (b) performed sequentially, or it may include steps (b) and (a) performed sequentially. For example, the mention that the method may also include step (c) indicates that step (c) may be added to the method in any order; for example, the method may include steps (a), (b), and (c), or it may include steps (a), (c), and (b), or it may include steps (c), (a), and (b), etc.

[0059] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0060] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0061] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments in this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0063] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0064] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0065] Currently, with the development of battery technology, users have increasingly higher requirements for battery quality.

[0066] The inventors of this application have noted that battery cells undergo processes such as winding, pre-pressing, and cold pressing during production. During this process, variations in the thickness of the anode and cathode materials and the separator material can easily lead to tab misalignment in the wound cells, affecting battery safety. Therefore, to reduce tab misalignment and improve safety, a solution capable of adjusting the amount of tab misalignment is needed.

[0067] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the inventors of this application discovered that after the battery cell is shaped, the production operator can remove the cell, measure the tab width using a tape measure or film ruler, calculate the tab misalignment, input and save this misalignment amount through a Human Machine Interface (HMI), and then the HMI transmits the tab misalignment amount to the variable winding diameter control system of the controller to adjust the winding needle diameter. However, manually measuring the tab width has low accuracy, leading to inaccurate calculations of the tab misalignment amount, which in turn results in inaccurate adjustment of the winding needle diameter, failing to effectively reduce tab misalignment.

[0068] Therefore, the inventors of this application conducted further research and proposed a winding machine and winding method that can accurately measure the tab width of the shaped battery cell assembly by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous battery cell assembly (i.e., the first battery cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current battery cell assembly (i.e., the second battery cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0069] The winding machine and winding method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0070] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a winding machine provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0071] like Figure 1 As shown, the winding machine 100 may include: a winding needle 110, a shaping device 120, a measuring light curtain 130, and a controller 140.

[0072] The winding needle 110 can be electrically connected to the controller 140 and can be used to wind the electrode sheet to obtain the first battery cell assembly.

[0073] Specifically, the winding needle 110 can be used to wind the electrode sheet when the electrode sheet arrives at the winding station to obtain a first battery cell assembly, and can also be used to wind the electrode sheet when the electrode sheet arrives at the winding station to obtain a second battery cell assembly.

[0074] The diameter of the winding needle 110 can be changed. The first battery cell assembly obtained by winding can be in the form of a roll.

[0075] For example, such as Figure 2As shown, the winding station may include a winding position 210, an adhesive application position 220, and a unloading position 230. The winding needle can move between the winding position 210, the adhesive application position 220, and the unloading position 230. When the winding needle is located at the winding position 210, it can wind the cathode electrode, the anode electrode, and the separator to obtain the first battery cell assembly. Then, the winding needle can move to the adhesive application position 220, where it can apply adhesive to the first battery cell assembly. Finally, the winding needle can move to the unloading position 230 to await unloading.

[0076] The shaping device 120 can be electrically connected to the controller 140, can be set downstream of the winding needle 110, and can be used to shape the first battery cell assembly to obtain the shaped first battery cell assembly.

[0077] The first battery cell assembly after shaping can be in the form of a flat roll.

[0078] The measuring light curtain 130 can be installed in the shaping equipment and electrically connected to the controller 140. It can be used to send a first electrical signal to the controller 140 when the first cell assembly after shaping is located in the shaping equipment. The first electrical signal can be used to characterize the width of the first tab of the first cell assembly after shaping.

[0079] The measuring light curtain 130 can measure the tab width of the first battery cell assembly during or after the shaping process.

[0080] The measuring light curtain 130 can be an optical measurement and control system made from the different principles of light flux acting on photoelectric elements.

[0081] For example, the measurement accuracy of the measuring light curtain can be 0.01mm, the measurement range can reach 150mm, and it can simultaneously measure and send two width information to the controller. That is, if the first cell assembly includes two tabs, the first electrical signal can include two electrical signals, each of which can characterize the tab width corresponding to one tab of the first cell assembly. Based on this, the first tab width can include the tab widths corresponding to the two tabs of the first cell assembly respectively.

[0082] The controller 140 can be used to determine the width of the first tab based on the first electrical signal, determine the first tab misalignment of the first electrode assembly after shaping based on the width of the first tab, adjust the diameter of the winding needle based on the first tab misalignment, and control the winding needle with the adjusted diameter to wind the electrode sheet to obtain the second electrode assembly.

[0083] The controller 140 can be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a combination of an industrial computer and a PLC.

[0084] The second cell assembly can be wound after the first cell assembly.

[0085] Since the amount of tab misalignment of the wound cell assembly can be changed by adjusting the diameter of the winding needle during winding, after determining the first tab misalignment of the first cell assembly, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the first tab misalignment to change the amount of tab misalignment of the next cell assembly wound by the winding needle, namely the second cell assembly.

[0086] Therefore, the tab width of the shaped cell assembly can be accurately measured by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous cell assembly (i.e., the first cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current cell assembly (i.e., the second cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0087] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the measurement light curtain may include a transmitter 111 and a receiver 112.

[0088] The transmitter 111 can be positioned opposite to the receiver 112 and spaced apart by a preset distance. The transmitter 111 can be used to transmit measurement light to the receiver 112. The position between the transmitter 111 and the receiver 112 can be used to place the tab of the first shaped battery cell assembly.

[0089] The receiver 112 can be electrically connected to the controller. The receiver 112 can be used to receive the measurement light passing through the electrode, generate a first electrical signal based on the measurement light passing through the electrode, and send the first electrical signal to the controller.

[0090] Here, the preset distance can be set according to actual needs.

[0091] The shaping station can be located between the transmitter 111 and the receiver 112. The shaping station can be used to place the first battery cell assembly.

[0092] When the first battery cell assembly after shaping is located at the shaping station, the tab of the first battery cell assembly after shaping is located between the transmitter 111 and the receiver 112. The measurement light emitted from the transmitter 111 to the receiver 112 will be partially blocked by the tab of the first battery cell assembly after shaping.

[0093] The measurement light from the tab of the first cell assembly after shaping can be the measurement light emitted by the transmitter 111, after a portion of it is blocked by the tab of the first cell assembly after shaping, and the remaining portion of the measurement light.

[0094] The receiver 112 can convert the remaining portion of the received measurement light into a first electrical signal.

[0095] Specifically, the transmitter 111 may include a light source module, and the receiver 112 may include a photoelectric element. When the measurement light emitted by the light source module passes through the tabs of the first battery cell assembly after being shaped, part of the light will be blocked by the tabs, resulting in a change in the luminous flux projected onto the photoelectric element. The photoelectric element can convert the light signal into a first electrical signal and send the analog data of the first electrical signal to the controller 140.

[0096] In this context, the photoelectric element can be referenced as a photodiode. When there is no light, the photodiode behaves like a regular diode, with a very small reverse current, known as the dark current. When there is light, charge carriers are excited, generating electron-hole pairs, known as photocarriers. Under the influence of an external electric field, these photocarriers participate in conduction, forming a reverse current much larger than the dark current, called the photocurrent. The magnitude of the photocurrent is directly proportional to the light intensity, thus a signal that varies with the light intensity can be obtained across the load resistor.

[0097] In this way, the transmitting end emits measurement light, and the receiving end receives the measurement light that has passed through the tab, so that the change in light can accurately reflect the tab width. Therefore, the first electrical signal generated based on the measurement light that has passed through the tab can accurately characterize the tab width.

[0098] In some embodiments of this application, the winding machine may further include a feeding assembly.

[0099] The feeding assembly can be positioned between the winding needle and the shaping device, and can be used to move the first cell assembly from the winding needle to the shaping device.

[0100] Specifically, the feeding assembly can be used to move the first cell assembly from the winding station to the shaping station.

[0101] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the winding needle is at the unloading position 230, the unloading assembly 150 can move the first battery cell assembly from the unloading position to the shaping equipment.

[0102] After the unloading assembly moves the first battery cell assembly from the unloading position of the winding station to the shaping equipment, the shaping equipment can then shape the first battery cell assembly.

[0103] In this way, the first battery cell assembly can be automatically moved from the winding needle to the shaping equipment through the feeding component, realizing the automation of the battery cell assembly production process, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0104] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 4As shown, the unloading assembly may include: a first lifting shaft 151, an unloading robot 152, a robot telescopic cylinder 153, and a bidirectional module 154.

[0105] The first lifting shaft 151, the telescopic cylinder 153 of the robot arm, and the bidirectional module 154 are electrically connected to the controller; the first lifting shaft 151, the telescopic cylinder 153 of the robot arm, and the bidirectional module 154 are mechanically connected to the unloading robot arm 152.

[0106] The controller can be used to control the first lifting shaft 151, the robot arm telescopic cylinder 153, and the bidirectional module 154. The first lifting shaft 151, the robot arm telescopic cylinder 153, and the bidirectional module 154 can all be used to drive the unloading robot arm 152.

[0107] The unloading robot 152 may include multiple sets of grippers, each set of grippers may include an outer gripper 1521 and an inner gripper 1522. For example, the unloading robot 152 may include two sets of grippers.

[0108] When the unloading robot 152 picks up the first battery cell assembly, the outer gripper 1521 can be located outside the first battery cell assembly, and the inner gripper 1522 can be inserted into the first battery cell assembly.

[0109] In this way, the battery cell assembly can be moved from the winding needle to the shaping equipment through the first lifting shaft, the unloading robot, the robot telescopic cylinder and the bidirectional module, without the need for manual operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0110] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the unloading assembly may further include: a motor mounting base 155, a bidirectional module assembly motor drive protective cover 156, an unloading robot tensioning cylinder 157, a cable chain 158, a lifting shaft motor 159, a lifting shaft module mounting support 160, a sensor protective cover 161, a bidirectional module mounting base 162, a buffer 163, a cylinder stroke top block 164, an unloading robot mounting base plate 165, and a bidirectional module assembly 166. The unloading robot tensioning cylinder 157 is used to drive the gripper rollers of the unloading robot to clamp or release.

[0111] In some embodiments of this application, the controller can also be used to control the first lifting shaft 151 to drive the unloading robot 152 to move to the needle winding position, control the robot telescopic cylinder 153 to drive the unloading robot 152 to clamp the first battery cell assembly from the needle winding position, control the bidirectional module 154 to drive the unloading robot 152 to stretch the first battery cell assembly, and control the first lifting shaft 151 to drive the unloading robot 152 to move the stretched first battery cell assembly to the shaping equipment.

[0112] Specifically, the controller can first control the first lifting shaft 151 to drive the unloading robot 152 to move to the unloading position in the winding station, then control the robot telescopic cylinder 153 to drive the unloading robot 152 to clamp the first battery cell assembly from the unloading position in the winding station, remove the first battery cell assembly from the winding needle, then control the first lifting shaft 151 to drive the unloading robot 152 to move the first battery cell assembly to the battery cell stretching station, then control the bidirectional module 154 to drive the two sets of grippers of the unloading robot 152 to move in opposite directions, stretching the first battery cell assembly from a circle to an ellipse, and then control the first lifting shaft 151 to drive the unloading robot 152 to move the first battery cell assembly to the shaping equipment.

[0113] In this way, by controlling the first lifting shaft, the telescopic cylinder of the robotic arm, and the bidirectional module-driven unloading robotic arm, the first battery cell assembly can be automatically moved from the winding needle to the shaping equipment without human operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0114] In some embodiments of this application, the shaping device may include a pre-pressing component and / or a cold-pressing component.

[0115] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the shaping equipment may include a pre-pressing assembly 121 and a cold pressing assembly 122.

[0116] The pre-compression component can be located downstream of the winding needle and can be used to pre-compress the first cell assembly to obtain the pre-compressed first cell assembly.

[0117] The pre-compression assembly can be equipped with a pre-compression station, which can be a position for pre-compressing the battery cell assembly.

[0118] The pre-pressing component can be used to pre-press the first battery cell assembly when it arrives at the pre-pressing station, so as to obtain the pre-pressed first battery cell assembly.

[0119] The cold pressing assembly can be located downstream of the pre-pressing assembly and can be used to cold press the first cell assembly to obtain the cold-pressed first cell assembly.

[0120] The cold-pressed assembly can be equipped with a cold-pressing station, which can be a position where the cell assembly is cold-pressed.

[0121] The cold pressing assembly can be used to cold press the first battery cell assembly when it arrives at the cold pressing station, so as to obtain the cold-pressed first battery cell assembly.

[0122] In this way, the measuring light curtain can be set at the pre-pressing equipment to measure the tab width of the pre-pressed battery cell assembly, or it can be set at the cold pressing equipment to measure the tab width of the cold-pressed battery cell assembly. The setting of the measuring light curtain is more flexible.

[0123] In addition, since the battery cell assembly is pre-pressed and then cold-pressed during the production process, setting the measuring light curtain at the pre-pressing equipment can measure the tab width more promptly, so as to adjust the winding needle diameter more timely and avoid producing more battery cell assemblies with misaligned tabs.

[0124] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, the pre-compression assembly may include: a sensor 1211, a transplanting module 1212, a pressing mechanism 1213, a conveying mechanism 1214, and a second lifting shaft 1215.

[0125] The sensor 1211 can be positioned at the target location and can be electrically connected to the controller. The target location can be used to place the first battery cell assembly, and can be a pre-pressing station. The sensor 1211 can be a battery cell presence sensor, used to detect whether a battery cell assembly is placed at the target location.

[0126] The transplanting module 1212 can be mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism 1213, and the transplanting module 1212 can be electrically connected to the controller.

[0127] The conveyor mechanism 1214 can be electrically connected to the controller. The conveyor mechanism 1214 may include a material supply belt.

[0128] The second lifting shaft 1215 can be mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism 1213, and the second lifting shaft 1215 can be electrically connected to the controller. Specifically, the two ends of the second lifting shaft 1215 can be mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism 1213 and the conveying mechanism 1214, respectively.

[0129] The controller can be used to control the sensor 1211, the transplanting module 1212, the conveying mechanism 1214, and the second lifting shaft 1215. Both the transplanting module 1212 and the second lifting shaft 1215 can be used to drive the pressing mechanism 1213.

[0130] The pressing mechanism 1213 can move horizontally along the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism 1214 under the drive of the transfer module 1212. The initial position of the pressing mechanism 1213 can be located at the far left. When a cell assembly is placed at the pre-pressing station, the controller can control the transfer module 1212 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to move from the far left to directly above the pre-pressing station.

[0131] In this way, the first battery cell assembly can be pre-pressed automatically through the sensor, transplanting module, pressing mechanism, conveying mechanism and second lifting shaft, without the need for manual operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0132] In some embodiments of this application, the controller can also be used to control the conveying mechanism 1214 to convey the first battery cell assembly to the target position, control the sensor 1211 to detect whether the first battery cell assembly is placed at the target position, and if the first battery cell assembly is placed at the target position, control the transplanting module 1212 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to move above the target position, and control the second lifting shaft 1215 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to pre-press the first battery cell assembly to obtain the pre-pressed first battery cell assembly.

[0133] Specifically, the controller can first control the feeding mechanism 1214 to transfer the first battery cell assembly to the pre-pressing station, and control the sensor 1211 to detect whether the first battery cell assembly is placed at the pre-pressing station. If the first battery cell assembly is placed at the pre-pressing station, the controller controls the transfer module 1212 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to move above the pre-pressing station, and controls the second lifting shaft 1215 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to descend to the preset position to press and hold the first battery cell assembly.

[0134] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, the pre-pressurization assembly may also include a pressing cylinder 1216, which can be mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism 1213 and electrically connected to the controller. It can be used to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to pressurize the first cell assembly under the control of the controller.

[0135] Based on this, the controller can first control the conveying mechanism 1214 to convey the first battery cell assembly to the pre-pressing station, and control the sensor 1211 to detect whether the first battery cell assembly is placed at the pre-pressing station. If the first battery cell assembly is placed at the pre-pressing station, the controller controls the transfer module 1212 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to move above the pre-pressing station, and controls the second lifting shaft 1215 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to descend to the preset position to press the first battery cell assembly, so that the first battery cell assembly is initially shaped. At this time, the unloading robot can release and pull out the first battery cell assembly, return to the initial position, and then the controller can control the pressing cylinder 1216 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to descend to the preset position to maintain pressure on the first battery cell assembly.

[0136] The measuring light curtain can automatically measure the width of the first tab of the first battery cell assembly during the pressure holding process. After the pressure holding and measurement are completed, the controller can also control the pressing cylinder 1216 and the second lifting shaft 1215 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to rise to the initial position and upload the width of the first tab to the controller 140. It can also control the transfer module 1212 to drive the pressing mechanism 1213 to move horizontally to the initial position and control the conveying mechanism 1214 to transport the first battery cell assembly to the next station, which can be the cold pressing station.

[0137] In this way, the first battery cell assembly can be pre-pressed automatically by controlling the conveying mechanism, sensor, transfer module, pressing mechanism and second lifting shaft through the controller, without the need for manual operation, saving labor costs and improving production efficiency.

[0138] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, the pre-compression assembly may also include a base plate 1217, which may be disposed below the conveying mechanism 1214, and the pressing mechanism 1213 may be disposed above the conveying mechanism 1214.

[0139] Based on this, the transmitter 111 can be disposed on the pressing mechanism 1213, and the receiver 112 can be disposed on the base plate 1217.

[0140] Specifically, the transmitter 111 can be mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism 1213, and the receiver 112 can be mechanically connected to the base plate 1217.

[0141] For example, such as Figure 5a As shown, the transmitter 111 is disposed on the pressing mechanism 1213, and the receiver 112 is disposed on the base plate 1217.

[0142] By placing the measuring light curtain on the pre-pressing assembly, the tab width can be measured during the pre-pressing process, saving time, improving production efficiency, and allowing for flexible setting of the positions of the transmitter and receiver.

[0143] In some embodiments of this application, the pre-compression component may further include a base plate, which may be disposed below the conveying mechanism, and the pressing mechanism may be disposed above the conveying mechanism;

[0144] Based on this, the transmitter can be mounted on the base plate, and the receiver can be mounted on the pressing mechanism.

[0145] Specifically, the transmitter can be mechanically connected to the base plate, and the receiver can be mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism.

[0146] By placing the measuring light curtain on the pre-pressing assembly, the tab width can be measured during the pre-pressing process, saving time, improving production efficiency, and allowing for flexible setting of the positions of the transmitter and receiver.

[0147] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, the pre-compression assembly may further include: a transplanting module fixing component 1218, a connecting plate 1219, a lifting shaft motor 1220, a lifting shaft transmission protective cover 1221, a pressing mechanism lifting rod 1222, a pressure plate 1223, a linear bearing 1224, a pressure plate lifting rod 1225, a cylinder mounting base 1226, a cylinder lifting rod 1227, a first conveying mechanism side fixing plate 1228, a conveying mechanism motor 1229, a conveying mechanism drive shaft 1230, a second conveying mechanism side fixing plate 1231, a throttle valve 1232, and a conveying mechanism driven shaft 1233. The connecting plate 1219 can be used to connect the second lifting shaft 1215 and the pressing mechanism 1213.

[0148] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the controller's control flow can include S601-S610. Specifically:

[0149] S601 controls the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move to the unloading position in the winding station.

[0150] S602, the control robot arm telescopic cylinder drives the unloading robot arm to pick up the first battery cell assembly from the winding station.

[0151] S603 controls the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move the first battery cell assembly to the battery cell stretching station.

[0152] S604 controls the bidirectional module to drive the unloading robot to stretch the first battery cell assembly.

[0153] S605 controls the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move the first battery cell assembly onto the conveying mechanism of the pre-pressed assembly.

[0154] S606 controls the conveying mechanism to transfer the first battery cell assembly to the pre-pressing station.

[0155] S607, the control sensor detects whether the first battery cell assembly is placed at the pre-pressing station.

[0156] If yes, then execute S608; otherwise, return to execute S606.

[0157] S608 controls the transfer module to drive the pressing mechanism to move horizontally above the pre-pressing station.

[0158] S609 controls the second lifting shaft to drive the pressing mechanism to descend to a preset position, so that the first battery cell assembly is initially formed.

[0159] S610 controls the telescopic cylinder of the robotic arm to drive the unloading robotic arm to release and extract it from the first battery cell assembly.

[0160] S611 controls the telescopic cylinder of the robotic arm to drive the unloading robotic arm back to its initial position.

[0161] S612 controls the pressing cylinder to drive the pressing mechanism to descend to a preset position and maintain pressure.

[0162] S613 controls the measurement light curtain to measure the width of the first tab of the first cell assembly.

[0163] S614, determine whether the pressure holding and measurement have ended.

[0164] If yes, then execute S615; otherwise, return to execute S614.

[0165] S615, obtain the width of the first electrode tab, and control the pressing cylinder and the second lifting shaft to return to the initial position.

[0166] S616, the control conveyor mechanism transfers the first battery cell assembly to the cold pressing station.

[0167] The specific processes of S601-S616 can be found in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0168] In this embodiment, by adding a measuring light curtain to the shaping equipment of the winding machine, the tab width can be automatically measured through the measuring light curtain without stopping the machine to manually measure the tab width. Moreover, the tab width can be automatically uploaded to the host computer without manual uploading. Then, the tab misalignment can be calculated based on the tab width, and the winding needle diameter can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment. Thus, it can self-tune in real time according to the fluctuation of incoming material, without the need for manual adjustment of the battery cells.

[0169] This application also provides a winding method, which can be executed by a winding machine. The winding method provided in this application is described below.

[0170] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a winding method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0171] like Figure 7 As shown, the winding method may include the following steps:

[0172] S710, by winding the electrode sheet with a screw, the first cell assembly is obtained;

[0173] S720, the first cell assembly is shaped by a shaping device to obtain the shaped first cell assembly;

[0174] S730, when the first cell assembly after shaping is located at the shaping equipment, sends a first electrical signal to the controller through a measuring light curtain;

[0175] S740, the controller determines the width of the first tab based on the first electrical signal;

[0176] S750 determines the misalignment of the first tab of the first cell assembly after shaping based on the width of the first tab using the controller.

[0177] S760, the controller adjusts the diameter of the winding needle based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab;

[0178] S770 uses a controller to control a wire with an adjusted diameter to wind the electrode sheets, thus obtaining the second battery cell assembly.

[0179] Here, the first electrical signal can be used to characterize the width of the first tab of the first cell assembly after shaping, and the measuring light curtain can be set in the shaping device. The shaping device can be set downstream of the winding needle.

[0180] The controller can determine the first tab width corresponding to the first electrical signal based on the correspondence between the electrical signal and the tab width. Specifically, the controller can pre-acquire the electrical signals and tab widths corresponding to multiple tabs, and fit the multiple electrical signals and their respective tab widths to obtain the correspondence between the electrical signals and the tab widths.

[0181] The width of the first tab may include the actual width corresponding to at least one tab of the first cell assembly.

[0182] The misalignment of the first electrode may include the misalignment corresponding to at least one electrode of the first cell assembly.

[0183] Specifically, for each tab, a standard tab width can be preset, and the misalignment of the tab can be equal to the difference between the actual width of the tab and the standard tab width.

[0184] Therefore, the tab width of the shaped cell assembly can be accurately measured by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous cell assembly (i.e., the first cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current cell assembly (i.e., the second cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0185] In some embodiments of this application, prior to S760, the method may further include:

[0186] The parameters of the first electrode are obtained through the controller;

[0187] The controller determines the misalignment of the second electrode tab corresponding to the parameters of the first electrode plate based on the first preset correspondence.

[0188] Based on this, the S760 may include:

[0189] When the misalignment of the second electrode tab is within the first preset range, the diameter of the winding needle is adjusted by the controller based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab.

[0190] Here, the parameters of the first electrode can be the parameters used to generate the electrode of the second cell assembly.

[0191] For example, the first electrode parameters may include at least one of the electrode thickness, the electrode tab spacing, and the pressure applied to roll the electrode.

[0192] The first preset correspondence may include the correspondence between electrode parameters and tab misalignment. The first preset correspondence may be pre-calibrated. The first correspondence can be used to predict the tab misalignment of the cell assembly with the smallest tab misalignment that can be obtained after the electrode is wound, based on the electrode parameters.

[0193] For example, the first preset correspondence can be in the form of a table, a curve, or a formula.

[0194] The second tab misalignment can be the minimum value of the tab misalignment of the second cell assembly predicted based on the parameters of the first electrode.

[0195] The first preset range can be an acceptable range of misalignment. The first preset range can be set according to actual needs.

[0196] Specifically, if the second tab misalignment is within the first preset range, it can be considered that the tab misalignment of the cell assembly with the smallest tab misalignment that can be produced using the current electrode is within the acceptable misalignment range, and therefore, the winding process can proceed; if the second tab misalignment exceeds the first preset range, it can be considered that the tab misalignment of the cell assembly with the smallest tab misalignment that can be produced using the current electrode is still beyond the acceptable misalignment range, and therefore, the winding process is not proceeded.

[0197] In this way, the amount of tab misalignment of the battery cell assembly that can be produced can be predicted based on the electrode parameters. If the amount of tab misalignment is determined to be within the acceptable range, the winding can then proceed, thus avoiding the production of battery cell assemblies with excessive tab misalignment and resulting in resource waste.

[0198] In some embodiments of this application, the winding machine may further include an embossing roller and a tension roller, wherein the embossing roller can be used to roll the electrode sheet for generating the second battery cell assembly, and the tension roller can be used to stretch the electrode sheet for generating the second battery cell assembly.

[0199] Based on this, after determining the second electrode misalignment amount corresponding to the first electrode parameter through the controller based on the first preset correspondence, the method may further include:

[0200] If the misalignment of the second electrode exceeds the first preset range, the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller are adjusted by the controller.

[0201] Here, the greater the pressure of the embossing roller, the smaller the thickness of the electrode sheet after roller pressing; the greater the tension of the tension roller, the smaller the thickness of the electrode sheet after stretching.

[0202] Specifically, if the misalignment of the second electrode exceeds the first preset range, it can be considered that the misalignment of the electrode assembly with the smallest electrode misalignment that can be produced using the current electrode sheet still exceeds the acceptable misalignment range. Therefore, the thickness of the electrode sheet used to generate the second electrode assembly can be changed by adjusting the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller, thereby reducing the misalignment of the second electrode assembly.

[0203] In some embodiments of this application, after adjusting the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller by the controller, the electrode parameters for generating the electrode sheet of the second cell assembly can be re-acquired by the controller. After adjusting the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller by the controller, the electrode parameters will also change. The controller can determine whether the electrode tab misalignment corresponding to the changed electrode parameters is within the first preset range based on the first preset correspondence. If so, the winding process can be entered. If not, the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller can be adjusted again by the controller until the electrode tab misalignment corresponding to the changed electrode parameters is within the first preset range.

[0204] Thus, through the above process, if the tab misalignment of the battery cell assembly produced using the current electrode sheet exceeds the acceptable misalignment range, the thickness of the electrode sheet can be changed by adjusting the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller through the controller, thereby reducing the tab misalignment of the battery cell assembly and avoiding the production of battery cell assemblies with excessive tab misalignment, thus preventing resource waste.

[0205] In some embodiments of this application, after determining the second electrode misalignment amount corresponding to the first electrode parameter based on the first preset correspondence relationship by the controller, the method may further include:

[0206] The second battery cell assembly is obtained by winding the electrode sheet with a wire.

[0207] The second battery cell assembly is shaped using a shaping device to obtain the shaped second battery cell assembly;

[0208] With the second cell assembly after shaping located at the shaping equipment, a second electrical signal is sent to the controller via a measuring light curtain;

[0209] The width of the second electrode is determined by the controller based on the second electrical signal;

[0210] The controller determines the misalignment of the third tab of the shaped second cell assembly based on the width of the second tab.

[0211] When the misalignment of the third electrode is within the second preset range, the controller updates the first preset correspondence based on the misalignment of the third electrode.

[0212] The second electrical signal can be used to characterize the width of the second tab of the shaped second cell assembly.

[0213] Here, the specific process for determining the misalignment of the third tab of the second cell assembly can be the same as the specific process for determining the misalignment of the first tab of the first cell assembly, and will not be repeated here.

[0214] The misalignment of any electrode within the second preset range can be less than the misalignment of the second electrode.

[0215] The misalignment of the third electrode can be the actual misalignment of the electrode in the second cell assembly.

[0216] Specifically, the fact that the third tab misalignment is within the second preset range indicates that the actual tab misalignment of the shaped second cell assembly is less than the second tab misalignment predicted based on the first preset correspondence. The first preset correspondence should be used to predict the minimum tab misalignment. The fact that the third tab misalignment is less than the second tab misalignment indicates that the first preset correspondence cannot accurately predict the minimum tab misalignment, so the first preset correspondence needs to be recalibrated.

[0217] Furthermore, if the misalignment of the third electrode is not within the second preset range, there is no need to update the first preset correspondence.

[0218] Thus, through the above process, when the actual tab misalignment of the second cell assembly is less than the minimum tab misalignment predicted based on the first preset correspondence, the first preset correspondence can be recalibrated, thereby improving the accuracy of tab misalignment prediction and avoiding the production of cell assemblies with excessive tab misalignment.

[0219] In some embodiments of this application, the above-mentioned updating of the first preset correspondence based on the third electrode misalignment when the third electrode misalignment is within the second preset range may include:

[0220] When the misalignment of the third electrode is within the second preset range, the controller adds the misalignment of the third electrode and its corresponding first electrode parameters to the fitting sample set.

[0221] When the number of fitted samples in the fitted sample set reaches a preset threshold, the controller fits the fitted samples in the fitted sample set to obtain a second preset correspondence.

[0222] The controller updates the first preset correspondence to the second preset correspondence.

[0223] Here, the fitted sample set can be used to store the actual electrode misalignment amount that is less than the predicted electrode misalignment amount and its corresponding electrode parameters.

[0224] Specifically, after each addition of a fitted sample to the fitted sample set, it can be determined whether the number of fitted samples in the fitted sample set has reached a preset threshold. If so, the controller can fit the fitted samples in the fitted sample set to obtain a new correspondence between the electrode parameters and the electrode misalignment, i.e., the second preset correspondence, and then update the first preset correspondence to the second preset correspondence; if not, it can wait until the next addition of a fitted sample to the fitted sample set and then determine again whether the number of fitted samples in the fitted sample set has reached the preset threshold.

[0225] The preset threshold can be set according to actual needs. For example, the preset threshold can be 3.

[0226] In this way, through the above process, fitted samples can be collected during the production of battery cell components, and after the number of fitted samples reaches a preset threshold, the correspondence between electrode parameters and electrode misalignment can be refitted, thereby realizing automatic adjustment of the logic for predicting electrode misalignment and improving the accuracy of electrode misalignment prediction.

[0227] In some embodiments of this application, S760 may include:

[0228] The controller determines the first diameter change corresponding to the first electrode misalignment based on the third preset correspondence.

[0229] The diameter of the needle is adjusted by the controller based on the first diameter change.

[0230] Here, the third preset correspondence can include the correspondence between the tab misalignment amount and the diameter change of the winding needle. The third preset correspondence can be pre-calibrated. Specifically, the correspondence between the tab misalignment amount and the diameter change of the winding needle can be pre-established statistically to obtain the third preset correspondence. Alternatively, the diameter change of the winding needle under different tab misalignment amounts can be calculated experimentally.

[0231] The third correspondence can be used to determine the diameter change of the coiling needle based on the electrode misalignment.

[0232] For example, the third preset correspondence can be in the form of a table, curve, or formula.

[0233] In this way, the change in the winding needle diameter corresponding to the misalignment of the first electrode can be determined by the pre-calibrated third preset correspondence, thereby achieving accurate adjustment of the winding needle diameter and effectively reducing the electrode misalignment of the small cell assembly.

[0234] In some embodiments of this application, after S750, the method may further include:

[0235] When the misalignment of the third electrode exceeds the third preset range, the controller acquires multiple electrode misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes.

[0236] The controller fits the misalignment of multiple tabs and their corresponding diameter changes to obtain the fourth preset correspondence.

[0237] The controller updates the third preset correspondence to the fourth preset correspondence.

[0238] Here, the third preset range can be a pre-set acceptable range of electrode misalignment.

[0239] Specifically, if the actual tab misalignment of the second cell assembly, that is, the third tab misalignment, exceeds the preset acceptable tab misalignment range, it can be understood that after adjusting the diameter of the winding needle, the tab misalignment of the produced second cell assembly still exceeds the standard. Therefore, it can be considered that the first diameter change of the winding needle is inaccurate. The first diameter change is determined based on the third preset correspondence, so it can be said that the third preset correspondence is inaccurate and the correspondence between the tab misalignment and the diameter change of the winding needle needs to be recalibrated.

[0240] Therefore, multiple tab misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes can be collected. The diameter change corresponding to the tab misalignment amount can refer to the diameter change determined based on the tab misalignment amount of the previous cell assembly. Adjusting the winding needle diameter can ensure that the tab misalignment amount of subsequent cell assemblies does not exceed the standard.

[0241] By fitting the aforementioned multiple tab misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes, a new correspondence between the tab misalignment amounts and the diameter changes of the winding needle can be obtained, which is the fourth preset correspondence. Then, the third preset correspondence can be updated to the fourth preset correspondence.

[0242] Furthermore, if the misalignment of the third electrode ear does not exceed the third preset range, there is no need to update the third preset correspondence.

[0243] Thus, through the above process, if the first diameter change determined based on the third preset correspondence is inaccurate, the correspondence between the tab misalignment and the diameter change of the winding needle can be refitted, thereby achieving automatic adjustment of the logic for determining the diameter change and improving the accuracy of the winding needle diameter adjustment.

[0244] This application also provides a winding method, the execution subject of which can be the controller in the winding machine. The winding method provided in this application is described below.

[0245] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a winding method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0246] like Figure 8 As shown, the winding method may include the following steps:

[0247] S810, determine the width of the first tab of the first cell assembly after shaping based on the first electrical signal;

[0248] S820, determine the misalignment of the first tab of the first cell assembly after shaping based on the width of the first tab;

[0249] S830, adjusts the diameter of the winding needle based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab;

[0250] S840 controls the adjustment of the diameter of the winding pin to wind the electrode sheet, thus obtaining the second cell assembly.

[0251] The first electrical signal can be a signal sent to the controller via a measuring light curtain when the first shaped battery cell assembly is located at the shaping device. The first electrical signal can be used to characterize the width of the first tab of the shaped battery cell assembly. The first battery cell assembly can be obtained by winding a needle around an electrode sheet, and the shaped first battery cell assembly can be obtained by shaping the first battery cell assembly using a shaping device. The measuring light curtain can be located at the shaping device, which can be downstream of the winding needle.

[0252] The specific processes of S810-S840 can be found in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0253] Therefore, the tab width of the shaped cell assembly can be accurately measured by measuring the light curtain, thereby accurately determining the tab misalignment. Based on this, the diameter of the winding needle can be adjusted based on the tab misalignment of the previous cell assembly (i.e., the first cell assembly) so as to reduce the tab misalignment of the current cell assembly (i.e., the second cell assembly) during the winding process, thus realizing closed-loop regulation and effectively reducing tab misalignment.

[0254] To better describe the overall solution, based on the above embodiments, a specific example is given, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the winding method may include S901-S913, which will be explained in detail below.

[0255] S901, Obtain the first electrode parameters used to generate the electrode of the second cell assembly.

[0256] S902, based on the first preset correspondence, determine the second electrode misalignment amount corresponding to the first electrode parameters.

[0257] S903, determine whether the misalignment of the second electrode ear is within the first preset range.

[0258] If yes, then execute S904; otherwise, execute S913.

[0259] S904, obtain the first tab misalignment of the first cell assembly.

[0260] S905, based on the third preset correspondence, determine the first diameter change corresponding to the first electrode misalignment.

[0261] S906, adjusts the diameter of the winding needle based on the first diameter change.

[0262] S907, the controlled diameter adjusted pin is used to wind the electrode sheet to obtain the second cell assembly.

[0263] S908, determine the misalignment of the third tab of the second cell assembly.

[0264] S909, determine whether the misalignment of the third electrode ear is within the second preset range.

[0265] If yes, then execute S910; otherwise, end.

[0266] S910 updates the first preset correspondence based on the misalignment of the third electrode ear.

[0267] S911, determine whether the misalignment of the third electrode ear exceeds the third preset range.

[0268] If yes, then execute S912; otherwise, end.

[0269] S912, update the third preset mapping.

[0270] S913, adjust the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller, and return to execute S901.

[0271] The specific processes of S901-S913 can be found in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0272] Although this application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made thereto and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of this application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner, provided there is no structural conflict. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A winding machine, characterized in that, include: A winding needle is used to wind the electrode sheets to obtain the first battery cell assembly; A shaping device, located downstream of the winding needle, is used to shape the first battery cell assembly to obtain a shaped first battery cell assembly. A measuring light curtain is installed on the shaping device and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to send a first electrical signal to the controller when the first shaped battery cell assembly is located at the shaping device. The first electrical signal is used to characterize the width of the first tab of the first shaped battery cell assembly. The controller is configured to determine the width of the first tab based on the first electrical signal, determine the misalignment of the first tab of the shaped first cell assembly based on the width of the first tab, adjust the diameter of the winding needle based on the misalignment of the first tab, and control the winding needle with the adjusted diameter to wind the electrode sheet to obtain the second cell assembly.

2. The winding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measurement light curtain includes: The transmitter is positioned opposite the receiver and spaced at a preset distance, and is used to emit measurement light to the receiver. The position between the transmitter and the receiver is used to place the tabs of the shaped first cell assembly. The receiving end is electrically connected to the controller and is used to receive the measurement light passing through the electrode, generate a first electrical signal based on the measurement light passing through the electrode, and send the first electrical signal to the controller.

3. The winding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The winding machine also includes: The feeding assembly is disposed between the winding needle and the shaping device, and is used to move the first cell assembly from the winding needle to the shaping device.

4. The winding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The unloading assembly includes: a first lifting shaft, an unloading robot, a robot telescopic cylinder, and a bidirectional module; The first lifting shaft, the telescopic cylinder of the robotic arm, and the bidirectional module are electrically connected to the controller; the first lifting shaft, the telescopic cylinder of the robotic arm, and the bidirectional module are mechanically connected to the unloading robotic arm.

5. The winding machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The controller is also used to control the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move to the coiling needle, control the robot telescopic cylinder to drive the unloading robot to clamp the first battery cell assembly from the coiling needle, control the bidirectional module to drive the unloading robot to stretch the first battery cell assembly, and control the first lifting shaft to drive the unloading robot to move the stretched first battery cell assembly to the shaping device.

6. The winding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shaping equipment includes a pre-pressing component and / or a cold-pressing component; The pre-compression component is located downstream of the winding needle and is used to pre-compress the first cell assembly to obtain a pre-compressed first cell assembly. The cold pressing assembly is located downstream of the pre-pressing assembly and is used to cold press the first cell assembly to obtain the cold-pressed first cell assembly.

7. The winding machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pre-compression assembly includes: a sensor, a transplanting module, a pressing mechanism, a conveying mechanism, and a second lifting shaft; The sensor is positioned at the target location and electrically connected to the controller. The target location is used to place the first battery cell assembly. The transplanting module is mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism and electrically connected to the controller. The conveying mechanism is electrically connected to the controller. The second lifting shaft is mechanically connected to the pressing mechanism and electrically connected to the controller.

8. The winding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The controller is also used to control the conveying mechanism to convey the first battery cell assembly to the target position, control the sensor to detect whether the first battery cell assembly is placed at the target position, and if the first battery cell assembly is placed at the target position, control the transfer module to drive the pressing mechanism to move above the target position, and control the second lifting shaft to drive the pressing mechanism to pre-press the first battery cell assembly to obtain the pre-pressed first battery cell assembly.

9. The winding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pre-compression assembly also includes a base plate, which is disposed below the conveying mechanism, and the pressing mechanism is disposed above the conveying mechanism; The transmitting end is disposed on the pressing mechanism, and the receiving end is disposed on the base plate.

10. The winding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pre-compression assembly also includes a base plate, which is disposed below the conveying mechanism, and the pressing mechanism is disposed above the conveying mechanism; The transmitting end is disposed on the base plate, and the receiving end is disposed on the pressing mechanism.

11. A winding method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a winding machine as described in any one of claims 1-10, comprises: The first battery cell assembly is obtained by winding the electrode sheet with a wire. The first battery cell assembly is shaped using a shaping device to obtain a shaped first battery cell assembly, wherein the shaping device is located downstream of the winding needle; When the first cell assembly after shaping is located at the shaping device, a first electrical signal is sent to the controller through a measuring light curtain. The first electrical signal is used to characterize the width of the first tab of the first cell assembly after shaping. The measuring light curtain is set at the shaping device. The controller determines the width of the first electrode based on the first electrical signal; The controller determines the first tab misalignment of the shaped first cell assembly based on the width of the first tab. The diameter of the winding needle is adjusted by the controller based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab; The controller controls the diameter-adjusted yarn to wind the electrode sheet, thus obtaining the second cell assembly.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Before adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the first tab misalignment amount via the controller, the method further includes: The controller obtains the first electrode parameters, which are parameters used to generate the electrodes of the second cell assembly. The controller determines the second tab misalignment amount corresponding to the first electrode parameters based on a first preset correspondence relationship. The first preset correspondence relationship includes the correspondence between the electrode parameters and the tab misalignment amount. The step of adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab via the controller includes: When the misalignment of the second electrode tab is within a first preset range, the diameter of the winding needle is adjusted by the controller based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The winding machine further includes an embossing roller and a tension roller, the embossing roller being used to roll the electrode sheet used to generate the second battery cell assembly, and the tension roller being used to stretch the electrode sheet used to generate the second battery cell assembly. The method further includes: If the misalignment of the second electrode exceeds the first preset range, the pressure of the embossing roller and / or the tension of the tension roller are adjusted by the controller.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, After determining the first tab misalignment of the first cell assembly based on the first tab width using the controller, the method further includes: The second battery cell assembly is obtained by winding the electrode sheet with a wire. The second cell assembly is shaped using a shaping device to obtain the shaped second cell assembly; When the shaped second cell assembly is located at the shaping device, a second electrical signal is sent to the controller through a measuring light curtain. The second electrical signal is used to characterize the width of the second tab of the shaped second cell assembly. The controller determines the width of the second electrode based on the second electrical signal; The controller determines the misalignment of the third tab of the shaped second cell assembly based on the width of the second tab. When the misalignment of the third electrode is within the second preset range, the controller updates the first preset correspondence based on the misalignment of the third electrode.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, When the misalignment of the third electrode is within a second preset range, updating the first preset correspondence based on the misalignment of the third electrode by the controller includes: When the misalignment of the third electrode is within the second preset range, the controller adds the misalignment of the third electrode and its corresponding first electrode parameters to the fitting sample set. When the number of fitted samples in the fitted sample set reaches a preset threshold, the controller fits the fitted samples in the fitted sample set to obtain a second preset correspondence. The controller updates the first preset correspondence to the second preset correspondence.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The step of adjusting the diameter of the winding needle based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab via the controller includes: The controller determines the first diameter change corresponding to the first tab misalignment based on a third preset correspondence. The third preset correspondence includes the correspondence between the tab misalignment and the diameter change of the winding needle. The controller adjusts the diameter of the coiling needle based on the first diameter change.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, After determining the first tab misalignment amount of the shaped first cell assembly based on the first tab width using the controller, the method further includes: When the misalignment of the third electrode exceeds the third preset range, the controller acquires multiple electrode misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes. The controller fits the multiple electrode misalignment amounts and their corresponding diameter changes to obtain a fourth preset correspondence. The controller updates the third preset correspondence to the fourth preset correspondence.

18. A winding method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a controller in a winding machine as described in any one of claims 1-10, comprises: The width of the first tab of the first battery cell assembly after shaping is determined based on a first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is an electrical signal sent to the controller through a measuring light curtain when the first battery cell assembly after shaping is located at the shaping device. The first electrical signal is used to characterize the width of the first tab of the first battery cell assembly after shaping. The first battery cell assembly is obtained by winding a needle around an electrode sheet. The first battery cell assembly after shaping is obtained by shaping the first battery cell assembly through a shaping device. The measuring light curtain is set in the shaping device, which is located downstream of the needle. The misalignment of the first electrode of the shaped first cell assembly is determined based on the width of the first electrode. The diameter of the coiling needle is adjusted based on the misalignment of the first electrode tab; The controlled diameter is adjusted by winding the electrode sheet to obtain the second cell assembly.

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