Tool and method for leveling tabs of soft package battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool and a method for leveling tabs of a soft package battery module. The tool is characterized by comprising a support, a base, a top platform, a middle platform, a bottom platform, a top air cylinder, a side air cylinder, a guide sliding rod, a sliding rail, a sliding block, a rubber pressing strip and a limiting tool, the support is fixed to the base, and the top platform is fixed to the support; the top air cylinder is installed on the top platform, the middle platform is connected with the top air cylinder, and the guide sliding rod is vertically fixed to the top face of the middle platform. The sliding rail is fixed to the bottom face of the middle platform, the sliding block is fixed to the top face of the bottom platform, the sliding block is connected with the sliding rail in a sliding mode, the side air cylinder is installed on the support and connected with the side face of the bottom platform, and the rubber pressing strip is installed on the bottom face of the bottom platform. The limiting tool is installed on the base, and the limiting tool, the bottom platform, the middle platform and the top platform are sequentially arranged from bottom to top. According to the invention, the tabs can be efficiently leveled, and defective products are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tooling and method for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of power batteries, the requirements for battery welding are also increasing. To address the issue of leveling the tabs in pouch battery modules, the tabs need to be leveled after the cells are assembled, requiring all tabs to be flattened and adhered to the welding pads before laser welding can proceed. Currently, the tab leveling method typically involves manually tapping the tabs of the assembled pouch battery module flat. Workers use insulating materials to tap the tabs until the welding requirements are met. While this method satisfies the welding requirements, the tabs are made of nickel-plated copper, which has good elasticity. Insufficient downward pressure during manual leveling can cause the pressed tabs to reposition, increasing the workload for workers. Furthermore, there is a risk of workers missing some tabs, resulting in defective products and requiring rework. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a tooling and method for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module that has a reasonable structural design, can efficiently flatten the tabs, and reduce defective products.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve the above problems is as follows: The structural features of the tooling for leveling the tabs of a soft-pack battery module are: it includes a bracket, a base, a top platform, a middle platform, a bottom platform, a top cylinder, a side cylinder, a guide rod, a slide rail, a slider, a rubber strip, and a limiting tooling. The bracket is fixed on the base, and the top platform is fixed on the bracket. The top cylinder is installed on the top platform, and the middle platform is connected to the top cylinder. The guide rod is vertically fixed on the top surface of the middle platform, and the top platform is provided with a guide hole, which is fitted onto the guide rod. The slide rail is fixed on the bottom surface of the middle platform, and the slider is fixed on the top surface of the bottom platform. The slider and the slide rail are slidably connected. The side cylinder is installed on the bracket and is connected to the side of the bottom platform. The rubber strip is installed on the bottom surface of the bottom platform. The limiting tooling is installed on the base, and the limiting tooling, the bottom platform, the middle platform, and the top platform are arranged sequentially from bottom to top.

[0005] Preferably, the top cylinder and the side cylinder of the present invention are both rodless cylinders. The top cylinder is connected to the middle platform through a transmission bearing, and the side cylinder is connected to the bottom platform through a transmission bearing.

[0006] Preferably, the present invention provides three limiting fixtures, each of which is provided with a waist-shaped hole for adjusting battery packs of different sizes.

[0007] Preferably, the support structure of the present invention consists of four stainless steel columns.

[0008] Preferably, the number of sliders in this invention is two.

[0009] Preferably, the base of the present invention is made of stainless steel.

[0010] Preferably, the number of rubber strips in this invention is two.

[0011] Preferably, the present invention provides two guide holes and two guide slide rods, with one guide hole and one guide slide rod corresponding to each other.

[0012] A method for leveling the tabs of a pouch battery module, characterized in that: the method uses the aforementioned fixture, and the steps of the method are as follows: the tabs on the cell pack to be leveled are tilted to the same side; the cell pack is placed on the base, and the cell pack is positioned using a limiting fixture, while simultaneously confirming that the rubber pressure strip is aligned with the tabs on the cell pack; then, the top cylinder is activated, which drives the middle platform to move vertically downwards, and the middle platform simultaneously drives the bottom platform to move vertically downwards, and the rubber pressure strip moves vertically downwards synchronously with the bottom platform until the rubber pressure strip presses onto the tabs of the cell pack, at which point the downward pressure of the rubber pressure strip is... This process applies force to the tabs exposed on the adapter plate of the battery pack, flattening them and ensuring they fit tightly against the adapter plate. However, at this point, the bends of the tabs protrude from the adapter plate. After the tabs are flattened by the rubber strip, the side cylinder is activated. The side cylinder moves the bottom platform horizontally via the movement of the slider on the slide rail. Simultaneously, the rubber strip moves horizontally with the bottom platform, flattening the bends of the tabs protruding from the adapter plate of the battery pack. This achieves the leveling of the bends of the tabs, ensuring they are completely flattened. Then, the top and side cylinders reset, and the leveling process is complete.

[0013] Preferably, the direction in which the rubber strip moves horizontally synchronously with the bottom platform is consistent with the direction in which the electrode tab is bent.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages and effects: It completely flattens the tabs by pressing down and shifting, eliminating manual flattening, improving flattening efficiency, and enhancing product consistency. With the help of the limiting fixture, it can flatten the tabs of multiple models of power battery modules. With the help of the rubber pressure strip, it can simultaneously flatten all the tabs on the cell pack, avoiding omissions that may occur when manually flattening the tabs. With the action of the top and side cylinders, it can achieve two flattening actions: the first flattening is pressing the upper tab to the adapter plate, and the second flattening is pressing down the bends of the tabs protruding from the adapter plate, resulting in more thorough flattening of the tabs, making the contact between the tabs and the adapter plate tighter, and preventing the occurrence of poor soldering. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention and / or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments and / or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the tooling used to flatten the tabs of a soft-pack battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a left-side view of the tooling used to flatten the tabs of a soft-pack battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a right-side view of the tooling used to flatten the tabs of a soft-pack battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a top view of the tooling used to flatten the tabs of a soft-pack battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the tooling used for flattening the tabs of a soft-pack battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the battery pack to be leveled in an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the tabs on the battery pack are in the initial state, and the tabs are tilted to the same side.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure.

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A magnified structural diagram of section B.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the battery pack to be leveled after being pressed down by the top cylinder in an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the bent part of the electrode tab is not leveled.

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A magnified structural diagram of point C.

[0027] Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the battery pack after it has been pressed down by the top cylinder and then flattened by the side cylinder in an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the tabs have been completely flattened, and even the bends have been flattened.

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified structural diagram of point D in the middle.

[0029] In the diagram: 1-Bracket; 2-Base; 3-Top platform; 4-Middle platform; 5-Bottom platform; 6-Top cylinder; 7-Side cylinder; 8-Guide hole; 9-Guide slide rod; 10-Slide rail; 11-Slider; 12-Rubber strip; 13-Limit fixture; 14-Transmission bearing; 15-Battery cell pack; 16-Electrical tab; 17-Bend. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are explanations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0031] Example

[0032] See Figures 1 to 13 The tooling for leveling the tabs of the soft-pack battery module in this embodiment includes a bracket 1, a base 2, a top platform 3, a middle platform 4, a bottom platform 5, a top cylinder 6, a side cylinder 7, a guide slide rod 9, a slide rail 10, a slider 11, a rubber pressure strip 12, and a limiting tooling 13. The bracket 1 consists of four stainless steel columns, the number of sliders 11 is two, the base 2 is made of stainless steel, and the number of rubber pressure strips 12 is two. The number of guide holes 8 and guide slide rods 9 are two, with one guide hole 8 and one guide slide rod 9 corresponding to each other.

[0033] In this embodiment, the bracket 1 is fixed on the base 2, and the top platform 3 is fixed on the bracket 1. The top cylinder 6 is installed on the top platform 3, the middle platform 4 is connected to the top cylinder 6, the guide slide rod 9 is vertically fixed on the top surface of the middle platform 4, and the top platform 3 is provided with a guide hole 8, which is fitted onto the guide slide rod 9.

[0034] In this embodiment, the slide rail 10 is fixed to the bottom surface of the middle platform 4, the slider 11 is fixed to the top surface of the bottom platform 5, the slider 11 and the slide rail 10 are slidably connected, the side cylinder 7 is mounted on the bracket 1, the side cylinder 7 is connected to the side of the bottom platform 5, and the rubber pressure strip 12 is mounted on the bottom surface of the bottom platform 5.

[0035] In this embodiment, the limiting fixture 13 is mounted on the base 2. There are three limiting fixtures 13, and each limiting fixture 13 is provided with a waist-shaped hole for adjusting the battery pack 15 of different sizes. The limiting fixture 13, the bottom platform 5, the middle platform 4, and the top platform 3 are arranged in order from bottom to top.

[0036] In this embodiment, both the top cylinder 6 and the side cylinder 7 are rodless cylinders. The top cylinder 6 is connected to the middle platform 4 via the transmission bearing 14, and the side cylinder 7 is connected to the bottom platform 5 via the transmission bearing 14.

[0037] In this embodiment, the method for leveling the tabs of the soft-pack battery module is performed using the aforementioned fixture. The steps of this method are as follows: The tabs 16 on the cell pack 15 to be leveled are tilted to the same side. The cell pack 15 is placed on the base 2, and the cell pack 15 is positioned using the limiting fixture 13. At the same time, it is confirmed that the rubber pressure strip 12 is aligned with the tabs 16 on the cell pack 15. Then, the top cylinder 6 is activated, which drives the middle platform 4 to move vertically downward. The middle platform 4 simultaneously drives the bottom platform 5 to move vertically downward. The rubber pressure strip 12 moves vertically downward along with the bottom platform 5 until the rubber pressure strip 12 presses on the tabs 16 of the cell pack 15. At this time, the downward pressure of the rubber pressure strip 12 will cause the tabs 16 exposed at the adapter plate of the cell pack 15 to be subjected to force, pressing the tabs 16 down. The rubber strip 12 flattens the tab 16 and makes it fit tightly against the adapter plate of the cell pack 15. However, at this time, the bend 17 of the tab 16 protrudes from the adapter plate. After the tab 16 is flattened by the rubber strip 12, the side cylinder 7 is activated. The side cylinder 7 drives the bottom platform 5 to move horizontally by moving the slider 11 on the slide rail 10. At this time, the rubber strip 12 moves horizontally in sync with the bottom platform 5. The direction of the horizontal movement of the rubber strip 12 is consistent with the direction in which the tab 16 is bent, thereby flattening the bend 17 of the tab 16 protruding from the adapter plate of the cell pack 15, and flattening the bend 17 of the tab 16. The top cylinder 6 and the side cylinder 7 are then reset, and the flattening is completed.

[0038] In this embodiment, the rubber pressure strip 12 is detachably connected to the bottom surface of the bottom platform 5. The size of the rubber pressure strip 12 is replaceable, allowing for easy replacement according to the requirements of the tabs 16 of different battery cell packs 15. Problems caused by wear of the rubber pressure strip 12 can be solved by replacing the rubber pressure strip 12. The top platform 3 and the side cylinder 7 are both fixed on the bracket 1. The height of the top platform 3 and the side cylinder 7 can be adjusted to accommodate battery cell packs 15 with different height requirements, making it suitable for most battery cell packs 15.

[0039] In this embodiment, the top cylinder 6 and side cylinder 7 provide more downward pressure than a human hand, resulting in better leveling of the tab 16. The top cylinder 6 controls the vertical movement of the middle platform 4 and the bottom platform 5 via the guide slide rod 9, while the side cylinder 7 moves the bottom platform 5 horizontally via the slider 11. While a single cylinder only levels the tab 16 exposed on the adapter plate, this embodiment uses two cylinders. The side cylinder 7 compensates for the top cylinder 6's inability to level the bend 17 of the tab 16, and the alternating movement of the two cylinders ensures omnidirectional leveling of the tab 16.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted that the specific embodiments described in this specification may differ in the shape and name of their components, etc. The above description is merely illustrative of the structure of the present invention. All equivalent or simple variations made based on the structure, features, and principles described in this patent concept are included within the protection scope of this patent. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the present invention or exceed the scope defined by the claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module, characterized in that: The system includes a bracket (1), a base (2), a top platform (3), a middle platform (4), a bottom platform (5), a guide rod (9), a slide rail (10), a slider (11), a rubber strip (12), a limiting fixture (13), a top cylinder (6) for driving the middle platform (4) to move vertically up and down along the guide rod (9) and simultaneously driving the bottom platform (5) and the rubber strip (12) to move up and down, and a side cylinder (7) for driving the bottom platform (5) to move laterally along the slide rail (10) and simultaneously driving the rubber strip (12) to move horizontally, and working together with the top cylinder (6) to press vertically down to achieve the flattening of the copper-plated nickel material tab (16) and the protruding bend (17); the bracket (1) is fixed on the base (2), the top platform (3) is fixed on the bracket (1); the top cylinder (6) is installed on the top platform (3), and the top platform (2) is fixed on the base (2). The middle platform (4) is connected to the top cylinder (6). The guide slide rod (9) is vertically fixed on the top surface of the middle platform (4). The top platform (3) is provided with a guide hole (8). The guide hole (8) is fitted onto the guide slide rod (9). The slide rail (10) is fixed on the bottom surface of the middle platform (4). The slider (11) is fixed on the top surface of the bottom platform (5). The slider (11) and the slide rail (10) are slidably connected. The side cylinder (7) is installed on the bracket (1). The side cylinder (7) is connected to the side of the bottom platform (5). The rubber pressure strip (12) is installed on the bottom surface of the bottom platform (5). The limiting fixture (13) is installed on the base (2). The limiting fixture (13), the bottom platform (5), the middle platform (4), and the top platform (3) are arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The top cylinder (6) and the side cylinder (7) are both rodless cylinders.

2. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cylinder (6) is connected to the middle platform (4) via a transmission bearing (14), and the side cylinder (7) is connected to the bottom platform (5) via a transmission bearing (14).

3. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the limiting fixtures (13) is three, and each limiting fixture (13) is provided with a waist-shaped hole for adjusting the battery packs (15) of different sizes.

4. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support (1) consists of four stainless steel columns.

5. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of sliders (11) is two.

6. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (2) is made of stainless steel.

7. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of rubber strips (12) is two.

8. The tooling for flattening the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of guide holes (8) and guide slides (9) are both two, with one guide hole (8) and one guide slide (9) corresponding to each other.

9. A method for leveling the tabs of a pouch battery module, characterized in that: The method uses the tooling described in any one of claims 1 to 8. The steps of the method are as follows: the tabs (16) on the battery cell pack (15) to be leveled are tilted to the same side, the battery cell pack (15) is placed on the base (2), and the battery cell pack (15) is positioned by the limiting tooling (13), while confirming that the rubber pressure strip (12) is aligned with the tabs (16) on the battery cell pack (15); then the top cylinder (6) is started, the top cylinder (6) drives the middle platform (4) to move vertically downward, the middle platform (4) drives the bottom platform (5) to move vertically downward simultaneously, the rubber pressure strip (12) moves vertically downward simultaneously with the bottom platform (5) until the rubber pressure strip (12) presses on the tabs (16) of the battery cell pack (15), at this time the downward pressure of the rubber pressure strip (12) will cause the adapter plate exposed on the battery cell pack (15) to be exposed. The tab (16) is subjected to force, which flattens the tab (16) and makes the tab (16) fit tightly against the adapter plate of the cell pack (15). However, at this time, the bend (17) of the tab (16) is protruding from the adapter plate. After the tab (16) is flattened by the rubber strip (12), the side cylinder (7) is started. The side cylinder (7) drives the bottom platform (5) to move horizontally by moving the slider (11) on the slide rail (10). At this time, the rubber strip (12) moves horizontally in sync with the bottom platform (5), flattening the bend (17) of the tab (16) protruding from the adapter plate of the cell pack (15), thus flattening the bend (17) of the tab (16) and making the tab (16) completely flat. Then the top cylinder (6) and the side cylinder (7) are reset, and the flattening is completed.

10. A method for leveling the tabs of a pouch battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The direction in which the rubber strip (12) moves horizontally in sync with the bottom platform (5) is the same as the direction in which the tab (16) is bent.

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