A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars

Abstract

This invention discloses a continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars, belonging to the field of laser welding technology. It includes a support base and a multi-axis robot located on the side of the support base. The multi-axis robot's end effector is equipped with a laser welding head. A connecting frame is installed on the upper end of the support base. A pneumatic protective cooling component is installed on the positioning block. This component blows protective gas into the welding area during welding and simultaneously blows airflow into the pressing parts of the busbar after welding to assist in cooling. A dust suction port is installed on the side of the positioning block, connected to a negative pressure device. A through-hole for the laser beam to pass through is opened in the middle of the positioning block. By setting two sets of lateral movement modules and a longitudinal movement module, and installing movable seats on the two lateral movement modules respectively, the positioning block is moved alternately by the two movable seats, thereby improving the welding efficiency of the battery busbar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser welding technology, specifically to a continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of new energy vehicles, the performance of power batteries directly affects the driving range, safety and reliability of the entire vehicle. In the assembly process of power battery modules, the busbar, as a key component for realizing the series or parallel connection of all individual cells, has a welding quality between it and the cell terminals that directly affects the overall performance and safety of the battery.

[0003] For example, the pressing and testing mechanism and battery busbar welding equipment with announcement number CN217475095U include a substrate made of insulating material, a pressing nozzle and a displacement detection device disposed on the substrate. The pressing nozzle is disposed at the bottom of the substrate and can move up and down. An elastic element is provided between the pressing nozzle and the substrate. The pressing nozzle is pressed against the busbar of the battery module by the action of the elastic element. The displacement detection device is used to detect the amount of displacement of the pressing nozzle relative to the substrate.

[0004] The existing technology has the following technical problems: When welding the busbars of batteries, the existing welding equipment is equipped with multiple pressure nozzles, which can be used to press multiple busbar welding positions at the same time. However, the multiple pressure nozzles move synchronously. After all the pressing areas are welded, the whole equipment must move synchronously to the next welding area for pressing, which results in low overall welding efficiency and is not conducive to high-frequency welding operations on the production line.

[0005] Secondly, after the nozzle is pressed into the busbar, the heat generated by laser welding is transferred to the nozzle. Continuous high-frequency welding may cause the nozzle to be used for the next welding without timely cooling. As heat accumulates on the nozzle, it is prone to thermal deformation or a reduction in the lifespan of its anti-stick coating. In some existing technologies, additional air pipes are set up to cool the nozzle by blowing air. However, when welding battery busbars, the nozzle is usually mounted on a guide rail. When the guide rail moves, it drives the nozzle to move. The frequent movement of the nozzle can cause the air pipe to be pulled or tangled, and may even interfere with the movement of the guide rail.

[0006] Therefore, we propose a continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars to address the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, such as the low welding efficiency of existing welding equipment on the market and the tendency for the air pipe to become entangled and pulled when the nozzle is cooled by setting up an independent air pipe.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars, comprising a support base and a multi-axis robot located on the side of the support base. The multi-axis robot has a laser welding head installed at its end effector. A connecting frame is installed at the upper end of the support base, and longitudinal moving modules are installed on the left and right sides of the connecting frame. A guide beam is installed on the longitudinal moving module, and a transverse moving module is fixed on the guide beam. A movable seat is installed on the transverse moving module, and a cylinder is fixed on the side of the movable seat. A moving plate is connected to the telescopic end of the cylinder, and a positioning block is fixed on the moving plate. A pneumatic protection and cooling component is installed on the positioning block. The pneumatic protection and cooling component is used to blow protective gas into the welding area during welding, and simultaneously blow airflow into the pressing parts of the busbar to assist in cooling after welding. A dust suction port is installed on the side of the positioning block, and the dust suction port is connected to a negative pressure device. A through-hole for the laser beam to pass through is opened in the middle of the positioning block.

[0009] Preferably, two sets of longitudinal moving modules are installed on the left and right sides of the connecting frame, and each set of longitudinal moving modules is equipped with a guide beam, and each of the two guide beams is equipped with a transverse moving module.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, two movable seats can be controlled to move alternately through two lateral moving modules, thereby realizing continuous welding of battery busbars.

[0011] Preferably, the lower end of the positioning block is provided with a first base, and the lower end of the first base is fixed with a second base. An air jet groove is provided between the first base and the second base, and a protective air interface is installed on the side of the air jet groove. A solenoid valve is installed on the protective air interface.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, protective gas flow is delivered into the protective gas interface, and the gas flow can be ejected outward through the jet groove, thereby isolating the welding area from oxygen.

[0013] Preferably, the pneumatic protection cooling component includes a limiting rod fixed on a first base and a second base, and the limiting rod is connected to each other by an auxiliary spring and a positioning block. The upper end of the limiting rod is inserted into the interior of the snap-fit ​​post, and the lower end of the limiting rod is connected to the air jet groove through a connecting pipe. The upper end of the limiting rod divides the interior of the snap-fit ​​post into a first cavity and a second cavity. An air inlet pipe is installed on the side of the snap-fit ​​post near the first cavity, and an air outlet pipe is installed on the limiting rod. Both the air outlet pipe and the air inlet pipe are equipped with one-way valves. The second cavity inside the snap-fit ​​post is connected to each other by a diverter pipe and a blocking ring, and an air jet nozzle is fixed on the inner side of the blocking ring.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, and by connecting the connecting pipe to the jet vent, the jet vent can provide a protective gas delivery channel during welding and a cooling airflow channel after welding. The integrated design can minimize the size of the equipment.

[0015] Preferably, the first base, the second base, and the blocking ring are all provided with through openings in the middle, and the limiting rods fixed on the first base and the second base can slide on the positioning block and the locking post.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the through-holes in the first base, the second base, and the middle of the blocking ring can be matched with the through-holes on the positioning block, so that the laser beam can pass through the welding normally.

[0017] Preferably, the limiting rod has a hollow internal structure, and the upper outer wall of the limiting rod is wrapped with a sealing ring, allowing the internal airflow of the limiting rod to enter the jet groove through the connecting pipe.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the sealing ring at the upper end of the limiting rod can ensure the sealing performance of the limiting rod when it moves inside the snap-fit ​​column.

[0019] Preferably, the one-way valve on the air inlet pipe on the side of the snap-fit ​​post and the one-way valve on the air outlet pipe on the side of the limit rod have opposite flow directions, and the one-way valve on the air inlet pipe can only allow air to enter but not exit, while the one-way valve on the air outlet pipe can only allow air to exit but not enter.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the one-way valve on the air outlet pipe can prevent the protective gas that has entered the limit rod from flowing out.

[0021] Preferably, the airflow in the second cavity inside the snap-fit ​​post can enter the interior of the baffle ring through the diverter pipe, and the interior of the baffle ring is set as a hollow structure, and the interior of the baffle ring is interconnected with the jet nozzle.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, when the limiting rod moves upward, the airflow inside the locking post can be squeezed out through the diverter pipe into the interior of the blocking ring, and the airflow can be ejected through the jet nozzle.

[0023] Preferably, multiple jet nozzles are evenly distributed inside the blocking ring, and the opening direction of each jet nozzle is towards the busbar welding area.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, the airflow ejected by the jet nozzle can blow the airflow toward the welding area, thereby blowing away the dust and debris in the busbar welding area.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars, by setting two sets of transverse moving modules and longitudinal moving modules, and installing movable seats on the two transverse moving modules respectively, and using the two movable seats to drive the positioning pressure block to move alternately, thereby improving the welding efficiency of battery busbars;

[0026] 1. By setting up two lateral movement modules, the two movable seats can be moved separately during welding. When the laser welding head welds the busbar area after one of the movable seats and the positioning block are pressed together, the other lateral movement module can control the movable seat and the positioning block to move. By repeating this process, continuous welding of the busbar can be achieved, thus improving the overall welding efficiency.

[0027] 2. When the second base and the first base move upward, they can drive the limiting rod to move synchronously. After the limiting rod moves upward, it can squeeze the airflow in the second cavity inside the snap-fit ​​column through the diverter pipe into the inside of the blocking ring. The airflow inside the blocking ring can be blown out towards the welding area by the jet nozzle, thereby cleaning the busbar welding area before welding and blowing away the dust and debris attached to the welding area.

[0028] 3. When the limiting rod moves upward, it can use the air inlet pipe to draw the external airflow into the interior of the first cavity for storage. After the welding contact, the limiting rod resets and moves downward relative to the locking post. At this time, the airflow inside the first cavity can be squeezed out into the interior of the limiting rod through the air outlet pipe. The airflow in the limiting rod is finally ejected through the connecting pipe and the jet groove. The ejected airflow carries away the heat on the first base and the second base, preventing heat accumulation.

[0029] 4. The air is stored and released by moving the first base and the second base, avoiding the need for additional pneumatic components, simplifying the overall pipeline setup, and preventing multiple pipelines from being pulled or tangled after frequent movement of the lateral and longitudinal moving modules. At the same time, the air release slot can also serve as a protective air outlet and a cooling air outlet, avoiding the need to set up additional airflow channels. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a frontal perspective view of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support base and connecting frame structure of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the movable seat and moving plate structure of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning block and dust suction port structure of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the protective gas interface and solenoid valve structure of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning block and the second base structure of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the shunt tube and blocking ring structure of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second base and air jet structure of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the jet vent and connecting pipe structure of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the limiting rod and the snap-fit ​​post of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the blocking ring and jet nozzle structure of the present invention.

[0041] In the diagram: 1. Support base; 2. Multi-axis robot; 3. Laser welding head; 4. Connecting frame; 5. Longitudinal movement module; 6. Guide beam; 7. Lateral movement module; 8. Movable seat; 9. Cylinder; 10. Moving plate; 11. Positioning block; 12. Dust suction port; 13. First base; 14. Second base; 15. Protective air interface; 16. Solenoid valve; 17. Air jet channel; 18. Limiting rod; 19. Auxiliary spring; 20. Snap-fit ​​post; 21. Connecting pipe; 22. First cavity; 23. Second cavity; 24. Air inlet pipe; 25. Air outlet pipe; 26. One-way valve; 27. Diverter pipe; 28. Blocking ring; 29. ​​Air jet nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] Example 1: Please refer to Figures 1-4 Existing welding equipment uses multiple pressure nozzles to weld battery busbars, simultaneously clamping multiple busbar welding positions. However, since all pressure nozzles move synchronously, the entire assembly must be moved synchronously to the next welding area after all clamping areas have been welded, resulting in low overall welding efficiency and hindering high-frequency welding operations on production lines. To address this technical problem, this embodiment discloses the following technical content: a continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars, including a support base 1 and a multi-axis robot 2 located on the side of the support base 1. The multi-axis robot 2 has a laser welding head 3 installed at its end effector. A connecting frame 4 is installed on the upper end of the support base 1, and longitudinal moving modules 5 are installed on the left and right sides of the connecting frame 4. A guide beam 6 is installed on the longitudinal moving module 5, and a transverse moving module 7 is fixed on the guide beam 6. A movable seat 8 is installed on the transverse moving module 7, and a cylinder is fixed to the side of the movable seat 8. 9. A movable plate 10 is connected to the telescopic end of cylinder 9, and a positioning block 11 is fixed on the movable plate 10. A pneumatic protection and cooling component is installed on the positioning block 11. The pneumatic protection and cooling component is used to blow protective gas into the welding area during welding, and at the same time, blow airflow into the crimping parts of the manifold after welding to assist in cooling. A dust suction port 12 is installed on the side of the positioning block 11. The dust suction port 12 is connected to a negative pressure device, and a through-hole for the laser beam to pass through is opened in the middle of the positioning block 11. Two sets of longitudinal moving modules 5 are installed on the left and right sides of 4, and each set of longitudinal moving modules 5 is equipped with a guide beam 6. A transverse moving module 7 is installed on each of the two guide beams 6. A first base 13 is provided at the lower end of the positioning block 11, and a second base 14 is fixed at the lower end of the first base 13. An air jet groove 17 is provided between the first base 13 and the second base 14, and a protective air interface 15 is installed on the side of the air jet groove 17. A solenoid valve 16 is installed on the protective air interface 15.

[0044] When welding is required on the battery busbar, the battery module is placed on the support base 1 for fixation. The longitudinal movement module 5 adjusts the distance between the two guide beams 6 and the transverse movement module 7 according to the size of the battery module busbar. Then, the cylinder 9 on the side of the movable seat 8 on one of the transverse movement modules 7 controls the downward movement of the moving plate 10. The movement of the moving plate 10 allows the first base 13 and the second base 14 to press the area of ​​the busbar to be welded. The multi-axis robot 2 uses its end effector laser welding head 3 to weld the busbar. During the welding process, the protective gas interface 15 can be used to inject air into the air jet 1. Protective gas is introduced into the interior of module 7. By blowing the protective gas toward the welding area, oxygen can be isolated during welding, thus improving welding quality. At the same time, during the welding process, the cylinder 9 on the side of the movable seat 8 on another transverse moving module 7 can control the moving plate 10 to move downward. The movement of the moving plate 10 can be used to press the welding areas of other busbars on the first base 13 and the second base 14. By alternating this process, continuous laser welding of the busbars can be achieved, improving the overall welding efficiency. At the same time, the positioning pressure block 11 is also equipped with a dust suction port 12, which can be used to absorb the fumes generated during the welding process.

[0045] Example 2: The technical content disclosed in this example is a further improvement based on Example 1. After the nozzle presses the busbar, the heat generated by laser welding is transferred to the nozzle. Continuous high-frequency welding can cause the nozzle to be used for the next welding operation without timely cooling. The heat buildup on the nozzle can easily lead to thermal deformation or a reduced lifespan of its anti-stick coating. While some existing technologies use air pipes to cool the nozzle, during battery busbar welding, the nozzle is usually mounted on a guide rail. The movement of the guide rail drives the nozzle, and frequent movement of the nozzle can cause pulling or entanglement of the air pipe, and may even interfere with the travel of the guide rail. To further solve this technical problem, such as... Figures 4-11As shown, this embodiment discloses the following technical content: the pneumatic protective cooling component includes a limiting rod 18 fixed on the first base 13 and the second base 14, and the limiting rod 18 is connected to the positioning pressure block 11 through an auxiliary spring 19. The upper end of the limiting rod 18 is inserted into the interior of the locking post 20, and the lower end of the limiting rod 18 is connected to the air jet groove 17 through a connecting pipe 21. The upper end of the limiting rod 18 divides the interior of the locking post 20 into a first cavity 22 and a second cavity 23. An air inlet pipe 24 is installed on the side of the locking post 20 near the first cavity 22, and an air outlet pipe 25 is installed on the limiting rod 18. Both the air outlet pipe 25 and the air inlet pipe 24 are equipped with one-way valves 26. The second cavity 23 inside the locking post 20 is interconnected with a diverter pipe 27 and a blocking ring 28. A jet nozzle 29 is fixed to the inner side of the blocking ring 28. A through-hole is opened in the middle of the first base 13, the second base 14, and the blocking ring 28. The limiting rod 18 fixed on the second base 14 and the positioning block 11 and the snap-fit ​​post 20 can slide on the positioning block 11 and the snap-fit ​​post 20. The inside of the limiting rod 18 is set as a hollow structure, and the upper outer wall of the limiting rod 18 is wrapped with a sealing ring. The airflow inside the limiting rod 18 can enter the jet groove 17 through the connecting pipe 21. The one-way valve 26 on the side air inlet pipe 24 of the snap-fit ​​post 20 and the one-way valve 26 on the side air outlet pipe 25 of the limiting rod 18 have opposite flow. The one-way valve 26 on the air inlet pipe 24 can only allow air to enter and not exit, while the one-way valve 26 on the air outlet pipe 25 can only allow air to exit and not enter. The airflow in the second cavity 23 inside the snap-fit ​​post 20 can enter the inside of the blocking ring 28 through the diverting pipe 27. The inside of the blocking ring 28 is set as a hollow structure. The inside of the blocking ring 28 is connected to the jet nozzle 29. There are multiple jet nozzles 29 evenly distributed inside the blocking ring 28, and the opening direction of each jet nozzle 29 is facing the busbar welding area.

[0046] When the first base 13 and the second base 14 come into contact with the busbar, the moving plate 10 continues to move downwards, causing the first base 13 and the second base 14 to move the limiting rod 18 upwards synchronously. After the limiting rod 18 moves upwards, it first forces the airflow in the second cavity 23 inside the locking post 20 through the diverter pipe 27 into the blocking ring 28. Once the airflow enters the blocking ring 28, it can be ejected outwards through the nozzle 29. Because the nozzle 29's opening faces the welding area, the airflow ejected from the nozzle 29 can blow away dust and debris from the busbar welding area. Simultaneously, the upward movement of the limiting rod 18 allows the locking post 20 to draw external airflow into the first cavity 22 through the air inlet pipe 24. After welding is completed, the solenoid valve 16 on the protective gas interface 15 is closed, allowing the flow of air to continue. The cylinder 9 controls the moving plate 10 to move upward. After the moving plate 10 moves upward, the limiting rod 18 moves downward relative to the locking post 20. At this time, after the limiting rod 18 moves downward, it can squeeze the airflow inside the first cavity 22 into the limiting rod 18 through the air outlet pipe 25. Finally, the airflow inside the limiting rod 18 is blown out through the air jet groove 17 via the connecting pipe 21. By using the airflow in the air jet groove 17, some of the heat on the first base 13 and the second base 14 can be carried away, avoiding the continuous welding causing the first base 13 and the second base 14 to heat up too quickly and cause thermal deformation. At the same time, in order to prevent the nozzle from sticking to the manifold after welding, an anti-sticking coating is set on the nozzle. By cooling the second base 14, the service life of the coating can also be effectively avoided from high temperature.

[0047] The contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars, comprising a support base (1) and a multi-axis robot (2) located on the side of the support base (1), wherein the end effector of the multi-axis robot (2) is equipped with a laser welding head (3), characterized in that: The upper end of the support base (1) is equipped with a connecting frame (4), and the left and right sides of the connecting frame (4) are equipped with longitudinal moving modules (5). The longitudinal moving module (5) is equipped with a guide beam (6), and the guide beam (6) is fixed with a transverse moving module (7). The transverse moving module (7) is equipped with a movable seat (8), and the side of the movable seat (8) is fixed with a cylinder (9). The telescopic end of the cylinder (9) is connected to a moving plate (10), and the moving plate (10) is fixed with a positioning block (11). The positioning block (11) is equipped with a pneumatic protection cooling component. The pneumatic protection cooling component is used to blow protective gas into the welding area during welding, and at the same time blows airflow into the crimping part of the manifold after welding to assist in cooling. The side of the positioning block (11) is equipped with a dust suction port (12), which is connected to a negative pressure device. The center of the positioning block (11) is provided with a through-hole for the laser beam to pass through. The lower end of the positioning block (11) is provided with a first base (13), and the lower end of the first base (13) is fixed with a second base (14). An air jet groove (17) is opened between the first base (13) and the second base (14), and a protective air interface (15) is installed on the side of the air jet groove (17). A solenoid valve (16) is installed on the protective air interface (15). The pneumatic protection cooling component includes a limiting rod (18) fixed on a first base (13) and a second base (14). The limiting rod (18) is connected to each other by an auxiliary spring (19) and a positioning block (11). The upper end of the limiting rod (18) is inserted into the interior of the snap-fit ​​post (20), and the lower end of the limiting rod (18) is connected to the air jet groove (17) through a connecting pipe (21). The upper end of the limiting rod (18) divides the interior of the snap-fit ​​post (20) into a first cavity. The first cavity (22) and the second cavity (23) are connected by an air inlet pipe (24) on the side of the snap-fit ​​post (20) near the first cavity (22) and an air outlet pipe (25) on the limiting rod (18). Both the air outlet pipe (25) and the air inlet pipe (24) are equipped with a one-way valve (26). The second cavity (23) inside the snap-fit ​​post (20) is connected to each other by a diverter pipe (27) and a blocking ring (28). An air nozzle (29) is fixed on the inner side of the blocking ring (28).

2. The continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two sets of longitudinal moving modules (5) are installed on the left and right sides of the connecting frame (4), and each set of longitudinal moving modules (5) is equipped with a guide beam (6), and each guide beam (6) is equipped with a transverse moving module (7).

3. A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first base (13), the second base (14) and the blocking ring (28) are all provided with through openings in the middle, and the limiting rods (18) fixed on the first base (13) and the second base (14) can slide on the positioning block (11) and the snap-fit ​​post (20).

4. A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars according to claim 3, characterized in that: The interior of the limiting rod (18) is hollow, and the upper outer wall of the limiting rod (18) is wrapped with a sealing ring. The airflow inside the limiting rod (18) can enter the jet groove (17) through the connecting pipe (21).

5. A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars according to claim 4, characterized in that: The one-way valve (26) on the air inlet pipe (24) on the side of the snap-fit ​​post (20) and the one-way valve (26) on the air outlet pipe (25) on the side of the limit rod (18) have opposite flow directions. The one-way valve (26) on the air inlet pipe (24) can only take in air and cannot take out air, while the one-way valve (26) on the air outlet pipe (25) can only take out air and cannot take in air.

6. A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars according to claim 5, characterized in that: The airflow in the second cavity (23) inside the snap-fit ​​post (20) can enter the interior of the blocking ring (28) through the diversion pipe (27), and the interior of the blocking ring (28) is set as a hollow structure, and the interior of the blocking ring (28) is connected to the jet nozzle (29).

7. A continuous laser welding machine for battery busbars according to claim 6, characterized in that: The jet nozzles (29) are evenly distributed inside the blocking ring (28), and the opening direction of each jet nozzle (29) is towards the busbar welding area.

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