Transport device, stacking device, manufacturing apparatus, battery production line, and transport method

Abstract

The application provides a transfer device, a stacking device, a manufacturing device, a battery production line and a transfer method. The transfer device is used for transferring workpieces from at least one incoming table to a placement table. The workpieces include first workpieces. The at least one incoming table includes a first incoming table. The transfer device includes at least two transfer mechanisms. Each transfer mechanism is configured to pick up a workpiece from the incoming table and deliver the workpiece to the placement table. The at least two transfer mechanisms include a first transfer mechanism and a second transfer mechanism. The first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are configured to alternately transfer the first workpieces from the first incoming table to the placement table. The application can improve the production efficiency of battery monomers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery cell manufacturing equipment technology, and in particular to a transfer device, stacking device, manufacturing equipment, battery production line and transfer method. Background Technology

[0002] The application of new energy battery cells in daily life and industry is becoming increasingly widespread. For example, new energy vehicles equipped with battery cells are already widely used. Furthermore, battery cells are increasingly being used in energy storage. In new energy vehicles equipped with battery cells, the battery cells can provide all or part of the power. In the field of energy storage, battery cells can be installed in energy storage enclosures or directly on the user side.

[0003] In the development of battery cell technology, how to improve the production efficiency of battery cells is one of the topics that the industry needs to study. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a transfer device, a stacking device, manufacturing equipment, a battery production line, and a transfer method, which can improve the production efficiency of individual battery cells.

[0005] The technical solution of this application embodiment is implemented as follows: The first aspect of this application provides a transfer device for transferring workpieces from at least one receiving platform to a placing platform. The workpieces include a first workpiece, and the at least one receiving platform includes a first receiving platform. The transfer device includes at least two transfer mechanisms, each configured to pick up a workpiece from the receiving platform and transport it to the placing platform. The at least two transfer mechanisms include a first transfer mechanism and a second transfer mechanism, which are configured to alternately transfer the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform. The receiving platform and the placing platform are arranged at intervals along a first direction, which intersects the direction of gravity. Each transfer mechanism includes: a picking component configured to pick up a workpiece; and a traverse drive device, the picking component being connected to the traverse drive device and capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the drive of the traverse drive device. The picking components of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are at different heights during their movement along the first direction.

[0006] In the embodiments of this application, the first workpiece is alternately transferred from the first receiving platform to the placing platform by a first transfer mechanism and a second transfer mechanism. This allows the second transfer mechanism to simultaneously pick up the first workpiece from the first receiving platform while the first transfer mechanism places it on the placing platform. After the first transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placing platform, the second transfer mechanism can quickly place the picked-up first workpiece onto the placing platform. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placing platform. Therefore, when using this transfer device to transfer electrode sheets (positive or negative electrode sheets), the efficiency of transferring positive or negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and ultimately increasing the production efficiency of the battery cell. Furthermore, since the receiving platform and the placing platform are arranged at intervals along the first direction, the picking component is driven to reciprocate along the first direction by a lateral drive device, which shortens the movement path of the picking component and the cycle of one transfer by the transfer mechanism, further improving the transfer efficiency and thus further increasing the production efficiency of the battery cell. Furthermore, during the alternating movement of the picking components of the first and second transfer mechanisms along the first direction, by setting their positions at different heights, the two mechanisms can move smoothly in staggered directions, reducing the probability of collisions and enabling the alternating transfer of the first workpiece by the first and second transfer mechanisms, thereby improving transfer efficiency.

[0007] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism further includes a lifting component connected to the output end of the traverse drive device, which can reciprocate along a first direction under the drive of the traverse drive device, and a pickup component connected to the lifting component, which can be lifted and lowered under the action of the lifting component.

[0008] In this way, after the traverse drive device moves the pickup component above the placement table or receiving table, it is raised or lowered by the lifting component to move closer to or away from the placement table or receiving table, thereby realizing the pickup or placement action of the workpiece. This allows the pickup component to transport workpieces along a predetermined path, and the path planning is reasonable, reducing the likelihood of collisions during alternating transport, improving the smoothness of the transport operation and increasing transport efficiency. In addition, the lifting component allows for easier adjustment of the height difference between the pickup components of the first transport mechanism and the second transport mechanism, improving the flexibility of adjustment, accommodating the avoidance of workpieces of different sizes, and expanding the scope of application.

[0009] In some embodiments, the transfer device further includes a first base and a second base, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the material placement platform along the second direction. The second direction, the first direction, and the gravity direction intersect each other. A first transfer mechanism is disposed on the first base, and a second transfer mechanism is disposed on the second base.

[0010] Thus, the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism extend from the first base and the second base along the second direction into the space between the first base and the second base, respectively. This allows the picking components of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism to reach the distance range for picking up materials from the receiving platform and placing materials onto the placement platform when they move along the first direction. This facilitates the control of the movement stroke of the picking components of the two transfer mechanisms, making their movement strokes relatively close or the same. This also facilitates the control of their transfer cycle time, thereby improving transfer efficiency.

[0011] In some embodiments, the workpiece further includes a second workpiece, at least one receiving table further includes a second receiving table, and at least two transfer mechanisms further include a third transfer mechanism and a fourth transfer mechanism, wherein the third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are configured to alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving table to the placement table, such that the first workpiece and the second workpiece are alternately stacked.

[0012] In the embodiments of this application, the second workpiece is alternately transferred from the second receiving table to the placing table by a third transfer mechanism and a fourth transfer mechanism. This allows the fourth transfer mechanism to simultaneously pick up the second workpiece from the second receiving table while the third transfer mechanism is placing it on the placing table. After the third transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placing table, the fourth transfer mechanism can quickly place the picked-up second workpiece onto the placing table, thus improving the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece to the placing table. Furthermore, by alternately transferring the first workpiece from the first receiving table to the placing table by the first and second transfer mechanisms, the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placing table is also relatively high. Therefore, the efficiency of transferring both the first and second workpieces is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of alternating stacking of the first and second workpieces. When using this transfer device to transfer positive and negative electrode sheets, the efficiency of transferring both positive and negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby increasing the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and ultimately improving the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second feeding platform and the placing platform are arranged at intervals along a first direction, which intersects the gravity direction. The transfer mechanism includes: a picking component configured to pick up a workpiece; a transverse drive device, the picking component being connected to the transverse drive device and capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the drive of the transverse drive device; and the picking components of the third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism have different heights during the movement along the first direction.

[0014] Thus, since the receiving platform and the placement platform are arranged at intervals along the first direction, the picking component is driven to reciprocate along the first direction by the lateral drive device. This shortens the movement path of the picking component, reduces the cycle of one transfer by the transfer mechanism, and further improves the transfer efficiency, thereby increasing the production efficiency of battery cells. Furthermore, during the alternating movement of the picking components of the third and fourth transfer mechanisms along the first direction, by setting their different heights, they can move smoothly in staggered patterns, reducing the probability of collision. This achieves alternating transfer of the second workpiece by the third and fourth transfer mechanisms, thereby improving transfer efficiency.

[0015] In some embodiments, the transfer device further includes a first base and a second base, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the material placement platform along the second direction. The second direction, the first direction, and the gravity direction intersect each other. The first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are both disposed on the first base, and the second transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are both disposed on the second base.

[0016] Thus, the first and third transfer mechanisms share the first base, and the second and fourth transfer mechanisms share the second base, which helps to simplify the structure and improve its compactness.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first feeding platform and the second feeding platform are respectively located on opposite sides of the feeding platform along the first direction, the first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are arranged along the first direction, and the first transfer mechanism is positioned closer to the first feeding platform than the third transfer mechanism; the second transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are arranged along the first direction, and the second transfer mechanism is positioned closer to the first feeding platform than the fourth transfer mechanism.

[0018] Thus, the first and second transfer mechanisms can transfer the first workpiece with a shorter stroke, and the third and fourth transfer mechanisms can transfer the second workpiece with a shorter stroke, thereby improving the transfer efficiency of these four transfer mechanisms. When this transfer device is applied to stacked electrode sheets, the stacking efficiency can be improved, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of electrode assemblies and the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism further includes a lateral guide component connected to a first base or a second base, a pickup component connected to the lateral guide component, and capable of reciprocating along a first direction under the guidance of the lateral guide component. The lateral guide component of the first transfer mechanism is connected to the lateral guide component of the third transfer mechanism, and the lateral guide component of the second transfer mechanism is connected to the lateral guide component of the fourth transfer mechanism.

[0020] Thus, the transverse guide components of the first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are continuously arranged along the first direction, so that their transverse guide components can form a longer and continuous guide component. That is, the pickup component of the first transfer mechanism and the pickup component of the third transfer mechanism can share a longer and continuous guide component. Similarly, the pickup component of the second transfer mechanism and the pickup component of the fourth transfer mechanism can share another longer and continuous guide component. In this way, the structural integration of the transfer device is improved, the space occupied is reduced, and the number of connecting parts can be reduced, saving materials and assembly steps, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pickup assembly includes a carrier and a pickup element. The carrier extends along a second direction, with one end slidably connected to a transverse guide assembly and the other end connected to the pickup element, which is used to pick up a workpiece.

[0022] Thus, the carrier extends along the second direction, so that the part connecting the pickup extends to a position close to the feeding table and the placing table along the second direction. This allows the pickup to pass over the feeding table and the placing table during its movement along the first direction. After that, the workpiece can be picked up or placed by lifting. Therefore, the drive device that drives the pickup to move along the second direction can be eliminated, which helps to reduce the number of moving steps and simplify the structure of the device.

[0023] In some embodiments, the pickup assembly includes a pickup element, which includes a negative pressure adsorption element.

[0024] In this way, the negative pressure adsorption component picks up the workpiece through adsorption, which can reduce scratches, deformation, clamping marks, and indentations on the workpiece, and also reduce contamination of the workpiece surface, maintaining the integrity of the workpiece's performance. Especially for relatively thin electrodes, negative pressure adsorption can significantly reduce damage to the electrodes.

[0025] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism further includes a transverse guide assembly, and the lifting assembly includes: a mounting base connected to the transverse guide assembly and capable of reciprocating along a first direction under the guidance of the transverse guide assembly; and a lifting drive device, wherein the pickup assembly is connected to the lifting drive device and is capable of lifting and lowering under the drive of the lifting drive device.

[0026] In this way, the lifting function of the lifting component is realized, allowing the picking component to move up and down under the action of the lifting component. The lifting action of the picking component brings it closer to the receiving or placing platform, facilitating material picking or unloading. The lifting component also allows for easier adjustment of the height difference between the picking components of the first and second transfer mechanisms, as well as the height difference between the picking components of the third and fourth transfer mechanisms, improving adjustment flexibility, adapting to the avoidance of workpieces of different sizes, and expanding the scope of application.

[0027] In some embodiments, the lifting assembly further includes a lifting guide assembly, through which the pickup assembly is movably connected to the mounting base in the lifting direction.

[0028] This improves the smoothness of the lifting and lowering of the pickup component and the accuracy of its position adjustment, enabling the pickup component to accurately align with the workpiece, achieve stable pickup of the workpiece, and stably lower the workpiece.

[0029] The second aspect of this application provides a stacking apparatus for stacking electrode sheets. The stacking apparatus includes: the transfer device provided in the first aspect; a material placement platform; and at least one material receiving platform for placing electrode sheets as workpieces. The electrode sheets include positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets as first workpieces. The at least one material receiving platform includes a first material receiving platform for placing the first workpiece.

[0030] In this way, by alternately transferring the first workpiece from the first receiving table to the placing table through the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism, while the first transfer mechanism is placing the first workpiece on the placing table, the second transfer mechanism can simultaneously pick up the first workpiece from the first receiving table. After the first transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placing table, the second transfer mechanism can quickly place the first workpiece it picked up onto the placing table. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placing table, and thus improves the efficiency of transferring positive or negative electrode sheets, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and ultimately improving the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least two transfer mechanisms further include a third transfer mechanism and a fourth transfer mechanism, the workpiece further includes a second workpiece, and at least one receiving table further includes a second receiving table. The third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are configured to alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving table to the placing table, such that the first workpiece and the second workpiece are stacked alternately, and one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece is a positive electrode and the other is a negative electrode.

[0032] In the embodiments of this application, the second workpiece is alternately transferred from the second receiving table to the placing table by the third and fourth transfer mechanisms. This allows the fourth transfer mechanism to simultaneously pick up the second workpiece from the second receiving table while the third transfer mechanism places it on the placing table. After the third transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placing table, the fourth transfer mechanism can quickly place the picked-up second workpiece onto the placing table, thus improving the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece to the placing table. Furthermore, the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placing table by the first and second transfer mechanisms alternately is also relatively high. Thus, the efficiency of transferring both the first and second workpieces is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of alternating stacking of the first and second workpieces. Since one of the first and second workpieces is a positive electrode and the other a negative electrode, the efficiency of transferring both the positive and negative electrodes is improved, which in turn improves the stacking efficiency of the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first feeding platform and the second feeding platform are respectively located on opposite sides of the placing platform along a first direction, the first direction intersecting the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism includes: a picking component configured to pick up a workpiece; a traverse drive device, the picking component being connected to the traverse drive device and capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the drive of the traverse drive device; the picking components of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism have different heights during the movement along the first direction; the picking components of the third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism have different heights during the movement along the first direction.

[0034] In some embodiments, the transfer device further includes a first base and a second base, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the material placement platform along the second direction. The second direction, the first direction, and the gravity direction intersect each other. The first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are both disposed on the first base, and the second transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are both disposed on the second base.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are arranged along a first direction, and the first transfer mechanism is positioned closer to the first receiving table than the third transfer mechanism; the second transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are arranged along the first direction, and the second transfer mechanism is positioned closer to the first receiving table than the fourth transfer mechanism.

[0036] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism further includes a lateral guide component connected to a first base or a second base, a pickup component connected to the lateral guide component, and capable of reciprocating along a first direction under the guidance of the lateral guide component. The lateral guide component of the first transfer mechanism is connected to the lateral guide component of the third transfer mechanism, and the lateral guide component of the second transfer mechanism is connected to the lateral guide component of the fourth transfer mechanism.

[0037] A third aspect of this application provides a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies, including a transfer device provided in the first aspect or a stacking device provided in the second aspect, wherein the first workpiece is a positive electrode or a negative electrode.

[0038] Thus, since the manufacturing equipment includes the transfer device provided in the first aspect or the stacking device provided in the second aspect, and the manufacturing equipment has all the beneficial effects of the transfer device or the stacking device, the manufacturing equipment for manufacturing electrode components is conducive to improving the manufacturing efficiency of electrode components, thereby improving the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0039] A fourth aspect of this application provides a battery production line, comprising: the manufacturing equipment provided in the third aspect, and battery assembly equipment for encapsulating electrode components into a housing.

[0040] Thus, since the battery production line includes manufacturing equipment provided by a third party, it possesses all the beneficial effects of such equipment, resulting in high production efficiency.

[0041] The fifth aspect of this application provides a transfer method for transferring a workpiece from at least one receiving platform to a placing platform using a transfer device. The transfer device includes at least two transfer mechanisms. The workpiece includes a first workpiece. The at least one receiving platform includes a first receiving platform. The at least two transfer mechanisms include a first transfer mechanism and a second transfer mechanism. The transfer method includes: the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism alternately transferring the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform. The receiving platform and the placing platform are arranged at intervals along a first direction, which intersects the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism includes a picking component and a traversing drive device. The picking component is configured to pick up the workpiece. The picking component is connected to the traversing drive device and is capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the drive of the traversing drive device. The alternating transfer of the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform by the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism includes: the picking component of the first transfer mechanism and the picking component of the second transfer mechanism moving at different heights along two opposite directions of the first direction.

[0042] In the embodiments of this application, the first workpiece is alternately transferred from the first receiving platform to the placing platform by the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism, thereby improving the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placing platform. Therefore, when using this transfer device to transfer electrode sheets (positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets), the efficiency of transferring positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets can be improved, which is conducive to improving the stacking efficiency of electrode sheets and thus improving the production efficiency of battery cells. Furthermore, during the process of the picking components of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism moving alternately along the first direction, by setting their position heights differently, they can move smoothly in an alternating manner, reducing the probability of collision between them, and realizing the alternating transfer of the first workpiece by the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism, thereby improving the transfer efficiency.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism alternately transfer the first workpiece from the first receiving table to the placing table, including: while the first transfer mechanism carrying the first workpiece is placing it above the placing table, the unloaded second transfer mechanism is picking it up above the first receiving table; while the unloaded first transfer mechanism is picking it up above the first receiving table, the second transfer mechanism carrying the first workpiece is placing it above the placing table.

[0044] Thus, while the first transfer mechanism is placing the first workpiece onto the placement table, the second transfer mechanism can simultaneously pick up the first workpiece from the first receiving table. After the first transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placement table, the second transfer mechanism can quickly place the picked-up first workpiece onto the placement table. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placement table. Therefore, when using this transfer device to transfer electrode sheets (positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets), the efficiency of transferring positive or negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of electrode sheets and thus improving the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least two transfer mechanisms further include a third transfer mechanism and a fourth transfer mechanism, the workpiece further includes a second workpiece, at least one receiving table further includes a second receiving table, and the transfer method further includes: the third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving table to the placing table, the first workpiece and the second workpiece are alternately stacked, and the third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving table to the placing table, including: the picking component of the third transfer mechanism and the picking component of the fourth transfer mechanism move at different positions and heights along two opposite directions in a first direction.

[0046] Thus, by alternately transferring the second workpiece from the second receiving table to the placing table through the third and fourth transfer mechanisms, the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece to the placing table is improved. Furthermore, by alternately transferring the first workpiece from the first receiving table to the placing table through the first and second transfer mechanisms, the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placing table is also relatively high. Therefore, the efficiency of transferring both the first and second workpieces is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of alternating stacking of the first and second workpieces, which in turn improves the efficiency of transferring the positive and negative electrode sheets, and the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets, thus contributing to the improvement of the production efficiency of the battery cell. Moreover, during the alternating movement of the picking components of the third and fourth transfer mechanisms along the first direction, by setting their different heights, they can move smoothly in staggered patterns, reducing the probability of collisions and achieving alternating transfer of the second workpiece by the third and fourth transfer mechanisms, thereby improving transfer efficiency.

[0047] In some embodiments, the third and fourth transfer mechanisms alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving platform to the placing platform, and alternately stack the first and second workpieces, including: while the third transfer mechanism carrying the second workpiece is placing it above the placing platform, the unloaded fourth transfer mechanism is picking it up above the second receiving platform; while the unloaded third transfer mechanism is picking it up above the second receiving platform, the fourth transfer mechanism carrying the second workpiece is placing it above the placing platform, wherein the placing actions of the first, third, second, and fourth transfer mechanisms above the placing platform are performed alternately in sequence.

[0048] Thus, while the third transfer mechanism is placing the second workpiece onto the placement table, the fourth transfer mechanism can simultaneously pick up the second workpiece from the second receiving table. After the third transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placement table, the fourth transfer mechanism can quickly place the picked-up second workpiece onto the placement table. This improves the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece to the placement table. Therefore, when using this transfer device to transfer positive and negative electrode sheets, the efficiency of transferring either positive or negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and ultimately increasing the production efficiency of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0049] 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: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a transfer device according to one or more embodiments; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a portion of the structure of a transfer device according to one or more embodiments; Figure 3 A top view of a stacking apparatus according to one or more embodiments in multiple states during the stacking process; Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a stacking device according to one or more embodiments, illustrating the relative positions of the material placement platform and two material receiving platforms; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transfer device according to one or more embodiments, from one perspective. Figure 6 For the transfer device according to one or more embodiments and Figure 5 A structural diagram from opposite perspectives; Figure 7 A flow chart of a transfer method according to one or more embodiments Figure 1 ; Figure 8 for Figure 7 Partial flowchart of the intermediate steps; Figure 9 for Figure 7 Another part of the flowchart for the intermediate steps; Figure 10 for Figure 8 and Figure 9 A detailed flowchart of each step; Figure 11 A flow chart of a transfer method according to one or more embodiments Figure 2 ; Figure 12 for Figure 11 Partial flowchart of the intermediate steps; Figure 13 for Figure 11 Another part of the flowchart for the intermediate steps; Figure 14 for Figure 12 and Figure 13 A flowchart detailing the steps in the middle section.

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 10. Transfer device; 1. Transfer mechanism; 1a. First transfer mechanism; 1b. Second transfer mechanism; 1c. Third transfer mechanism; 1d. Fourth transfer mechanism; 11. Pick-up assembly; 11a. First pick-up assembly; 11b. Second pick-up assembly; 11c. Third pick-up assembly; 11d. Fourth pick-up assembly; 111. Carrier; 112. Pick-up component; 12. Lateral drive device; 13. Lifting assembly; 131. Mounting base; 13 2. Lifting drive device; 133. Lifting guide assembly; 1331. Guide slide rail; 1332. Guide block; 14. Transverse guide assembly; 141. Guide rail; 142. Slider; 2. First base; 3. Second base; 20a. First feeding platform; 20b. Second feeding platform; 30. Placing platform; 200. Workpiece; 200a. First workpiece; 200b. Second workpiece; X. First direction; Y. Second direction; Z. Lifting direction. Detailed Implementation

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 and the foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0053] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first," "second," and "third" 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 are in an "or" relationship.

[0056] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0057] 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0058] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be interpreted broadly, and can be direct contact, contact through an intermediate medium layer, contact between two contacting parties with substantially no interaction force, or contact between two contacting parties with interaction force.

[0059] The following is a detailed description of this application.

[0060] Currently, the application of new energy battery cells in daily life and industry is becoming increasingly widespread. These cells are not only used in energy storage systems for hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also extensively in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, as well as in aerospace and other fields. With the continuous expansion of the application areas of power battery cells, the market demand is also constantly increasing.

[0061] A battery cell may include one or more battery cells. A battery cell may be a rechargeable battery cell, which refers to a battery cell that can be recharged after being discharged to activate the active materials and continue to be used.

[0062] The battery cell can be a lithium-ion battery cell, a sodium-ion battery cell, a sodium-lithium-ion battery cell, a lithium metal battery cell, a sodium metal battery cell, a lithium-sulfur battery cell, a magnesium-ion battery cell, a nickel-metal hydride battery cell, a nickel-cadmium battery cell, a lead-acid battery cell, etc., but the embodiments of this application are not limited to this.

[0063] A single battery cell includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, with the separator positioned between the negative and positive electrodes. During the charging and discharging process of the battery cell, active ions (such as lithium ions) repeatedly insert and extract between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator, positioned between the positive and negative electrodes, prevents short circuits while allowing active ions to pass through.

[0064] In some embodiments, the positive electrode can be a positive electrode sheet, which may include a positive current collector and a positive active material disposed on at least one surface of the positive current collector.

[0065] In some embodiments, the negative electrode can be a negative electrode sheet, and the negative electrode sheet can include a negative current collector.

[0066] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly further includes an isolator disposed between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0067] In some embodiments, the separator is a separator membrane. This application does not impose any particular limitation on the type of separator membrane; any known porous separator membrane with good chemical and mechanical stability can be selected.

[0068] In some implementations, the electrode assembly has a stacked structure.

[0069] As an example, multiple positive and negative electrode plates can be set, and multiple positive and multiple negative electrode plates can be stacked alternately.

[0070] As an example, multiple positive electrode sheets can be set, and negative electrode sheets are folded to form multiple stacked folded segments, with a positive electrode sheet sandwiched between adjacent folded segments.

[0071] As an example, multiple separators can be provided, each positioned between any adjacent positive or negative electrode plates.

[0072] As an example, the separator can be set continuously, either by folding or rolling between any adjacent positive or negative electrode plates.

[0073] In related technologies, during the manufacturing of stacked electrode assemblies, the same type of electrode (positive electrode or negative electrode) is usually transferred to the stack using a transfer mechanism. The transfer efficiency is low, which leads to low electrode stacking efficiency and thus low manufacturing efficiency of the electrode assembly.

[0074] To this end, the inventors of this application have designed a transfer device, which includes at least two transfer mechanisms, including a first transfer mechanism and a second transfer mechanism, wherein the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are configured to alternately transfer a first workpiece from a first receiving table to a placing table.

[0075] In this design, the first workpiece is alternately transferred from the first receiving table to the placement table by the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism. This allows the second transfer mechanism to simultaneously pick up the first workpiece from the first receiving table while the first transfer mechanism is placing the first workpiece on the placement table. After the first transfer mechanism leaves the vicinity of the placement table, the second transfer mechanism can quickly place the picked-up first workpiece on the placement table. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece to the placement table. Therefore, when using this transfer device to transfer electrode sheets (positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets), the efficiency of transferring positive or negative electrode sheets can be improved, which is beneficial to improving the stacking efficiency of electrode sheets and thus improving the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0076] The transfer device of this application embodiment can be applied to the battery cell production process, such as the transfer process of electrode sheets. Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that the transfer device provided in this application embodiment is not only used for stacking various workpieces in the battery cell manufacturing process, but also for stacking other workpieces that need to be stacked.

[0077] In some embodiments, a battery cell may include a housing. The housing is used to encapsulate components such as electrode assemblies and electrolytes. The housing may be made of steel, aluminum, plastic (such as polypropylene), composite metal (such as copper-aluminum composite), or aluminum-plastic film, etc.

[0078] As an example, the battery cell can be a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, a pouch battery cell, or a battery cell of other shapes. Prismatic battery cells include prismatic battery cells, blade-shaped battery cells, and multi-prismatic battery cells, such as hexagonal prismatic battery cells. This application does not have any particular limitations.

[0079] In some embodiments, the housing includes a casing and end caps, the casing having an opening and the end caps closing the opening to form a sealed space for accommodating substances such as electrode assemblies and electrolytes. The casing may have one or more openings. The end caps may also have one or more.

[0080] In some embodiments, at least one electrode terminal is provided on the housing, and the electrode terminal is electrically connected to the tab. The electrode terminal can be directly connected to the tab, or it can be indirectly connected to the tab through an adapter. The electrode terminal can be provided on the end cap or on the housing.

[0081] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 14 Some embodiments of this application will be described in detail.

[0082] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a transfer device according to one or more embodiments; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a portion of the structure of a transfer device according to one or more embodiments; Figure 3 A top view of a stacking apparatus according to one or more embodiments in multiple states during the stacking process; Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a stacking device according to one or more embodiments, illustrating the relative positions of the material placement platform and two material receiving platforms; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transfer device according to one or more embodiments, from one perspective. Figure 6 For the transfer device according to one or more embodiments and Figure 5 A structural diagram from opposite perspectives; Figure 7 A flow chart of a transfer method according to one or more embodiments Figure 1 ; Figure 8 for Figure 7 Partial flowchart of the intermediate steps; Figure 9 for Figure 7 Another part of the flowchart for the intermediate steps; Figure 10 for Figure 8 and Figure 9 A detailed flowchart of each step; Figure 11 A flow chart of a transfer method according to one or more embodiments Figure 2 ; Figure 12 for Figure 11 Partial flowchart of the intermediate steps; Figure 13 for Figure 11 Another part of the flowchart for the intermediate steps; Figure 14 for Figure 12 and Figure 13 A flowchart detailing the steps in the middle section.

[0083] In some embodiments of this application, for ease of explanation, a first direction, a second direction, and a lifting direction are defined. These three directions intersect each other, including perpendicular intersections. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of this application are not limited to the case where these three directions are perpendicular to each other. For ease of explanation, as... Figures 1 to 6 As shown by the arrows, the direction of arrow X is the first direction, the direction of arrow Y is the second direction, and the direction of arrow Z is the upward and downward direction. The direction that arrow Z points in along the upward and downward direction is called "up," and its opposite direction is called "down."

[0084] The first aspect of this application provides a transfer device 10, such as... Figures 1 to 4As shown, the transfer device 10 is used to transfer workpiece 200 from at least one receiving table to the placing table 30. The transfer device 10 includes at least two transfer mechanisms 1, each transfer mechanism 1 being configured to pick up workpiece 200 from the receiving table and transport it to the placing table 30. The workpiece 200 includes a first workpiece 200a. The at least one receiving table includes a first receiving table 20a. The at least two transfer mechanisms 1 include a first transfer mechanism 1a and a second transfer mechanism 1b. The first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b are configured to alternately transfer the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a to the placing table 30.

[0085] It should be noted that workpiece 200 can be an electrode sheet, electrode assembly, battery cell, etc. Of course, in some other embodiments, workpiece 200 may also include other workpieces that need to be stacked.

[0086] For example, the first workpiece 200a can be a positive electrode or a negative electrode.

[0087] The receiving platform is used to carry the workpiece 200 transferred from the upstream equipment, providing a stable platform for the workpiece 200. The receiving platform can directly carry the workpiece 200, or it can carry the workpiece 200 via a pallet or similar structure. The receiving platform can be set as a correction platform, which can adjust the position of the workpiece 200 placed on it, so that the transfer mechanism 1 can accurately pick up the workpiece 200. The specific structure of the correction platform can refer to the existing technology, and will not be described in detail here.

[0088] The loading platform 30 is used to carry the workpiece 200 transferred from the receiving platform, providing a stable loading platform for the workpiece 200. The loading platform 30 can carry the workpiece 200 directly, or it can carry the workpiece 200 via a pallet or similar structure.

[0089] The transfer mechanism 1 is a mechanism that can pick up the workpiece 200 from the receiving platform and move the workpiece 200 to the vicinity of the placement platform 30, and place the workpiece 200 on the placement platform 30. For example, the transfer mechanism 1 includes a picking component 11 that can pick up the workpiece 200 and move the workpiece 200 under the driving action of the driving device. The picking component 11 can pick up the workpiece 200 in the following ways, but not limited to negative pressure adsorption, magnetic adsorption, clamping, lifting, etc.

[0090] It should be noted that the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b alternately transfer the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving platform 20a to the placing platform 30. During the time that the two transfer mechanisms are in place, there may be other mechanisms besides the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b transferring another type of workpiece to the placing platform 30. That is, when the two first workpieces 200a are stacked after being transferred, there may be another type of workpiece (such as the second workpiece 200b mentioned later) or other components between the two adjacent first workpieces 200a. Of course, the two adjacent first workpieces 200a can be directly in contact and stacked without any other components between them.

[0091] In the embodiments of this application, the first workpiece 200a is transferred from the first receiving table 20a to the placing table 30 alternately by the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b. This allows the second transfer mechanism 1b to pick up the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a while the first transfer mechanism 1a is placing the first workpiece 200a onto the placing table 30. After the first transfer mechanism 1a leaves the vicinity of the placing table 30, the second transfer mechanism 1b can quickly place the picked-up first workpiece 200a onto the placing table 30. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a to the placing table 30. Therefore, when using the transfer device 10 to transfer electrode sheets (positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets), the efficiency of transferring positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of electrode sheets and thus improving the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0092] It is understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited to using only the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b to transfer the first workpiece 200a, but may also use three or more transfer mechanisms 1 to transfer the first workpiece 200a alternately.

[0093] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the receiving platform (including the first receiving platform 20a) and the placing platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, which intersects the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism 1 includes a picking component 11 and a transverse drive device 12. The picking component 11 is configured to pick up the workpiece 200. The picking component 11 is connected to the transverse drive device 12 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the drive of the transverse drive device 12. The picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b have different heights during the movement along the first direction X.

[0094] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is the first picking component 11a, and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is the second picking component 11b. The first picking component 11a and the second picking component 11b are at different heights during the process of moving along the first direction X.

[0095] For example, the lateral drive device 12 may include, but is not limited to, a linear motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, etc.

[0096] The pickup assembly 11 is a mechanical component capable of picking up the workpiece 200 and moving it along with the workpiece 200. Driven by the transverse drive device 12, the pickup assembly 11 reciprocates along the first direction X, thereby reciprocating between a position near the receiving platform and a position near the placement platform 30. The pickup assembly 11 can pick up the workpiece 200 using, but is not limited to, negative pressure adsorption, magnetic adsorption, clamping, or lifting.

[0097] For example, the upper surface of the receiving platform is used to support the workpiece 200, and the upper surface of the placement platform 30 is used to support the workpiece 200. The traverse drive device 12 can drive the picking component 11 to reciprocate along the first direction X between the picking position and the placing position. When the picking component 11 is in the picking position, at least a portion of the picking component 11 is located above and directly opposite the receiving platform. When the picking component 11 is in the placing position, at least a portion of the picking component 11 is located above and directly opposite the placement platform 30.

[0098] Understandably, because the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b are at different heights during their movement along the first direction X, the material-picking position of the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is at a different height than that of the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b. Similarly, the material-discharging position of the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is at a different height than that of the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b.

[0099] Thus, since the receiving platform and the placement platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, the picking component 11 is driven to reciprocate along the first direction X by the transverse drive device 12. This shortens the movement path of the picking component 11, reduces the cycle of one transfer by the transfer mechanism 1, and further improves the transfer efficiency, thereby further improving the production efficiency of the battery cell. Furthermore, during the alternating movement of the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b along the first direction X, by setting their different heights, they can move smoothly in staggered positions, reducing the probability of collision. This achieves alternating transfer of the first workpiece 200a by the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b, thereby improving the transfer efficiency.

[0100] Of course, it is understandable that the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b are not limited to staggering their movement paths by a difference in position height. In some embodiments, the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a or the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is configured to be able to extend and retract along the second direction Y. By retracting at least one of them, they can avoid each other, so that they can move smoothly in an alternating manner, reducing the probability of collision between them, and realizing the alternating transfer of the first workpiece 200a by the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b.

[0101] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the transfer mechanism 1 also includes a lifting assembly 13, which is connected to the output end of the transverse drive device 12 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the drive of the transverse drive device 12. The picking assembly 11 is connected to the lifting assembly 13 and can be lifted and lowered under the action of the lifting assembly 13.

[0102] The lifting assembly 13 is a mechanical component capable of lifting and lowering the pickup assembly 11 to adjust its position height. For example, the lifting assembly 13 includes a mounting base 131 and a lifting drive device 132. The mounting base 131 can reciprocate along a first direction X under the drive of the lateral drive device 12. The lifting drive device 132 is connected to the mounting base 131, and the pickup assembly 11 is connected to the lifting drive device 132, enabling it to rise or fall along the lifting direction Z under the drive of the lifting drive device 132. It is understood that the lifting direction Z is a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. During the reciprocating movement along the lifting direction Z, the position height changes; that is, the lifting direction Z can be the direction of gravity, or any direction that forms an angle with the direction of gravity but is not perpendicular to it. It should be noted that the first direction X and the second direction Y both intersect the lifting direction Z but are not coplanar.

[0103] For example, the lateral drive device 12 can drive the picking component 11 to reciprocate between the picking position and the placing position along the first direction X. When the picking component 11 is in the picking position, at least a portion of the picking component 11 is above and facing the receiving platform. Then, the picking component 11 can be lowered under the action of the lifting component 13. When it moves to a suitable height, it picks up the workpiece 200 on the receiving platform and then rises to the picking position. Then, the picking component 11 moves along the first direction X to the placing position under the drive of the lateral drive device 12. At this time, at least a portion of the picking component 11 is above and facing the placing platform 30. Then, the picking component 11 can be lowered under the action of the lifting component 13. When it moves to a suitable height, it places the workpiece 200 on the placing platform 30 and then rises to the picking position. In this way, one transfer operation is completed.

[0104] Thus, after the lateral drive device 12 moves the pickup component 11 above the placement table 30 or the receiving table, it is raised or lowered by the lifting component 13 to move closer to or further away from the placement table 30 or the receiving table, thereby realizing the pickup or placement action of the workpiece 200. This allows the pickup component 11 to transport the workpiece 200 along a predetermined path, and the path planning is reasonable, reducing the likelihood of collisions during alternating transport, improving the smoothness of the transport operation and increasing transport efficiency. Furthermore, the lifting component 13 allows for easier adjustment of the height difference between the pickup component 11 of the first transport mechanism 1a and the pickup component 11 of the second transport mechanism 1b, improving adjustment flexibility and accommodating the avoidance of workpieces 200 of different sizes, thus expanding the applicability range.

[0105] Of course, it is understood that the transfer mechanism 1 is not limited to including the lifting component 13 for adjusting the position height of the picking component 11. In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism 1 may not include the lifting component 13, the position height of the picking component 11 remains unchanged, and the receiving platform and the placing platform 30 can move closer to or further away from the picking component 11 by lifting, thereby realizing the picking or placing of the workpiece 200.

[0106] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the transfer device 10 also includes a first base 2 and a second base 3. The first base 2 and the second base 3 are respectively located on opposite sides of the material placement platform 30 along the second direction Y. The second direction Y, the first direction X and the gravity direction intersect each other. The first transfer mechanism 1a is located on the first base 2 and the second transfer mechanism 1b is located on the second base 3.

[0107] The first base 2 and the second base 3 are support seats for supporting and installing the transfer mechanism 1. They can be block structures or frame structures.

[0108] For example, both the first base 2 and the second base 3 are marble blocks.

[0109] For example, the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is disposed on the side of the first base 2 facing the second base 3 along the second direction Y, and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is disposed on the side of the second base 3 facing the first base 2 along the second direction Y.

[0110] For example, the lifting assembly 13 also includes a lifting guide assembly 133. The picking assembly 11 is movably connected to the mounting base 131 along the lifting direction Z via the lifting guide assembly 133. The lifting guide assembly 133 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is located on the side of the first base 2 facing the second base 3 along the second direction Y. The lifting guide assembly 133 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is located on the side of the second base 3 facing the first base 2 along the second direction Y.

[0111] For example, the first base 2 and the second base 3 are respectively located on opposite sides of the material receiving platform along the second direction Y.

[0112] Thus, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b extend from the first base 2 and the second base 3 along the second direction Y into the space between the first base 2 and the second base 3, respectively. This allows the picking components 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b to reach the distance range for picking up materials from the receiving platform and placing materials onto the placing platform 30 when they move along the first direction X. This facilitates the control of the movement stroke of the picking components 11 of the two transfer mechanisms 1, making their movement strokes relatively close or the same, which is beneficial for controlling their transfer cycle time and thus improving transfer efficiency.

[0113] Of course, it is understood that the transfer device 10 is not limited to including the first base 2 and the second base 3 located on opposite sides of the material placement platform 30 along the second direction Y. In some embodiments, the transfer device 10 may only have one base, and the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b are both located on the base. The first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b are both located on the same side of the material placement platform 30. The picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b can achieve alternating transfer by setting their respective movement paths.

[0114] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, at least two transfer mechanisms 1 also include a third transfer mechanism 1c and a fourth transfer mechanism 1d, the workpiece 200 also includes a second workpiece 200b, at least one receiving table also includes a second receiving table 20b, the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are configured to alternately transfer the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b to the placing table 30, such that the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b are alternately stacked.

[0115] For example, one of the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b is a positive electrode and the other is a negative electrode.

[0116] For example, the placement actions of the first transfer mechanism 1a, the third transfer mechanism 1c, the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d above the material placement platform 30 are performed alternately in sequence.

[0117] It should be noted that the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b are stacked alternately, including cases where the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b are in direct contact, as well as cases where other components are stacked between them. For example, an insulating member is provided between adjacent positive and negative electrode plates.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, the second workpiece 200b is transferred from the second receiving table 20b to the placing table 30 alternately by the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d. This allows the fourth transfer mechanism 1d to pick up the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b while the third transfer mechanism 1c is placing the second workpiece 200b onto the placing table 30. After the third transfer mechanism 1c leaves the vicinity of the placing table 30, the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can quickly place the picked-up second workpiece 200b onto the placing table 30. This improves the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece 200b to the placing table 30. Furthermore, the first workpiece 200a is alternately transferred from the first receiving platform 20a to the placing platform 30 via the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b. The efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a to the placing platform 30 is relatively high. Thus, the efficiency of transferring both the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of the alternating stacking of the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b. When using this transfer device 10 to transfer positive and negative electrode sheets, the efficiency of transferring both positive and negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby increasing the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and ultimately improving the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0119] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the second receiving platform 20b and the placing platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, which intersects the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism 1 includes a picking component 11 and a transverse drive device 12. The picking component 11 is configured to pick up the workpiece 200. The picking component 11 is connected to the transverse drive device 12 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the drive of the transverse drive device 12. The picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the picking component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d have different heights during the movement along the first direction X.

[0120] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, the pickup component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c is the third pickup component 11c, and the pickup component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d is the fourth pickup component 11d. The third pickup component 11c and the fourth pickup component 11d are at different heights during the process of moving along the first direction X.

[0121] For example, the upper surface of the receiving platform is used to support the workpiece 200, and the upper surface of the placement platform 30 is used to support the workpiece 200. The traverse drive device 12 can drive the picking component 11 to reciprocate between the picking position and the placing position along the first direction X. When the picking component 11 is in the picking position, at least a portion of the picking component 11 is located above and directly facing the receiving platform. When the picking component 11 is in the placing position, at least a portion of the picking component 11 is located above and directly facing the placement platform 30. It is understood that because the third picking component 11c and the fourth picking component 11d have different heights during their movement along the first direction X, the picking position of the third picking component 11c is at a different height than the picking position of the fourth picking component 11d. The placing position of the third picking component 11c is at a different height than the placing position of the fourth picking component 11d.

[0122] Thus, since the receiving platform and the placement platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, the picking component 11 is driven to reciprocate along the first direction X by the transverse drive device 12. This shortens the movement path of the picking component 11, reduces the cycle of one transfer by the transfer mechanism 1, and further improves the transfer efficiency, thereby further improving the production efficiency of the battery cell. Furthermore, during the alternating movement of the picking components 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d along the first direction X, by setting their different heights, they can move smoothly in staggered fashion, reducing the probability of collision. This achieves alternating transfer of the second workpiece 200b by the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d, thereby improving the transfer efficiency.

[0123] Of course, it is understandable that the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the picking component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are not limited to staggering their movement paths by means of a height difference. In some embodiments, the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c or the picking component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d is configured to be retractable along the second direction Y. By retracting at least one of them, they can avoid each other, so that they can move smoothly in an alternating manner, reduce the probability of collision between them, and realize the alternating transfer of the second workpiece 200b by the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d.

[0124] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the transfer device 10 also includes a first base 2 and a second base 3. The first base 2 and the second base 3 are respectively located on opposite sides of the material placement platform 30 along the second direction Y. The second direction Y, the first direction X and the gravity direction intersect each other. The first transfer mechanism 1a and the third transfer mechanism 1c are both located on the first base 2, and the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are both located on the second base 3.

[0125] Thus, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the third transfer mechanism 1c share the first base 2, and the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d share the second base 3, which helps to simplify the structure and improve the compactness of the structure.

[0126] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the first receiving platform 20a and the second receiving platform 20b are located on opposite sides of the material placement platform 30 along the first direction X. The first transfer mechanism 1a and the third transfer mechanism 1c are arranged along the first direction X, and the first transfer mechanism 1a is positioned closer to the first receiving platform 20a relative to the third transfer mechanism 1c. The second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are arranged along the first direction X, and the second transfer mechanism 1b is positioned closer to the first receiving platform 20a relative to the fourth transfer mechanism 1d.

[0127] Thus, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b can transfer the first workpiece 200a with a shorter stroke, and the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can transfer the second workpiece 200b with a shorter stroke, thereby improving the transfer efficiency of these four transfer mechanisms 1. As a result, when the transfer device 10 is applied to stacked electrode sheets, the stacking efficiency can be improved, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the electrode assembly and the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0128] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the transfer mechanism 1 also includes a transverse guide component 14, which is connected to the first base 2 or the second base 3. The pickup component 11 is connected to the transverse guide component 14 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the guidance of the transverse guide component 14. The transverse guide component 14 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is connected to the transverse guide component 14 of the third transfer mechanism 1c, and the transverse guide component 14 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is connected to the transverse guide component 14 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d.

[0129] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the transverse guide assembly 14 includes a guide rail 141 and a slider 142. The guide rail 141 extends along a first direction X, and the slider 142 is slidably connected to the guide rail 141 along the first direction X. For example, two guide rails 141 are provided, spaced apart along the lifting direction Z, and each guide rail 141 is fitted with at least one slider 142. One of the guide rails 141 and the slider 142 is connected to the first base 2 or the second base 3, and the other is connected to the mounting base 131 of the lifting assembly 13.

[0130] For example, the guide rail 141 of the transverse guide component 14 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is spliced ​​with the guide rail 141 of the transverse guide component 14 of the third transfer mechanism 1c. The guide rail 141 of the transverse guide component 14 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is spliced ​​with the guide rail 141 of the transverse guide component 14 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d.

[0131] It should be noted that the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c move alternately to the feeding position along the first direction X. That is, they will not move to the feeding position at the same time. In this way, the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c will not interfere with each other in position. Similarly, the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b and the picking component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d move alternately to the feeding position along the first direction X. That is, they will not move to the feeding position at the same time. In this way, the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b and the picking component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d will not interfere with each other in position.

[0132] Thus, the transverse guide component 14 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the transverse guide component 14 of the third transfer mechanism 1c are continuously arranged along the first direction X, so that the transverse guide components 14 of the two can form a longer and continuous guide component. That is, the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the pickup component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c can share a longer and continuous guide component. Similarly, the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b and the pickup component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can share another longer and continuous guide component. In this way, the structural integration of the transfer device 10 is improved, the space occupied is reduced, and the number of connecting parts can be reduced, saving materials and assembly steps, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the device.

[0133] Of course, the transverse guide component 14 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the transverse guide component 14 of the third transfer mechanism 1c are not necessarily connected, and the transverse guide component 14 of the second transfer mechanism 1b and the transverse guide component 14 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are not necessarily connected. In some embodiments, the transverse guide component 14 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the transverse guide component 14 of the third transfer mechanism 1c can be arranged at intervals, and the transverse guide component 14 of the second transfer mechanism 1b and the transverse guide component 14 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can be arranged at intervals.

[0134] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the pickup assembly 11 includes a carrier 111 and a pickup member 112. The carrier 111 extends along the second direction Y, with one end slidably connected to the transverse guide assembly 14 and the other end connected to the pickup member 112. The pickup member 112 is used to pick up the workpiece 200.

[0135] For example, the carrier 111 includes an elongated plate-like structure, the thickness direction of which is consistent with the lifting direction Z, and the picking member 112 is connected to the lower surface of the plate-like structure.

[0136] Thus, the carrier 111 extends along the second direction Y, such that the part connecting the pickup 112 extends to a position close to the receiving table and the placing table 30 along the second direction Y. This allows the pickup 112 to pass over the receiving table and the placing table 30 during its movement along the first direction X. Afterward, the workpiece 200 can be picked up or placed by lifting. Therefore, the drive device that drives the pickup 112 to move along the second direction Y can be eliminated, which helps to reduce the movement steps and simplify the structure of the device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the pickup assembly 11 includes a pickup element 112, which includes a negative pressure adsorption element.

[0138] Negative pressure adsorption components refer to devices or parts that use pressure below atmospheric pressure (negative pressure / vacuum) to generate adsorption force, thereby fixing or moving objects.

[0139] For example, the negative pressure adsorption component can be, but is not limited to, a vacuum suction cup or a vacuum nozzle.

[0140] In this way, the negative pressure adsorption component picks up the workpiece 200 through adsorption, which can reduce scratches, deformation, pinch marks, and indentations on the workpiece 200, and also reduce contamination on the surface of the workpiece 200, maintaining the performance integrity of the workpiece 200. Especially for relatively thin electrode sheets, negative pressure adsorption can significantly reduce damage to the electrode sheets.

[0141] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the transfer mechanism 1 also includes a transverse guide assembly 14, and the lifting assembly 13 includes a mounting base 131 and a lifting drive device 132. The mounting base 131 is connected to the transverse guide assembly 14 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the guidance of the transverse guide assembly 14. The picking assembly 11 is connected to the lifting drive device 132 and can be lifted and lowered under the drive of the lifting drive device 132.

[0142] For example, the lifting drive device 132 may include, but is not limited to, a linear motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, etc.

[0143] In this way, the lifting component 13 achieves its lifting function, enabling the picking component 11 to move up and down under its action. The lifting action of the picking component 11 allows it to approach the receiving platform or placing platform 30, facilitating material handling. The lifting component 13 also allows for easier adjustment of the height difference between the picking components 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b, as well as the height difference between the picking components 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d. This improves adjustment flexibility, allows for the avoidance of workpieces 200 of different sizes, and expands its applicability.

[0144] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the lifting assembly 13 also includes a lifting guide assembly 133, and the pickup assembly 11 is movably connected to the mounting base 131 along the lifting direction Z via the lifting guide assembly 133.

[0145] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the lifting guide assembly 133 includes a guide rail 1331 and a guide block 1332. The guide rail 1331 extends along the lifting direction Z, and the guide block 1332 is slidably connected to the guide rail 1331 along the lifting direction Z. For example, two guide rails 1331 are provided, spaced apart along a first direction X, and each guide rail 1331 is fitted with at least one guide block 1332. One of the guide rails 1331 and the guide block 1332 is connected to the mounting base 131, and the other is connected to the carrier 111 of the pickup assembly 11.

[0146] This improves the smoothness of lifting and lowering of the pickup component 11 and the accuracy of position adjustment, enabling the pickup component 112 of the pickup component 11 to accurately align with the workpiece 200, achieve stable pickup of the workpiece 200, and stably lower the workpiece 200.

[0147] A second aspect of this application provides a stacking device for stacking electrode sheets, such as... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the stacking device includes a transfer device 10 provided in the first aspect, a material placement platform 30, and at least one material receiving platform. The material receiving platform is used to place an electrode sheet as a workpiece 200. The electrode sheet includes a positive electrode sheet or a negative electrode sheet as a first workpiece 200a. The at least one material receiving platform includes a first material receiving platform 20a, which is used to place the first workpiece 200a.

[0148] It should be noted that the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b alternately transfer the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving platform 20a to the placing platform 30. During the time period when the two workpieces are transferred to their positions, there may be other mechanisms besides the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b transferring another workpiece 200 (e.g., the second workpiece 200b) to the placing platform 30. That is, when the two first workpieces 200a are stacked after being transferred to their positions, there may be another workpiece 200 (e.g., the second workpiece 200b) or other components between two adjacent first workpieces 200a. For example, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b are used to transfer the positive electrode sheet. During the time period when the two positive electrode sheets are transferred to their positions, other mechanisms may stack a negative electrode sheet on the positive electrode sheet that is placed first, and then another positive electrode sheet is transferred to its position, thus causing the positive and negative electrode sheets to be stacked alternately.

[0149] Thus, by alternately transferring the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a to the placing table 30 via the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b, the second transfer mechanism 1b can simultaneously pick up the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a while the first transfer mechanism 1a is placing the first workpiece 200a onto the placing table 30. After the first transfer mechanism 1a leaves the vicinity of the placing table 30, the second transfer mechanism 1b can quickly place the first workpiece 200a it picked up onto the placing table 30. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a to the placing table 30, thereby improving the efficiency of transferring positive or negative electrode sheets, which in turn helps to improve the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and thus improves the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0150] In some embodiments, at least two transfer mechanisms 1 further include a third transfer mechanism 1c and a fourth transfer mechanism 1d, the workpiece 200 further includes a second workpiece 200b, at least one receiving table further includes a second receiving table 20b, the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are configured to alternately transfer the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b to the placing table 30, such that the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b are stacked alternately, and one of the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b is a positive electrode and the other is a negative electrode.

[0151] For example, the placement actions of the first transfer mechanism 1a, the third transfer mechanism 1c, the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d above the material placement platform 30 are performed alternately in sequence.

[0152] It should be noted that an isolation element needs to be provided between adjacent positive and negative electrode sheets. For example, after the positive electrode sheet is moved into place by a transfer mechanism 1, an isolation element can be stacked on top of the positive electrode sheet by another mechanism, and then the negative electrode sheet can be stacked on the isolation element by another transfer mechanism 1. Alternatively, after the positive electrode sheet is moved into place, the isolation element can be covered on the lower surface of the negative electrode sheet as the negative electrode sheet is being carried toward the material placement table 30. In this way, after the negative electrode sheet is stacked on the positive electrode sheet, an isolation element is provided between the two. As for the mechanism for covering the surface of the positive or negative electrode sheet with the isolation element, the existing technology can be referred to, and it will not be described in detail here.

[0153] In the embodiments of this application, the second workpiece 200b is transferred from the second receiving table 20b to the placing table 30 alternately by the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d. This allows the fourth transfer mechanism 1d to pick up the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b while the third transfer mechanism 1c is placing the second workpiece 200b onto the placing table 30. After the third transfer mechanism 1c leaves the vicinity of the placing table 30, the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can quickly place the picked-up second workpiece 200b onto the placing table 30. This improves the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece 200b to the placing table 30. Furthermore, the first workpiece 200a is alternately transferred from the first receiving platform 20a to the placing platform 30 via the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b. The efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a to the placing platform 30 is also relatively high. In this way, the efficiency of transferring both the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of the alternating stacking of the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b. Since one of the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b is a positive electrode and the other is a negative electrode, the efficiency of transferring the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be improved, which is conducive to improving the stacking efficiency of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and thus improving the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0154] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 Figure (a) to Figure 3 As shown in Figure (e), there are at least two first receiving tables 20a. These at least two first receiving tables 20a alternately move to a first set position, allowing the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b to pick up the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a located at the first set position. This helps to increase the speed at which the first workpiece 200a is received, and further improves the transfer efficiency.

[0155] For example, all first receiving stations 20a are connected to a first turntable (not shown in the figure). The first turntable rotates all first receiving stations 20a, so that all first receiving stations 20a move alternately to a first set position.

[0156] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 Figure (a) to Figure 3 As shown in Figure (e), there are at least two second receiving tables 20b. These at least two second receiving tables 20b alternately move to a second set position, allowing the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d to pick up the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b located at the second set position. This improves the feeding speed of the second workpiece 200b and further enhances the transfer efficiency.

[0157] For example, all the second receiving tables 20b are connected to the second turntable (not shown in the figure). The second turntable rotates all the second receiving tables 20b, so that all the second receiving tables 20b move alternately to the second set position.

[0158] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the first receiving platform 20a and the second receiving platform 20b are located on opposite sides of the placing platform 30 along the first direction X, which intersects the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism 1 includes a picking component 11 and a transverse drive device 12. The picking component 11 is configured to pick up the workpiece 200. The picking component 11 is connected to the transverse drive device 12 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the drive of the transverse drive device 12. The picking components of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism have different heights during the movement along the first direction. The picking components 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d have different heights during the movement along the first direction X.

[0159] In some embodiments, the transfer device 10 further includes a first base 2 and a second base 3, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the material placement platform 30 along the second direction Y. The second direction Y, the first direction X and the gravity direction intersect each other. The first transfer mechanism 1a and the third transfer mechanism 1c are both disposed on the first base 2, and the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are both disposed on the second base 3.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first receiving platform 20a and the second receiving platform 20b are respectively located on opposite sides of the material placement platform 30 along the first direction X, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the third transfer mechanism 1c are arranged along the first direction X, and the first transfer mechanism 1a is positioned closer to the first receiving platform 20a relative to the third transfer mechanism 1c; the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are arranged along the first direction X, and the second transfer mechanism 1b is positioned closer to the first receiving platform 20a relative to the fourth transfer mechanism 1d.

[0161] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism 1 further includes a transverse guide component 14, which is connected to the first base 2 or the second base 3. The pickup component 11 is connected to the transverse guide component 14 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the guidance of the transverse guide component 14. The transverse guide component 14 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is connected to the transverse guide component 14 of the third transfer mechanism 1c, and the transverse guide component 14 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is connected to the transverse guide component 14 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d.

[0162] A third aspect of this application provides a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including a transfer device 10 provided in the first aspect or a stacking device provided in the second aspect, wherein a first workpiece 200a is a positive electrode or a negative electrode.

[0163] Thus, since the manufacturing equipment includes the transfer device 10 provided in the first aspect or the stacking device provided in the second aspect, the manufacturing equipment has all the beneficial effects of the transfer device 10 or the stacking device. Therefore, the manufacturing equipment for manufacturing electrode assemblies is conducive to improving the manufacturing efficiency of electrode assemblies, thereby improving the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0164] The fourth aspect of this application provides a battery production line, including the manufacturing equipment provided in the third aspect and battery assembly equipment, the battery assembly equipment being used to encapsulate electrode components into a housing.

[0165] Thus, since the battery production line includes manufacturing equipment provided by a third party, it possesses all the beneficial effects of such equipment, resulting in high production efficiency.

[0166] The fifth aspect of this application provides a transfer method for transferring a workpiece 200 from at least one receiving table to a placing table 30 using a transfer device 10. The transfer device 10 includes at least two transfer mechanisms 1, the workpiece 200 includes a first workpiece 200a, the at least one receiving table includes a first receiving table 20a, and the at least two transfer mechanisms 1 include a first transfer mechanism 1a and a second transfer mechanism 1b.

[0167] like Figure 7 As shown, the transfer methods include: S100, the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism alternately transfer the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform.

[0168] In the embodiments of this application, the first workpiece 200a is transferred from the first receiving platform 20a to the placing platform 30 alternately by the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b, which improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a to the placing platform 30. Therefore, when using the transfer device 10 to transfer the electrode sheet (positive electrode sheet or negative electrode sheet), the efficiency of transferring the positive electrode sheet or negative electrode sheet can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheet and thus improving the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0169] In some embodiments, the feeding platform and the placement platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, which intersects the gravity direction Z. The transfer mechanism 1 includes a picking component 11 and a transverse drive device 12. The picking component 11 is configured to pick up the workpiece 200. The picking component 11 is connected to the transverse drive device 12 and can reciprocate along the first direction X under the drive of the transverse drive device 12.

[0170] like Figure 8 As shown, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b alternately transfer the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a to the placing table 30 (step S100), including: S102, the picking components of the first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism move at different heights along two opposite directions in the first direction.

[0171] Understandably, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, the direction pointed to by the arrow of the first direction X and the opposite direction of the arrow are two opposite directions of the first direction. The direction pointed to by the arrow of the first direction X can be called the positive direction of the first direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow can be called the negative direction. Then, one of the picking components 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking components 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b moves along the positive direction of the first direction X, and the other moves along the negative direction of the first direction X. During the movement, the two components are at different heights.

[0172] For example, each transfer mechanism 1 includes a pickup component 11, the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is the first pickup component 11a, and the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is the second pickup component 11b.

[0173] For example, such as Figure 10 As shown, the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b move at different heights along two opposite directions in the first direction X (step S102), including: S1021, The unloaded first picking assembly moves toward the first receiving table along the first direction, while the second picking assembly carrying the first workpiece moves toward the placing table along the first direction. S1022, The first picking assembly carrying the first workpiece moves toward the material placement table along the first direction, while the unloaded second picking assembly moves toward the first material receiving table along the first direction.

[0174] In steps S1021 and S1022, the first pickup component 11a and the second pickup component 11b are at different heights.

[0175] Thus, since the receiving platform and the placement platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, the picking component 11 is driven to reciprocate along the first direction X by the transverse drive device 12. This shortens the movement path of the picking component 11, reduces the cycle of one transfer by the transfer mechanism 1, and further improves the transfer efficiency, thereby further improving the production efficiency of the battery cell. Furthermore, during the alternating movement of the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b along the first direction X, by setting their different heights, they can move smoothly in staggered positions, reducing the probability of collision. This achieves alternating transfer of the first workpiece 200a by the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b, thereby improving the transfer efficiency.

[0176] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b alternately transfer the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a to the placing table 30 (step S100), and also include: S101. While the first transfer mechanism carrying the first workpiece is placing it on the material placement platform, the unloaded second transfer mechanism is picking it up on the first material receiving platform. S103. During the process of the first unloaded transfer mechanism picking up the first material above the first receiving platform, the second transfer mechanism carrying the first workpiece places it above the placement platform.

[0177] "Pick-up action" refers to the action performed by the pick-up component 11 of the transfer mechanism 1 to pick up the workpiece 200 from the receiving table. For example, the pick-up component 11 includes a negative pressure adsorption element. When the pick-up component 11 is at a suitable distance from the receiving table, the negative pressure adsorption element performs a vacuuming action to adsorb the workpiece 200. This vacuuming action and the adsorption of the workpiece 200 by the negative pressure adsorption element constitute the pick-up action of the transfer mechanism 1. "Placement action" refers to the action performed by the pick-up component 11 of the transfer mechanism 1 to place the workpiece 200 onto the placement table 30. For example, the pick-up component 11 includes a negative pressure adsorption element. When the pick-up component 11 is at a suitable distance from the receiving table, the negative pressure adsorption element performs a vacuuming action to release the workpiece 200. This vacuuming action and the release of the workpiece 200 by the negative pressure adsorption element constitute the placement action of the transfer mechanism 1.

[0178] like Figure 10 As shown, step S101 includes step S1011. In step S1011, during the process of the first picking assembly carrying the first workpiece placing above the material placement table, the unloaded second picking assembly picks up the workpiece above the first material receiving table.

[0179] Between steps S101 and S103, there is also step S1021, in which the unloaded first picking component moves toward the first receiving table along the first direction, while the second picking component with the first workpiece moves toward the placing table along the first direction.

[0180] Step S103 includes step S1031. In step S1031, while the unloaded first picking component is picking up the workpiece above the first receiving table, the second picking component carrying the first workpiece is placing it above the placement table.

[0181] Step S103 is followed by step S1022. In step S1022, the first pick-up assembly carrying the first workpiece moves toward the material placement table along the first direction, while the unloaded second pick-up assembly moves toward the first material receiving table along the first direction.

[0182] By repeating the above steps, the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b can alternately transfer the first workpiece 200a.

[0183] Thus, when the first transfer mechanism 1a places the first workpiece 200a onto the placement table 30, the second transfer mechanism 1b can simultaneously pick up the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving table 20a. After the first transfer mechanism 1a leaves the vicinity of the placement table 30, the second transfer mechanism 1b can quickly place the picked-up first workpiece 200a onto the placement table 30. This improves the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a onto the placement table 30. Therefore, when using the transfer device 10 to transfer electrode sheets (positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets), the efficiency of transferring positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of electrode sheets and thus improving the production efficiency of battery cells.

[0184] Of course, it is understood that the placement action of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking action of the second transfer mechanism 1b are not limited to being performed simultaneously. In some embodiments, the picking component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b may perform a picking action or a placement action while the picking component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a moves along the first direction X. As long as the picking action of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the picking action of the second transfer mechanism 1b alternate, and the placement action of the first transfer mechanism 1a and the placement action of the second transfer mechanism 1b alternate, it is acceptable.

[0185] In some embodiments, at least two transfer mechanisms 1 further include a third transfer mechanism 1c and a fourth transfer mechanism 1d, the workpiece 200 further includes a second workpiece 200b, and at least one receiving table further includes a second receiving table 20b.

[0186] like Figure 11 As shown, the transfer methods also include: S200, the third transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving platform to the placing platform, and alternately stack the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

[0187] Thus, by alternately transferring the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving platform 20b to the placing platform 30 via the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d, the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece 200b to the placing platform 30 is improved. Furthermore, by alternately transferring the first workpiece 200a from the first receiving platform 20a to the placing platform 30 via the first transfer mechanism 1a and the second transfer mechanism 1b, the efficiency of transferring the first workpiece 200a to the placing platform 30 is also relatively high. Therefore, the efficiency of transferring both the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of alternating stacking of the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b, and thus improving the efficiency of transferring the positive and negative electrode sheets, increasing the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets, and ultimately improving the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0188] like Figure 12As shown, the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d alternately transfer the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b to the placing table 30, and alternately stack the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b (S200), including: S202, the pickup components of the third transfer mechanism and the pickup components of the fourth transfer mechanism move at different heights along two opposite directions in the first direction.

[0189] Understandably, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, the direction pointed to by the arrow of the first direction X and the opposite direction of the arrow are two opposite directions of the first direction. The direction pointed to by the arrow of the first direction X can be called the positive direction of the first direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow can be called the negative direction. Then, one of the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c (third picking component 11c) and the picking component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d (fourth picking component 11d) moves along the positive direction of the first direction X, and the other moves along the negative direction of the first direction X. During the movement, the two are at different heights.

[0190] For example, each transfer mechanism 1 includes a pickup component 11, the pickup component 11 of the first transfer mechanism 1a is the first pickup component 11a, the pickup component 11 of the second transfer mechanism 1b is the second pickup component 11b, the pickup component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c is the third pickup component 11c, and the pickup component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d is the fourth pickup component 11d.

[0191] For example, such as Figure 14 As shown, the pickup component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the pickup component 11 of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d move at different heights along two opposite directions in the first direction X (step S202), including: S2021. The unloaded third pickup assembly moves toward the second receiving table along the first direction, while the fourth pickup assembly with the second workpiece moves toward the placing table along the first direction. 2022. The third pick-up assembly carrying the second workpiece moves toward the material placement table along the first direction, while the unloaded fourth pick-up assembly moves toward the second material receiving table along the first direction.

[0192] Thus, since the receiving platform and the placement platform 30 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, the picking component 11 is driven to reciprocate along the first direction X by the transverse drive device 12. This shortens the movement path of the picking component 11, reduces the cycle of one transfer by the transfer mechanism 1, and further improves the transfer efficiency, thereby further improving the production efficiency of the battery cell. Furthermore, during the alternating movement of the picking components 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d along the first direction X, by setting their different heights, they can move smoothly in staggered fashion, reducing the probability of collision. This achieves alternating transfer of the second workpiece 200b by the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d, thereby improving the transfer efficiency.

[0193] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 As shown, the third transfer mechanism 1c and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d alternately transfer the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b to the placing table 30, and alternately stack the first workpiece 200a and the second workpiece 200b (S200), including: S201. While the third transfer mechanism carrying the second workpiece is placing it above the material placement table, the unloaded fourth transfer mechanism is picking it up above the second material receiving table. S203. While the unloaded third transfer mechanism is picking up the second workpiece above the second receiving platform, the fourth transfer mechanism carrying the second workpiece is placing it above the placement platform.

[0194] The first transfer mechanism 1a, the third transfer mechanism 1c, the second transfer mechanism 1b and the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are placed on the material placement platform 30 in an alternating sequence.

[0195] like Figure 14 As shown, step S201 includes step S2011. In step S2011, during the process of the third picking assembly carrying the second workpiece placing above the material placement table, the unloaded fourth picking assembly picks up the workpiece above the second material receiving table.

[0196] Step S2021 is also included between steps S201 and S203. In step S2021, the unloaded third picking assembly moves toward the second receiving table along the first direction, while the fourth picking assembly with the second workpiece moves toward the placing table along the first direction.

[0197] Step S203 includes step S2031. In step S2031, while the unloaded third picking component is picking up the workpiece above the second receiving table, the fourth picking component carrying the second workpiece is placing it above the placement table.

[0198] The process includes step S2022 after step S203. In step S2022, the third pick-up assembly carrying the second workpiece moves toward the material placement table along the first direction, while the unloaded fourth pick-up assembly moves toward the second material receiving table along the first direction.

[0199] The placement of the first pickup component 11a, the third pickup component 11c, the second pickup component 11b, and the fourth pickup component 11d above the material placement table 30 is performed alternately in sequence.

[0200] Thus, while the third transfer mechanism 1c is placing the second workpiece 200b onto the placement table 30, the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can simultaneously pick up the second workpiece 200b from the second receiving table 20b. After the third transfer mechanism 1c leaves the vicinity of the placement table 30, the fourth transfer mechanism 1d can quickly place the picked-up second workpiece 200b onto the placement table 30. This improves the efficiency of transferring the second workpiece 200b to the placement table 30. Therefore, when using the transfer device 10 to transfer positive and negative electrode sheets, the efficiency of transferring either positive or negative electrode sheets can be improved, thereby improving the stacking efficiency of the electrode sheets and thus increasing the production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0201] Of course, it is understood that the placement action of the third transfer mechanism 1c and the picking action of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d are not limited to being performed simultaneously. In some embodiments, the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c can perform a picking action or a placement action while the picking component 11 of the third transfer mechanism 1c moves along the first direction X. As long as the picking action of the third transfer mechanism 1c alternates with the picking action of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d, and the placement action of the third transfer mechanism 1c alternates with the placement action of the fourth transfer mechanism 1d, it is acceptable.

[0202] The following describes specific examples of some embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0203] As a specific example, an electrode transfer device 10 is provided, which includes two marble bases (first base 2 and second base 3), four suction plate assemblies (pick-up assembly 11), four correction platforms (two first feeding platforms 20a and two second feeding platforms 20b) and a stacking platform (placing platform 30). A marble base is provided on each of the opposite sides of the stacking platform along the second direction Y. Two suction plate assemblies arranged along the first direction X are installed on each marble base. The position height of the suction plate assemblies is higher than the stacking platform and the correction platform. The electrode transfer device 10 also includes a linear motor (transverse drive device 12), a mounting back plate (mounting base 131), a guide rail (transverse guide assembly 14), etc. A linear motor is bolted to a marble backplate connected to a marble base. The backplate is fixed to the linear motor, and a lifting guide rail (lifting guide assembly 133) is fixed to the backplate. A suction plate assembly is connected to the lifting guide rail. The lifting and lowering of the suction plate assembly is achieved by a voice coil motor (lifting drive device 132). The two suction plate assemblies on one marble base are the first suction plate assembly (first pickup assembly 11a) and the third suction plate assembly (third pickup assembly 11c). The two suction plate assemblies on the other marble base are... The second suction plate assembly (second pickup assembly 11b) and the fourth suction plate assembly (fourth pickup assembly 11d) are used to alternately pick up positive electrode sheets from the correction platform (first receiving platform 20a) where positive electrode sheets are placed and place them on the stacking platform. The third suction plate assembly and the fourth suction plate assembly are used to alternately pick up negative electrode sheets from the correction platform (second receiving platform 20b) where negative electrode sheets are placed and place them on the stacking platform. The placement of positive electrode sheets and negative electrode sheets is performed alternately, so that positive electrode sheets and negative electrode sheets are stacked alternately.

[0204] The specific handling procedure is as follows: Action 1: All four suction plate assemblies are in their initial positions. See below. Figure 3 As shown in Figure (a), the four suction plate assemblies are located above the four correction platforms (two first feeding platforms 20a and two second feeding platforms 20b); During the handling process, the first suction plate assembly and the second suction plate assembly are mainly responsible for transferring the positive electrode sheet (first workpiece 200a) from the first correction platform (first receiving platform 20a) to the stacking platform (placing platform 30). The two are picking up and placing in parallel. The third suction plate assembly and the fourth suction plate assembly are mainly responsible for transferring the negative electrode sheet (second workpiece 200b) from the second correction platform (second receiving platform 20b) to the stacking platform. The two are picking up and placing in parallel.

[0205] Action 2: See Figure 3As shown in Figure (b), when the first suction plate assembly (first pickup assembly 11a) moves to the top of the stacking table to place the positive electrode sheet, the second suction plate assembly (second pickup assembly 11b) completes the action of picking up the positive electrode sheet from the first correction platform (first receiving platform 20a); when the fourth suction plate assembly (fourth pickup assembly 11d) moves to the top of the stacking table to place the negative electrode sheet, the third suction plate assembly (third pickup assembly 11c) completes the action of picking up the negative electrode sheet from the second correction platform (second receiving platform 20b). Action 3: See Figure 3 As shown in Figure (c), when the second suction plate assembly moves to the top of the stacking stage to place the positive electrode sheet, the first suction plate assembly completes the action of picking up the positive electrode sheet on the first correction platform; when the third suction plate assembly moves to the top of the stacking stage to place the negative electrode sheet, the fourth suction plate assembly completes the action of picking up the negative electrode sheet on the second correction platform. Action 4: See Figure 3 As shown in Figure (d), when the first suction plate assembly moves to the top of the stacking stage to place the positive electrode sheet, the second suction plate assembly completes the action of picking up the positive electrode sheet on the first correction platform; when the fourth suction plate assembly moves to the top of the stacking stage to place the negative electrode sheet, the third suction plate assembly completes the action of picking up the negative electrode sheet on the second correction platform. Action 5: See Figure 3 As shown in Figure (e), when the second suction plate assembly moves to the top of the stacking stage to place the positive electrode sheet, the first suction plate assembly completes the action of picking up the positive electrode sheet on the first correction platform; when the third suction plate assembly moves to the top of the stacking stage to place the negative electrode sheet, the fourth suction plate assembly completes the action of picking up the negative electrode sheet on the second correction platform. The above actions form a cycle, with the first and second suction plate assemblies responsible for the alternating transfer of the negative electrode sheet, and the third and fourth suction plate assemblies responsible for the alternating transfer of the negative electrode sheet; for example... Figure 5 and Figure 6 This illustrates that when the suction plate assembly forms a height misalignment during transport, it completes the alternating stacking action, thus alternating the stacking of positive and negative electrode sheets on the stacking table, as shown below. Figure 4 Indication.

[0206] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and all should be covered within the scope of the specification of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way.

Claims

1. A stacking device for stacking electrode sheets, characterized in that, The stacking device includes: Material table; A material receiving platform, which is a correction platform for placing electrode sheets as workpieces, is arranged at intervals from the material placement platform along a first direction. The electrode sheets include a first workpiece and a second workpiece. The first workpiece is either a positive electrode sheet or a negative electrode sheet, and the second workpiece is either a positive electrode sheet or a negative electrode sheet. The material receiving platform includes a first material receiving platform and a second material receiving platform. The first material receiving platform is used to place the first workpiece, and the second material receiving platform is used to place the second workpiece. A transfer device is used to transfer workpieces from the receiving platform to the placing platform. The transfer device includes at least four transfer mechanisms, each of which is configured to pick up the workpiece from the receiving table and transport it to the placement table. A first base and a second base are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the material placement platform along a second direction, wherein the second direction, the first direction, and the direction of gravity intersect each other. The at least four transfer mechanisms include a first transfer mechanism, a second transfer mechanism, a third transfer mechanism, and a fourth transfer mechanism. The first and third transfer mechanisms are disposed on the first base, and the second and fourth transfer mechanisms are disposed on the second base. The first and second transfer mechanisms are configured to alternately transfer the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform, and the third and fourth transfer mechanisms are configured to alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving platform to the placing platform, such that the first and second workpieces are alternately stacked. The transfer mechanism includes: A pickup component, the pickup component being configured to pick up the workpiece; A lateral drive device, wherein the pickup component is connected to the lateral drive device and is capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the drive of the lateral drive device; A lifting assembly, connected to the output end of the traverse drive device, capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the drive of the traverse drive device; a pickup assembly connected to the lifting assembly, capable of lifting and lowering under the action of the lifting assembly; and A lateral guide assembly, connected to the first base or the second base and to the pickup assembly, has two guide rails spaced apart along the lifting direction and sliders that respectively cooperate with the guide rails, the guide rails extending along a first direction. The pickup component is connected to the lifting component and can move up and down under the action of the lifting component. The lifting assembly includes a mounting base, a lifting drive device, and a lifting guide assembly. The lifting guide assembly includes two guide rails spaced apart along a first direction and a guide block slidably connected to the guide rails along the lifting direction. The lateral guide components of each of the aforementioned transfer mechanisms are not connected to each other. The pickup component of the first transfer mechanism and the pickup component of the second transfer mechanism are at different heights as they move along the first direction.

2. The stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second receiving platforms are located on opposite sides of the material placement platform along a first direction, which intersects the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism includes: A pickup component, the pickup component being configured to pick up the workpiece; A lateral movement drive device is provided, and the pickup component is connected to the lateral movement drive device, enabling it to reciprocate along the first direction under the drive of the lateral movement drive device. The pickup component of the first transfer mechanism and the pickup component of the second transfer mechanism are at different heights as they move along the first direction; The pickup component of the third transfer mechanism and the pickup component of the fourth transfer mechanism are at different heights as they move along the first direction.

3. The stacking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transfer device further includes a first base and a second base, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the material placement platform along a second direction. The second direction, the first direction, and the direction of gravity intersect each other. The first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are both disposed on the first base, and the second transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are both disposed on the second base.

4. The stacking device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first transfer mechanism and the third transfer mechanism are arranged along the first direction, and the first transfer mechanism is positioned closer to the first receiving platform than the third transfer mechanism. The second transfer mechanism and the fourth transfer mechanism are arranged along the first direction, and the second transfer mechanism is positioned closer to the first receiving platform than the fourth transfer mechanism.

5. The stacking device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transfer mechanism further includes a lateral guide assembly, which is connected to the first base or the second base. The pickup assembly is connected to the lateral guide assembly and is capable of reciprocating along the first direction under the guidance of the lateral guide assembly. The lateral guide component of the first transfer mechanism is connected to the lateral guide component of the third transfer mechanism, and the lateral guide component of the second transfer mechanism is connected to the lateral guide component of the fourth transfer mechanism.

6. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies, characterized in that, The stacking device includes any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first workpiece is a positive electrode or a negative electrode.

7. A battery production line, characterized in that, include: The manufacturing equipment as described in claim 6, and Battery assembly equipment for encapsulating the electrode assembly into a housing.

8. A transfer method for transferring workpieces from at least one receiving table to a placing table using a transfer device, characterized in that, The transfer device includes at least four transfer mechanisms, the workpiece includes a first workpiece and a second workpiece, the at least one receiving platform includes a first receiving platform and a second receiving platform, and the at least four transfer mechanisms include a first transfer mechanism, a second transfer mechanism, a third transfer mechanism, and a fourth transfer mechanism. The transfer method includes: The first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism alternately transfer the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform; The third and fourth transfer mechanisms alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving platform to the placing platform, and alternately stack the first and second workpieces. The receiving platform and the placing platform are arranged at intervals along a first direction, which intersects the direction of gravity. The transfer mechanism includes a picking component and a traverse drive device. The picking component is configured to pick up the workpiece. The picking component is connected to the traverse drive device and can reciprocate along the first direction under the drive of the traverse drive device. The first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism alternately transfer the first workpiece from the first receiving platform to the placing platform, including: The picking component of the first transfer mechanism and the picking component of the second transfer mechanism move at different heights along two opposite directions in the first direction; During the process of the first transfer mechanism carrying the first workpiece placing it above the material placement table, the unloaded second transfer mechanism picks it up above the first material receiving table. While the unloaded first transfer mechanism is picking up the workpiece above the first receiving platform, the second transfer mechanism, carrying the first workpiece, is placing it above the placement platform. The third and fourth transfer mechanisms alternately transfer the second workpiece from the second receiving platform to the placing platform, including: The picking component of the third transfer mechanism and the picking component of the fourth transfer mechanism move at different heights along two opposite directions in the first direction. During the process of the third transfer mechanism carrying the second workpiece placing it above the material placement table, the unloaded fourth transfer mechanism picks it up above the second material receiving table. While the unloaded third transfer mechanism is picking up the workpiece above the second receiving platform, the fourth transfer mechanism, carrying the second workpiece, is placing it above the placement platform. The first transfer mechanism, the third transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism, and the fourth transfer mechanism alternately place themselves on the material placement platform.

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