An automatic cell taking, code scanning and material placing device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610584407.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-07
AI Technical Summary
(1)本电芯自动取料、扫码、放料装置通过四轴机器人、磁悬浮输送线与扫码系统的紧密协同,实现了取料、流转、扫码、再放料(或分选)的连续自动化作业,各工序衔接流畅,大幅缩短了单颗电芯的处理节拍,提高了生产效率。
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Figure CN122519790A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery cell production equipment technology, specifically to an automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and feeding device. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the production scale of lithium-ion batteries and other battery cells is expanding daily, making the demand for automation and intelligentization in the production process increasingly urgent. In the later stages of battery cell manufacturing, such as sorting, grouping, and warehousing, individual cells typically need to be picked up, identified (scanned), and transferred. Currently, common automation solutions mostly use rigid robotic arms or conveyor belts in conjunction with fixed barcode scanners. However, these existing technological solutions have many shortcomings: (1) The battery cell itself is a precision component. The outer shell is mostly made of soft packaging materials such as aluminum-plastic film or steel / aluminum shell. Rigid gripping or suction can easily cause scratches, dents or damage to the battery cell surface due to positioning or force deviation, which affects the quality and safety of the battery cell.
[0003] (2) The traditional conveyor belt combined with fixed scanning method requires the battery cell position to be strictly aligned with the scanning window, which has high requirements for the consistency of incoming materials. Moreover, the scanning success rate is greatly affected by factors such as the battery cell placement posture and surface reflection, resulting in low efficiency.
[0004] (3) The processes of picking up materials, scanning codes, and placing materials are usually completed by multiple independent equipment in segments. The equipment requires complex mechanical docking and rhythm coordination, resulting in a large footprint, slow rhythm, low reliability of the entire system, and difficulty in adapting to the rapid switching of different specifications of battery cell trays or different production processes.
[0005] (4) Existing delivery methods do not perform well in scenarios that require high-precision positioning or gentle handling of battery cells. Vibration or impact may cause hidden damage to the internal structure of the battery cells. Summary of the Invention
[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes an automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and placement device. By designing a picking and placing component with an integrated flexible buffer mechanism, combined with the flexible movement of a multi-axis robot, it achieves adaptive, non-damaging picking and placement of battery cells.
[0007] To achieve the above technical solution, the present invention provides an automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and dispensing device, comprising: a flexible battery cell transfer mechanism, the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism including a four-axis robot, a battery cell suction assembly mounted on the top front end of the four-axis robot, the battery cell suction assembly including a rotary connecting shaft, the rotary connecting shaft being connected to a third joint rotary motor mounted on the top front end of the four-axis robot, a square fixing plate mounted on the bottom of the rotary connecting shaft, two parallel and spaced flexible battery cell suction mechanisms mounted on the fixing plate, each flexible battery cell suction mechanism including an L-shaped sliding mounting base, the L-shaped sliding mounting base being mounted on a vertical guide rail via a vertical slider, the vertical guide rail being disposed on the fixing plate, two parallel and spaced outwardly protruding connecting protrusions being provided in the middle of the L-shaped sliding mounting base, a T-shaped connecting block being installed between the two connecting protrusions, the left and right sides of the T-shaped connecting block respectively engaging with the connecting protrusions and being connected through a lower guide shaft, the bottom of the lower guide shaft passing through the connecting protrusions and the T-shaped connecting block and then fixed. At the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base, a longitudinal buffer spring is sleeved on the lower guide shaft. The top of the longitudinal buffer spring contacts the bottom of the T-shaped connecting block, and the bottom of the longitudinal buffer spring contacts the L-shaped sliding mounting base. A cylinder mounting base is provided on the fixed plate, and a vertically downward longitudinal drive cylinder is mounted on the cylinder mounting base. The telescopic shaft of the longitudinal drive cylinder is connected to the T-shaped connecting block. A transverse guide rail is provided at the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base. A clamp mounting base is mounted on the transverse guide rail via a transverse slider. A transverse limiting block is installed at the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base behind the transverse guide rail. A transverse buffer spring is installed between the transverse limiting block and the clamp mounting base. A battery cell clamping mechanism is mounted vertically on the clamp mounting base. A magnetic levitation conveying mechanism is installed on the left side of the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism. A barcode scanner assembly is installed on the left side of the magnetic levitation conveying mechanism, and the barcode scanner assembly is tilted upward. A material frame is installed on the right side of the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism, and multiple battery cell trays are arranged side by side at intervals in the material frame.
[0008] In the above technical solution, during actual operation, the magnetic levitation conveyor first transports the battery cells requiring scanning to one side of the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism. Then, the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism picks up the battery cells and moves them to the barcode scanner assembly for scanning and recording. After scanning, the picked-up battery cells are transferred to the battery cell tray within the material frame. In the actual transfer process, by setting up a flexible battery cell transfer mechanism that includes a four-axis robot and a special battery cell suction assembly, the device can flexibly pick up and drop battery cells from multiple positions on the right side of the material frame. The two flexible battery cell suction mechanisms in the suction assembly have independent vertical buffering (via longitudinal buffer springs) and lateral buffering (via lateral buffer springs). When the suction nozzle contacts the battery cell surface, it can adaptively fine-tune its position and absorb contact force, effectively preventing battery cell squeezing or scratching caused by positioning errors or robot motion inertia. Simultaneously, the assembly can rotate as a whole, facilitating the adjustment of the battery cell posture to adapt to the scanning or feeding angle. By combining the magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism and the barcode scanner assembly on the left, a fully automated and flexible operation process is achieved, in which the battery cells are taken out from the battery cell carrier in the magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism, automatically scanned, and then placed into the battery cell tray in the material frame.
[0009] Preferably, the magnetic levitation conveying mechanism includes two parallel, spaced-apart lateral moving modules. Magnetic levitation moving guides are mounted on the two lateral moving modules. A magnetic levitation fixed guide is mounted on the left side of the magnetic levitation moving guide. Magnetic levitation stators are mounted on both the magnetic levitation fixed guide and the magnetic levitation moving guide. A front half-cell carrier is provided on the magnetic levitation moving guide, and a magnetic levitation mover is mounted at the bottom of the front half-cell carrier. A rear half-cell carrier is provided on the magnetic levitation fixed guide, and the rear half-cell carrier is positioned opposite to the front half-cell carrier. A magnetic levitation mover is also mounted at the bottom of the rear half-cell carrier. A pusher cylinder mounting frame is installed behind the magnetic levitation fixed guide, and a pusher cylinder is mounted on the pusher cylinder mounting frame, with the pusher cylinder facing the rear half-cell carrier. In actual operation, the magnetic levitation moving rail can be driven to move along the horizontal moving module, thereby adjusting the distance between the magnetic levitation moving rail and the magnetic levitation fixed rail, realizing the closure or opening between the rear half-cell carrier and the front half-cell carrier. In actual operation, after the magnetic levitation stators on the magnetic levitation moving rail and the magnetic levitation fixed rail drive the magnetic levitation movers to move the front half-cell carrier and the rear half-cell carrier into position, the horizontal moving module drives the magnetic levitation moving rail to move backward along the horizontal moving module, increasing the distance between the front half-cell carrier and the rear half-cell carrier. Then, the flexible cell transfer mechanism drives the cell-absorbing clamping mechanism to move to the front of the rear half-cell carrier. The pushing cylinder then pushes the cells in the rear half-cell carrier forward, making contact with the cell-absorbing clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism holds the cells tightly through the cell suction nozzle, transfers them to the barcode scanner assembly for scanning, and then places them into the material frame. The system, consisting of a fixed magnetic levitation guide rail and a moving magnetic levitation guide rail, has magnetic levitation movers installed at the bottom of the front and rear battery cell carriers, respectively. This enables contactless levitation drive of the battery cell carrier, resulting in smooth operation, low noise, and minimal wear. It is particularly suitable for transporting vibration-sensitive battery cells. Two lateral movement modules are used to adjust the position of the moving magnetic levitation guide rail, thereby adapting to the spacing of battery cell trays of different sizes and enhancing the versatility and flexibility of the device.
[0010] Preferably, the barcode scanner assembly includes a barcode scanner mounting bracket, with an adjustable connector mounted on the top of the bracket. The barcode scanner is mounted on the adjustable connector and tilted upwards. In actual operation, the barcode scanner is mounted via the adjustable connector, allowing for flexible adjustment of its angle and orientation to ensure optimal reading angle alignment with the battery cell markings.
[0011] Preferably, the four-axis robot includes a base, on which a first joint rotary motor is mounted vertically upward. A first rotary arm is mounted on the output shaft of the first joint rotary motor. A second joint rotary motor, also vertically upward, is mounted at the front end of the first rotary arm. A second rotary arm is mounted on the output shaft of the second joint rotary motor. A third joint rotary motor, vertically downward, is mounted at the front end of the second rotary arm. The battery cell assembly is connected to the output shaft of the third joint rotary motor via a rotary connecting shaft. In actual operation, the combination of the base, the first rotary arm, the second rotary arm, and the end-effector third joint rotary motor enables rapid movement within a plane and precise adjustment of the battery cell angle via the end-effector rotary shaft. This makes it suitable for high-speed, high-frequency pick-and-place operations on battery cell production lines. Furthermore, the two-stage rotary arm design allows the robot to have a large working radius, easily handling pick-and-place tasks from the magnetic levitation conveyor to the material frame.
[0012] Preferably, the cell clamping mechanism includes a nozzle mounting plate, the top of which is fixed to the clamp mounting base by screws, and a cell suction nozzle is mounted on the bottom of the nozzle mounting plate. In actual operation, the vacuum suction method provides a large contact area and uniform force distribution, further reducing the risk of causing localized stress on the cell surface compared to mechanical grippers.
[0013] Preferably, a sensor mounting bracket is installed on one side of the nozzle mounting plate on the fixing plate, and a proximity sensor is installed on the sensor mounting bracket to detect in real time whether the battery cell has been successfully sucked or released.
[0014] Preferably, a vertically upward-pointing limiting post is installed on the L-shaped sliding mounting base at the bottom of the T-shaped connecting block. During actual operation, when the longitudinal buffer spring is compressed to a certain extent, the T-shaped connecting block will contact the limiting post, thereby limiting the extreme position of the longitudinal buffer. This effectively prevents problems such as guide shaft bending and mechanism damage caused by excessive spring compression or accidental impact, thus providing safety protection.
[0015] The beneficial effects of the automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and feeding device and method provided by this invention are as follows: (1) The automatic cell picking, scanning and unloading device achieves continuous automated operation of picking, transferring, scanning and unloading (or sorting) through the close collaboration of a four-axis robot, a magnetic levitation conveyor line and a scanning system. The process is smoothly connected, which greatly shortens the processing cycle of a single cell and improves production efficiency.
[0016] (2) This automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and unloading device adopts a unique double-spring buffer design (longitudinal and lateral) through the structural design of the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism, which enables the end suction nozzle to have "soft landing" and lateral fault tolerance, completely solving the industry problem of rigid gripping easily damaging battery cells. At the same time, the robot's multi-axis motion and adjustable width magnetic levitation line enable it to adapt to battery cells and trays of different specifications, with a high degree of flexibility.
[0017] (3) The magnetic levitation conveyor in the automatic material picking, scanning and discharging device of this battery cell provides a smooth and accurate flow path; the adjustable angle barcode scanner ensures a high barcode scanning success rate; the proximity sensor and limit post and other detailed designs enhance the reliability of the action and the safety of the equipment. The whole system operates stably and has a low failure rate. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure assembly of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural front view of the flexible cell transfer mechanism in this invention.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural rear view of the flexible cell transfer mechanism in this invention.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural assembly diagram of the electrostatic absorbing core assembly in this invention.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural assembly diagram of the flexible battery cell absorption mechanism in this invention.
[0023] Figure 6 This is a partial structural assembly diagram of the flexible battery cell absorption mechanism in this invention.
[0024] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural assembly diagram of the magnetic levitation conveying mechanism and the barcode scanner assembly in this invention.
[0025] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural assembly diagram of the magnetic levitation conveying mechanism in this invention.
[0026] In the diagram: 1. Flexible battery cell transfer mechanism; 11. Four-axis robot; 111. Base; 112. First joint rotary motor; 113. First rotating arm; 114. Second joint rotary motor; 115. Second rotating arm; 116. Third joint rotary motor; 12. Battery cell suction assembly; 121. Rotary connecting shaft; 122. Fixing plate; 123. Flexible battery cell suction mechanism; 1231. Vertical guide rail; 1232. Vertical slider; 1233. Sliding mounting base; 1234. Cylinder mounting base 1235. Longitudinal drive cylinder; 1236. Connecting protrusion; 1237. T-shaped connecting block; 1238. Lower guide shaft; 1239. Longitudinal buffer spring; 12310. Limiting post; 12311. Transverse guide rail; 12312. Fixture mounting base; 12313. Nozzle mounting plate; 12314. Battery cell nozzle; 12315. Transverse slider; 12316. Transverse limiting block; 12317. Transverse buffer spring; 124. Sensor mounting bracket; 125. Proximity sensor; 2. Magnetic levitation conveying mechanism; 21. Lateral movement module; 22. Magnetic levitation moving guide rail; 23. Magnetic levitation fixed guide rail; 24. Front half of the battery cell carrier; 25. Rear half of the battery cell carrier; 26. Magnetic levitation actuator; 27. Pushing cylinder mounting bracket; 28. Pushing cylinder; 3. Barcode scanner assembly; 31. Barcode scanner mounting bracket; 32. Adjustable connector; 33. Barcode scanner; 4. Material frame. Detailed Implementation
[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0028] Example: An automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and dispensing device.
[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 8 As shown, an automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and dispensing device includes: (i) Flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1, the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1 includes a four-axis robot 11 and a battery cell absorbing assembly 12. The four-axis robot 11 includes a base 111. A first joint rotary motor 112 is mounted vertically upward on the base 111. A first rotating arm 113 is mounted on the output shaft of the first joint rotary motor 112. A second joint rotary motor 114 is mounted vertically upward at the front end of the first rotating arm 113. A second rotating arm 115 is mounted on the output shaft of the second joint rotary motor 114. A third joint rotary motor 116 is mounted vertically downward at the front end of the second rotating arm 115. The battery cell absorbing assembly 12 is connected to the output shaft of the third joint rotary motor 116 through a rotary connecting shaft 121. In actual operation, the combination of the base 111, the first rotating arm 113, the second rotating arm 115 and the end third joint rotary motor 116 enables rapid movement in the plane and precise adjustment of the cell angle through the end rotating shaft. It is suitable for high-speed and high-frequency picking and placing operations on the cell production line. Moreover, the two-stage rotating arm design makes the robot's working radius cover a large range, which can easily handle picking and placing tasks from the magnetic levitation conveyor 2 to the material frame 4.
[0030] Reference Figures 4 to 6As shown, the battery-absorbing assembly 12 includes a rotating connecting shaft 121, which is connected to a third joint rotary motor 116 mounted on the top front end of the four-axis robot 11. A square fixing plate 122 is mounted on the bottom of the rotating connecting shaft 121. Two flexible battery-absorbing mechanisms 123 are mounted side-by-side and vertically downwards on the fixing plate 122. Each flexible battery-absorbing mechanism 123 includes an L-shaped sliding mounting seat 1233, which is mounted on a vertical guide rail 1231 via a vertical slider 1232. The vertical guide rail 1231 is mounted on the fixed plate 122. The L-shaped sliding mounting base 1233 has two parallel, outwardly protruding connecting protrusions 1236 at its center. A T-shaped connecting block 1237 is installed between the two connecting protrusions 1236. The left and right sides of the T-shaped connecting block 1237 are respectively connected to the connecting protrusions 1236 and then pass through a lower guide shaft 1238. The bottom of the lower guide shaft 1238 passes through the connecting protrusions 1236 and the T-shaped connecting block 1237 and is then fixed to the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base 1233. The lower guide shaft 1238... A longitudinal buffer spring 1239 is fitted onto the device. The top of the longitudinal buffer spring 1239 contacts the bottom of the T-shaped connecting block 1237, and the bottom of the longitudinal buffer spring 1239 contacts the L-shaped sliding mounting seat 1233. A cylinder mounting seat 1234 is provided on the fixing plate 122. The cylinder mounting seat 1234 is L-shaped, with its end fixed to the fixing plate 122 and its front end bent and extending to the front of the sliding mounting seat 1233. A vertically downward-oriented longitudinal drive air cylinder is mounted on the cylinder mounting seat 1234. The longitudinal drive cylinder 1235 has its telescopic shaft connected to the T-shaped connecting block 1237. The L-shaped sliding mounting seat 1233 has a vertically upward-mounted limiting post 12310 installed at the bottom of the T-shaped connecting block 1237. When the longitudinal buffer spring 1239 is compressed to a certain extent, the T-shaped connecting block 1237 will contact the limiting post 12310, thereby limiting the extreme position of the longitudinal buffer. This effectively prevents problems such as guide shaft bending and mechanism damage caused by excessive compression of the longitudinal buffer spring 1239 or accidental impact, and plays a role in safety protection.
[0031] Reference Figures 5 to 6As shown, the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base 1233 is provided with a transverse guide rail 12311. The clamp mounting base 12312 is mounted on the transverse guide rail 12311 via a transverse slider 12315. A transverse limiting block 12316 is installed at the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base 1233 behind the transverse guide rail 12311. A transverse buffer spring 12317 is installed between the transverse limiting block 12316 and the clamp mounting base 12312. The battery cell clamping mechanism is mounted vertically on the clamp mounting base 12312. The battery cell clamping mechanism includes a suction nozzle mounting plate 12313. The top of the suction nozzle mounting plate 12313 is fixed to the clamp mounting base 12312 with screws, and a battery cell suction nozzle 12314 is installed at the bottom of the suction nozzle mounting plate 12313. In actual operation, the vacuum suction method has a large contact area and uniform force distribution, further reducing the risk of causing local stress on the surface of the battery cell compared to mechanical grippers. A sensor mounting bracket 124 is installed on one side of the nozzle mounting plate 12313 on the fixed plate 122. A proximity sensor 125 is installed on the sensor mounting bracket 124, which can detect in real time whether the battery cell is successfully sucked or released.
[0032] In this embodiment, during actual operation, the battery cell suction assembly 12 can be precisely moved to the location of the battery cell to be suctioned by a four-axis robot 11. Then, the battery cell suction nozzle 12314 in the battery cell suction assembly 12 contacts and suctions the battery cell. During the contact between the battery cell suction nozzle 12314 and the battery cell, by setting up a T-shaped connecting block 1237, a lower guide shaft 1238, and a longitudinal buffer spring 1239, when the battery cell suction nozzle 12314 contacts the battery cell, the T-shaped connecting block 1237 can slide upward relative to the L-shaped sliding mounting base 1233 along the lower guide shaft 1238, compressing the longitudinal buffer spring 1239, thereby absorbing the vertical impact force and preventing the battery cell from being damaged due to hard contact. At the same time, by setting a transverse guide rail 12311, a clamp mounting base 12312, and a transverse buffer spring 12317 at the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base 1233, the battery cell suction clamping mechanism can float in the horizontal direction (lateral). When there is a lateral deviation in the pick-up position, the lateral buffer spring 12317 can provide adaptive centering capability to compensate for the error in the pick-up or unload position and improve the alignment tolerance of the device.
[0033] This flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1, by incorporating a longitudinal buffer spring 1239 and a transverse buffer spring 12317, allows the battery cell clamping mechanism to elastically float in both the vertical and horizontal directions upon contact with the battery cell. The longitudinal buffer effectively absorbs differences in battery cell thickness or flatness errors, while the transverse buffer corrects minor horizontal positional shifts in the battery cell, thus achieving flexible battery cell handling and significantly reducing the risk of damage caused by rigid contact. Furthermore, combining the high-speed, high-precision, and wide-range motion characteristics of the four-axis robot 11 with the high efficiency of simultaneous pick-and-place with dual suction nozzles, it meets the high-cycle, high-efficiency production requirements of modern lithium battery production lines. Simultaneously, the rotation function at the end of the four-axis robot 11 facilitates the adjustment of the battery cell to the required angle, adapting to complex placement positions.
[0034] (ii) A magnetic levitation conveying mechanism 2 installed on the left side of the flexible cell transfer mechanism 1; the magnetic levitation conveying mechanism 2 includes two parallel and spaced transverse moving modules 21, a magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22 installed on the two transverse moving modules 21, a magnetic levitation fixed guide rail 23 installed on the left side of the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22, a magnetic levitation stator installed on both the magnetic levitation fixed guide rail 23 and the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22, and a front half cell carrier 24 provided on the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22. A magnetic levitation actuator 26 is installed at the bottom of the front half-cell carrier 24. A rear half-cell carrier 25 is mounted on the magnetic levitation fixed guide rail 23, opposite to the front half-cell carrier 24. A magnetic levitation actuator 26 is also installed at the bottom of the rear half-cell carrier 25. A pusher cylinder mounting bracket 27 is installed behind the magnetic levitation fixed guide rail 23, and a pusher cylinder 28 is mounted on the pusher cylinder mounting bracket 27, facing the rear half-cell carrier 25. In actual operation, the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22 can be driven to move along the horizontal moving module 21, thereby adjusting the distance between the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22 and the magnetic levitation fixed guide rail 23, realizing the closing or opening of the rear half-cell carrier 24 and the front half-cell carrier 25. In actual operation, when the magnetic levitation stators on the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22 and the magnetic levitation fixed guide rail 23 respectively drive the magnetic levitation moving element 26 to move the front half-cell carrier 24 and the rear half-cell carrier 25 into position, the lateral moving module 21 drives the magnetic levitation moving guide rail 22 to move backward along the lateral moving module 21, so that the distance between the front half-cell carrier 24 and the rear half-cell carrier 25 is increased. Then, the flexible cell transfer mechanism 1 drives the flexible cell suction mechanism 123 to move to the front of the rear half-cell carrier 25, and then pushes the cell in the rear half-cell carrier 25 forward through the pushing cylinder 28, so that the cell contacts the flexible cell suction mechanism 123. The flexible cell suction mechanism 123 sucks the cell tightly through the cell suction nozzle 12314, and then transfers it to the barcode scanner assembly 3 for scanning, and then puts it into the material frame 4. The system, consisting of a magnetically levitated fixed guide rail 23 and a magnetically levitated moving guide rail 22, has magnetically levitated movers 26 installed at the bottom of the front half of the battery cell carrier 24 and the rear half of the battery cell carrier 25, respectively. This achieves contactless levitation drive of the battery cell carrier, resulting in smooth operation, low noise, and minimal wear. It is particularly suitable for transporting battery cells that are sensitive to vibration. Two lateral movement modules 21 are used to adjust the position of the magnetically levitated moving guide rail 22, thereby adapting to the spacing of battery cell trays of different sizes and enhancing the versatility and flexibility of the device.
[0035] (III) A barcode scanner assembly 3 is installed on the left side of the magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism 2, the barcode scanner assembly 3 being inclined upwards; the barcode scanner assembly 3 includes a barcode scanner mounting bracket 31, the top of the barcode scanner mounting bracket 31 is equipped with an adjustable connector 32, and the barcode scanner 33 is mounted on the adjustable connector 32 and inclined upwards. In actual operation, the barcode scanner 33 is mounted through the adjustable connector 32, allowing the angle and orientation of the barcode scanner 33 to be flexibly adjusted to ensure that it can be aligned with the battery cell markings at the optimal reading angle.
[0036] (iv) A material frame 4 installed on the right side of the flexible cell transfer mechanism 1, wherein a plurality of cell trays are arranged side by side at intervals in the material frame 4.
[0037] In this embodiment, during actual operation, the magnetic levitation conveying mechanism 2 first transports the battery cells that need to be scanned to one side of the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1. Then, the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1 picks up the battery cells and moves them to the barcode scanner assembly 3 for scanning and recording. After scanning, the picked-up battery cells are transferred to the battery cell tray in the material frame 4. In the actual transfer process, by setting up the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1, which includes a four-axis robot 11 and a special battery cell suction assembly, the device can flexibly pick up and drop battery cells from multiple positions in the right material frame 4. The two flexible battery cell suction mechanisms 123 in the battery cell suction assembly 12 have independent vertical buffer (through longitudinal buffer springs) and lateral buffer (through lateral buffer springs) functions. When the suction nozzle contacts the surface of the battery cell, it can adaptively fine-tune its position and absorb contact force, effectively preventing the battery cells from being squeezed or scratched due to positioning errors or robot motion inertia. At the same time, the assembly can rotate as a whole, making it easy to adjust the battery cell posture to adapt to the scanning or feeding angle. By combining the magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism 2 on the left with the barcode scanner assembly 3, a fully automated and flexible operation process is realized, in which the battery cells are taken out from the battery cell carrier in the magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism 2, automatically scanned, and then placed into the battery cell tray in the material frame.
[0038] This automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and unloading device employs a unique dual-spring buffer design (longitudinal and lateral) in its structural design of the flexible battery cell transfer mechanism 1. This design enables the end-effector nozzle to achieve a "soft landing" and lateral fault tolerance, completely solving the industry problem of rigid gripping easily damaging battery cells. Simultaneously, the robot's multi-axis motion and adjustable-width magnetic levitation line allow it to adapt to different specifications of battery cells and trays, exhibiting a high degree of flexibility. Furthermore, the magnetic levitation conveyor provides a smooth and precise transfer path; the adjustable-angle barcode scanner ensures a high scanning success rate; and detailed designs such as proximity sensors and limit posts enhance the reliability of the operation and the safety of the equipment. The entire system operates stably with a low failure rate.
[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention should not be limited to the content disclosed in the embodiments and drawings. Therefore, any equivalent or modified embodiments made without departing from the spirit of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An automatic battery cell picking, scanning, and dispensing device, characterized in that... include: A flexible battery cell transfer mechanism includes a four-axis robot. A battery cell suction assembly is mounted on the top front end of the four-axis robot. The battery cell suction assembly includes a rotary connecting shaft connected to a third joint rotary motor mounted on the top front end of the four-axis robot. A square fixing plate is mounted on the bottom of the rotary connecting shaft. Two parallel, spaced-apart, vertically arranged flexible battery cell suction mechanisms are mounted on the fixing plate. Each flexible battery cell suction mechanism includes an L-shaped sliding mounting base, which is mounted on a vertical guide rail via a vertical slider. The vertical guide rail is located on the fixing plate. Two parallel, spaced-apart outward-protruding connecting protrusions are provided in the middle of the L-shaped sliding mounting base. A T-shaped connecting block is installed between the two connecting protrusions. The left and right sides of the T-shaped connecting block respectively mate with the connecting protrusions and are connected via a lower guide shaft. The lower guide shaft is fixed to the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base after passing through the protrusion and T-shaped connecting block. A longitudinal buffer spring is sleeved on the lower guide shaft. The top of the longitudinal buffer spring contacts the bottom of the T-shaped connecting block, and the bottom of the longitudinal buffer spring contacts the L-shaped sliding mounting base. A cylinder mounting base is provided on the fixed plate. A vertically downward longitudinal drive cylinder is installed on the cylinder mounting base. The telescopic shaft of the longitudinal drive cylinder is connected to the T-shaped connecting block. A transverse guide rail is provided at the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base. A clamp mounting base is installed on the transverse guide rail by a transverse slider. A transverse limiting block is installed at the bottom of the L-shaped sliding mounting base behind the transverse guide rail. A transverse buffer spring is installed between the transverse limiting block and the clamp mounting base. The electric core clamping mechanism is installed on the clamp mounting base in the vertical direction. A magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism installed on the left side of the flexible cell transfer mechanism; A barcode scanner assembly is installed on the left side of the magnetic levitation conveyor mechanism, and the barcode scanner assembly is tilted upward. A material frame is installed on the right side of the flexible cell transfer mechanism, and multiple cell trays are arranged side by side at intervals within the material frame.
2. The automatic cell picking, scanning, and feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic levitation conveying mechanism includes two parallel, spaced-apart lateral moving modules. Magnetic levitation moving guides are mounted on the two lateral moving modules. A magnetic levitation fixed guide is mounted on the left side of the magnetic levitation moving guide. Magnetic levitation stators are mounted on both the magnetic levitation fixed guide and the magnetic levitation moving guide. A front half-cell carrier is arranged on the magnetic levitation moving guide, and a magnetic levitation mover is mounted at the bottom of the front half-cell carrier. A rear half-cell carrier is arranged on the magnetic levitation fixed guide, opposite to the front half-cell carrier. A magnetic levitation mover is also mounted at the bottom of the rear half-cell carrier. A pusher cylinder mounting frame is installed behind the magnetic levitation fixed guide, and a pusher cylinder is mounted on the pusher cylinder mounting frame, facing the rear half-cell carrier.
3. The automatic cell picking, scanning, and feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The barcode scanner assembly includes a barcode scanner mounting bracket, an adjustable connector is mounted on the top of the barcode scanner mounting bracket, and the barcode scanner is mounted on the adjustable connector and tilted upwards.
4. The automatic cell picking, scanning, and feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The four-axis robot includes a base on which a first joint rotary motor is mounted vertically upward. A first rotating arm is mounted on the output shaft of the first joint rotary motor. A second joint rotary motor is mounted vertically upward at the front end of the first rotating arm. A second rotating arm is mounted on the output shaft of the second joint rotary motor. A third joint rotary motor is mounted vertically downward at the front end of the second rotating arm. The electric core assembly is connected to the output shaft of the third joint rotary motor via a rotary connecting shaft.
5. The automatic cell picking, scanning, and feeding device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The battery cell clamping mechanism includes a suction nozzle mounting plate. The top of the suction nozzle mounting plate is fixed to the clamp mounting base by screws, and a battery cell suction nozzle is mounted on the bottom of the suction nozzle mounting plate.
6. The automatic cell picking, scanning, and feeding device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, A sensor mounting bracket is installed on one side of the nozzle mounting plate on the fixed plate, and a proximity sensor is installed on the sensor mounting bracket.
7. The automatic cell picking, scanning, and feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A vertically upward limiting post is installed on the L-shaped sliding mounting base at the bottom of the T-shaped connecting block.