Soft electrical core free expansion tooling

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of battery cell testing, in particular to a soft battery cell free expansion tool, which comprises a support frame, the support frame comprises a support bottom plate located at the bottom, vertical support side plates are arranged on the two sides of the support bottom plate, a horizontally arranged support rod is vertically and slidingly connected to the support frame, the two ends of the support rod are respectively and vertically and slidingly connected with the two support side plates, a plurality of clamping pieces for clamping battery cells are arranged on the support rod, a limiting groove is arranged in the center of the support bottom plate, and the vertical projection of the clamping piece is located in the limiting groove. The upper ends of the battery cells are clamped through the clamping pieces, the support rod is upwardly slid, so that the battery cells are in a vertical state, and the bottom of the battery cell is in contact with the bottom of the limiting groove but is not forced. At this time, the limiting groove limits the bottom of the battery cell and limits the expansion state of the battery cell during the testing process. During the testing process, the battery cell part can freely expand and is not limited by other structures, so that the accuracy of the testing data is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of battery cell testing, and in particular to a tooling for the free expansion of soft battery cells. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, lithium-ion batteries on the market are mainly divided into three categories: prismatic batteries, cylindrical batteries, and pouch batteries. Pouch cells have only one layer of aluminum-plastic film for protection. Because the aluminum-plastic film itself is relatively soft, it cannot provide sufficient protection for the cell. Therefore, during testing, stretching, bending, and deformation are very likely to occur.

[0003] For related technologies, please refer to Chinese Patent Publication No. CN210894436U, which discloses a testing fixture for soft-pack battery cells, including: a fixed substrate, wherein the fixed substrate is provided with a fixed side suitable for attaching to the soft-pack battery cell, and the fixed substrate is also provided with a fixing part for fixing the tabs of the soft-pack battery cell.

[0004] During heating tests, pouch cells should be kept upright and allowed to expand freely to measure their expansion rate and extent when heated. However, existing testing fixtures, such as those described above, support and fix the cells from the sides. While this provides good support, it hinders the free expansion of the pouch cells, affecting the test data. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To improve the accuracy of test data, this application provides a free expansion fixture for soft battery cells.

[0006] The free expansion fixture for soft battery cells provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A flexible battery cell free expansion fixture includes a support frame, which includes a support base plate at the bottom and support side plates vertically arranged on both sides of the support base plate. A horizontally arranged support rod is vertically slidably connected to the support frame, and the two ends of the support rod are vertically slidably connected to the two support side plates respectively. The support rod is provided with a plurality of clamping parts for clamping the battery cell. A limiting groove is opened in the center of the support base plate, and the vertical projection of the clamping parts is located in the limiting groove.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the battery cell is placed vertically above the support base plate, with its bottom located within the limiting groove. The upper sides of the battery cell are clamped by clamping components, and the support rod slides upwards, keeping the battery cell in a vertical position. The bottom of the battery cell contacts the bottom of the limiting groove but is not subjected to force. At this time, the limiting groove restricts the bottom of the battery cell, limiting its expansion during testing. During testing, the battery cell can expand freely without being restricted by other structures, thus ensuring the accuracy of the test data.

[0008] Preferably, the clamping member includes a clamping block, the upper end of which is slidably connected to a support rod. A groove is provided inside the clamping block, and a clamping rod passes through the groove. The lower end of the clamping rod passes through the clamping block and is fixedly connected to a jaw. A support spring is sleeved on the clamping rod, with one end of the support spring abutting against the upper end of the clamping rod and the other end abutting against the lower end of the groove.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the clamping block holds and fixes the battery cell through the grippers, which are movably connected to the clamping block via a support spring and a clamping rod. In actual testing, it is difficult to achieve a situation where the bottom of the battery cell is "only in contact with the limiting groove without being subjected to force." Therefore, the limiting groove actually supports a portion of the weight, and the grippers balance a portion of the weight through the support spring. If a straight rod were used at this time, during the deformation process of the battery cell, the force exerted by the straight rod on the battery cell would gradually increase as the side of the battery cell deforms, significantly affecting the deformation results. However, the support spring continues to compress, and its elastic force does not change much when the deformation is small, reducing the increased force value and thus having a relatively smaller impact, thereby improving the accuracy of the test.

[0010] Preferably, a limiting plate is vertically slidably connected inside the limiting groove, and a number of vertically arranged buffer members are provided between the lower surface of the limiting plate and the limiting groove.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the bottom of the limiting groove contacts and supports the bottom of the battery cell through the limiting plate. The limiting plate is slidably connected to the limiting groove through the buffer, so that the contact between the limiting plate and the battery cell is flexible, thereby reducing the supporting force of the limiting plate on the battery cell and further ensuring the test effect.

[0012] Preferably, the buffer includes an upper rod fixed to the lower surface of the limiting plate and a lower cylinder fixed to the bottom of the limiting groove. The upper rod and the lower cylinder correspond one to one, and the lower end of the upper rod is inserted into the lower cylinder and slidably connected to the lower cylinder. A buffer block is vertically slidably connected inside the lower cylinder, and a buffer spring is provided between the buffer block and the bottom of the lower cylinder.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting plates slide towards each other, and the upper rod squeezes the buffer spring through the buffer block. The buffer spring buffers the limiting plate, thereby reducing the supporting force of the limiting plate on the battery cell.

[0014] Preferably, a lifting screw is vertically rotatably connected to one of the support side plates, a lifting seat is threaded onto the lifting screw, the support rod is connected to the lifting seat, a drive motor is connected to the lifting screw, and a pressure sensor is connected to at least one buffer block. The pressure sensor is electrically connected to the drive motor through a controller.

[0015] By employing the above technical solution, the rotation of the lifting screw drives the lifting seat and support rod to move up and down, simultaneously causing the clamping component to move up and down, thereby changing the height of the clamping component and the battery cell. The battery cell is placed in the limiting groove and contacts the limiting plate. The limiting plate descends under pressure, and a pressure sensor on the buffer block monitors the supporting effect of the limiting plate on the battery cell. If the supporting force of the limiting plate on the battery cell is large, the pressure sensor sends a signal to the controller, which drives the drive motor to start, the lifting screw to rotate, and the lifting seat to lift the clamping component, thus gradually raising the battery cell to reduce the force between the battery cell and the limiting plate. If the supporting force of the limiting plate on the battery cell is too small, it indicates that the battery cell is too high, and the battery cell separates from the limiting plate. At this time, the pressure sensor sends a signal to the controller, which drives the drive motor to start, the lifting screw to rotate, and the lifting seat to lower the clamping component, thus bringing the battery cell into contact with the limiting plate. The electrical connection between the pressure sensor and the drive motor allows for monitoring of the battery cell's installation position and status, reducing installation errors caused by visual observation and ensuring measurement accuracy.

[0016] Preferably, there are two support rods at the same height. The support side plate also has two top rods located above the support rods. The top rods are directly opposite the support rods, and a travel gap is formed between the top rods and the support rods. The clamping member includes a travel wheel rotatably connected within the travel gap. Each clamping member includes two travel wheels, and the clamping block is connected to the two travel wheels.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the clamping blocks can slide freely along the support rod via the traveling wheels, thereby adjusting the distance between the clamping blocks and enabling the clamping of battery cells of different sizes, thus improving the applicability.

[0018] Preferably, the two traveling wheels are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected by a horizontal traveling shaft. The clamping block is located between the two traveling wheels, and a gap is left between the two support rods. The clamping block extends out of the gap, and the upper end of the clamping block is rotatably connected to the traveling shaft.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the clamping block is hinged to the traveling wheel via the traveling shaft, allowing the clamping block to rotate freely around the traveling shaft. During the test, when the battery cell expands, the sealing edge of the battery cell may shrink, allowing the clamping rod to swing freely and always return to a vertical position, thus keeping the battery cell in an upright state at all times.

[0020] Preferably, the bottom of the clamping block has a through hole that communicates with the sliding groove. The diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the clamping rod. The upper end of the clamping rod is fixed with a fixing plate with a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole. The upper end of the supporting spring abuts against the fixing plate.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the fixing plate above the clamping rod limits the support spring and limits the clamping block to prevent the clamping rod from sliding out of the through hole.

[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. When in use, this application can ensure that it will not exert pressure on the battery cell body and can ensure that the battery cell is always in a vertical position; 2. This application can perform clamping tests on battery cells of various sizes, and has a wide range of applications. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping component in the embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the limiting groove in the embodiment.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Support frame; 11. Support base plate; 12. Support side plate; 13. Limiting groove; 14. Top rod; 2. Support rod; 3. Clamping component; 31. Clamping block; 311. Slide groove; 32. Clamping rod; 321. Fixing plate; 33. Gripper; 34. Support spring; 35. Traveling wheel; 36. Traveling shaft; 4. Limiting plate; 5. Buffer component; 51. Upper rod; 52. Lower cylinder; 53. Buffer block; 54. Buffer spring; 6. Lifting screw; 61. Drive motor; 62. Lifting seat. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to all the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Example

[0027] This application discloses a free expansion fixture for soft battery cells, as shown in the embodiments below. Figure 1 The system includes a support frame 1, which consists of a bottom support plate 11 and support side plates 12 vertically fixed to both sides of the bottom support plate 11. A horizontally arranged support rod 2 is vertically slidably connected between the two support side plates 12, and the support rod 2 is equipped with clamping components 3 for holding the battery cells. A lifting screw 6 is vertically rotatably mounted on one of the support side plates 12, and the lifting screw 6 is threadedly connected to a lifting seat 62. The support rod 2 is fixedly connected to the lifting seat 62, and the lifting screw 6 is driven by a drive motor 61. The rotation of the lifting screw 6 drives the support rod 2 to move up and down through the lifting seat 62. A limiting groove 13 is formed in the center of the bottom support plate 11, and the vertical projection of the clamping components 3 all falls within the limiting groove 13.

[0028] Reference Figure 1When in use, the soft battery cell is placed vertically above the support base plate 11, with the bottom of the battery cell placed in the limiting groove 13. The upper end of the battery cell is clamped and fixed by the clamping member 3. The support rod 2 is slid upward to keep the battery cell vertical, so that the bottom of the battery cell only contacts the internal structure of the limiting groove 13 and is not subject to rigid pressure. The limiting groove 13 only limits the bottom of the battery cell horizontally, allowing the battery cell to expand freely in all directions without being constrained by the external structure, effectively ensuring the accuracy of the expansion test data.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lifting base 62 has two support rods 2 of equal height, and a top rod 14 corresponding to each support rod 2, forming a travel gap between the top rod 14 and the support rod 2. There are two clamping components 3, each including two traveling wheels 35 and a clamping block 31. The two traveling wheels 35 are respectively engaged in the two travel gaps, and the clamping block 31 is connected to the traveling wheels 35, allowing it to slide freely along the support rod 2, flexibly adjusting the clamping distance to accommodate various sizes and specifications of flexible battery cells.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two traveling wheels 35 are coaxially mounted and fixed by a traveling shaft 36. A clamping block 31 is positioned between the two wheels, with its upper end rotatably connected to the traveling shaft 36. A clearance is provided between the two support rods 2 for the clamping block 31 to move. During the test, when the battery cell expands and deforms, or when the side sealing edge contracts and shifts, the clamping block 31 can freely swing and adaptively adjust with the battery cell's posture. After clamping, it can automatically reset, always maintaining the battery cell in a vertical position, ensuring the stability of the battery cell's placement posture during the test.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 3 A vertical groove 311 is formed inside the clamping block 31, and a clamping rod 32 passes through the groove 311. A through hole communicating with the groove 311 is formed at the bottom of the clamping block 31, and the diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the clamping rod 32. A fixing plate 321 with a size larger than the through hole is fixed to the upper end of the clamping rod 32. A support spring 34 is sleeved on the outside of the clamping rod 32. The upper end of the support spring 34 abuts against the fixing plate 321, and the lower end of the support spring 34 abuts against the bottom of the groove 311. The fixing plate 321 limits the clamping rod 32 to prevent it from slipping out of the through hole and improves the stability of the clamping structure.

[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 3The lower end of the clamping rod 32 extends out of the clamping block 31 and is fixedly connected to the clamping claw 33. The clamping claw 33 clamps the side of the battery cell. The clamping rod 32 is elastically connected to the clamping block 31 by the support spring 34. In actual assembly, the support spring 34 can be used to balance the weight of the battery cell, making up for the defect that pure contact assembly without force cannot be achieved. When the battery cell undergoes lateral expansion deformation, the support spring 34 only undergoes a small amount of compression, and the change in elastic force is small. It will not generate a continuously increasing lateral binding force, which greatly reduces the interference of the clamping structure on the natural expansion state of the battery cell.

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 3 A limiting plate 4 is vertically slidably installed inside the limiting groove 13. Multiple sets of vertically arranged buffers 5 are evenly arranged between the limiting plate 4 and the bottom of the limiting groove 13. The bottom of the battery cell is in flexible contact with the limiting plate 4, further reducing the bottom support force.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The buffer component 5 consists of an upper rod 51 and a lower cylinder 52. The upper rod 51 is fixed to the lower surface of the limiting plate 4, and the lower cylinder 52 is fixed to the bottom of the limiting groove 13. The lower end of the upper rod 51 is slidably inserted into the interior of the lower cylinder 52. A buffer block 53 is vertically slidably provided inside the lower cylinder 52, and a buffer spring 54 is installed between the buffer block 53 and the bottom of the lower cylinder 52. When the weight of the battery cell presses down on the limiting plate 4, the upper rod 51 pushes the buffer block 53 to compress the buffer spring 54 to achieve elastic buffering, thus achieving the assembly effect of light contact without heavy pressure at the bottom of the battery cell.

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 3 A pressure sensor is installed on at least one buffer block 53, and the pressure sensor is electrically connected to the drive motor 61 through the controller. The pressure sensor monitors the support pressure on the bottom of the battery cell in real time. When the support pressure is too high, the controller controls the drive motor 61 to rotate, which drives the lifting screw 6 to rotate, causing the support rod 2 and the clamping member 3 to lift the battery cell and reduce the force on the bottom. When the pressure is too low and the battery cell loses contact, the clamping member 3 is automatically controlled to move the battery cell down to reset the contact. The automatic adjustment by electronic control replaces manual visual adjustment, eliminates assembly errors, and accurately controls the stress state of the battery cell assembly.

[0036] The implementation principle of the soft cell free expansion fixture in this application embodiment is as follows: the operator places the cell on the limiting plate 4, the upper side sealing edge of the cell is clamped and fixed by the jaws 33, the lifting screw 6 drives the jaws 33 to rise, thereby placing the cell vertically and adjusting the position of the cell by the pressure sensor, so that the cell is finally in a vertical state, and the bottom of the cell is in contact with the limiting plate 4, but the force between the two is small.

[0037] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A flexible battery cell free expansion fixture, comprising a support frame (1), characterized in that: The support frame (1) includes a support base plate (11) at the bottom, and support side plates (12) are vertically provided on both sides of the support base plate (11). A horizontally arranged support rod (2) is vertically slidably connected to the support frame (1). The two ends of the support rod (2) are vertically slidably connected to the two support side plates (12) respectively. The support rod (2) is provided with a plurality of clamping parts (3) for clamping the battery cell. A limiting groove (13) is opened in the center of the support base plate (11). The vertical projection of the clamping part (3) is located in the limiting groove (13).

2. The flexible battery cell free expansion fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping member (3) includes a clamping block (31), the upper end of which is slidably connected to the support rod (2). A sliding groove (311) is provided in the clamping block (31), and a clamping rod (32) is inserted through the sliding groove (311). The lower end of the clamping rod (32) extends out of the clamping block (31) and is fixedly connected to a clamping claw (33). A support spring (34) is sleeved on the clamping rod (32). One end of the support spring (34) abuts against the upper end of the clamping rod (32), and the other end abuts against the lower end of the sliding groove (311).

3. The flexible battery cell free expansion fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting plate (4) is vertically slidably connected inside the limiting groove (13), and a number of vertically arranged buffer members (5) are provided between the lower surface of the limiting plate (4) and the limiting groove (13).

4. The flexible cell free expansion fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that: The buffer (5) includes an upper rod (51) fixed to the lower surface of the limiting plate (4) and a lower cylinder (52) fixed to the bottom of the limiting groove (13). The upper rod (51) and the lower cylinder (52) correspond one to one, and the lower end of the upper rod (51) is inserted into the lower cylinder (52) and slidably connected to the lower cylinder (52). A buffer block (53) is vertically slidably connected inside the lower cylinder (52), and a buffer spring (54) is provided between the buffer block (53) and the bottom of the lower cylinder (52).

5. The flexible battery cell free expansion fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that: A lifting screw (6) is vertically rotatably connected to one of the supporting side plates (12). A lifting seat (62) is threaded onto the lifting screw (6). The support rod (2) is connected to the lifting seat (62). A drive motor (61) is connected to the lifting screw (6). A pressure sensor is connected to at least one buffer block (53). The pressure sensor is electrically connected to the drive motor (61) through a controller.

6. The flexible battery cell free expansion fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support rod (2) has two rods, and the two support rods (2) are at the same height. The support side plate (12) also has two top rods (14) located above the support rods (2). The top rods (14) are directly opposite the support rods (2), and a walking gap is formed between the top rods (14) and the support rods (2). The clamping member (3) includes a walking wheel (35) rotatably connected in the walking gap. Each clamping member (3) includes two walking wheels (35), and the clamping block (31) is connected to the two walking wheels (35).

7. The flexible cell free expansion fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that: Two walking wheels (35) are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected to each other by a horizontal walking shaft (36). The clamping block (31) is located between the two walking wheels (35). There is a gap between the two support rods (2). The clamping block (31) passes through the gap and the upper end of the clamping block (31) is rotatably connected to the walking shaft (36).

8. The flexible cell free expansion fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the clamping block (31) is provided with a through hole that communicates with the slide groove (311). The diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the clamping rod (32). The upper end of the clamping rod (32) is fixed with a fixing plate (321) with a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole. The upper end of the support spring (34) abuts against the fixing plate (321).

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