A transfer mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line

Abstract

This invention provides a conveying mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line, relating to the technical field of lithium battery processing equipment. It includes a frame, an infeed structure, a conveyor chain, and an outfeed structure. Two sprockets for the traction conveyor chain are rotatably connected to the frame. The conveyor chain is formed by splicing together several chain links, with adjacent links rotatably connected by pins. Each chain link includes a left chain plate and a right chain plate, which are fixedly connected by a clamping plate. Each side of the clamping plate has a positioning groove adapted to the circumference of the battery cell. The infeed and outfeed structures are respectively located at the two sprockets. In the straight section of the conveyor chain, adjacent clamping plates can restrict a single battery cell through two opposing positioning grooves. In the curved section of the conveyor chain, the angle between two adjacent clamping plates is greater than 10°, allowing the battery cell to enter or slide out between the two clamping plates. This invention has advantages such as a small battery cell coverage area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lithium battery processing equipment technology, and in particular to a transmission mechanism for cylindrical cells in a lithium battery PACK production line. Background Technology

[0002] In lithium battery PACK production lines, cylindrical cells are mostly moved horizontally online. The conveyor line carries the cells horizontally (the circumference of the cell rests on the conveyor belt) or vertically (the cell rests at one of its extreme ends). In both of these methods, the circumference of the cell is in a state of rolling friction, while the extreme ends are in a state of sliding friction. Moreover, the exposed surface of the cell is small, and the conveyor line is prone to dust accumulation and is not easy to clean. During processes such as blowing, cleaning, appearance inspection, and labeling, it is inconvenient to observe the appearance of the cell. The dusty conveyor line can easily damage the appearance of the cell due to friction during cell transport. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a transmission mechanism for a non-load-bearing cylindrical battery cell.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line, characterized in that it includes a frame, an infeed structure, a conveyor chain, and an outfeed structure. Two sprockets for the traction conveyor chain are rotatably connected to the frame. The conveyor chain is formed by splicing together several chain links, with adjacent links rotatably connected by pins. Each chain link includes a left chain plate and a right chain plate, which are fixedly connected by a clamping plate. Each clamping plate has a positioning groove on both sides that matches the circumference of the battery cell. The infeed structure and the outfeed structure are respectively located at the two sprockets. In the straight section of the conveyor chain, a single battery cell can be restricted between adjacent clamping plates by two opposing positioning grooves. In the arc-shaped section of the conveyor chain, the angle between two adjacent clamping plates is greater than 10°, allowing the battery cell to enter or slide out between the two clamping plates.

[0005] Furthermore, the feeding structure includes a hopper and a feeding vibrating plate. The feeding vibrating plate is located between the outlet of the hopper and the arc-shaped section of the conveyor chain. A ratchet is fixed on the sprocket. The feeding vibrating plate has a paddle that matches the ratchet. The middle part of the feeding vibrating plate is hinged to the frame. The end of the feeding vibrating plate away from the paddle is connected to the frame by a tension spring.

[0006] Furthermore, on the conveyor chain, two adjacent pins are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the clamp located between the two pins.

[0007] Furthermore, the straight sections of the conveyor chain are in a vertical position.

[0008] Furthermore, the sprocket has chain teeth that are adapted to the pins of the conveyor chain.

[0009] Furthermore, the clamping plate includes a positioning portion with a positioning groove and a guide portion located outside the positioning portion.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: Most of the cylindrical battery cells are exposed, making them easy to observe; this is due to processes such as purging, labeling, and visual inspection. Cylindrical battery cells do not experience significant friction during transmission and are less prone to wear and scratches. It can be used for vertical transmission, making full use of the vertical space of the site, and can also be used for connecting and transferring battery cells between two horizontal transmission lines. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vertically positioned cell delivery mechanism.

[0012] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A sectional view.

[0013] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the middle.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding vibrating plate.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a 3D diagram showing the connection of two links.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell being held and released by the clamping plate (the clamping plate has a guide section).

[0017] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell being held and released by the clamping plate (the clamping plate does not have a guide section).

[0018] Legend: 1. Frame; 2. Feeding structure; 21. Hopper; 22. Feeding vibrating plate; 23. Ratchet; 24. Paddle; 25. Tension spring; 3. Conveyor chain; 31. Left chain plate; 32. Right chain plate; 33. Clamping plate; 331. Positioning part; 332. Guide part; 4. Discharge structure; 5. Sprocket. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to further illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0020] As 1 to Figure 6As shown, the device includes a frame 1, an infeed structure 2, a conveyor chain 3, and an outfeed structure 4. Two sprockets 5 rotatably connect to the frame 1, supporting the conveyor chain 3. The conveyor chain 3 is formed by splicing together several chain links, with adjacent links rotatably connected by pins. Each chain link includes a left chain plate 31 and a right chain plate 32, which are fixedly connected by a clamping plate 33. The clamping plate 33 has a positioning groove on each side that matches the circumferential surface of the battery cell. The infeed structure 2 and the outfeed structure 4 are respectively located at the two sprockets 5. In the straight section of chain 3, a single battery cell can be restricted between adjacent clamping plates 33 by two opposing positioning grooves. This is because when the conveyor chain 3 is in a straight and tensioned state, the two clamping plates 33 are parallel to each other, and the positioning grooves restrict the cylindrical battery cell. In the arc section of the conveyor chain 3, the included angle between two adjacent clamping plates 33 is 30°, and the two clamping plates 33 rotate 30° around the pin between them. The distance between the outer openings is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical battery cell, allowing the battery cell to enter between the two clamping plates 33 or slide away from between the two clamping plates 33.

[0021] The feeding structure 2 includes a hopper 21 and a feeding vibrating plate 22. The feeding vibrating plate 22 is located between the outlet of the hopper 21 and the arc-shaped section of the conveyor chain 3. A ratchet 23 is fixed on the sprocket 5. The feeding vibrating plate 22 has a paddle 24 adapted to the ratchet 23. The middle part of the feeding vibrating plate 22 is hinged to the frame 1. The end of the feeding vibrating plate 22 away from the paddle 24 is connected to the frame 1 by a tension spring 25. Taking the vertical setting of the conveying mechanism as an example, at the upper sprocket 5 position, the conveyor chain 3 is in an arc state. Here, the clamping plate 33 is in an open state. In the direction of rotation of the sprocket 5, the battery cell can move smoothly between the two clamping plates 33. In order to avoid or reduce the possibility of jamming, a vibration device is set here. During the rotation of the sprocket 5, the ratchet 23 on it drives the paddle 24 at the inner end of the feeding vibrating plate 22 to vibrate, thereby preventing the battery cell to be fed on the feeding vibrating plate 22 from getting stuck.

[0022] On the conveyor chain 3, two adjacent pins are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the clamping plate 33 located between the two pins. That is to say, the clamping plate 33 is located at the exact center of a single chain link, so that the two clamping plates 33 can open synchronously and with the same amplitude when the conveyor chain 3 is not straight.

[0023] The sprocket 5 has chain teeth that are adapted to the pin of the conveyor chain 3. The sprocket 5 drives the conveyor chain 3 to run through the cooperation of the pin. The battery cell is located between the left chain plate 31 and the right chain plate 32.

[0024] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the clamping plate 33 includes a positioning part 331 with a positioning groove and a guide part 332 located outside the positioning part 331. The guide part 332 facilitates the smooth entry of the battery cell between the two clamping plates 33. The guide part 332 may or may not be provided, depending on the feeding method.

[0025] This solution has a small coating area on the periphery of the battery cell, low clamping strength, is not prone to dirt accumulation, and does not cause continuous rolling or sliding wear of the battery cell. It is superior to the existing load-bearing conveying method in the process before coating. In addition, it can also be used for vertical conveying, including separate vertical conveying and battery cell transfer between two vertical lines.

[0026] The discharge structure 4 is a simple discharge method, that is, when the adjacent clamping plates 33 are open, the battery cell can slide off under the weight.

[0027] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line, characterized in that, The device includes a frame (1), a feeding structure (2), a conveyor chain (3), and a discharging structure (4). Two sprockets (5) for the traction conveyor chains (3) are rotatably connected to the frame (1). The conveyor chains (3) are formed by splicing together several chain links, with adjacent links rotatably connected by pins. Each chain link includes a left chain plate (31) and a right chain plate (32), which are fixedly connected by a clamping plate (33). Each side has a positioning groove that is adapted to the circumference of the battery cell. The feeding structure (2) and the discharging structure (4) are respectively set at the two sprockets (5). In the straight section of the conveyor chain (3), the adjacent clamps (33) can restrict a single battery cell through two opposing positioning grooves. In the arc section of the conveyor chain (3), the included angle between two adjacent clamps (33) is greater than 10°, and the battery cell can enter between the two clamps (33) or slide away from the two clamps (33).

2. The transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding structure (2) includes a hopper (21) and a feeding vibrating plate (22). The feeding vibrating plate (22) is located between the outlet of the hopper (21) and the arc-shaped section of the conveying chain (3). A ratchet (23) is fixed on the sprocket (5). The feeding vibrating plate (22) has a paddle (24) adapted to the ratchet (23). The middle part of the feeding vibrating plate (22) is hinged to the frame (1). The end of the feeding vibrating plate (22) away from the paddle (24) is connected to the frame (1) by a tension spring (25).

3. The transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the conveyor chain (3), two adjacent pins are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the clamp (33) located between the two pins.

4. A transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The straight section of the conveyor chain (3) is in a vertical state.

5. A transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The sprocket (5) has chain teeth that are adapted to the pins of the conveyor chain (3).

6. A transmission mechanism for cylindrical battery cells in a lithium battery PACK production line according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The clamp (33) includes a positioning part (331) with a positioning groove and a guide part (332) located outside the positioning part (331).

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