A battery cell assembly fixture

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of battery production equipment technology, and more particularly to a battery cell assembly fixture, comprising: a worktable and a tab assembly. An electric guide rail is fixedly mounted on the worktable, and an electric slide block is slidably mounted on the electric guide rail. This invention provides a geometric reference origin for the entire assembly process by fixing a first positioning post to a base. The tab assembly is fitted onto this base through a process hole, thus determining its spatial position. This changes the traditional process's dependence on the position of the preceding cell for the subsequent cell. The U-shaped positioning frame provides the support needed to install the second positioning post, ensuring positioning accuracy and facilitating the robot's cell loading and unloading. The tapered end of the second positioning post automatically converts the initial positional deviation of the cell placement into a corrective force that guides the cell to the correct position through inclined contact, significantly reducing the positioning accuracy requirements of the loading robot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery production equipment technology, and in particular to a battery cell assembly fixture. Background Technology

[0002] A storage battery is a rechargeable device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy and stores it. When charging, an external power source stores electrical energy, which is then converted into chemical energy and stored. When discharging, it converts the stored chemical energy back into electrical energy to power various devices.

[0003] In the production process of batteries such as square lithium-ion batteries, the key process is to align, stack and initially fix multiple positive and negative electrode plates (cells) with the corresponding tabs (current collectors) (such as pre-welding or gluing). However, the existing assembly method is prone to cumulative errors, which can lead to misalignment of the cells and tabs, affecting the battery's internal resistance, capacity and safety performance. Therefore, a battery cell assembly fixture is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the prior art by proposing a battery cell assembly fixture.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A battery cell assembly fixture includes: a worktable and a tab assembly; an electric guide rail is fixedly mounted on the worktable; an electric slide is slidably mounted on the electric guide rail; a pneumatic manipulator is mounted on the electric slide; and the fixture further includes: A base is fixedly connected to the center of the workbench, and a first positioning post for positioning the tab assembly is fixedly connected to the base. Two positioning frames are movably mounted on the worktable. Each positioning frame is fixedly connected with a second positioning post for engaging with the positioning hole on the battery cell, and a clearance groove for avoiding the fixed electrode assembly. An adjustment mechanism, located on the worktable, is used to adjust the distance between the two positioning frames; A pressing mechanism, located above the positioning frame, is used to press the positioned battery cell and the electrode assembly together. A flattening mechanism, located on the pressing mechanism, is used to flatten the battery cell before pressing.

[0006] Preferably, the positioning frame has a U-shaped structure, and the end of the second positioning post has a tapered guide structure.

[0007] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism includes: The first electric actuator is fixedly installed on the worktable; An adjustment bracket is fixedly connected to the output end of the first electric push rod; Two connecting brackets are fixedly connected to the outside of the two positioning frames respectively, and the connecting brackets are provided with inclined grooves; The adjusting frame has an inclined rod portion that cooperates with the inclined groove, and the inclined rod portion is slidably connected inside the inclined groove; A chute is formed inside the worktable; The slider is slidably connected inside the groove, and the slider is fixedly connected to the bottom of the positioning frame.

[0008] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes: The mounting bracket is fixedly connected to the workbench; The second electric push rod is fixedly installed on one side of the fixed frame; The clamping head is rotatably connected to the other side of the fixed frame; A sliding rod, one end of which is fixedly connected to the output end of the second electric push rod; A through groove is formed on the pressing head, and the other end of the slide rod is slidably connected inside the through groove.

[0009] Preferably, the second electric push rod is used to drive the slide rod to move back and forth. The slide rod drives the pressing head to swing up and down around its hinge point with the fixed frame by sliding in the through groove and pushing against the groove wall.

[0010] Preferably, the flattening mechanism includes: The third electric push rod is fixedly installed on the top of the clamping head; Two connecting rods are V-shapedly hinged to the output end of the third electric push rod; Two auxiliary rods are rotatably connected to both sides of the clamping head; Two supports, the top of each of the supports being rotatably connected to both the end of one of the connecting rods and the end of one of the auxiliary rods; Two flattening rollers are rotatably connected to the bottom of the two supports, respectively.

[0011] Preferably, the third electric push rod is used to drive the two connecting rods to unfold or retract, and then, through the linkage of the bracket and the auxiliary rod, drive the flattening roller to lift and move horizontally.

[0012] Preferably, when the third electric push rod drives the connecting rod to unfold, the flattening roller descends and comes into contact with the surface of the battery cell.

[0013] Preferably, during the downward pressing process of the pressing head, the flattening roller can roll relative to the surface of the battery cell.

[0014] Preferably, there are four second positioning posts, whose positions correspond to the positioning holes on the battery cell.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. By fixing the first positioning post to the base, a geometric reference origin is provided for the entire assembly process. The tab assembly is fitted onto it through the process hole, and its spatial position is determined. This changes the dependence of the position of the next cell on the position of the previous cell in the traditional process. The U-shaped positioning frame provides the support required to install the second positioning post, ensuring positioning accuracy and facilitating the robot to pick up and place the cells. The tapered end of the second positioning post can automatically convert the initial position deviation when the cell is placed into a correction force that guides the cell to slide to the correct position through the inclined contact, which significantly reduces the positioning accuracy requirements of the loading robot. 2. By setting an adjustment mechanism, the two positioning frames can be driven to move synchronously towards or away from each other, which can complete the adjustment of the required alignment distance for battery cells of different widths or sizes. This allows the same tooling to adapt to the production of various battery models without changing parts, improving the versatility of the equipment. Moreover, only the positions of the positioning frame and the second positioning post are changed, while the reference of the first positioning post for fixing the tab remains unchanged. Regardless of the specifications produced, the reference object for the alignment of all battery cells is always the same, thus ensuring that products of different specifications can obtain the same alignment accuracy compared to the traditional structure. 3. By setting up a clamping mechanism, after the battery cell and the tab are positioned, the clamping mechanism applies vertical pressure to make the two fit tightly together and eliminate the interface gap. This provides a stable connection interface without relative displacement for subsequent pre-welding or adhesive bonding processes, ensuring welding quality and adhesive layer uniformity. In turn, uniform and sufficient pressing ensures that a larger and tighter physical contact surface is formed between the tab and the active material of the battery cell, reducing the contact resistance between the two, effectively improving the rate performance of the battery and reducing energy loss during charging and discharging. 4. By setting up a flattening mechanism, during the stacking process, the electrode sheets are prone to micro-wrinkles due to their thin material or warping due to electrostatic adsorption. The flattening mechanism can effectively flatten these micro-unevennesses before pressing by actively lowering, extending and rolling the flattening rollers, ensuring that the battery cell contacts the tabs in a relaxed and flat state. In addition, the rolling action of the flattening rollers from the center to both sides can mechanically expel any air bubbles that may be trapped between the tabs and the battery cell, avoiding poor connection or local stress concentration caused by gas, and providing a clean and tight interface for subsequent welding or gluing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front structural schematic diagram of a battery cell assembly fixture proposed in this invention. Figure 2 This is a side view of a battery cell assembly fixture proposed in this invention. Figure 3This is a top view schematic diagram of a battery cell assembly fixture proposed in this invention; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of structure A in the diagram; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustment mechanism structure of a battery cell assembly fixture proposed in this invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism of a battery cell assembly fixture proposed in this invention; Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of structure B in the diagram; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the flattening mechanism of a battery cell assembly fixture proposed in this invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Workbench; 2. Electric guide rail; 21. Electric slide; 22. Pneumatic manipulator; 3. Base; 31. First positioning post; 4. Positioning frame; 41. Second positioning post; 42. Clearance groove; 5. Adjustment mechanism; 51. First electric push rod; 52. Adjustment frame; 53. Connecting frame; 54. Slide groove; 55. Slider; 6. Pressing mechanism; 61. Fixing frame; 62. Second electric push rod; 63. Pressing head; 64. Through groove; 65. Slide rod; 7. Flattening mechanism; 71. Third electric push rod; 72. Connecting rod; 73. Auxiliary rod; 74. Support; 75. Flattening roller. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0019] The terms used in this invention, such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one," are merely for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0020] Reference Figures 1-8 A battery cell assembly fixture includes: a worktable 1 and a tab assembly; an electric guide rail 2 is fixedly mounted on the worktable 1; an electric slide block 21 is slidably mounted on the electric guide rail 2; a pneumatic manipulator 22 is mounted on the electric slide block 21; and further includes: The base 3 is fixedly connected to the center of the workbench 1, and a first positioning post 31 for positioning the electrode assembly is fixedly connected to the base 3. Two positioning frames 4 are movably mounted on the workbench 1. Each positioning frame 4 is fixedly connected with a second positioning post 41 for engaging with the positioning hole on the battery cell, and a clearance groove 42 for avoiding the fixed electrode assembly. Adjustment mechanism 5, located on workbench 1, is used to adjust the distance between the two positioning frames 4; The pressing mechanism 6 is located above the positioning frame 4 and is used to press the positioned battery cell and the electrode assembly together. The flattening mechanism 7 is located on the pressing mechanism 6 and is used to flatten the battery cell before pressing. Adjustment mechanism 5 includes: The first electric push rod 51 is fixedly installed on the workbench 1; Adjustment bracket 52 is fixedly connected to the output end of the first electric push rod 51; Two connecting brackets 53 are fixedly connected to the outside of the two positioning frames 4 respectively, and the connecting brackets 53 are provided with inclined grooves; The adjusting frame 52 has an inclined rod portion that cooperates with the inclined groove, and the inclined rod portion is slidably connected inside the inclined groove; Slide 54 is located inside workbench 1; The slider 55 is slidably connected inside the groove 54, and the slider 55 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the positioning frame 4. The clamping mechanism 6 includes: The mounting bracket 61 is fixedly connected to the workbench 1; The second electric push rod 62 is fixedly installed on one side of the fixing frame 61; The clamping head 63 is rotatably connected to the other side of the fixing frame 61; One end of the slide rod 65 is fixedly connected to the output end of the second electric push rod 62; A through groove 64 is formed on the clamping head 63, and the other end of the slide rod 65 is slidably connected inside the through groove 64; The flattening mechanism 7 includes: The third electric push rod 71 is fixedly installed on the top of the clamping head 63; Two connecting rods 72 are V-shapedly hinged to the output end of the third electric push rod 71; Two auxiliary rods 73 are rotatably connected to both sides of the clamping head 63, respectively; Two supports 74, the top of each support 74 being rotatably connected to the end of a connecting rod 72 and the end of an auxiliary rod 73 simultaneously; Two flattening rollers 75 are rotatably connected to the bottom of two supports 74.

[0021] In embodiments applying the above technical solution, during assembly, the tab assembly is fitted onto the first positioning post 31 through its built-in process hole and fixed. Each battery cell is picked up from the material area by a pneumatic robot 22 and transported to the assembly station. At this time, the two positioning frames 4, driven by the adjustment mechanism 5, are at an accurate distance to match the current battery cell width. The positioning frames 4 move into the alignment position, and the second positioning post 41 on them, with the assistance of the conical guide structure, is inserted into the positioning hole on the edge of the battery cell. The battery cell moves to the theoretically designed position. Due to this alignment... The reference for the action is the fixed first positioning post 31, so the placement of each battery cell is independent and the error will not be transmitted and accumulated between the layers. After the battery cell is positioned, the flattening mechanism 7 first acts to flatten the potentially uneven surface of the battery cell and ensure that the contact area between the electrode and the battery cell is uniform. Then, the pressing mechanism 6 acts to press the battery cell with the electrode assembly that has been fixed below, providing stable conditions for subsequent pre-welding or adhesive fixing. After the fixing of one battery cell is completed, the positioning frame 4 opens, and the pneumatic manipulator 22 can place the next battery cell, and so on. When it is necessary to change the product specification, the control system starts the first electric push rod 51. The output end of the first electric push rod 51 drives the adjustment frame 52 to move horizontally. The inclined rod part on the adjustment frame 52 is embedded in the inclined groove of the two connecting frames 53. When the inclined rod part moves horizontally, through the interaction with the side wall of the inclined groove, the horizontal thrust is decomposed into a component force that drives the two connecting frames 53 to move synchronously towards or away from each other along the slide groove 54. The connecting frame 53 drives the positioning frame 4 and the slider 55 fixed thereto to slide in the slide groove 54, thereby changing the distance between the two positioning frames 4 and ensuring that the second positioning post 41 on it can match the positioning hole of the new specification battery cell. During the preparation phase, the pressing head 63 is in a raised state. The third electric push rod 71 is activated, driving its output end to move downward, causing the two V-shaped hinged connecting rods 72 to unfold outward. The unfolding of the connecting rods 72, through the linkage of the hinged bracket 74 and the auxiliary rod 73, drives the flattening roller 75 installed at the bottom of the bracket 74 to descend and unfold to both sides simultaneously. The descending flattening roller 75 contacts the surface of the battery cell and can roll freely in the subsequent process. After the flattening mechanism 7 is in place, the second electric push rod 62 is activated, driving the slide rod 65 to move back and forth. The other end of the slide rod 65 slides in the through groove 64 of the pressing head 63. When the slide rod 65 moves to abut the far side of the through groove 64, the continued thrust will be converted into a torque that causes the pressing head 63 to swing downward about its hinge point with the fixed frame 61. As the pressing head 63 swings down, the flattening mechanism 7 mounted on top of it descends together. At this time, the flattening roller 75, which has already contacted the battery cell, adheres tightly to the surface of the battery cell under pressure and rolls from the middle of the battery cell to both sides as the pressing head 63 descends, effectively flattening wrinkles or warps, ensuring that there are no air bubbles or gaps between the battery cell and the tab. The pressing head 63 continues to swing down, evenly pressing the overlapping area of ​​the battery cell and the tab, maintaining stable pressure so that welding or gluing equipment can perform preliminary fixing operations. After fixing is completed, the second electric push rod 62 moves in the opposite direction, pulling the slide rod 65 back, and the pressing head 63 swings up to reset. At the same time, the third electric push rod 71 retracts, and through the connecting rod 72 and the auxiliary rod 73, the flattening roller 75 is lifted and gathered below the pressing head 63 to avoid interfering with the next working cycle.

[0022] The preferred technical solution in this embodiment is: Reference Figure 5 The positioning frame 4 has a U-shaped structure, and the end of the second positioning post 41 is a tapered guide structure. The U-shaped structure of the positioning frame 4 is a frame that is enclosed on three sides and completely open on one side. It faces the pneumatic manipulator 22, providing an unobstructed channel for the insertion and removal of the battery cell. The second positioning post 41 is fixed inside the positioning frame 4, becoming the reference for the movement of the battery cell in the horizontal plane. Reference Figure 6 The second electric push rod 62 is used to drive the slide rod 65 to move back and forth. The slide rod 65 drives the pressing head 63 to swing up and down around its hinge point with the fixed frame 61 by sliding in the through groove 64 and pushing against the groove wall of the through groove 64. When the second electric push rod 62 is activated, its output shaft pushes forward in a straight line in the horizontal direction. Its output shaft directly pushes the slide rod 65 to make a synchronous horizontal straight line movement. The other end of the slide rod 65 slides in the through groove 64 of the pressing head 63. The through groove 64 is not vertically opened, but is an oblique groove that matches the swing trajectory of the pressing head 63. Initially, the slide rod 65 contacts the inner groove wall of the through groove 64. As the slide rod 65 continues to move forward horizontally, due to the space limitation of the through groove 64, the slide rod 65 will change from contacting the inner groove wall to contacting and pushing against the outer groove wall of the through groove 64. Reference Figure 8 The third electric push rod 71 is used to drive the two connecting rods 72 to unfold or retract, and then through the linkage of the bracket 74 and the auxiliary rod 73, drive the flattening roller 75 to lift and move horizontally. When the connecting rod 72 rotates outward and opens, the movement trajectory of its lower hinge point is an arc. At this time, the auxiliary rod 73 constitutes a trajectory constraint on the movement of the bracket 74. It allows the bracket 74 to move along an oblique trajectory determined by the length of the auxiliary rod 73 and the hinge position under the drive of the connecting rod 72. This trajectory is the combination of vertical descent and horizontal outward movement. Reference Figure 8 When the third electric push rod 71 drives the connecting rod 72 to unfold, the flattening roller 75 descends and contacts the surface of the battery cell. The flattening roller 75 that has contacted the battery cell is pressed against the surface of the battery cell under pressure, and as the pressing head 63 descends, it rolls from the middle of the battery cell to both sides, effectively flattening wrinkles or lifting, ensuring that there are no air bubbles or gaps between the battery cell and the electrode tab. Reference Figure 6 During the pressing process of the pressing head 63 swinging down, the flattening roller 75 can roll relative to the surface of the battery cell. The unfolding of the connecting rod 72, through the linkage of the bracket 74 and the auxiliary rod 73, drives the flattening roller 75 installed at the bottom of the bracket 74 to descend and unfold to both sides at the same time. The descending flattening roller 75 contacts the surface of the battery cell and can roll freely in the subsequent process. Reference Figure 5 There are four second positioning posts 41, and their positions correspond to the positioning holes on the battery cell. When the battery cell is guided to the correct position and the positioning hole falls completely into the cylindrical section, the positioning frame 4 reaches its set closed position. At this time, under the constraint of the four second positioning posts 41, the relative position between the battery cell and the tab assembly fixed on the first positioning post 31 below reaches a suitable position for assembly.

[0023] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell assembly fixture, comprising: A workbench (1) and a tab assembly, wherein an electric guide rail (2) is fixedly mounted on the workbench (1), an electric slide block (21) is slidably mounted on the electric guide rail (2), and a pneumatic manipulator (22) is provided on the electric slide block (21), characterized in that it further includes: The base (3) is fixedly connected to the center of the workbench (1), and a first positioning post (31) for positioning the tab assembly is fixedly connected on the base (3). Two positioning frames (4) are movably mounted on the workbench (1). Each positioning frame (4) is fixedly connected with a second positioning post (41) for cooperating with the positioning hole on the battery cell, and a clearance groove (42) for avoiding the fixed electrode assembly. An adjustment mechanism (5) is provided on the workbench (1) for adjusting the distance between the two positioning frames (4); A pressing mechanism (6) is located above the positioning frame (4) and is used to press the positioned battery cell and the electrode assembly together. A flattening mechanism (7) is provided on the pressing mechanism (6) for flattening the battery cell before pressing.

2. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning frame (4) has a U-shaped structure, and the end of the second positioning column (41) is a tapered guide structure.

3. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism (5) includes: The first electric push rod (51) is fixedly installed on the workbench (1); The adjustment frame (52) is fixedly connected to the output end of the first electric push rod (51); Two connecting brackets (53) are fixedly connected to the outside of the two positioning frames (4) respectively, and the connecting brackets (53) are provided with inclined grooves; The adjusting frame (52) has an inclined rod portion that cooperates with the inclined groove, and the inclined rod portion is slidably connected inside the inclined groove; A chute (54) is formed inside the workbench (1); The slider (55) is slidably connected inside the groove (54), and the slider (55) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the positioning frame (4).

4. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism (6) includes: A fixed frame (61) is fixedly connected to the workbench (1); The second electric push rod (62) is fixedly installed on one side of the fixed frame (61); The clamping head (63) is rotatably connected to the other side of the fixing frame (61); The slide bar (65) has one end fixedly connected to the output end of the second electric push rod (62); A through groove (64) is formed on the pressing head (63), and the other end of the slide rod (65) is slidably connected to the inside of the through groove (64).

5. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second electric push rod (62) is used to drive the slide rod (65) to move back and forth. The slide rod (65) drives the pressing head (63) to swing up and down around its hinge point with the fixed frame (61) by sliding in the through groove (64) and pushing against the groove wall of the through groove (64).

6. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flattening mechanism (7) includes: The third electric push rod (71) is fixedly installed on the top of the clamping head (63); Two connecting rods (72) are V-shapedly hinged to the output end of the third electric push rod (71); Two auxiliary rods (73) are rotatably connected to both sides of the clamping head (63); Two supports (74), the top of each of the supports (74) being rotatably connected to the end of one of the connecting rods (72) and the end of one of the auxiliary rods (73); Two flattening rollers (75) are rotatably connected to the bottom of the two supports (74).

7. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third electric push rod (71) is used to drive the two connecting rods (72) to unfold or retract, and then drive the flattening roller (75) to lift and move horizontally through the linkage of the bracket (74) and the auxiliary rod (73).

8. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the third electric push rod (71) drives the connecting rod (72) to unfold, the flattening roller (75) descends and comes into contact with the surface of the battery cell.

9. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that, During the pressing process of the pressing head (63) swinging down, the flattening roller (75) can roll relative to the surface of the battery cell.

10. The battery cell assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the second positioning posts (41) is four, and their positions correspond to the positioning holes on the battery cell.

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