An OHT lifting arm suitable for the feeding and discharging of electrode foil rolls

Abstract

The application relates to an OHT lifting arm suitable for feeding and discharging of a jelly roll of a battery cell, which comprises a base plate, a lifting tool, a servo motor, a sleeve and a lifting arm, a worm gear reducer is mounted on the base plate, the output end of the servo motor is connected with the input end of the worm gear reducer, the sleeve is fixed below the base plate, the lifting arm is matched with the sleeve and slides through a guide rail assembly, a floating compensation structure is arranged on the guide rail assembly, the output end of the worm gear reducer is provided with a chain wheel and chain assembly connected with a balance arm, the balance arm is connected with a load cell through a connecting assembly, the load cell is installed on the lifting arm, and the lifting tool is arranged below the lifting arm. The application can compensate for deviation in the lifting process of the lifting arm and improve positioning accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lithium battery cell production and processing equipment, and in particular to an OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading cell electrode foil rolls. Background Technology

[0002] OHT stands for Overhead Hoist Transfer, an industrial device that automates material handling via overhead rails. In some core processes of lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing, OHTs are used to load and unload cell electrode foil rolls weighing up to 1000 kg. These machines are over 5 meters high and occupy a footprint of 10 meters by tens of meters. Compared to the semiconductor industry, where OHTs are already widely used, the emerging lithium-ion battery industry requires OHTs with lifting equipment characteristics, placing higher demands on the load and safety of the lifting system. The load can cause deformation of several millimeters, necessitating a compensation mechanism. In actual operation, alignment errors exist in the guide rails and during the sliding process of the lifting arm, causing the arm to sway during movement, thus affecting the positioning accuracy of the end effector. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls, which can compensate for deviations during the lifting process and improve positioning accuracy.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an OHT lifting arm suitable for unloading and loading battery cell foil rolls, characterized in that it includes a base plate, a lifting device, a servo motor, a sleeve, and a lifting arm. A worm gear reducer is mounted on the base plate, the output end of the servo motor is connected to the input end of the worm gear reducer, the sleeve is fixed below the base plate, the lifting arm slides within the sleeve via a guide rail assembly, the guide rail assembly is provided with a floating compensation structure, the output end of the worm gear reducer is provided with a sprocket and chain assembly connected to a balance arm, the balance arm is connected to a weighing sensor via a connecting assembly, the weighing sensor is mounted on the lifting arm, and the lifting device is located below the lifting arm.

[0005] Furthermore, the worm gear reducer is provided with output shafts on both the left and right sides, and the sprocket and chain assembly includes a left sprocket and a right sprocket fixed on the output shaft of the worm gear reducer. The left sprocket meshes with the left chain, and the right sprocket meshes with the right chain. One end of the left chain and the right chain is fixed to the balance arm.

[0006] Furthermore, the left sprocket is provided with a left chain guide for transmission with the left chain, the right sprocket is provided with a right chain guide for transmission with the right chain, a left sprocket pressure plate is provided outside the left chain guide, and a right sprocket pressure plate is provided outside the right chain guide.

[0007] Furthermore, a fixing plate is provided at the bottom of the lifting arm, and the ends of the left and right chains pass through the openings in the fixing plate and are fixed to the balance arm by chain pins.

[0008] Furthermore, the connecting assembly includes a pivot pin and a pivot ring, and the center of the balance arm is connected to the pivot ring via the pivot pin, with the pivot ring fixed to the load cell.

[0009] Furthermore, each end of the fixing plate is provided with a connecting ring, which is connected to the left chain and the right chain respectively via a safety buckle.

[0010] Furthermore, the guide rail assembly includes a reference side slider, a reference side guide rail, a non-reference side slider, and a non-reference side guide rail. The reference side slider is mounted on one side of the sleeve via a first mounting block, and the reference side guide rail is mounted on the lifting arm and slides in cooperation with the reference side slider. The non-reference side slider is mounted on the other side of the sleeve via a second mounting block, and the non-reference side guide rail is mounted on the lifting arm and slides in cooperation with the non-reference side slider.

[0011] Furthermore, the floating compensation structure includes a slider compensation component, one end of which is fixed to the upper and lower ends of the non-reference side slider. The inner side of the second mounting block is provided with a floating groove for embedding the slider compensation component. The slider compensation component is fixed on the non-reference side slider, and the cylinder on the floating groove of the second mounting block is inserted into the circular hole opened at the center of the slider compensation component.

[0012] Furthermore, the ends of the left and right chains are fixed to the mounting plate, the mounting plate is fixed to the base plate, the base plate has a chain movement opening, and the sleeve has a chain take-up box corresponding to the position of the chain movement opening.

[0013] Furthermore, a chain oil collection groove is installed below the balance arm, and a guide rail oil collection groove is installed below the reference side guide rail and the non-reference side guide rail.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The reference-side guide rail is secured with screws, while the non-reference-side guide rail is connected using a floating compensation structure. The non-reference-side slider and the non-reference-side guide rail cooperate, and the slider compensation component and the non-reference-side slider mounting component cooperate to form a floating guide structure on the non-reference side, achieving a floating compensation structure and improving the lifting accuracy of the lifting arm. A worm gear reducer drives two sets of chains, which are suspended inverted below the fixed plate fulcrum in the lifting arm via a floating balance arm, achieving automatic compensation for the length deviation of the two chains. Equipped with a weighing sensor, it compensates for the end displacement deviation caused by the elongation of the equipment structure based on the load weight. Within an effective load range of 0-1000kg, it can achieve a positioning accuracy of ±1mm, supports fully automatic operation, has structural self-locking, high safety redundancy, and a simple structure with high manufacturing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the OHT lifting arm structure; Figure 2 This is the front view of the OHT lifting arm; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the compensation structure of the guide rail slider; Figure 4 This is a sectional view of the speed reducer and sprocket and chain assembly; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the counterweight arm and load cell structure. Figure 6 for Figure 5 Cross-sectional view along the BB direction; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the chain breakage detection structure on the back of the balance arm.

[0016] The components are as follows: 1-Base plate, 2-Sleeve, 3-Lifting arm, 4-Lifting device, 11-Servo motor, 12-Worm gear reducer, 13-Left chain guide, 14-Right chain guide, 17-Chain take-up box, 21-Chain observation window, 22-First mounting block, 23-Reference side slider, 25-Non-Reference side slider, 26-Slider compensation component, 27-Second mounting block, 31-Guide rail assembly, 33-Balance arm, 34-Weighing sensor, 35-Chain pin, 35.1-Left chain pin, 35.2-Right chain pin, 36-Chain oil groove, 37-Guide rail oil groove, 38-Pivot point lifting device. Ring, 39-Pivot pin, 40-Chain breakage detection sensor, 41-Connecting ring, 42-Safety buckle, 43-Fixing plate, 44-Mounting plate, 12.1-Worm, 12.2-Worm wheel, 13.1-Left chain guide body, 13.2-Left chain guide fastener, 14.1-Right chain guide body, 14.2-Right chain guide fastener, 15.1-Left sprocket pressure plate, 15.2-Right sprocket pressure plate, 16.1-Left sprocket, 16.2-Right sprocket, 32.1-Left chain, 32.2-Right chain, 311-Reference side guide rail, 312-Non-reference side guide rail. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Please see Figures 1 to 7 This invention provides an embodiment of an OHT lifting arm suitable for unloading and loading battery cell foil rolls, characterized in that it includes a base plate 1, a lifting device 4, a servo motor 11, a sleeve 2, and a lifting arm 3. A worm gear reducer 12 is mounted on the base plate 1, and the output end of the servo motor 11 is connected to the input end of the worm gear reducer 12. The sleeve 2 is fixed below the base plate 1. The lifting arm 3 slides within the sleeve 2 via a guide rail assembly 31, and the guide rail assembly 31 is provided with a floating compensation structure. The output end of the worm gear reducer 12 is provided with a sprocket and chain assembly connected to a balance arm 33. The balance arm 33 is connected to a weighing sensor 34 via a connecting assembly, and the weighing sensor 34 is mounted on the lifting arm 3. The lifting device 4 is located below the lifting arm 3. Both the sleeve 2 and the lifting arm 3 are integral welded components. The sleeve 2 is fixed using a rectangular tube, and the lifting arm 3 is movable using H-beams. The base plate 1 is mounted on the OHT main unit, the worm gear reducer 12 is mounted above the base plate 1, and the servo motor 11 is mounted above the worm gear reducer 12. The internal layout of the worm gear 12.2 and worm 12.1 of the worm gear reducer 12 is as follows... Figure 4As shown, sleeve 2 is installed below base plate 1. By setting a floating compensation structure on guide rail assembly 31, the lifting accuracy of lifting arm 3 can be improved. A worm gear reducer 12 is used, whose lead angle is smaller than the equivalent friction angle, and the output shaft is self-locking in structure. The worm 12.2 and worm 12.1 in the worm gear reducer 12 are driven as follows: Figure 4 As shown; a weighing sensor 34 is installed at the middle support point of the balance arm 33, which has an integrated weight compensation function to compensate for the end displacement deviation caused by the stretching of the equipment structure according to the load weight.

[0019] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the worm gear reducer 12 is provided with output shafts on both the left and right sides. The sprocket and chain assembly includes a left sprocket 16.1 and a right sprocket 16.2 fixed on the output shaft of the worm gear reducer 12. The left sprocket 16.1 meshes with the left chain 32.1, and the right sprocket 16.2 meshes with the right chain 32.2. One end of each of the left and right chains 32.1 and 32.2 is fixed to the balance arm 33. The worm gear reducer 12 drives the left sprocket 16.1 and the right sprocket 16.2 to rotate synchronously, driving the output of the two chains, the left and right chains 32.1 and 32.2, to move the chains up and down. A floating balance arm 33 is suspended upside down below the support point of the lifting arm 3, thereby automatically compensating for the length deviation of the two chains. The sleeve 2 is also provided with a chain observation window 21 for observing the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 inside the sleeve 2.

[0020] Please continue reading. Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a left chain guide 13 is provided on the left sprocket 16.1 to cooperate with the left chain 32.1 for transmission, and a right chain guide 14 is provided on the right sprocket 16.2 to cooperate with the right chain 32.2 for transmission. A left sprocket pressure plate 15.1 is provided outside the left chain guide 13, and a right sprocket pressure plate 15.2 is provided outside the right chain guide 14. The left chain guide 13 includes a left chain guide fastener 13.2 and a left chain guide body 13.1, and the right chain guide 14 includes a right chain guide body 14.1 and a right chain guide fastener 14.2. The body and the fastener are combined to form a chain guide set for guiding the chain before it engages with the sprocket.

[0021] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a fixing plate 43 is provided at the bottom end of the lifting arm 3. One end of each of the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 passes through an opening in the fixing plate 43 and is fixed to the balance arm 33 by chain pins 35. The fixing plate 43 is a part of the lifting arm 3 and is used to fix the weighing sensor 34. The left chain pin 35.1 and the right chain pin 35.2 pass through the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 respectively and are inserted into the balance arm 33, realizing the transmission of vertical lifting force.

[0022] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting assembly includes a fulcrum pin 39 and a fulcrum lifting ring 38. The center of the balance arm 33 is connected to the fulcrum lifting ring 38 via the fulcrum pin 39, and the fulcrum lifting ring 38 is fixed to the load cell 34. The fulcrum pin 39 of the balance arm 33 passes through the fulcrum lifting ring 38 and the center of the balance arm 33. The upper part of the fulcrum lifting ring 38 is threaded onto the load cell 34, and the upper part of the load cell 34 is mounted on the lifting arm 3 by screws. During equipment operation, the load cell 34 outputs a force F to the control system. Within the rated load range, the structural deformation can be considered to follow Hooke's law. Based on the calibrated coefficient k, the initial weight F0, and the encoder displacement S0, the actual displacement S after weight compensation can be calculated, expressed as: S = S0 + k(F - F0).

[0023] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the fixing plate 43 are provided with connecting rings 41, and the connecting rings 41 are connected to the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 respectively through safety buckles 42. The connecting rings 41 and the safety buckles 42 cooperate to ensure that the chain and the balance arm 33 are connected to prevent the product from falling when the chain pin 35 fails.

[0024] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail assembly 31 includes a reference-side slider 23, a reference-side guide rail 311, a non-reference-side slider 25, and a non-reference-side guide rail 312. The reference-side slider 23 is mounted on one side of the sleeve 2 via a first mounting block 22. The reference-side guide rail 311 is mounted on the lifting arm 3 and slides in cooperation with the reference-side slider 23. The non-reference-side slider 25 is mounted on the other side of the sleeve 2 via a second mounting block 27. The non-reference-side guide rail 312 is mounted on the lifting arm 3 and slides in cooperation with the non-reference-side slider 25. The first mounting block 22 is mounted on the sleeve 2 from the outside, and its inner side is locked to the reference-side slider 23 by screws. The reference-side slider 23 and the reference-side guide rail 311 cooperate, which constitutes a fixed guide structure on the reference side. The second mounting block 27 is mounted on the sleeve 2 from the outside, and its inner side is connected to the non-reference-side slider 25 via a floating compensation structure. The non-reference-side slider 25 and the non-reference-side guide rail 312 cooperate, which constitutes a fixed guide structure on the reference side.

[0025] Please continue reading. Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the floating compensation structure includes a slider compensation component 26. One end of the slider compensation component 26 is fixed to the upper and lower ends of the non-reference side slider 25. The inner side of the second mounting block 27 is provided with a floating groove for embedding the slider compensation component 26. The slider compensation component 26 is fixed to the non-reference side slider 25. The cylinder on the floating groove of the second mounting block 27 is inserted into the circular hole opened at the center of the slider compensation component 26. The length of the cylinder is basically the same as the thickness of the slider compensation component 26. The cylindrical structure on the inner side of the second mounting block 27 is used to insert into the circular hole opened at the center of the slider compensation component 26. There is also a certain small space in the circular hole groove and the floating groove for the slider compensation component 26 to move up and down. The slider compensation component 26 is attached to the non-reference side slider 25 by screws. The non-reference side slider 25 and the non-reference side guide rail 312 cooperate to form a floating guide structure on the non-reference side, thus achieving a floating compensation structure. Since the upward force is transmitted sequentially from the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 to the balance arm 33, the load cell 34, and the lifting arm 3, spatially it is from bottom to top, forming an inverted structure. Even if the fulcrum ring 38 or the fulcrum pin 39 on the balance arm 33 breaks, the balance arm 33 will still support the lifting arm 3. Figure 6 As shown, when one side of the chain or chain pin 35 breaks, the end of the balance arm 33 on that side will tilt up. At this time, the lifting arm 33 is supported by the single-sided chain, and at the same time, the chain break detection sensor 40 behind the balance arm 33 loses its sensing signal, triggering the control system alarm, thus forming a safety redundancy in the transmission part of the lifting system.

[0026] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the ends of the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 are fixed to the mounting plate 44, which is fixed to the base plate 1. The base plate 1 has a chain movement opening, and the sleeve 2 is fixed with a chain collection box 17 corresponding to the position of the chain movement opening. The end fixing rods of the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 on the mounting plate 44 ensure that the lifting arm 3 does not fall when the chain derails from the sprocket. The chain collection box 17 can be used to store the moving chain. Please continue reading. Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a chain oil receiving groove 36 is installed below the balance arm 33, and a guide rail oil receiving groove 37 is installed below the reference side guide rail 311 and the non-reference side guide rail 312. The chain oil receiving groove 36 and the guide rail oil receiving groove 37 can be used to catch dripping lubricating oil and prevent it from dripping onto the product.

[0027] The present invention has the following working principle: the servo motor 11 and the worm gear reducer 12 provide power, the left sprocket 16.1 and the right sprocket 16.2 rotate, thereby driving the left chain 32.1 and the right chain 32.2 to move the lifting arm 3 up and down within the sleeve 2 via the guide rail assembly 31. By setting a floating compensation structure on the guide rail assembly 31, the lifting accuracy of the lifting arm 3 can be improved. The weighing sensor 34 is installed at the middle support point of the balance arm 33 and has an integrated weight compensation function. According to the load weight, it compensates for the end displacement deviation caused by the stretching of the equipment structure.

[0028] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of this application. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls, characterized in that: The device includes a base plate, a lifting device, a servo motor, a sleeve, and a lifting arm. A worm gear reducer is mounted on the base plate. The output end of the servo motor is connected to the input end of the worm gear reducer. The sleeve is fixed below the base plate. The lifting arm slides within the sleeve via a guide rail assembly. A floating compensation structure is provided on the guide rail assembly. A sprocket and chain assembly connected to a balance arm is provided at the output end of the worm gear reducer. A load cell is connected to the balance arm via a connecting assembly. The load cell is mounted on the lifting arm. The lifting device is located below the lifting arm.

2. The OHT lifting arm for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The worm gear reducer is provided with output shafts on both the left and right sides. The sprocket and chain assembly includes a left sprocket and a right sprocket fixed on the output shaft of the worm gear reducer. The left sprocket meshes with the left chain, and the right sprocket meshes with the right chain. One end of the left chain and the right chain is fixed to the balance arm.

3. The OHT lifting arm for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 2, characterized in that: The left sprocket is equipped with a left chain guide for transmission with the left chain, and the right sprocket is equipped with a right chain guide for transmission with the right chain. A left sprocket pressure plate is provided outside the left chain guide, and a right sprocket pressure plate is provided outside the right chain guide.

4. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom end of the lifting arm is provided with a fixing plate, and the ends of the left and right chains pass through the openings in the fixing plate and are fixed to the balance arm by chain pins.

5. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting assembly includes a pivot pin and a pivot ring. The center of the balance arm is connected to the pivot ring via the pivot pin, and the pivot ring is fixed to the load cell.

6. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 4, characterized in that: Both ends of the fixing plate are provided with connecting rings, which are connected to the left chain and the right chain respectively by safety buckles.

7. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail assembly includes a reference side slider, a reference side guide rail, a non-reference side slider, and a non-reference side guide rail. The reference side slider is mounted on one side of the sleeve via a first mounting block. The reference side guide rail is mounted on the lifting arm and slides in cooperation with the reference side slider. The non-reference side slider is mounted on the other side of the sleeve via a second mounting block. The non-reference side guide rail is mounted on the lifting arm and slides in cooperation with the non-reference side slider.

8. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 7, characterized in that: The floating compensation structure includes a slider compensation component. The inner side of the second mounting block is provided with a floating groove for embedding the slider compensation component. The slider compensation component is fixed on the non-reference side slider. The cylinder on the floating groove of the second mounting block is inserted into the circular hole opened at the center of the slider compensation component.

9. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ends of the left and right chains are fixed to the mounting plate. The base plate has a chain movement opening, and the sleeve has a chain take-up box corresponding to the position of the chain movement opening.

10. An OHT lifting arm suitable for loading and unloading battery cell electrode foil rolls according to claim 7, characterized in that: A chain oil collection groove is installed below the balance arm, and a guide rail oil collection groove is installed below the reference side guide rail and the non-reference side guide rail.

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