An automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for an electric cell stack plate

Abstract

The application is suitable for the technical field of battery cell processing tooling, and provides an automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for a battery cell stacking plate, which comprises a machine base, a driving assembly, a transverse clamping assembly, a longitudinal guide rail, a longitudinal clamping assembly and a transverse-longitudinal linkage assembly; the transverse-longitudinal linkage assembly comprises a linkage rack, a linkage module and a brake module; when the driving assembly drives the transverse clamping assembly to move, the linkage module meshes with the linkage rack and rotates synchronously, thereby driving the longitudinal clamping assembly to act, and single driving is used to realize transverse and longitudinal synchronous mechanical linkage clamping; when the stacking plate is changed, the linkage module is lifted to disengage from the meshing, and a coaxial relationship with the brake module is locked; the rotation of the linkage module can adjust the initial spacing of the longitudinal clamping, and the clamping center remains constant during the adjustment process; without longitudinal independent driving and electric control synchronous control, the problems of double driving synchronization difference and signal drift are overcome, multiple specifications of battery cell stacking plates can be quickly adapted, the positioning precision is high, the change operation is convenient, and the application is suitable for lithium battery multiple specification production conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of battery cell processing tooling technology, and particularly relates to an automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks. Background Technology

[0002] In the automated production process of lithium batteries, the cells need to be neatly placed inside a special pallet and go through precision processes such as shaping, testing, welding or assembly as the pallet moves around. The accuracy, consistency and stability of the pallet clamping and positioning directly determine the yield and production cycle of the finished cells.

[0003] The existing automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell pallets consists of a lateral clamping mechanism, a longitudinal clamping mechanism, two sets of independent drive components, and an electronic control system. The lateral and longitudinal clamping mechanisms are independent and do not interact with each other, each equipped with an independent pneumatic or electric drive unit. The timing of their actions is set by an external PLC electronic control program, controlling the sequential movement of the lateral and longitudinal mechanisms to clamp the left, right, front, and rear sidewalls of the battery cell pallet step by step, thereby completing the centering and positioning operation of the pallet and meeting the routine clamping and positioning needs of production lines. However, the existing mechanism still has certain technical shortcomings in practical applications:

[0004] Firstly, the existing split clamping mechanism has horizontal and vertical reference binding. When the pallet specifications and dimensions change, the machine needs to be disassembled to readjust the horizontal and vertical clamping references and manually calibrate the clamping center. The changeover process is complicated and the downtime is long. Moreover, manual calibration is prone to errors and the clamping center is very easy to deviate. It cannot adapt to the flexible production mode of multiple specifications and small batches in the lithium battery industry.

[0005] Secondly, existing mechanisms require the configuration of two independent drive sources for horizontal and vertical directions, as well as a matching electronic control timing system. The whole machine has many parts, occupies a large space, and has high operation and maintenance costs. Moreover, long-term operation is prone to electronic control signal drift and timing deviation, resulting in asynchronous horizontal and vertical clamping actions, pallet positioning offset, poor consistency, and a significant increase in the defect rate of battery cell processing.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above situation, there is an urgent need to develop an automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks to overcome the shortcomings in current practical applications. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks to solve the problems mentioned in the background.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] An automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks includes a base, a drive assembly, a transverse clamping assembly, a longitudinal guide rail, and a longitudinal clamping assembly. The drive assembly is fixedly mounted in the middle of the base. The transverse clamping assemblies are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the base. The output ends of the drive assembly are respectively connected to two sets of transverse clamping assemblies in a one-to-one transmission connection. Each set of transverse clamping assemblies has a longitudinal guide rail fixed horizontally and vertically. The longitudinal guide rail extends longitudinally. The longitudinal clamping assemblies are mounted on the longitudinal guide rail. The longitudinal clamping centers of the two sets of longitudinal clamping assemblies on the same longitudinal guide rail coincide with the transverse clamping centers of the two sets of transverse clamping assemblies and are always located at the center of the base. The mechanism also includes:

[0010] The horizontal and vertical linkage assembly includes a linkage rack, a linkage module, and a braking module. The linkage rack is symmetrically fixed on both sides of the machine base in the horizontal direction and corresponds to the travel of the horizontal clamping assembly. The linkage rack meshes with the bottom of the linkage module mounted in the middle of the vertical guide rail. The power output end of the linkage module is connected to two sets of vertical clamping assemblies on the same set of vertical guide rails. The top of the linkage module has an embedded strip groove, and a U-shaped handle is installed on the outer wall of the strip groove.

[0011] The braking module includes a brake bar, a brake sleeve, a slot, and a brake seat. The brake bar is rotatably installed in a strip groove on the top of the linkage module and can swing and retract and unfold horizontally within the strip groove. The brake seat is fixed in the middle of the longitudinal guide rail and located directly above it. A brake sleeve coaxial with the linkage module is rotatably mounted on the brake seat. The inner wall of the brake sleeve is symmetrically provided with slots that cooperate with the end structure of the brake bar.

[0012] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the linkage module includes a linkage seat, a driven gear, a wheel axle, a linkage gear, a lower limit plate, a return spring, an upper limit plate, and a driven rack. The linkage seat is fixed in the middle of the longitudinal guide rail and located directly below it. The driven gear is rotatably mounted on the linkage seat. Driven racks are meshed on both sides of the driven gear. The two driven racks are slidably mounted on the bottom of the longitudinal guide rail and are respectively connected to two sets of longitudinal clamping components on the same longitudinal guide rail. A wheel axle is coaxially provided in the middle of the driven gear. The wheel axle is vertically slidably mounted in the inner hole of the driven gear. A linkage gear that meshes with the linkage rack is coaxially fixed at the bottom of the wheel axle. A lower limit plate is coaxially fixed on the outer wall of the bottom of the wheel axle. A return spring is mounted between the lower limit plate and the bottom of the linkage seat. The top of the wheel axle extends to the top of the longitudinal guide rail and is coaxially fixed with an upper limit plate. A strip groove is opened on the top of the wheel axle.

[0013] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the bottom of the passive gear is coaxially fitted with an annular sleeve, the outer wall of the annular sleeve is rotatably mounted on the linkage seat through a bearing, and the outer walls at both the upper and lower ends of the annular sleeve are provided with anti-detachment pins, which are limited to the anti-detachment grooves opened inside the linkage seat.

[0014] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the distance between the two slots symmetrically opened on both sides of the brake sleeve is greater than the overall length of the brake strip.

[0015] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the bottom of the upper positioning plate is equipped with a plurality of limiting balls at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the limiting balls maintain rolling contact with the top surface of the longitudinal guide rail.

[0016] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the transverse clamping assembly includes a transverse slide rail, a transverse support, a transverse clamp, a transverse clamping plate, and a transverse overload module. The transverse slide rail is slidably mounted on the left and right sides of the base. A transverse support is fixed on the transverse slide rail. A transverse clamp and a longitudinal guide rail are fixed on the transverse support respectively. The side of the transverse clamp facing the cell stack is the clamping working surface. A transverse clamp is mounted on the clamping working surface of the transverse clamp. The transverse clamp is slidably mounted on the transverse clamp via the transverse overload module.

[0017] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the longitudinal clamping assembly includes a longitudinal slide rail, a connecting column, a longitudinal clamping seat, a longitudinal clamping plate, and a longitudinal overload module. The longitudinal slide rail is symmetrically slidably mounted on the front and rear sides of the longitudinal guide rail. The bottom of the longitudinal slide rail meshes with the passive rack through the connecting column. The top of the longitudinal slide rail is fixed with a longitudinal clamping seat. The side of the longitudinal clamping seat facing the cell stack is the clamping working surface. The clamping working surface of the longitudinal clamping seat is equipped with a longitudinal clamping plate. The longitudinal clamping plate is slidably mounted on the longitudinal clamping seat through the longitudinal overload module.

[0018] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the longitudinal overload module and the transverse overload module have completely identical structures. Both are composed of overload guide posts and overload springs. The overload guide posts are horizontally slidably inserted into the corresponding transverse clamps and longitudinal clamps. The protruding ends of the overload guide posts are fixedly connected to the transverse clamps and the longitudinal clamps, respectively. An overload spring is sleeved on the outside of the overload guide post. The overload spring is axially limited and assembled between the clamps and the clamps. That is, the transverse overload spring compression limit is located between the transverse clamps and the transverse clamps, and the longitudinal overload spring compression limit is located between the longitudinal clamps and the longitudinal clamps.

[0019] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a tapered guide surface is provided on the end face of the longitudinal clamp and the transverse clamp facing the pallet clamping direction. The tapered guide surface plays a slope guiding and correction role for the battery cell pallet in the initial stage of the clamping operation, and uses the inclined plane component force to guide the pallet with positional deviation.

[0020] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a number of support seats are evenly distributed around the clamping center of the base, and the top surface of the support seat is higher than the lowest end face of the conical guide surface.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] During the overall operation of the mechanism, the horizontal and vertical clamping actions can be synchronously linked by a single drive component. It does not require a separate vertical drive source or electronic synchronization program for timing control, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional dual-drive mechanisms such as poor synchronization performance, electronic control signal drift, and complex overall structure. The horizontal and vertical clamping actions are synchronized in real time. Relying on the symmetrical mechanical linkage structure, the horizontal clamping center and the vertical clamping center always coincide with the center of the machine base. This enables fully automatic guidance, centering, and bidirectional clamping of the battery cell pallet, effectively improving the positioning accuracy and positional consistency of the battery cell pallet and reducing defects in the battery cell processing process. Furthermore, because the mechanism adopts a symmetrical mechanical structure, the displacement of the vertical clamping components on both sides is completely equal during adjustment, and the vertical clamping center will not shift, always coinciding with the horizontal clamping center and the center of the machine base.

[0023] By designing the braking module, the linkage module can be manually rotated according to the longitudinal dimensions of the pallet to be processed. The linkage module adaptively rotates around the axis of the braking seat, and drives the two sets of longitudinal clamping components to move synchronously in opposite directions or slightly away through its own transmission structure. This precisely adjusts the initial clamping distance between the two sets of longitudinal clamping components. Without changing the clamping center, disassembling the machine, or adjusting the lateral reference, it can quickly adapt to different sizes of battery cell pallets. The changeover and adjustment operation is convenient and efficient, perfectly adapting to the production mode of lithium batteries with multiple specifications and small batches.

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the structural features and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a top view of the automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks provided in the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 The first-view structural side view of the automatic guidance and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks provided in the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 The second-view structural side view of the automatic guidance and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks provided in the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Assembly diagram of the transverse clamping component 300 and the drive control component.

[0029] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the assembly of the transverse clamping component 300 and the longitudinal clamping component 500.

[0030] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Top view of the structure of the transverse clamping component 300 and the longitudinal clamping component 500.

[0031] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the linkage module 620 and the braking module 630.

[0032] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A bottom view of the structure of the central linkage module 620 and the braking module 630.

[0033] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Exploded view of a portion of the structure of the central linkage module 620 and the braking module 630.

[0034] Figure 10 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of the structure of the longitudinal clamping component 500.

[0035] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A side view of the longitudinal clamping assembly 500.

[0036] Reference numerals: 100-Base, 110-Support base, 200-Drive assembly, 300-Transverse clamping assembly, 310-Transverse slide rail, 320-Transverse bracket, 330-Transverse clamp, 340-Transverse clamping plate, 350-Transverse overload module, 400-Longitudinal guide rail, 500-Longitudinal clamping assembly, 510-Longitudinal slide rail, 511-Connecting column, 520-Longitudinal clamp, 530-Longitudinal clamping plate, 540-Longitudinal overload module, 541-Overload guide column, 542-Overload spring, 6 00-Horizontal and vertical linkage assembly, 610-Linkage rack, 620-Linkage module, 621-Linkage seat, 622-Passive gear, 623-Wheel axle, 624-Linkage gear, 625-Lower limit plate, 626-Reset spring, 627-Upper limit plate, 628-Limiting ball, 629-Passive rack, 630-Brake module, 631-Brake bar, 632-Brake sleeve, 633-Slot, 634-Brake seat, 640-Strip groove, 650-U-shaped handle, 700-Conical guide surface. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0038] The specific implementation of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, an automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for a battery cell stack, provided as an embodiment of the present invention, includes a base 100, a drive assembly 200, a transverse clamping assembly 300, a longitudinal guide rail 400, and a longitudinal clamping assembly 500. The drive assembly 200 is fixedly mounted in the middle of the base 100. The transverse clamping assemblies 300 are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the base 100 in the transverse direction. The output ends of the drive assembly 200 on both sides are respectively connected to two sets of transverse clamping assemblies 300 in a one-to-one transmission connection. Each set of transverse clamping assemblies 300 is horizontally and vertically fixed with a longitudinal guide rail 400. The longitudinal guide rail 400 extends longitudinally in the front and rear directions. The longitudinal clamping assembly 500 is mounted longitudinally on the longitudinal guide rail 400. The longitudinal clamping center of the two sets of longitudinal clamping assemblies 500 on the same longitudinal guide rail 400 coincides with the transverse clamping center of the two sets of transverse clamping assemblies 300, and is always located at the center of the base 100, ensuring that the clamping and positioning center of the stack remains constant. The mechanism also includes:

[0040] The horizontal and vertical linkage assembly 600 includes a linkage rack 610, a linkage module 620, and a braking module 630. The linkage rack 610 is symmetrically fixed on both sides of the machine base 100 in the horizontal direction and corresponds to the travel of the horizontal clamping assembly 300. The linkage rack 610 meshes with the bottom of the linkage module 620 assembled in the middle of the longitudinal guide rail 400. The power output end of the linkage module 620 is connected to two sets of longitudinal clamping assemblies 500 on the same set of longitudinal guide rails 400. The top of the linkage module 620 is provided with an embedded strip groove 640. A rotatable and retractable U-shaped handle 650 is installed on the outer wall of the strip groove 640.

[0041] The braking module 630 includes a brake bar 631, a brake sleeve 632, a slot 633, and a brake seat 634. The brake bar 631 is rotatably mounted in a strip groove 640 on the top of the linkage module 620, and can be swung and retracted and horizontally unfolded within the strip groove 640. The brake seat 634 is fixed to the middle of the longitudinal guide rail 400 and located directly above it. The brake sleeve 632, which is coaxial with the linkage module 620, is rotatably mounted on the brake seat 634. The inner wall of the brake sleeve 632 is symmetrically provided with slots 633 that cooperate with the end structure of the brake bar 631.

[0042] Specifically, in the initial state, the brake bar 631 is fully swung and retracted into the strip groove 640 at the top of the linkage module 620, and is released from its engagement with the inner wall slot 633 of the brake sleeve 632, leaving the brake module 630 in an unlocked and free state. At this time, the bottom of the linkage module 620 is always stably engaged with the linkage rack 610 fixed on the base 100. The drive assembly 200 drives the two lateral clamping assemblies 300 to move closer or further apart. By moving closer together, the two lateral clamping assemblies 300 can directly press and squeeze the left and right lateral sidewalls of the battery cell pallet placed at the center of the workstation, completing the automatic lateral centering and clamping of the pallet. At the same time, the two lateral clamping assemblies 300 drive their respective longitudinal guide rails 400 to move synchronously. The longitudinal guide rails 400 drive the longitudinal clamping assemblies 500 and the linkage module 620 to move synchronously. The linkage module 620 moves and engages with the linkage rack 610 in the stationary state. In this manner, rotation can be generated, causing the two longitudinal clamping components 500 to move closer or further apart. By moving closer together, the two longitudinal clamping components 500 can clamp the front and rear longitudinal sidewalls of the battery cell pallet, completing the automatic longitudinal centering clamping of the pallet. During the overall operation of the mechanism, the lateral clamping action and the longitudinal clamping action can be synchronously linked by a single drive component 200. It does not require a separate longitudinal drive source, nor does it require timing control by an electronic control synchronization program. This overcomes the shortcomings of traditional dual-drive mechanisms, such as poor synchronization performance, electronic control signal drift, and complex overall structure. The lateral and longitudinal clamping actions are synchronized in real time. Relying on the symmetrical mechanical linkage structure, the lateral clamping center and the longitudinal clamping center always coincide at the center position of the base 100. This enables fully automatic guidance, centering positioning, and bidirectional clamping operation of the battery cell pallet, effectively improving the positioning accuracy and positional consistency of the battery cell pallet and reducing the defect rate during battery cell processing.

[0043] When the pallet size changes, there is no need to adjust the installation position and clamping stroke of the lateral clamping assembly 300, keeping the lateral clamping reference unchanged. Only the adaptive adjustment of the initial longitudinal clamping distance needs to be completed: First, manually flip and unfold the U-shaped handle 650 on the top of the linkage module 620, and lift the linkage module 620 upward through the U-shaped handle 650, so that the linkage module 620 slides vertically upward along the longitudinal guide rail 400, completely releasing the meshing state between the bottom of the linkage module 620 and the fixed linkage rack 610, and the linkage module 620 is released from the forced linkage transmission constraint; after the linkage module 620 is lifted vertically and the rotation fulcrum of the brake bar 631 moves to the position above the brake sleeve 632, manually swing the brake bar 631 inside the strip groove 640 to switch the brake bar 631 from the retracted state to the horizontally unfolded state, and insert the end of the brake bar 631 into the brake sleeve 632. Inside the slot 633 of the wall, the locking engagement of the brake strip 631 and the brake sleeve 632 is completed; at this time, the linkage module 620 forms a coaxial rotating assembly structure with the brake strip 631, the brake sleeve 632 and the top brake seat 634. The linkage module 620 can rotate freely without vertical displacement and without meshing constraints; according to the longitudinal dimension of the pallet to be processed, the linkage module 620 is manually rotated. The linkage module 620 adaptively rotates with the axis of the brake seat 634 as the center. Through its own transmission structure, it drives the two sets of longitudinal clamping components 500 to move synchronously in opposite directions or slightly away, and precisely adjusts the initial clamping distance between the two sets of longitudinal clamping components 500. Without changing the clamping center, without disassembling the machine and without adjusting the lateral reference, it can quickly adapt to the battery cell pallets of different sizes. The changeover adjustment operation is convenient and efficient, and it is perfectly adapted to the production mode of lithium batteries with multiple specifications and small batches.

[0044] Because the mechanism adopts a symmetrical mechanical structure, the displacement of the longitudinal clamping components 500 on both sides is completely equal during the adjustment process, and the longitudinal clamping center will not shift, always coinciding with the transverse clamping center and the center of the base 100. After the spacing adjustment is completed, the reverse reset brake bar 631 and U-shaped handle 650, and the linkage module 620 fall back and re-engage with the linkage rack 610, which can be adapted to the synchronous clamping and positioning operation of the new size pallet.

[0045] like Figures 2 to 9As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the linkage module 620 includes a linkage seat 621, a driven gear 622, a wheel axle 623, a linkage gear 624, a lower limit plate 625, a return spring 626, an upper limit plate 627, and a driven rack 629. The linkage seat 621 is fixed to the middle of the longitudinal guide rail 400 and located directly below it. The driven gear 622 is rotatably mounted on the linkage seat 621. The driven rack 629 meshes with both sides of the driven gear 622. The two driven racks 629 are slidably mounted on the bottom of the longitudinal guide rail 400 and respectively engage with two sets of gears on the same longitudinal guide rail 400. The longitudinal clamping assembly 500 is connected by a drive mechanism. The passive gear 622 has a wheel axle 623 coaxially mounted in the middle. The wheel axle 623 is vertically slidably mounted in the inner hole of the passive gear 622. The bottom of the wheel axle 623 is coaxially fixed with a linkage gear 624 that meshes with the linkage rack 610. A lower limit plate 625 is coaxially fixed on the outer wall of the bottom of the wheel axle 623. A return spring 626 is mounted between the lower limit plate 625 and the bottom of the linkage seat 621. The top of the wheel axle 623 extends above the longitudinal guide rail 400 and is coaxially fixed with an upper limit plate 627. A strip groove 640 is opened on the top of the wheel axle 623.

[0046] Specifically, under normal operating conditions, the return spring 626 holds the lower limit plate 625 in place, keeping the axle 623 in a downward low position, and the linkage gear 624 maintains stable engagement with the linkage rack 610 on the base 100. When the transverse clamping assembly 300 drives the longitudinal guide rail 400 to move laterally, the linkage gear 624 rotates due to the engagement with the linkage rack 610, driving the axle 623 and the driven gear 622 to rotate synchronously, thereby driving the driven racks 629 on both sides to slide in the opposite direction, driving the two sets of longitudinal clamping assemblies 500 to synchronously center and clamp, realizing a single-drive transverse and longitudinal linkage clamping action. When the pallet size changes, the upper limit plate 627 is pulled upward by the U-shaped handle 650, driving the axle 623 and the linkage gear 624 to move upward as a whole, compressing... The return spring 626 disengages the linkage gear 624 from the linkage rack 610. After the wheel axle 623 is raised to its position, the brake strip 631 housed inside the strip groove 640 is horizontally unfolded and inserted into the double-sided slots 633 of the brake sleeve 632, forming a coaxial locking rotation structure with the top of the wheel axle 623, the brake seat 634, and the brake sleeve 632. At this time, the wheel axle 623 can be manually rotated, and the initial spacing of the longitudinal clamping assembly 500 can be finely adjusted through the transmission structure of the driven gear 622 and the driven rack 629. After the adjustment is completed, the locking state of the brake strip 631 is released, the lifting force is released, the return spring 626 rebounds and pushes the wheel axle 623 to automatically descend and reset, the linkage gear 624 re-engages the linkage rack 610, and the mechanism returns to the normal linkage clamping condition.

[0047] It should be noted that: the bottom of the passive gear 622 is coaxially fitted with an annular sleeve, the outer wall of the annular sleeve is rotatably mounted on the linkage seat 621 through a bearing, and the outer walls at both the upper and lower ends of the annular sleeve are provided with anti-detachment pins. The anti-detachment pins cooperate with the anti-detachment grooves opened inside the linkage seat 621 to limit the axial movement of the annular sleeve and the bearing during the frequent up and down sliding of the wheel axle 623 and the repeated engagement and disengagement of the linkage gear 624, so as to prevent the annular sleeve from separating from or falling off the linkage seat 621 and ensure the long-term stability of the rotating assembly structure of the passive gear 622.

[0048] The distance between the two symmetrical slots 633 on both sides of the brake sleeve 632 is slightly larger than the overall length of the brake strip 631. This ensures that when the brake strip 631 is switched to the horizontal unfolded state, both ends of the brake strip 631 can be stably engaged and placed into the two slots 633, realizing a reliable circumferential locking fit between the brake strip 631 and the brake sleeve 632, and ensuring that the linkage module 620 can rotate stably coaxially with the brake sleeve 632 after locking.

[0049] The bottom of the upper limit plate 627 is equidistantly fitted with multiple limiting balls 628. The limiting balls 628 maintain rolling contact with the top surface of the longitudinal guide rail 400, thereby realizing the rolling guidance function of the linkage module 620 during its rotation operation and reducing the sliding friction resistance generated by the relative motion.

[0050] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transverse clamping assembly 300 includes a transverse slide rail 310, a transverse support 320, a transverse clamping seat 330, a transverse clamping plate 340, and a transverse overload module 350. The transverse slide rail 310 is slidably mounted on the left and right sides of the base 100. The transverse support 320 is fixed on the transverse slide rail 310. The transverse clamping seat 330 and the longitudinal guide rail 400 are respectively fixed on the transverse support 320. The side of the transverse clamping seat 330 facing the cell stack is the clamping working surface. The transverse clamping plate 340 is mounted on the clamping working surface of the transverse clamping seat 330. The transverse clamping plate 340 is slidably mounted on the transverse clamping seat 330 through the transverse overload module 350.

[0051] The longitudinal clamping assembly 500 includes a longitudinal slide rail 510, a connecting post 511, a longitudinal clamping seat 520, a longitudinal clamping plate 530, and a longitudinal overload module 540. The longitudinal slide rail 510 is symmetrically slidably mounted on the front and rear sides of the longitudinal guide rail 400. The bottom of the longitudinal slide rail 510 is engaged with the passive rack 629 through the connecting post 511. The top of the longitudinal slide rail 510 is fixed with the longitudinal clamping seat 520. The side of the longitudinal clamping seat 520 facing the cell stack is the clamping working surface. The clamping working surface of the longitudinal clamping seat 520 is equipped with the longitudinal clamping plate 530. The longitudinal clamping plate 530 is slidably mounted on the longitudinal clamping seat 520 through the longitudinal overload module 540.

[0052] The longitudinal overload module 540 and the transverse overload module 350 have completely identical structures. Both are composed of an overload guide post 541 and an overload spring 542. The overload guide post 541 is horizontally slidably inserted into the corresponding transverse clamp 330 and longitudinal clamp 520. The protruding end of the overload guide post 541 is fixedly connected to the transverse clamp 340 and the longitudinal clamp 530, respectively. An overload spring 542 is sleeved on the outside of the overload guide post 541. The overload spring 542 is axially limited and assembled between the clamp and the clamp. That is, the transverse overload spring 542 is pressed and limited between the transverse clamp 330 and the transverse clamp 340, and the longitudinal overload spring 542 is pressed and limited between the longitudinal clamp 520 and the longitudinal clamp 530.

[0053] Specifically, when the machine is in normal clamping operation, the drive assembly 200 drives the transverse slide rail 310 and the transverse support 320 to move closer to each other, and the transverse clamping plate 340 moves towards the side wall of the cell pallet; at the same time, the longitudinal guide rail 400 moves synchronously with the transverse support 320, and the linkage module 620 rotates due to the meshing action of the linkage rack 610, which drives the longitudinal slide rail 510 to move through the passive rack 629 and the connecting column 511, causing the longitudinal clamping plate 530 to move closer to the side wall of the pallet; affected by the mechanical transmission clearance and the manufacturing tolerance of the pallet, the transverse clamping plate 340 There will be a timing difference in the contact of the longitudinal clamping plates 530; the clamping plate that contacts the pallet side first will be subjected to the reaction force of the pallet, which will compress the corresponding overload spring 542, and the overload guide post 541 will slide and retract relative to the clamping seat to absorb the travel deviation; after the clamping plates on the other side have completed contact, the pallet can be clamped on all four sides at the same time; when the pallet size is out of tolerance or the mechanism overtravels, the overload spring 542 will be further compressed, and the clamping plates will passively retract to absorb the excessive clamping force; when the clamping is released, the overload spring 542 will rebound, driving the clamping plates to return to the initial extended position.

[0054] like Figures 3 to 11As shown in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the longitudinal clamp 520 and the transverse clamp 330 have tapered guide surfaces 700 on their end faces facing the pallet clamping direction. These tapered guide surfaces 700 can provide slope guidance and correction for the battery cell pallet during the initial stage of clamping operations. They utilize the inclined force to guide pallets with positional deviations, pushing them towards the clamping center. Specifically, when the pallet is misaligned, in the early stages of clamping, the pallet's corners will first contact the tapered guide surfaces 700 on both sides. The oblique thrust of the tapered guide surfaces 700 automatically pushes the misaligned pallet towards the clamping center, completing the pre-guidance. After pre-guidance, the transverse clamp 340 and the longitudinal clamp 530 then contact the pallet sidewalls for elastic clamping, significantly improving the mechanism's tolerance for pallet loading positions.

[0055] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a number of support seats 110 are evenly distributed around the clamping center of the base 100. The top surface of the support seat 110 is slightly higher than the lowest end face of the conical guide surface 700. After the battery cell stack is placed on the top surface of the support seat 110, the support seat 110 provides load-bearing support for the stack, raising the bottom surface of the stack as a whole above the lowest point of the conical guide surface 700. This avoids friction and scraping between the bottom surface of the stack and the conical guide surface 700, ensuring smooth movement of the stack during guidance and clamping, and eliminating interference and collisions on the bottom surface.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks, comprising a base, a drive assembly, a transverse clamping assembly, a longitudinal guide rail, and a longitudinal clamping assembly. The drive assembly is fixedly mounted in the middle of the base. The transverse clamping assemblies are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the base. The output ends of the drive assembly are respectively connected to two sets of transverse clamping assemblies in a one-to-one transmission connection. Each set of transverse clamping assemblies has a longitudinal guide rail fixed horizontally and vertically. The longitudinal guide rail extends longitudinally. The longitudinal clamping assemblies are mounted longitudinally on the longitudinal guide rail. The longitudinal clamping centers of the two sets of longitudinal clamping assemblies on the same longitudinal guide rail coincide with the transverse clamping centers of the two sets of transverse clamping assemblies and are always located at the center of the base. Also includes: The horizontal and vertical linkage assembly includes a linkage rack, a linkage module, and a braking module. The linkage rack is symmetrically fixed on both sides of the machine base in the horizontal direction and corresponds to the travel of the horizontal clamping assembly. The linkage rack meshes with the bottom of the linkage module mounted in the middle of the vertical guide rail. The power output end of the linkage module is connected to two sets of vertical clamping assemblies on the same set of vertical guide rails. The top of the linkage module has an embedded strip groove, and a U-shaped handle is installed on the outer wall of the strip groove. The braking module includes a brake bar, a brake sleeve, a slot, and a brake seat. The brake bar is rotatably installed in a strip groove on the top of the linkage module and can swing and retract and unfold horizontally within the strip groove. The brake seat is fixed in the middle of the longitudinal guide rail and located directly above it. A brake sleeve coaxial with the linkage module is rotatably mounted on the brake seat. The inner wall of the brake sleeve is symmetrically provided with slots that cooperate with the end structure of the brake bar.

2. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage module includes a linkage seat, a driven gear, a wheel axle, a linkage gear, a lower limit plate, a return spring, an upper limit plate, and a driven rack. The linkage seat is fixed in the middle of the longitudinal guide rail and located directly below it. The driven gear is rotatably mounted on the linkage seat. Driven racks mesh with both sides of the driven gear. The two driven racks are slidably mounted on the bottom of the longitudinal guide rail and are respectively connected to two sets of longitudinal clamping assemblies on the same longitudinal guide rail. A wheel axle is coaxially mounted in the middle of the driven gear. The wheel axle is vertically slidably mounted in the inner hole of the driven gear. A linkage gear that meshes with the linkage rack is coaxially fixed at the bottom of the wheel axle. A lower limit plate is coaxially fixed on the outer wall of the bottom of the wheel axle. A return spring is mounted between the lower limit plate and the bottom of the linkage seat. The top of the wheel axle extends above the longitudinal guide rail and is coaxially fixed with an upper limit plate. A strip groove is formed on the top of the wheel axle.

3. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the passive gear is coaxially fitted with an annular sleeve. The outer wall of the annular sleeve is rotatably mounted on the linkage seat through a bearing. Both the upper and lower ends of the annular sleeve are provided with anti-detachment pins. The anti-detachment pins are matched with the anti-detachment grooves opened inside the linkage seat.

4. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 2, characterized in that, The distance between the two symmetrically opened slots on both sides of the brake sleeve is greater than the overall length of the brake strip.

5. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the upper limit plate is equipped with multiple limiting balls at equal intervals in the circumference, and the limiting balls maintain rolling contact with the top surface of the longitudinal guide rail.

6. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse clamping assembly includes a transverse slide rail, a transverse support, a transverse clamp, a transverse clamping plate, and a transverse overload module. The transverse slide rail is slidably mounted on the left and right sides of the base. A transverse support is fixed on the transverse slide rail. A transverse clamp and a longitudinal guide rail are fixed on the transverse support. The side of the transverse clamp facing the cell stack is the clamping working surface. A transverse clamp is mounted on the clamping working surface of the transverse clamp. The transverse clamp is slidably mounted on the transverse clamp via the transverse overload module.

7. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 2, characterized in that, The longitudinal clamping assembly includes a longitudinal slide rail, a connecting column, a longitudinal clamping seat, a longitudinal clamping plate, and a longitudinal overload module. The longitudinal slide rail is symmetrically slidably mounted on the front and rear sides of the longitudinal guide rail. The bottom of the longitudinal slide rail meshes with the passive rack through the connecting column. The top of the longitudinal slide rail is fixed with a longitudinal clamping seat. The side of the longitudinal clamping seat facing the cell stack is the clamping working surface. The clamping working surface of the longitudinal clamping seat is equipped with a longitudinal clamping plate. The longitudinal clamping plate is slidably mounted on the longitudinal clamping seat through the longitudinal overload module.

8. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 7, characterized in that, The longitudinal overload module and the transverse overload module have completely identical structures. Both are composed of overload guide posts and overload springs. The overload guide posts are horizontally slidably inserted into the corresponding transverse and longitudinal clamps. The protruding ends of the overload guide posts are fixedly connected to the transverse and longitudinal clamps, respectively. An overload spring is sleeved on the outside of the overload guide post. The overload spring is axially limited and assembled between the clamp and the clamp. That is, the transverse overload spring compression limit is located between the transverse clamp and the transverse clamp, and the longitudinal overload spring compression limit is located between the longitudinal clamp and the longitudinal clamp.

9. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 8, characterized in that, Both the longitudinal clamp and the transverse clamp have tapered guide surfaces on their end faces facing the clamping direction of the pallet. The tapered guide surfaces play a slope guiding and correction role for the battery cell pallet in the initial stage of the clamping operation, and use the inclined plane component force to guide the pallet with positional deviation.

10. The automatic guiding and positioning mechanism for battery cell stacks according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base has a number of support seats evenly distributed around its clamping center, and the top surface of the support seat is higher than the lowest end face of the conical guide surface.

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