Tab detection device and battery production line

Abstract

The utility model provides a tab detection device and a battery production line, the tab detection device is used for detecting tabs in an electrode assembly, and the tab detection device comprises a clamping mechanism, a visual module and a control device. The clamping mechanism comprises a support, a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly. The first clamping assembly used for clamping the electrode assembly is connected to the support and provides clamping force in the first direction. The second clamping assembly used for clamping the end cover is connected relative to the first clamping assembly in a reciprocating motion mode in the second direction, the second clamping assembly provides clamping force in the first direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the end cover. The control device controls the second clamping assembly to clamp the end cover in the state that the first clamping assembly clamps the electrode assembly, the second clamping assembly moves in the direction where the end cover is far away from the electrode assembly in the second direction, the visual module is controlled to shoot the tab, and the control device conducts detection based on an image shot by the visual module. According to the invention, whether the bent tab has defects can be accurately and efficiently detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a tab detection device and a battery production line. Background Art

[0002] New energy batteries are being used more and more widely in life and industry. For example, new energy vehicles equipped with batteries have been widely used. In addition, batteries are also being increasingly used in areas such as energy storage.

[0003] A battery usually includes a plurality of battery cells, each of which includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is provided with a tab for conducting current from the electrode assembly, and the tab is usually directly or indirectly connected to the end cap. During the battery manufacturing process, the tab (especially the bent tab with a bent portion) is at risk of cracking due to bending, squeezing, pulling, etc. Therefore, in order to identify electrode assemblies with defects such as cracking in the tab during the battery manufacturing process, it is necessary to detect the state of the tab. However, it is difficult to detect the bent tab with a bent portion. Therefore, how to accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent tab has defects is one of the research and development topics in the industry. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a tab detection device that can accurately and efficiently detect whether a bent tab has defects, and a battery production line including the tab detection device.

[0005] The embodiments of the present application are implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0006] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a tab detection device for detecting a tab in an electrode assembly, comprising: a clamping mechanism, comprising a bracket, a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly, wherein the first clamping assembly is connected to the bracket and provides a clamping force along a first direction, and the first clamping assembly is used to clamp the electrode assembly; the second clamping assembly is connected to the first clamping assembly so as to be reciprocatably movable along a second direction relative to the first clamping assembly, and the second clamping assembly provides a clamping force along the first direction, and the second clamping assembly is used to clamp an end cap connected to the tab in the electrode assembly, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the end cap; a vision module for photographing the tab; a control device, controlling the second clamping assembly to clamp the end cap and move a specified distance along the second direction in a direction in which the end cap is away from the electrode assembly when the first clamping assembly is clamping the electrode assembly, and controlling the vision module to photograph the tab, and the control device performs detection based on the image photographed by the vision module.

[0007] Since the second clamping assembly clamps the end cap while the first clamping assembly clamps the electrode assembly and moves the end cap a specified distance along the second direction in the direction away from the electrode assembly, and controls the visual module to photograph the pole ear, the bent pole ear connected to the end cap can be unfolded and the pole ear in the unfolded state can be photographed, thereby solving the problem that the pole ear is difficult to photograph and observe due to bending, and can accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent pole ear has defects.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first clamping assembly includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm facing each other, and each of the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm has an end portion along the second direction connected to a clamping assembly driving device and can approach or move away from each other along the first direction under the drive of the clamping assembly driving device; the second clamping assembly includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member opposite to each other, the first clamping member is connected to an end portion of the first clamping arm facing away from the clamping assembly driving device, and the second clamping member is connected to an end portion of the second clamping arm facing away from the clamping assembly driving device, and the first clamping member and the second clamping member approach or move away from each other as the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm approach or move away from each other; when the electrode assembly is located between the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm, the control device controls the clamping assembly driving device to drive the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm to approach each other by a predetermined distance to clamp the electrode assembly.

[0009] Thus, the electrode assembly and the end cap can be clamped at the same time by driving the clamping assembly driving device, which simplifies the structure and the operation process, and further reduces the time required for the tab detection device to operate. Moreover, since the electrode assemblies of various specifications can be clamped, it is beneficial to improve the compatibility of the tab detection device.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm each include a connecting plate, a floating clamp block connected to the connecting plate, and a telescopic member located between the connecting plate and the floating clamp block. Through the telescopic movement of the telescopic member along the first direction, the floating clamp block can float closer to or farther away from the connecting plate along the first direction.

[0011] By floating the floating clamp block toward or away from the first direction, the floating clamp block can play a certain buffering role in the process of clamping the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the degree of damage to the electrode assembly and protecting the electrode assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments, the connecting plate and the floating clamp are connected by a connecting shaft, the telescopic member is sleeved on the connecting shaft, the connecting shaft is fixedly connected to the connecting plate, and the floating clamp is reciprocally connected relative to the connecting shaft along the first direction.

[0013] Therefore, the connecting shaft can guide the reciprocating movement of the floating clamp along the first direction, so that the floating clamp can clamp the electrode assembly more stably and reduce the risk of shaking of the electrode assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, the telescopic member includes a spring member; and / or a surface of the floating clamp along the first direction facing away from the connecting plate is at least partially formed by a rubber elastic body.

[0015] The spring element and the rubber elastic body can both play a buffering role in the process of the floating clamping block clamping the electrode assembly, reducing the degree of damage to the electrode assembly, thereby protecting the electrode assembly.

[0016] In some embodiments, each of the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm comprises a plurality of floating clamp blocks, and the plurality of floating clamp blocks are spaced apart and distributed along the second direction.

[0017] Multiple floating clamps can increase the clamping area, making the clamping more stable, and can adapt to electrode assemblies of various specifications to improve compatibility.

[0018] In some embodiments, a first telescopic drive device is provided at one end of the first clamping arm away from the clamping assembly drive device, the first clamping member is connected to the telescopic end of the first telescopic drive device, and a second telescopic drive device is provided at one end of the second clamping arm away from the clamping assembly drive device, the second clamping member is connected to the telescopic end of the second telescopic drive device, and the control device controls the telescopic ends of the first telescopic drive device and the second telescopic drive device to extend a specified distance along the second direction when the first clamping member and the second clamping member clamp the end cover.

[0019] Therefore, the telescopic driving device for driving the clamping member is arranged on the clamping arm, so that the structure is more compact and the space occupied is reduced.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first clamping member has a first clamping surface, a first supporting surface and a first inclined surface, the first clamping surface is perpendicular to the first direction, the first supporting surface is perpendicular to the first clamping surface and connected to one end of the first clamping surface along the second direction away from the first clamping arm, and the first inclined surface is connected to one end of the first supporting surface along the first direction away from the first clamping surface; the second clamping member has a second clamping surface, a second supporting surface and a second inclined surface, the second clamping surface is perpendicular to the second direction, the second supporting surface is perpendicular to the second clamping surface and connected to one end of the second clamping surface along the second direction away from the second clamping arm, and the second inclined surface is connected to one end of the second supporting surface along the first direction away from the second clamping surface; the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are spaced apart from each other, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed so that the farther away from the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface are along the second direction, the closer they are to each other.

[0021] In the process of the first clamping member and the second clamping member approaching each other to clamp the end cover, the inclined surface can enable the end cover to be smoothly clamped between the two clamping surfaces, so that the clamping surfaces provide a clamping force in a first direction to clamp the end cover, and the supporting surface can support the end cover when the clamping surfaces fail to clamp the end cover, thereby improving the clamping reliability.

[0022] In some embodiments, the tab detection device also includes a pushing assembly, which includes a connecting frame and a pushing plate arranged on the connecting frame, the connecting frame is connected to the bracket, and the pushing plate has a pushing surface perpendicular to the second direction. When the first clamping assembly clamps the electrode assembly, the pushing surface abuts against one end of the electrode assembly away from the end cover along the second direction.

[0023] By pressing the electrode assembly with the pushing surface of the pushing plate, the pole ear can be bent, and the second clamping assembly clamps the end cover and moves it a specified distance along the second direction in a direction away from the electrode assembly, thereby unfolding the bent pole ear. The pole ear detection device not only has the function of pushing the pole ear to bend, but also has the function of unfolding the bent pole ear, that is, the operations of bending the pole ear and unfolding the bent pole ear are integrated into one device, which can speed up the production cycle and improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0024] In some embodiments, the connecting frame includes a longitudinal frame body and a transverse frame body connected to the longitudinal frame body, the transverse frame body is located between the first clamping components, at least one push plate is arranged on the transverse frame body, and the longitudinal frame body is connected to the bracket.

[0025] As a result, the overall structure of the tab detection device is made more compact, reducing space occupancy.

[0026] In some embodiments, the position of the longitudinal frame relative to the bracket along the second direction is adjustable; and / or, the two pushing plates are arranged on the transverse frame at intervals along the third direction, and the interval between the two pushing plates is adjustable.

[0027] By adjusting the position of the longitudinal frame relative to the bracket along the second direction, the position of the push plate along the second direction can be adjusted to adapt to electrode assemblies of more specifications. The two push plates are arranged at intervals along the third direction and the intervals are adjustable, so that when the push plates press against the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly is subjected to more uniform force and is compatible with electrode assemblies of more specifications.

[0028] In some embodiments, the tab detection device also includes a frame and a lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism is arranged on the frame and connected to the bracket, and the control device controls the movement of the lifting mechanism to drive the clamping mechanism to approach or move away from the position of the electrode assembly along the second direction.

[0029] By lifting and lowering the lifting mechanism, the clamping mechanism can be driven to approach or move away from the position where the electrode assembly is located along the second direction.

[0030] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive device, a lifting frame connected to the lifting drive device, and a lifting guide rail extending along the second direction. The lifting frame can be driven by the lifting drive device and guided by the lifting guide rail to move along the second direction, and the bracket is connected to the lifting frame.

[0031] The lifting frame is guided by the lifting guide rail to move along the second direction, so that the stability during the lifting process can be improved.

[0032] In some embodiments, the visual modules include two groups, and the two groups of visual modules are arranged at intervals along the first direction to form a shooting space for accommodating the electrode assembly. Each group of visual modules includes two cameras arranged along a third direction. The tab detection device also includes a first light source, and the first light source irradiates light toward the end cap along the second direction. After the control device makes the second clamping assembly move the end cap along the second direction in a state of clamping the end cap to move the end cap away from the electrode assembly by a specified distance, the control device controls each of the visual modules to respectively shoot the tabs. The control device identifies whether the tabs have defects based on the images shot by the visual modules.

[0033] The two cameras distributed along the third direction can respectively take pictures of the two pole ears of the electrode assembly along the third direction; the two groups of visual modules are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and can respectively take pictures of the two opposite sides of the pole ear along the first direction, so as to more comprehensively detect the pole ear and timely discover the cracking of the pole ear.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least a portion of an outer surface of the first clamping component and at least a portion of an outer surface of the second clamping component are formed as light absorbing surfaces.

[0035] The light-absorbing surface can reduce the reflection of light, reduce the impact of reflected light on photography, and improve the detection accuracy of the visual module.

[0036] The second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a battery production line for producing batteries, comprising: an end cap welding device for welding the end cap to a pole ear having a bending portion, wherein the battery comprises a battery cell, the battery cell comprises a shell, an electrode assembly accommodated in the shell and having the pole ear, and the end cap closing the shell; a pole ear detection device as described in any embodiment of the first aspect above; a shell insertion device for loading the electrode assembly detected by the pole ear detection device as having no defects into the shell, and allowing the end cap to close the shell.

[0037] The tab detection device can accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent tab has defects, so that abnormal conditions can be discovered in time during the battery production process, thereby improving battery reliability.

[0038] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application include: the tab detection device can accurately and efficiently detect whether a bent tab has defects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. Moreover, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a tab detection device provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a tab detection device from another perspective provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a clamping mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a clamping mechanism from another perspective provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0044] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a push plate pressing against an electrode assembly provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a clamping mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application clamping an electrode assembly;

[0047] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a clamping mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application moves an end cap away from an electrode assembly to a specified distance along a second direction;

[0048] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a visual module provided for some embodiments of the present application.

[0049] Description of Reference Numerals

[0050] 101-electrode assembly; 102-end cap; 103-electrode ear; 10-bracket; 11-traverse guide rail; 20-first clamping assembly; 23-clamping assembly driving device; 30-second clamping assembly; 31-first clamping member; 32-second clamping member; 32a-second clamping surface; 32b-second supporting surface; 32c-second inclined surface; 33-first telescopic driving device; 34-second telescopic driving device; 40-pushing assembly; 41-connecting frame; 42-pushing plate; 100-clamping machine Structure; 200-visual module; 201-camera; 210a-shooting space; 211-first clamping arm; 212-second clamping arm; 213-connecting plate; 214-floating clamping block; 215-telescopic member; 216-connecting shaft; 300-frame; 400-lifting mechanism; 410-lifting frame; 411-longitudinal frame; 411a-first adjusting hole; 412-horizontal frame; 412a-second adjusting hole; 420-lifting drive device; 430-lifting guide rail; 500-control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, and are therefore only used as examples, and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" in the specification of this application and the above-mentioned drawings and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0053] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0054] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0055] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0056] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the orientation or position relationship indicated by technical terms such as "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", and "circumferential" are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0057] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0058] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be understood in a broad sense, and may be direct contact or contact through an intermediate medium layer. It may be contact with essentially no interaction force between the two contacting parties, or it may be contact with interaction force between the two contacting parties.

[0059] Below, this application is described in detail.

[0060] At present, new energy batteries are increasingly used in life and industry. New energy batteries are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power and solar power stations, but are also widely used in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric cars, as well as aerospace and other fields. With the continuous expansion of the application field of power batteries, the market demand is also constantly expanding.

[0061] A battery device usually includes a plurality of battery cells, each of which includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is provided with a tab for conducting current from the electrode assembly, and the tab is usually directly or indirectly connected to the end cap. During the manufacturing process of the battery device, the tab (especially the bent tab with a bent portion) is at risk of cracking due to bending, squeezing, pulling, etc. Therefore, in order to identify electrode assemblies with defects such as cracking in the tab during the battery manufacturing process, it is necessary to detect the state of the tab. However, it is difficult to detect the bent tab with a bent portion. Therefore, how to accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent tab has defects is one of the research and development topics in the industry.

[0062] According to research, the difficulty in detecting bent tabs is mainly due to the fact that the tabs have folded parts that are difficult to observe in their entirety. If the tabs can be detected in an unfolded state, the entire tabs can be clearly observed, allowing for more accurate detection.

[0063] Based on such a design concept, an embodiment of the present application provides a pole ear detection device for detecting the pole ear in an electrode assembly, which includes: a clamping mechanism, including a bracket, a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly, wherein the first clamping assembly is connected to the bracket and provides a clamping force along a first direction, and the first clamping assembly is used to clamp the electrode assembly; the second clamping assembly is connected to the first clamping assembly so as to be reciprocatingly movable along a second direction relative to the first clamping assembly, and the second clamping assembly provides a clamping force along the first direction, and the second clamping assembly is used to clamp an end cap connected to the pole ear in the electrode assembly, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the end cap; a visual module for photographing the pole ear; a control device, which controls the second clamping assembly to clamp the end cap when the first clamping assembly clamps the electrode assembly and to move a specified distance along the second direction in a direction in which the end cap is away from the electrode assembly, and controls the visual module to photograph the pole ear, and the control device performs detection based on the image photographed by the visual module.

[0064] Since the second clamping assembly clamps the end cap while the first clamping assembly clamps the electrode assembly and moves the end cap a specified distance along the second direction in the direction away from the electrode assembly, and controls the visual module to photograph the pole ear, the bent pole ear connected to the end cap can be unfolded and the pole ear in the unfolded state can be photographed, thereby solving the problem that the pole ear is difficult to photograph and observe due to bending, and can accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent pole ear has defects.

[0065] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 9 Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a tab detection device provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a tab detection device from another perspective provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a clamping mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a clamping mechanism from another perspective provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly provided for some embodiments of the present application; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a push plate pressing against an electrode assembly provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a clamping mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application clamping an electrode assembly; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a clamping mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application moves an end cap away from an electrode assembly to a specified distance along a second direction; Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a visual module provided for some embodiments of the present application.

[0066] The tab detection device involved in the embodiment of the present application is mainly used to confirm whether the tab has defects such as cracks during the production process of the battery device or battery cell. The battery device (Battery Apparatus) mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may include one or more battery cell assemblies for providing voltage and capacity. The battery cell assembly (Battery Cell Assembly) may include multiple battery cells, and the multiple battery cells are connected in series, parallel or mixed through a busbar component.

[0067] A battery cell generally includes an electrode assembly, which includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, wherein the separator is disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode.

[0068] The electrode assembly may be a wound structure, a laminated structure, or a mixed structure of a wound structure and a laminated structure. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is a wound structure. The positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are wound into a wound structure. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is a laminated structure. As an example, a plurality of positive electrode sheets and a plurality of negative electrode sheets may be provided respectively, and a plurality of positive electrode sheets and a plurality of negative electrode sheets may be alternately stacked.

[0069] In some embodiments, the shape of the electrode assembly can be cylindrical, flat, or polygonal.

[0070] The electrode assembly is provided with a tab, which can lead the current out of the electrode assembly. The tab includes a positive tab and a negative tab.

[0071] In some embodiments, the housing includes an end cap and a shell, the shell is provided with an opening, and the end cap is provided on the opening. The shell may be provided with one or more openings. One or more end caps may also be provided.

[0072] In some embodiments, at least one electrode terminal is provided on the housing, and the electrode terminal is electrically connected to the electrode tab. The electrode terminal may be directly connected to the electrode tab, or may be indirectly connected to the electrode tab through a current collecting member. In some embodiments, the electrode tab is in a bent state. In order to detect the electrode tab, especially the bent electrode tab, an embodiment of the present application provides a electrode tab detection device for detecting the electrode tab in the electrode assembly. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tab detection device includes a clamping mechanism 100, a visual module 200 and a control device 500. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the clamping mechanism 100 includes a bracket 10, a first clamping assembly 20 and a second clamping assembly 30, wherein the first clamping assembly 20 is connected to the bracket 10 and provides a clamping force along a first direction X, and the first clamping assembly 20 is used to clamp the electrode assembly 101; the second clamping assembly 30 is reciprocally connected to the first clamping assembly 20 relative to the first clamping assembly 20 along a second direction Z, and the second clamping assembly 30 provides a clamping force along the first direction X, and the second clamping assembly 30 is used to clamp the end cap 102 connected to the pole ear 103 in the electrode assembly 101, and the first direction X is perpendicular to the second direction Z and the second direction Z is perpendicular to the end cap 102. The visual module 200 is used to photograph the pole ear 103 (see Figure 8 ). The control device 500 controls the second clamping assembly 30 to clamp the end cap 102 when the first clamping assembly 20 clamps the electrode assembly 101 and moves the end cap 102 away from the electrode assembly 101 by a specified distance along the second direction Z, and controls the visual module 200 to photograph the tab 103. The control device 500 performs detection based on the image photographed by the visual module 200.

[0073] The first clamping assembly 20 provides a clamping force along a first direction X to clamp the electrode assembly 101. The first direction X may be perpendicular to the thickness direction of the electrode assembly 101. As an example, the first clamping assembly 20 may clamp a large surface (the surface with the largest area in the electrode assembly) of the electrode assembly 101, which is beneficial to improve the clamping stability.

[0074] The second clamping assembly 30 provides a clamping force along the first direction X to clamp the end cap 102. The second clamping assembly 30 can reciprocate along the second direction Z, so that when the first clamping assembly 20 clamps the electrode assembly 101 and the second clamping assembly 30 clamps the end cap 102, the end cap 102 is moved away from the electrode assembly 101 by a specified distance, thereby unfolding the bent pole ear 103 between the electrode assembly 101 and the end cap 102, so that the visual module 200 can take a picture of the unfolded pole ear 103. The specified distance can be a shorter stroke set according to the length of the bent pole ear, as long as the pole ear can be unfolded so that two sides can be observed and the pole ear will not be torn, for example, 5mm~10mm. The specified distance can be detected by a position sensor, or determined by the telescopic stroke of the telescopic end of the clamping drive device to be described later.

[0075] As an example, when the first clamping assembly 20 clamps the electrode assembly 101 , the electrode assembly 101 may remain stationary, and the second clamping assembly 30 clamps the end cap 102 and moves a specified distance away from the electrode assembly 101 .

[0076] The above-mentioned actions of the first clamping assembly 20 clamping the electrode assembly 101, the second clamping assembly 30 clamping the end cover 102 and reciprocating along the second direction Z, and the visual module 200 taking pictures of the electrode tab 103 can be controlled and realized by the control device 500.

[0077] In some embodiments, the control device 500 may include a host computer, which controls the first clamping assembly 20 to clamp the electrode assembly 101, the second clamping assembly 30 to clamp the end cap 102, and to reciprocate along the second direction Z, and the visual module 200 to take pictures of the tab 103. In some embodiments, the control device 500 may also include multiple controllers to respectively control the actions of the first clamping assembly 20, the second clamping assembly 30, and the visual module 200. As an example, the controller can be integrated into the clamping mechanism 100 and the visual module 200.

[0078] The control device 500 can be connected to the clamping mechanism 100 and the visual module 200 by wire or wirelessly. Optionally, the control device 500 is implemented by combining computer hardware and computer software.

[0079] Since the second clamping assembly 30 clamps the end cap 102 while the first clamping assembly 20 clamps the electrode assembly 101 and moves the end cap 102 a specified distance away from the electrode assembly 101 along the second direction Z, and controls the visual module 200 to photograph the pole ear 103, the bent pole ear connected to the end cap 102 can be unfolded and the pole ear in the unfolded state can be photographed, thereby solving the problem that the pole ear 103 is difficult to photograph and observe due to bending, and can accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent pole ear has defects.

[0080] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the first clamping assembly 20 includes a first clamping arm 211 and a second clamping arm 212 facing each other, and one end of each of the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 along the second direction Z is connected to the clamping assembly driving device 23 and can approach or move away along the first direction X under the drive of the clamping assembly driving device 23; the second clamping assembly 30 includes a first clamping member 31 and a second clamping member 32 arranged opposite to each other, the first clamping member 31 is connected to an end of the first clamping arm 211 away from the clamping assembly driving device 23, and the second clamping member 32 is connected to an end of the second clamping arm 212 away from the clamping assembly driving device 23, and the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 are moved closer to or away from each other as the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 move closer to or away from each other; in the electrode assembly 101 (see Figure 4 ) is located between the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212, the control device controls the clamping assembly driving device 23 to drive the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 to approach each other by a predetermined distance to clamp the electrode assembly 101.

[0081] like Figure 3 As shown, one end of each of the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 along the second direction Z is connected to the clamp assembly driving device 23 and can move closer to or farther away from each other along the first direction X under the drive of the clamp assembly driving device 23. The clamp assembly driving device 23 can drive one of the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 to move closer to or farther away from the other along the first direction X, or the clamp assembly driving device 23 can drive the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 to move toward or away from each other at the same time. A traverse guide rail 11 can also be provided on the bracket 10, and the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 can be connected to the traverse guide rail 11 and can move along the traverse guide rail 11.

[0082] As an example, see Figure 3The clamping assembly driving device 23 may include two telescopic ends that are telescopic along the first direction X, and the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 are respectively connected to the two telescopic ends. The clamping assembly driving device 23 may be a driving component such as a bidirectional linear motor, a bidirectional cylinder, etc. that can drive the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 to move closer to or away from each other along the first direction X.

[0083] The first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 can be formed as a member having a certain width and extending along the second direction Z, and each has a clamping surface capable of clamping the electrode assembly 101. The shape of the clamping surface can be adapted according to the outer contour shape of the electrode assembly 101. For example, for a flat electrode assembly, the clamping surface can be formed as a plane or a substantially plane; for a cylindrical electrode assembly, the clamping surface can be formed as an arc surface. There is no particular limitation on the width of the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 as long as the electrode assembly can be stably clamped.

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown, the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 are used to clamp the end cap 102, and can be formed as a member that is longer along the third direction so as to stably clamp the end cap. Exemplarily, the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 mainly clamp the end edges of both sides of the end cap 102 in the first direction X. The first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 can have a clamping surface that matches the shape of the end edge of the end cap 102.

[0085] In addition, in order to reduce interference with the visual module 200 when photographing the tab 103, the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 are configured to not block the tab 103 along the first direction X when clamping the end cap 102 (see Figure 8 ).

[0086] The first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 move closer to or farther away from each other as the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 move closer to or farther away from each other. The first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 can clamp the end cover 102 while the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 clamp the electrode assembly 101 .

[0087] Thus, by driving the clamping assembly driving device 23, the electrode assembly 101 and the end cap 102 can be clamped at the same time, simplifying the structure and the operation process, and further reducing the time required for the tab detection device to operate. Moreover, since the electrode assemblies 101 of various specifications can be clamped, it is beneficial to improve the compatibility of the tab detection device.

[0088] Of course, the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 clamping the electrode assembly 101 and the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 clamping the end cap 102 may not be performed synchronously, but the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 may be driven separately by an additional driving device to clamp the end cap 102.

[0089] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 each include a connecting plate 213, a floating clamp block 214 connected to the connecting plate 213, and a telescopic member 215 located between the connecting plate 213 and the floating clamp block 214. Through the telescopic member 215 extending and retracting along the first direction X, the floating clamp block 214 can float closer to or farther away from the connecting plate 213 along the first direction X.

[0090] The first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 may be symmetrically constructed, so the second clamping arm 212 is taken as an example for detailed description.

[0091] In the second clamping arm 212, the connecting plate 213 is formed into a long strip, and a floating clamping block 214 is installed on the plate surface of the connecting plate 213 facing the first clamping arm 211. The floating clamping block 214 can be a single piece or a plurality of pieces. Figure 5 As shown, multiple blocks are arranged along the second direction Z.

[0092] The floating clamp 214 can float relative to the connecting plate 213 through the telescopic member 215 , that is, it can move closer to or farther away from the connecting plate 213 within a certain range.

[0093] In the process that the floating clamps 214 of the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 approach each other along the first direction X to clamp the electrode assembly 101, since the floating clamps 214 can float along the first direction X, they can buffer the clamping process of the electrode assembly 101 and reduce the degree of damage to the electrode assembly 101, thereby protecting the electrode assembly 101.

[0094] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the connecting plate 213 and the floating clamp 214 are connected by a connecting shaft 216, on which a telescopic member 215 is sleeved. The connecting shaft 216 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 213, and the floating clamp 214 is reciprocatably connected along the first direction X relative to the connecting shaft 216.

[0095] For example, Figure 5 As shown, a connecting shaft 216 is installed on the connecting plate 213, and a telescopic member 215 is sleeved on the connecting shaft 216. A shaft sleeve (not shown in the figure) is also provided on the side of the floating clamp 214, which is sleeved on the connecting shaft 216 and abuts against the telescopic member 215 so that the telescopic member 215 can be pushed along the connecting shaft 216.

[0096] For example, two connecting shafts 216 may be provided for a floating clamp block 214 . Of course, one or more than three connecting shafts 216 may also be provided.

[0097] Optionally, a plurality of groups of connecting shafts 216 and telescopic members 215 may be pre-arranged on the connecting plate 213 , and the floating clamp 214 may be installed in one or more of the groups as required.

[0098] When the floating clamps 214 of the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 approach each other along the first direction X to clamp the electrode assembly 101, the floating clamps 214 float along the first direction X relative to the connecting shaft 216, and the connecting shaft 216 plays a guiding role, so that the floating clamps can clamp the electrode assembly 101 more stably and reduce the risk of shaking of the electrode assembly 101.

[0099] In some embodiments, the telescopic member 215 includes a spring member; and / or, the surface of the floating clamp 214 that faces away from the connecting plate 213 along the first direction X is at least partially formed by a rubber elastic body.

[0100] Exemplarily, the spring member comprises a coil spring member.

[0101] The surface of the floating clamp 214 that is away from the connection plate 213 along the first direction X, i.e., the surface used to clamp the electrode assembly 101, is at least partially formed by a rubber elastic body. Optionally, the surface of the floating clamp 214 that is away from the connection plate 213 along the first direction X is entirely formed by a rubber elastic body; optionally, the entire outer surface of the floating clamp 214 is formed by a rubber elastic body; optionally, the floating clamp 214 is entirely formed by a rubber elastic body.

[0102] In a specific embodiment, the floating clamp block 214 is made of aluminum and is coated with a rubber elastic body.

[0103] Exemplarily, in order to improve the clamping reliability, the floating clamp 214 can over-clamp on one side by 2 mm to 5 mm. Specifically, when the floating clamp 214 is in a state of compression deformation, the distance between the floating clamps of the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212 is 4 mm to 10 mm smaller than the dimension of the battery assembly to be clamped in the first direction. The over-clamping distance can be absorbed by the deformation of the rubber elastomer.

[0104] The spring element and the rubber elastic body can both play a buffering role in the process of the floating clamping block clamping the electrode assembly, reducing the degree of damage to the electrode assembly, thereby protecting the electrode assembly.

[0105] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, the first clamping arm 211 and the second clamping arm 212 each include a plurality of floating clamping blocks 214 , and the plurality of floating clamping blocks 214 are distributed along the second direction Z at intervals.

[0106] As an example, see Figure 5 Each floating clamp block 214 can be connected to the connecting plate 213 via two connecting shafts 216 .

[0107] The plurality of floating clamps 214 can increase the clamping area, making the clamping more stable, and can also adapt to electrode assemblies 101 of various specifications, thereby improving compatibility.

[0108] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the first clamping arm 211 has an end portion facing away from the clamping assembly driving device 23 provided with a first telescopic driving device 33, the first clamping member 31 is connected to the telescopic end of the first telescopic driving device 33, the second clamping arm 212 has an end portion facing away from the clamping assembly driving device 23 provided with a second telescopic driving device 34, the second clamping member 32 is connected to the telescopic end of the second telescopic driving device 34, and the control device controls the telescopic ends of the first telescopic driving device 33 and the second telescopic driving device 34 to extend a specified distance along the second direction Z when the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 clamp the end cover 102.

[0109] Exemplarily, the first telescopic driving device 33 and the second telescopic driving device 34 may be cylinders, servo motors, and the like.

[0110] The predetermined distance extended along the second direction Z can be determined according to the length and bending state of the tab 103, as long as the states of both sides of the tab can be photographed and the tab is not damaged by the pulling of the end cover 102. It should be noted that the tab stretched by stretching can be in a generally flat state or in a slightly bent state.

[0111] Therefore, the telescopic driving device for driving the clamping member is arranged on the clamping arm, so that the structure is more compact and the space occupied is reduced.

[0112] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, the first clamping member 31 has a first clamping surface (not shown in the figure), a first supporting surface (not shown in the figure) and a first inclined surface (not shown in the figure), the first clamping surface is perpendicular to the first direction X, the first supporting surface is perpendicular to the first clamping surface and connected to an end of the first clamping surface away from the first clamping arm 211 along the second direction Z, and the first inclined surface is connected to an end of the first supporting surface away from the first clamping surface along the first direction X; the second clamping member 32 has a second clamping surface 32a, a second supporting surface 32b and a second inclined surface 32c, and the second clamping The holding surface 32a is perpendicular to the second direction Z, the second supporting surface 32b is perpendicular to the second clamping surface 32a and is connected to one end of the second clamping surface 32a along the second direction Z away from the second clamping arm 212, and the second inclined surface 32c is connected to one end of the second supporting surface 32b along the first direction X away from the second clamping surface 32a; the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface 32a are spaced apart from each other, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface 32c are formed so that the farther away from the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface 32b along the second direction Z, the closer they are to each other.

[0113] Figure 5 The specific structure of the second clamping member 32 is shown, and the specific structure of the first clamping member 31 can refer to the second clamping member 32.

[0114] In the process of the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32 approaching each other to clamp the end cover 102, the inclined surface can make the end cover 102 smoothly abut against the two clamping surfaces, so that the clamping surface provides a clamping force in the first direction X to clamp the end cover 102, and the supporting surface can support the end cover 102 when the clamping surface clamps the end cover, which is beneficial to reduce the risk of damage to the end cover 102 due to strong clamping, and can support the end cover in the event of clamping failure of the clamping surface, thereby reducing the risk of cracking of the pole ear due to accidental slipping of the end cover, thereby improving the clamping reliability.

[0115] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 The tab detection device also includes a pushing assembly 40, which includes a connecting frame 41 and a pushing plate 42 arranged on the connecting frame 41, the connecting frame 41 is connected to the bracket 10, and the pushing plate 42 has a pushing surface perpendicular to the second direction Z. When the first clamping assembly 20 clamps the electrode assembly 101, the pushing surface abuts against one end of the electrode assembly 101 away from the end cover 102 along the second direction Z.

[0116] Optionally, a telescopic member may be provided between the push plate 42 and the connecting frame 41 , and the push plate 42 may be put into a floating state through the extension and retraction of the telescopic member, thereby buffering the pushing force on the electrode assembly.

[0117] The push plate 42 may also be a member whose push surface is at least formed of a rubber elastic body. In a specific embodiment, the push plate 42 is made of aluminum and is coated with a rubber elastic body.

[0118] After the pole ear 103 of the electrode assembly 101 is connected to the end cover 102, in order to reduce the gap between the end cover 102 and the electrode assembly 101 and improve the utilization rate of the shell space, the pole ear 103 needs to be bent. The electrode assembly 101 can be pressed by the push plate 42 to bend the pole ear 103 well. The bent pole ear 103 is located in the small space between the end cover 102 and the electrode assembly 101, and it is difficult to effectively detect the condition of the pole ear 103. The end cover 102 is moved a specified distance away from the electrode assembly 101 by the second clamping assembly 30, and the bent pole ear 103 is unfolded so that the visual module 200 can take pictures. After taking pictures, the end cover 102 can be moved in the direction close to the electrode assembly 101 by the second clamping assembly 30, so that the pole ear 103 becomes a bent state.

[0119] By pressing the electrode assembly 101 with the pushing surface of the pushing plate 42, the pole ear can be bent, and the second clamping assembly 30 clamps the end cover 102 to move the end cover 102 away from the electrode assembly 101 by a specified distance along the second direction Z, thereby unfolding the bent pole ear so that the visual module 200 can take pictures, so that the pole ear detection device not only has the function of bending the pole ear, but also has the function of unfolding the bent pole ear. Therefore, the pole ear bending and bent pole ear unfolding operations are integrated into one device, which can speed up the production cycle and improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0120] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 The connecting frame 41 includes a longitudinal frame body 411 and a transverse frame body 412 connected to the longitudinal frame body 411 . The transverse frame body 412 is located between the first clamping components 20 . At least one push plate 42 is disposed on the transverse frame body 412 . The longitudinal frame body 411 is connected to the bracket 10 .

[0121] As an example, two longitudinal frames 411 may be provided, respectively connected to the two ends of the transverse frame 412 along the third direction Y, and the transverse frame 412 is located between the first clamp arm 211 and the second clamp arm 212. The transverse frame 412 may be provided with two push plates 42, and the two push plates 42 are spaced apart along the third direction Y. Of course, the number of push plates 42 may be one or more. When there is one push plate 42, the area of ​​its pressing surface may be appropriately increased to increase the contact area of ​​the electrode assembly 101, so that the electrode assembly 101 is subjected to a more uniform force and the bending effect of the tab is improved.

[0122] As a result, the overall structure of the tab detection device is made more compact, reducing space occupancy.

[0123] In some embodiments, Figure 4As shown, the position of the longitudinal frame 411 relative to the bracket 10 along the second direction Z is adjustable; and / or, the two push plates 42 are arranged on the transverse frame 412 at intervals along the third direction Y, and the interval between the two push plates 42 is adjustable.

[0124] As an example, see Figure 4 The longitudinal frame body 411 is provided with a first adjustment hole 411a extending along the second direction Z. The longitudinal frame body 411 is fixed to the bracket 10 by a first fastener (not shown in the figure) passing through the first adjustment hole 411a. By adjusting the fastening position of the first fastener in the first adjustment hole 411a, the height of the push plate 42 along the second direction Z is adjusted.

[0125] As an example, Figure 4 As shown, the cross frame body 412 is provided with a second adjustment hole 412a extending along the third direction Y, and the two push plates 42 are respectively fixed to the cross frame body 412 by second fasteners (not shown in the figure) passing through the second adjustment hole 412a, and the spacing between the two push plates 42 along the third direction Y is adjusted by adjusting the fastening position of the second fastener in the second adjustment hole 412a.

[0126] The position of the longitudinal frame 411 relative to the bracket 10 along the second direction Z is adjustable, thereby adjusting the position of the push plate 42 along the second direction Z, thereby being able to adapt to more specifications of electrode assemblies 101. The two push plates 42 are spaced apart along the third direction Y and the spacing distance is adjustable, so that when the push plate 42 presses the electrode assembly 101, the electrode assembly 101 is subjected to a more uniform force, thereby improving the bending effect of the tab.

[0127] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tab detection device also includes a frame 300 and a lifting mechanism 400. The lifting mechanism 400 is arranged on the frame 300 and connected to the bracket 10. The control device controls the movement of the lifting mechanism 400 to drive the clamping mechanism 100 to approach or move away from the position of the electrode assembly 101 along the second direction Z.

[0128] By lifting and lowering the lifting mechanism 400 , the clamping mechanism 100 is automatically driven along the second direction Z to approach or move away from the position where the electrode assembly 101 is located.

[0129] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the lifting mechanism 400 includes a lifting drive device 420, a lifting frame 410 connected to the lifting drive device, and a lifting guide rail 430 extending along the second direction Z. The lifting frame 410 can be driven by the lifting drive device 420 and guided by the lifting guide rail 430 to move along the second direction Z, and the bracket 10 is connected to the lifting frame 410.

[0130] The lifting drive device 420 may be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a servo motor, etc. The lifting drive device 420 drives the bracket 10 to move up and down along the lifting guide rail, which can improve the stability during the lifting process.

[0131] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tab detection device further includes: a moving mechanism, which is disposed on the frame 300 and connected to the lifting frame 410, and is used to drive the lifting frame 410 to move along the third direction Y, and the third direction Y is perpendicular to the second direction Z and the first direction X. The moving mechanism includes a moving drive device and a moving guide rail disposed on the frame 300 and extending along the third direction Y, the lifting frame 410 is slidably connected to the moving guide rail, and the moving drive device is connected to the lifting frame 410.

[0132] The moving mechanism can drive the lifting frame 410 to drive the lifting mechanism 400 and the clamping mechanism 100 to move along the third direction Y, so as to reach the position where the visual module 200 is located.

[0133] In some embodiments, Figure 2 and Fig. 9 As shown, the visual module 200 includes two groups, and the two groups of visual modules 200 are arranged at intervals along a first direction X to form a shooting space 210a for accommodating the electrode assembly 101. Each group of visual modules 200 includes two cameras 201 arranged along a third direction Y. The tab detection device also includes a first light source (not shown in the figure), and the first light source irradiates light toward the end cover along a second direction Z. After the control device makes the second clamping assembly 30 move a specified distance along the second direction Z in a state of clamping the end cover 102 in a direction to move the end cover 102 away from the electrode assembly 101, the control device controls each visual module 200 to respectively shoot the tab 103. The control device identifies whether the tab 103 has defects based on the image shot by the visual module 200.

[0134] The two cameras 201 distributed along the third direction Y can respectively take pictures of the two tabs 103 of the electrode assembly 101 along the third direction Y; the two groups of visual modules 200 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, and can respectively take pictures of the two opposite sides of the tab 103 along the first direction X, so as to more comprehensively detect the tab 103 and timely discover the tab defects.

[0135] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the first clamping component 20 and at least a portion of the outer surface of the second clamping component 30 are formed as light absorbing surfaces.

[0136] The light absorbing surface can be formed by covering the outer surfaces of the components in the first clamping assembly 20 and the second clamping assembly 30 with a dark material coating, such as a black Teflon coating, etc. It can also be made of a dark material, such as black PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

[0137] The light-absorbing surface can reduce the reflection of light, reduce the impact of reflected light on photography, and improve the detection accuracy of the visual module.

[0138] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 9 , a specific example of the present application is described.

[0139] The embodiment of the present application provides a tab detection device, comprising: an electrode assembly pick-up and placement robot (clamping mechanism 100), two sets of CCD cameras (visual module 200), a rack 300, and a lifting mechanism 400 disposed on the rack 300. The cell pick-up and placement robot stretches the end cap of the electrode assembly through the second clamping assembly therein to expose the tab, and captures two sets of images of the left and right tabs of the electrode assembly through two sets of CCD cameras to automatically identify the defects of the cell tabs.

[0140] Since the cracking of the tab after folding is somewhat concealed, and the isolation membrane falls and the tab is blocked during the process of the robot lifting and placing the electrode assembly, it relies on manual experience and naked eye inspection and judgment, lacks a corresponding and relatively systematic cracking defect detection procedure for guidance, and is greatly affected by human subjective factors. A small stroke cylinder is added under the above-mentioned battery cell placement robot, and a stretching action is added to the end cover to completely expose the tab. The CCD camera captures two sets of images of the left and right tabs of the electrode assembly, and transmits the images to the control device. The control device analyzes and processes the obtained images and displays the results on the display screen, automatically identifying the tab defects in the electrode assembly and improving the accuracy and efficiency of detection.

[0141] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the electrode assembly completes the core assembly process at the folding ear station, the battery cell picking and placing robot manual position receives feedback from the data end, the servo module translates to the material picking position, the robot Z axis descends to the electrode assembly grabbing position, the clamping cylinder drives the robot to clamp the battery cell, the robot Z axis rises and translates horizontally to above the photo position, the Z axis descends to a certain height to the CCD photo position to take a photo, and waits for the photo to be taken before continuing to be lowered to the carrier position.

[0142] like Figure 7 As shown, a group of cylinders (second telescopic drive device 34) is added to the tail of the clamp (first clamping component 20). When the clamping cylinder (clamping component drive device 23) clamps the end cover, a three-axis cylinder (lifting drive device 420) is used to pull down to drive the end cover 102 to unfold the pole ear. The cylinder stroke is only 10mm. Under the premise of not causing damage to the pole ear, the pole ear is fully exposed to the camera.

[0143] like Figure 2As shown, the camera and the light source (a second light source different from the first light source) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the workstation. The single-side camera and light source capture the status of the left and right tabs, and the symmetrical side camera and light source capture the status of the front and back tabs of the battery cell, ensuring that the camera captures the whole picture. The control device can obtain the front image of the battery cell tab, and the display is electrically connected to the control device and is used to display the analysis results of the control device on the back image and the front image. The detection effect is obvious and the detection efficiency is higher. Among them, the detection component of the industrial CCD camera and the industrial high-brightness LED light source combined with the industrial CCD visual detection module of the control unit can adopt the existing technology.

[0144] like Fig. 9 As shown, the camera and light source brackets both have long waist holes and arc long holes. The long waist holes adjust the shooting and lighting distances, and the arc long holes adjust the shooting angles.

[0145] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the manipulator clamps the electrode assembly 3mm on one side, and a pad (floating clamp 214) is added in the middle of the manipulator's clamping jaws. The clamping spacing can increase or decrease with the thickness of the electrode assembly, and change synchronously and evenly. For example, the change amount can be half of the change in the thickness of the electrode assembly. In addition, the pushing assembly 40 is fully compatible with the thickness direction of the battery cell (the second direction Z) to shape the bottom of the battery cell.

[0146] The connecting components of the manipulator are made of stainless steel, and the surface is plated with black Teflon after sandblasting; the end cover block (the first clamping member 31 and the second clamping member 32), the pin sleeve, etc. are made of wear-resistant black PEEK (polyetheretherketone); the floating clamp block 214 is made of aluminum (such as Al 6061), and the surface is black oxidized, so that the manipulator is in a light-absorbing state, reducing the risk of CCD camera capture abnormality or even system misjudgment due to light problems during the shooting process.

[0147] In addition, the floating clamp 214 of the manipulator is coated with black rubber (for example, polyurethane PU elastomer), and the hardness is HA50 Shore A hardness, so that the electrode assembly can be softly contacted. Under the guidance of the connecting shaft 216 and the pin sleeve and the flexible clamping of the spring member (telescopic member 215), the floating clamp 214 greatly reduces the damage to the surface of the electrode assembly.

[0148] The push plate 42 of the manipulator can be made of aluminum (such as Al 6061), which is also coated with rubber and has a Shore hardness of HA50. It has soft contact with the bottom of the electrode assembly and can flatten the electrode assembly under the guidance of the connecting shaft and the push plate hole and the flexible clamping of the spring part to reduce the space behind the folded pole ear and reduce the pulling on the pole ear during the lifting process of the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the risk of the pole ear cracking.

[0149] In addition, the pin holes on the manipulator can be quickly positioned, and the floating clamp 214 can be added or removed according to the situation, which is fully compatible with the clamping of electrode assemblies of different thicknesses and heights.

[0150] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a battery production line for producing batteries, comprising: an end cap welding device for welding the end cap to a pole ear having a bending portion, wherein the battery comprises a battery cell, the battery cell comprises an outer shell, an electrode assembly accommodated in the outer shell and having a pole ear, and an end cap sealing the outer shell; a pole ear detection device as above; a shell insertion device for loading the electrode assembly whose pole ear is detected as having no defects by the pole ear detection device into the outer shell, and making the end cap seal the outer shell.

[0151] The tab detection device can accurately and efficiently detect whether the bent tab has defects, so that abnormal conditions can be discovered in time during the battery production process, thereby improving battery reliability.

[0152] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application is described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments can still be modified, or some or all of the technical features therein can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should all be included in the scope of the present application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A tab detection device for detecting tabs in an electrode assembly, characterized in that: include: A clamping mechanism, comprising a bracket, a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly, wherein the first clamping assembly is connected to the bracket and provides a clamping force along a first direction, and the first clamping assembly is used to clamp the electrode assembly; the second clamping assembly is connected to the first clamping assembly so as to be reciprocatingly movable along a second direction relative to the first clamping assembly, and the second clamping assembly provides a clamping force along the first direction, and the second clamping assembly is used to clamp an end cap connected to a pole ear in the electrode assembly, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the end cap; A visual module, used for photographing the tab; The control device controls the second clamping assembly to clamp the end cap and move the end cap a specified distance along the second direction away from the electrode assembly while the first clamping assembly is clamping the electrode assembly, and controls the visual module to photograph the electrode ear. The control device performs detection based on the image photographed by the visual module.

2. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first clamping assembly comprises a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm facing each other, and one end of each of the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm along the second direction is connected to a clamping assembly driving device and can approach or move away along the first direction under the drive of the clamping assembly driving device; The second clamping assembly comprises a first clamping member and a second clamping member arranged opposite to each other, the first clamping member is connected to an end of the first clamping arm away from the clamping assembly driving device, the second clamping member is connected to an end of the second clamping arm away from the clamping assembly driving device, and the first clamping member and the second clamping member approach or move away from each other as the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm move toward or away from each other; When the electrode assembly is located between the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm, the control device controls the clamp assembly driving device to drive the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm to approach each other by a predetermined distance so as to clamp the electrode assembly.

3. The tab detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first clamp arm and the second clamp arm each include a connecting plate, a floating clamp block connected to the connecting plate, and a telescopic member located between the connecting plate and the floating clamp block. Through the extension and retraction of the telescopic member along the first direction, the floating clamp block can float closer to or farther from the connecting plate along the first direction.

4. The tab detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting plate and the floating clamp are connected via a connecting shaft, the telescopic member is sleeved on the connecting shaft, the connecting shaft is fixedly connected to the connecting plate, and the floating clamp is reciprocally movably connected relative to the connecting shaft along the first direction.

5. The tab detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The telescopic member includes a spring member; and / or, A surface of the floating clamp that faces away from the connecting plate along the first direction is at least partially formed by a rubber elastic body.

6. The tab detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm each include a plurality of floating clamping blocks, and the plurality of floating clamping blocks are distributed at intervals along the second direction.

7. The tab detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first clamping arm is provided with a first telescopic driving device at one end away from the clamping assembly driving device, and the first clamping member is connected to the telescopic end of the first telescopic driving device; the second clamping arm is provided with a second telescopic driving device at one end away from the clamping assembly driving device, and the second clamping member is connected to the telescopic end of the second telescopic driving device. The control device controls the telescopic ends of the first telescopic drive device and the second telescopic drive device to extend a specified distance along the second direction when the first clamping member and the second clamping member clamp the end cover.

8. The tab detection device according to claim 2 or 7, characterized in that: The first clamping member comprises a first clamping surface, a first supporting surface and a first inclined surface, wherein the first clamping surface is perpendicular to the first direction, the first supporting surface is perpendicular to the first clamping surface and connected to an end of the first clamping surface away from the first clamping arm along the second direction, and the first inclined surface is connected to an end of the first supporting surface away from the first clamping surface along the first direction; The second clamping member has a second clamping surface, a second supporting surface and a second inclined surface, the second clamping surface is perpendicular to the second direction, the second supporting surface is perpendicular to the second clamping surface and connected to an end of the second clamping surface away from the second clamping arm along the second direction, and the second inclined surface is connected to an end of the second supporting surface away from the second clamping surface along the first direction; The first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are arranged opposite to each other with a distance therebetween, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed so as to become closer to each other as they are farther away from the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface along the second direction.

9. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tab detection device further includes a pushing assembly, which includes a connecting frame and a pushing plate arranged on the connecting frame, wherein the connecting frame is connected to the bracket, and the pushing plate has a pushing surface perpendicular to the second direction. When the first clamping assembly clamps the electrode assembly, the pressing surface abuts against an end of the electrode assembly away from the end cover along the second direction.

10. The tab detection device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The connecting frame includes a longitudinal frame body and a transverse frame body connected to the longitudinal frame body, the transverse frame body is located between the first clamping components, at least one push plate is arranged on the transverse frame body, and the longitudinal frame body is connected to the bracket.

11. The tab detection device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The position of the longitudinal frame relative to the bracket along the second direction is adjustable; and / or, The two pushing plates are arranged on the cross frame body at intervals along the third direction, and the interval between the two pushing plates is adjustable.

12. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tab detection device further includes a frame and a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism is arranged on the frame and connected to the bracket. The control device controls the movement of the lifting mechanism to drive the clamping mechanism to move closer to or farther away from the position where the electrode assembly is located along the second direction.

13. The tab detection device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive device, a lifting frame connected to the lifting drive device, and a lifting guide rail extending along the second direction. The lifting frame can be driven by the lifting drive device and guided by the lifting guide rail to move along the second direction. The bracket is connected to the lifting frame.

14. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The visual modules include two groups, the two groups of visual modules are arranged at intervals along the first direction (X) to form a shooting space (210a) for accommodating the electrode assembly, and each group of visual modules includes two cameras arranged along a third direction. The tab detection device further includes a first light source, which radiates light toward the end cap along the second direction. After causing the second clamping assembly to move the end cap along the second direction to move the end cap away from the electrode assembly by the specified distance while clamping the end cap, the control device controls each of the visual modules to respectively photograph the electrode tabs, and the control device identifies whether the electrode tabs have defects based on the images photographed by the visual modules.

15. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least a portion of an outer surface of the first clamping component and at least a portion of an outer surface of the second clamping component are formed as light absorbing surfaces.

16. A battery production line for producing batteries, characterized in that: include: An end cap welding device, used for welding the end cap to a pole ear having a bent portion, wherein the battery comprises a battery cell, the battery cell comprises a housing, an electrode assembly accommodated in the housing and having the pole ear, and the end cap closing the housing; The tab detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 15; The shell insertion device is used to install the electrode assembly whose tab is detected as having no defects by the tab detection device into the shell, and to close the shell with the end cover.

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