Lithium battery clamping mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lithium battery clamping mechanism which comprises a connecting frame capable of achieving three-dimensional movement in the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The connecting frame is provided with two main clamping jaw mechanisms, the two main clamping jaw mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on the left side and the right side of the connecting frame through distance adjusting assemblies, and the distance adjusting assemblies can adjust the transverse spacing distance between the two main clamping jaws so that the main clamping jaw mechanisms can be clamped at the sealing edge positions of the two side edges of the lithium battery; after the main clamping jaw mechanism and the lithium battery are clamped, the lithium battery is transferred back and forth at the feeding position and the discharging position through the connecting frame, so that interference between the lithium battery and a tray inner container in the transferring process is reduced to the maximum extent, and the product yield and the production safety in the process are comprehensively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the clamping and transplanting of lithium-ion batteries, and particularly to a clamping mechanism for lithium batteries. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous progress of the production technology of lithium-ion batteries, the classification of lithium-ion batteries mainly includes soft packs, square cases, and cylinders. Due to advantages such as good safety, light weight, and flexible design, lithium batteries have become key products developed by many companies.

[0003] During the production process of lithium batteries, from the end of assembly and sealing to the offline of lithium batteries, the batteries will face many times of clamping and transplanting. However, due to factors such as different tray structures and different equipment transfer structures in domestic companies, there will also be differences in the clamping and transplanting structures of lithium batteries. Generally speaking, during the loading and unloading process of clamping / transferring lithium batteries, there is a possibility of interference with the bracket or the inner liner of the tray, resulting in appearance defects such as concave pressing, scratching, and damage of the aluminum-plastic film, reducing the product yield rate and also causing safety problems. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] Aiming at the disadvantages and deficiencies existing in the prior art, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a clamping mechanism for lithium batteries, which can maximize the matching of the loading and unloading clamping and transplanting processes of lithium batteries and ensure the safe production of lithium battery products.

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A clamping mechanism for lithium batteries, comprising:

[0007] A connecting frame capable of realizing three-dimensional movement in three directions of the Z-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and X-axis direction; provided on the connecting frame are:

[0008] Two main jaw mechanisms symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the connecting frame through a distance adjusting component, the distance adjusting component being capable of adjusting the lateral spacing distance between the two main jaws so that the main jaw mechanisms are clamped at the two side sealing edge positions of the lithium battery;

[0009] After the main jaw mechanism clamps the lithium battery, the connecting frame is used to move the lithium battery back and forth between two loading and unloading positions to minimize the interference between the lithium battery and the inner liner of the tray during the transfer.

[0010] The distance adjusting component is an M-axis screw linear module connected to the bottom of the connecting frame;

[0011] The structures of the two main jaw mechanisms are the same, and each includes:

[0012] A first cylinder, whose cylinder body is fixedly connected to the nut moving pair of the M-axis screw linear module, and whose telescopic rod is vertically arranged and has a cylinder sensor;

[0013] A main clamping claw arm is coaxially sleeved on the outer periphery of the telescopic rod of each of the first cylinders;

[0014] The main clamping jaw is fixed to the bottom end of the main clamping jaw arm through a main clamping jaw fixing block.

[0015] The main clamping jaw comprises:

[0016] Two symmetrically arranged clips are hingedly connected via a hinge axis, and have a clamping side facing the lithium battery and a non-clamping side away from the lithium battery;

[0017] A spring connected between the non-clamping sides of the two clips, and under the action of the spring force, the clamping sides of the two clips are in an open state with the hinge shaft as a fulcrum;

[0018] When the telescopic rod of the first cylinder extends downward, it can extend into the non-clamping side of the two clamps and overcome the elastic force of the spring to open the two clamps on the non-clamping side. At this time, the clamping side can clamp the side sealing edge of the lithium battery;

[0019] A small hole is provided between the two clamping pieces on the clamping side of the main clamping jaw for installing a first position sensor, and the first position sensor is used to sense the state of the lithium battery and determine whether the battery is missed.

[0020] The main clamp arm is a hollow structure, the end of the telescopic rod of the first cylinder is connected to a columnar guide block, and the outer wall of one end of the columnar guide block in contact with the clamp has an arc structure;

[0021] A V-shaped groove is provided between the tops of the two clamping pieces on the non-clamping side of the main clamping jaw, and the first cylinder drives the cylindrical guide block to extend into the V-shaped groove to open the two clamping pieces on the non-clamping side. At this time, the two clamping pieces on the clamping side can be relatively closed with the hinge axis as the fulcrum to clamp the lithium battery.

[0022] The main gripper arm is connected to the first cylinder end and is provided with a flexible protective structure, including:

[0023] A spring and fixed rod duplex structure connected between the first cylinder and the nut moving pair;

[0024] A cylinder slide rail, arranged between the side of the first cylinder and the nut moving pair;

[0025] The structure of the nut moving pair on the M-axis screw linear module is L-shaped, and the first cylinder is anti-collision in the Z-axis direction through the slide rail combined with the spring and fixed rod compound structure.

[0026] The first cylinder and the slider of the lead screw module form a groove switch.

[0027] The cylindrical part at the tail end of the main jaw has a vertical through-hole structure;

[0028] The main jaw arm fixing block and the main jaw arm are of an integral structure, and a threaded hole is opened inside the fixing block.

[0029] The main jaw is fixed to the lower end of the main jaw arm fixing block protruding from the right side of the main jaw arm by screws.

[0030] An auxiliary jaw mechanism is further provided on the connecting frame between the two main jaw mechanisms. The auxiliary jaw mechanism is used to position the lithium battery in the Z-axis direction before the main jaw grabs the lithium battery, and to grab and fix the lithium battery when the position of the lithium battery is offset or dropped.

[0031] The auxiliary jaw mechanism includes:

[0032] A second cylinder, which is fixed on the fixing block with an opening and is fixedly connected to the connecting frame through the fixing block;

[0033] The second cylinder is a pneumatic finger cylinder. Two auxiliary jaw arms are respectively fixed on the two fingers of the second cylinder and are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the lithium battery. Normally, the two auxiliary jaw arms do not contact the lithium battery. Second position sensors for detecting the position of the air bag edge of the auxiliary jaw arm and the lithium battery and determining whether the position of the lithium battery is offset or dropped are provided on the inner sides of the upper parts of the two auxiliary jaw arms.

[0034] The auxiliary jaw arm is of a trapezoidal structure with a chamfer at the end opening, and a through-hole is opened at the fixed end and is connected to the cylinder finger of the second cylinder by screws.

[0035] The utility model adopts a transplanting structure integrating grabbing and fixing. The auxiliary jaw arm realizes the positioning function of the lithium battery before grabbing the lithium battery. First, the lithium battery is vertically positioned in the Z-axis direction by the auxiliary jaw arm. The lead screw linear module moves along the M-axis direction to make the main jaw arm contract. The first cylinder is used to close the main jaw and grab the lithium battery. The first position sensor senses the state of the lithium battery to determine whether there is a "missed grab". The connecting frame is controlled by the lead screw linear module to move along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. During the movement of the lithium battery, the second position sensor at the upper end of the auxiliary jaw arm can sense the position of the air bag edge of the lithium battery in real time to determine whether the position of the lithium battery is offset or dropped;

[0036] The lithium battery is transplanted to the blanking position. First, the auxiliary clamping arm opens, and then the main clamping jaw arm descends along the Z-axis direction. Since the main clamping jaw grabs the side sealing edge of the soft-pack lithium battery, during the blanking process along the Z-axis, the soft-pack lithium battery can minimize the interference with the inner liner of the tray. After the lithium battery moves to the Z-axis blanking position, the main clamping jaw opens and the main clamping jaw arm resets.

[0037] The lead screw linear module can control the main clamping jaw arm to transfer the lithium battery back and forth between the loading and unloading positions. The use of the main clamping jaw and the auxiliary clamping arm can maximize the transplanting efficiency and the appearance yield rate of the lithium battery during the transfer process. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] Figure 1 is the three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present utility model;

[0039] Figure 2 is the three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first cylinder of the present utility model;

[0040] Figure 3 is the schematic diagram of the main clamping jaw in the clamping state of the present utility model;

[0041] Figure 4 is the front view of the main clamping jaw structure of the present utility model;

[0042] Figure 5 is the side view of the main clamping jaw structure of the present utility model;

[0043] Figure 6 is the top view of the main clamping jaw structure of the present utility model;

[0044] Figure 7 is the schematic diagram of the auxiliary clamping arm in the clamping state of the present utility model;

[0045] Figure 8 is the schematic diagram of the auxiliary clamping arm in the released state of the present utility model;

[0046] Reference numerals are: 1, main clamping jaw; 2, main clamping jaw arm; 3, first cylinder; 4, nut moving pair; 5, second cylinder; 6, auxiliary clamping arm; 7, lithium battery; 8, M-axis lead screw linear module; 9, Z-axis lead screw linear module; 10, Y-axis lead screw linear module; 11, X-axis lead screw linear module; 12, connecting frame; 13, base bracket; 101, main clamping jaw spring fixing hole; 102, cylindrical guide block; 103, main clamping jaw fixing hole; 104, first position sensor; 105, spring; 201, main clamping jaw arm fixing block; 301, spring and fixed rod compound structure; 302, cylinder inductor; 303, groove switch; 304, cylinder slide rail; 305, fixing hole; 501, pneumatic finger cylinder; 502, fixing block; 503, inner hole of the fixing block; 601, chamfered opening; 602, second position sensor. Embodiment

[0047] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model.

[0048] Example 1, please refer to the three-dimensional schematic Figure 1 ,

[0049] A clamping mechanism for a lithium battery, including a main jaw 1, a first cylinder 3, an auxiliary clamping arm 6, a second cylinder 5, a connecting frame 12, an M-axis screw linear module 8, a Z-axis screw linear module 9, a Y-axis screw linear module 10, and an X-axis screw linear module 11.

[0050] The auxiliary clamping arm 6 is composed of two single jaws and contains a second position sensor 602. The second position sensor 602 can sense the airbag edge of the battery. When the battery drops or is misaligned, the airbag edge can be sensed by the sensor and signal transmission is carried out. The flexible protection structure has the functions of equipment alarm and protection.

[0051] The main jaw 1 is installed on the main jaw arm fixing block 201 by screws. There is a gap between the main jaw and the main jaw arm fixing block to install gaskets or small-sized bearings. After installation, the main jaw can achieve small-amplitude shaking. There are openings at the clamping position of the main jaw 1 to install the first position sensor 104. When the jaws are closed, it is detected by the first position sensor 104 whether the jaws clamp the battery sealing edge. The cylindrical guide block 102 is installed in the main jaw arm 2, and the main jaw arm 2 is connected to the first cylinder 3. The up and down movement of the cylindrical guide block 102 is controlled by air pressure. When the cylindrical guide block 102 moves downward after being pressurized, the tail end will squeeze the rear part of the main jaw 1 to realize the clamping of the lithium battery. When the air pressure is released, the main jaw 1 will return to the open state due to the stretching of the spring. After the main jaw mechanism clamps the lithium battery, the lithium battery is transferred back and forth between the loading and unloading positions through the connecting frame (12) to minimize the interference between the lithium battery and the inner liner of the tray during transfer. Example

[0052] As another preferred embodiment of the present utility model, a flexible protection structure is connected between the main jaw support arm 2 and the first cylinder 3. When the main jaw is interfered by an external force during the downward movement in the Z-axis direction, the main jaw arm 2 drives the first cylinder 3 to lift upward. After the groove switch 303 of the flexible protection structure senses the signal, an alarm is given.

[0053] The first cylinder 3 is connected to the module nut moving pair 4 through a design of a slide rail cooperating with a spring / screw, and the M-axis screw linear module 8 drives the opening and closing of the first cylinder 3 and the main jaw arm 2.

[0054] The connecting frame 12 has a direct or indirect cooperative effect with the Z-axis lead screw linear module 9, the Y-axis lead screw linear module 10, and the X-axis lead screw linear module 11. The connecting frame 12 can perform directional movement through the lead screw linear module. It should be noted that all actions are controlled by the servo motor. By setting the servo points, the driving mechanism moves from the waiting position to the target position.

[0055] During use, ensure that all structures are in the waiting position, the main jaw and the auxiliary clamping arm are both in the open state. The connecting frame 12 moves to the lithium battery picking position through the X-axis lead screw linear module 11 and the Y-axis lead screw linear module 10, and controls the connecting frame 12 to descend along the Z-axis to the lithium battery picking height through the Z-axis lead screw linear module 9. During the descent, the auxiliary clamping arm 6 in the open state can assist in positioning the slightly tilted airbag or lithium battery by relying on the chamfer. Secondary positioning can be effectively carried out along the airbag extending down to the body. After the connecting frame 12 descends to the picking position, the second cylinder 5 is pressurized, the auxiliary clamping arm 6 clamps the lithium battery, the main jaw arm 2 contracts inward through the M-axis lead screw linear module 8, the cylindrical guide block 102 moves downward by the pressurization of the cylinder, squeezes the main jaw 1 and then clamps the battery Sealing edge. The first position sensor senses whether the main jaw has normally picked up the lithium battery. The connecting frame 12 rises to the waiting position through the Z-axis lead screw linear module 9, and then is transplanted to the blanking position through the X-axis lead screw linear module 11 and the Y-axis lead screw linear module 10. During the entire transplanting process, the first position sensor 104 and the second position sensor 602 both maintain the monitoring state.

[0056] After the lithium battery is transplanted to the blanking position, the auxiliary clamping arm 6 is preferentially opened to release the auxiliary fixing effect on the lithium battery. The connecting frame 12 moves to the blanking position through the Z-axis lead screw linear module 9. During the descent of the lithium battery along the Z-axis, relying on the good guiding effect of the sealing edge at the bottom of the lithium battery on the inner liner of the tray or the support of the transfer station, it can avoid interference between the lithium battery body and the inner liner or the support, resulting in appearance defects. After the lithium battery descends to the specified position, the main jaw 1 is opened to release the lithium battery, and then the main jaw arm 2 is opened through the M-axis lead screw linear module 8. The connecting frame 12 rises to the waiting position through the Z-axis lead screw linear module 9, completing the entire picking and transplanting process. Subsequent picking and transplanting can be executed in a cycle according to this process.

[0057] The clamping and transplanting structure described in the present utility model, through the cooperation between the main jaw and the auxiliary clamping arm, can maximize the fixing effect of the lithium battery during the picking and transplanting process, and the lithium battery will not fall or shift in position. By identifying the position state of the lithium battery through the sensor, it can effectively prevent mistakes and avoid the situations of missed clamping and misclamping of the lithium battery. Flexible protection mechanisms are installed on all clamping jaws. When interference occurs during the picking and transplanting process, the equipment can alarm in time, comprehensively improving the product yield and production safety during the process.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present utility model have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and structures of the present utility model. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A lithium battery clamping mechanism, characterized in that: include: The connecting frame (12) is capable of achieving three-dimensional movement in the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction; the connecting frame (12) is provided with: Two main clamping jaw mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the connecting frame through a distance adjustment component, and the distance adjustment component can adjust the lateral spacing distance between the two main clamping jaws so that the main clamping jaw mechanisms are clamped at the two side sealing edges of the lithium battery; After the main clamping jaw mechanism is clamped on the lithium battery, the lithium battery is transferred back and forth between the upper and lower material positions via the connecting frame (12) to minimize the interference between the lithium battery and the inner container of the tray during transfer.

2. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance adjustment component is an M-axis screw linear module (8) connected to the bottom of the connecting frame (12); The two main clamping jaw mechanisms have the same structure, and both include: A first cylinder (3), whose cylinder body is fixedly connected to the nut moving pair (4) of the M-axis screw linear module (8), and whose telescopic rod is arranged vertically and has a cylinder sensor (302); A main clamping claw arm (2) is coaxially sleeved on the outer circumference of the telescopic rod of each of the first cylinders (3); The main clamping jaw (1) is fixed to the bottom end of the main clamping jaw arm (2) via a main clamping jaw arm fixing block (201).

3. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: Said The main jaw (1) comprises: Two symmetrically arranged clips are hingedly connected via a hinge axis, and have a clamping side facing the lithium battery and a non-clamping side away from the lithium battery; A spring connected between the non-clamping sides of the two clips, and under the action of the spring force, the clamping sides of the two clips are in an open state with the hinge shaft as a fulcrum; When the telescopic rod of the first cylinder extends downward, it can extend into the non-clamping side of the two clamps and overcome the elastic force of the spring to open the two clamps on the non-clamping side. At this time, the clamping side can clamp the side sealing edge of the lithium battery; A small hole is provided between the two clamping pieces on the clamping side of the main clamping jaw (1) for installing a first position sensor (104). The first position sensor (104) is used to sense the state of the lithium battery and determine whether it is missed.

4. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The main clamping claw arm (2) is a hollow structure, the end of the telescopic rod of the first cylinder is connected to a columnar guide block, and the outer wall of one end of the columnar guide block that contacts the clamping piece has an arc structure; A V-shaped groove is provided between the tops of the two clamping pieces on the non-clamping side of the main clamping jaw, and the first cylinder drives the columnar guide block to extend into the V-shaped groove to open the two clamping pieces on the non-clamping side. At this time, the two clamping pieces on the clamping side can be relatively closed with the hinge axis as the fulcrum to clamp the lithium battery.

5. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main gripper arm (2) is connected to the first cylinder (3) and is provided with a flexible protective structure, comprising: A spring and fixed rod duplex structure (301) connected between the first cylinder and the nut moving pair (4); A cylinder slide rail (304) is arranged between the side of the first cylinder and the nut moving pair; The structure of the nut moving pair on the M-axis screw linear module (8) is L-shaped, and the first cylinder (3) is protected from collision in the Z-axis direction by the slide rail in conjunction with the spring and fixed rod compound structure (301).

6. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first cylinder and the nut moving pair (4) of the screw rod module form a groove switch (303).

7. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cylindrical portion at the rear end of the main clamping jaw (1) has a vertical through-hole structure; The main clamp arm fixing block (201) and the main clamp arm (2) are of an integrated structure and a threaded hole is formed inside the fixing block. The main clamping jaw (1) is fixed to the lower end of a main clamping jaw arm fixing block (201) protruding on the right side of the main clamping jaw arm (2) by means of screws.

8. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: An auxiliary clamping mechanism is also provided on the connecting frame (12) between the two main clamping mechanisms, and the auxiliary clamping mechanism is used to position the lithium battery in the Z-axis direction before the main clamping jaws clamp the lithium battery, and to clamp and fix the lithium battery when the lithium battery is offset or dropped.

9. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The auxiliary clamping jaw mechanism comprises: The second cylinder (5) is fixed on a fixing block (502) with an opening, and is fixedly connected to the connecting frame via the fixing block; The second cylinder (5) is a pneumatic finger cylinder. The two auxiliary clamping arms (6) are respectively fixed on the two fingers of the second cylinder (5) and are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the lithium battery. Under normal circumstances, the two auxiliary clamping arms do not contact the lithium battery. The inner sides of the upper parts of the two auxiliary clamping arms are provided with a second position sensor (602) for detecting the position of the auxiliary clamping arms and the edge of the lithium battery air bag and determining whether the lithium battery position is offset or dropped.

10. The lithium battery clamping mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that: The auxiliary clamp arm is a trapezoidal structure with a chamfered end opening, a through hole is opened at the fixed end and is connected to the cylinder finger of the second cylinder (5) by means of screws.

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