Variable-pitch feeding assembly for soft package battery

Abstract

A variable-pitch feeding assembly for a soft package battery relates to the technical field of battery cell feeding and comprises a material frame used for containing battery cells and a plurality of adjusting units arranged on a pitch adjusting table and used for adjusting the pitch of the battery cells, and each adjusting unit comprises two oppositely-arranged bearing plates; a double-acting air cylinder used for driving the two bearing plates to move in the opposite direction and the back-to-back direction is arranged between the two bearing plates. The battery cells in the material frame are horizontally arranged and are transferred to the bearing plate through the transfer unit; by means of the battery cell conveying device, efficient conveying and compact layout are achieved, and the occupied area of a production line is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of cell feeding, in particular to a variable pitch feeding assembly for soft-pack batteries. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the technological innovation in the new energy industry, soft-pack batteries have become an important technological development direction in the field of lithium-ion batteries due to their unique electrolyte system design. Compared with traditional liquid electrolyte batteries, soft-pack batteries have achieved the coordinated optimization of ionic conductivity and mechanical / thermal stability by doping solid components in the liquid electrolyte, thus showing significant advantages in terms of energy density, cycle life and safety performance.

[0003] In the prior art, the production process of soft-pack batteries usually includes key processes such as cell cutting, gluing and stacking to form a battery module. Specifically, the cells are transferred from the material box to the conveyor belt and are sequentially conveyed to each processing station through the conveying system. However, in order to avoid contact or interference of the cells during the conveying process, adjacent cells need to maintain a fixed distance, and only the single-chip feeding mode can be adopted for feeding, which severely restricts the production efficiency. Or a multi-cell synchronous feeding method matching the distance of the conveyor belt is adopted, which causes the size of the feeding equipment and the material box to increase exponentially, thereby increasing the floor area of the production line. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a variable pitch feeding assembly for soft-pack batteries, which realizes efficient transmission and compact layout and reduces the floor area of the production line.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the specific scheme adopted by the utility model is as follows: a variable pitch feeding assembly for soft-pack batteries includes a material box for containing cells and a plurality of adjusting units arranged on an adjusting table and used for adjusting the distance between cells. The adjusting unit includes two oppositely arranged bearing plates, and a double-acting cylinder for driving the relative movement of the two bearing plates is arranged between the two bearing plates; the cells in the material box are horizontally arranged and are transferred to the bearing plates through a transfer unit; one end of the bearing plate is provided with a feeding unit for transferring the cells on the bearing plate to the transmission line, the other end of the bearing plate is provided with a push block for pushing the cells on the bearing plate, and the adjusting table is provided with a first cylinder for pushing the push block to reciprocate.

[0006] As an optimized scheme of the above variable pitch feeding assembly for soft-pack batteries: there are four linearly arranged storage areas in the material box, and the cells in each storage area are evenly distributed along the height.

[0007] As another optimized scheme of the above variable pitch feeding assembly for soft-pack batteries: the piston end of the first cylinder is fixedly connected with a connecting plate, the connecting plate is connected with the push block, and a plurality of springs are arranged between the connecting plate and the push block.

[0008] As another optimization solution for the variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery as described above: A number of connecting rods are slidably arranged on the connecting plate. One end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to a baffle, and the other end of the connecting rod passes through the connecting plate and is fixedly connected to a push block. A spring is sleeved on the connecting rod.

[0009] As another optimization solution for the variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery as described above: The transfer unit includes a transfer plate and a robotic arm for driving the transfer plate. A plurality of groups of first suction cups distributed along its length direction are fixedly arranged on the transfer plate, and each group of first suction cups adsorbs one battery cell.

[0010] As another optimization solution for the variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery as described above: The first suction cups are divided into four groups, and the number of each group of first suction cups is four and they are evenly fixed on both sides of the transfer plate.

[0011] As another optimization solution for the variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery as described above: The feeding unit includes feeding plates corresponding to the bearing plates one by one. A plurality of second suction cups for fixing the battery cells are fixedly arranged on the feeding plates, and the feeding plates are driven by a first driving component to perform horizontal reciprocating motion and driven by a second driving component to perform vertical reciprocating motion.

[0012] As another optimization solution for the variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery as described above: The first driving component includes a support plate and a slide plate cylinder for driving the support plate to perform horizontal reciprocating motion. The feeding plate is arranged on the support plate.

[0013] As another optimization solution for the variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery as described above: The second driving component includes a second cylinder fixedly arranged on the support plate. The piston end of the second cylinder is fixedly connected to the feeding plate and is used to drive the feeding plate to perform vertical reciprocating motion.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present utility model has the following beneficial effects: A variable pitch feeding component for a soft-pack battery is provided. The initial distance between the bearing plates is the same as the distance between the battery cells at the same height in the material frame. The transfer unit transfers the battery cells in the material frame to the bearing plates, and multiple battery cells are transferred at one time. The double-acting cylinder pushes the bearing plates to move relative to each other, so that the distance between the battery cells increases until the distance between adjacent battery cells is equal to the distance between the battery cells on the transmission line. Then, through the feeding unit, the battery cells on the bearing plates are moved to the transmission line, realizing simultaneous feeding of multiple battery cells, increasing the production efficiency, and at the same time reducing the floor area of the production line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a top view of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1Partial enlarged view of part A in [the figure];

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of an adjustment unit, a transfer unit and a feeding unit;

[0018] Figure 4 is Figure 3 Partial enlarged view of part B in [the figure];

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 3 Partial enlarged view of part C in [the figure];

[0020] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 7 It is an enlarged view of the adjustment unit and the feeding unit;

[0022] Figure 8 It is an enlarged view of the adjustment unit;

[0023] Reference numerals: 1, material frame; 2, robotic arm; 3, adjustment unit; 4, slide rail; 5, double-acting cylinder; 6, first cylinder; 7, connecting plate; 8, spring; 9, slide plate cylinder; 10, feeding unit; 11, pushing block; 12, guide rail; 13, support plate; 14, guiding block; 15, second cylinder; 16, feeding plate; 17, second suction cup; 18, transfer plate; 19, first suction cup; 20, protective claw; 21, stop block; 22, protective part; 23, bearing plate; 24, fixing block. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] The following further elaborates on the technical solutions of the present utility model in conjunction with specific embodiments. For parts that are not detailedly described and disclosed in the following embodiments of the present utility model, they should all be understood as the existing technologies known or should be known to those skilled in the art.

[0025] Embodiment

[0026] A variable-spacing feeding assembly for soft-pack batteries includes a material frame 1 for containing battery cores and a plurality of adjustment units 3 arranged on a pitch adjustment table and used for adjusting the spacing between battery cores. As Figure 1 shown, the material frame 1 has four linearly arranged storage areas, and the battery cores in each storage area are evenly distributed along the height, realizing simultaneous feeding of four battery cores.

[0027] In this embodiment, the number of adjustment units 3 is two, and they are distributed along the width direction of the battery cell. One adjustment unit 3 can adjust two battery cells. Specifically, the adjustment unit 3 includes two bearing plates 23 that are oppositely arranged on the distance adjustment table. The bearing plates 23 are slidably connected to the distance adjustment table. Two groups of slide rails 4 corresponding to the adjustment unit 3 are fixedly connected to the distance adjustment table. Each group of slide rails 4 has two mutually parallel slide rails 4. The slide rails 4 within each group are distributed along the length direction of the bearing plate 23. Sliders corresponding to the two slide rails 4 are fixedly connected to the bearing plate 23, and the sliders can slide along the slide rails 4. A double-acting cylinder 5 for driving the relative movement of the two bearing plates 23 is arranged between the two bearing plates 23. In this embodiment, the double-acting cylinder 5 is arranged as follows: Figure 8 As shown, a fixed block 24 fixedly connected to the distance adjustment table is arranged between the two adjustment units 3. The double-acting cylinder 5 is fixedly installed on one bearing plate 23 of the corresponding adjustment unit 3. This bearing plate 23 is close to the fixed block 24. One piston end of the double-acting cylinder 5 is fixedly connected to the other bearing plate 23, and the other piston end is fixedly connected to the fixed block 24.

[0028] It should be noted that each station of the subsequent processing equipment corresponding to the variable-distance loading component in this embodiment processes two battery cells, that is, two battery cells are in a group, and the distance is changed through one adjustment unit 3. The distance between adjacent groups of battery cells and the distance between the two battery cells within each group are different, and the distance between adjacent groups of battery cells is greater than the distance between the two battery cells within each group.

[0029] Blocks 21 are fixedly connected to two opposite edges of the bearing plate 23. The top of the block 21 is higher than the upper surface of the bearing plate 23 to limit the battery cells on the bearing plate 23 and prevent them from skewing.

[0030] The battery cells in the material frame 1 are horizontally arranged and transferred to the bearing plate 23 through the transfer unit; the transfer unit includes a transfer plate 18 and a robotic arm 2 for driving the transfer plate 18. The robotic arm 2 can drive the transfer plate 18 to move vertically and rotate; multiple groups of first suction cups 19 distributed along the length direction of the transfer plate 18 are fixedly arranged on the transfer plate 18. Each group of first suction cups 19 adsorbs one battery cell. In this embodiment, the first suction cups 19 are divided into four groups. The distance between adjacent groups of first suction cups 19 corresponds to the distance between the battery cells in the material frame 1, so that one group of first suction cups 19 adsorbs one battery cell. The number of each group of first suction cups 19 is four and they are evenly fixed on both sides of the transfer plate 18. Specifically, two first suction cups 19 within each group are located on one side of the transfer plate 18, and the other two are located on the other side of the transfer plate 18. And the first suction cups 19 on the same side are distributed along the length direction of the transfer plate 18; the first suction cups 19 are fixedly connected to the transfer plate 18 through "L"-shaped connecting pieces, and the connecting pieces are connected to the transfer plate 18 by bolt connection.

[0031] One end of the carrier plate 23 is provided with a loading unit 10 for transferring the battery cells on the carrier plate 23 to the transmission line. After the adjusting unit 3 adjusts the distance between the battery cells to be the same as that between the battery cells on the transmission line, the battery cells are translated onto the transmission line through the loading unit 10. The loading unit 10 includes loading plates 16 corresponding to the carrier plates 23 one by one. In this embodiment, the number of the loading plates 16 is the same as that of the carrier plates 23, that is, the number of the loading plates 16 is four, and the distance between two adjacent loading plates 16 matches the distance between the battery cells on the transmission line; a plurality of second suction cups 17 for fixing the battery cells are fixedly arranged on the loading plates 16. Four second suction cups 17 are arranged on each loading plate 16. The four second suction cups 17 are divided into two parts and located on both sides of the loading plate 16. Two second suction cups 17 on each side are fixedly connected to the loading plate 16 through "Z"-shaped connecting pieces.

[0032] The loading plate 16 is driven by a first driving assembly to perform horizontal reciprocating motion and is driven by a second driving assembly to perform vertical reciprocating motion. Specifically, the first driving assembly includes a support plate 13 and a slide plate cylinder 9 for driving the support plate 13 to perform horizontal reciprocating motion. The loading plate 16 is arranged on the support plate 13. A first bracket is arranged on the distance adjusting table. The slide plate cylinder 9 is fixedly installed on the first bracket. A first fixing plate is fixedly connected to the slide of the slide plate cylinder 9. The first fixing plate is fixedly connected to one end of the support plate 13. The connection mode between the two is bolt connection, and a reinforcing plate is arranged between the first fixing plate and the support plate 13 to increase the stability of the first fixing plate and the support plate 13; a second bracket is arranged on the distance adjusting table. A guide rail 12 extending along the sliding direction of the support plate 13 is fixedly connected to the second bracket. A guide block 14 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the support plate 13. The guide block 14 can slide along the guide rail 12. The second driving assembly includes a second cylinder 15 fixedly arranged on the support plate 13. The piston end of the second cylinder 15 is fixedly connected to the loading plate 16 and is used for driving the loading plate 16 to perform vertical reciprocating motion. The number of the second cylinders 15 is the same as that of the loading plates 16 and corresponds to the loading plates 16 one by one. When translating the battery cells on the carrier plate 23, the slide plate cylinder 9 drives the support plate 13 to slide, so as to drive the second suction cups 17 to be located above the corresponding battery cells. The second cylinder 15 drives the second suction cups 17 to move downward until they contact and fix the battery cells; the second cylinder 15 drives the second suction cups 17 and the battery cells to rise, and then the slide plate cylinder 9 drives the support plate 13 to slide until the battery cells are located above the transmission line. The second suction cups 17 move downward to place the battery cells on the transmission line and separate from the battery cells, completing the loading.

[0033] In this embodiment, a push block 11 for pushing the battery cells on the supporting plate 23 is provided at one end of the supporting plate 23 away from the loading unit 10, and a first cylinder 6 for pushing the push block 11 to reciprocate is provided on the distance adjustment platform. Specifically, the piston end of the first cylinder 6 is fixedly connected to a connecting plate 7, the connecting plate 7 is vertically arranged, the bottom end of the connecting plate 7 is fixedly connected to the piston end of the first cylinder 6, and the top end of the connecting plate 7 is connected to the push block 11. A plurality of springs 8 are provided between the connecting plate 7 and the push block 11, and the number of springs 8 is two; a plurality of connecting rods are slidably provided on the connecting plate 7, and the number of connecting rods corresponds one to one to the number of springs 8. The connecting rod is a cylindrical structure, one end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to a baffle, and the other end of the connecting rod passes through the connecting plate 7 and is fixedly connected to the push block 11, and the spring 8 is sleeved on the connecting rod. After adjusting the spacing between the battery cells on the carrier plate 23, the first cylinder 6 pushes the push block 11 toward the battery cell and pushes the edge of the battery cell to adjust the position of the battery cell to ensure that the loading unit 10 simultaneously moves the four battery cells to the transmission line. The setting of the spring 8 plays a buffering role to prevent the push block 11 from damaging the battery cell.

[0034] In this embodiment, each loading plate 16 is provided with two protective claws 20. Specifically, a third cylinder is fixedly connected to the loading plate 16, and the third cylinder drives the two protective claws 20 to move toward or away from each other. The protective claws 20 include a fixed rod fixedly connected to the end of the piston of the third cylinder, and a block 21 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the fixed rod. A protective part 22 is vertically fixed on the end of the block 21 away from the fixed rod. When the protective claws 20 move toward each other, the protective part 22 can enter under the battery cell, so that the second suction cup 17 can protect the battery cell when it translates the battery cell to prevent it from falling.

[0035] The above description of the disclosed embodiments will enable one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein but is intended to conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A variable pitch loading component for a soft-pack battery, characterized in that: It includes a material frame (1) for containing battery cells and several adjusting units (3) arranged on a distance-adjusting table and used for adjusting the distance between battery cells. The adjusting unit (3) includes two oppositely arranged bearing plates (23), and a double-acting cylinder (5) for driving the relative movement of the two is arranged between the two bearing plates (23); the battery cells in the material frame (1) are horizontally arranged and transferred to the bearing plates (23) through a transfer unit; one end of the bearing plate (23) is provided with a loading unit (10) for transferring the battery cells on the bearing plate (23) to a transmission line, the other end of the bearing plate (23) is provided with a push block (11) for pushing the battery cells on the bearing plate (23), and a first cylinder (6) for pushing the push block (11) to reciprocate is arranged on the distance-adjusting table.

2. The variable pitch loading component for soft-pack batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are four linearly arranged storage areas in the material frame (1), and the battery cells in each storage area are evenly distributed along the height.

3. The variable pitch loading component for a soft-pack battery according to claim 2, characterized in that: The piston end of the first cylinder (6) is fixedly connected with a connecting plate (7), the connecting plate (7) is connected with the push block (11), and several springs (8) are arranged between the connecting plate (7) and the push block (11).

4. The variable pitch loading component for soft-pack batteries according to claim 3, wherein: Several connecting rods are slidably arranged on the connecting plate (7). One end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected with a baffle, the other end of the connecting rod passes through the connecting plate (7) and is fixedly connected with the push block (11), and the spring (8) is sleeved on the connecting rod.

5. The variable pitch loading component for soft-pack batteries according to claim 1, wherein: The transfer unit includes a transfer plate (18) and a robotic arm (2) for driving the transfer plate (18). Multiple groups of first suction cups (19) distributed along its length direction are fixedly arranged on the transfer plate (18), and each group of first suction cups (19) adsorbs one battery cell.

6. The variable pitch loading component for a soft-pack battery according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first suction cups (19) are divided into four groups, and the number of each group of first suction cups (19) is four and they are evenly fixed on both sides of the transfer plate (18).

7. The variable pitch loading component for soft-pack batteries according to claim 1, wherein: The loading unit (10) includes loading plates (16) corresponding to the bearing plates (23) one by one. Multiple second suction cups (17) for fixing battery cells are fixedly arranged on the loading plates (16), and the loading plates (16) are driven by a first driving component to perform horizontal reciprocating motion and driven by a second driving component to perform vertical reciprocating motion.

8. The variable-spacing loading component for a soft-pack battery according to claim 7, wherein: The first driving component includes a support plate (13) and a slide plate cylinder (9) for driving the support plate (13) to perform horizontal reciprocating motion, and the loading plate (16) is arranged on the support plate (13).

9. The variable pitch loading component for a soft-pack battery according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second driving component includes a second cylinder (15) fixedly arranged on the support plate (13). The piston end of the second cylinder (15) is fixedly connected with the loading plate (16) and is used for driving the loading plate (16) to perform vertical reciprocating motion.

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