Tab detection device and battery cell production line

Abstract

The utility model discloses a tab detection device and a battery cell production line, and relates to the technical field of lithium ion batteries. The tab detection device comprises a rack, a first displacement mechanism, a visual camera, a second displacement mechanism, a light source and a controller. The first shifting mechanism and the second shifting mechanism are both installed on the rack, the first shifting mechanism is connected with the visual camera, the visual camera is electrically connected with the controller, the second shifting mechanism is connected with the light source, the visual camera and the light source are oppositely arranged on the two sides of a composite pole piece material belt, and the visual camera is used for shooting image information of a pole lug in the composite pole piece material belt; and the controller is used for judging whether the tab is turned over or damaged or not according to the image information. The tab detection device provided by the utility model can rapidly and accurately detect the state of the tab, is high in detection efficiency and low in labor cost, avoids the situation of false detection or missing detection, and is high in detection precision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of lithium-ion batteries, and in particular to a tab detection device and a battery cell production line. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the production of battery cells involves multiple steps, including coil cutting, thermal lamination, sizing, short-circuit detection, waste removal, and stacking into cells. The tabs are cantilever structures that can easily collide with other components during production and transportation, causing them to fold or break. This can lead to poor contact between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cell during conduction. In severe cases, this can even cause a short circuit, reducing charge and discharge efficiency and impacting battery performance. Currently, the tab condition is typically observed manually through visual inspection, with timely action taken when folding or breakage is observed. However, this approach results in high labor costs, low detection efficiency, and a high risk of false or missed detections, resulting in low detection accuracy.

[0003] In view of this, it is particularly important to design and manufacture a tab detection device with high detection efficiency and high detection accuracy and a battery cell production line, especially in battery cell production. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a tab detection device that can quickly and accurately detect the tab status, has high detection efficiency, low labor cost, avoids false detection or missed detection, and has high detection accuracy.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell production line that can quickly and accurately detect the status of the tab, with high detection efficiency and low labor cost, avoiding false detection or missed detection, and high detection accuracy.

[0006] The present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions.

[0007] A tab detection device includes a frame, a first shifting mechanism, a visual camera, a second shifting mechanism, a light source and a controller. The first shifting mechanism and the second shifting mechanism are both installed on the frame. The first shifting mechanism is connected to the visual camera, the visual camera is electrically connected to the controller, and the second shifting mechanism is connected to the light source. The visual camera and the light source are relatively arranged on both sides of a composite pole piece strip. The visual camera is used to capture image information of the tab in the composite pole piece strip and send it to the controller. The controller is used to determine whether the tab is folded or damaged based on the image information.

[0008] Optionally, the first shifting mechanism includes a first driving member, a lifting frame, a second driving member, a translation frame, a third driving member and a mounting frame, the first driving member is installed on the frame and connected to the lifting frame, the first driving member is used to drive the lifting frame to rise and fall in the first direction, the second driving member is installed on the lifting frame and connected to the translation frame, the second driving member is used to drive the translation frame to move in the second direction, the third driving member is installed on the translation frame and connected to the mounting frame, the visual camera is installed on the mounting frame, and the third driving member is used to drive the visual camera to move in a third direction through the mounting frame, wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0009] Optionally, there are two visual cameras and two mounting frames, each visual camera is mounted on a mounting frame, and the two visual cameras are relatively arranged at the two ends of the composite pole piece strip in the width direction. The third driving member is connected to the two mounting frames at the same time, and the third driving member is used to drive the two mounting frames closer to or away from each other.

[0010] Optionally, the third driving member includes a driving motor, a bidirectional lead screw, a first nut and a second nut. The driving motor is connected to the bidirectional lead screw for transmission. The first nut and the second nut have opposite rotation directions and are both engaged with the bidirectional lead screw thread. The first nut is connected to one mounting bracket and the second nut is connected to another mounting bracket. Both mounting brackets are slidably engaged with the translation bracket.

[0011] Optionally, the mounting frame is provided with a slider, the translation frame is provided with a guide rail extending along the third direction, and the slider is slidably engaged with the guide rail.

[0012] Optionally, the visual camera is arranged above the light source, and the composite pole piece strip is arranged between the visual camera and the light source.

[0013] Optionally, the line connecting the visual camera and the light source is perpendicular to the plane where the composite pole piece strip is located.

[0014] Optionally, the number of light sources is two, both of which are mounted on the second shift mechanism, and the two light sources are arranged oppositely at the two ends of the composite pole piece strip in the width direction.

[0015] Optionally, the tab detection device further includes an alarm, and the controller is connected to the alarm. The controller is used to control the alarm to sound an alarm when the tab is folded or damaged.

[0016] A battery cell production line includes the above-mentioned tab detection device, which includes a frame, a first shifting mechanism, a visual camera, a second shifting mechanism, a light source and a controller. The first shifting mechanism and the second shifting mechanism are both installed on the frame, the first shifting mechanism is connected to the visual camera, the visual camera is electrically connected to the controller, and the second shifting mechanism is connected to the light source. The visual camera and the light source are relatively arranged on both sides of the composite pole piece strip. The visual camera is used to capture image information of the tab in the composite pole piece strip and send it to the controller. The controller is used to determine whether the tab is folded or damaged based on the image information.

[0017] The tab detection device and battery cell production line provided by the utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The present invention provides a tab detection device, wherein a first shift mechanism and a second shift mechanism are both mounted on a frame, the first shift mechanism is connected to a visual camera, the visual camera is electrically connected to a controller, the second shift mechanism is connected to a light source, the visual camera and the light source are relatively arranged on both sides of a composite electrode strip, the visual camera is used to capture image information of the tab in the composite electrode strip and send it to the controller, and the controller is used to determine whether the tab is folded or damaged based on the image information. Compared with the prior art, the tab detection device provided by the present invention can quickly and accurately detect the tab status due to the use of a visual camera connected to the first shift mechanism and a light source connected to the second shift mechanism, with high detection efficiency, low labor cost, avoidance of false detection or missed detection, and high detection accuracy.

[0019] The battery cell production line provided by the utility model includes a tab detection device, which can quickly and accurately detect the tab status, has high detection efficiency, low labor cost, avoids false detection or missed detection, and has high detection accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a tab detection device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a composite electrode strip used in a tab detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3A block diagram of the structure of the tab detection device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a first shift mechanism in a tab detection device provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the third driving member.

[0026] Icons: 100-ear tab detection device; 110-frame; 120-first shifting mechanism; 121-first driving member; 122-lifting frame; 123-second driving member; 124-translation frame; 125-third driving member; 1251-driving motor; 1252-bidirectional screw; 1253-first nut; 1254-second nut; 126-mounting frame; 130-visual camera; 140-second shifting mechanism; 150-light source; 160-controller; 170-alarm; 200-composite electrode material strip; 210-ear tab. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0028] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined or explained in subsequent drawings.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," and "horizontal" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientations or positional relationships in which the utility model product is typically placed when in use. These terms are intended solely to facilitate the description of this utility model and simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used solely for distinction and description and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] It should also be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "connected," "installed," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] The following describes some embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the features of the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0033] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The present invention provides a battery cell production line (not shown) for producing battery cells. It can quickly and accurately detect the status of the tab 210, with high detection efficiency and low labor costs, avoiding false detection or missed detection, and achieving high detection accuracy.

[0034] It should be noted that the battery cell production line includes a conveyor line (not shown), a battery cell production device (not shown) and a tab detection device 100. Among them, the battery cell production device is used to produce battery cells and form an intermediate product composite electrode sheet strip 200 during the production process. The conveyor line is used to drive the composite electrode sheet strip 200 forward. The tab detection device 100 is used to detect whether the tab 210 in the composite electrode sheet strip 200 is folded or damaged, so as to prevent the positive and negative electrodes of the produced battery cells from having poor contact during conduction, avoid battery cell short circuit, and ensure its charging and discharging efficiency and battery performance.

[0035] The tab detection device 100 includes a frame 110, a first shifting mechanism 120, a visual camera 130, a second shifting mechanism 140, a light source 150, a controller 160, and an alarm 170. The first shifting mechanism 120 and the second shifting mechanism 140 are both mounted on the frame 110. The first shifting mechanism 120 is connected to the visual camera 130 and is used to drive the visual camera 130 to move so as to adjust the position of the visual camera 130. The second shifting mechanism 140 is connected to the light source 150 and is used to drive the light source 150 to move so as to adjust the position of the light source 150. Specifically, the visual camera 130 is electrically connected to the controller 160, and the visual camera 130 and the light source 150 are relatively arranged on both sides of the composite electrode material strip 200. The composite electrode material strip 200 is used to be fed forward under the drive of the conveyor line, and the light source 150 is used for fill light. The visual camera 130 is used to capture the image information of the pole ear 210 in the composite electrode material strip 200 and send it to the controller 160. The controller 160 is used to determine whether the pole ear 210 is folded or damaged based on the image information. In this way, the accurate detection of the state of the pole ear 210 (whether the pole ear 210 is folded or damaged) can be quickly achieved, the detection efficiency is high, the labor cost is low, the false detection or missed detection is avoided, and the detection accuracy is high.

[0036] Furthermore, the controller 160 is connected to the alarm 170. The controller 160 is used to control the alarm 170 to sound an alarm when the tab 210 is folded or damaged, so as to prompt the staff and facilitate the staff to deal with it quickly to avoid affecting the production efficiency of the battery production line.

[0037] It is worth noting that the length direction of the composite pole piece material strip 200 is its feeding direction; the composite pole piece material strip 200 is provided with pole tabs 210 at both ends in the width direction, and the number of pole tabs 210 is multiple, and the multiple pole tabs 210 are arranged side by side; the visual camera 130 and the light source 150 are relatively arranged on both sides of the composite pole piece material strip 200 in the thickness direction. Specifically, the visual camera 130 and the controller 160 are used to sequentially detect the multiple pole tabs 210 at both ends of the composite pole piece material strip 200 in the width direction during the feeding process of the composite pole piece material strip 200. When a pole tab 210 is detected to be bent or damaged, the controller 160 immediately controls the alarm 170 to sound an alarm to alert the staff.

[0038] In this embodiment, the visual camera 130 is arranged above the light source 150, and the composite electrode material strip 200 is arranged between the visual camera 130 and the light source 150. The visual camera 130 is used for shooting downward, and the light source 150 is used for upward fill light, so as to facilitate installation and adjustment, improve shooting clarity, and ensure detection accuracy.

[0039] Preferably, the line connecting the visual camera 130 and the light source 150 is perpendicular to the plane of the composite electrode strip 200 , that is, the visual camera 130 is arranged directly above the light source 150 to further improve the clarity of the image information captured, thereby ensuring detection accuracy.

[0040] In this embodiment, the visual camera 130 is a CCD camera (a digital camera with a charge-coupled device image sensor), but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the visual camera 130 may also be other cameras, and the type of the visual camera 130 is not specifically limited.

[0041] The first shifting mechanism 120 includes a first driver 121, a lifting frame 122, a second driver 123, a translation frame 124, a third driver 125, and a mounting frame 126. The first driver 121 is mounted on the frame 110 and connected to the lifting frame 122. The first driver 121 is used to drive the lifting frame 122 to move up and down in a first direction. The second driver 123 is mounted on the lifting frame 122 and connected to the translation frame 124. The second driver 123 is used to drive the translation frame 124 to move in a second direction. The third driver 125 is mounted on the translation frame 124 and connected to the mounting frame 126. The visual camera 130 is mounted on the mounting frame 126. The third driver 125 is used to drive the visual camera 130 in a third direction via the mounting frame 126.

[0042] Specifically, the first driving member 121 can drive the visual camera 130 to rise and fall in the first direction through the lifting frame 122, the second driving member 123, the translation frame 124, the third driving member 125 and the mounting frame 126 in sequence. The second driving member 123 can drive the visual camera 130 to move in the second direction through the translation frame 124, the third driving member 125 and the mounting frame 126 in sequence. The third driving member 125 can drive the visual camera 130 to move in the third direction through the mounting frame 126. The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other, so as to realize the movement of the visual camera 130 to any position in the three-dimensional coordinate system, facilitate the adjustment of the position of the visual camera 130, and ensure the detection accuracy.

[0043] Furthermore, there are two visual cameras 130 and two mounting brackets 126, each of which is mounted on one mounting bracket 126. The two visual cameras 130 are relatively arranged at both ends of the composite pole piece strip 200 in the width direction. Each visual camera 130 is used to sequentially detect multiple pole tabs 210 located at one end of the composite pole piece strip 200 in the width direction. Specifically, the third driving member 125 is connected to the two mounting brackets 126 at the same time. The third driving member 125 is used to drive the two mounting brackets 126 to move closer to or away from each other to adjust the spacing between the two visual cameras 130, so that it can be applied to composite pole piece strips 200 of different widths, with a wide range of applications.

[0044] Correspondingly, there are two light sources 150, and both light sources 150 are installed on the second shift mechanism 140. The two light sources 150 are relatively arranged at the two ends of the composite pole piece strip 200 in the width direction. The position of each light source 150 corresponds to the position of a visual camera 130, that is, each visual camera 130 is arranged directly above a light source 150 to ensure the detection accuracy of the two visual cameras 130.

[0045] The third driving member 125 includes a driving motor 1251, a bidirectional lead screw 1252, a first nut 1253, and a second nut 1254. The driving motor 1251 is in driving connection with the bidirectional lead screw 1252. The first nut 1253 and the second nut 1254 have opposite rotation directions and are both threadedly engaged with the bidirectional lead screw 1252. The driving motor 1251 is used to drive the bidirectional lead screw 1252 to rotate, thereby driving the first nut 1253 and the second nut 1254 to move toward or away from each other along the axial direction of the bidirectional lead screw 1252. The axial direction of the bidirectional lead screw 1252 is the third direction. The first nut 1253 is connected to one mounting bracket 126, and the second nut 1254 is connected to the other mounting bracket 126. Both mounting brackets 126 are slidingly matched with the translation bracket 124. The first nut 1253 and the second nut 1254 can synchronously drive the two visual cameras 130 to approach or move away from each other through the two mounting brackets 126 during the process of approaching or moving away from each other. During this process, since both mounting brackets 126 are slidingly matched with the translation bracket 124, the translation bracket 124 can guide and limit the two mounting brackets 126 to ensure the stability of the movement of the two visual cameras 130.

[0046] Furthermore, the mounting frame 126 is provided with a slider (not shown in the figure), and the translation frame 124 is provided with a guide rail (not shown in the figure) extending along the third direction. The slider and the guide rail are slidably matched, and the slider can slide relative to the guide rail. The guide rail can guide and limit the slider, thereby reliably limiting the mounting frame 126 and ensuring the stability of the movement of the visual camera 130.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first driving member 121 and the second driving member 123 are electric cylinders, but are not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first driving member 121 and the second driving member 123 can both be air cylinders or hydraulic cylinders, and there is no specific limitation on the types of the first driving member 121 and the second driving member 123.

[0048] In this embodiment, the specific structure of the second shifting mechanism 140 is the same as that of the first shifting mechanism 120 , and will not be described in detail herein.

[0049] The tab detection device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention comprises a first shift mechanism 120 and a second shift mechanism 140, both of which are mounted on a frame 110. The first shift mechanism 120 is connected to a visual camera 130, which is electrically connected to a controller 160. The second shift mechanism 140 is connected to a light source 150. The visual camera 130 and the light source 150 are relatively arranged on both sides of a composite electrode strip 200. The visual camera 130 is used to capture image information of the tab 210 in the composite electrode strip 200 and send it to the controller 160. The controller 160 is used to determine whether the tab 210 is folded or damaged based on the image information. Compared with the prior art, the tab detection device 100 provided by the present invention uses a visual camera 130 connected to the first shift mechanism 120 and a light source 150 connected to the second shift mechanism 140. Therefore, the tab 210 status can be accurately detected quickly, with high detection efficiency and low labor cost, and can avoid false detection or missed detection, with high detection accuracy. This makes the battery cell production line highly efficient and has a high product yield.

[0050] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tab detection device, characterized in that: It includes a frame, a first shifting mechanism, a visual camera, a second shifting mechanism, a light source and a controller, the first shifting mechanism and the second shifting mechanism are both installed on the frame, the first shifting mechanism is connected to the visual camera, the visual camera is electrically connected to the controller, the second shifting mechanism is connected to the light source, the visual camera and the light source are relatively arranged on both sides of the composite pole piece strip, the visual camera is used to capture image information of the pole ear in the composite pole piece strip and send it to the controller, and the controller is used to determine whether the pole ear is folded or damaged based on the image information.

2. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first shift mechanism includes a first driving member, a lifting frame, a second driving member, a translation frame, a third driving member and a mounting frame. The first driving member is installed on the frame and connected to the lifting frame. The first driving member is used to drive the lifting frame to rise and fall in a first direction. The second driving member is installed on the lifting frame and connected to the translation frame. The second driving member is used to drive the translation frame to move in a second direction. The third driving member is installed on the translation frame and connected to the mounting frame. The visual camera is installed on the mounting frame. The third driving member is used to drive the visual camera to move in a third direction through the mounting frame, wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

3. The tab detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are two visual cameras and two mounting brackets, each of which is mounted on one mounting bracket. The two visual cameras are relatively arranged at the two ends of the composite pole piece strip in the width direction. The third driving member is connected to the two mounting brackets at the same time, and the third driving member is used to drive the two mounting brackets to move closer to or away from each other.

4. The tab detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third driving component includes a driving motor, a bidirectional screw, a first nut and a second nut. The driving motor is connected to the bidirectional screw for transmission. The first nut and the second nut have opposite rotation directions and are both threadedly engaged with the bidirectional screw. The first nut is connected to one mounting bracket, and the second nut is connected to the other mounting bracket. Both mounting brackets are slidably engaged with the translation bracket.

5. The tab detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting frame is provided with a slider, and the translation frame is provided with a guide rail extending along the third direction, and the slider is slidably matched with the guide rail.

6. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The visual camera is arranged above the light source, and the composite pole piece strip is arranged between the visual camera and the light source.

7. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The line connecting the visual camera and the light source is perpendicular to the plane where the composite pole piece strip is located.

8. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two light sources, both of which are mounted on the second shifting mechanism, and are relatively arranged at the two ends of the composite pole piece strip in the width direction.

9. The tab detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tab detection device further includes an alarm, and the controller is connected to the alarm. The controller is used to control the alarm to sound an alarm when the tab is folded or damaged.

10. A battery cell production line, characterized in that: It comprises the tab detection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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