Lithium ion battery ultrasonic welding clamp

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of battery cell connection, in particular to an ultrasonic welding clamp for a lithium ion battery. Comprising a mounting plate provided with at least one first welding hole; the connecting piece carrier is located on the surface of the mounting plate, and the connecting piece carrier is provided with second welding holes in one-to-one correspondence with the first welding holes; and the connecting piece clamping groove is formed in the surface, away from the mounting plate, of the connecting piece carrier, and the connecting piece clamping groove is opposite to the second welding hole and is suitable for limiting the connecting piece. During connection, the battery cell is arranged on one side of the connecting piece carrier, the connecting piece is arranged in the connecting piece clamping groove, the tab of the battery cell is lapped on the connecting piece, and the lapped part is opposite to the second welding hole. When the redundancy of the battery cell tab needs to be adjusted, the adjusting bolt is screwed, so that the distance between the mounting plate and the connecting piece carrier is changed, and the height difference between the connecting piece and the battery cell is adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery cell connection technology, specifically to an ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries. Background Technology

[0002] When connecting two or more battery cells, a connecting plate is often used as a bridge to connect the tabs of the two cells to be connected to the connecting plate. Ultrasonic welding can be used for this connection. In the ultrasonic welding process, the redundancy of the battery cell tabs can have a significant impact on subsequent battery cell manufacturing. For example, if the redundancy of the battery cell tabs is too large, tab redundancy problems may occur after subsequent cell assembly, leading to short circuits in the battery cell; if the redundancy of the battery cell tabs is too small, tab breakage problems may occur after subsequent cell assembly, resulting in insufficient current carrying capacity of the battery cell.

[0003] The current approach to adjusting the electrode redundancy in ultrasonic welding processes involves adjusting the height difference between the cell clamp and the connecting piece clamp. Since ultrasonic welding clamps are generally fixed, their height cannot be directly adjusted. The common method for adjustment is to apply Teflon, changing the height of the connecting piece clamp by applying one or more layers of Teflon. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries to solve the problem of time-consuming and labor-intensive adjustment of the height of the connecting piece fixture.

[0005] This utility model provides an ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries, comprising:

[0006] The mounting plate is provided with a first welding hole, and there is at least one first welding hole;

[0007] A connecting piece carrier is located on the surface of the mounting plate, and the connecting piece carrier is provided with second welding holes that correspond one-to-one with the first welding holes;

[0008] A connecting piece slot is provided on the surface of the connecting piece carrier away from the mounting plate. The connecting piece slot is disposed opposite to the second welding hole and is suitable for limiting the position of the connecting piece.

[0009] Adjusting bolts, at least two in number, are screwed onto the mounting plate and connecting plate carrier.

[0010] During connection, the battery cell is positioned on one side of the connecting plate carrier, the connecting plate is positioned within the connecting plate slot, and the battery cell's tab rests on the connecting plate with the overlap point aligned with the second welding hole. When it is necessary to adjust the redundancy of the battery cell's tab, the adjusting bolt is turned to change the distance between the mounting plate and the connecting plate carrier, thereby adjusting the height difference between the connecting plate and the battery cell.

[0011] The ultrasonic welding fixture is located below the mounting plate and connects the electrode tabs and connecting pieces of the battery cell through the first welding hole and the second welding hole.

[0012] In one optional embodiment, there are two first welding holes distributed along a first direction. This allows for the simultaneous connection of an electrode from one battery cell to an electrode from another battery cell via a connecting tab.

[0013] In one optional embodiment, there are four first welding holes, divided into two groups, arranged in a 2*2 pattern on the mounting plate in the first direction and the second direction. The second welding holes are arranged opposite to the first welding holes, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] The connecting tab slots are two in number, each corresponding to one of the two sets of first welding holes. This allows for the simultaneous connection of two electrodes from one battery cell to two electrodes from another battery cell via the connecting tabs.

[0015] In one alternative implementation, it further includes:

[0016] The fixing bolts, screwed onto the mounting plate and the connecting piece carrier, are suitable for securing the connecting piece carrier to the mounting plate. After adjusting the height of the connecting piece carrier by adjusting the bolts, the fixing bolts can then secure the connecting piece carrier to the mounting plate.

[0017] In one alternative embodiment, a cell clamp is further included, comprising:

[0018] The base plate is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate and located on one side of the connecting piece carrier, which is suitable for supporting the battery cell;

[0019] A limiting component, disposed on the mounting plate, is adapted to limit the movement of the battery cell.

[0020] In one optional implementation, the limiting component includes:

[0021] A tail pusher plate is disposed on the mounting plate and located on the side of the base plate away from the connecting piece carrier, with the top of the tail pusher plate being higher than the surface of the base plate away from the mounting plate;

[0022] At least one first waist hole is disposed on the tail pusher plate, the first waist hole being adapted to allow the tail pusher plate to move in a first direction. The tail pusher plate can limit the position of the battery cell in the first direction.

[0023] In one alternative implementation, it further includes:

[0024] At least two side positioning blocks are respectively disposed on both sides of the base plate in the second direction, and the top of the side positioning blocks is higher than the surface of the base plate away from the mounting plate;

[0025] At least one second waist hole is provided on the side positioning block. The second waist hole is adapted to allow the side positioning block to move in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The side positioning block can limit the movement of the battery cell in the second direction.

[0026] In one optional implementation, the method includes:

[0027] At least two top positioning blocks are located on the side of the base plate away from the tail push plate, and are respectively arranged on both sides of the base plate in the second direction. The top of the top positioning block is higher than the surface of the base plate away from the mounting plate.

[0028] At least one third waist hole is provided on the top positioning block, and the second waist hole is adapted to allow the top positioning block to move along a first direction. The top positioning block can cooperate with the tail push plate to limit the position of the battery cell in the first direction.

[0029] In one optional embodiment, both the side positioning block and the top positioning block are L-shaped, which facilitates the positioning of the battery cell.

[0030] In one optional embodiment, the cell clamps are in two sets, respectively disposed on both sides of the connecting piece carrier. This allows for separate positioning of the two cells when simultaneously connecting the two electrodes of one cell to the two electrodes of another cell via the connecting piece. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting plate structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] 1. Mounting plate; 2. First welding hole; 3. Connecting piece carrier; 4. Second welding hole; 5. Connecting piece slot; 6. Base plate; 7. Tail push plate; 8. First waist hole; 9. Side positioning block; 10. Second waist hole; 11. Top positioning block; 12. Third waist hole. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0037] Lithium-ion batteries are the core energy source for new energy vehicles. Their production involves multiple processes, and their performance is closely related to the technology and manufacturing equipment. Improving the stability of each process, especially the yield of key processes, is crucial for increasing the battery's pass rate and overall quality.

[0038] Ultrasonic welding is a crucial process in lithium-ion battery production. It involves converting ultrasonic frequencies into mechanical vibration energy, which is then applied through a welding head to materials such as metals, semiconductors, plastics, and cermets to achieve a perfect weld. In lithium-ion battery production, ultrasonic welding is used to bond the positive and negative tabs of the battery cell to the connecting pieces. The welding area and quality directly affect the current-carrying capacity of the lithium-ion battery.

[0039] In actual production, when assembling two or more battery cells, it is often necessary to first weld the cell tabs to the connecting plates, and then weld the connecting plates to the cell cover plate. In the ultrasonic welding process, the redundancy of the cell tabs significantly impacts subsequent cell manufacturing. If the tab redundancy is too large, it may lead to tab redundancy issues after subsequent cell assembly, causing short circuits. Conversely, if the tab redundancy is too small, it may lead to tab breakage, resulting in insufficient current carrying capacity. Currently, the method for adjusting tab redundancy in the ultrasonic welding process is to adjust the height difference between the cell clamp and the connecting plate clamp. However, the welding clamp is fixed, and its height cannot be directly adjusted. The common method is to apply Teflon, changing the height of the connecting plate clamp by applying one or more layers of Teflon. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive, cannot guarantee consistent clamp height, and the actual height adjustment cannot be quantified.

[0040] In actual production, due to insufficient consideration in cell design, limited precision of equipment welding fixtures, and difficulty in controlling the redundancy of cell tabs, risks such as tab cracking and tab redundancy may occur in the ultrasonic welding process.

[0041] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 2 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries is provided, comprising:

[0043] Mounting plate 1 is provided with a first welding hole 2, and there is at least one first welding hole 2. The main body of mounting plate 1 can be a cuboid.

[0044] The connecting piece carrier 3 is located on the surface of the mounting plate 1. The connecting piece carrier 3 is provided with second welding holes 4 that correspond one-to-one with the first welding holes 2. The first welding holes 2 and the second welding holes 4 are through holes and are connected. The shape can be circular, rectangular, or other shapes. In this embodiment, the shape is rectangular, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0045] It should be noted that the mounting plate 1 can be provided with a vehicle slot. When the connecting piece vehicle 3 is attached to the mounting plate 1, the connecting piece vehicle 3 is located in the vehicle slot.

[0046] A connecting piece slot 5 is provided on the surface of the connecting piece carrier 3 away from the mounting plate 1. The connecting piece slot 5 is disposed opposite to the second welding hole 4 and is suitable for limiting the connecting piece. The connecting piece is disposed in the connecting piece slot 5. The second welding hole 4 is directly below the connecting piece, and the first welding hole 2 is directly below the second welding hole 4.

[0047] At least two adjusting bolts are screwed onto the mounting plate 1 and the connecting plate carrier 3, meaning each adjusting bolt is screwed onto both the mounting plate 1 and the connecting plate carrier 3. The adjusting bolts can be grommets.

[0048] During connection, the battery cell is positioned on one side of the connecting plate carrier 3, and the connecting plate is positioned within the connecting plate slot 5. The battery cell's tab rests on the connecting plate, with the overlap aligning with the second welding hole 4. When adjusting the redundancy of the battery cell's tab, the adjusting bolt is turned, changing the distance between the mounting plate 1 and the connecting plate carrier 3, thereby adjusting the height difference between the connecting plate and the battery cell. Compared to existing technologies, this application saves time and effort when adjusting the height of the connecting plate clamp.

[0049] Both the mounting plate 1 and the connecting piece carrier 3 are provided with threaded holes for screwing in the adjusting bolts. The threaded holes on the connecting piece carrier 3 can penetrate the connecting piece carrier 3 and should not interfere with the connecting piece slot 5, facilitating the tightening of the adjusting bolts. They can be located on the side of the connecting piece slot 5. Generally, when adjusting the height of the connecting piece carrier 3, the required adjustment range is relatively small; therefore, the threaded holes on the mounting plate 1 can be either through holes or blind holes.

[0050] The ultrasonic welding fixture is located below the mounting plate 1 and connects the electrode tabs and connecting pieces of the battery cell through the first welding hole 2 and the second welding hole 4.

[0051] In one optional embodiment, there are two first welding holes 2, distributed along a first direction, wherein the first direction is the straight line direction between the base plate 6 and the connecting piece carrier 3; that is, the straight line connecting the center position of the base plate 6 and the center position of the connecting piece carrier 3 is the first direction. These two first welding holes 2 correspond to the same connecting piece, allowing simultaneous connection of an electrode of one battery cell to an electrode of another battery cell via the connecting piece. For example, a tab of the first battery cell can be positioned on the connecting piece at a location corresponding to one of the first welding holes 2, and a tab of the second battery cell can be positioned on the connecting piece at a location corresponding to the other first welding hole 2.

[0052] In one optional embodiment, there are four first welding holes 2, divided into two groups, arranged in a 2*2 pattern on the mounting plate 1 in the first direction and the second direction. The second welding holes 4 are arranged opposite to the first welding holes 2. The first direction is the straight line direction between the base plate 6 and the connecting piece carrier 3, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. It should be noted that both the second direction and the first direction are located on the plane of the mounting plate 1.

[0053] There are two connecting tab slots 5, which are respectively set to correspond to the two sets of first welding holes 2. The two electrodes of one battery cell can be connected to the two electrodes of another battery cell simultaneously via the connecting tabs.

[0054] In one alternative implementation, it further includes:

[0055] The fixing bolts are screwed onto the mounting plate 1 and the connecting piece carrier 3, suitable for fixing the connecting piece carrier 3 onto the mounting plate 1. After adjusting the height of the connecting piece carrier 3 by adjusting the bolts, the connecting piece carrier 3 can be fixed onto the mounting plate 1 by the fixing bolts. Both the mounting plate 1 and the connecting piece carrier 3 are provided with threaded holes for the fixing bolts to be screwed into. In this embodiment, the number of fixing bolts is six, and they do not interfere with the connecting piece slot 5.

[0056] In one alternative embodiment, a cell clamp is further included, comprising:

[0057] The base plate 6 is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate 1 and located on one side of the connecting piece carrier 3, suitable for supporting the battery cell; the base plate 6 can be fixed to the mounting plate 1 with screws. The base plate 6 can be made of POM, and the smooth surface of the base plate 6 will not damage the surface of the battery cell when the battery cell is placed on it.

[0058] A limiting component is disposed on the mounting plate 1 and is adapted to limit the movement of the battery cell.

[0059] In one optional implementation, the limiting component includes:

[0060] Tail push plate 7 is disposed on the mounting plate 1 and located on the side of the base plate 6 away from the connecting piece carrier 3. The top of the tail push plate 7 is higher than the surface of the base plate 6 away from the mounting plate 1, so that the tail push plate 7 can abut against the battery cell disposed on the base plate 6.

[0061] At least one first waist hole 8 is provided. In this embodiment, there are two first waist holes 8 on the tail push plate 7. The first waist hole 8 is adapted to allow the tail push plate 7 to move along a first direction, wherein the first direction is the straight line direction between the base plate 6 and the connecting piece carrier 3. The tail push plate 7 can limit the position of the battery cell in the first direction. A screw can be provided in the first waist hole 8. The mounting plate 1 is provided with a corresponding screw hole. The screw passes through the first waist hole 8 and is screwed into the screw hole. When there is a gap between the head of the screw and the top of the first waist hole 8, the position of the tail push plate 7 can be adjusted along the first direction. After adjustment, the screw is tightened to fix the tail push plate 7 on the mounting plate 1.

[0062] In one alternative implementation, it further includes:

[0063] There are at least two side positioning blocks 9. In this embodiment, there are four side positioning blocks 9, which are arranged in two groups on both sides of the base plate 6. They are respectively arranged on both sides of the base plate 6 in the second direction. The top of the side positioning block 9 is higher than the surface of the base plate 6 away from the mounting plate 1, so that the side positioning block 9 can abut against the battery cell arranged on the base plate 6.

[0064] At least one second waist hole 10 is provided. In this embodiment, each side positioning block 9 has two second waist holes 10. The second waist hole 10 is adapted to allow the side positioning block 9 to move along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The side positioning block 9 can limit the position of the battery cell in the second direction. A screw can be provided in the second waist hole 10. The mounting plate 1 is provided with a corresponding screw hole. The screw passes through the second waist hole 10 and is screwed into the screw hole. When there is a gap between the head of the screw and the top of the second waist hole 10, the position of the side positioning block 9 can be adjusted along the second direction. After adjustment, the screw is tightened to fix the side positioning block 9 on the mounting plate 1.

[0065] In one optional implementation, the method includes:

[0066] There are at least two top positioning blocks 11. In this embodiment, there are two top positioning blocks 11 located on the side of the base plate 6 away from the tail push plate 7, and respectively arranged on both sides of the base plate 6 in the second direction. The top of the top positioning block 11 is higher than the surface of the base plate 6 away from the mounting plate 1, so that the top positioning block 11 can abut against the battery cell arranged on the base plate 6.

[0067] At least one third waist hole 12 is provided. In this embodiment, there are two third waist holes 12 on each top positioning block 11. The second waist hole 10 is adapted to allow the top positioning block 11 to move along the first direction. The top positioning block 11 can cooperate with the tail push plate 7 to limit the position of the battery cell in the first direction.

[0068] The base plate 6 may have a gap with the connecting piece carrier 3, and the top positioning block 11 may be positioned at the corresponding location of the gap. A screw may be installed in the third waist hole 12, and the mounting plate 1 has a corresponding screw hole. The screw passes through the third waist hole 12 and is screwed into the screw hole. When there is a gap between the head of the screw and the top of the third waist hole 12, the position of the top positioning block 11 can be adjusted along the first direction. After adjustment, the screw is tightened to fix the top positioning block 11 onto the mounting plate 1.

[0069] In one optional embodiment, both the side positioning block 9 and the top positioning block 11 are L-shaped. This facilitates the positioning of the battery cell. Both the L-shaped side positioning block 9 and the top positioning block 11 can be considered as having a first plate and a second plate perpendicular to it. The first plate is close to the mounting plate 1 and has a waist hole, while the second plate is used to position the battery cell. The first plate is located on the side of the second plate away from the bottom plate 6.

[0070] In one optional embodiment, the cell clamps are in two sets, respectively disposed on both sides of the connecting plate carrier 3. This allows for separate positioning of the two cells when simultaneously connecting the two electrodes of one cell to the two electrodes of another cell via the connecting plate.

[0071] Working principle: During the cell production process, first loosen the fixing bolts on the connecting piece carrier 3, then adjust the adjusting screws on the connecting piece carrier 3 in sequence. Turn the adjusting screws clockwise to raise the height of the connecting piece carrier 3 until the ideal height is reached, then tighten the fixing bolts of the connecting piece carrier 3. This method can raise the height of the connecting piece carrier 3 and reduce the height difference between the cell and the connecting piece. Conversely, by first loosening the fixing bolts of the connecting piece carrier 3 and then turning the adjusting screws counterclockwise, the height of the connecting piece carrier 3 can be lowered, increasing the height difference between the cell and the connecting piece. This adjustment method can control the redundancy of the outer tabs of the cell, effectively preventing tab redundancy or tab cracking during the welding process.

[0072] This application enables precise positioning of the welding position, and the height of the connecting piece carrier 3 is adjustable. It can adjust the height difference between the connecting piece and the battery cell in real time according to the state of the battery cell tab during the production process, thereby controlling the redundancy of the battery cell tab, improving problems such as tab cracking and tab redundancy, and enhancing process stability.

[0073] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries, characterized in that, include: The mounting plate (1) is provided with a first welding hole (2), and there is at least one first welding hole (2); A connecting piece carrier (3) is located on the surface of the mounting plate (1), and the connecting piece carrier (3) is provided with second welding holes (4) that correspond one-to-one with the first welding holes (2); A connecting piece slot (5) is provided on the surface of the connecting piece carrier (3) away from the mounting plate (1). The connecting piece slot (5) is provided opposite to the second welding hole (4) and is suitable for limiting the connecting piece. Adjusting bolts, at least two in number, are screwed onto the mounting plate (1) and the connecting plate carrier (3).

2. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two first welding holes (2), which are distributed along the first direction.

3. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are four first welding holes (2), which are divided into two groups and arranged in a 2*2 pattern on the mounting plate (1) in the first direction and the second direction. The second welding holes (4) are arranged opposite to the first welding holes (2), wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. There are two connecting piece slots (5), which are respectively set to correspond to the two sets of first welding holes (2).

4. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The fixing bolts are screwed onto the mounting plate (1) and the connecting piece carrier (3), and are suitable for fixing the connecting piece carrier (3) onto the mounting plate (1).

5. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes cell clamps, including: The base plate (6) is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate (1) and located on one side of the connecting piece carrier (3), and is suitable for supporting the battery cell; A limiting component is disposed on the mounting plate (1) and is adapted to limit the battery cell.

6. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting component includes: Tail push plate (7) is disposed on the mounting plate (1) and located on the side of the base plate (6) away from the connecting piece carrier (3). The top of the tail push plate (7) is higher than the surface of the base plate (6) away from the mounting plate (1). At least one first waist hole (8) is provided on the tail pusher plate (7), and the first waist hole (8) is adapted to allow the tail pusher plate (7) to move in a first direction.

7. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: At least two side positioning blocks (9) are respectively disposed on both sides of the base plate (6) in the second direction, and the top of the side positioning block (9) is higher than the surface of the base plate (6) away from the mounting plate (1); At least one second waist hole (10) is provided on the side positioning block (9), the second waist hole (10) being adapted to allow the side positioning block (9) to move along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 7, characterized in that, The term includes: At least two top positioning blocks (11) are located on the side of the base plate (6) away from the tail push plate (7) and are respectively arranged on both sides of the base plate (6) in the second direction. The top of the top positioning block (11) is higher than the surface of the base plate (6) away from the mounting plate (1). At least one third waist hole (12) is provided on the top positioning block (11), and the second waist hole (10) is adapted to allow the top positioning block (11) to move in a first direction.

9. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 8, characterized in that, Both the side positioning block (9) and the top positioning block (11) are L-shaped.

10. The ultrasonic welding fixture for lithium-ion batteries according to claim 5, characterized in that, The battery cell clamps are in two sets, respectively located on both sides of the connecting piece carrier (3).

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