Flattening device and battery bipolar plate production line

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of battery plate manufacturing devices, and provides a flattening device and a battery bipolar plate production line, and the flattening device comprises a base (100), and an adsorption module and a flattening module which are fixedly connected with the base. The adsorption module comprises at least one suction cup (205) used for adsorbing workpieces. The flattening module comprises a lifting platform (304) arranged on the adsorption module in a sleeving mode and a lifting driving unit (302) which is in transmission connection with the lifting platform and can drive the lifting platform to ascend and descend. In the using process, the adsorption module adsorbs a workpiece, and the workpiece is driven by the base to the position above the position where the workpiece should be placed. In the transferring process, the flattening module works, the lifting platform in the flattening module extrudes the part, extending out of the outer periphery of the adsorption module, of the workpiece adsorbed by the suction cup, the workpiece is flattened, and then adsorption on the workpiece is relieved so that the workpiece can be put down. The flattening device provided by the utility model can automatically flatten the to-be-treated workpiece in the process of transferring the to-be-treated workpiece, so that the problem of low bonding yield caused by wrinkles on the to-be-treated workpiece is solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of battery plate manufacturing devices, in particular to a flattening device. The present disclosure also relates to a battery bipolar plate production line, wherein the flattening device provided by the present disclosure is used. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrogen fuel cells are a kind of electrochemical cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen as fuel. Hydrogen fuel cells have the advantages of high energy conversion efficiency and clean and environmentally friendly products, and are considered as a clean energy technology. With the increasing demand for environmental protection in recent years, hydrogen fuel cells have rapidly popularized in the battery market. The bipolar plate structure in the hydrogen fuel cell is the place for the flow and reaction of the reaction gas, and is an important part of the hydrogen fuel cell. At present, most of the bipolar plates used in hydrogen fuel cells are graphite bipolar plates, which are widely used because of their good corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity, good stability and easy processing.

[0003] In the production of graphite bipolar plates, the molding process can be designed according to the product size and internal flow channel shape. Because it has the advantages of suitable for batch production, good product consistency and high stability, it is widely used. The process flow of molding includes four processes of molding, infiltration, flattening and bonding, and sealing and dispensing. In the flattening and bonding process, the flattened cathode plate still has a certain degree of bending. If the cathode plate is directly moved to the anode plate for bonding, the bending part on the cathode plate will not be completely bonded with the anode plate and will be misaligned, resulting in gas leakage of the bonded bipolar plate, thereby causing the bipolar plate to be scrapped. If a manual processing process is added, the cathode plate is manually flattened by technical personnel, which will increase the risk of personnel injury due to high temperature on the cathode plate.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a flattening device that can automatically flatten the flexible cathode plate while transferring it. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is how to provide a flattening device that can automatically flatten the flexible cathode plate while transferring it.

[0006] To solve the technical problem, the first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flattening device, which comprises a base, a suction module and a flattening module. The suction module is fixedly connected to the base and comprises at least one suction cup for suctioning a workpiece to be processed. The flattening module comprises a lifting platform sleeved on the suction module and a lifting drive unit fixedly installed relative to the base and transmissionally connected to the lifting platform. The lifting drive unit can drive the lifting platform to lift, so that the lifting platform extrudes the part of the workpiece to be processed suctioned by the suction cup extending beyond the outer periphery of the suction module.

[0007] In some embodiments, the lifting platform is a double-layer flat structure connected in the middle, a through slot just capable of passing the adsorption module is arranged in the lower flat, and the upper flat is drivingly connected to the lifting driving unit.

[0008] In some embodiments, the flattening module further comprises a first connecting plate connected to the base, the lifting driving unit is fixedly installed above the first connecting plate, and the lifting platform is located below the first connecting plate.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flattening module further comprises a flange connected to the lifting platform by a fastener, and the lifting driving unit is connected to the flange through the first connecting plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the adsorption module further comprises a second connecting plate connected to the base and a support plate fixedly connected below the second connecting plate, and the suction disc is fixedly connected below the support plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the adsorption module further comprises an air valve arranged above the second connecting plate and an air pipe, wherein the air pipe connects the suction disc and the air valve through the support plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air valve is air-connectable to an externally arranged vacuum generator.

[0013] In some embodiments, the base is a three-axis mechanical arm drivingly connected with a driving device, capable of moving the object connected thereto in the horizontal plane and in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0014] In some embodiments, the base is provided with a connecting bracket for connecting the adsorption module and the flattening module, respectively.

[0015] The second aspect of the present disclosure further provides a battery bipolar plate production line using the flattening device.

[0016] According to the technical solution provided in this disclosure, in the leveling and bonding process of battery bipolar plates, the flattening device provided in this disclosure can adsorb and automatically flatten the flexible cathode plate, ensuring that it is flat when placed on the anode plate. In the process flow, the flattening device of this disclosure is driven by the base to the top of the processed flexible cathode plate to be adsorbed and transferred. Driven by the base, the suction cup on the adsorption module just contacts the flexible cathode plate and picks up the flexible cathode plate. At this time, the adsorption module is fixed. The lifting platform sleeved on the adsorption module in the flattening module moves to the same horizontal plane as the flexible cathode plate under the drive of the lifting drive unit connected to it, and flattens the wrinkles of the flexible cathode plate. Finally, driven by the base, it moves to the top of the anode plate and presses the flexible cathode plate onto the anode plate from below. After ensuring flat placement, the lifting platform is raised by the lifting drive unit and leaves the bipolar plate to be bonded, ready for the next adsorption and transfer operation. The flattening device provided in this technical solution can automatically flatten the cathode plate during the transfer of the flexible cathode plate, which solves the problem of low bonding yield caused by the wrinkles of the cathode plate, and avoids the safety hazards caused by manual handling of the high-temperature cathode plate. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the adsorption module structure disclosed in this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flattening module structure disclosed in this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting platform structure disclosed in this embodiment.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 100. Base; 101. Connecting bracket; 201. Second connecting plate; 202. Air valve; 203. Air pipe; 204. Support plate; 205. Suction cup; 301. First connecting plate; 302. Lifting drive unit; 303. Flange; 304. Lifting platform. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and examples. The following detailed description of the examples and the accompanying drawings are provided to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The present disclosure can be implemented in numerous ways, including, but not limited to, the specific embodiments described in this document. Rather, any number of variations and modifications of the described embodiments can be used to implement the present disclosure, and each such variation and modification is intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] The present disclosure provides these examples in order to more completely explain the present disclosure and to further enable its practitioners to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the examples shown and described herein are only exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

[0026] It should be noted that, in the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality of" is greater than or equal to two; the relative position or orientation relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and the like is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0027] In addition, the "first", "second", and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, number, or importance, but are only used to distinguish different parts. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the allowable range of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the allowable range of error. "Include" or "contain" and similar words mean that the elements before the word cover the elements listed after the word, and do not exclude the possibility of also covering other elements.

[0028] It should also be noted that, in the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connection" should be interpreted broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to the specific circumstances. When it is described that a specific device is located between a first device and a second device, there can be an intermediate device between the specific device and the first device or the second device, or there can be no intermediate device.

[0029] All terms used in the present disclosure have the same meaning as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalized sense, unless specifically defined herein.

[0030] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can not be discussed in detail, but should be considered part of the specification where appropriate.

[0031] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is how to provide a flattening device capable of automatically flattening a flexible cathode plate during transfer.

[0032] To solve the above technical problems, the first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flattening device, as shown in Figure 1 The flattening device includes a base 100, an adsorption module, and a flattening module. The adsorption module is fixedly connected to the base 100 and includes at least one suction cup 205 for adsorbing a workpiece to be processed. The flattening module includes a lifting platform 304 sleeved on the adsorption module and a lifting drive unit 302 fixedly installed relative to the base 100 and drivingly connected to the lifting platform 304. The lifting drive unit 302 can drive the lifting platform 304 to lift, so that the lifting platform 304 extrudes the part of the workpiece to be processed adsorbed by the suction cup 205 extending beyond the outer periphery of the adsorption module. In the process of flattening and bonding of a battery bipolar plate, the flattening device provided by the present disclosure can adsorb and automatically flatten a flexible cathode plate, ensuring that it is in a flat state when placed on an anode plate. In the process, the base 100 drives the flattening device to above the flexible cathode plate to be processed, adsorbed, and transferred. Under the driving of the base 100, the suction cup 205 on the adsorption module just contacts the flexible cathode plate and adsorbs the flexible cathode plate by the suction cup 205. At this time, the adsorption module is fixedly installed. The lifting platform 304 sleeved on the adsorption module in the flattening module moves to the same horizontal plane of the flexible cathode plate under the driving of the lifting drive unit 302 drivingly connected thereto, and flattens the wrinkles of the flexible cathode plate. Finally, under the driving of the base 100, the lifting platform 304 moves to above the anode plate and presses the flexible cathode plate onto the anode plate. After ensuring flat placement, the lifting platform 304 is lifted and leaves the bipolar plate ready for bonding by the lifting drive unit 302, and is ready for the next adsorption and transfer work. By the flattening device provided in the technical solution of the present disclosure, the cathode plate can be automatically flattened during the transfer of the flexible cathode plate, which not only solves the problem of low bonding yield rate of the cathode plate due to wrinkles, but also avoids the safety hazards caused by manual handling of high-temperature cathode plates.

[0033] In some embodiments, asFigure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the lifting platform 304 is a double-layered flat structure with the middle connected. The lower plate has a through slot that allows the adsorption module to pass through, and the upper plate is driven by the lifting drive unit 302. During the adsorption transfer process, the adsorption module extends from the through slot on the lower plate of the lifting platform 304 to grasp the flexible cathode plate. The lifting drive unit 302, driven by the upper plate of the lifting platform 304, lowers the lower plate to the same horizontal plane as the adsorption module's suction cup. The lower surface of the lower plate contacts and flattens the flexible cathode plate. The double-layered structure of the lifting platform 304 isolates the lifting drive unit 302 from the high-temperature flexible cathode plate, thus preventing various system operation problems caused by the high temperature affecting the lifting drive unit 302.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the flattening module also includes a first connecting plate 301 connected to the base 100. A lifting drive unit 302 is fixedly installed above the first connecting plate 301, and a lifting platform 304 is located below the first connecting plate 301. The first connecting plate 301 is divided into a support portion connecting the lifting drive unit and a connecting portion protruding from the middle of the first connecting plate 301 and connected to the base 100. Through the connection of the first connecting plate 301 to the base 100, the flattening module can be driven by the base 100, thereby moving in the horizontal plane and in directions perpendicular to the horizontal plane, enabling it to complete the horizontal and vertical movements in the adsorption and bonding process.

[0035] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the flattening module also includes a flange 303 connected to the lifting platform 304 via fasteners. The lifting drive unit 302 passes through the first connecting plate 301 and is connected to the flange 303. The fasteners can be bolts. Connecting the lifting drive unit 302 to the lifting platform 304 via the flange 303 ensures a firm and stable connection between the lifting drive unit 302 and the lifting platform 304. This allows the lifting platform 304 to move stably when driven and moved by the lifting drive unit 302 and land on the upper surface of the flexible cathode plate adsorbed by the adsorption module. Loose connections will prevent wobbling and air bubbles from forming at the contact point between the lifting platform 304 and the flexible cathode plate, thus affecting the flatness of the flattened flexible cathode plate.

[0036] In some embodiments, the lifting driving unit 302 can be a pneumatic cylinder. By using a pneumatic cylinder as the lifting driving unit 302, the lifting driving unit 302 can be driven to move the lifting platform 304 connected thereto, and can work normally under various working conditions, is not affected by the high temperature of the cathode plate itself, and has a low cost.

[0037] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the adsorption module further comprises a second connecting plate 201 connected to the base 100 and a support plate 204 fixedly connected below the second connecting plate 201, and the suction cups 205 are fixedly connected below the support plate 204. The second connecting plate 201 is divided into a support part connected to the lifting driving unit and a connecting part protruding from the middle part of the second connecting plate 201 and connected to the base 100. In the adsorption and bonding process, the adsorption module is driven by the base 100 to contact the flexible cathode plate, the suction cups 205 on the adsorption module suck the flexible cathode plate, and the adsorption module is driven by the base 100 to move to the upper side of the anode plate, and the flexible cathode plate is placed on the anode plate for bonding of the bipolar plate, and then the adsorption module is driven by the base 100 to enter the preparation position for the next adsorption and bonding. By the support plate 204 connected to the second connecting plate 201, at least one suction cup 205 can be fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 204, so that the positions of the suction cups 205 are located on a unified plane when the flexible cathode plate is adsorbed, and the flatness of the flexible cathode plate is ensured during adsorption.

[0038] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the adsorption module further comprises a gas valve 202 and a gas pipe 203 arranged above the second connecting plate 201, wherein the gas pipe 203 passes through the support plate 204 to connect the suction cup 205 and the gas valve 202. When the adsorption module is driven to contact the flexible cathode plate with the suction cup 205 thereon, the air in the suction cup can be pumped out by an external device through the gas pipe 203 connected to the suction cup 205 and the gas valve 202 to form a vacuum, so that the flexible cathode plate is adsorbed, and when the adsorption module is driven to the upper side of the anode plate, the gas valve 202 is opened to release the negative pressure caused by the loss of vacuum in the suction cup 205, so that the flexible cathode plate adsorbed by the suction cup 205 falls to the upper side of the anode plate for bonding process. By using the gas valve 202 and the gas pipe 203, the adsorption of the flexible cathode plate by the suction cup 205 can be conveniently controlled, and the problem of difficulty in falling off of the flexible cathode plate caused by the use of only the suction cup 205 is avoided, and the efficiency of the adsorption and transfer process is improved.

[0039] In some embodiments, the air valve 202 is air-connectable with an externally provided vacuum generator. Through the externally provided vacuum generator, the air valve 202 is connected with the suction cup 205 through the air pipe 203, and the vacuum in the suction cup 205 can be controlled to adsorb the flexible cathode plate. By opening and closing the air valve 202 and the external vacuum generator, the opening and closing of the vacuum state in the suction cup 205 can be controlled, so that whether the suction cup 205 adsorbs the flexible cathode plate can be controlled, so that the flexible cathode plate can be automatically made to fall on the anode plate when the flexible cathode plate is moved above the anode plate. At the same time, by remotely operating the air valve 202 and the vacuum generator, the process of adsorbing and lowering the cathode plate can be remotely and automatically operated, which can improve the efficiency and prevent the safety risk caused by the high temperature in the working environment.

[0040] In some embodiments, the base 100 is a three-axis mechanical arm connected with a driving device, which can drive the object connected therewith to move in the horizontal plane and in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The adsorption module and the flattening module are fixedly connected with the base 100, and are moved in various directions under the driving of the base 100, so that the flexible cathode plate can be adsorbed and moved above the anode plate, and the process flow can be automatically repeated. Using a remotely controllable driving device to drive the three-axis mechanical arm can make the process flow automatically complete, thereby improving the efficiency of the adsorption and movement process.

[0041] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, Figure 1 The connecting bracket 101 can be a right-angle tripod, and the flattening module is fixed on the horizontal plane through the first connecting plate 301, so that it maintains a vertical downward pressing direction when flattening, thereby ensuring that the flattened flexible cathode plate is flat. At the same time, the connecting bracket 101 connects the adsorption module through the second connecting plate 201, so that the adsorption module is kept on a plane parallel to the flattening module, thereby ensuring that the adsorption module can be exactly sleeved in the lifting module to complete the adsorption action without affecting the action of the flattening module.

[0042] The second aspect of the present disclosure also provides a battery bipolar plate production line using the above flattening device. By using the flattening device which can automatically run and flatten the cathode plate, the efficiency and yield of the bonding link of the battery bipolar plate production line can be greatly improved.

[0043] So far, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail. In order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details known in the art are not described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein according to the above description.

[0044] Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, one skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are only for illustration, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments can be modified or equivalent replacements can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In particular, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict.

Claims

1. A flattening device, characterized in that include: Base (100); An adsorption module is fixedly connected to the base (100), the adsorption module including at least one suction cup (205) for adsorbing the workpiece to be processed; The flattening module includes a lifting platform (304) sleeved on the adsorption module and a lifting drive unit (302) fixedly installed relative to the base (100) and tractively connected to the lifting platform (304). The lifting drive unit (302) can drive the lifting platform (304) to rise and fall, so that the lifting platform (304) squeezes the portion of the workpiece to be processed adsorbed by the suction cup (205) extending beyond the outer periphery of the adsorption module.

2. The flattening device of claim 1, wherein The lifting platform (304) is a double-layer flat plate structure connected in the middle. The lower plate has a through groove that can just pass through the adsorption module, and the upper plate is connected to the lifting drive unit (302).

3. A flattening device according to claim 2, characterized in that The flattening module also includes a first connecting plate (301) connected to the base (100), the lifting drive unit (302) is fixedly installed above the first connecting plate (301), and the lifting platform (304) is located below the first connecting plate (301).

4. The flattening device of claim 3, wherein The flattening module also includes a flange (303) connected to the lifting platform (304) by fasteners, and the lifting drive unit (302) is connected to the flange (303) through the first connecting plate (301).

5. The flattening device of claim 1, wherein, The adsorption module further includes a second connecting plate (201) connected to the base (100) and a support plate (204) fixedly connected to the lower part of the second connecting plate (201), and the suction cup (205) is fixedly connected to the lower part of the support plate (204).

6. The flattening device of claim 5, wherein, The adsorption module also includes an air valve (202) and an air pipe (203) disposed above the second connecting plate (201), wherein the air pipe (203) passes through the support plate (204) and connects the suction cup (205) and the air valve (202).

7. A flattening device according to claim 6, characterized in that The air valve (202) is ventilably connected to an externally installed vacuum generator.

8. The flattening device of claim 1, wherein, The base (100) is a three-axis robotic arm with a drive device, which can drive the object connected to it to move on the horizontal plane and in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

9. The flattening device of claim 1, wherein, The base (100) is provided with connecting brackets (101) for connecting the adsorption module and the flattening module.

10. A battery bipolar plate production line characterized by, Includes the flattening device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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