Pole piece thickness measuring device, manufacturing equipment of electrode assembly and battery device production system

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a pole piece thickness measuring device, electrode assembly manufacturing equipment and a battery device production system. Under the driving of a driving device, a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate of the pole piece thickness measuring device can be close to each other to clamp the two sides of a pole piece and synchronously move along with the pole piece; the first measuring device is connected to the first clamping plate and used for measuring the thickness of the pole piece clamped by the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate. The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are clamped on the two sides of the pole piece, so that the clamped pole piece part is flattened under the action of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, shaking of the pole piece is limited, and the clamping mechanism can be driven by the pole piece to synchronously move along with the pole piece; the thickness of the pole piece can be measured by the pole piece thickness measuring device when the pole piece is transported between two adjacent transmission rollers, so that the thickness of the pole piece can be measured in real time when the pole piece is transported.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to an electrode thickness measuring device, electrode assembly manufacturing equipment, and battery device production system. Background Technology

[0002] Battery devices have advantages such as high specific energy and high power density, and are widely used in electronic devices and transportation vehicles, such as mobile phones, laptops, electric vehicles, electric cars, electric airplanes, electric ships and power tools.

[0003] As the application scope of battery devices continues to expand, the requirements for their reliability are also increasing. A battery device may include one or more individual battery cells. As a crucial component of the battery cell, the electrode's thickness and other parameters have a significant impact on the reliability of the battery device. In some cases, production parameters need to be adjusted promptly based on the electrode thickness to improve the reliability of the manufactured battery device. Therefore, how to measure the thickness of electrode cells during transportation is receiving increasing attention from those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides an electrode thickness measuring device, an electrode assembly manufacturing equipment, and a battery device production system. The electrode thickness measuring device can measure the thickness of the electrode during transportation.

[0005] In a first aspect, some embodiments of this application provide an electrode thickness measuring device, which includes a clamping mechanism and a first measuring device. The clamping mechanism includes a driving device, a first clamping plate, and a second clamping plate. The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are disposed opposite to each other, and the driving device is throttle-connected to the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate. Under the drive of the driving device, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate can move closer to each other to clamp the two sides of the electrode and move synchronously with the electrode. The first measuring device is connected to the first clamping plate and is used to measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

[0006] In the above structure, driven by the driving mechanism, the first and second clamping plates can approach each other and clamp the two sides of the electrode sheet. This not only flattens the clamped electrode sheet due to the action of the first and second clamping plates, limiting the vibration of the electrode sheet, but also allows the clamping mechanism to be driven by the electrode sheet and move synchronously with it. This scheme not only enables the first measuring device to accurately measure the thickness of the electrode sheet clamped by the first and second clamping plates, but also allows the electrode sheet thickness measurement device to measure the thickness of the electrode sheet during the transport process between two adjacent drive rollers, enabling real-time measurement of the electrode sheet thickness during the transport process.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in this application, a first clamping plate has a measuring hole that penetrates the first clamping plate along the arrangement direction of the first and second clamping plates. The orthographic projection of the measuring hole along the arrangement direction of the first and second clamping plates is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates. A first measuring device measures the thickness of the electrode through the measuring hole. By setting the orthographic projection of the measuring hole along the arrangement direction of the first and second clamping plates to be within the range of the orthographic projection of the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates along the arrangement direction, the measuring hole allows the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates to be exposed, facilitating the first measuring device to measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates.

[0008] According to some embodiments of this application, the electrode thickness measuring device further includes a support and a truss. The support is connected to a first clamping plate, and the truss is located on the side of the first clamping plate away from the second clamping plate. The truss is connected to the support, and a first measuring device is connected to the truss. By connecting the first measuring device to the truss, the first measuring device can extend to the center of the electrode under the support of the truss, facilitating the first measuring device to measure the center of the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this application, the electrode thickness measuring device includes a contact thickness gauge. At least part of the contact thickness gauge extends from the measuring hole to the gap between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate. During the process of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate approaching each other to clamp the electrode, the contact thickness gauge can contact the electrode and measure the thickness of the electrode.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in this application, a reinforcing structure is provided on the surface of the second clamping plate opposite to the first clamping plate. Along the arrangement direction of the first and second clamping plates, the orthographic projection of the measuring hole is located within the orthographic projection range of the reinforcing structure. This allows the reinforcing structure to strengthen the portion of the second clamping plate opposite to the measuring hole, reducing the possibility of deformation in this area. This allows the second clamping plate to better support the electrode when the first measuring device extends from the measuring hole and acts on the electrode, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of the electrode thickness measured by the first measuring device.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this application, the electrode thickness measuring device provides a plurality of first measuring devices, which are spaced apart. This makes the distribution of the plurality of first measuring devices relatively dispersed, and the electrode thickness measuring device can accurately grasp the overall thickness of the electrode.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the electrode thickness measuring device further includes a calibration mechanism. The calibration mechanism includes a second measuring device and a calibration structure. The second measuring device is connected to a first clamping plate, and the calibration structure is connected to a second clamping plate. The second measuring device is positioned facing the calibration structure.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, the electrode thickness measuring device is provided such that, along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, the orthographic projection of the second measuring device is separate from the orthographic projections of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, so that the electrode, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are less likely to affect the measurement of the distance between the second measuring device and the calibration structure, and the calibration using the second measuring device is more accurate.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in this application, a second measuring device is drivenly connected to multiple first measuring devices, and the second measuring device can synchronously calibrate the multiple first measuring devices. By calibrating the second measuring device to drive the synchronous calibration of multiple first measuring devices, the convenience of calibration of the electrode thickness measuring device can be greatly improved while obtaining good calibration results.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in this application, a first contact structure layer is provided on the surface of the first clamping plate facing the second clamping plate, and the surface roughness of the first contact structure layer facing the electrode is set to Ra1, 0.1μm≤Ra1≤0.8μm; a second contact structure layer is provided on the surface of the second clamping plate facing the first clamping plate, and the surface roughness of the second contact structure layer facing the electrode is set to Ra2, 0.1μm≤Ra2≤0.8μm. This helps to reduce the possibility of damage to the electrode under the action of the first contact structure layer, so that the surface of the first contact structure layer in contact with the electrode does not have to have excessively high roughness requirements, which would lead to high manufacturing costs.

[0016] Secondly, some embodiments of this application provide an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, which includes a winding needle and an electrode thickness measuring device as described above. The winding needle is used to wind the electrode and the spacer to form a winding structure, and the clamping mechanism of the electrode thickness measuring device is located upstream of the winding needle. By placing the clamping mechanism of the electrode thickness measuring device upstream of the winding needle, the electrode thickness is measured before winding. The electrode thickness measured at this time is more accurate and closest to the thickness of the electrode in the winding structure of the electrode assembly. Adjusting the circumference of the winding needle during electrode winding based on the electrode thickness measured by the electrode thickness measuring device at this time can effectively improve the misalignment of the tabs in the electrode assembly.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this application, the manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly further includes a controller, a first measuring device of an electrode thickness measuring device and a winding needle are communicatively connected to the controller, and the controller can adjust the circumference of the winding needle according to the electrode thickness measured by the first measuring device.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this application, the electrode assembly manufacturing equipment further includes a driving mechanism, which is tractively connected to a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate of a clamping mechanism. After clamping the electrode sheet, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, driven by the driving mechanism, can move the electrode sheet towards the winding needle. This allows the electrode sheet thickness measuring device to be attached to the original clamping mechanism of the electrode assembly manufacturing equipment, occupying less additional space, making equipment implementation easier, and ensuring high compatibility.

[0019] Thirdly, some embodiments of this application provide a battery device manufacturing system, which includes the electrode assembly manufacturing equipment or the electrode thickness measuring device provided by the above-described technical solutions.

[0020] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments disclosed in this application have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0021] Some embodiments of this application provide an electrode thickness measuring device, which includes a clamping mechanism and a first measuring device. The clamping mechanism includes a driving component, a first clamping plate, and a second clamping plate, which are disposed opposite to each other. The driving component is convexly connected to the first and second clamping plates. Under the drive of the driving component, the first and second clamping plates can move closer to each other to clamp the two sides of the electrode and move synchronously with the electrode. The first measuring device is connected to the first clamping plate and is used to measure the thickness of the electrode clamped by the first and second clamping plates. Under the drive of the driving component, the first and second clamping plates can move closer to each other to clamp the two sides of the electrode. This not only flattens the clamped electrode portion due to the action of the first and second clamping plates, limiting the vibration of the electrode, but also allows the clamping mechanism to be driven by the electrode and move synchronously with the electrode. This scheme not only enables the first measuring device to accurately measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates, but also enables the electrode thickness measuring device to measure the thickness of the electrode during the transportation process between two adjacent transmission rollers, so that the thickness of the electrode during the transportation process can be measured in real time.

[0022] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in some embodiments of this application from a first-view perspective;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in some embodiments of this application from a second perspective.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode thickness measuring device provided in some embodiments of this application from a third-view perspective;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate in the electrode thickness measuring device provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0028] In the attached diagram:

[0029] 1. Clamping mechanism; 11. Driving device; 12. First clamping plate; 121. Measuring hole; 122. First contact structure layer; 13. Second clamping plate; 131. Reinforcing structure; 132. Second contact structure layer; 2. First measuring device; 3. Support; 4. Truss; 5. Calibration mechanism; 51. Second measuring device; 52. Calibration structure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments of this application pertain.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0033] Furthermore, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0034] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] Currently, judging from market trends, the application of battery devices is becoming increasingly widespread. Battery devices are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also widely applied in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, as well as in aerospace, energy storage containers, and energy storage cabinets, among other fields.

[0037] The battery apparatus mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include one or more battery cell assemblies for providing voltage and capacity. A battery cell assembly may include multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or mixed connections via a busbar.

[0038] In some embodiments, a battery cell assembly is typically formed by arranging multiple battery cells.

[0039] A battery cell can be a rechargeable battery cell, which refers to a battery cell that can be recharged after being discharged to activate the active materials and continue to be used.

[0040] Battery cells can be lithium-ion cells, sodium-ion cells, sodium-lithium-ion cells, lithium metal cells, sodium metal cells, lithium-sulfur cells, magnesium-ion cells, nickel-metal hydride cells, nickel-cadmium cells, lead-acid cells, etc.

[0041] A single battery cell typically includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. During the charging and discharging process of a single battery cell, active ions (such as lithium ions) repeatedly insert and extract between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator, positioned between the positive and negative electrodes, prevents short circuits while allowing active ions to pass through.

[0042] The electrode assembly can be a wound structure or a hybrid structure of wound and stacked.

[0043] Electrode components are an important structural part of a battery cell, and they have a significant impact on the reliability of the battery cell, and thus on the reliability of the battery device.

[0044] In wound electrode assemblies, due to the stacked structure of the electrode assembly, the thickness error of the electrode sheets accumulates with the increase of the number of winding layers. This causes the tabs in the wound electrode assembly to be affected by the electrode sheet thickness error, and the misalignment of the tabs becomes more severe with the increasing number of winding layers. In some cases, by measuring the electrode sheet thickness, the circumference of the winding needle during electrode winding can be adjusted to improve the misalignment of the tabs. However, because the electrode sheets need to be rolled during the manufacturing process, the material on them will rebound over time after being rolled, making the initial measurement of the electrode sheet thickness extremely inaccurate. Only the electrode sheet thickness measured before winding is closest to the thickness of the electrode sheets in the wound electrode assembly. Therefore, how to measure the thickness of the electrode sheets during transportation, especially the thickness of the electrode sheets before winding, is increasingly attracting the attention of those skilled in the art. Measuring the thickness of the electrode sheets during transportation is of great significance for improving the misalignment of the tabs and improving the reliability of the battery cells.

[0045] To measure the thickness of electrode sheets during transportation, some embodiments of this application provide an electrode sheet thickness measuring device. This device includes a clamping mechanism and a first measuring device. The clamping mechanism includes a driving component, a first clamping plate, and a second clamping plate. The first and second clamping plates are arranged opposite to each other, and the driving component is convexly connected to the first and second clamping plates. Under the drive of the driving component, the first and second clamping plates can move closer together to clamp the two sides of the electrode sheet and move synchronously with the electrode sheet. The first measuring device is connected to the first clamping plate and is used to measure the thickness of the electrode sheet clamped by the first and second clamping plates. The fact that the first and second clamping plates can move closer together to clamp the two sides of the electrode sheet under the drive of the driving component not only flattens the clamped electrode sheet due to the action of the first and second clamping plates, limiting the vibration of the electrode sheet, but also allows the clamping mechanism to be driven by the electrode sheet and move synchronously with it. This scheme not only enables the first measuring device to accurately measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first and second clamping plates, but also enables the electrode thickness measuring device to measure the thickness of the electrode during the transportation process between two adjacent transmission rollers, so that the thickness of the electrode during the transportation process can be measured in real time.

[0046] The electrode thickness measuring device disclosed in this application can be used to measure the thickness of the electrode during the transportation process between two adjacent drive rollers, or to measure the thickness of the electrode before it is transported to the winding setting, or to measure the thickness of thin film material during the transportation process between two adjacent drive rollers. This is beneficial for real-time monitoring of the thickness of electrode materials and other film materials during the transportation process.

[0047] The technical solutions of the electrode thickness measuring device, electrode assembly manufacturing equipment, and battery device production system provided in the specific embodiments of this application will be further described below.

[0048] Some embodiments of this application provide an electrode thickness measuring device, see reference. Figure 1 The electrode thickness measuring device includes a clamping mechanism 1 and a first measuring device 2. The clamping mechanism 1 includes a driving component 11, a first clamping plate 12 and a second clamping plate 13. The first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 are arranged opposite to each other. The driving component 11 is pulsatorically connected to the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. Under the drive of the driving component 11, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can move closer to each other to clamp the two sides of the electrode and move synchronously with the electrode. The first measuring device 2 is connected to the first clamping plate 12 and is used to measure the thickness of the electrode clamped by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0049] The clamping mechanism 1 can be a mechanism for clamping the electrode sheet during transportation. By clamping the electrode sheet during transportation, the clamping mechanism 1 can be connected to the clamped electrode sheet through transmission, so that the clamped electrode sheet can drive the clamping mechanism 1 to move, and the clamped electrode sheet and the clamping mechanism 1 can move synchronously, so as to achieve relative stillness between the electrode sheet and the clamping mechanism 1, so as to measure the thickness of the clamped electrode sheet in the future.

[0050] The driving device 11 can be a device in the clamping mechanism 1 that provides driving power, which is used to provide power for the operation of the clamping mechanism 1. For example, the driving device 11 can be a linear motor or a hydraulic cylinder, which can output linear motion to drive the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 to move linearly, so as to realize the mutual separation or proximity of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, thereby clamping or releasing the electrode sheet.

[0051] The first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 are components in the clamping mechanism 1 used to contact and clamp the electrode sheet. By setting both the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 as plate-shaped components, they can obtain a large clamping area for the electrode sheet when clamping it, which is beneficial to make the clamping mechanism 1 clamp the electrode sheet stably, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the clamping mechanism 1 and the electrode sheet.

[0052] The first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 are arranged opposite to each other. The first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 are arranged at intervals along the thickness direction of the electrode, so that the electrode can be conveyed through the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0053] The driving device 11 is connected to the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 in a driving manner. Specifically, the output end of the driving device 11 is connected to the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 in a driving manner, so that the driving device 11 can drive the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 to move closer to each other or further away from each other. When the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 move closer to each other, they can clamp the electrode from both sides of the electrode. When the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 move further away from each other, they can release the clamping of the electrode from both sides of the electrode.

[0054] Driven by the drive device 11, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can approach each other and clamp the two sides of the electrode, maintaining the clamping of the electrode, so that the clamping mechanism 1 can be connected to the electrode. The clamping mechanism 1 moves synchronously with the electrode, maintaining the relative stationary position of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 with the electrode.

[0055] The first measuring device 2 can be a device for measuring the thickness of the electrode sheet. The first measuring device 2 is connected to the first clamping plate 12. Alternatively, the first measuring device 2 can be directly fixed to the first clamping plate 12, so that the first measuring device 2 and the electrode sheet are relatively stationary, and the first measuring device 2 can measure the thickness of the electrode sheet held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 relatively stably. Or, the first measuring device 2 can be connected to the first clamping plate 12 through a connecting structure, so that the first measuring device 2 and the electrode sheet are relatively stationary, and the first measuring device 2 can measure the thickness of the electrode sheet held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 relatively stably.

[0056] For example, the first measuring device 2 can measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 from the outside of the gap formed by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, or the first measuring device 2 can extend into the gap formed by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 to measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0057] For example, the first measuring device 2 can be a contact thickness gauge or a non-contact thickness gauge such as an ultrasonic thickness gauge, a laser thickness gauge, or an X-ray thickness gauge. Those skilled in the art can choose the type of the first measuring device 2 according to the actual situation.

[0058] In the above structure, driven by the driving device 11, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can clamp each other close to each other on both sides of the electrode sheet. This not only flattens the clamped electrode sheet due to the action of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, thus limiting the vibration of the electrode sheet, but also allows the clamping mechanism 1 to be driven by the electrode sheet and move synchronously with it. This scheme not only enables the first measuring device 2 to accurately measure the thickness of the electrode sheet clamped by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, but also allows the thickness of the electrode sheet during the transportation process between two adjacent transmission rollers to be measured by the electrode sheet thickness measuring device, so that the thickness of the electrode sheet during the transportation process can be measured in real time.

[0059] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 The first clamping plate 12 has a measuring hole 121. The measuring hole 121 penetrates the first clamping plate 12 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. The orthographic projection of the measuring hole 121 is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the electrode sheet held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. The first measuring device 2 measures the thickness of the electrode sheet through the measuring hole 121.

[0060] The measuring hole 121 can be a hole-like structure provided on the first clamping plate 12. By setting the measuring hole 121 to penetrate the first clamping plate 12 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, the measuring hole 121 is set to be a through hole penetrating along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. By setting the orthographic projection of the measuring hole 121 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 to be within the range of the orthographic projection of the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, the measuring hole 121 can expose the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, so that the first measuring device 2 can measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0061] For example, the first measuring device 2 measures the thickness of the electrode through the measuring hole 121. This can be achieved by the first measuring device 2 being located outside the measuring hole 121, with the first measuring device 2 facing the measuring hole 121 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, and the first measuring device 2 measuring the thickness of the electrode exposed through the measuring hole 121. Alternatively, the first measuring device 2 can be inserted through the measuring hole 121, with a portion of the first measuring device 2 extending from the measuring hole 121 into the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, in order to measure the thickness of the electrode.

[0062] In some embodiments, the electrode thickness measuring device further includes a support 3 and a truss 4. The support 3 is connected to the first clamping plate 12, and the truss 4 is located on the side of the first clamping plate 12 away from the second clamping plate 13. The truss 4 is connected to the support 3, and the first measuring device 2 is connected to the truss 4.

[0063] Both the support 3 and the truss 4 are devices used to connect the first measuring device 2 to the first clamping plate 12. The support 3 can be a base structure connected to the first clamping plate 12. Because the support 3, as a base structure, has a large mass, strong structural strength, and high structural rigidity, the truss 4, to which the first measuring device 2 is connected, is connected to the support 3. The support 3 provides relatively stable support for the truss 4, which helps improve the accuracy of the measurement results of the first measuring device 2. The truss 4 can be a long, narrow frame structure that can extend a considerable length, allowing the first measuring device 2 connected to the truss 4 to be supported by the truss 4 at a position directly opposite to the measuring hole 121 in the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0064] The first measuring device 2 is connected to the truss 4, so that the first measuring device 2 can extend to the center of the electrode under the support of the truss 4, which facilitates the first measuring device 2 to measure the center of the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0065] By setting the truss 4 on the side of the first clamping plate 12 away from the second clamping plate 13, the truss 4 is positioned outside the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, and is directly opposite the measuring hole 121 opened on the first clamping plate 12.

[0066] With the above scheme, the first measuring device 2 can be stably connected to the first clamping plate 12 under the support of the support 3 and the truss 4, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of the first measuring device 2 in measuring the thickness of the electrode sheet; and, with the support of the support 3 and the truss 4, the first measuring device 2 can be located at the center of the electrode sheet, which makes it easier for the first measuring device 2 to be located at the position where measurement is required.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first measuring device 2 includes a contact thickness gauge, at least a portion of which extends from the measuring hole 121 into the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0068] A contact thickness gauge is a tool that requires direct contact with the surface of the object being measured to measure its thickness. At least a portion of the contact thickness gauge extends from the measuring hole 121 into the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. This can be achieved by the contact thickness gauge passing through the measuring hole 121 and partially extending from it into the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. During the process of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 approaching each other to clamp the electrode, the contact thickness gauge can contact the electrode and measure its thickness. Alternatively, a connecting member such as a truss 4 extends into the measuring hole 121, and a portion of the contact thickness gauge connected to the truss 4 or other connecting member extends into the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. During the process of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 approaching each other to clamp the electrode, the contact thickness gauge can contact the electrode and measure its thickness.

[0069] Since contact thickness gauges have advantages such as simple structure and reliable accuracy, including a contact thickness gauge in the first measuring device 2 can improve the accuracy of the electrode thickness measured by the first measuring device 2.

[0070] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 A reinforcing structure 131 is provided on the surface of the second clamping plate 13 opposite to the first clamping plate 12. Along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, the orthographic projection of the measuring hole 121 is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the reinforcing structure 131.

[0071] The reinforcing structure 131 can be used to improve the structural strength of the second clamping plate 13. By providing the reinforcing structure 131 on the second clamping plate 13, and ensuring that the orthographic projection of the measuring hole 121 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 is within the range of the orthographic projection of the reinforcing structure 131 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, the reinforcing structure 131 can strengthen the portion of the second clamping plate 13 directly opposite the measuring hole 121, reducing the possibility of deformation in this area. This allows the second clamping plate 13 to better support the electrode when the first measuring device 2 extends from the measuring hole 121 and acts on the electrode, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of the electrode thickness measured by the first measuring device 2.

[0072] The reinforcement structure 131 is used to improve the structural strength of the area of ​​the second clamping plate 13 opposite the measuring hole 121. This makes the area of ​​the second clamping plate 13 opposite the measuring hole 121 less prone to deformation when the first measuring device 2 extends out of the measuring hole 121 and acts on the electrode. This provides good support for the electrode and helps to improve the accuracy of the measurement results of the electrode thickness measuring device.

[0073] A reinforcing structure 131 is provided on the surface of the second clamping plate 13 facing away from the first clamping plate 12, such that the reinforcing structure 131 is located outside the gap formed by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, so that when the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 approach each other, the reinforcing structure 131 will not contact the electrode, reducing the possibility of damage to the electrode.

[0074] For example, the reinforcing structure 131 can be a block structure or a reinforcing rib. Those skilled in the art can increase the structural strength at this location by adding material to the area of ​​the second clamping plate 13 opposite the measuring hole 121.

[0075] In some embodiments, a plurality of first measuring devices 2 are provided, and the plurality of first measuring devices 2 are arranged at intervals.

[0076] By setting multiple first measuring devices 2, the electrode thickness measuring device can measure the thickness of the electrode held by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 at multiple positions. The electrode thickness measuring device can measure the thickness of the electrode at multiple positions simultaneously, so that the thickness of the electrode at multiple positions during the transportation process can be measured in real time, which improves people's understanding of the thickness of the electrode during the transportation process.

[0077] Multiple first measuring devices 2 are arranged at intervals. This can be because the orthographic projections of multiple first measuring devices 2 in the direction of electrode movement are separated, and the orthographic projections of multiple first measuring devices 2 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of electrode movement are also separated. This makes the distribution of multiple first measuring devices more dispersed, and the electrode thickness measuring device can accurately grasp the overall thickness of the electrode.

[0078] For example, three first measuring devices 2 are provided, and the three first measuring devices 2 are respectively located at the three vertices of an equilateral triangle.

[0079] In some embodiments, the electrode thickness measuring device further includes a calibration mechanism 5, which includes a second measuring device 51 and a calibration structure 52. The second measuring device 51 is connected to the first clamping plate 12, and the calibration structure 52 is connected to the second clamping plate 13. The second measuring device 51 is positioned toward the calibration structure 52.

[0080] The calibration mechanism 5 can be used to calibrate the first measuring device 2. As the first measuring device 2 is used over time, it is affected by factors such as wear, dust, and vibration, which can easily lead to deviations in its measurement results. Regular calibration of the first measuring device 2 using the calibration mechanism 5 helps improve the accuracy of its measurement results.

[0081] The second measuring device 51 can be a measuring device used to calibrate the measurement results of the first measuring device 2. The second measuring device 51 is connected to the first clamping plate 12, or it can be fixed to the support 3, which stably supports the second measuring device 51, allowing it to move stably with the first clamping plate 12. The calibration structure 52 is connected to the second clamping plate 13, or it can be fixed to the second clamping plate 13, allowing it to move with the second clamping plate 13.

[0082] By aligning the second measuring device 51 toward the calibration structure 52, the second measuring device 51 is able to measure the distance between the second measuring device 51 and the calibration structure 52 in the alignment direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0083] The measurement values ​​when the first measuring device 51 and the calibration structure 52 are not clamped by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, and the first measuring device 2 is not in contact with the electrode, can be calibrated based on the preset distance between the second measuring device 51 and the calibration structure 52 in the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 when they are in direct contact. This allows for online calibration or calibration without disassembly of the first measuring device 2, improving the convenience of calibration. Alternatively, the thickness of the standard calibration block placed between the second measuring device 51 and the calibration structure 52 can be measured using the second measuring device 51. The first measuring device 2 can be calibrated simultaneously when the second measuring device 51 is calibrated, reducing measurement deviations caused by impacts, vibrations, etc.

[0084] In some embodiments, along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, the orthographic projection of the second measuring device 51 is separate from the orthographic projections of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0085] By making the orthographic projection of the second measuring device 51 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 separate from the orthographic projection of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, the electrode, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 are less likely to affect the measurement of the distance between the second measuring device 51 and the calibration structure 52, so that the calibration using the second measuring device 51 is more accurate.

[0086] In some embodiments, the second measuring device 51 is connected to a plurality of first measuring devices 2 via a transmission connection, and the second measuring device 51 is capable of synchronously calibrating the plurality of first measuring devices 2.

[0087] The second measuring device 51 is driven to be connected to multiple first measuring devices 2. This means that the calibration structure 52 on the second measuring device 51 is driven to be connected to the calibration structures 52 of the multiple first measuring devices 2, so that when the second measuring device 51 is calibrated, the multiple first measuring devices 2 are also calibrated simultaneously. Since the second measuring device 51 and the multiple first measuring devices 2 are all connected to the first clamping plate 12, the errors caused by vibration, impact, etc., are relatively similar. By calibrating the second measuring device 51 to drive the multiple first measuring devices 2 to be calibrated simultaneously, the convenience of calibration of the electrode thickness measuring device can be greatly improved while obtaining good calibration results.

[0088] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 The surface of the first clamping plate 12 facing the second clamping plate 13 is provided with a first contact structure layer 122, and the surface roughness of the first contact structure layer 122 facing the electrode is set to Ra1, 0.1μm≤Ra1≤0.8μm; the surface of the second clamping plate 13 facing the first clamping plate 12 is provided with a second contact structure layer 132, and the surface roughness of the second contact structure layer 132 facing the electrode is set to Ra2, 0.1μm≤Ra2≤0.8μm.

[0089] The first contact structure layer 122 may be a structure disposed on the surface of the first clamping plate 12 facing the second clamping plate 13, which is used for direct contact with the electrode. The second contact structure layer 132 may be a structure disposed on the surface of the second clamping plate 13 facing the first clamping plate 12, which is used for direct contact with the electrode.

[0090] By setting the surface roughness Ra1 of the first contact structure layer 122 facing the electrode to a range of 0.1μm≤Ra1≤0.8μm, not only is the surface of the first contact structure layer 122 in contact with the electrode smoother, which helps to reduce the possibility of damage to the electrode under the action of the first contact structure layer 122, but the surface of the first contact structure layer 122 in contact with the electrode does not have to have excessively high roughness requirements, which would lead to high manufacturing costs.

[0091] The surface roughness Ra1 of the first contact structure layer 122 facing the electrode can be set to a range of 0.2μm≤Ra1≤0.8μm, which makes the surface of the first contact structure layer 122 in contact with the electrode relatively smooth, which is less likely to damage the electrode, and also helps to control the manufacturing cost of the first contact structure layer 122.

[0092] By setting the surface roughness Ra2 of the second contact structure layer 132 facing the electrode to a range of 0.1μm≤Ra2≤0.8μm, not only is the surface of the second contact structure layer 132 in contact with the electrode smoother, which helps to reduce the possibility of damage to the electrode under the action of the second contact structure layer 132, but the surface of the second contact structure layer 132 in contact with the electrode does not have to have excessively high roughness requirements, which would lead to high manufacturing costs.

[0093] The surface roughness Ra2 of the second contact structure layer 132 facing the electrode can be set to a range of 0.2μm≤Ra2≤0.8μm, which makes the surface of the second contact structure layer 132 in contact with the electrode relatively smooth, which is less likely to damage the electrode, and also helps to control the manufacturing cost of the second contact structure layer 132.

[0094] For example, the first contact structure layer 122 and the second contact structure layer 132 can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene stainless steel metal body, so that the first contact structure layer 122 and the second contact structure layer 132 have low friction and good corrosion resistance.

[0095] This application also provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, which includes a winding needle and an electrode thickness measuring device provided by the above-mentioned technical solution. The winding needle is used to wind the electrode and the separator to form a winding structure, and the clamping mechanism 1 of the electrode thickness measuring device is disposed upstream of the winding needle.

[0096] The manufacturing equipment for this electrode assembly can be any equipment used to prepare electrode assemblies. The winding needle can be a device for winding electrodes and spacers together to form a wound structure. The spacer is an insulator with ion channels. After the electrodes and spacers are stacked and wound, the spacer can isolate adjacent electrode layers, reducing the possibility of short circuits, while simultaneously allowing active ions to shuttle through using the provided ion channels.

[0097] For example, the winding needle can be cylindrical, and the winding structure formed by its winding can be a cylindrical winding structure with a winding center. In some embodiments, the winding needle can also be a prismatic structure, an elliptical prism structure, or other columnar structure, so that the winding needle can exert sufficient force on the electrode and the spacer to wind the electrode and the spacer. The prismatic structure can be a regular hexagonal prism or other columnar structure with a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape.

[0098] By placing the clamping mechanism 1 of the electrode thickness measuring device upstream of the winding needle, the thickness of the electrode is measured before winding. The electrode thickness measured at this time is more accurate and is closest to the thickness of the electrode in the wound electrode assembly. Adjusting the circumference of the winding needle during electrode winding based on the electrode thickness measured by the electrode thickness measuring device at this time can effectively improve the misalignment of the tabs in the electrode assembly.

[0099] In some embodiments, the manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly further includes a controller, and the first measuring device 2 of the electrode thickness measuring device and the winding needle are communicatively connected to the controller. The controller can adjust the circumference of the winding needle according to the electrode thickness measured by the first measuring device 2.

[0100] The controller can be a device that can adjust the circumference of the winding needle according to the thickness of the electrode sheet measured by the first measuring device 2 of the electrode sheet thickness measuring device. Under the control of the controller, the winding needle can adjust the circumference during winding to improve the misalignment of the tabs in the electrode assembly.

[0101] The controller can be centralized or distributed. For example, the controller can be a single microcontroller or it can be composed of multiple distributed microcontrollers. The microcontroller can run a control program to control the winding needle to achieve its function.

[0102] In some embodiments, the manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly further includes a driving mechanism, which is connected to the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 of the clamping mechanism 1. After the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 clamp the electrode sheet, under the drive of the driving mechanism, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can move the electrode sheet toward the direction of the winding needle.

[0103] The driving mechanism can be a mechanism used to drive the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 to move synchronously. After the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 clamp the electrode sheet, through the drive mechanism, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can move the electrode sheet closer to the winding needle while clamping the electrode sheet, thereby feeding the electrode sheet into the winding needle.

[0104] For example, the driving mechanism may include a drive motor or a drive hydraulic cylinder, which can provide driving power for the movement of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13.

[0105] In the above structure, the clamping mechanism 1 of the driving mechanism and the electrode thickness measuring device can be the existing mechanism in the manufacturing equipment of the electrode assembly used to feed the electrode sheet into the winding needle. After the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 on the manufacturing equipment of the electrode assembly clamp the electrode sheet, the driving mechanism drives the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 to feed the electrode sheet into the winding needle. During this process, the electrode thickness measuring device can measure the thickness of the electrode sheet. This allows the electrode thickness measuring device to be attached to the existing clamping mechanism 1 of the manufacturing equipment of the electrode assembly, with a small additional space occupation, low difficulty in equipment introduction, and high compatibility.

[0106] Some embodiments of this application also provide a battery device manufacturing system, which includes the electrode assembly manufacturing equipment or the electrode thickness measuring device provided by the above-described technical solutions.

[0107] Some embodiments of this application provide an electrode thickness measuring device, which includes a clamping mechanism 1, a first measuring device 2, a support 3, a truss 4, and a calibration mechanism 5. Under the drive of the driving device 11 in the clamping mechanism 1, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can move close to each other to clamp the two sides of the electrode and move synchronously with the electrode. The support 3 is connected to the first clamping plate 12. The first measuring device 2 is connected to the support 3 through the truss 4. The first measuring device 2 extends from the measuring hole 121 opened on the first clamping plate 12 to the gap between the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13. The second measuring device 51 of the calibration mechanism 5 is connected to the first clamping plate 12, and the calibration structure 52 is connected to the second clamping plate 13. The second measuring device 51 is arranged facing the calibration structure 52.

[0108] Driven by the drive mechanism 11, the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13 can clamp each other close to each other on both sides of the electrode sheet. This not only flattens the clamped electrode sheet due to the action of the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, limiting the vibration of the electrode sheet, but also allows the clamping mechanism 1 to be driven by the electrode sheet and move synchronously with it. This scheme not only enables the first measuring device 2 to accurately measure the thickness of the electrode sheet clamped by the first clamping plate 12 and the second clamping plate 13, but also allows the thickness of the electrode sheet during the transportation process between two adjacent transmission rollers to be measured by the electrode sheet thickness measuring device, so that the thickness of the electrode sheet during the transportation process can be measured in real time.

[0109] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for measuring electrode thickness, characterized in that, include: A clamping mechanism includes a driving component, a first clamping plate, and a second clamping plate. The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are disposed opposite to each other, and the driving component is throttle-connected to the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate. Under the drive of the driving component, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate can move closer to each other to clamp the two sides of the electrode and move synchronously with the electrode. A first measuring device is connected to the first clamping plate, and the first measuring device is used to measure the thickness of the electrode sheet held by the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

2. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping plate has a measuring hole that penetrates the first clamping plate along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate. The orthographic projection of the measuring hole is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the electrode sheet held by the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate. The first measuring device measures the thickness of the electrode sheet through the measuring hole.

3. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrode thickness measuring device further includes a support and a truss. The support is connected to the first clamping plate, and the truss is located on the side of the first clamping plate away from the second clamping plate. The truss is connected to the support, and the first measuring device is connected to the truss.

4. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first measuring device includes a contact thickness gauge, at least a portion of which extends from the measuring hole into the gap between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

5. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second clamping plate has a reinforcing structure on its surface opposite to the first clamping plate. Along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, the orthographic projection of the measuring hole is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the reinforcing structure.

6. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple first measuring devices are provided, and the multiple first measuring devices are arranged at intervals.

7. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The electrode thickness measuring device further includes a calibration mechanism, which includes a second measuring device and a calibration structure. The second measuring device is connected to the first clamping plate, and the calibration structure is connected to the second clamping plate. The second measuring device is positioned facing the calibration structure.

8. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that, Along the arrangement direction of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, the orthographic projection of the second measuring device is separate from the orthographic projections of the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

9. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second measuring device is connected to multiple first measuring devices via a drive mechanism, and the second measuring device is capable of synchronously calibrating multiple first measuring devices.

10. The electrode thickness measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping plate has a first contact structure layer on its surface facing the second clamping plate, and the surface roughness of the first contact structure layer facing the electrode is set to Ra1, 0.1μm≤Ra1≤0.8μm; the second clamping plate has a second contact structure layer on its surface facing the first clamping plate, and the surface roughness of the second contact structure layer facing the electrode is set to Ra2, 0.1μm≤Ra2≤0.8μm.

11. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, characterized in that, The device includes a winding needle and an electrode thickness measuring device as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the winding needle is used to wind the electrode and the spacer to form a winding structure, and the clamping mechanism of the electrode thickness measuring device is disposed upstream of the winding needle.

12. The manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly also includes a controller. The first measuring device of the electrode thickness measuring device and the winding needle are communicatively connected to the controller. The controller can adjust the circumference of the winding needle according to the thickness of the electrode measured by the first measuring device.

13. The manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly further includes a driving mechanism, which is pulsatorically connected to the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate of the clamping mechanism; after the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate clamp the electrode sheet, under the drive of the driving mechanism, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate can move the electrode sheet toward the winding needle.

14. A battery device production system, characterized in that, It includes the manufacturing equipment for the electrode assembly as described in any one of claims 11-13 or the electrode thickness measuring device as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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