Battery cell boxing machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to a battery cell boxing machine which comprises a machine frame, a lifting driving assembly is arranged on the machine frame and connected with a tall box fixing frame, the tall box fixing frame is driven by the lifting driving assembly to ascend and descend, and a belt conveyor used for conveying battery cells is arranged on the machine frame. Limiting plates extending in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor are arranged on the two opposite sides of the conveying face of the belt conveyor, the distance between the two limiting plates is matched with the length of a battery cell, and a material blocking plate is arranged at the tail end of the conveying face of the belt conveyor and located between the two limiting plates. The tall box fixing frame is located on one side of the belt conveyor, a discharging port is formed in one limiting plate close to the tall box fixing frame, a pushing driving assembly is arranged on the other limiting plate, the pushing driving assembly is connected with a pushing frame, and the pushing driving assembly is used for driving the pushing frame to move in a reciprocating mode in the direction of the discharging port to push the battery cells into the tall box; manual operation can be reduced, the battery production efficiency is improved, and the assembly precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing, and more specifically, it relates to a cell packing machine. Background Technology

[0002] In modern battery manufacturing, cell assembly is a crucial step, especially in the production of power batteries such as lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries, as well as consumer electronics batteries. The combination of the cell and the external casing is an important step in ensuring battery stability and safety. Cells typically require assembly processes to precisely place them into the external casing (also known as a "tall box") for subsequent battery assembly and connection.

[0003] Currently, the process of placing battery cells into boxes mainly relies on manual operation. Workers need to place each cell individually into a tall box, ensuring the accuracy and standardization of cell placement. While this process is feasible for some small-batch production, manual assembly presents several problems in large-scale production:

[0004] Low operational efficiency: Manual assembly not only consumes a lot of time, but is also easily affected by factors such as operator fatigue and distraction, resulting in low production efficiency.

[0005] Unstable assembly precision: Due to different operating habits of each operator, the placement, angle, and order of the battery cells may vary. This inconsistency not only affects production efficiency but may also lead to unstable battery performance and, in extreme cases, even affect battery safety.

[0006] High labor intensity: Battery cells are typically small and lightweight, requiring operators to repeatedly bend over and perform delicate hand operations during manual assembly, resulting in high labor intensity. Prolonged operation can easily lead to work-related injuries or occupational diseases, especially in large-scale production, where continuous high-intensity operation may affect the health of workers.

[0007] High labor costs: As production scales up, the number of personnel required for manual assembly and the associated labor costs also increase. Companies need to bear higher labor costs and train operators to ensure assembly quality, which to some extent increases production costs. Utility Model Content

[0008] In order to solve the problems of the above-mentioned related technologies, this application provides a battery cell insertion machine, which has the advantages of reducing manual operation, improving production efficiency and improving assembly accuracy.

[0009] A battery cell loading machine includes a frame with a lifting drive assembly connected to a high-leg box fixing frame. The lifting drive assembly drives the high-leg box fixing frame to move up and down. A belt conveyor for conveying battery cells is mounted on the frame. Limiting plates extending along the conveying direction are provided on opposite sides of the conveyor surface. The distance between the two limiting plates matches the length of the battery cell. A baffle plate is provided at the tail end of the conveyor surface between the two limiting plates. The high-leg box fixing frame is located on one side of the belt conveyor, and a discharge port is provided on one of the limiting plates closest to the high-leg box fixing frame. A pushing drive assembly is provided on the other limiting plate, connected to a pusher. The pushing drive assembly drives the pusher to reciprocate towards the discharge port to push the battery cell into the high-leg box.

[0010] Preferably, the lifting drive assembly includes a mounting frame, a motor, a lead screw, a nut sleeve, a slide rail, and a slider. The mounting frame is connected and fixed to the frame. The lead screw is rotatably connected to the mounting frame and is vertically arranged. The motor is fixed to the mounting frame and connected to the lead screw to drive the lead screw to rotate in both directions. The nut sleeve is fitted onto the lead screw and threadedly connected to it. The slide rail is mounted and fixed to the mounting frame and is parallel to the lead screw. The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail. The high-foot box fixing frame is fixed to the nut sleeve and connected and fixed to the slider.

[0011] Preferably, the high-foot box fixing frame includes a first back plate, a first bottom plate, and a first side plate. The first back plate is connected and fixed to the lifting drive assembly and is vertically arranged. The first bottom plate is connected and fixed to the side of the first back plate near the belt conveyor, and the first bottom plate is located at the bottom end of the first back plate and is horizontally arranged. The first side plate is connected and fixed to the side of the first back plate near the belt conveyor and is located on one side of the first back plate and is vertically arranged.

[0012] Preferably, the high-foot box fixing frame further includes a pressing and locking assembly, which includes a first cylinder and a pressure rod. The pressure rod is located at the end of the first base plate away from the first side plate, and the middle part of the pressure rod is hinged to the first base plate. The first cylinder is fixed to the bottom surface of the first base plate, and the telescopic shaft of the first cylinder is hinged to the bottom end of the pressure rod.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a multi-station placement rack and a tall box conveying assembly. The multi-station placement rack is located on one side of the tall box fixing frame and is connected and fixed to the frame. The multi-station placement rack is provided with multiple stations for placing tall boxes. The tall box conveying assembly is installed on the frame for conveying the tall boxes to the multiple stations on the multi-station placement rack.

[0014] Preferably, the pusher drive assembly includes a connecting frame and a second cylinder. The connecting frame is connected and fixed to one of the limiting plates away from the high-foot box fixing frame and is located on the side of the limiting plate away from the other limiting plate. The limiting plate is provided with an opening that aligns with the discharge port. The second cylinder is fixed to the connecting frame and the telescopic shaft of the second cylinder faces the opening and is connected and fixed to the pusher.

[0015] Preferably, the system further includes a control system, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensor is mounted on the baffle plate to sense the battery cells transmitted to the baffle plate. The second sensor is fixed on a limiting plate and senses the battery cells on the battery cell conveying path. The discharge port is located between the first sensor and the second sensor. The lifting drive assembly, belt conveyor, pushing drive assembly, first sensor, and second sensor are all signal-connected to the control system.

[0016] The beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows: Battery cells are placed on the conveyor surface of a belt conveyor. Two limiting plates ensure the battery cells conveyed by the belt conveyor are neatly arranged. A baffle plate blocks the conveying of the battery cells, fixing the continuously conveyed battery cells at the aligned discharge port. A pushing drive assembly drives a pusher towards the discharge port to load the battery cells into a high-footed box, completing the battery cell loading operation. The battery cells are arranged in multiple layers within the high-footed box. By setting the width of the discharge port to match the overall width of one layer of battery cells in the high-footed box, and setting the pushing width of the pusher to match the overall width of one layer of battery cells in the high-footed box, the pusher ensures that each time it pushes a battery cell into the high-footed box, it completely fills one layer. A lifting drive assembly drives the high-footed box fixing frame to rise and fall, thereby lifting and lowering the high-footed box fixed to the frame. This lifting and lowering of the high-footed box allows each battery cell on the high-footed box to be loaded. The arrangement of the cells in each layer can be aligned with the discharge port for receiving, thus filling the high-foot box with cells and completing the installation of cells in the high-foot box. In the above process, the cells are arranged neatly by limiting plates, and then the pusher is driven by the pusher drive component to move and load the neatly arranged cells into the high-foot box. This is a mechanical operation, which has strong error prevention and helps to ensure the accuracy and standardization of cell placement. The equipment has good precision, and the operation is carried out according to the set steps, which has good consistency and helps to improve production efficiency. Moreover, the pusher pushes the entire layer of cells into the high-foot box, which reduces the need for loading and adjustment compared to manual loading one by one, further improving production efficiency and reducing the labor intensity of workers. Furthermore, the cells are transported by belt conveyor, which facilitates connection with the output end of the cells processed in the previous process, realizing the full automation of battery processing and improving the overall efficiency of battery processing. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a battery cell packing machine according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the lifting drive assembly and the high-foot box fixing frame in this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-station placement rack in this embodiment.

[0020] Reference numerals: 1. Frame; 11. Housing; 111. Bracket; 12. Caster wheel; 2. Lifting drive assembly; 21. Mounting bracket; 22. Motor; 23. Lead screw; 24. Nut sleeve; 25. Slide rail; 26. Slider; 3. High-foot box fixing bracket; 31. First back plate; 32. First base plate; 33. First side plate; 34. Pressing and locking assembly; 341. First cylinder; 342. Pressure rod; 4. Belt conveyor 41. Limiting plate; 42. Baffle plate; 43. Discharge port; 44. Pushing drive assembly; 441. Connecting frame; 442. Second cylinder; 45. Pushing frame; 5. Multi-station placement frame; 51. Second back plate; 52. Second bottom plate; 53. Second side plate; 6. High-leg box conveying assembly; 61. Elevating frame; 62. Third cylinder; 63. Push plate; 7. Control system; 8. First sensor; 9. Second sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A battery cell insertion machine includes a frame 1, which includes a hollow box 11 and casters 12 mounted on the bottom plate of the box 11. The casters 12 enable the overall movement of the box 11. The top plate of the box 11 has an opening communicating with the interior, and a lifting drive assembly 2 is installed in the opening. The lifting drive assembly 2 includes a mounting frame 21, a motor 22, a lead screw 23, a nut sleeve 24, a slide rail 25, and a slider 26. The mounting frame 21 is partially inserted into the box 11 and connected and fixed to the top of the box 11. The lead screw 23 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 21 and is vertically arranged. The motor 22 is fixed on the mounting frame 21 and located inside the box 11. The motor 22 is connected to the lead screw 23 to drive the lead screw 23 to rotate in both directions. The nut sleeve 24 (not shown in the figure) The slide rail 25 is installed and fixed on the mounting bracket 21 and parallel to the lead screw 23. The slider 26 (not shown in the figure) is slidably connected to the slide rail 25. The slider 26 and the nut sleeve 24 are fixedly connected to the high-foot box fixing frame 3 for fixing the high-foot box. The lead screw 23 is driven to rotate forward and backward by the motor 22, so that the lead screw 23 drives the nut sleeve 24 to lift and lower. The lifting and lowering of the nut sleeve 24 drives the high-foot box fixing frame 3 to lift and lower. The slide rail 25 and the slider 26 support the lifting and lowering of the high-foot box fixing frame 3, so that the lifting and lowering of the high-foot box fixing frame 3 is stable. The rotational motion is converted into linear motion by the cooperation of the lead screw 23 and the nut sleeve 24, so that the high-foot box fixing frame 3 has multiple strokes in the length direction of the lead screw 23 and high displacement accuracy.

[0023] Reference Figure 2 The tall box mounting bracket 3 includes a first back plate 31, a first base plate 32, and a first side plate 33. The first back plate 31 is connected and fixed to the nut sleeve 24 and is set vertically. The first base plate 32 is connected and fixed to one side of the first back plate 31 and is located at the bottom of the first back plate 31 and is set horizontally. The first side plate 33 is connected to one side of the first back plate 31 and is located at one side edge of the first back plate 31. The first side plate 33 and the base plate are on the same side of the first back plate 31. The tall box is placed upright on the first base plate 32. The position of the tall box on the base plate is achieved by the tall box abutting against the first side plate 33. The first back plate 31 supports the tall box to prevent it from tipping over. The opening of the battery cell installation area of ​​the tall box faces the side away from the first back plate 31.

[0024] Reference Figure 2The high-leg box fixing frame 3 also includes a pressing and locking assembly 34, which includes a first cylinder 341 and a pressure rod 342. The first base plate 32 has a slot at one end away from the first side plate 33. The first base plate 32 has a hinge shaft parallel to the width of the first base plate 32 in the slot. The middle part of the pressure rod 342 is hinged to the hinge shaft. The first cylinder 341 is fixed to the bottom surface of the first base plate 32. The telescopic shaft of the first cylinder 341 is hinged to the bottom end of the pressure rod 342. By extending the telescopic rod of the first cylinder 341, the pressure rod 342 is pushed to swing, so that the end of the pressure rod 342 away from the first cylinder 341 presses against the high-leg box and presses the high-leg box tightly against the first side plate 33, so that the high-leg box is well fixed. During the lifting and lowering process of the lifting drive assembly 2, the high-leg box is not easy to shake or even fall out of the high-leg box fixing frame 3.

[0025] Reference Figure 1A belt conveyor 4 for conveying battery cells is installed on the top plate of the housing 11. A high-foot box fixing frame 3 is located on one side of the conveying path of the belt conveyor 4, and the opening of the battery cell mounting area of ​​the high-foot box fixed by the high-foot box fixing frame 3 faces the belt conveyor 4. Limiting plates 41 extending along the conveying direction are provided on opposite sides of the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 4. The distance between the two limiting plates 41 matches the length of the battery cell, so that when the battery cell is placed on the belt conveyor 4 for conveying, the battery cell is limited by the two limiting plates 41. Several battery cells conveyed by the belt conveyor 4 are arranged neatly. A baffle plate 42 is provided at the tail end of the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 4 to restrict the movement of the battery cells. The dry cell batteries are conveyed and tightly packed together. A high-foot box fixing frame 3 is located on one side of the belt conveyor 4, and a discharge port 43 is provided on a limiting plate 41 near the high-foot box fixing frame 3. The discharge port 43 is aligned with the battery cell mounting area of ​​the high-foot box, and the width of the discharge port 43 matches the overall width of multiple batteries tightly arranged in one layer of the high-foot box. A pusher drive assembly 44 is provided on a limiting plate 41 away from the high-foot box fixing frame 3. The pusher drive assembly 44 is connected to a pusher frame 45. The pusher frame 45 is aligned with the discharge port 43, and the pushing length of the pusher frame 45 matches the overall width of multiple batteries tightly arranged in one layer of the high-foot box. The pusher drive assembly 44 is used to drive the pusher frame 45 towards the discharge port 43. The reciprocating motion pushes multiple battery cells from the discharge port 43 into the battery cell mounting area of ​​the tall box, and these multiple battery cells fill the bottom layer of the battery cell mounting area of ​​the tall box. Then, the lifting drive component 2 drives the tall box to descend so that the travel distance of the tall box is equal to the diameter of the battery cells. By repeating the pushing operation of the pusher 45, multiple battery cells on the belt conveyor 4 are pushed to the second layer of the mounting area of ​​the tall box. Through the continuous conveying of battery cells by the belt conveyor 4, the continuous pushing of battery cells by the pusher 45 onto the tall box, and the continuous descent of the tall box, the battery cells are filled into the battery cell mounting area of ​​the tall box. In the above process, the battery cells are arranged neatly by the limiting plate 41 and then pushed. The drive assembly 44 drives the pusher 45 to move and load the neatly arranged battery cells into the high-foot box. This is a mechanical operation, which is highly foolproof and helps ensure the accuracy and standardization of battery cell placement. The equipment has good precision and operates according to set steps, resulting in good operational consistency and improving production efficiency. Moreover, pushing the entire layer of battery cells into the high-foot box by the pusher 45 reduces the need for manual loading and adjustment compared to manually loading them one by one, further improving production efficiency and reducing the labor intensity of workers. Furthermore, the battery cells are transported by the belt conveyor 4, which facilitates connection to the output end of the battery cells after processing in the previous process, realizing full automation of battery processing and improving the overall efficiency of battery processing.

[0026] Reference Figure 1Furthermore, the pusher drive assembly 44 includes a connecting frame 441 and a second cylinder 442. The connecting frame 441 is connected and fixed to a limiting plate 41 away from the high-foot box fixing frame 3 and is located on the side of the limiting plate 41 away from the other limiting plate 41. The limiting plate 41 is provided with an opening for aligning the discharge port 43. The second cylinder 442 is fixed to the connecting frame 441, and the telescopic shaft of the second cylinder 442 faces the opening and is connected and fixed to the pusher 45. The pusher 45 is located in the opening, and through... The extension of the telescopic shaft of the second cylinder 442 drives the pusher 45 to move towards the discharge port 43, pushing the battery cell into the high-foot box. The retraction of the telescopic shaft of the second cylinder 442 prepares for a second push and avoids the battery cell, allowing the battery cell to be transported by the belt conveyor 4 to the discharge port 43 for close arrangement. The pusher has a flat frame structure, which prevents other battery cells from moving when the pusher pushes the battery cell aligned with the discharge port 43, making it less likely to press on the battery cell and cause damage when returning to its original position.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, a battery cell loading machine also includes a multi-station placement rack 5 and a high-leg box conveying assembly 6. The multi-station placement rack 5 is located on the side of the first back plate 31 away from the first side plate 33 and is connected and fixed to the frame 1. The multi-station placement rack 5 is provided with multiple stations for placing high-leg boxes. The high-leg box conveying assembly 6 is installed on the frame 1 to convey the high-leg boxes to the multiple stations on the multi-station placement rack 5. This allows the high-leg boxes to be moved out of the high-leg box fixing frame 3 after being filled with battery cells, making room for the next high-leg box to be filled with battery cells. This process is operated by the machine, reducing the use of manual operation, reducing the labor intensity of workers, and making room quickly, which helps to improve production efficiency.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3Furthermore, the multi-station placement rack 5 includes a second back plate 51, a second bottom plate 52, and a second side plate 53. A bracket 111 is provided on the top plate of the housing 11. The bottom surface of the second bottom plate 52 is connected and fixed to the bracket 111 and is aligned with the first bottom plate 32. The second back plate 51 is fixed to one edge of the top surface of the second bottom plate 52 and is erected, and the second back plate 51 is aligned with the first back plate 31. The second side plate 53 is fixed to the side of the second back plate 51 away from the first back plate 31. The length of the second bottom plate 52 is at least longer than the width of two tall boxes, thus forming multiple workstations for placing tall boxes. The tall box conveying assembly 6 includes a support frame 61. The third cylinder 62, push plate 63, and support frame 61 are fixed to the top plate of the housing 11 and located on the side of the first side plate 33 away from the multi-station placement frame 5. The third cylinder 62 is fixed to the mounting frame 21 and is placed horizontally at the height of the middle of the first side plate 33. The telescopic shaft of the third cylinder 62 faces the first side plate 33 and is connected to the push plate 63. The first side plate 33 is provided with a clearance opening at the position of the push plate 63 to allow the push plate 63 to pass through. The third cylinder 62 drives the push plate 63 to pass through the clearance opening and press against the high-leg box, pushing the high-leg box in the direction of the second base plate 52 to realize the transportation of the high-leg box to multiple stations on the second base plate 52.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 Furthermore, a battery cell loading machine also includes a control system 7, a first sensor 8, and a second sensor 9. The first sensor 8 is mounted on a baffle plate 42 to sense the battery cells being transported to the baffle plate 42. The second sensor 9 is fixed on a first limiting plate 41 and senses the battery cells along the transport path. The discharge port 43 is located between the first sensor 8 and the second sensor 9. The motor 22, belt conveyor 4, first cylinder 341, second cylinder 442, third cylinder 62, first sensor 8, and second sensor 9 are all connected to the control system 7 and controlled by the control system 7. During the coordinated operation of each driving component, the first sensor 8 and the second sensor 9 simultaneously sense the battery cells before driving the actuator to move and push the battery cells into the high-foot box, avoiding empty pushing and ensuring that the number of battery cells loaded into each layer of the high-foot box is accurate. Through the program control set by the control system 7, manual control is reduced, resulting in high precision and high efficiency.

[0030] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery cell insertion machine, characterized in that: The device includes a frame, on which a lifting drive assembly is mounted. The lifting drive assembly is connected to a high-leg box fixing frame for fixing the high-leg box. The lifting drive assembly drives the high-leg box fixing frame to move up and down. A belt conveyor for conveying battery cells is mounted on the frame. Limiting plates extending along the conveying direction are provided on opposite sides of the conveyor surface. The distance between the two limiting plates matches the length of the battery cell. A baffle plate is provided at the tail end of the conveyor surface, between the two limiting plates. The high-leg box fixing frame is located on one side of the belt conveyor, and a discharge port is opened on one of the limiting plates closest to the high-leg box fixing frame. A pushing drive assembly is provided on the other limiting plate. The pushing drive assembly is connected to a pusher frame. The pushing drive assembly drives the pusher frame to reciprocate towards the discharge port to push the battery cell into the high-leg box.

2. The battery cell insertion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting drive assembly includes a mounting frame, a motor, a lead screw, a nut sleeve, a slide rail, and a slider. The mounting frame is connected and fixed to the frame. The lead screw is rotatably connected to the mounting frame and is vertically arranged. The motor is fixed to the mounting frame and connected to the lead screw to drive the lead screw to rotate in both directions. The nut sleeve is fitted onto the lead screw and threadedly connected to it. The slide rail is mounted and fixed to the mounting frame and is parallel to the lead screw. The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail. The high-foot box fixing frame is fixed to the nut sleeve and connected and fixed to the slider.

3. The battery cell insertion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-leg box fixing frame includes a first back plate, a first bottom plate, and a first side plate. The first back plate is connected and fixed to the lifting drive assembly and is vertically arranged. The first bottom plate is connected and fixed to the side of the first back plate near the belt conveyor, and the first bottom plate is located at the bottom of the first back plate and is horizontally arranged. The first side plate is connected and fixed to the side of the first back plate near the belt conveyor and is located on one side of the first back plate and is vertically arranged.

4. A cell insertion machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The high-leg box fixing frame also includes a pressure locking assembly, which includes a first cylinder and a pressure rod. The pressure rod is located at the end of the first base plate away from the first side plate and the middle part of the pressure rod is hinged to the first base plate. The first cylinder is fixed to the bottom surface of the first base plate, and the telescopic shaft of the first cylinder is hinged to the bottom end of the pressure rod.

5. A cell insertion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a multi-station placement rack and a tall box conveying assembly. The multi-station placement rack is located on one side of the tall box fixing frame and is connected and fixed to the frame. The multi-station placement rack is provided with multiple stations for placing tall boxes. The tall box conveying assembly is installed on the frame to convey the tall boxes to the multiple stations on the multi-station placement rack.

6. A cell insertion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material pushing drive assembly includes a connecting frame and a second cylinder. The connecting frame is connected and fixed to one of the limiting plates away from the high-foot box fixing frame and is located on the side of the limiting plate away from the other limiting plate. The limiting plate is provided with an opening that aligns with the discharge port. The second cylinder is fixed to the connecting frame and the telescopic shaft of the second cylinder faces the opening and is connected and fixed to the push frame.

7. A cell insertion machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control system, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensor is mounted on the baffle plate to sense the battery cells transmitted to the baffle plate. The second sensor is fixed on a limiting plate and senses the battery cells on the battery cell conveying path. The discharge port is located between the first sensor and the second sensor. The lifting drive assembly, belt conveyor, pushing drive assembly, first sensor, and second sensor are all signal connected to the control system.

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