Battery cell baking and shaping device

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery cell baking and shaping device which comprises a positioning base, a tray set and an upper pressing plate located above the tray set, the upper pressing plate is connected with a first electric push rod, the front face and the back face of the bottom of each tray are each provided with a heating plate, and the heating plates are used for making contact with a battery cell so as to heat the battery cell when the heating plates are powered on. A limiting piece is arranged above each tray, the limiting piece has a preset height to limit the minimum thickness during shaping of a battery cell, a group of electrical contacts are arranged at the side end of each tray, and after the trays are stacked, the sides, with the electrical contacts, of the trays face the same direction, so that the electrical contacts at the side end of each tray jointly form an electrical contact array after all the trays are stacked; one side of the electrical contact array is also provided with a probe assembly used for touching the electrical contact array. According to the utility model, the shaping and baking processes are integrated, so that the shaping and baking processes of the shape of the battery cell are synchronously carried out; and the electrical contacts of the trays are independent, so that the failure risk of baking of the clamp is reduced to the greatest extent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model generally relates to the field of lithium battery technology. More specifically, this utility model relates to a cell baking and shaping device. Background Technology

[0002] From the perspective of lithium battery structure, it can be roughly divided into four levels in ascending order: cell, battery, battery module, and battery pack. A single cell includes a positive electrode, negative electrode, separator, electrolyte, and a container to house these components. However, the electrical energy of a single cell is insufficient to power an electric vehicle; multiple cells need to be connected in series and parallel to achieve the high voltage and large capacity required to drive the electric vehicle. A module is a battery pack formed by connecting multiple cells in series and parallel, along with auxiliary structural components that collect current, gather data, and secure and protect the cells. In other words, it requires first encapsulating individual cells to form square or cylindrical cells, and then stacking multiple square or cylindrical cells in series and parallel to form a battery module.

[0003] Before encapsulating a single battery cell (usually referred to as a cell), its shape needs to be adjusted; this process is called shaping. Simultaneously, the moisture content of the cell must be ensured to meet standards before encapsulation. Typically, shaping and drying are performed separately in different processes. However, during shaping, due to the inherent humidity of the cell material and the surrounding environment, the cell inevitably absorbs moisture, leading to excessive moisture content and significantly impacting its performance.

[0004] In view of this, there is an urgent need to provide a battery cell baking and shaping device to solve the problem. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address at least one or more of the technical problems mentioned in the background section, this invention proposes a battery cell baking and shaping device.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides the following technical solution.

[0007] This utility model discloses a battery cell baking and shaping device, comprising: a positioning base, a tray group formed by several trays stacked naturally on the positioning base from bottom to top, and an upper pressure plate located above the tray group. The upper pressure plate is connected to a first electric push rod, which controls the upper pressure plate to move downward to squeeze the tray group so that each tray moves closer to each other, and also controls the upper pressure plate to move upward to move away from the tray group. The vertical projections of the naturally stacked trays overlap. Each tray has a heating plate on its front and back sides. The heating plate is used to receive... The heating plate is energized to heat the battery cell when the heating element is powered on. Each tray is also provided with a limiting member above it. The limiting member has a preset height to limit the minimum thickness of the battery cell during shaping. Each tray has a set of electrical contacts on its side. When the trays are stacked, the side with the electrical contacts faces the same direction so that the electrical contacts on the side of each tray together form an electrical contact array. A probe assembly for touching the electrical contact array is also provided on one side of the electrical contact array so that the heating element is powered on when the probe assembly touches each electrical contact of the electrical contact array.

[0008] Preferably, a positioning post is provided above the positioning base and above each tray, and a positioning hole adapted to the positioning post is provided below each tray, wherein the depth of the positioning hole is greater than the length of the positioning post.

[0009] Preferably, the probe assembly is connected to a probe fixing plate, and the probe fixing plate is connected to a second electric push rod. The second electric push rod is used to control the probe fixing plate to move closer to the electrical contact array so that the probe assembly touches the electrical contacts, and to control the probe assembly to move away from the electrical contact array.

[0010] Preferably, the probe assembly includes a probe and a probe mounting plate. The probe mounting plate is provided with an array of mounting holes consisting of probe mounting holes, each of which is a countersunk hole. The connection between the probe and the wire is located within the countersunk hole.

[0011] Preferably, the contact surface of each electrical contact is elongated, with the long side of the elongated shape being vertical.

[0012] Preferably, it further includes a first sensor for monitoring whether the probe assembly is in complete contact with the electrical contact array.

[0013] Preferably, the first sensor is a distance sensor or a through-beam photoelectric sensor.

[0014] The technical solution provided in this application may include the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This invention utilizes a tray assembly consisting of trays stacked sequentially from bottom to top, positioned between a positioning base and a lower pressure plate. The proximity of the lower pressure plate and the positioning base compresses the battery cells within each tray, achieving a shaping effect. Simultaneously, by aligning the sides of the trays containing electrical contacts to form an electrical contact array, each probe of a probe assembly located on one side of the array touches each electrical contact, energizing the heating plate at the bottom of each tray. This heats the battery cells while simultaneously shaping them. This invention not only overcomes the shortcomings of previous solutions but also, because the electrical contacts of each tray are independent, prevents the heating plates of other trays from failing to heat up properly due to a circuit break in one tray, minimizing the risk of fixture failure during heating. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily understood by reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example and not limitation, and like or corresponding reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a single tray of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the probe assembly of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the assembly of the probe and the countersunk hole of this utility model;

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 11. Positioning base; 12. Tray; 13. Upper pressure plate; 14. First electric push rod; 15. Limiting component; 16. Electrical contact; 17. Probe assembly; 21. Positioning post; 31. Second electric push rod; 41. Probe mounting hole; 61. First sensor; 71. Bellows. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, reference numerals may be repeated in the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements where deemed appropriate. Furthermore, numerous specific details are set forth in this invention to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Moreover, this description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0023] like Figure 1-4 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery cell baking and shaping device is provided, including a positioning base 11, a tray group consisting of several trays 12 stacked naturally on the positioning base 11 from bottom to top, and an upper pressure plate 13 located above the tray group. The upper pressure plate 13 is connected to a first electric push rod 14. The first electric push rod 14 is used to control the upper pressure plate 13 to move downward to squeeze the tray group so that each tray 12 moves closer to each other and to control the upper pressure plate 13 to move upward to move away from the tray group. The vertical projections of the naturally stacked trays 12 overlap. Each tray 12 has a heating plate on its front and back sides. A hot plate is used to contact the battery cell to heat the battery cell when the heating plate is energized. Each tray 12 is also provided with a limiting member 15 above it. The limiting member 15 has a preset height to limit the minimum thickness of the battery cell during shaping. Each tray 12 has a set of electrical contacts 16 on its side. When the trays 12 are stacked, the side with electrical contacts 16 faces the same direction so that the electrical contacts 16 on the side of each tray 12 together form an electrical contact array. A probe assembly 17 is also provided on one side of the electrical contact array for touching the electrical contact array so that the heating plate is energized when the probe assembly 17 touches each electrical contact 16 of the electrical contact array.

[0024] The positioning base 11, tray 12 and upper pressure plate 13 mentioned above can all be made of profile welding. In order to ensure that the orthographic projection of each naturally stacked tray 12 coincides in the vertical direction, a positioning post 21 can be set above the positioning base 11 and above each tray 12. A positioning hole adapted to the positioning post 21 is provided below each tray 12.

[0025] At the same time, the depth of the positioning hole is made greater than the length of the positioning post 21. This way, when the upper pressure plate 13 presses down on the tray group, the trays 12 will not be unable to get closer to each other due to the pressure, and the battery cells will not be squeezed due to the limitation of the depth of the positioning hole.

[0026] In one embodiment, to enable the probe assembly 17 to reach or move away from the electrical contact array, a second electric push rod 31 can be provided. The probe assembly 17 can be connected to the probe fixing plate first, and then the probe fixing plate can be connected to the second electric push rod 31. The second electric push rod 31 controls the probe fixing plate to move closer to the electrical contact array so that the probe assembly 17 can reach the electrical contact 16 and controls the probe assembly 17 to move away from the electrical contact array.

[0027] In some embodiments, the probe assembly 17 includes a probe and a probe mounting plate. The probe mounting plate has an array of mounting holes 41, each of which is a countersunk hole. The connection point between the probe and the wire is located within the countersunk hole. In this way, the connection point between each probe and the wire is located within a countersunk hole, and the barrier between two adjacent countersunk holes effectively isolates the connection point between the probe and the wire, thereby solving the problem of discharge at different probe-wire connections.

[0028] In another embodiment, during the cell shaping process, i.e., as each tray 12 is squeezed and moves closer together, to ensure that each probe of the probe assembly 17 can make contact with each electrical contact 16 of the electrical contact array, the contact surface of each electrical contact 16 of the electrical contact array is set to be elongated, and the long side of the elongated shape is set vertically. This ensures that each probe can make normal contact with its corresponding electrical contact 16 when the horizontal height of each probe of the probe assembly 17 is determined and the horizontal height of each electrical contact 16 changes due to the mutual squeezing of the trays 12.

[0029] In some embodiments, a first sensor 61 is further included, which is used to monitor whether the probe assembly 17 is in complete contact with the electrical contact array. Specifically, the first sensor 61 can be a distance sensor or a through-beam photoelectric sensor.

[0030] In actual use, all components of this device, except for the first electric push rod 14 and the second electric push rod 31, are housed within a sealed enclosure. The sealing method between the two electric push rods and the enclosure can be achieved by installing a bellows 71 around the periphery of each movable end of the electric push rod, with a sealing ring at each end of the bellows where it contacts the enclosure. This ensures the enclosure remains sealed during operation. Figure 4 As shown.

[0031] It should be understood that the possible terms "first" or "second," etc., in the claims, specification, and drawings disclosed in this utility model are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. The terms "comprising" and "including" used in the specification and claims disclosed in this utility model indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or collections thereof.

[0032] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this disclosure and claims refers to any combination and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes such combinations.

[0033] Although the embodiments of this utility model are described above, the content is merely an example adopted for the purpose of facilitating understanding of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope and application scenarios of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed in this utility model; however, the patent protection scope of this utility model shall still be determined by the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell baking and shaping device, characterized in that, The application relates to a positioning base (11), a tray group formed by a plurality of trays (12) stacked on the positioning base (11) in sequence from bottom to top, and an upper pressing plate (13) located above the tray group, wherein the upper pressing plate (13) is connected with a first electric push rod (14), the first electric push rod (14) is used for controlling the upper pressing plate (13) to move downwards to press the tray group so that each tray (12) is close to each other, and the upper pressing plate (13) is used for controlling the upper pressing plate (13) to move upwards to be away from the tray group, the vertical projection of each tray (12) in the vertical direction is coincident, the front surface and the back surface of the bottom of each tray (12) are provided with heating plates, the heating plates are used for contacting the battery cell to heat the battery cell when the heating plates are electrified, the upper side of each tray (12) is further provided with a limiting piece (15), the limiting piece (15) has a preset height to limit the minimum thickness of the battery cell when the battery cell is shaped, the side end of each tray (12) is provided with a group of electric contacts (16), the side of each tray (12) with the electric contacts (16) is consistent after the trays (12) are stacked, so that the electric contacts (16) at the side end of each tray (12) jointly form an electric contact array after all the trays (12) are stacked, one side of the electric contact array is further provided with a probe assembly (17) used for contacting the electric contact array, so that the heating plates are electrified when each electric contact (16) of the electric contact array is contacted by the probe assembly (17). The upper side of the positioning base (11) and the upper side of each tray (12) are provided with positioning columns (21), the lower side of each tray (12) is provided with positioning holes matched with the positioning columns (21), and the hole depth of the positioning holes is greater than the column length of the positioning columns (21).

2. The cell baking and shaping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The probe assembly (17) is connected with a probe fixing plate, the probe fixing plate is connected with a second electric push rod (31), the second electric push rod (31) is used for controlling the probe fixing plate to move close to the electric contact array so that the probe assembly (17) contacts the electric contacts (16) and is used for controlling the probe assembly (17) to move away from the electric contact array.

3. The cell baking and shaping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The probe assembly (17) comprises probes and a probe mounting plate, the probe mounting plate is provided with a mounting hole array formed by a group of probe mounting holes (41), each probe mounting hole (41) is a counterbore, and the connection position of the probe and a wire is located in the counterbore.

4. The cell baking and sizing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The contact surface of each electric contact (16) is in the shape of a long strip, and the long side of the long strip is arranged in the vertical direction.

5. The cell baking and sizing apparatus of claim 4, wherein, The application further comprises a first sensor (61) used for monitoring whether the probe assembly (17) and the electric contact array are in complete contact.

6. The cell baking and shaping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The first sensor (61) is a distance sensor or a photoelectric sensor.

7. The cell baking and sizing apparatus of claim 6, wherein, ​

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