Battery length and width detection equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a battery length and width detection device, comprising a machine bench, a workbench arranged on the machine bench, and two detection tools arranged on the workbench and used for placing batteries; the conveying mechanism comprises a feeding conveying belt, a discharging conveying belt and a transfer conveying belt, the feeding conveying belt and the discharging conveying belt are arranged on the two sides of the workbench respectively, and the transfer conveying belt is arranged between the discharging conveying belt and the workbench; the carrying mechanism is arranged on one side of the workbench and comprises a linear module, a transferring assembly and two sets of material taking assemblies are installed on the linear module, and the transferring assembly is installed on the side, close to the discharging conveying belt, of the linear module; the transfer assembly is used for transferring the batteries on the transfer conveying belt to the discharging conveying belt. And the visual detection mechanism comprises two detection cameras, and the two detection cameras are respectively arranged above the two detection jigs. The device has the advantages of high detection efficiency, low cost and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery production technology, and more specifically, to a battery length and width detection device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, during the battery production process, it is necessary to test the length and width dimensions of the battery to ensure that the battery products meet the usage requirements of various scenarios.

[0003] Existing length and width inspection equipment typically uses a gripping structure mounted on a linear motor. This gripping structure picks up batteries transported from the feeding conveyor belt and places them into a fixture for inspection. After inspection, the batteries are then picked up and placed onto the unloading conveyor belt. However, this method cannot effectively separate defective products that fail the inspection, making it impractical. Therefore, some length and width inspection equipment includes a robotic arm on one side of the unloading conveyor belt to pick up defective products. However, the price and maintenance costs of the robotic arm are high, increasing the overall cost of the equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a battery length and width detection device that can solve the above problems.

[0005] A battery length and width inspection device includes: a machine base with a worktable on the machine base and two inspection fixtures for placing batteries on the worktable; a conveying mechanism including a loading conveyor belt, a unloading conveyor belt, and a transfer conveyor belt, the loading and unloading conveyor belts being respectively located on both sides of the worktable, and the transfer conveyor belt being located between the unloading conveyor belt and the worktable; a handling mechanism located on one side of the worktable, the handling mechanism including a linear module, the linear module being equipped with a transfer component and two sets of picking components, the transfer component being installed on the side of the linear module near the unloading conveyor belt, the transfer component being used to transfer batteries from the transfer conveyor belt to the unloading conveyor belt; and a visual inspection mechanism including two inspection cameras, the two inspection cameras being respectively located above the two inspection fixtures.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the battery to be tested is transported to one side of the workbench via a feeding conveyor belt. The picking component, driven by the linear module, moves above the feeding conveyor belt, picks up the battery, and places it into two testing fixtures. Then, the testing camera takes pictures of the battery placed in the testing fixtures, and uses the obtained images to perform dimensional detection on the battery. There are two testing cameras, one for detecting the length of the battery and the other for detecting the width. The battery is placed into the two testing fixtures by the picking component for testing in sequence. After the two tests are completed, the picking component places the battery on the transfer conveyor belt. At this time, the built-in control program of the equipment identifies and judges the test data. If the battery passes the test, the transfer component picks up the battery from the transfer conveyor belt and places it on the unloading conveyor belt under the drive of the linear module. If the battery fails the test, the transfer component will not pick up the battery from the transfer conveyor belt, and the unqualified battery will be transported away by the transfer conveyor belt.

[0007] Furthermore, the feeding conveyor belt is provided with a positioning component, which includes a positioning drive, a positioning block connected to the output end of the positioning drive, and a positioning sensor. The positioning sensor is located above one side of the positioning block.

[0008] In the above technical solution, when the battery to be tested is transported to the position by the feeding conveyor belt, the positioning drive unit drives the positioning block to move and pushes the battery on the feeding conveyor belt to the appropriate position. The positioning sensor faces the positioning block and the battery to detect the positioning of the battery. When the positioning sensor detects that the battery is positioned accurately, the picking component moves to the battery to pick it up.

[0009] Furthermore, the feeding conveyor belt is provided with a stop block, which is located at one end of the feeding conveyor belt near the worktable, and the positioning drive and positioning block are located on one side of the stop block.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the stop block is used to block the battery to be tested being transported, so that the battery is aligned and, under the action of the positioning drive and the positioning block, the battery is positioned so that the picking component can accurately pick it up.

[0011] Furthermore, the feeding conveyor belt is equipped with a positioning sensor, and the positioning sensor and the positioning drive are disposed opposite each other on both sides of the feeding conveyor belt.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the position sensor is used to detect whether the battery is in position. When the position sensor detects that the battery has reached the designated position, the positioning component begins to position the battery.

[0013] Furthermore, the material handling component includes a first material handling drive and a first suction block connected to each other, and the transfer component includes a second material handling drive and a second suction block connected to each other. Both the first material handling drive and the second material handling drive are connected to the output end of the linear module.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the first material picking drive is used to drive the first suction block to rise and fall, and the second material picking drive is used to drive the second suction block to rise and fall, so as to facilitate material picking. The first suction block and the second suction block are used to pick up the battery.

[0015] Furthermore, the transfer assembly also includes a lifting drive, the second material handling drive is connected to the output end of the lifting drive, and the lifting drive is connected to the output end of the linear module.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the lifting drive is controlled by the built-in control program of the equipment. The lifting drive determines whether the battery on the transfer conveyor belt needs to be removed by controlling the lifting of the second picking drive. When the battery on the transfer conveyor belt is a qualified product, the lifting drive drives the second picking drive to move down, and the second picking drive drives the second suction block to move down, thereby picking up the qualified battery and placing it on the unloading conveyor belt. When the battery on the transfer conveyor belt is a defective product, the lifting drive does not move, and the defective product is transported away by the transfer conveyor belt.

[0017] Furthermore, the testing fixture includes a placement block, on which a first reference block and a second reference block are provided perpendicularly, the first reference block and the second reference block being located at the edge of the top surface of the placement block.

[0018] In the above technical solution, the battery is picked up by the material picking component and placed on the placement block. The first reference block and the second reference block are perpendicular to each other, and the two serve as reference objects for the length and width of the battery, respectively. Then, the length and width of the battery are checked by comparing and identifying the images captured by the detection camera.

[0019] Furthermore, the testing fixture also includes a first push block and a second push block. The first push block is connected to a first push drive member, which is used to drive the first push block to move closer to and away from the first reference block. The second push block is connected to a second push drive member, which is used to drive the second push block to move closer to and away from the second reference block.

[0020] In the above technical solution, the first push block and the second push block, driven by the first driving member and the second driving member, make the long and wide sides of the battery abut against the first reference block and the second reference block respectively, and fix the battery so that the detection camera can take pictures for comparison, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the detection.

[0021] Furthermore, a detection sensor is provided on one side of the detection fixture.

[0022] In the above technical solution, the detection sensor is used to detect the battery's position after the first and second push blocks push the battery. When the battery is detected to be in position, the detection camera takes a picture of the battery for detection.

[0023] Furthermore, the visual inspection mechanism includes a mounting frame, on which two inspection cameras are mounted, and on which two light-blocking barriers are installed, located below the inspection cameras.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the mounting bracket is installed on the machine base to install the detection camera and the light-blocking fence. The light-blocking fence is located below the detection camera and between the detection camera and the detection fixture. The light-blocking fence is used to reduce external light interference, improve the clarity of the image captured by the detection camera, and ensure the accuracy of the detection results.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0026] This application features a compact and rationally designed overall structure, enabling fully automated detection of battery length and width with high efficiency. The linear module is equipped with two sets of material handling components, allowing for simultaneous handling of two batteries, further enhancing efficiency. Additionally, a transfer component is added to the linear module, along with a transfer conveyor belt on one side of the unloading conveyor belt. The transfer component removes qualified products placed on the transfer conveyor belt while the material handling components are handling the batteries, while the transfer conveyor belt automatically removes unqualified products. This additional transfer component on the linear module allows for rapid and efficient separation of unqualified products. Driven directly by the linear module, the transfer component effectively reduces the overall equipment cost compared to using a separate robotic arm. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery length and width detection device according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of region A in the middle.

[0030] Figure 3A 3D view of the battery length and width inspection equipment (after removing the visual inspection mechanism).

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of region B in the middle.

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of region C in the middle.

[0033] Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the battery length and width inspection equipment from another perspective (after removing the handling mechanism and visual inspection mechanism).

[0034] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of region D in the middle.

[0035] Explanation of the reference numerals in the figure:

[0036] 1-Machine platform; 11-Workbench;

[0037] 2-Detection fixture; 21-Placement block; 22-First reference block; 23-Second reference block; 24-First push block; 25-Second push block; 26-First push drive component; 27-Second push drive component; 28-Detection sensor;

[0038] 3-Conveying mechanism; 31-Feeding conveyor belt; 311-Stop; 312-Position sensor; 32-Positioning component; 321-Positioning drive; 322-Positioning block; 323-Positioning sensor; 33-Transfer conveyor belt; 34-Unloading conveyor belt;

[0039] 4-Transfer mechanism; 41-Linear module; 42-Material handling assembly; 421-First material handling drive; 422-First suction block; 43-Transfer assembly; 431-Lifting drive; 432-Second material handling drive; 433-Second suction block;

[0040] 5-Visual inspection mechanism; 51-Mounting frame; 52-Inspection camera; 53-Light-blocking fence;

[0041] 6-Battery. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, 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. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0043] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0045] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 This embodiment provides a battery length and width inspection device, which includes a machine base 1, and a workbench 11, a conveying mechanism 3, a handling mechanism 4, and a vision inspection mechanism 5 disposed on the machine base 1. The workbench 11 is provided with two inspection fixtures 2 for placing batteries. The conveying mechanism 3 includes a loading conveyor belt 31, a unloading conveyor belt 34, and a transfer conveyor belt 33. The loading conveyor belt 31 and the unloading conveyor belt 34 are respectively disposed on both sides of the workbench 11, and the transfer conveyor belt 33 is disposed between the unloading conveyor belt 34 and the workbench 11. The handling mechanism 4 is disposed on one side of the workbench 11 and includes a linear module 41. The linear module 41 is equipped with a transfer component 43 and two sets of picking components 42. The transfer component 43 is installed on the side of the linear module 41 near the unloading conveyor belt 34 and is used to transfer the batteries on the transfer conveyor belt 33 to the unloading conveyor belt 34. The vision inspection mechanism 5 includes two inspection cameras 52, which are respectively disposed above the two inspection fixtures 2.

[0046] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The battery to be tested is transported to the right side of the workbench 11 via the feeding conveyor belt 31. The picking component 42 moves above the feeding conveyor belt 31 under the drive of the linear module 41, picks up the battery and places it in two testing fixtures 2. Two testing cameras 52 take pictures of the battery placed in the testing fixtures 2 respectively, and use the obtained images to detect the size of the battery. There are two testing cameras 52, one for detecting the length of the battery and the other for detecting the width of the battery. After the two tests are completed, the picking component 42 places the battery on the transfer conveyor belt 33. At this time, the built-in control program of the equipment identifies and judges the test data. If the battery is qualified, the transfer conveyor belt 33 does not start, and the transfer component 43 picks up the battery on the transfer conveyor belt 33 and places it on the unloading conveyor belt 34 under the drive of the linear module 41. If the battery is unqualified, the transfer component 43 will not pick up the battery on the transfer conveyor belt 33. At this time, the transfer conveyor belt 33 starts, and the unqualified battery is transported away by the transfer conveyor belt 33.

[0047] It should be noted that the transfer component 43 and the two sets of picking components 42 operate simultaneously without interfering with each other. Taking the direction shown in the figure as an example, when the picking fixture on the left takes the battery out of the inspection fixture 2 on the right and puts it into the inspection fixture 2 on the left, the transfer component 43 takes a qualified product from the transfer conveyor belt 33 and places it on the unloading conveyor belt 34. In addition, preferably, for the convenience of installation and the convenient transportation of unqualified products to other sections, the conveying direction of the transfer conveyor belt 33 is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the unloading conveyor belt 34.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, a positioning component 32 is provided on the feeding conveyor belt 31. The positioning component 32 includes a positioning drive 321, a positioning block 322 connected to the output end of the positioning drive 321, and a positioning sensor 323. The positioning sensor 323 is fixedly installed on the upper right side of the positioning block 322 by a rod, facing the positioning block 322. When the battery to be tested is transported to the front of the positioning block 322 by the feeding conveyor belt 31, the positioning drive 321 drives the positioning block 322 to move, pushing the battery on the feeding conveyor belt 31 to a suitable position. At the same time, the positioning sensor senses the specific position of the battery in real time. When the positioning sensor senses that the battery is accurately positioned, it sends a signal, and the control program inside the equipment controls the picking component 42 to move to the battery to pick it up.

[0049] Specifically, a stop block 311 is provided at the left end of the feeding conveyor belt 31, and a positioning drive 321 and a positioning block 322 are provided on the right side of the stop block 311. The stop block 311 is used to block the battery to be tested being transported, so that the battery is automatically aligned. A position sensor 312 is also provided on the side of the feeding conveyor belt 31 opposite to the positioning drive 321. The position sensor 312 is used to detect whether the battery has moved to the position of the stop block 311. When the position sensor 312 senses that the battery has reached the designated position, it sends a signal, and the positioning drive 321 drives the positioning block 322 to push the battery, thus completing the positioning of the battery.

[0050] Please refer to Figures 3 to 5 In this embodiment, the material picking component 42 includes a first material picking drive 421 and a first suction block 422 connected to each other, and the transfer component 43 includes a second material picking drive 432 and a second suction block 433 connected to each other. The first material picking drive 421 and the second material picking drive 432 are both connected to the output end of the linear module 41. The first material picking drive 421 is used to drive the first suction block 422 to move up and down, and the second material picking drive 432 is used to drive the second suction block 433 to move up and down, so as to facilitate the suction block to pick up materials.

[0051] Understandably, the suction block can be made of electromagnet or have a built-in vacuum nozzle, as long as it can satisfy the function of picking up and releasing the battery.

[0052] Specifically, refer to Figure 5 The transfer component 43 also includes a lifting drive 431. The second picking drive 432 is connected to the output end of the lifting drive 431. The lifting drive 431 is connected to the output end of the linear module 41. The lifting drive 431 is controlled by the built-in control program of the equipment. The lifting drive 431 determines whether the battery on the transfer conveyor belt 33 needs to be removed by controlling the lifting of the second picking drive 432. When the battery placed on the transfer conveyor belt 33 is a qualified product, the lifting drive 431 drives the second picking drive 432 to move down. The second picking drive 432 then drives the second suction block 433 to move down, thereby picking up the qualified battery and placing it on the unloading conveyor belt 34. When the battery placed on the transfer conveyor belt 33 is an unqualified product, the lifting drive 431 does not move, and the unqualified product is transported away by the transfer conveyor belt 33.

[0053] It is worth mentioning that in this embodiment, the decision to grab the battery on the transfer conveyor belt 33 is made by whether the lifting drive 431 drives the second picking drive 432 to move down. Alternatively, the decision can also be made by controlling whether the second suction block 433 picks up the battery. No specific limitation is made here.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 7 In this embodiment, the testing fixture 2 includes a placement block 21. The placement block 21 is provided with a first reference block 22 and a second reference block 23 that are perpendicular to each other. The first reference block 22 and the second reference block 23 are located at the edge positions of two adjacent sides on the top surface of the placement block 21. After the battery 6 is picked up by the material taking component 42, it is placed on the placement block 21. The first reference block 22 and the second reference block 23 are perpendicular to each other. They serve as the length dimension reference and the width dimension reference of the battery 6, respectively. The length and width dimensions of the battery 6 are tested by comparing and identifying the images captured by the testing camera 52.

[0055] Specifically, the testing fixture 2 also includes a first push block 24 and a second push block 25. The first push block 24 is connected to a first push drive member 26, which is used to drive the first push block 24 to move closer to and away from the first reference block 22. The second push block 25 is connected to a second push drive member 27, which is used to drive the second push block 25 to move closer to and away from the second reference block 23. When the battery 6 is placed on the placement block 21, the first push block 24 and the second push block 25 move toward the battery 6 under the drive of the first and second drive members, so that the length and width sides of the battery 6 respectively abut against the first reference block 22 and the second reference block 23, thereby fixing the battery 6. Then the testing camera 52 takes pictures and detects the length and width dimensions of the battery 6 by recognizing the image content.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 7In this embodiment, a detection sensor 28 is provided on one side of the detection fixture 2. The detection sensor 28 is used to detect the position of the battery 6 after the first push block 24 and the second push block 25 push the battery 6. When the battery 6 is detected to be in position, a signal is sent and the detection camera 52 begins to take pictures of the battery 6 for detection.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the visual inspection mechanism 5 includes a mounting frame 51, which is mounted on the machine base 1. Two inspection cameras 52 are mounted on the mounting frame 51. Two light-blocking fences 53 are mounted on the mounting frame 51. The two light-blocking fences 53 are respectively located below the two inspection cameras 52 and between the inspection cameras 52 and the inspection fixture 2. The light-blocking fences 53 are used to reduce external light interference, improve the clarity of the images captured by the inspection cameras 52, and ensure the accuracy of the inspection results.

[0058] Preferably, in some embodiments, an auxiliary light source (not specifically shown in the figure) is also provided inside the light-blocking fence 53 to illuminate the image obtained by the detection camera 52, making the image clearer and brighter.

[0059] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 Taking the testing process of a battery as an example, the specific working steps and principles of this equipment are as follows:

[0060] First, the battery is transported by the feeding conveyor belt 31 to the positioning component 32 for positioning. After the positioning sensor 323 detects that the battery is accurately positioned, the picking component 42 moves above the battery under the drive of the linear module 41. The first picking drive component 421 drives the first suction block 422 to move down and pick up the battery. Then it moves to the first detection fixture 2 and places the battery on the placement block 21. The first push block 24 and the second push block 25 move to clamp and fix the battery. Then the detection camera 52 takes a picture of the battery for detection. After the picture detection is completed, the picking component 42 takes the battery away and places it in the second detection fixture 2. The above detection action is repeated. After two detections, the picking component 42 takes the battery away from the detection fixture 2 and places it on the transfer conveyor belt 33. If the battery is qualified, the transfer component 43 takes the battery away and places it on the unloading conveyor belt 34. If the battery is unqualified, the transfer conveyor belt 33 starts and transports the battery to other sections.

[0061] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0062] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" 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 this utility model 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 this utility model.

[0063] Furthermore, the terms "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. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0064] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A battery length and width detection device, characterized in that, include: The machine is equipped with a workbench, and the workbench is equipped with two testing fixtures for placing batteries. The conveying mechanism includes a loading conveyor belt, a unloading conveyor belt, and a transfer conveyor belt. The loading conveyor belt and the unloading conveyor belt are respectively located on both sides of the worktable, and the transfer conveyor belt is located between the unloading conveyor belt and the worktable. A conveying mechanism is located on one side of the workbench. The conveying mechanism includes a linear module, on which a transfer component and two sets of material picking components are installed. The transfer component is installed on the side of the linear module near the unloading conveyor belt. The transfer component is used to transfer the battery on the transfer conveyor belt to the unloading conveyor belt. A visual inspection mechanism includes two inspection cameras, which are respectively positioned above two inspection fixtures.

2. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding conveyor belt is equipped with a positioning component, which includes a positioning drive, a positioning block connected to the output end of the positioning drive, and a positioning sensor. The positioning sensor is located above one side of the positioning block.

3. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding conveyor belt is equipped with a stop block, which is located at one end of the feeding conveyor belt near the worktable. The positioning drive and positioning block are located on one side of the stop block.

4. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The feeding conveyor belt is equipped with a positioning sensor, and the positioning sensor and the positioning drive are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the feeding conveyor belt.

5. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material handling component includes a first material handling drive and a first suction block connected together, and the transfer component includes a second material handling drive and a second suction block connected together. Both the first material handling drive and the second material handling drive are connected to the output end of the linear module.

6. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transfer assembly further includes a lifting drive, the second material handling drive is connected to the output end of the lifting drive, and the lifting drive is connected to the output end of the linear module.

7. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The testing fixture includes a placement block, on which a first reference block and a second reference block are provided perpendicularly, and the first reference block and the second reference block are located at the edge of the top surface of the placement block.

8. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The testing fixture further includes a first push block and a second push block. The first push block is connected to a first push drive member, which is used to drive the first push block to move closer to and away from the first reference block. The second push block is connected to a second push drive member, which is used to drive the second push block to move closer to and away from the second reference block.

9. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A detection sensor is provided on one side of the detection fixture.

10. The battery length and width detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The visual inspection mechanism includes a mounting frame, on which two inspection cameras are mounted. Two light-blocking barriers are installed on the mounting frame and are located below the inspection cameras.

Images