Battery cell printing equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides battery cell printing equipment which comprises a workbench, a printing device and a printing device. The annular conveying module is arranged on the workbench and used for conveying the battery cells, and a code spraying station is arranged on the annular conveying module; the code spraying mechanism is arranged corresponding to the code spraying station and is used for carrying out identification code printing operation on the battery cells at the code spraying station; the jet printing mechanism is arranged on the workbench, corresponds to the jet printing station and is used for carrying out character printing operation on the battery cells at the jet printing station; and the transfer manipulator is used for transferring the battery cells subjected to code spraying to a jet printing station. According to the battery cell printing equipment, the printing effect is better, the occupied area of the equipment can be saved, the code spraying mechanism and the jet printing mechanism can work at the same time to conduct code spraying or jet printing operation on different battery cells, printing of identification codes and characters can be completed on the same battery cell on the workbench at a time, and the printing efficiency is improved. And the production efficiency of the battery cell is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of inkjet printing technology, specifically relating to a battery cell printing device. Background Technology

[0002] The outer surface of the battery cell usually needs to be printed with basic product information such as model, specifications, production date, production batch or anti-counterfeiting mark, so as to realize the functions of tracing the source of the battery cell, quality control, anti-counterfeiting identification or brand promotion.

[0003] In related technologies, battery cells have relevant information printed on their outer surface using pad printing equipment, and QR codes are printed using inkjet printing equipment. This printing production line suffers from poor printing quality, high costs, and poor overall production line efficiency, resulting in low battery cell printing efficiency and reduced overall battery cell production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application aims to provide a battery cell printing device to solve the problem of low production efficiency of existing equipment.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application is implemented as follows:

[0006] This application discloses a battery cell printing apparatus for performing printing operations on battery cells, including:

[0007] The workbench is equipped with a printing station.

[0008] A ring conveyor module is set on the workbench and used to convey the battery cells. The ring conveyor module is equipped with a coding station.

[0009] A coding mechanism is provided corresponding to the coding station, and the coding mechanism is used to perform identification code printing operation on the battery cell of the coding station;

[0010] A printing mechanism is set on the workbench and corresponding to the printing station. The printing mechanism is used to perform character printing operation on the battery cell of the printing station.

[0011] And a transfer robot arm, which is used to transfer the battery cell that has been marked with ink to the printing station.

[0012] Optionally, the annular conveying module includes an annular conveying line, a carrier, a vacuum adsorption component, and a barcode scanner. The annular conveying line is disposed on the workbench, and the carrier is disposed on the annular conveying line and used to receive the battery cell. The carrier moves along the conveying direction on the annular conveying line to convey the battery cell. The carrier is provided with a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum adsorption component is used to communicate with the vacuum chamber to create a negative pressure environment in the vacuum chamber or to release the negative pressure environment in the vacuum chamber.

[0013] Optionally, the annular conveyor line is a magnetically levitated conveyor line.

[0014] Optionally, the battery cell printing equipment further includes a flipping mechanism connected to the worktable and at least partially opposite the annular conveyor line. The flipping mechanism is used to pick up the battery cells on the annular conveyor line and flip the battery cells.

[0015] Optionally, the flipping mechanism includes a lifting assembly and a flipping assembly connected to each other. The lifting assembly is connected to the worktable and is used to drive the flipping assembly to lift and lower.

[0016] The flipping assembly includes a first driving member, a rack, a gear, and a vacuum suction plate. The vacuum suction plate is arranged opposite to the annular conveyor line and is used to adsorb the battery cell. The first driving member is used to drive the rack to reciprocate along the length direction. The gear meshes with the rack and rotates following the movement of the rack. The vacuum suction plate is connected to the gear and flips following the rotation of the gear.

[0017] Optionally, the workbench is also equipped with a first robotic arm, a first correction mechanism, a second robotic arm, and a cleaning mechanism;

[0018] The first robotic arm is used to pick up the battery cell on the flipping mechanism and transfer the battery cell to the first correction mechanism. The first correction mechanism is used to position the battery cell and move the battery cell to be opposite to the second robotic arm. The second robotic arm is used to pick up the battery cell and transfer the battery cell to the cleaning mechanism for cleaning.

[0019] Optionally, a cleaning station is provided on the circular conveyor line, and a cleaning mechanism is provided corresponding to the cleaning station. After the second robot arm adsorbs the battery cell, it transfers the battery cell to the carrier on the circular conveyor line. The carrier moves to the cleaning station to complete the cleaning of the battery cell through the cleaning mechanism. The transfer robot arm is used to pick up the cleaned battery cell and transfer it to the printing station.

[0020] Optionally, it may also include a printing track, a first curing mechanism, and a printing inspection mechanism;

[0021] The printing track is provided with the printing station, the first curing station and the printing detection station in sequence along its length. The printing mechanism, the first curing mechanism and the printing detection mechanism are respectively provided with the printing station, the first curing station and the printing detection station.

[0022] A printing platform is movably connected to the printing track. The printing platform can switch between the printing station, the first curing station, and the printing inspection station to sequentially complete the printing, first curing, and printing inspection operations of the battery cell.

[0023] Optionally, the annular conveying module is further provided with a coding inspection station. Along the conveying direction of the annular conveying module, the coding inspection station is located after the coding inspection station. The coding inspection station is provided with a coding inspection mechanism, which is used to inspect the coding quality of the battery cell.

[0024] Optionally, the coding mechanism includes at least two coding guns, the at least two coding guns have at least two different coding directions, and the at least two coding guns are arranged corresponding to the coding station. When the battery cell moves to the coding station along the conveying direction of the annular conveying module, at least one of the coding guns performs coding operation on the battery cell.

[0025] In this embodiment, the battery cell printing equipment has a ring conveyor module, a coding mechanism, and a printing mechanism on its worktable. The ring conveyor module has a coding station, allowing the battery cells to be conveyed to the coding station. The coding mechanism performs coding on the battery cells at the coding station. After coding, a transfer robot moves the battery cells to the printing station, where the printing mechanism performs printing. This embodiment offers better character printing results and better compatibility with different types of battery cells when using inkjet printing. Integrating the coding and printing mechanisms on a single worktable saves floor space, and allows them to work simultaneously on different battery cells. The same battery cell can also have its identification code and characters printed on the worktable in one operation, improving production efficiency.

[0026] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell printing equipment in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a top view of the cell printing equipment in the embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the loading robot in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first positioning mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first correction mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the robotic arm in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ring conveyor line in the embodiments of this application;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the carrier and the vacuum adsorption component in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the inkjet printing mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inkjet printing detection mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0038] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the printing platform in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the printing mechanism in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first curing mechanism and the coding detection mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the unloading robot in the embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second curing mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lower full-disc robotic arm in the embodiment of this application.

[0046] Reference numerals: 1 - Feeding conveyor mechanism, 2 - Empty pallet handling robot, 3 - Pallet conveyor mechanism, 4 - Loading robot, 5 - Second positioning mechanism, 6 - Second correction mechanism, 7 - First loading robot, 8 - Circular conveyor module, 81 - Circular conveyor line, 82 - Carrier, 821 - Carrier suction plate, 822 - Carrier suction cup, 823 - Vacuum chamber, 824 - Vacuum connection port, 83 - Vacuum adsorption assembly, 831 - Glue-coated suction nozzle, 832 - Air nozzle, 833 - Cylinder, 84 - Barcode scanner, 9 - Inkjet printing mechanism, 91 - Inkjet printer, 10 - Inkjet printing detection mechanism, 101 - Camera, 102 - Lens, 11 - Tilting mechanism, 111 - Support frame, 112 - First driving component, 113 - Second driving component, 114 - Rack and pinion connecting plate, 115 - Rack, 116 - Gear, 117 - Bearing, 118 - Tilting suction plate, 119 - Tilting suction cup, 12 - First robotic arm, 13 - First positioning mechanism, 14 - First correction mechanism, 15 - Second robotic arm, 16 - Cleaning mechanism, 161 - Plasma spray gun, 17 - Transfer robotic arm, 18 - Printing track, 181 - Printing platform, 19 - Printing mechanism, 191 - High-resolution print head, 20 - First curing mechanism, 21 - Printing inspection mechanism, 22 - Qualified product unloading robotic arm, 23 - Second curing mechanism, 24 - Unloading robotic arm, 25 - Defective product unloading robotic arm, 26 - Defective product unloading conveyor mechanism, 27 - Outgoing conveyor mechanism, 28 - Workbench, 29 - Battery cell. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this 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.

[0048] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification and claims of this application may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. Furthermore, "and / or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0049] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the 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., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0050] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a battery cell printing apparatus for performing identification code printing and / or character printing operations on the outer surface of a battery cell.

[0052] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery cell 29 printing equipment shown may specifically include: a worktable 28, a ring conveyor module 8 disposed on the worktable 28, a coding mechanism 9, and a printing mechanism 19. The worktable 28 is provided with a coding station and a printing station. The ring conveyor module 8 is used to convey the battery cell 29. The ring conveyor module 8 is provided with a coding station. The coding mechanism 9 is correspondingly disposed with the coding station and is used to perform identification code printing operations on the battery cell 29. The printing mechanism 19 is spaced apart from the ring conveyor module 8 and is used to perform character printing operations on the battery cell 29. A transfer robot 17 is used to transfer the coded battery cell 29 to the printing mechanism 19 for printing operations. As shown... Figure 2 The cell 29 printing equipment shown has a ring conveyor module 8 that conveys in a counterclockwise direction.

[0053] In this embodiment, the workbench 28 is further equipped with a feeding conveyor mechanism 1, an empty pallet handling robot 2, a pallet conveying mechanism 3, a loading robot 4, a second positioning mechanism 5, a second correction mechanism 6, and a first loading robot 7, such as... Figure 3 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of the loading robot 4 in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. Figure 4 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of the second positioning mechanism 5 in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. Figure 5 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of the second correction mechanism 6 in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. Figure 6 The diagram shows a schematic of the structure of the first loading robot 7 in this embodiment of the application. The feeding conveying mechanism 1, the empty tray handling robot 2, the pallet conveying mechanism 3, the loading robot 4, the second positioning mechanism 5, the second correction mechanism 6, and the first loading robot 7 are existing technologies in the relevant technical field, and will not be described in detail here. In practical applications, after the equipment is started, the operator places the pallet containing the battery cells 29 to be printed onto the feeding conveying mechanism 1 and inputs it into the equipment. The loading robot 4 removes the battery cells 29 from the pallet and transfers them to the second correction mechanism 6. The empty pallet after removing the battery cells 29 is transported by the empty tray handling robot 2 to the pallet conveying mechanism 3 and then to the downstream of the equipment to connect the printed battery cells 29. The second correction mechanism 6, which receives the battery cell 29, takes a picture through the second positioning mechanism 5 and corrects the deviation based on the result. After the correction is completed, the correction platform of the second correction mechanism 6 moves to the bottom of the first loading robot 7. The first loading robot 7 picks up the battery cell 29 and transfers the battery cell 29 to the ring conveyor module 8. Then the battery cell 29 moves on the ring conveyor module 8 and completes the inkjet printing operation.

[0054] Because the worktable 28 of the battery cell 29 printing equipment is equipped with a ring conveyor module 8, a coding mechanism 9, and a printing mechanism 19, and the ring conveyor module 8 has a coding station, the battery cell 29 can be conveyed to the coding station through the ring conveyor module 8. The coding mechanism 9 can perform coding operations on the battery cell 29 at the coding station. After the coding operation is completed, the battery cell 29 can be transferred to the printing station by the transfer robot 17, and the printing mechanism 19 can perform printing operations on the battery cell 29. In this embodiment, the character printing effect is better when the battery cell 29 is printed using the inkjet printing process, and the compatibility with different types of battery cells 29 is also better. Integrating the coding mechanism 9 and the printing mechanism 19 on one worktable 28 is beneficial to saving the equipment's floor space, and the coding mechanism 9 and the printing mechanism 19 can work simultaneously to perform coding or printing operations on different battery cells 29. The same battery cell 29 can also complete the printing of identification codes and characters on the worktable 28 at one time, improving the production efficiency of the battery cell 29.

[0055] like Figure 7As shown, the annular conveyor module 8 includes an annular conveyor line 81, a carrier 82, a vacuum adsorption component 83, and a barcode scanner 84. The annular conveyor line 81 is set on the workbench 28, and the carrier 82 is set on the annular conveyor line 81 and receives the battery cell 29. The carrier 82 moves along the conveying direction on the annular conveyor line 81 to convey the battery cell 29. The carrier 82 is provided with a vacuum chamber 823. The vacuum adsorption component 83 is used to communicate with the vacuum chamber 823 to create a negative pressure environment in the vacuum chamber 823 or to release the negative pressure environment in the vacuum chamber 823.

[0056] In practical applications, the barcode scanner 84 on the circular conveyor line 81 is used to scan the identification code of the battery cell 29 to determine the specifications and model of the battery cell 29, so as to print the corresponding identification code or characters on the battery cell 29. When a negative pressure environment is formed in the vacuum chamber 823, the battery cell 29 on the carrier 82 is attracted to the carrier 82 and moves with the carrier 82 on the circular conveyor line 81 to any station; when it is necessary to remove the battery cell 29 from the carrier 82, the vacuum adsorption component 83 contacts the negative pressure environment of the vacuum chamber 823 so that the battery cell 29 is detached from the carrier 82.

[0057] Specifically, such as Figure 8 As shown, a carrier suction plate 821 is provided on the top of the carrier 82, a carrier suction cup 822 is provided on the carrier suction plate 821, a vacuum chamber 823 is provided inside the carrier 82, and a vacuum connection port 824 is provided on the side of the carrier 82. The vacuum adsorption assembly 83 includes a cylinder 833, an air nozzle 832 and a rubber-coated suction nozzle 831, which can be connected to the vacuum connection port 824. In practical applications, when the first robotic arm 12 transfers the battery cell 29 to the carrier 82 on the circular conveyor line 81, the cylinder 833 in the vacuum adsorption assembly 83 extends towards the carrier 82, and the rubber-coated suction nozzle 831 is attached to the vacuum connection port 824, drawing air out of the vacuum chamber 823 of the carrier 82 to create a negative pressure environment. The carrier suction cup 822 on the carrier suction plate 821 then adsorbs the battery cell 29, fixing it to the carrier suction plate 821, achieving a tight connection between the battery cell 29 and the carrier 82. The carrier 82 can then carry the battery cell 29 to any station on the circular conveyor line 81. When it is necessary to remove the battery cell 29, the rubber-coated suction nozzle 831 blows air into the vacuum chamber 823 to release the negative pressure environment, causing the suction cup to lose its suction force. At this time, the battery cell 29 can be removed from the carrier 82.

[0058] In this embodiment, the circular conveyor line 81 is a magnetic levitation conveyor line. The carrier 82 is transported via this magnetic levitation conveyor line, and the carrier 82 has no contact with the conveyor line. Compared with traditional conveying methods, this eliminates friction and wear problems and enables high-speed, low-energy operation, thereby improving production efficiency. It should be noted that the magnetic levitation conveyor line can adopt existing magnetic levitation conveying structures, and the specific structural design can be based on the workbench 28; this application will not elaborate further on this.

[0059] Optionally, the battery cell 29 printing equipment also includes a flipping mechanism 11, which is connected to the worktable 28 and at least partially opposite the circular conveyor line 81. The flipping mechanism 11 is used to pick up the battery cell 29 on the circular conveyor line 81 and flip the battery cell 29. By setting the flipping mechanism 11, identification codes and characters can be printed on the two opposite sides of the battery cell 29, thereby adapting to the printing of small-volume battery cells 29 and expanding the application range.

[0060] It should be noted that in practical applications, the identification code or characters are printed on the large surface of the battery cell 29. To improve the clarity of the printed identification code or characters, increasing the printing area is an effective method. When the large surface area of ​​the battery cell 29 is small, printing the identification code and characters on one large surface at the same time may lead to a decrease in clarity. In this embodiment, the coding operation is first performed on one large surface of the battery cell 29, then the battery cell 29 is flipped by the flipping mechanism 11, and the characters are printed on another large surface of the battery cell 29 by the printing mechanism 19, thereby ensuring the printing area and the printing effect.

[0061] like Figure 11 As shown in this embodiment, the flipping mechanism 11 includes a lifting assembly and a flipping assembly connected to each other. The lifting assembly is connected to the worktable 28 and is used to drive the flipping assembly to lift and lower. The flipping assembly includes a first driving member 112, a rack 115, a gear 116, and a flipping suction plate 118. The flipping suction plate 118 is arranged opposite to the annular conveyor line 81 and is used to adsorb the battery cell 29. The first driving member 112 is used to drive the rack 115 to reciprocate along the length direction. The gear 116 meshes with the rack 115 and rotates with the movement of the rack 115. The flipping suction plate 118 is connected to the gear 116 and flips with the rotation of the gear 116. The flipping suction plate 118 is used to adsorb the battery cell 29 and drives the adsorbed battery cell 29 to flip simultaneously.

[0062] Specifically, the lifting assembly includes a support frame 111 and a second drive member 113. The second drive member 113 is connected to the top of the support frame 111 and is connected to the tilting assembly. The second drive member 113 can drive the entire tilting assembly to lift. The tilting assembly also includes a rack and pinion connecting plate 114. One end of the first drive member 112 is fixedly connected to the support frame 111, and the other end is movably connected to the rack and pinion connecting plate 114. A rack 115 is connected to the side of the rack and pinion connecting plate 114 near the worktable 28. The first drive member 112 can drive the rack and pinion connecting plate 114 to move. The rack 115 moves along the length of the rack connecting plate 114. The teeth of the rack 115 mesh with the teeth of the gear 116, causing the gear 116 to rotate with the movement of the rack 115. The flipping suction plate 118 is connected to the gear 116 through the bearing 117 and rotates synchronously with the rotation of the gear 116. When the gear 116 rotates 180°, the flipping suction plate 118 also flips 180°. The flipping suction plate 118 is equipped with a flipping suction cup 119, which can attract the battery cell 29, thereby causing the battery cell 29 to flip. In practical applications, there can be multiple gears 116. Multiple gears 116 can be spaced apart along the length of the rack 115, and multiple gears 116 can mesh with the rack 115 simultaneously to flip simultaneously under the movement of the rack 115. The suction plate and the gear 116 are arranged one-to-one, so that multiple battery cells 29 can be flipped simultaneously, improving the flipping efficiency.

[0063] Optionally, the workbench 28 is also equipped with a first robotic arm 12, a first positioning mechanism 13, a first correction mechanism 14, a second robotic arm 15, and a cleaning mechanism 16. The first robotic arm 12 is used to pick up the battery cell 29 on the flipping mechanism 11 and transfer the battery cell 29 to the first correction mechanism 14. The first correction mechanism 14 is used to position the battery cell 29 and move the battery cell 29 to be opposite to the second robotic arm 15. The second robotic arm 15 is used to pick up the battery cell 29 and transfer the battery cell 29 to the cleaning mechanism 16 for cleaning.

[0064] In this embodiment, a first positioning mechanism 13 is also provided on the workbench 28. The first positioning mechanism 13 takes a picture of the battery cell 29 of the first correction mechanism 14 and transmits the compensation value back to the first correction mechanism 14 for correction. Further, as... Figure 12As shown, the cleaning mechanism 16 employs a plasma cleaning mechanism 16. Under this cleaning process, by setting a first correction mechanism 14, the precise positioning of the battery cell 29 and the plasma spray gun 161 of the plasma cleaning mechanism 16 can be ensured, thereby guaranteeing the cleaning effect. Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism 16 can clean the large surface of the battery cell 29 to be printed, thereby removing surface contaminants and enhancing the adhesion between the ink and the surface of the battery cell 29. When the plasma cleaning mechanism 16 is set, it can also improve the activity of the surface of the battery cell 29, enhance the adhesion between the ink and the battery cell 29, and simultaneously improve the surface uniformity of the battery cell 29, ensuring printing accuracy.

[0065] Optionally, a cleaning station is provided on the circular conveyor line 81, and a cleaning mechanism 16 is set up corresponding to the cleaning station. After the second robot arm 15 picks up the battery cell 29, it transfers the battery cell 29 to the carrier 82 on the circular conveyor line 81. The carrier 82 moves to the cleaning station so that the cleaning mechanism 16 can complete the cleaning of the battery cell 29.

[0066] Understandably, by setting the cleaning station on the circular conveyor line 81, the cleaning process can be completed on the circular conveyor line 81, eliminating the need to set up an additional cleaning station on the worktable 28. Furthermore, the battery cell 29 can be transported to the cleaning station via the circular conveyor line 81, and the battery cell 29 can be cleaned during the movement process, which enhances the continuity between various processes and helps to further improve printing efficiency.

[0067] Furthermore, the transfer robot 17 is used to pick up the cleaned battery cell 29 and transfer the battery cell 29 to the printing mechanism 19 for printing operation. With this configuration, when the cleaned battery cell 29 leaves the cleaning station, the transfer robot 17 can pick up the battery cell 29 and move it to the printing mechanism 19, realizing the position change of the battery cell 29 between the ring module and the printing station.

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown, the annular conveyor module 8 is also equipped with a coding inspection station. Along the conveying direction of the annular conveyor module 8, the coding inspection station is set after the coding station. The coding inspection station is equipped with a coding inspection mechanism 10, which is used to inspect the coding quality of the battery cell 29, thereby ensuring the product qualification rate.

[0069] like Figure 10As shown, the inkjet printing inspection mechanism 10 includes a camera 101, a lens 102, and a light source. The camera 101 and lens 102 are opposite to the circular conveyor line 81. When the carrier 82 passes through the inkjet printing inspection mechanism 10 along the circular conveyor line 81, the camera 101 can capture images of the passing battery cell 29 and perform defect detection on the identification code on the surface of the battery cell 29, thereby ensuring the printing pass rate. Since the inkjet printing inspection station is located on the circular conveyor module 8, the inkjet printing inspection can be completed during the movement of the battery cell 29, which also helps to improve the continuity of the printing process, avoid unnecessary waiting time, and improve production efficiency.

[0070] Optionally, the coding mechanism 9 includes at least two coding guns 91, which have at least two different coding directions. The at least two coding guns 91 are set in correspondence with the coding station. When the battery cell 29 moves to the coding station along the conveying direction of the annular conveying module 8, at least one coding gun 91 performs coding operation on the battery cell 29.

[0071] In practical applications, inkjet guns 91 with different printing directions can be selected according to the printing direction of the battery cell 29. In this embodiment, for example... Figure 9 As shown, the coding mechanism 9 may include two coding guns 91 with different coding directions. One coding gun 91 has a coding direction parallel to the circular conveyor line 81, and the other coding gun 91 has a coding direction perpendicular to the circular conveyor line 81. In this way, different models of battery cells 29 with different coding directions can be adapted, improving the flexibility of coding direction.

[0072] like Figures 13 to 15As shown, this embodiment also includes a printing track 18, a first curing mechanism 20, and a printing inspection mechanism 21. The printing track 18 is sequentially arranged with a printing station, a first curing station, and a printing inspection station along its length. The printing mechanism 19, the first curing mechanism 20, and the printing inspection mechanism 21 are respectively arranged corresponding to the printing station, the first curing station, and the printing inspection station. A printing platform 181 is movably connected to the printing track 18. The printing platform 181 can switch between the printing station, the first curing station, and the printing inspection station to sequentially complete the printing of the battery cell 29 and the first curing agent printing inspection operation. This arrangement not only improves the overall compactness of the equipment, but also allows the battery cell 29 to undergo three processes on the printing track 18, simplifying the structure of the printing mechanism 19. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the printing mechanism 19 is equipped with a high-resolution printhead 191. Compared to pad printing, this printing mechanism 19 with the high-resolution printhead 191 offers higher character printing accuracy and greater freedom of movement. In practical applications, the minimum height for printed Chinese characters can be 1.4mm, and for English letters, it is 0.7mm. While pad printing has a character resolution of 150dpi, inkjet printing can achieve a resolution of 500dpi. Furthermore, the ink used in inkjet printing has a significantly smaller environmental impact compared to pad printing ink.

[0073] The battery cell 29 printing equipment in this embodiment further includes a defective product unloading robot 25, a qualified product unloading robot 22, a defective product unloading conveyor mechanism 26, a second curing mechanism 23, and a full-disk unloading robot 24, wherein, as Figure 16 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of the qualified product unloading robot 22 in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. Figure 17 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of the second curing mechanism 23 in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. Figure 18 The diagram shows a schematic of the structure of the lower full-disk robot 24 in this embodiment of the application. The defective product unloading robot 25, the qualified product unloading robot 22, the defective product unloading conveyor 26, the second curing mechanism 23, and the lower full-disk robot 24 are existing technologies in the relevant technical field, and will not be described in detail in this application. In practical applications, the defective product unloading robot 25 picks up battery cells 29 that fail the inkjet printing test and the inkjet printing test, and places them on the defective product unloading conveyor 26. The defective products that fail the test are output from the worktable 28 through the defective product unloading conveyor 26, while the qualified products that pass the test are transferred to the tray on the tray conveyor 3 by the qualified product unloading robot 22. When the tray is full of battery cells 29, it is conveyed to the second curing mechanism 23 for secondary curing through the tray conveyor 3. The battery cells 29 that have completed secondary curing continue to move to the bottom full-pack robot 24, and the bottom full-pack robot 24 grabs the full tray and places it out of the worktable 28 through the discharge conveyor 27.

[0074] The overall operation flow of the battery cell 29 printing equipment in this embodiment is as follows:

[0075] After the equipment is started, the operator places the tray containing the battery cells 29 to be printed onto the product feeding conveyor 1, which then flows into the equipment. The feeding robot 4 removes the battery cells 29 from the tray and transfers them to the second correction mechanism 6. The empty tray after removing the battery cells 29 is transported by the empty tray handling robot 2 to the tray conveyor 3 and then downstream of the equipment to receive the printed battery cells 29. The second correction mechanism 6, upon receiving the battery cells 29, takes a picture through the second positioning mechanism 5 and performs correction based on the result. After correction, the correction platform of the second correction mechanism 6 moves to below the first feeding robot 7, which then picks up the battery cells 29 and transfers them into the circular conveyor line 81.

[0076] When the first robotic arm 12 transfers the battery cell 29 to the carrier 82 on the circular conveyor line 81, the cylinder 833 in the vacuum adsorption assembly 83 extends toward the carrier 82, and the rubber-coated suction nozzle 831 is attached to the vacuum connection port 824 to extract the air from the vacuum chamber 823 of the carrier 82, so that a negative pressure environment is formed in the vacuum chamber 823. The suction cup on the suction plate then adsorbs the battery cell 29, fixing the battery cell 29 to the suction plate, thus achieving a tight connection between the battery cell 29 and the carrier 82. The battery cell 29 moves together with the carrier 82 on the circular conveyor line 81. When the battery cell 29 moves under the barcode scanner 84, the barcode scanner 84 scans the identification code on the battery cell 29. Then, the carrier 82 continues to move to the inkjet printing station and performs inkjet printing through the inkjet printing mechanism 9. After inkjet printing, the battery cell 29 continues to move to the inkjet printing detection station for inkjet printing detection. After inkjet printing detection, the battery cell 29 continues to move to be opposite the flipping mechanism 11. The flipping mechanism 11 attracts and flips the battery cell 29 180°. The flipped battery cell 29 is then transferred by the first robotic arm 12 to the first correction mechanism 14 for correction. The first positioning mechanism 13 takes a picture and transmits the compensation value to the first correction mechanism 14, which corrects the battery cell 29. After correction, the correction platform of the first correction mechanism 14 moves under the second robotic arm 15. The second robotic arm 15 attracts the battery cell 29 and transfers it to the cleaning station for cleaning by the plasma cleaning mechanism 16. After the cleaned battery cell 29 leaves the cleaning station, the transfer robot 17 picks up the battery cell 29 and places it on the printing platform 181 of the printing mechanism 19. The printing platform 181 moves on the printing track 18 to switch between the printing station, the first curing station and the printing inspection station, thereby completing the printing of the battery cell 29 and the first curing agent printing inspection operation in sequence.

[0077] After inkjet printing inspection, the defective product unloading robot 25 picks up the battery cells 29 that failed the inkjet printing inspection and the battery cells 29 that failed the inkjet printing inspection, and places the above defective products on the defective product unloading conveyor 26. The defective products that fail the inspection are output from the worktable 28 through the defective product unloading conveyor 26, while the qualified products that pass the inspection are transferred to the tray on the tray conveyor 3 by the qualified product unloading robot 22. When the tray is full of battery cells 29, it is conveyed to the second curing mechanism 23 for secondary curing through the tray conveyor 3. The battery cells 29 that have completed secondary curing continue to move to the lower full-plate robot 24, and the lower full-plate robot 24 grabs the full-plate and places it out of the worktable 28 through the discharge conveyor 27.

[0078] In summary, the battery cell printing equipment provided in this application embodiment may include at least the following advantages:

[0079] In this embodiment, the battery cell printing equipment has a ring conveyor module, a coding mechanism, and a printing mechanism on its worktable. The ring conveyor module has a coding station, allowing the battery cells to be conveyed to the coding station. The coding mechanism performs coding on the battery cells at the coding station. After coding, a transfer robot moves the battery cells to the printing station, where the printing mechanism performs printing. This embodiment offers better character printing results and better compatibility with different types of battery cells when using inkjet printing. Integrating the coding and printing mechanisms on a single worktable saves floor space, and allows them to work simultaneously on different battery cells. The same battery cell can also have its identification code and characters printed on the worktable in one operation, improving production efficiency.

[0080] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0081] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery cell printing apparatus for performing printing operations on battery cells, characterized in that, include: The workbench is equipped with a printing station. A ring conveyor module is set on the workbench and used to convey the battery cells. The ring conveyor module is equipped with a coding station. A coding mechanism is provided corresponding to the coding station, and the coding mechanism is used to perform identification code printing operation on the battery cell of the coding station; A printing mechanism is set on the workbench and corresponding to the printing station. The printing mechanism is used to perform character printing operation on the battery cell of the printing station. And a transfer robot arm, which is used to transfer the battery cell that has been marked with ink to the printing station.

2. The cell printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular conveying module includes an annular conveyor line, a carrier, a vacuum adsorption component, and a barcode scanner. The annular conveyor line is set on the workbench, and the carrier is set on the annular conveyor line and used to receive the battery cells. The carrier moves along the conveying direction on the annular conveyor line to convey the battery cells. The carrier is provided with a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum adsorption component is used to communicate with the vacuum chamber to create a negative pressure environment in the vacuum chamber or to release the negative pressure environment in the vacuum chamber.

3. The cell printing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The circular conveyor line is a magnetically levitated conveyor line.

4. The cell printing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The battery cell printing equipment further includes a flipping mechanism connected to the worktable and at least partially opposite the annular conveyor line. The flipping mechanism is used to pick up the battery cells on the annular conveyor line and flip the battery cells.

5. The cell printing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flipping mechanism includes a lifting assembly and a flipping assembly connected to each other. The lifting assembly is connected to the worktable and is used to drive the flipping assembly to lift and lower. The flipping assembly includes a first driving member, a rack, a gear, and a vacuum suction plate. The vacuum suction plate is arranged opposite to the annular conveyor line and is used to adsorb the battery cell. The first driving member is used to drive the rack to reciprocate along the length direction. The gear meshes with the rack and rotates following the movement of the rack. The vacuum suction plate is connected to the gear and flips following the rotation of the gear.

6. The battery cell printing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The workbench is also equipped with a first robotic arm, a first correction mechanism, a second robotic arm, and a cleaning mechanism; The first robotic arm is used to pick up the battery cell on the flipping mechanism and transfer the battery cell to the first correction mechanism. The first correction mechanism is used to position the battery cell and move the battery cell to be opposite to the second robotic arm. The second robotic arm is used to pick up the battery cell and transfer the battery cell to the cleaning mechanism for cleaning.

7. The cell printing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, A cleaning station is provided on the circular conveyor line, and a cleaning mechanism is provided corresponding to the cleaning station. After the second robot arm picks up the battery cell, it transfers the battery cell to the carrier on the circular conveyor line. The carrier moves to the cleaning station so that the cleaning mechanism can complete the cleaning of the battery cell. The transfer robot arm is used to pick up the cleaned battery cell and transfer it to the printing station.

8. The battery cell printing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes the printing track, the first curing mechanism, and the printing inspection mechanism; The printing track is provided with the printing station, the first curing station and the printing detection station in sequence along its length. The printing mechanism, the first curing mechanism and the printing detection mechanism are respectively provided with the printing station, the first curing station and the printing detection station. A printing platform is movably connected to the printing track. The printing platform can switch between the printing station, the first curing station, and the printing inspection station to sequentially complete the printing, first curing, and printing inspection operations of the battery cell.

9. The cell printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular conveying module is also equipped with a coding inspection station. Along the conveying direction of the annular conveying module, the coding inspection station is located after the coding station. The coding inspection station is equipped with a coding inspection mechanism, which is used to inspect the coding quality of the battery cell.

10. The cell printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coding mechanism includes at least two coding guns, which have at least two different coding directions. The coding guns are arranged corresponding to the coding station. When the battery cell moves to the coding station along the conveying direction of the annular conveying module, at least one coding gun performs coding operation on the battery cell.

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