Tab pressing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing equipment, and discloses a tab pressing device, which comprises a battery cell tray, at least one end of the battery cell tray is provided with a bulge; the battery cell is arranged on the battery cell tray on the convex side of the bulge; the tab extends out from at least one end of the battery cell and is overlapped with part of the upper surface of the bulge; the tab pressing block is arranged above the tab, and the orthographic projection of the tab pressing block on the upper surface of the bulge and the orthographic projection of the tab on the upper surface of the bulge are partially overlapped; in the first direction, the distance between the tab pressing block and the end part of the battery cell is L1, the distance between the side surface of one side, close to the battery cell, of the bulge and the end part of the battery cell is L2, and L1 is greater than L2, so that the offset of the tabs in the thickness direction of the battery cell in a bundling state when the tabs are pressed can be ensured, the tabs can be conveniently assembled with a shell, the assembly difficulty is reduced, and the assembly efficiency is improved. And moreover, the accommodating length of the tabs can be increased, the overcurrent capability is improved, larger current output can be supported, and the battery performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery manufacturing equipment technology, specifically to a tab pressing device. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of lithium-ion batteries, after the cells are prepared, they need to be hot-pressed. Hot pressing is an important process in battery manufacturing, mainly used to improve the internal structure and performance of the cells.

[0003] Typically, a cell hot pressing device is used to hot press the cell. The cell hot pressing device includes two hot pressing plates set at the top and bottom. After the hot pressing plates hot press the cell, the tabs are still in a loose state, which makes it difficult to assemble with the shell. This increases the assembly difficulty and can easily lead to poor contact, thus affecting the electrical performance. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a tab pressing device to solve the problem that the tab is in a loose state and is not convenient to assemble with the shell.

[0005] This utility model provides an electrode clamping device, comprising: a battery cell tray, at least one end of which has a protrusion along a first direction; a battery cell, disposed on the battery cell tray on the side of the protrusion; an electrode, extending from at least one end of the battery cell and partially overlapping the upper surface of the protrusion; and an electrode clamping block disposed above the electrode, wherein the orthographic projection of the electrode clamping block on the upper surface of the protrusion partially overlaps the orthographic projection of the electrode on the upper surface of the protrusion; wherein, in the first direction, the distance between the electrode clamping block and the end of the battery cell is L1, and the distance between the side of the protrusion near the battery cell and the end of the battery cell is L2, where L1 > L2.

[0006] Beneficial effects: By setting a tab clamp above the tab, the tab is bound together by the tab clamp and protrusion when the cell is hot-pressed by the hot plate. L1>L2, which can ensure that the tab is offset in the thickness direction of the cell when it is bound together, which facilitates assembly with the shell, reduces assembly difficulty, increases the tab's capacity, improves current carrying capacity, supports greater current output, and improves battery performance. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0008] Figure 1This is a perspective view of an electrode clamping device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0009] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The front view of the tab pressing device shown;

[0010] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the diagram;

[0011] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure after the electrode tabs are hot-pressed into the electrode tabs.

[0012] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0013] 1. Battery cell tray; 101. Tray body; 102. Protrusion; 2. Battery cell; 3. Electrode tab; 4. Electrode tab clamp; 5. Clamp drive component. Detailed Implementation

[0014] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0015] The following is combined Figures 1 to 4 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tab pressing device is provided, comprising: a cell tray 1, a cell 2, a tab 3, and a tab pressing block 4. The cell tray 1 has a protrusion 102 at at least one end along a first direction. The cell 2 is disposed on the cell tray 1 on the side of the protrusion 102. The tab 3 extends from at least one end of the cell 2 and partially overlaps with the upper surface of the protrusion 102. The tab pressing block 4 is disposed above the tab 3, and the orthographic projection of the tab pressing block 4 on the upper surface of the protrusion 102 partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the tab 3 on the upper surface of the protrusion 102. In the first direction, the distance between the tab pressing block 4 and the end of the cell 2 is L1, and the distance between the side of the protrusion 102 near the cell 2 and the end of the cell 2 is L2, where L1 > L2.

[0017] A battery cell includes the cell body, which comprises a separator and two electrodes with opposite polarities: a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The cell operates by the movement of metal ions between the positive and negative electrodes. The cell cycle involves the movement of metal ions from the positive electrode to the negative electrode and vice versa. The cell also includes tabs, which are electrically connected to the electrodes. The positive tab is connected to the positive electrode, and the negative tab is connected to the negative electrode. The cell charges and discharges through these tabs. Each electrode comprises a current collector and an active material layer coated on the surface of the current collector. If the electrode is a positive electrode, the current collector can be made of aluminum, and the active material layer can be made of lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, or lithium manganese oxide, etc. If the electrode is a negative electrode, the current collector can be made of copper, and the active material layer can be made of carbon or silicon, etc. The separator acts as an insulating layer to prevent short circuits inside the battery caused by contact between the positive and negative electrodes. It also acts as a semi-permeable layer to prevent larger molecules from passing through while allowing smaller charged ions to pass through.

[0018] The tab pressing device of this embodiment has a tab pressing block 4 set above the tab 3. When the cell 2 is hot-pressed by the hot pressing plate, the tab 3 is bound by the tab pressing block 4 and the protrusion 102. L1>L2, which can ensure that the tab 3 is offset in the thickness direction of the cell 2 when it is pressed, which is convenient for assembly with the shell, reduces the assembly difficulty, and can increase the accommodation length of the tab 3, improve the overcurrent capacity, support a larger current output, and improve battery performance.

[0019] In one embodiment, in the first direction, the distance between the side of the tab 4 closest to the cell 2 and the side of the protrusion 102 away from the cell 2 is L3, the length of the protrusion 102 is L4, and L3 / L4 is 0.38-0.98. The length L4 of the protrusion 102 is also... Figure 3 The lateral dimension of the protrusion 102 in the figure, the distance L3 between the side of the tab 4 close to the cell 2 and the side of the protrusion 102 away from the cell 2 refers to the lateral dimension of the overlapping part of the tab 4 and the protrusion 102.

[0020] Furthermore, L3 / L4 cannot be too large or too small. If L3 / L4 is too small, the overlapping part of the tab 4 and the protrusion 102 will be small, resulting in poor pressing effect on the tab 3. The part of the tab 3 near the cell 2 will be relatively loose, which will easily lead to poor contact and thus affect the stability of the internal circuit of the battery. It will also increase the difficulty of assembling the tab 3 with the shell. If the overlapping part of the tab 4 and the protrusion 102 is large, more material will be used for the pressing block, resulting in higher cost.

[0021] Therefore, a L3 / L4 ratio in the range of 0.38-0.98 not only ensures the bonding effect of tab 3, effectively avoids poor contact affecting the stability of the battery's internal circuitry, and reduces the difficulty of assembling tab 3 with other components, but also controls material usage and saves costs.

[0022] Specifically, L3 is 10mm-25mm, and L4 is 11mm-28mm.

[0023] Preferably, L3 is 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm, 25mm or within any two of the above values, and L4 is 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm, 25mm, 26mm, 27mm, 28mm or within any two of the above values.

[0024] In one embodiment, L1-L2 is 0.2mm-8mm. L1-L2 cannot be too large or too small. If L1-L2 is too large, the heating effect of tab 3 will be poor and the heating efficiency of tab 3 will be low. If L1-L2 is too small, the bias effect of tab 3 will be poor, which will lead to uneven distribution of current density inside the battery and thus affect the performance of the battery.

[0025] Therefore, within the range of 0.2mm-8mm for L1-L2, on the one hand, the heating effect of tab 3 is guaranteed, thereby improving heating efficiency; on the other hand, the bias of tab 3 is guaranteed, thereby improving battery performance.

[0026] In one embodiment, L1 is 2mm-10mm and L2 is 1mm-7mm. L1 and L2 cannot be too large or too small. If L1 and L2 are too large, the overlapping part of the tab 4 and the protrusion 102 will be small, resulting in poor pressing effect on the tab 3. The part of the tab 3 near the cell 2 will be relatively loose, which may lead to poor contact and affect the stability of the internal circuit of the battery. It will also increase the difficulty of assembling the tab 3 with the shell. If L1 is too small, the end size of the tab 4 and the cell 2 will be small, which may cause interference between the tab 4 and the hot plate. If L2 is too small, it will increase the difficulty of placing the cell 2 on the battery tray, which will significantly increase the assembly time, slow down the production line, reduce the output per unit time, and thus reduce the overall production efficiency.

[0027] Therefore, L1 is 2mm-10mm and L2 is 1mm-7mm, which not only ensures the pressing effect of tab 3 and effectively avoids poor contact affecting the stability of the battery's internal circuit, but also reduces the difficulty of assembling tab 3 with other components; it also avoids interference between tab pressing block 4 and hot pressing plate, reduces the difficulty of placing cell 2, and improves production efficiency.

[0028] Preferably, L1 is 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm or within any two of the above values, and L2 is 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm or within any two of the above values.

[0029] In one embodiment, the height H of the protrusion 102 is 5mm-10mm along a second direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the protrusion 102. The height H of the protrusion 102 is also... Figure 3 The vertical dimension of the protrusion 102 in the middle.

[0030] Furthermore, the height of the protrusion 102 cannot be too large or too small. If the height of the protrusion 102 is too large, the tab 3 may exceed the surface of the cell 2, and the tab 3 will occupy a large space in the thickness direction of the cell 2, thus affecting the space utilization of the battery. If the height of the protrusion 102 is too small, it will not be able to provide sufficient support for the tab 3, which may cause the tab 3 to shift or fail to achieve the expected pressing effect during the hot pressing process, affecting the reliability and stability of the electrical connection.

[0031] Preferably, H is 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm or within any two of the above values.

[0032] In one embodiment, the battery cell tray 1 further includes a tray body 101, with a detachable protrusion 102 at at least one end along a first direction. The number of protrusions 102 is plurality of different heights. The detachable protrusions 102 allow the battery tray to accommodate battery cells 2 of different sizes, broadening its applicability and enhancing its adaptability. This reduces the need for custom-made trays for different sized battery cells 2, thereby lowering production costs and reducing inventory management complexity.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, in one embodiment, the tab pressing block 4 is provided with a heating element for heating the tab pressing block 4. When the battery cell 2 is hot-pressed by the hot pressing plate, the heating element on the tab pressing block 4 heats the tab 3, causing the tab 3 to conduct heat from the beginning of the hot pressing stage, thereby driving the entire battery cell 2 to heat up rapidly and reach the softening point temperature of the diaphragm in advance, thus achieving a rapid hot pressing shaping effect; and hot pressing the tab 3 is beneficial for shaping the tab 3, enhancing the shaping effect.

[0034] Furthermore, the heating element is a heating wire, which has a very high energy conversion efficiency, thus improving the heating effect. After the tab 3 is heated, the internal temperature of the cell 2 increases faster. After heating for 120 seconds, the temperature of one-third of the length of the cell 2 in the direction of the tab 3 is effectively increased.

[0035] Specifically, the heating element is in the form of a straight line, an S-shape, or an M-shape, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is provided on the tab block 4. By detecting the temperature of the tab block 4 through the temperature sensor, it can be ensured that the tab block 4 is maintained within the set temperature range, thereby improving the heat transfer effect.

[0037] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the protrusion 102 and the side near the cell 2 are transitioned by an arc surface. The arc surface makes it less likely to scratch the tab 3, avoids the edges from causing indentations or deformation to the tab 3, and thus improves the electrical connection quality and reliability between the tab 3 and other components.

[0038] In one embodiment, the lower surface of the tab 4 has a striped structure. The striped structure increases surface roughness, facilitating the connection of the tab 3 with other components, thereby improving the quality and reliability of the electrical connection.

[0039] In one embodiment, the cell pressing device further includes a lower hot pressing platform, an upper hot pressing plate, and a pressing block drive 5. The upper hot pressing plate is disposed above the lower hot pressing platform, the cell tray 1 is disposed on the lower hot pressing platform, and the pressing block drive 5 is disposed on the upper hot pressing plate. The driving end of the pressing block drive 5 is connected to the tab pressing block 4 to drive the tab pressing block 4 to move up and down relative to the upper hot pressing plate. When hot pressing the cell 2, the cell 2 is placed on the cell tray 1, and then the cell tray 1 is placed on the lower hot pressing platform. The upper hot pressing plate is driven to descend to hot press the cell 2. At the same time, the pressing block drive 5 drives the tab pressing block 4 to descend to hot press the tab 3. After the tab 3 is heated, it can quickly transfer heat to the inside of the cell 2, realize the rapid temperature rise of the inside of the cell 2, effectively reduce the hot pressing time, improve the production cycle, and the heating method is stable and does not affect the inside of the cell 2.

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tab pressing device, characterized in that, include: The battery cell tray (1) has a protrusion (102) at at least one of its two ends along a first direction; The battery cell (2) is disposed on the battery cell tray (1) on the side of the protrusion (102); A tab (3) extends from at least one end of the cell (2) and partially overlaps with the upper surface of the protrusion (102); A tab pressing block (4) is disposed above the tab (3). The orthographic projection of the tab pressing block (4) on the upper surface of the protrusion (102) overlaps with the orthographic projection of the tab (3) on the upper surface of the protrusion (102). In the first direction, the distance between the tab block (4) and the end of the battery cell (2) is L1, and the distance between the side of the protrusion (102) near the battery cell (2) and the end of the battery cell (2) is L2, where L1 > L2.

2. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, L1-L2 range from 0.2mm to 8mm.

3. The electrode clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, L1 is 2mm-10mm, and L2 is 1mm-7mm.

4. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the first direction, the distance between the side of the tab block (4) close to the cell (2) and the side of the protrusion (102) away from the cell (2) is L3, the length of the protrusion (102) is L4, and L3 / L4 is 0.38-0.

98.

5. The electrode clamping device according to claim 4, characterized in that, L3 is 10mm-25mm, and L4 is 11mm-28mm.

6. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along a second direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the protrusion (102), the height H of the protrusion (102) is 5mm-10mm.

7. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery cell tray (1) also has a tray body (101), and the tray body (101) has a detachable protrusion (102) at at least one end along the first direction. The number of protrusions (102) is several, and the height of the several protrusions (102) is different.

8. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode clamping block (4) is provided with a heating element, which is used to heat the electrode clamping block (4).

9. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the protrusion (102) and the side near the cell (2) are transitioned by an arc surface.

10. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower surface of the tab block (4) has a striped structure.

11. The electrode clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell pressing device further includes a lower hot press platform, an upper hot press plate, and a pressing block drive (5). The upper hot press plate is disposed above the lower hot press platform, the cell tray (1) is disposed on the lower hot press platform, and the pressing block drive (5) is disposed on the upper hot press plate. The driving end of the pressing block drive (5) is connected to the tab pressing block (4) to drive the tab pressing block (4) to rise and fall relative to the upper hot press plate.

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