Tab welding tool

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of batteries, and provides a tab welding tool which comprises a welding device, a plurality of bearing assemblies and a transmission assembly, the welding device is fixedly arranged at a welding station, and the welding device is used for welding tabs in battery cells passing through the welding station; the plurality of bearing assemblies are used for bearing battery cells; the conveying assembly is used for driving the multiple bearing assemblies to sequentially pass through the welding stations. The tab welding tool can improve the welding efficiency of tabs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a tab welding fixture. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the electrode tab includes multiple individual electrode tabs. During the battery manufacturing process, the multiple individual electrode tabs need to be welded into a whole to facilitate the subsequent welding of the electrode tab to other structures.

[0003] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a electrode welding fixture, which includes:

[0005] A welding device is fixedly installed at the welding station. The welding device is used to weld the tabs in the battery cells that pass through the welding station.

[0006] Multiple support components are used to support the battery cells;

[0007] The transmission component is used to drive multiple carrier components to pass through the welding station in sequence.

[0008] In the electrode welding fixture provided in this disclosure, the welding device does not need to move as a whole. It only needs to drive the battery cells to pass through the welding station in sequence through the bearing component. The welding head of the welding device only needs to move in the vertical direction, so as to weld the electrodes that pass through the welding station in sequence through the welding device. This welding fixture can improve the welding efficiency of the electrodes.

[0009] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0010] To better understand this disclosure, reference may be made to the embodiments shown in the following figures. Components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, and related elements may be omitted to emphasize and clearly illustrate the technical features of this disclosure. Additionally, related elements or components may have different arrangements as known in the art. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components in various figures. Wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the electrode tab welding fixture disclosed herein;

[0012] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Side view of the electrode welding fixture shown;

[0013] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the welding device in the electrode welding fixture shown;

[0014] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structural schematic of the transmission component and the load-bearing component in the electrode welding fixture shown.

[0015] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The top view of the electrode lug welding fixture shown;

[0016] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The image shows a side view of the electrode tab welding fixture. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0018] In the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; the term “multiple” refers to two or more; and the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. In particular, references to “the / described” object or “a” object are also intended to indicate one of a possible plurality of such objects.

[0019] Unless otherwise specified or stated, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, an electrical connection, or a signal connection; "connection" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0020] Furthermore, it should be understood that the directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" described in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. It should also be understood that, in the context of an element or feature being connected to one or more "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" elements, it can be directly connected to one or more "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" elements, or indirectly connected to one or more "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" elements through intermediate elements.

[0021] 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's cycling process involves metal ions moving 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.

[0022] like Figure 1-6 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the electrode tab welding fixture disclosed herein. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The side view of the electrode welding fixture shown. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structural schematic of the welding device in the electrode welding fixture. Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the transmission component and the load-bearing component in the electrode welding fixture. Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a top view of the electrode lug welding fixture. Figure 6 for Figure 4 The image shows a side view of the electrode tab welding fixture.

[0023] like Figure 1-6As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the electrode welding fixture may include: a welding device 1, multiple carrier components 3, and a transmission component 4. The welding device 1 is fixedly disposed at the welding station and is used to weld the electrode 21 in the battery cell 2 passing through the welding station. The multiple carrier components 3 are used to carry the battery cell 2. The transmission component 4 is used to drive the multiple carrier components 3 to pass through the welding station in sequence. The welding device 1 is used to weld the electrode 21 on the carrier components 3 that pass through the welding station in sequence.

[0024] In the electrode welding fixture provided in this exemplary embodiment, the welding device 1 does not need to move as a whole. It only needs to drive the battery cells to pass through the welding station in sequence through the bearing component 3. The welding head of the welding device only needs to move in the vertical direction, so that the electrode cells passing through the welding station in sequence can be welded by the welding device 1. This welding fixture can improve the welding efficiency of the electrode cells.

[0025] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the transmission component 4 includes: two tracks 41 and multiple drive shafts 42. The two tracks 41 are arranged in parallel and pass through the welding station. The multiple drive shafts 42 are spaced apart along the extension direction of the tracks 41 and are rotatably connected between the two tracks. A support component 3 is disposed above the drive shafts 42. When the drive shafts 42 roll, the multiple drive shafts 42 can drive the support component 3 to move.

[0026] It should be understood that in other exemplary embodiments, the transmission component 4 may be implemented in other ways. For example, the transmission component 4 may include a slide rail for sliding the carrier component 3, and the transmission component 4 may be driven by a motor to slide the carrier component 3 on the slide rail.

[0027] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the transmission component 4 further includes a transmission belt 43, which is driveably connected between two adjacent transmission shafts 42. The adjacent transmission shafts 42 can be driven by the transmission belt 43. For example, when the first transmission shaft of a plurality of transmission shafts 42 is driven by a motor to roll, the other transmission shafts 42 will also roll under the drive of the transmission belt 43, so that the transmission shafts 42 can drive the support component 3 supported above them to move.

[0028] like Figure 1-6As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the supporting component 3 may include: a supporting body 31 and a strip-shaped protrusion 32. The supporting body 31 is used to support the battery cell 2. The strip-shaped protrusion 32 is located on the side of the supporting body 31 facing the drive shaft 42 and extends along the extension direction of the track. The drive shaft 42 includes: a main shaft 421 and a limiting structure 422. The main shaft 421 is rotatably connected between two tracks 41. The limiting structure 422 includes a first annular protrusion 4221 and a second annular protrusion 4222. The first annular protrusion 4221 and the second annular protrusion 4222 are both arranged around the circumferential surface of the main shaft 421, and the first annular protrusion 4221 and the second annular protrusion 4222 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the main shaft 421. The strip-shaped protrusion 32 is limited and disposed between the first annular protrusion 4221 and the second annular protrusion 4222. The first annular protrusion 4221 and the second annular protrusion 4222 can prevent the bearing assembly 3 from shifting laterally, thereby ensuring that the bearing assembly 3 moves stably along the extension direction of the track 41. The dimension of the bearing body 31 in the extension direction of the track 41 can be greater than the distance between two adjacent drive shafts 42. This arrangement ensures that the bearing body 31 can be stably supported on at least two drive shafts 42.

[0029] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, two strip-shaped protrusions 32 can be provided on the supporting body 31, and correspondingly, two sets of limiting structures 422 can be formed on the main body shaft 421, and the two strip-shaped protrusions can be respectively limited between the two sets of limiting structures 422.

[0030] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the drive shaft 42 further includes a pulley 423, and a drive belt 43 can be driveably connected between the pulleys 423 of two adjacent drive shafts 42. The pulley 423 can be reused as a first annular protrusion 4221. In this exemplary embodiment, the pulley 423 may be provided with a rack, and the drive belt may also be provided with a matching rack. This arrangement can improve the transmission efficiency of the drive belt.

[0031] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the electrode welding fixture may include two welding devices 1, which are disposed on both sides of the transmission assembly 4 perpendicular to the extension direction of the track. The two welding devices 1 can be used to weld the electrodes 21 on opposite sides of the battery cell 2, respectively. The electrodes on opposite sides of the battery cell 2 can be welded simultaneously, which can further improve the welding efficiency of the electrodes.

[0032] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the welding apparatus 1 can be an ultrasonic welding apparatus. The welding apparatus 1 is used to weld multiple individual electrode tabs in the electrode tab into a whole.

[0033] like Figure 1-6As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the welding device 1 includes: a support structure 11, a first welding head 12, and a second welding head 13. The support structure 11 is fixedly disposed at the welding station; the first welding head 12 is fixedly connected to the support structure 11; the second welding head 13 is disposed opposite to the first welding head 12, and the second welding head 13 is movably connected to the support structure 11 in directions close to and away from the first welding head 12. The welding device 1 can adjust the distance between the first welding head 12 and the second welding head 13, thereby achieving rapid welding of the electrode tabs. For example, the welding device 1 may also include a driving device. When the battery cell moves to the welding station, the driving device can drive the second welding head 13 to descend, and the second welding head 13 and the first welding head 12 can press the electrode tabs between them, thereby achieving electrode tab welding; after the electrode tab welding is completed, the driving device can drive the second welding head 13 to rise, the second welding head 13 and the first welding head 12 separate, and then the carrier assembly 3 carrying the battery cell can move to the next station.

[0034] like Figure 1-6 As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the maximum distance S1 between the first welding head 12 and the second welding head 13 is 60-140mm. For example, S1 can be equal to 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm, 130mm, 140mm, etc. The maximum distance between the first welding head 12 and the second welding head 13 is the distance between the first welding head 12 and the second welding head 13 when the second welding head 13 moves to the furthest position from the first welding head 12. If S1 is too large, the descent stroke of the second welding head 13 is too large, and the welding efficiency of the welding device 1 is low. If S1 is too small, when the bearing component 3 moves the electrode tab to the welding station, the second welding head 13 may easily obstruct the electrode tab. This exemplary embodiment sets S1 to a suitable size, which can ensure the normal welding of the electrode tab while improving the welding efficiency of the electrode tab.

[0035] like Figure 1-6As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the support structure 11 has a U-shaped slot 14 formed on the side facing the bearing component 3. The U-shaped slot 14 includes a bottom wall 141 opposite to the bearing component 3, an upper side wall 142 connected above the bottom wall 141, and a lower side wall 143 connected below the bottom wall 141. A first welding head 12 is disposed on the lower side wall 143 of the U-shaped slot, and a second welding head 13 is disposed on the upper side wall 142 of the U-shaped slot. The distance S2 between the first welding head 12 and the bottom wall 141 is 50-140mm. For example, S2 can be equal to 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm, 130mm, 140mm, etc. If S2 is too large, the welding device 1 will occupy a large space; if S2 is too small, the bottom wall 141 may block the electrode when the bearing component 3 moves the electrode to the welding station. This exemplary embodiment sets S2 to a suitable size that saves space occupied by the welding device 1 while also preventing the bottom wall 141 from blocking the electrode tabs.

[0036] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the claims.

[0037] The accompanying drawings in this disclosure only illustrate the structures involved in this disclosure; other structures can be referred to with common design. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined to obtain new embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this disclosure.

[0038] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tab welding tool, characterized by, The tab welding tool comprises: a welding device (1) fixedly arranged at a welding station, the welding device (1) being used for welding tabs (21) in a battery cell (2) passing through the welding station; a plurality of bearing assemblies (3) used for bearing the battery cell (2); a transmission assembly (4) used for driving the plurality of bearing assemblies (3) to pass through the welding station in sequence.

2. The tab welding tool of claim 1, wherein The transmission assembly (4) comprises: two tracks (41) arranged in parallel and passing through the welding station; a plurality of transmission shafts (42) distributed along the extension direction of the tracks and rollably connected between the two tracks; wherein the bearing assembly (3) is arranged above the transmission shaft (42).

3. The tab welding tool of claim 2, wherein The transmission assembly (4) further comprises: a transmission belt (43) drivingly connected between adjacent two transmission shafts (42).

4. The tab welding tool of claim 2, wherein The bearing assembly (3) comprises: a bearing body (31) used for bearing the battery cell (2); a strip-shaped protrusion (32) located on the side of the bearing body (31) facing the transmission shaft (42), the strip-shaped protrusion (32) extending along the extension direction of the track; The transmission shaft (42) comprises: a main shaft (421) rollably connected between the two tracks; a limiting structure (422) comprising a first annular protrusion (4221) and a second annular protrusion (4222), the first annular protrusion (4221) and the second annular protrusion (4222) are both arranged around the circumferential surface of the main shaft (421), and the first annular protrusion (4221) and the second annular protrusion (4222) are arranged in the axial direction of the main shaft (421); wherein the strip-shaped protrusion (32) is arranged between the first annular protrusion (4221) and the second annular protrusion (4222).

5. The tab welding tool of claim 4, wherein The transmission shaft (42) further comprises: a pulley (423) arranged around the circumferential surface of the main shaft (421); The transmission assembly (4) further comprises: a transmission belt (43) drivingly connected between the pulleys (423) of adjacent two transmission shafts (42); wherein the pulley (423) is multiplexed as the first annular protrusion (4221).

6. The tab welding tool of claim 2, wherein The tab welding tool comprises two welding devices (1) arranged on both sides of the transmission assembly (4) perpendicular to the extension direction of the track, and the two welding devices (1) are used for welding the tabs (21) on the opposite sides of the battery cell (2), respectively.

7. The tab welding tool of claim 1, wherein The welding device (1) is an ultrasonic welding device.

8. The tab welding tool of claim 7, wherein, The welding device (1) comprises: a support structure (11) fixedly arranged at the welding station; a first welding head (12) fixedly connected to the support structure (11); a second welding head (13) arranged opposite to the first welding head (12), the second welding head (13) being movably connected to the support structure (11) in the direction of approaching the first welding head (12) and moving away from the first welding head (12).

9. The tab welding tool of claim 8, wherein, The maximum distance between the first welding head (12) and the second welding head (13) is 60-140 mm.

10. The tab welding tool of claim 8, wherein, The side of the support structure (11) facing the bearing assembly (3) is formed with a U-shaped slot (14) including a bottom wall (141) opposite the bearing assembly (3), an upper side wall (142) connected above the bottom wall (141), and a lower side wall (143) connected below the bottom wall (141); The first welding head (12) is arranged on the lower side wall (143) of the U-shaped slot, and the second welding head (13) is arranged on the upper side wall (142) of the U-shaped slot. The distance between the first welding head (12) and the bottom wall (141) is 50-140 mm.

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