Battery formation equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses battery formation equipment, which comprises a needle bed frame, a battery tray and an inflation and deflation mechanism, the battery tray is arranged on the needle bed frame, the battery tray is provided with a containing cavity, a plurality of air bags are arranged in the containing cavity, a single battery cell is clamped between every two adjacent air bags, an air port of each air bag is communicated with a busbar, and the busbar is communicated with the needle bed frame. A valve core is arranged at an air port of the busbar; the inflation and deflation mechanism comprises a driver, an ejector rod, an end cover, a spring, a rubber-coated shaft head and a main block, the end cover is fixed to the main block, an air cavity is formed in the main block and can be communicated with an air pump, the rubber-coated shaft head and the ejector rod are arranged in the air cavity, the ejector rod is connected to the end cover, the spring is arranged on the periphery of the rubber-coated shaft head in a sleeving mode and clamped between the end cover and the rubber-coated shaft head, and the rubber-coated shaft head is connected with the main block. The ejector rod penetrates through the interior of the rubber-coated shaft head, the rubber-coated shaft head is provided with a gas channel communicated with the gas cavity, and the driver is in driving connection with the main block, so that the ejector rod can be driven to open the valve core. The scheme is high in automation degree, and the production efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] After lithium-ion batteries are manufactured, they typically undergo formation, which involves charging the battery to activate it before it can begin normal charging and discharging. Formation is the initialization of the battery, activating its active materials; it's an energy conversion process. Currently, formation is usually performed using specialized equipment. Traditional formation equipment typically uses gas-filled airbags between adjacent batteries on a formation tray. During formation, these airbags hold the batteries in place, preventing the lithium-ion batteries from expanding due to gas generation during the process.

[0003] However, currently, most airbags require manual operation to control the air inlet connected to the airbag, and to inflate and deflate each airbag individually to adjust the air pressure. This method has a low degree of automation, is complicated to operate, and has low production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a battery formation device that aims to automatically adjust the air pressure of the airbag on the battery tray, thereby improving automation and production efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the battery formation equipment proposed in this utility model includes:

[0006] Needle bed frame;

[0007] A battery tray is disposed on the needle bed frame. The battery tray has a receiving cavity, and multiple airbags are disposed in the receiving cavity. Each pair of adjacent airbags is used to clamp a single battery cell. The air port of each airbag is connected to a busbar, and a valve core is disposed at the air port of the busbar.

[0008] An inflation / deflation mechanism includes a driver, a push rod, an end cap, a spring, a rubber-coated shaft head, and a main block. The end cap is fixed to the main block, and the main block has an internal air chamber that can be connected to an air pump. The rubber-coated shaft head and the push rod are both located within the air chamber. The push rod is connected to the end cap. The spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rubber-coated shaft head and clamped between the end cap and the rubber-coated shaft head. The push rod penetrates the interior of the rubber-coated shaft head, and the rubber-coated shaft head has a gas channel communicating with the air chamber. The driver drives the main block, thereby driving the push rod to open the valve core, so that the gas channel communicates with the air port of the manifold.

[0009] Furthermore, the rubber-coated shaft head includes a contact shaft head and a shaft head body. The contact shaft head is connected to the shaft head body. The shaft head body is hollow and has a perforated ring wall to form multiple gas channels. The contact shaft head is hollow and is used to press against the valve core of the manifold.

[0010] Furthermore, the contact shaft head is made of rubber, and the shaft head body is made of steel.

[0011] Furthermore, a plurality of first sealing rings are provided between the outer peripheral wall of the shaft head body and the inner peripheral wall of the main block in the air cavity.

[0012] Furthermore, the main block is provided with a second sealing ring on the outer periphery of the air cavity facing the driver, and the second sealing ring can seal the gap between the end cap and the main block on the periphery of the air cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, the actuator is a drive cylinder, and the drive end of the drive cylinder is fixedly connected to the end cap.

[0014] Furthermore, a transition plate is provided between the driving end of the driving cylinder and the main block. The transition plate is provided with multiple mounting slots, and each end cap is placed in the corresponding mounting slot. The transition plate is fixedly connected to the main block.

[0015] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the push rod near the driver end has an external thread, the end cover has an internal thread, and the push rod is screwed onto the end cover through the external thread and the internal thread.

[0016] Furthermore, the main block is provided with multiple external connectors, all of which are connected to the air chamber and are used to connect an external air pump.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery formation device also includes a busbar, with the air inlet of each airbag connected to the first air inlet of the busbar, and the valve core being provided at the second air inlet of the busbar.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model's technical solution, when adjusting the airbag pressure, firstly, the actuator operates, causing the end cap, push rod, main block, and rubber-coated shaft to move as a whole until the rubber-coated shaft abuts against the valve core. At this point, the actuator continues to drive, causing the rubber-coated shaft to compress against the valve core. The rubber-coated shaft exerts a force on the spring, causing it to compress and deform for buffering, allowing the rubber-coated shaft to maintain a safe thrust while remaining against the valve core. As the end cap, push rod, and main block gradually advance, the push rod inserts into the valve core, opening it and connecting the gas channel to the manifold's air port. At this time, the external air pump on the main block starts operating, enabling the airbag to be inflated and deflated through the gas channel, achieving automatic adjustment of the airbag pressure and ensuring that the individual battery cells are under a safe pressure state, thus guaranteeing battery production quality. This setup, through the inflation and deflation mechanism, allows for automatic inflation and deflation of the airbag, ensuring the production quality of individual battery cells, with a high degree of automation and improved production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the battery tray and the inflation / deflation mechanism in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas filling and degassing mechanism in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded view from the first perspective of the gas filling and deflating mechanism in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is an exploded view from a second perspective of the gas filling and deflating mechanism in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This is an exploded view from a third perspective of the gas filling and deflating mechanism in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the gas filling and degassing mechanism in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rubber-coated shaft head in the battery formation equipment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the transition plate in the battery formation equipment of this utility model.

[0028] Reference numerals: 100, needle bed frame; 200, battery tray; 210, receiving cavity; 220, single battery cell; 230, air bladder; 231, valve core; 300, inflation / deflation mechanism; 310, driver; 320, push rod; 330, end cap; 340, spring; 350, rubber-coated shaft head; 360, main block; 361, air chamber; 355, gas channel; 240, manifold; 351, contact shaft head; 352, shaft head body; 353, first sealing ring; 354, second sealing ring; 370, drive cylinder; 371, drive end; 400, transition plate; 410, mounting groove; 500, external connector. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0030] Please see Figures 1 to 9 This utility model proposes a battery formation device.

[0031] The battery formation equipment includes a needle bed frame 100, a battery tray 200, and an inflation / deflation mechanism 300. The battery tray 200 is mounted on the needle bed frame 100 and has a receiving cavity 210 containing multiple airbags 230. Each pair of adjacent airbags 230 is used to hold a single battery cell 220. The air port of each airbag 230 is connected to a busbar 240, and a valve core 231 is provided at the air port of the busbar 240. The inflation / deflation mechanism 300 includes a driver 310, a push rod 320, an end cap 330, a spring 340, a rubber-coated shaft head 350, and a main block 360. The 0 is fixed to the main block 360. The main block 360 has an air chamber 361 inside, which can be connected to the air pump. The rubber-coated shaft head 350 and the push rod 320 are both located in the air chamber 361. The push rod 320 is connected to the end cover 330. The spring 340 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rubber-coated shaft head 350 and is clamped between the end cover 330 and the rubber-coated shaft head 350. The push rod 320 passes through the interior of the rubber-coated shaft head 350. The rubber-coated shaft head 350 has a gas channel 355 that connects to the air chamber 361. The driver 310 drives the main block 360, which in turn drives the push rod 320 to open the valve core 231, so that the gas channel 355 connects to the air port of the manifold 240.

[0032] Specifically, the battery tray 200 holds multiple individual battery cells 220, and an air bladder 230 is provided between each pair of adjacent individual battery cells 220. The expansion of the air bladder 230 can restrain the individual battery cells 220. The valve core 231 is a control switch that opens when the push rod 320 pushes into the valve core 231, allowing the air port of the air bladder 230 to connect to the gas channel 355, and automatically closes when the push rod 320 retracts. The air bladders 230 are connected through the manifold 240, and the actuator 310 can drive the push rod 320 to move, so that the push rod 320 can synchronously open or close the valve cores 231 on the manifold 240, and perform suction or inflation to ensure the pressure of the air bladders 230 on the individual battery cells 220 in the battery tray 200. When the air pressure of the airbag 230 needs to be adjusted, the actuator 310 first operates, causing the end cap 330, push rod 320, main block 360, and rubber-coated shaft head 350 to move as a whole until the rubber-coated shaft head 350 abuts against the valve core 231 of the manifold 240. At this time, the actuator 310 continues to drive, causing the rubber-coated shaft head 350 to compress the valve core 231. The rubber-coated shaft head 350 exerts a force on the spring 340, causing it to compress and deform for buffering, so that the rubber-coated shaft head 350 can maintain a safe thrust while remaining against the manifold 240. At the valve core 231 of the flow channel 240, as the end cap 330, push rod 320, and main block 360 are gradually pushed forward, the push rod 320 pushes into the valve core 231, causing the valve core 231 to open and connect the gas channel 355 and the air port of the air bag 230. At this time, the external air pump on the main block 360 starts to operate, and can inflate and de-inflate the air bag 230 through the gas channel 355, realizing automatic adjustment of the air pressure of the air bag 230, ensuring that the individual battery cell 220 is in a safe pressure state, and ensuring the production quality of the battery. When the actuator 310 operates, the rubber-coated shaft head 350 presses against the valve core 231 of the manifold 240, and the push rod 320 continues to extend and open the valve core 231. The gas flow path for inflation is: air pump, air chamber 361, gas channel 355, manifold 240, air bag 230; the gas flow path for deflating is: air bag 230, manifold 240, gas channel 355, air chamber 361, air pump. This configuration allows the inflation and deflation mechanism 300 to automatically inflate and deflate the air bag 230, ensuring the production quality of the individual battery cells 220, achieving a high degree of automation and improving production efficiency.

[0033] Please see Figures 6 to 8Furthermore, the rubber-coated shaft head 350 includes a contact shaft head 351 and a shaft head body 352. The contact shaft head 351 is connected to the shaft head body 352. The shaft head body 352 is hollow and has multiple gas channels 355 formed by perforations in its annular wall. The contact shaft head 351 is hollow and is used to press against the valve core 231 of the manifold 240. Specifically, during the process of the actuator 310 driving the push rod 320 to open the valve core 231, the contact shaft head 351 first contacts and seals the periphery of the valve core 231. The gas channels 355 are through holes that penetrate the shaft head body 352's annular wall.

[0034] Please see Figures 1 to 8 Furthermore, the contact shaft head 351 is made of rubber, while the shaft head body 352 is made of steel. For example, the contact shaft head 351 is made of EPDM rubber, and the shaft head body 352 is made of 45# steel. With this configuration, when the rubber-coated shaft head 350's contact shaft head 351 presses against the valve core 231, the contact shaft head 351 and the valve core 231 have an interference fit around their periphery. This allows the contact shaft head 351 to seal the periphery of the valve core 231 in the manifold 240, preventing air from flowing into the airbag 230 when the valve core 231 is open, thus affecting the air pressure control accuracy of the airbag 230.

[0035] Please see Figure 7 Furthermore, multiple first sealing rings 353 are provided between the outer peripheral wall of the shaft head body 352 and the inner peripheral wall of the main block 360 in the air cavity 361. The first sealing rings 353 prevent air leakage by sealing the gap between the rubber-coated shaft head 350 and the air cavity 361 of the main block 360. The first sealing rings 353 can be annular in shape, using an elastic interference fit to seal the gap between the rubber-coated shaft head 350 and the air cavity 361 of the main block 360. The first sealing rings 353 are made of rubber.

[0036] Please see Figure 6 Furthermore, a second sealing ring 354 is provided on the outer periphery of the main block 360 on the side of the air chamber 361 facing the driver 310. The second sealing ring 354 can seal the gap between the end cap 330 and the main block 360 around the air chamber 361. The second sealing ring 354 is used to seal the gap between the main block 360 and the end cap 330, preventing gas leakage or inflow at the contact surface between the main block 360 and the end cap 330. The second sealing ring 354 can be annular in shape, using an elastic interference fit to seal the gap between the main block 360 and the end cap 330. The material of the second sealing ring 354 is rubber.

[0037] Please see Figures 3 to 7Furthermore, the actuator 310 is a drive cylinder 370, and the drive end 371 of the drive cylinder 370 is fixedly connected to the end cover 330. In this way, by utilizing the precise control feature of the drive cylinder 370, the movement of the end cover 330 and the push rod 320 is precisely controlled, so that the push rod 320 opens or closes the valve core 231, and the gas passage 355 is connected to the manifold 240 and then to the air bag 230, thus completing the inflation and deflation actions.

[0038] Please see Figures 3 to 7 Furthermore, a transition plate 400 is provided between the drive end 371 of the drive cylinder 370 and the main block 360. The transition plate 400 is provided with multiple mounting slots 410, and each end cap 330 is embedded in the corresponding mounting slot 410. The transition plate 400 is fixedly connected to the main block 360. Specifically, the transition plate 400 can be fixed to the drive end 371 of the drive cylinder 370 by bolt connection. The transition plate 400 serves as the medium for power transmission between the drive end 371 of the drive cylinder 370 and the main block 360. The force output by the drive end 371 of the drive cylinder 370 acts on the transition plate 400, which in turn drives the end cover 330 and the main block 360 to move, thereby realizing the movement of the push rod 320 and the rubber-coated shaft head 350. When the rubber-coated shaft head 350 presses against the periphery of the valve core 231 on the manifold 240, the rubber-coated shaft head 350 contacts the shaft head 351 with an interference fit for sealing, the spring 340 is compressed, and the push rod 320 continues to move until the valve core 231 is opened. When the push rod 320 retracts, the valve core 231 automatically closes through its own structure, and the gas inside the airbag 230 is retained inside.

[0039] Please see Figures 3 to 7 Furthermore, the transition plate 400 is bolted to the drive end 371, and the transition plate 400 is bolted to the main block 360. This bolted connection method is simple, reliable, and easy to operate, ensuring that the drive cylinder 370 transmits power to the transition plate 400, the main block 360, and the push rod 320. Of course, the transition plate 400, drive end 371, and main block 360 can also be fixedly connected using other methods.

[0040] Please see Figures 3 to 7 Furthermore, the outer circumference of one end of the push rod 320 has external threads, and the end cover 330 has internal threads. The push rod 320 is screwed onto the end cover 330 through the matching external and internal threads. Of course, the push rod 320 can also be fixed to the end cover 330 in other ways, as long as it is ensured that the end cover 330 can drive the push rod 320 to move, thereby opening the valve core 231.

[0041] Please see Figures 3 to 6Furthermore, the main block 360 is equipped with multiple external connectors 500, all of which are connected to the air chamber 361 and are used to connect to an external air pump. Thus, when the external connectors 500 are used to connect to an external air pump, and the drive end 371 of the drive cylinder 370 transmits power to the push rod 320 and opens the valve core 231, the air pump starts operating to pump or inflate air, thereby controlling the air pressure of the airbag 230 and ensuring that the individual battery cell 220 is within a safe pressure range.

[0042] Please see Figure 2 Furthermore, the battery formation equipment also includes a busbar 240, with the air inlet of each airbag 230 connected to the first air inlet of the busbar 240, and a valve core 231 provided at the second air inlet of the busbar 240. Through the busbar 240 connecting each airbag 230, the actuator 310 can drive the end cap 330 to move the push rod 320, allowing the push rod 320 to simultaneously open or close the valve core 231 on the busbar 240, and to perform suction or inflation, ensuring the pressure of the airbags 230 on the individual battery cells 220 in the battery tray 200.

[0043] The above are merely optional embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made based on the contents of this utility model specification and drawings under the utility model concept, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A battery formation apparatus, characterized by, The battery formation equipment comprises: a needle bed frame; a battery tray arranged on the needle bed frame, the battery tray having a receiving cavity, a plurality of air bags being arranged in the receiving cavity, each adjacent two of the air bags being used for clamping a single battery cell, and an air port of each of the air bags being communicated with a busbar, a valve core being arranged at the air port of the busbar; a gas charging and discharging mechanism, the gas charging and discharging mechanism comprising a driver, a top rod, an end cap, a spring, a rubber-coated shaft head and a main block, the end cap being fixed to the main block, the main block having an air cavity inside, the air cavity being capable of being connected to an air pump, the rubber-coated shaft head and the top rod being arranged in the air cavity, the top rod being connected to the end cap, the spring being sleeved on an outer periphery of the rubber-coated shaft head and being clamped between the end cap and the rubber-coated shaft head, the top rod penetrating through an inside of the rubber-coated shaft head, the rubber-coated shaft head being provided with a gas passage communicating with the air cavity, and the driver being drivingly connected to the main block, so as to drive the top rod to open the valve core and make the gas passage communicate with the air port of the busbar.

2. The battery formation apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The rubber-coated shaft head comprises a contact shaft head and a shaft head body, the contact shaft head being connected to the shaft head body, the shaft head body being hollow and having a ring wall with a plurality of the gas passages, and the contact shaft head being hollow and used for abutting against the valve core of the busbar.

3. The battery formation apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The contact shaft head is made of rubber, and the shaft head body is made of steel.

4. The battery formation apparatus of claim 2, wherein, A plurality of first sealing rings are arranged between an outer periphery wall of the shaft head body and an inner periphery wall of the air cavity of the main block.

5. The battery formation apparatus of claim 4, wherein, A second sealing ring is arranged along an outer periphery of the main block on a side of the air cavity facing the driver, the second sealing ring being capable of sealing a gap between the end cap and the main block along a periphery of the air cavity.

6. The battery formation apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The driver is a driving cylinder, and a driving end of the driving cylinder is fixedly connected to the end cap.

7. The battery formation apparatus of claim 6, wherein, A transition plate is arranged between the driving end of the driving cylinder and the main block, a plurality of mounting grooves are arranged on the transition plate, each of the end caps is embedded in a corresponding one of the mounting grooves, and the transition plate is fixedly connected to the main block.

8. The battery formation apparatus of claim 7, wherein, The transition plate is connected to the driving end by bolts, and the transition plate is connected to the main block by bolts.

9. The battery formation apparatus of claim 1, wherein, An outer thread is arranged on an outer periphery of the top rod close to the driver, the end cap is provided with an inner thread, and the top rod is screw-connected to the end cap by the outer thread and the inner thread.

10. The battery formation apparatus of claim 1, wherein, A plurality of external connection joints are arranged on the main block, the external connection joints are communicated with the air cavity, and the external connection joints are used for externally connecting the air pump.

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