Jig circulating conveying line for battery cell production and visual inspection device thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a jig circulating conveying line for battery cell production and a visual inspection device thereof, and relates to the field of battery cell production devices, a belt of a belt conveyor is provided with a correcting mechanism and a plurality of jigs, and each jig comprises a supporting table and limiting pieces on the two sides of the supporting table. When in use, the jig is used for carrying out bottom supporting and left-right positioning on the battery cell, the aligning mechanism is used for carrying out front-back positioning on the battery cell, and the belt conveyor is used for conveying the positioned battery cell. Therefore, the jig and the alignment mechanism can quickly and accurately position and place the battery cells, and complete the conveying of the battery cells and the circulation of the jig by virtue of the belt conveyor, so that the production efficiency of the battery cells can be greatly improved, and manpower is saved. In addition, the belt is further fixedly provided with a first guide plate with a first roller and a second guide plate with a second roller between the two jigs, so that the stability of the jig circulating conveying line is improved. The jig is further provided with a first receding groove and a second receding groove so that the jig can be matched with a mechanical arm to take and discharge the electric core.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of visual inspection equipment, specifically a jig circulation conveying line for battery cell production and its visual inspection device. Background Technology

[0002] Winded battery cells are a manufacturing process for lithium-ion batteries. The core process involves winding the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator into a core coil in a specific order. The portions of the positive and negative electrode extending beyond the separator are called tabs. Currently, battery cell production typically involves manual handling of the cells and fixtures, which is inefficient and prone to damage. Given the significant current trend towards new energy sources and the increasing demands on production efficiency and quality, it is necessary to design a fixture-based circulating conveyor line capable of accurately positioning and transporting battery cells to improve production efficiency.

[0003] In addition, cell inspection is an important part of cell production. It is necessary to design a visual inspection device that can improve the inspection efficiency of cell production based on the above-mentioned fixture circulation conveyor line. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a jig circulation conveyor line for battery cell production and its visual inspection device, in order to overcome the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A jig circulation conveyor line for battery cell production includes a frame, a belt conveyor, and a plurality of jigs arranged along the conveying direction on the belt of the belt conveyor. Each jig includes a support platform and a limiting member. The support platform is fixed to the belt and is used to abut against the bottom surface of the battery cell. The limiting member is spaced apart on both the left and right sides of the support platform along the conveying direction, and the two limiting members are used to abut against the left and right sides of the battery cell, respectively.

[0007] The frame is equipped with a straightening mechanism at the upstream end of the belt conveyor. The straightening mechanism includes a drive device and two clamping plates. The frame is provided with one clamping plate that can be moved back and forth on both the front and rear sides of the fixture, and is equipped with the drive device that causes the two clamping plates to open and close with each other by moving back and forth. The two clamping plates are respectively used to abut against the front and rear sides of the battery cell.

[0008] Furthermore, the aforementioned support platform includes several support blocks, and the aforementioned belt is provided with several support blocks arranged at intervals along the conveying direction, with at least two spaced support blocks forming a first clearance groove.

[0009] Furthermore, at least two support blocks are provided with extensions for supporting the tabs of the battery cell.

[0010] Furthermore, the aforementioned limiting component is provided with a second clearance groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the aforementioned clamp spans two fixtures along the conveying direction.

[0012] Furthermore, the belt of the aforementioned belt conveyor is assembled between two vertically arranged first guide plates. The belt is provided with a plurality of first mounting frames arranged along the conveying direction. Each first mounting frame is provided with two first rollers, and the two first rollers respectively roll and abut against the two first guide plates.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforementioned belt is fitted with at least one of the aforementioned first mounting brackets between two adjacent fixtures.

[0014] Furthermore, the frame is provided with second guide plates horizontally on both the front and rear sides of the belt, and the belt is provided with several second mounting frames arranged along the conveying direction. Each second mounting frame is provided with two second rollers, and the two second rollers roll and abut against the two second guide plates respectively.

[0015] Furthermore, the aforementioned belt is fitted with at least one of the aforementioned second mounting brackets between two adjacent aforementioned fixtures.

[0016] A visual inspection device for battery cell production includes a visual inspection mechanism and a fixture circulation conveyor line with the structure described above, wherein the camera of the visual inspection mechanism is directed toward the tab of a battery cell on the fixture circulation conveyor line.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0018] In the jig-based circulating conveyor line disclosed in this utility model, the belt conveyor is equipped with a straightening mechanism and several jigs, each jig including a support platform and limiting components on both sides. In use, the jigs provide bottom support and left-right positioning for the battery cells, the straightening mechanism positions the battery cells front-to-back, and the belt conveyor transports the positioned battery cells. Therefore, the jigs and straightening mechanism of this utility model can quickly and accurately position and place the battery cells, and the belt conveyor completes the transport of the battery cells and the circulation of the jigs, greatly improving the efficiency of battery cell production and saving manpower. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fixture circulation conveyor line in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the downstream end structure of the fixture circulation conveyor line in this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the middle section of the fixture circulation conveyor line in this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the upstream structure of the fixture circulation conveyor line in this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a simplified top view of a type of battery cell.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the visual inspection device in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many details are described below to provide a comprehensive understanding of this utility model; however, those skilled in the art can implement this utility model without these details.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, a jig circulation conveyor line for battery cell production includes a frame 1, a belt conveyor 2 on the frame 1, a straightening mechanism 3 mounted on the upstream end of the belt conveyor 2 on the frame 1, and a cleaning device 4 located in the middle of the belt conveyor 2. Several jigs 23 are arranged along the conveying direction on the belt 22 of the belt conveyor 2.

[0027] The belt conveyor 2 includes a geared motor 21, a belt 22, and first guide plates 23. The left and right ends (upstream and downstream) of the belt 22 are rotatably mounted between two vertically positioned first guide plates 23 via rollers. One of the first guide plates 23 is fixedly equipped with the geared motor 21, and the output shaft of the geared motor 21 is connected to one of the rollers to drive the roller to rotate, thereby indirectly causing the belt 22 to roll. Since the belt conveyor 2 is a conventional technology, other specific structural details will not be elaborated here.

[0028] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, fixture 23 is used to place battery cell a and position it left and right. Fixture 23 includes a support platform and limiting members 232. The belt 22 is fixed to the support platform, which abuts against the bottom surface of battery cell a to support it. Limiting members 232 are provided at intervals on both the left and right sides of the support platform along the conveying direction of the belt 22. The two limiting members 232 are respectively used to abut against the left and right sides of battery cell a.

[0029] Preferably, the support platform consists of four support blocks 231, which are arranged at intervals along the conveying direction of the belt 22. The upper surface of each support block 231 is provided with a rubber pad to protect the battery cell a. Each of the two support blocks 231 at both ends has an extension 2311, which abuts against the bottom surface of the electrode tab a1 of the battery cell a to support the tab a1. A first clearance groove 2310 is formed between the two spaced-apart support blocks 231 in the middle, facilitating the removal of the battery cell a by a robotic arm. Of course, the number of support blocks 231 can be increased or decreased as needed, and is not limited to four; similarly, the number of first clearance grooves 2310 can also be increased or decreased as needed.

[0030] Preferably, the limiting member 232 is provided with a second clearance groove 2320, which, together with the gap between the limiting member 232 and the support platform, facilitates the robot arm to pick up and discharge core a from the left and right sides.

[0031] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the belt 22 is provided with several first mounting frames 25 arranged along the conveying direction. Each first mounting frame 25 is provided with two first rollers 251, and the two first rollers 251 roll and abut against two first guide plates 23 respectively. The first rollers 251, in conjunction with the first guide plates 23, can prevent the belt 22 from shifting back and forth during the rolling process, thereby preventing the fixture 23 from shifting back and forth relative to the straightening mechanism 3.

[0032] Preferably, the belt 22 is fitted with two first mounting brackets 25 carrying the first rollers 251 between two adjacent fixtures. Of course, the number of first mounting brackets 25 can be increased or decreased as needed.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, preferably, the fixture 23 also includes a mounting base 230, which is detachably fixed to the belt 22. Two support blocks 231, a limiting member 232, and a first mounting bracket 25 carrying a first roller 251 are detachably fixed to a mounting base 230 for easy loading and unloading.

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the frame has second guide plates 10 horizontally arranged on both the front and rear sides of the belt 22. Several second mounting brackets 24 are arranged along the conveying direction of the belt 22. Each second mounting bracket 24 has two second rollers 241, which roll and abut against the two second guide plates 10 respectively. The second rollers 241, in conjunction with the second guide plates 10, prevent the lower half of the belt 22 from being stretched or sagging due to gravity, thereby avoiding deformation of the belt 22 and making the operation of the device more stable and reliable.

[0035] Preferably, the belt 22 is fitted with a second mounting bracket 24 carrying a second roller 241 between two adjacent fixtures. Of course, the number of second mounting brackets 24 can be increased or decreased as needed.

[0036] Preferably, the belt 22 is fitted with two first mounting brackets 25 carrying first rollers 251 and a second mounting bracket 24 carrying second rollers 241 between two adjacent fixtures. The second mounting bracket 24 is located between the two first mounting brackets 25.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the straightening mechanism 3 is used for front-to-back positioning of the battery cell a. The straightening mechanism 3 includes a drive device and two clamping plates 32. The frame 1 has a clamping plate 32 that can be moved back and forth on both the front and rear sides of the fixture 23, and is equipped with a drive device 31 that causes the two clamping plates 32 to open and close with each other through back-to-back movement. The two clamping plates 32 are respectively used to abut against the front and rear sides of the battery cell a to achieve front-to-back positioning of the battery cell a. The drive device 31 includes, but is not limited to, two telescopic cylinders facing back and forth.

[0038] Preferably, the clamping plate 32 spans across the two fixtures 23 along the conveying direction to facilitate the simultaneous positioning of the two battery cells a.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cleaning device 4 is a jet cleaning device used to clean the belt 22 and the fixture 23. It mainly includes a flat nozzle 41 and a baffle 42. Both the flat nozzle 41 and the baffle 42 are fixed to the frame 1, and the baffle 42 is provided with a through hole 421. The jet nozzle of the flat nozzle 41 faces the through hole 421 and jets air onto the lower half of the belt 22 and the fixture 23 to achieve the purpose of cleaning.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a visual inspection device for battery cell production includes a main frame 1-1, which is equipped with a visual inspection mechanism 1-4 and a fixture circulation conveyor line 1-3. The fixture circulation conveyor line 1-3 is structured as described above. The camera of the visual inspection mechanism 1-4 is positioned towards the tab a1 of the battery cell a on the fixture circulation conveyor line 1-3 to photograph the battery cell a and its tab a1, facilitating the detection of whether the tab a1 of the battery cell a is folded using image recognition technology. Because the fixture circulation conveyor line 1-3 can effectively position and orient the battery cells a, the camera of the visual inspection mechanism 1-4 can more accurately and uniformly photograph each battery cell a and its tab a1, thereby improving the accuracy of the visual inspection structure.

[0041] Preferably, the main frame 1-1 is also equipped with a first robotic arm 1-2 and a second robotic arm 1-5. The first robotic arm 1-2 is located at the upstream end of the fixture circulation conveyor line 1-3 (i.e., the end equipped with the straightening mechanism 3), and is used to place the battery cell a onto the fixture 23 for automatic feeding. The second robotic arm 1-5 is located at the downstream end of the fixture circulation conveyor line 1-3. After the battery cell a is inspected by the vision inspection mechanism 1-4, it is sorted by the second robotic arm 1-5 for automatic unloading. The first robotic arm 1-2 and the second robotic arm 1-5 are common technologies in automated equipment, and their specific structures will not be described in detail here.

[0042] This is merely a specific embodiment of the present utility model, but the design concept of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any non-substantial modifications made to the present utility model using this concept shall be considered as an infringement of the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cycle conveying line of a cell production jig, comprising a frame provided with a belt conveyor, a plurality of the jigs being arranged in a conveying direction on a belt of the belt conveyor, characterized in that: The jig comprises a support table and a limiting piece, the belt is fixed with the support table, and the support table is used for abutting against the bottom surface of the battery cell; the limiting piece is arranged on the left and right sides of the support table in the conveying direction, and the two limiting pieces are respectively used for abutting against the left and right sides of the battery cell. ​ The rack is provided with a clamping mechanism at the upstream end of the belt conveyor, the clamping mechanism comprises a driving device and two clamping plates, the rack is movably provided with a clamping plate on the front and back sides of the jig, and the driving device is arranged to make the two clamping plates open and close through forward and backward movement, and the two clamping plates are respectively used for abutting against the front and back sides of the battery cell.

2. The cycle transfer line for a cell production jig according to claim 1, wherein: The support table comprises a plurality of support blocks, and the belt is arranged with a plurality of support blocks in the conveying direction, and a first gap is formed between at least two support blocks.

3. The jig circulating conveyer line for production of an electric cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least two support blocks are provided with an extension part for supporting the tab of the battery cell.

4. The jig circulating conveyer line for production of an electric cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The limiting piece is provided with a second gap.

5. The cycle transfer line for a cell production jig according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping plate spans two jigs in the conveying direction.

6. The cycle transfer line for a cell production jig according to claim 1, wherein: The belt of the belt conveyor is arranged between two vertically arranged first guide plates, the belt is arranged with a plurality of first mounting frames in the conveying direction, the first mounting frame is provided with two first rollers, and the two first rollers are respectively in rolling abutment with the two first guide plates.

7. The cycle transfer line of claim 6, wherein: The belt is provided with at least one first mounting frame between two adjacent jigs.

8. The cycle transfer line for a cell production jig according to claim 1, 6 or 7, wherein: The rack is provided with a second guide plate on the front and back sides of the belt, the belt is arranged with a plurality of second mounting frames in the conveying direction, the second mounting frame is provided with two second rollers, and the two second rollers are respectively in rolling abutment with the two second guide plates.

9. The cycle transfer line for a cell production jig according to claim 8, wherein: The belt is provided with at least one second mounting frame between two adjacent jigs.

10. A visual inspection apparatus for production of an electric cell, comprising a visual inspection mechanism, characterized by: Further comprising a jig circulating conveying line with the structure as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, and the camera of the visual detection mechanism faces the tab of the battery cell on the jig circulating conveying line.

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