Battery stacking machine

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of battery production lines, and discloses a battery stacking machine which comprises a stacking machine body and an OCV detection device, the stacking machine body is provided with a pallet fork, and the stacking machine body inserts and takes a battery through the pallet fork; the OCV detection device is fixed above the pallet fork and can make contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery to form a detection loop. By arranging the OCV detection device, the technological process and the logistics process are greatly shortened, the cost of logistics equipment and the occupied area of the equipment are reduced, and the detection efficiency is improved. In addition, the environment influence risk and the falling risk possibly caused by repeated warehouse-in and warehouse-out of the trays can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In existing lithium battery manufacturing processes, the OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) value needs to be measured multiple times to obtain data such as the battery's internal resistance and K-value for battery classification and evaluation. To obtain stable and accurate OCV values, the batteries under test are pre-treated for 12-24 hours at room temperature before and after each OCV test. This requires the batteries to be removed from the room temperature storage before the OCV test and placed back in the room temperature storage after the test. The single OCV measurement process is as follows: storage storage → stacker crane insertion → stacker crane movement → storage storage outlet → logistics line transport → OCV unit → test completion → logistics line transport → storage storage inlet → stacker crane insertion of pallet → stacker crane movement → placement in the storage rack. Multiple measurements require repeating the above steps, which not only complicates the process flow, increases the production cycle and involves numerous production equipment and logistics modules, but also requires zoning and segments, significantly increasing the overall testing cycle and equipment complexity, placing high demands on equipment layout space and floor space. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a battery stacking machine that shortens the process and logistics flow, reduces the equipment footprint, and improves testing efficiency.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a battery stacker, including a stacker body and an OCV detection device. The stacker body is equipped with forks, and the stacker body uses the forks to insert and pick up the battery to be tested. The OCV detection device is fixed to the stacker body and located above the forks. The OCV detection device can contact the positive and negative terminals of the battery and form a detection circuit.

[0005] Preferably, the OCV detection device includes an OCV meter, a drive unit, and a probe assembly. The drive unit is fixedly connected to the stacker crane body, and the output end of the drive unit is connected to the probe assembly to drive the probe assembly to move toward or away from the battery to be tested on the forks.

[0006] Preferably, the probe assembly includes a connector, a mounting component, and multiple detection modules. The mounting component is connected to the output end of the driver via the connector. The multiple detection modules are spaced apart on the mounting component along a second direction. Each detection module includes two probe heads spaced apart along a first direction, and the two probe heads are used to connect to the positive and negative terminals of the battery.

[0007] Preferably, the probe assembly further includes multiple temperature sensors, each of which is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with a detection module, and the temperature sensors are located between the two probe heads of the corresponding detection module.

[0008] Preferably, the OCV detection device further includes a control box and an IMP instrument. The control box is installed on the stacker crane body, and both the OCV instrument and the IMP instrument are integrated into the control box. The IMP instrument is electrically connected to the probe assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the battery stacker also includes a sliding contact line located on one side of the stacker body. The stacker body is provided with a contact, and the probe assembly is electrically connected to the sliding contact line through the contact.

[0010] Preferably, there are two probe assemblies, which are spaced apart along the second direction.

[0011] Preferably, the driving component is configured as a ball screw module, the ball screw module is provided with a slide, the probe assembly is connected to the slide, the slide is connected to a detection piece, the side wall of the ball screw module is connected to a detector, two detectors are provided in the vertical direction, and the detectors are provided with a gap for the detection piece to pass through.

[0012] Preferably, the stacker crane body is provided with two limiting strips, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the forks along a first direction.

[0013] Preferably, the stacker crane body is also equipped with a sensor assembly, which includes a first sensor and a second sensor, which cooperate to detect the battery on the forks.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: When the battery stacker is working, it moves to the location of the pallet containing the battery to be tested and extends its forks to transfer the pallet onto the forks. The forks then move the pallet back to its original position. At this time, the battery to be tested moves to the area below the OCV detection device. The OCV detection device moves and contacts the positive and negative terminals of the battery, forming a detection circuit, and begins detecting the battery's OCV value. By setting up the OCV detection device, OCV testing can be performed directly after the stacker picks up the battery, eliminating the need to move the battery to be tested through the logistics line into and out of the storage area and related equipment. This significantly shortens the process and logistics flow, reduces logistics equipment costs and equipment footprint, shortens testing time, and improves testing efficiency. Furthermore, it effectively reduces the environmental impact risks and the risk of the battery falling due to repeated pallet handling. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery stacker according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the OCV detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the frame and forks of an embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] In the diagram: 100, Stacker crane body; 110, Base; 120, Frame; 121, Frame; 1211, Limit bar; 1212, First sensor; 1213, Second sensor; 122, Ground rail; 1221, Contact; 123, Top rail; 1231, Guide roller; 124, Support column; 1241, Cable feeding device; 1242, Fall arrestor; 125, Buffer assembly; 130, Forks; 140, Sliding contact line; 150, Electrical box;

[0019] 200. OCV detection device; 210. Drive unit; 211. Slide table; 212. Detection plate; 213. Detector; 220. Probe assembly; 221. Connector; 222. Mounting component; 223. Detection module; 2231. Probe head; 224. Temperature sensor; 230. Substrate;

[0020] 300, tray; 310, battery. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not the entire structure.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0023] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0024] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0025] Reference Figures 1 to 3As shown, a battery stacker provided according to an embodiment of this application includes a stacker body 100 and an OCV detection device 200. The stacker body 100 is provided with forks 130. Specifically, the stacker body 100 includes a base 110, a frame 120, and forks 130. The base 110 includes a ground rail 122, a top rail 123, and two support columns 124. The ground rail 122 and the top rail 123 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction. The two support columns 124 are arranged at intervals along a first direction and connected between the ground rail 122 and the top rail 123. The ground rail 122 of the frame 120 is slidably connected to the base 110 along the first direction. The ground rail 122 is provided with a motor-driven drive wheel. The frame 120 is connected to a frame 121, which is capable of moving along the vertical direction. One support column 124 is equipped with a motor-driven cable feeding device 1241, and the other support column 124 has an electrical box 150 on one side, which integrates an industrial control computer, network cable, and other data transmission equipment. The transmission frame 121 has winches symmetrically arranged on both sides in the first direction, with a cable drawn from the cable feeding device 1241 wound on the winches. A guide roller 1231 for tensioning the cable is provided on the overhead rail 123. The cable feeding device 1241 controls the vertical movement of the frame 121 by winding and releasing the cable. Forks 130 are mounted on the frame 121 and can move relative to the frame 121 in a second direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the vertical direction are perpendicular to each other. A fall arrestor 1242 is also provided between the support column 124 and the overhead rail 123. In this embodiment, the first direction is the guiding direction of the base 110, which is also the left-right direction of the stacker crane body 100, and the second direction is the extension direction of the forks 130, which is also the front-back direction of the stacker crane body 100. This is specifically mentioned here and will not be repeated hereafter. The stacker crane body 100 drives the forks 130 to move to the battery inlet / outlet in the ambient temperature warehouse through the cooperation of the ground rail 122 and the frame 121. The pallet 300 containing the battery 310 to be tested is obtained through the up-and-down movement of the frame 121 and the extension and retraction of the forks 130, thereby realizing the insertion and removal of the battery 310 to be tested.

[0026] The OCV detection device 200 is fixed above the fork 130. The OCV detection device 200 includes an OCV instrument, a drive unit 210, and a probe assembly 220. The OCV instrument is electrically connected to the probe assembly 220. The output end of the drive unit 210 is connected to the probe assembly 220 to drive the probe assembly 220 to move toward or away from the battery 310 to be tested on the fork 130. The OCV instrument and the probe assembly 220 can contact the positive and negative terminals of the battery 310 and form a detection circuit. Optionally, the fork 130 is composed of a lower fork, a middle fork, and an upper fork stacked from bottom to top and slidably connected to each other along the second direction. A gear and rack assembly driven by a motor is provided between the lower fork and the middle fork, and an idler wheel is provided between the middle fork and the upper fork. A belt of fixed length is connected between the lower fork and the upper fork, and the belt is tensioned on the surface of the idler wheel. The lower fork is fixedly connected to the frame 121. The middle fork and the upper fork can extend forward or backward relative to the frame 121 along the second direction. Since the fork 130 of the stacker crane is a mature technology with diverse structures, and is not the focus of this application, only a simple description of the structure of the fork 130 is given here, and it will not be described in detail hereafter.

[0027] Understandably, when the battery stacker is working, the frame 120 moves to one side of the ambient temperature warehouse under the guidance of the base 110. The frame 121 on the frame 120 moves to the position of the pallet 300 filled with the battery to be tested 310. The fork 130 extends, and the frame 121 moves upward, thereby transferring the pallet 300 onto the fork 130. Then, the fork 130 drives the pallet 300 back to the frame 121. At this time, the battery to be tested 310 moves to the underside of the OCV detection device 200. The drive unit 210 drives the probe assembly 220 to move toward the battery to be tested 310 until the probe assembly 220 contacts the positive and negative terminals of the battery 310 and forms a detection circuit, thus starting the detection of the OCV value of the battery 310. By installing the OCV detection device 200, OCV detection can be performed directly after the stacker crane inserts and retrieves the battery 310. This eliminates the need for the steps and related equipment involved in moving the battery 310 to and from the storage area via the logistics line, significantly shortening the process and logistics flow, reducing logistics equipment costs and floor space, shortening detection time, and improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, it effectively reduces the environmental impact and risk of the pallet 300 falling due to repeated entry and exit from the storage area.

[0028] It should be noted that the battery under test 310 can be a directional battery 310 with the positive and negative terminals located on the top surface of the battery 310, or it can be a cylindrical battery 310 with the positive and negative terminals located at both ends of the battery 310. When the battery under test 310 is a cylindrical battery 310, the tray 300 of the battery 310 is provided with a contact piece that is in contact with the negative terminal of the battery 310. The end of the contact piece is located on the same end face as the positive terminal of the battery 310, thereby facilitating the contact between the probe assembly 220 and the positive and negative terminals of the battery 310.

[0029] Furthermore, the OCV detection device 200 also includes a control box and an IMP meter (Impulse, unit imp / kWh, used to quantify the accuracy of the energy meter). The control box is mounted on the frame 121 of the stacker crane body 100. Both the OCV meter and the IMP meter are integrated into the control box. The IMP meter is electrically connected to the probe assembly 220.

[0030] By configuring the IMP instrument, the dynamic performance of the battery under test 310 can be evaluated through pulse excitation. The IMP instrument and the OCV instrument work together to perform multi-faceted testing of the battery 310's performance, ensuring the consistency and comprehensiveness of the test results. Integrating the OCV instrument and IMP instrument into the same control box facilitates user observation, inspection, maintenance, or debugging, improving the ease of use of the OCV testing device 200.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the probe assembly 220 includes a connector 221, a mounting component 222, and multiple detection modules 223. The connector 221 is a right-angled plate with an L-shape in its cross-section perpendicular to the second direction. The mounting component 222 includes a first plate parallel to the horizontal plane and two vertical second plates. The mounting component 222 is connected to the output end of the drive component 210 via the connector 221. The multiple detection modules 223 are spaced apart on the mounting component 222 along the second direction. Each detection module 223 includes two probe heads 2231 spaced apart along the first direction. The two probe heads 2231 are respectively mounted on the two second plates and are used to connect to the positive and negative terminals of the battery 310. Bolts can be used to connect the drive component 210 and the connector 221, the connector 221 and the mounting component 222, and the mounting component 222 and the detection modules 223. Optionally, the connector 221 has reinforcing ribs on its side.

[0032] By setting up mounting component 222 and connector 221, the connection structure between drive component 210 and detection module 223 can be simplified, making it easier to install and disassemble detection module 223 and improving the ease of mounting and disassembling probe assembly 220.

[0033] Furthermore, the probe assembly 220 also includes multiple temperature sensors 224, each of which is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the detection module 223. The temperature sensors 224 are located between the two probe heads 2231 of the corresponding detection module 223.

[0034] By setting a temperature sensor 224, when multiple batteries 310 under test have different temperatures, the temperature sensor 224 can accurately detect the temperature of the corresponding battery 310, which facilitates subsequent detection compensation by the OCV instrument, eliminates the influence of temperature changes on the OCV value detection results, and effectively improves the accuracy of the OCV detection device 200.

[0035] Furthermore, the drive component 210 is configured as a ball screw module. A base plate 230 is welded onto the ceiling rail 123. The ball screw module is fixedly connected to the base plate 230. The ball screw module is provided with a slide 211. A motor-driven screw is provided inside the ball screw module. The slide 211 is provided with a nut. The nut is threadedly engaged with the screw. The slide 211 is provided with a connecting part that extends out of the housing. The probe assembly 220 is connected to the connecting part of the slide 211. A detection piece 212 is connected to the slide 211. A detector 213 is connected to the side wall of the ball screw module. Two detectors 213 are provided in the vertical direction. The detectors 213 are provided with a gap for the detection piece 212 to pass through.

[0036] Setting the drive unit 210 as a ball screw module can effectively improve the control accuracy and stability of the drive unit 210. By setting the detection plate 212 and the detector 213, when the detection plate 212 enters the gap of the detector 213, the detector 213 can sense the detection plate 212, thereby determining the position of the slide 211 and the probe assembly 220, quickly positioning the slide 211, ensuring the accurate stroke of the probe assembly 220, and preventing damage to the battery 310 or the probe head 2231.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it can be understood that there are two probe assemblies 220, which are spaced apart along the second direction. Optionally, the two probe assemblies 220 can be driven to move by the same drive member 210, or they can be driven to move by two drive members 210, which will not be described in detail here.

[0038] By setting two probe assemblies 220, the number of probe heads 2231 can be greatly increased, thereby increasing the number of batteries 310 that the OCV detection device 200 can detect, and further improving the detection efficiency of the OCV detection device 200.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 As shown, it can be understood that the battery stacker also includes a sliding contact line 140, which is located on one side of the stacker body 100. The frame 120 of the stacker body 100 is provided with a contact 1221, and the probe assembly 220 is electrically connected to the sliding contact line 140 through the contact 1221.

[0040] By setting up a sliding contact line 140, the voltage and current lines of the probe head 2231, and the cables and signal lines of the temperature sensor 224 are connected to the main control system through the sliding contact line 140. This not only reduces mechanical wear and adapts to the high-frequency entry and exit requirements of the battery under test 310 OCV components, but also enables the OCV detection device 200 to operate in an orderly manner with the forks 130 and the frame 121, ensuring the stability and continuity of the stacker crane's operation.

[0041] Furthermore, the frame 121 of the stacker crane body 100 is provided with two limiting strips 1211, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the forks 130 along the first direction. The ends of the limiting strips 1211 are provided with rounded corners or chamfered corners, which are used to guide the pallet 300 into the space between the two limiting strips 1211.

[0042] By setting two limit bars 1211, when the fork 130 drives the pallet 300 and battery 310 to reset, the two limit bars 1211 can guide the pallet 300 to move linearly, straighten the position of the pallet 300, ensure that the battery 310 in the pallet 300 is aligned with the vertical position of the detection module 223, and improve the positioning accuracy of the fork 130.

[0043] Furthermore, the frame 120 is provided with two buffer components 125, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The frame 121 is located between the two buffer components 125. Each buffer component 125 includes two buffer posts spaced apart in the first direction, which are positioned toward the frame 121.

[0044] By setting buffer columns, the buffer columns can absorb the impact of the frame 121 on the top rail 123 when the frame 121 moves to the top of the support column 124, or absorb the impact of the frame 121 on the bottom rail 122 when the frame 121 moves to the bottom of the support column 124, thereby preventing the pallet 300 from vibrating and improving the working stability of the frame 121.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, it can be understood that the frame 121 of the stacker crane body 100 is also equipped with a sensor assembly, which includes a first sensor 1212 and a second sensor 1213. The first sensor 1212 and the second sensor 1213 cooperate to detect the battery 310 on the fork 130. Specifically, the first sensor 1212 is located below the fork 130 and is tilted towards the front of the fork 130 in a second direction. The second sensor 1213 is located on one side of the fork 130 and above the fork 130 along the first direction. The first sensor 1212 can detect whether the fork 130 is in contact with the pallet 300 after the frame 121 moves upward and the fork 130 extends out of the frame 121. The second sensor 1213 can detect whether the pallet 300 follows the fork 130 back to below the OCV detection device 200 when the fork 130 resets.

[0046] By setting up a first sensor 1212 and a second sensor 1213, the first sensor 1212 and the second sensor 1213 work together to detect whether the fork 130 has inserted into the pallet 300 containing the battery 310, thus preventing the fork 130 from missing or mistakenly picking up the pallet 300, and ensuring that the detection module 223 can contact the battery 310 for detection every time it moves down, thereby improving the structural rationality of the stacker crane.

[0047] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A battery stacker, characterized in that, include: The stacker crane body (100) is equipped with forks (130), and the stacker crane body (100) inserts and picks up the battery (310) to be tested through the forks (130); The OCV detection device (200) is fixed to the stacker body (100) and located above the forks (130). The OCV detection device (200) can contact the positive and negative terminals of the battery (310) to form a detection circuit.

2. The battery stacker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The OCV detection device (200) includes an OCV meter, a drive unit (210), and a probe assembly (220). The drive unit (210) is fixedly connected to the stacker body (100), and the output end of the drive unit (210) is connected to the probe assembly (220) to drive the probe assembly (220) to move toward or away from the battery (310) on the forks (130).

3. The battery stacker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The probe assembly (220) includes a connector (221), a mounting component (222), and multiple detection modules (223). The mounting component (222) is connected to the output end of the drive component (210) through the connector (221). The multiple detection modules (223) are installed at intervals along a second direction on the mounting component (222). Each detection module (223) includes two probe heads (2231) spaced apart along a first direction. The two probe heads (2231) are used to connect to the positive and negative terminals of the battery (310).

4. The battery stacker according to claim 3, characterized in that, The probe assembly (220) also includes a plurality of temperature sensors (224), each of which is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the detection module (223). The temperature sensors (224) are located between the two probe heads (2231) of the corresponding detection module (223).

5. The battery stacker according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The OCV detection device (200) also includes a control box and an IMP instrument. The control box is installed on the stacker crane body (100). The OCV instrument and the IMP instrument are both integrated in the control box. The IMP instrument is electrically connected to the probe assembly (220).

6. The battery stacker according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The battery stacker also includes a sliding contact line (140), which is located on one side of the stacker body (100). The stacker body (100) is provided with a contact (1221), and the probe assembly (220) is electrically connected to the sliding contact line (140) through the contact (1221).

7. The battery stacker according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, Two probe assemblies (220) are provided, and the two probe assemblies (220) are spaced apart along the second direction.

8. The battery stacker according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The drive unit (210) is configured as a ball screw module, the ball screw module is provided with a slide (211), the probe assembly (220) is connected to the slide (211), the slide (211) is connected to a detection piece (212), the side wall of the ball screw module is connected to a detector (213), two detectors (213) are provided in the vertical direction, and the detectors (213) are provided with a gap for the detection piece (212) to pass through.

9. The battery stacker according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The stacker crane body (100) is provided with two limiting strips (1211), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the forks (130).

10. The battery stacker according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The stacker crane body (100) is also equipped with a sensor assembly, which includes a first sensor (1212) and a second sensor (1213), which cooperate to detect the battery (310) on the forks (130).

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