A cell flipping mechanism

Abstract

This utility model relates to the technical field of battery cell flipping technology, and particularly to a battery cell flipping mechanism. A servo module of a battery cell pusher drives a battery cell pusher plate to push a row of battery cells on a battery cell support bar forward, tightly closing them together, and feeding them one by one to the flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism includes a rotating part, a flexible suction cup, a vacuum generator, and a telescopic cylinder. The flexible suction cup is disposed on the surface of the rotating part, which provides flipping power through the telescopic cylinder. The vacuum generator controls the flexible suction cup to adsorb or release the battery cells. The battery cells, initially upright, are flipped by the flipping mechanism and then laid flat on a flat belt conveyor. This structure achieves intelligent control of the entire process from battery cell loading to flipping and conveying, maintaining an extremely low battery cell breakage rate while possessing extremely high battery cell flipping and conveying efficiency, and is compatible with the flexible production of battery cells of various specifications and sizes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of battery cell flipping technology, and in particular to a battery cell flipping mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the current field of automated lithium battery cell production, traditional cell flipping processes generally employ manual or semi-automatic operation modes, resulting in technical defects such as large fluctuations in production efficiency and easy deformation and damage to the cell casing. Due to the lack of flexible design in the mechanical structure, existing equipment requires lengthy parameter adjustments and mechanical changes when producing cells of different specifications, severely hindering power battery companies from achieving the goal of efficient and flexible manufacturing. More critically, the lack of effective linkage control between the traditional conveying system and the front-end flipping mechanism leads to cell misalignment or jamming during process handover, directly affecting the overall production line cycle time and product yield. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery cell flipping mechanism to address the shortcomings of existing technologies, thereby achieving intelligent control of the entire process from battery cell loading to flipping and conveying. This mechanism maintains an extremely low battery cell breakage rate while possessing extremely high battery cell flipping and conveying efficiency, and is compatible with the flexible production of battery cells of various specifications and sizes.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: It includes a battery cell pusher, a flipping mechanism, and a flat belt conveyor. The battery cell pusher includes a battery cell support bar, a battery cell push plate, and a battery cell positioning detector located at the front end of the battery cell push plate. A pusher servo module of the battery cell pusher drives the battery cell push plate to push a row of battery cells on the battery cell support bar forward, tightly closing them together, and feeding them one by one to the flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism includes a rotating part, a flexible suction cup, a vacuum generator, and a telescopic cylinder. The flexible suction cup is located on the surface of the rotating part. The rotating part provides flipping power through the telescopic cylinder. The vacuum generator controls the flexible suction cup to adsorb or release the battery cells. After being flipped from an upright position by the flipping mechanism, the battery cells lie flat on the flat belt conveyor.

[0005] Furthermore, the cell pusher is also provided with a first detection sensor and a second detection sensor, which are fixedly installed on the cell pusher behind the cell pusher plate on the cell pusher.

[0006] Furthermore, the cell pusher is also equipped with side baffles, clamping servo drives, and clamping position detection. The side baffles are located on both sides of the cell pushing path above the cell support bar. The clamping servo drive on the outside of the side baffles pushes the side of the cell to limit its movement, and the clamping position detection detects the limiting state.

[0007] Furthermore, the cell pusher plate is a floating mechanism, and a pressure detection sensor is installed inside the cell pusher plate to monitor abnormal pressure on the placed cell.

[0008] Furthermore, the rotating part uses a heavy-duty wear-resistant bearing that withstands radial loads.

[0009] Furthermore, the flat belt conveyor line is provided with multiple sections and the line body movement is controlled by a servo motor, and the flat belt conveyor line transports battery cells in sections.

[0010] Furthermore, a sensor is installed at the gap between the two bodies of the flat belt conveyor to detect the presence or absence of battery cells.

[0011] Furthermore, the flipping mechanism is provided with two flipping limits, and the parallelism between the battery cell adsorption surface and the flat belt conveyor line is controlled by the flipping limits.

[0012] The system comprises a cell pusher, a flipping mechanism, and a flat belt conveyor. The cell pusher includes a cell support bar, a cell push plate, and a cell positioning detector located at the front end of the push plate. A servo module on the pusher drives the push plate to push a row of cells on the support bar forward, tightening them together, and feeding them one by one to the flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism includes a rotating part, a flexible suction cup, a vacuum generator, and a telescopic cylinder. The flexible suction cup is located on the surface of the rotating part, which receives flipping power from the telescopic cylinder. The vacuum generator controls the flexible suction cup to adsorb or release the cells. The cells, initially upright, are flipped by the flipping mechanism and then laid flat on the flat belt conveyor. This structure achieves intelligent control of the entire process from cell loading to flipping and conveying, maintaining an extremely low cell breakage rate while possessing extremely high cell flipping and conveying efficiency, and is compatible with flexible production of various specifications and sizes of basket-type cells. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the battery cell flipping mechanism of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a top view of the cell flipping mechanism of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a side view of the flipping mechanism of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell of this utility model standing upright on the flipping mechanism;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell of this utility model lying flat after being flipped by the flipping mechanism;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism of this utility model flipping the battery cell to the front of the flat belt conveyor line;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism of this utility model after flipping the battery cell onto the flat belt conveyor line.

[0021] Figure label:

[0022] 1. Battery cell pusher, 1-1. Battery cell support bar, 1-2. Battery cell push plate, 1-3. Battery cell positioning detection, 1-4. First detection sensor, 1-5. Second detection sensor, 1-6. Side baffle, 1-7. Clamping servo drive, 1-8. Clamping positioning detection, 2. Tilting mechanism, 2-1. Rotating part, 2-2. Flexible suction cup, 2-3. Vacuum generator, 2-4. Telescopic cylinder, 3. Flat belt conveyor. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0024] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", and "outer" are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, 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.

[0025] A cell flipping mechanism, such as Figures 1-7As shown, the system includes a cell pusher 1, a flipping mechanism 2, and a flat belt conveyor 3. The cell pusher 1 includes a cell support bar 1-1, a cell pusher plate 1-2, and a cell positioning detector 1-3 located at the front end of the cell pusher plate 1-2 to detect the position of the cells. The pusher servo module of the cell pusher 1 drives the cell pusher plate 1-2 to push a row of cells on the cell support bar 1-1 forward and close them together, and feed them one by one to the flipping mechanism 2. The flipping mechanism 2 includes a rotating part 2-1, a flexible suction cup 2-2, a vacuum generator 2-3, and a telescopic cylinder 2-4. The flexible suction cup 2-2 is located on the surface of the rotating part 2-1. The rotating part 2-1 provides flipping power through the telescopic cylinder 2-4. The vacuum generator 2-2 controls the flexible suction cup 2-1 to adsorb or release the cells. After the cells are flipped from an upright position by the flipping mechanism 2, they lie flat on the flat belt conveyor 3.

[0026] Specifically, the battery cell position is monitored in real time by the battery cell positioning detection 1-3. The pusher servo module drives the battery cell pusher plate 1-2 to precisely push and close the battery cells on the battery cell support bar 1-1 and feed them one by one, replacing manual arrangement and eliminating the risk of jamming caused by position deviation. The feeding cycle is stable and controllable. The flexible suction cup 2-2 adsorbs the battery cells under the control of the vacuum generator 2-3, avoiding surface damage or deformation caused by mechanical clamping. The telescopic cylinder 2-4 drives the rotating part 2-1 to complete the flipping action from standing to lying flat. The power transmission is direct and reliable. There is no collision or friction of the battery cells during the flipping process, ensuring that the integrity of the battery cell structure is not damaged. After flipping, the battery cells fall smoothly to the flat belt conveyor line 3, seamlessly connecting to the subsequent process. The overall solution eliminates the risk of battery cells falling and colliding during manual operation. The fully automatic process ensures a uniform flipping angle and can adapt to battery cells of different sizes. There is no modification cost. The rhythmic operation replaces intermittent manual operation, and the production capacity is linearly increased. The flexible suction cup 2-2 can be a flexible suction cup with a compression plate or a sponge suction cup.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the cell pusher 1 is also provided with a first detection sensor 1-4 and a second detection sensor 1-5. The first detection sensor 1-4 and the second detection sensor 1-5 are fixedly installed on the cell pusher 1 behind the cell pusher plate 1-2. The first detection sensor 1-4 performs ultra-wide skew detection, and the second detection sensor 1-5 performs ultra-high detection.

[0028] Specifically, before the battery cell is pushed by the battery cell pusher plate 1-2, the first detection sensor 1-4 scans the width and placement of the battery cell in real time to accurately identify abnormal battery cells that are too wide, tilted, or misaligned. The second detection sensor 1-5 simultaneously detects whether the height of the battery cell exceeds the standard to prevent battery cells that are improperly stacked or deformed from entering subsequent work stations. The two sensors work together to complete the detection behind the battery cell pusher plate 1-2, blocking defective battery cells from entering the flipping process in advance. The sensors are fixed to the battery cell pusher plate 1 body and do not occupy extra space. The detection action is completed instantaneously before the battery cell pusher plate 1-2 pushes the battery cell, thus ensuring zero delay and not affecting the feeding cycle. The detection results directly link the pusher plate servo module: if there is an abnormality, the pushing is immediately paused and an alarm is triggered; if there is a normal condition, the feeding continues. The first detection sensor 1-4 and the second detection sensor 1-5 can also be loaded with other detection capabilities.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the cell pusher 1 is also provided with side baffles 1-6, clamping servo drives 1-7, and clamping position detection 1-8. The side baffles 1-6 are arranged on both sides of the cell pushing path above the cell support bar 1-1. The clamping servo drives 1-7 on the outside of the side baffles 1-6 push the side of the cell to limit its movement, and the clamping position detection 1-8 detects the limiting state.

[0030] Specifically, side baffles 1-6 are arranged on both sides of the battery cell pushing path to form a reference guide channel. During the process of the battery cell being pushed by the battery cell pusher plate 1-2, the clamping servo drive 1-7 drives the side baffles 1-6 to clamp the battery cell towards the center in real time, eliminating positional deviation and ensuring that each battery cell is strictly centered during delivery. The clamping detection 1-8 simultaneously verifies the centered state of the battery cell, forming a closed-loop control for clamping detection. The centered accuracy of the battery cell directly affects the adsorption success rate of the flexible suction cup 2-2 of the flipping mechanism 2 and the stability of the flipping trajectory, ensuring that the battery cell enters the flipping station in a centered state, so that the flipping action of the rotating part 2-1 will not deviate, avoiding adsorption failure or battery cell slippage due to positional deviation. In this scheme, the clamping action is carried out synchronously with the pushing action, thereby ensuring zero cycle time loss and improving operating efficiency.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the cell pusher plate 1-2 is a floating mechanism, and a pressure detection sensor is installed inside the cell pusher plate 1-2 to monitor abnormal pressure on the placed cell.

[0032] Specifically, the floating mechanism enables flexible contact between the cell pusher plate and the cell pusher plate. Compared with the traditional rigid pusher plate, it can adapt to the stacking height error of the cells and avoid deformation of the cell shell or misalignment of the internal electrode plates caused by hard contact. With the help of pressure detection sensors, the contact force between the pusher plate and the cell can be monitored in real time. When abnormal pressure fluctuations are detected, the machine will stop and alarm immediately, reducing the cell breakage rate.

[0033] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the rotating part 2-1 uses a heavy-duty wear-resistant bearing that bears radial loads.

[0034] Specifically, bearings specifically designed for radial loads are used to improve the bending stiffness of the rotating part 2-1, which can stably bear the weight of the battery cell and the inertial force of the flipping, eliminating the suction cup posture deviation caused by bearing deformation in traditional flipping mechanisms.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the flat belt conveyor 3 is equipped with multiple sections and the movement of the line is controlled by a servo motor. The flat belt conveyor 3 conveys battery cells in sections.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, a sensor is installed at the gap between the two bodies of the flat belt conveyor 3 to detect the presence or absence of battery cells.

[0037] Specifically, the production line is modularly segmented and controlled by servo motors to achieve flexible timing matching for battery cell transmission. When the current segment flipping mechanism 2 releases the battery cell, only the target segment flat belt starts, while the rest of the production line remains stationary, completely eliminating the ineffective energy consumption caused by traditional whole-line linkage. Through-beam fiber optic sensors are installed at the junction of adjacent production lines to capture the battery cell passage status in real time. When battery cell stagnation is detected, the system automatically performs error correction actions to avoid the whole-line shutdown caused by material jamming in traditional equipment.

[0038] As a preferred embodiment of the above, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the flipping mechanism 2 is provided with two flipping limits, and the parallelism between the battery cell adsorption surface and the flat belt conveyor line is controlled by the flipping limits.

[0039] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cell flipping mechanism, characterized in that: Includes a cell pusher (1), a flipping mechanism (2), and a flat belt conveyor (3); The cell pusher (1) includes a cell support bar (1-1), a cell pusher plate (1-2), and a cell positioning detection (1-3) located at the front end of the cell pusher plate (1-2) to detect the position of the cells. The cell pusher plate (1) is driven by the pusher servo module to push the cell pusher plate (1-2) to push a row of cells on the cell support bar (1-1) forward and close them together, and feed them one by one to the flipping mechanism (2). The flipping mechanism (2) includes a rotating part (2-1), a flexible suction cup (2-2), a vacuum generator (2-3), and a telescopic cylinder (2-4). The flexible suction cup (2-2) is disposed on the surface of the rotating part (2-1). The rotating part (2-1) provides flipping power through the telescopic cylinder (2-4). The vacuum generator (2-3) controls the flexible suction cup (2-2) to adsorb or release the battery cell. The battery cell is flipped from an upright position by the flipping mechanism (2) and then lies flat on the flat belt conveyor line (3).

2. The cell flipping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell pusher (1) is also provided with a first detection sensor (1-4) and a second detection sensor (1-5). The first detection sensor (1-4) and the second detection sensor (1-5) are fixedly installed on the cell pusher (1) behind the cell pusher plate (1-2).

3. The cell flipping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell pusher (1) is also provided with a side stop (1-6), a clamping servo drive (1-7), and a clamping position detection (1-8). The side stop (1-6) is located on both sides of the cell pushing path above the cell support bar (1-1). The clamping servo drive (1-7) on the outside of the side stop (1-6) pushes the side of the cell to limit its movement, and the clamping position detection (1-8) detects the limiting state.

4. The cell flipping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cell pusher plate (1-2) is a floating mechanism, and a pressure detection sensor is installed inside the cell pusher plate (1-2) to monitor abnormal pressure on the placed cell.

5. A cell flipping mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rotating part (2-1) uses a heavy-duty wear-resistant bearing that can withstand radial loads.

6. A cell flipping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flat belt conveyor (3) is equipped with multiple sections and the movement of the conveyor body is controlled by a servo motor. The flat belt conveyor (3) conveys battery cells in sections.

7. A cell flipping mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, Sensors are installed at the gap between the two bodies of the flat belt conveyor (3) to detect whether there are battery cells.

8. A cell flipping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flipping mechanism (2) is provided with two flipping limits, and the parallelism between the battery cell adsorption surface and the flat belt conveyor is controlled by the flipping limits.

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