Cylindrical lithium battery automatic sorting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cylindrical lithium cell automatic sorting device, include: feed direction unit is used for accommodating and guiding cylindrical lithium cell under the action of gravity orderly enters sorting path, diameter screening unit is connected in the downstream of feed direction unit and mounting seat for accommodating and installing diameter screening unit, diameter screening unit includes: at least one first grade screening module at least one second grade screening module, through the first grade screening module and second grade screening module of splicing, can only through utilizing the smooth flow of battery between each level screening mechanism through gravity, and realizes the comprehensive sorting to two key physical dimensions of battery diameter and length, ensures that the battery after sorting according to length and diameter can be accurately collected, very good utilization of gravity and material interaction, thereby can practical and economic cylindrical lithium cell physical specification automatic sorting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery sorting technology, and in particular to an automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Cylindrical lithium batteries, as a widely used energy storage element, often need to be sorted based on their physical dimensions (such as diameter and length), appearance, or other characteristics during production, recycling, and secondary use. Currently, mainstream automated sorting devices for cylindrical lithium batteries typically employ complex technical solutions, generally relying on a series of electronic sensors. For example, optical sensors (such as CCD cameras or laser displacement sensors) are used to accurately measure the battery's diameter and length, as well as detect surface defects. The data acquired by these sensors is processed and analyzed by a programmable logic controller (PLC) or industrial computer, and automated sorting is achieved based on preset logic and thresholds.

[0003] In many application scenarios, users may only need to sort batteries based on their main physical dimensions (such as the diameter of different models or the basic length classification) without performing high-precision electrical performance testing or detecting minor defects. In this case, a fully functional and complex sorting device may appear to be "over-designed," and its high cost and complexity have not been fully converted into value for users. The initial purchase cost and subsequent maintenance parts costs are both high. In addition, due to the presence of electronic systems, sorting equipment lacks the ability to make timely and flexible adjustments, and the complex system also means more potential failure points. Troubleshooting and repair often require professional technicians, increasing maintenance difficulty and downtime. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic cylindrical lithium battery sorting device. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the deficiencies in the existing technology by proposing an automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries includes: a feeding guide unit for receiving and guiding cylindrical lithium batteries to enter the sorting path in an orderly manner under the action of gravity;

[0007] A diameter screening unit is connected downstream of the feed guiding unit;

[0008] And a mounting base for accommodating and mounting the diameter screening unit;

[0009] The diameter screening unit includes:

[0010] At least one first-level screening module, the first-level screening module includes a conveying path, and at least two diversion outlets with different preset fixed widths are provided along the conveying path, and the diversion outlets are all provided on the bottom surface of the conveying path;

[0011] At least one second-level filtering module, the inlet of which is connected downstream of at least one of the diversion outlets;

[0012] The second-level filtering module is equipped with a length filtering unit;

[0013] And a sorting and collection unit, which is located below each screening outlet of the diameter screening unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the feeding guide unit includes a feeding hopper with an inclined bottom surface and a guide groove on the feeding hopper for guiding the battery to the diameter screening unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the end of the conveying path is provided with an end outlet for discharging from the path or connecting path nodes.

[0016] Furthermore, in the first-level screening module, batteries that fail to fall or be diverted from all the shunt outlets in the series configuration will be discharged from the end outlet of the transport path and will be considered as the largest size category.

[0017] Furthermore, a path conversion platform is provided at the entrance of the second-level screening module. At least one battery guide rail groove is provided on the path conversion platform. The path conversion platform is inclined, with the lowest point of the inclination facing the length screening unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the length screening unit includes a screening frame, a guide plate is provided on the side of the screening frame away from the path conversion platform, a screening groove is opened inside the screening frame, the screening groove is inclined along the battery movement direction, and the width of the screening groove smoothly and continuously increases from the minimum value along the battery movement direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the guide plate is provided with a directional guide groove, and a plurality of track bars are provided in the directional guide groove. The track bars are perpendicular to the axis of the battery and are distributed in parallel in sequence.

[0020] Furthermore, the sorting and collection unit includes a collection housing, which is mounted in the mounting base via a slide rail, and the inside of the collection housing has a sorting slot that covers the working area of ​​the length screening unit.

[0021] Furthermore, the mounting base is equipped with several lifting devices that cooperate with the diameter screening unit, and the lifting devices enable the modules of the diameter screening unit to be distributed in a stepped or multi-layered manner.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0023] Through the first-level and second-level screening modules, batteries can flow smoothly between each screening mechanism using only gravity, achieving comprehensive sorting based on the two key physical dimensions of battery diameter and length. Furthermore, while eliminating electronic components such as sensors, the first and second-level screening modules can perform independent screening and can be arbitrarily combined with the second-level module to guide batteries into different sorting result paths, adapting to various screening needs and scenarios. During this process, relying on the interaction between mechanical components and the physical dimensions of the batteries, and using gravity as the primary driving force, the dependence on expensive electronic sensors, complex PLC control systems, and precision electric actuators is reduced, significantly lowering the equipment's manufacturing and parts replacement costs, making the equipment more economical. Simultaneously, troubleshooting mechanical faults is relatively intuitive, maintenance is simpler, the professional skill requirements for maintenance personnel are reduced, and the mean time to repair (MTBT) is shortened.

[0024] The sorting process of the device is mainly driven by the gravity of the batteries themselves, consuming almost no or only a very small amount of external energy. While ensuring the screening effect, it significantly saves energy costs, which is in line with the trend of energy conservation and environmental protection. It ensures that the batteries sorted by length and diameter can be accurately collected. It makes good use of gravity and material interaction, thereby achieving efficient, practical and economical automatic sorting of cylindrical lithium batteries according to their physical specifications. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cylindrical lithium battery automatic sorting device proposed in this utility model.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical lithium battery automatic sorting device proposed in this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the diameter screening unit of the cylindrical lithium battery automatic sorting device proposed in this utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 This is the second schematic diagram of the diameter screening unit of the cylindrical lithium battery automatic sorting device proposed in this utility model.

[0030] In the diagram: 10. Feeding guide unit; 11. Feeding hopper; 12. Guide trough; 20. Diameter screening unit; 21. First-stage screening module; 211. Conveying path; 212. Diversion outlet; 213. End outlet; 22. Second-stage screening module; 220. Inlet; 221. Screening rack; 222. Screening trough; 223. Guide plate; 224. Directional guide trough; 225. Track bar; 226. Length screening unit; 23. Path conversion platform; 24. Battery guide rail trough; 30. Mounting base; 31. Lifting device; 40. Classification and collection unit; 41. Collection housing; 42. Slide rail; 43. Classification trough. Detailed Implementation

[0031] 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.

[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship 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.

[0033] Reference Figure 1-4An automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries is provided. The device mainly includes a feeding guide unit 10, a diameter screening unit 20, a mounting base 30 for accommodating and installing the diameter screening unit 20, and a sorting and collection unit 40. In one specific embodiment, the cylindrical lithium batteries are first placed in the feeding guide unit 10. Under the action of gravity, the batteries are guided in an orderly manner through the guide groove 12 and enter the sorting path of the diameter screening unit 20. The diameter screening unit 20 is connected downstream of the feeding guide unit 10. The diameter screening unit 20 contains at least one first-level screening module 21 and at least one second-level screening module 22. In the first-level screening module 21, the batteries are compared with multiple series diversion outlets 212 with different preset fixed widths on the module according to their diameter to achieve preliminary diameter screening. The battery stream exiting from a branch outlet 212 of the first-stage screening module 21 then enters the inlet 220 of the second-stage screening module 22. In the second-stage screening module 22, the batteries undergo not only more precise diameter screening through a structure with progressively increasing opening width, but also a length screening unit 226 specifically designed to differentiate batteries by length. After both diameter and length screening, batteries of different specifications fall from the various screening outlets of the diameter screening unit 20 and are collected separately by the classification and collection unit 40. The entire device is powered solely by gravity, thus achieving low-cost automated sorting.

[0034] The feeding guide unit 10 includes a feeding hopper 11 with an inclined bottom surface to allow cylindrical lithium batteries stacked therein to naturally converge and flow downwards under gravity. At the lower end of the feeding hopper 11, one or more guide grooves 12 are connected. The internal dimensions and shape of these guide grooves 12 are optimized to ensure that batteries sliding down from the feeding hopper 11 automatically adjust their posture as they pass through, forming a single, orderly line guided to the inlet of the downstream diameter screening unit 20. The end of the conveying path 211 is provided with an end outlet 213 for discharging from the path or connecting path nodes.

[0035] In the first-level screening module 21, batteries that fail to fall or be diverted from all the shunt outlets 212 in series will be discharged from the end outlet 213 of the transport path 211 and will be considered as the largest size category.

[0036] The first-stage screening module 21 in the diameter screening unit 20 performs the initial screening task. It has a conveying path 211 with a channel of inclined track at a specific angle. At least two diversion outlets 212 are set in series along the bottom surface of this conveying path 211. Each diversion outlet 212 has a fixed width that is precisely set in advance, and the widths of different diversion outlets 212 are different. Along the direction of battery movement, the width of the diversion outlet 212 encountered later will be slightly larger than the previous one. When the battery rolls or slides along the conveying path 211 under the action of gravity, it will pass through these diversion outlets 212 one by one. If the diameter of the current battery is less than or equal to the width of a certain diversion outlet 212 it encounters, then the battery will fall from that diversion outlet 212, achieving the first separation. If the diameter of the battery is greater than the width of the current diversion outlet 212, it will continue to the next diversion outlet 212 for comparison.

[0037] For batteries with a diameter larger than the width of all the shunt outlets 212 in series, they will not be able to fall from any of the shunt outlets 212. Instead, they will move along the conveying path 211 to its very end and be discharged from the end outlet 213 of the conveying path 211 and be regarded as the largest size category or the category that requires further processing.

[0038] A path conversion platform 23 is provided between the diversion outlet 212 and the inlet 220 of the second-level screening module 22. The path conversion platform 23 has at least one battery guide groove 24. The path conversion platform 23 is inclined, with the lowest point of the inclination facing the length screening unit 226. In a specific embodiment, a path conversion platform 23 is provided between the inlet 220 of the first-level screening module 21 and the second-level screening module 22. The surface of the path conversion platform 23 can be provided with several battery guide grooves 24 to constrain and guide the batteries to roll stably on it and prevent the batteries from deviating from the predetermined trajectory. At the same time, the path conversion platform 23 is inclined, and its lowest point of inclination is precisely aligned with and facing the length screening unit 226 on the second-level screening module 22, so that the batteries are naturally guided into the subsequent length screening process by gravity.

[0039] The length screening unit 226 includes a screening frame 221. A guide plate 223 is provided on the side of the screening frame 221 away from the path conversion platform 23. A screening groove 222 is formed inside the screening frame 221. The screening groove 222 is inclined along the battery movement direction, and its width smoothly and continuously increases from a minimum value along the battery movement direction. In one specific implementation, the second-level screening module 22 in the diameter screening unit 20 is used for further grading and includes a screening frame 221 as its main support and positioning structure. A screening groove 222 is provided inside the screening frame 221, inclined downwards along the battery's movement direction within it. To facilitate the movement of batteries under gravity, the width of the trough gradually and smoothly increases from a smaller value at the entrance along the direction of battery movement. When batteries that have undergone preliminary screening enter this gradually widening screening trough 222, they will roll or slide forward under the action of gravity. As the batteries move, the width of the screening trough 222 they are in continuously increases. Once a battery rolls to a certain position in the screening trough 222 where the width is just slightly greater than or equal to the battery's own length, making it impossible for the battery to be supported by the trough wall, it will fall from that point in the screening trough 222. This allows batteries with different minute diameter differences to fall at different longitudinal positions in the screening trough 222, thereby achieving precise length grading.

[0040] The guide plate 223 is provided with a directional guide groove 224, and a plurality of track bars 225 are provided in the directional guide groove 224. The track bars 225 are perpendicular to the axis of the battery and are distributed in parallel in sequence. In a specific implementation, a guide plate 223 is provided on the side of the screening rack 221 away from the path conversion platform 23 or at another position suitable for realizing the length screening function. This guide plate 223 serves as part of the structural foundation or auxiliary guide of the length screening unit 226. It has a directional guide groove 224. Inside the directional guide groove 224, several rails 225 are arranged perpendicular to the axis passing through the battery and are distributed in parallel. When a battery with a basically determined diameter passes through these rails 225, the end face of the battery enters the directional guide groove 224. The rails 225 prevent the battery from deviating or tilting and keep it rolling in a straight line. Shorter batteries pass smoothly through all the rails 225 and fall into the screening groove 222, while longer batteries exceed the width of the screening groove 222, cross the screening groove, and are finally separated from the rails 225, thus realizing the differentiation and screening of battery length.

[0041] The sorting and collection unit 40 includes a collection housing 41, which is installed in the mounting base 30 via a slide rail 42. The inside of the collection housing 41 is provided with sorting slots 43 that cover the working area of ​​the length sorting unit 226. In a specific implementation, the various types of batteries that have been accurately sorted by the diameter sorting unit 20 need to be collected separately. The collection housing 41 is installed inside or below the mounting base 30 of the entire device via a slide rail 42, such as a drawer-type guide rail. The inside of the collection housing 41 is provided with sorting slots 43, the position and number of which correspond to all possible sorting outlets in the diameter sorting unit 20 and cover the working area of ​​the length sorting unit 226. Batteries separated from different sorting stages and different sorting standards of diameter or length can accurately fall into their respective preset sorting slots 43, thus achieving final sorting and storage.

[0042] The mounting base 30 is equipped with several lifting devices 31 that cooperate with the diameter screening unit 20. These lifting devices 31 allow the modules of the diameter screening unit 20 to be arranged in a stepped or multi-layered manner. The mounting base 30 not only provides a stable installation foundation and overall support for the diameter screening unit 20 and other major components such as the feeding guide unit 10 and the sorting and collection unit 40, but in a preferred embodiment, the mounting base 30 is also equipped with several lifting devices 31 that cooperate with the diameter screening unit 20. These devices include manually adjustable screw mechanisms, small hydraulic / pneumatic actuators, or modular adjustable height brackets. By operating these lifting devices 31, the relative height and position of each module inside the diameter screening unit 20 can be adjusted, resulting in a stepped or multi-layered spatial distribution. This stepped or multi-layered layout facilitates the full utilization of gravitational potential energy and ensures smoother and more natural transfer of batteries between screening modules and from the screening modules to the collection unit, thereby saving floor space and adapting to different installation space requirements.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries, characterized in that, include: The feeding guide unit (10) is used to accommodate and guide cylindrical lithium batteries to enter the sorting path in an orderly manner under the action of gravity; A diameter screening unit (20) is connected downstream of the feed guiding unit (10); and mounting base (30) for accommodating and mounting the diameter screening unit (20); The diameter screening unit (20) includes: At least one first-level screening module (21) is provided, the first-level screening module (21) includes a conveying path (211), and at least two diversion outlets (212) with different preset fixed widths are provided along the conveying path (211), and the diversion outlets (212) are all provided on the bottom surface of the conveying path (211); At least one second-level screening module (22), the inlet (220) of which is connected downstream of at least one of the diversion outlets (212); The second-level filtering module (22) is provided with a length filtering unit (226); And a sorting and collection unit (40) is disposed below each screening outlet of the diameter screening unit (20).

2. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed guiding unit (10) includes a feed hopper (11) with an inclined bottom surface and a guide groove (12) on the feed hopper (11) for guiding the battery to the diameter screening unit (20).

3. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the conveying path (211) is provided with an end outlet (213) for discharging the path or connecting the path node.

4. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second-level screening module (22) has a path conversion platform (23) at its entrance (220). The path conversion platform (23) has at least one battery guide rail groove (24). The path conversion platform (23) is inclined, with the lowest point of the inclination facing the length screening unit (226).

5. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that, The length screening unit (226) includes a screening rack (221). A guide plate (223) is provided on the side of the screening rack (221) away from the path conversion platform (23). A screening groove (222) is provided inside the screening rack (221). The screening groove (222) is inclined along the direction of battery movement, and the width of the screening groove (222) increases smoothly and continuously from the minimum value along the direction of battery movement.

6. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide plate (223) has a directional guide groove (224), and a plurality of track bars (225) are provided in the directional guide groove (224). The track bars (225) are perpendicular to the axis of the battery and are distributed in parallel in sequence.

7. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sorting and collection unit (40) includes a collection housing (41), which is installed in the mounting base (30) via a slide rail (42). The inside of the collection housing (41) is provided with a sorting slot (43) that covers the working area of ​​the length screening unit (226).

8. The automatic sorting device for cylindrical lithium batteries according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting base (30) is provided with several lifting devices (31) that cooperate with the diameter screening unit (20). The lifting devices (31) make the modules of the diameter screening unit (20) arranged in a stepped or multi-layered manner.

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