Battery cell folding device

Abstract

The application relates to a battery cell edge folding device. The battery cell edge folding device comprises an edge folding driving mechanism, a battery cell positioning mechanism and a battery cell bearing piece; the edge folding driving mechanism and the battery cell positioning mechanism are respectively arranged on the two sides of the battery cell bearing piece, and the battery cell bearing piece is used for bearing a battery cell to be processed; wherein the edge folding driving mechanism comprises a first driving unit, an edge folding piece connected with the first driving unit in transmission and an edge folding support surface matched with the edge folding piece; the edge folding piece is driven to fold the side edge to be folded of the battery cell along the plane direction of the edge folding support surface. The scheme provided by the application can accurately control the edge gap precision of the battery cell edge folding, so that the battery cell can fully utilize the space during assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of new energy technology, and in particular to a battery cell folding device. Background Technology

[0002] Soft-pack batteries are the third generation of lithium batteries developed from the original steel-cased, aluminum-cased, and plastic-cased batteries. They are widely favored by users both domestically and internationally due to their advantages such as being lighter, thinner, having better safety performance, meeting high aesthetic requirements, high energy density, stable discharge platform, excellent power performance, and being environmentally friendly and pollution-free. Cell edge folding involves bending the edges of the outer coating film or aluminum-plastic film of the cell to ensure a tight fit to the cell body.

[0003] However, the folding devices in related technologies have difficulty improving the edge gap accuracy of cell folding, making it difficult for the cells to make full use of space during assembly, which in turn affects the energy density of the battery. Utility Model Content

[0004] To solve or partially solve the problems existing in the related technologies, this application provides a battery cell folding device that can accurately control the edge gap accuracy of the battery cell folding, so that the battery cell can make full use of space during assembly.

[0005] This application provides a battery cell folding device, comprising:

[0006] Folding drive mechanism, cell positioning mechanism and cell support component;

[0007] The folding drive mechanism and the cell positioning mechanism are respectively located on both sides of the cell carrier, and the cell carrier is used to carry the cell to be processed.

[0008] The folding drive mechanism includes a first drive unit, a folding component that is connected to the first drive unit, and a folding support surface that cooperates with the folding component. When the folding component is driven, it is used to bend the side of the battery cell to be folded along the plane direction of the folding support surface.

[0009] In one implementation, the folded edge support surface is an inclined surface, the inclined surface is along a first inclined direction, and the first inclined direction forms a first angle with the battery cell carrier.

[0010] In one implementation, the first included angle is 15°~75°.

[0011] In one implementation, the movement direction of the folded part is along a second inclined direction, and a second angle is formed between the second inclined direction and the first inclined direction.

[0012] In one implementation, the folding support surface is located on one side of the folding member, and the folding support surface is opposite to the folding member in the direction of movement;

[0013] The folding member has a folding working surface on the part facing the folding support surface for contacting one side of the battery cell to be folded. The folding support surface is used to support the side of the battery cell to be folded on the other side. The folding working surface is arranged parallel to the folding support surface.

[0014] In one implementation, a detachable metal pressure head is installed at the end of the folding piece away from the first driving unit, and the folding working surface is located on the metal pressure head.

[0015] In one implementation, the first driving unit and the folding piece are connected by a first transmission mechanism; the first transmission mechanism includes a transmission rod connected to the power output end of the driving unit, the transmission rod is connected to a first moving block, the folding piece is fixed to the first moving block, and the driving unit is used to drive the transmission rod to perform linear reciprocating motion along the second inclined direction;

[0016] The cell positioning mechanism includes a second driving unit, a second transmission mechanism, and a positioning module. The second driving unit is used to drive the positioning module to move through the second transmission mechanism, and the positioning module is used to position the cell to be folded onto the cell carrier.

[0017] In one implementation, the folding driving mechanism has a support block on the side near the battery cell carrier, the upper end of the support block has a folding support surface on the side facing the folding driving mechanism, and the upper end of the support block has a lateral support surface on the side facing the battery cell positioning mechanism. When the battery cell is positioned, the side of the battery cell abuts against the lateral support surface.

[0018] In one implementation, the second transmission mechanism includes a push rod connected to the second drive unit, the push rod being connected to the second moving block, an elastic element being sleeved around the push rod, and the positioning module including a positioning element fixed to the second moving block;

[0019] The end of the push rod away from the drive unit is connected to the second moving block and is used to drive the second moving block to move. The elastic element is connected to the second moving block.

[0020] In one implementation, the lateral support surface is arranged vertically, the positioning module moves horizontally, and when the positioning module moves toward the battery cell carrier, it is used to press the battery cell against the lateral support surface horizontally.

[0021] The lateral support surface and the folded edge support surface intersect at the end of the support block to form a support portion, and the side of the battery cell is bent along the support portion by the folded edge working surface.

[0022] The technical solution provided in this application may include the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The folding mechanism provided in this application includes a folding drive mechanism, a cell positioning mechanism, and a cell carrier. The folding drive mechanism and the cell positioning mechanism are respectively located on both sides of the cell carrier, which carries the cell to be processed. The folding drive mechanism includes a first drive unit, a folding component connected to the first drive unit, and a folding support surface that cooperates with the folding component. When driven, the folding component bends the side of the cell to be folded along the plane of the folding support surface. Since the folding component bends the side of the cell to be folded along the plane of the folding support surface, and the folding support surface is a fixed plane with a set extension direction, the edge gap accuracy of the folded cell can be precisely controlled, allowing the cell to fully utilize space during subsequent assembly and improving the battery's energy density.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the folding support surface is an inclined plane, which is along a first inclined direction, forming a first angle with the cell carrier. The angle of the first angle can be freely set according to the actual cell folding process requirements. In this way, the folding angle can be controlled by setting the angle, thereby accurately controlling the edge gap accuracy of the cell fold.

[0025] Furthermore, a detachable metal pressure head is installed at the end of the folding component away from the first driving unit, and the folding working surface is located on the metal pressure head. The folding working surface of the metal pressure head and the vertical support surface section form a geometric constraint boundary, thereby limiting the bending area of ​​the aluminum-plastic film within a set width range and reducing the occurrence rate of folding wrinkles.

[0026] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the more detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments thereof.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the battery cell folding device shown in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a side view of the battery cell folding device shown in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 100. Folding drive mechanism; 110. First drive unit; 120. First transmission mechanism; 130. Folding component; 131. Folding working surface; 140. First base; 150. Mounting platform; 151. First guide rail; 152. First slider; 153. Angle adjustment mechanism; 160. First moving block; 170. Support block; 171. Folding support surface; 200. Cell positioning mechanism; 210. Second drive unit; 220. Second transmission mechanism; 230. Second moving block; 240. Positioning component; 241. Sinking platform structure; 250. Second base; 260. Second guide rail; 270. Second slider; 300. Cell. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present application may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present application more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0034] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used in this application to describe various information, this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0036] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., 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 application according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] Existing folding devices have limitations in improving the edge gap accuracy of battery cell folding, making it difficult to fully utilize space during battery cell assembly and consequently affecting the battery's energy density. To address these issues, this application provides a battery cell folding device that can precisely control the edge gap accuracy of battery cell folding, enabling full utilization of space during battery cell assembly.

[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a side view of the battery cell folding device shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the battery cell folding device shown in the embodiments of this application.

[0040] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a battery cell bending device, which includes a bending drive mechanism 100, a battery cell positioning mechanism 200, and a battery cell carrier (not shown). The bending drive mechanism 100 and the battery cell positioning mechanism 200 are respectively disposed on both sides of the battery cell carrier, which is used to carry the battery cell 300 to be processed. The bending drive mechanism 100 includes a first drive unit 110, a bending member 130 that is pulsatorically connected to the first drive unit 110, and a bending support surface 171 that cooperates with the bending member 130. When the bending member 130 is driven, it is used to bend the side edge of the battery cell 300 to be bent along the plane direction of the bending support surface 171.

[0041] The solution provided in this application, when the folding member 130 is driven, is used to bend the side of the cell 300 to be folded along the plane direction of the folding support surface 171. The folding support surface 171 is a fixed plane with a set extension direction. Therefore, the edge gap accuracy of the cell folding can be precisely controlled, which can reduce the width of the cell body by 0.1~0.8mm. This allows the cell to make full use of space during subsequent assembly, improves the energy density of the battery, and meets the experience of small battery size and high energy density.

[0042] In this application, the battery cell 300 is a soft-pack battery cell. Folding refers to bending the edge of the outer coating film or aluminum-plastic film of the battery cell 300 to make it tightly adhere to the main body of the battery cell 300. The solution in this application can be applied to the folding of the side and second sealing edges of the battery cell. The folding driving mechanism 100 folds one side of the battery cell. After folding one side, the orientation of the battery cell can be reversed, and then the other side of the battery cell can be folded.

[0043] See Figure 2 In some embodiments, the cell carrier is arranged horizontally, and the folded edge support surface 171 is an inclined surface. The inclined surface is along a first inclined direction L1, and the first inclined direction L1 forms a first angle with the cell carrier. Specifically, the first angle is 15° to 75°. The movement direction of the folded edge member 130 is along a second inclined direction L2, and the second inclined direction L2 forms a second angle with the first inclined direction. In some embodiments, the second angle is 15° to 75°.

[0044] In this embodiment, the angles of the first tilt direction l1, the second tilt direction L2, the first included angle, and the second included angle can be freely set according to the actual requirements of the battery cell folding process. In this way, the folding angle can be controlled by setting the angle, thereby accurately controlling the edge gap accuracy of the battery cell fold. By setting the first included angle and the second included angle to 15°~75°, the diverse folding requirements of the aluminum-plastic film for soft-pack batteries, from acute angle sealing to obtuse angle buffering, can be met.

[0045] In some embodiments, the folding support surface 171 is disposed on one side of the folding member 130, and the folding support surface 171 and the folding member 130 are opposite to each other in the direction of movement; the folding member 130 is provided with a folding working surface 131 for contacting one side of the side of the battery cell to be folded at the part facing the folding support surface 171, and the folding support surface 171 is used to support the side of the battery cell to be folded on the other side; wherein, the folding working surface 131 and the folding support surface 171 are arranged parallel to each other.

[0046] During the folding process, the folding component 130 applies a pushing or pressing force to the side of the battery cell through the folding working surface 131, causing the side of the battery cell to change direction relative to the battery cell body. When the side is attached to the folding support surface 171, the folding working surface 131 presses the side against the folding support surface 171, thereby forming a specific fold angle on the side of the battery cell.

[0047] In some embodiments, a detachable metal pressure head is installed at the end of the folding member 130 away from the first driving unit 110. The folding working surface 131 is located at the lower end of the metal pressure head. The upper end of the metal pressure head is detachably connected to the first moving member, and the lower end of the metal pressure head is an inclined folding working surface 131. During the folding process, the aluminum-plastic film side of the battery cell 300 slides along the folding working surface 131 to form the shape. The detachable metal pressure head can be connected to the driving mechanism via an interface, thus enabling the replacement of metal pressure heads with different tilt angles (15°~75°) and reducing production line changeover time.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first drive unit 110 and the folding member 130 are connected by a first transmission mechanism 120. The first transmission mechanism 120 includes a transmission rod connected to the power output end of the first drive unit 110. The transmission rod is connected to a first moving block 160, and the folding member 130 is fixed to the first moving block 160. The transmission rod can be a lead screw mechanism. The first drive unit 110 drives the transmission rod to perform linear reciprocating motion along the second inclined direction L2, thereby driving the folding member 130 to perform linear reciprocating motion along the second inclined direction L2. When the folding member 130 moves diagonally downward, it folds the battery cell 300; when it moves diagonally upward, it resets. This reciprocating motion achieves continuous folding operation.

[0049] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the cell positioning mechanism 200 includes a second driving unit 210, a second transmission mechanism 220, and a positioning module. The second driving unit 210 is used to drive the positioning module to move through the second transmission mechanism 220, and the positioning module is used to position the cell 300 to be folded onto the cell carrier.

[0050] During the folding process, the battery cell 300 is first placed on the battery cell carrier, which supports the main body of the battery cell 300. The side of the battery cell 300 to be folded extends beyond the battery cell carrier and is suspended in mid-air. At this time, the second drive unit 210 operates, adjusting the position of the battery cell on the battery cell carrier through the positioning module, so that the battery cell 300 is precisely positioned on the battery cell carrier. Then, the first drive unit 110 operates, using the metal pressure head of the folding member 130 to slide and shape the side of the aluminum-plastic film of the battery cell along the folding working surface 131, pressing it against the folding support surface 171 to achieve the final folding angle. In this embodiment, the coordinated movement of the first drive unit 110 and the second drive unit 210 enables automated and precise folding of the battery cell.

[0051] See also Figure 2In some embodiments, the folding device further includes a first base 140 and a second base 250. The first base 140 has an inclined mounting platform 150, and the folding drive mechanism 100 is mounted on the mounting platform 150. The mounting platform 150 has a first guide rail 151 and a first slider 152. A first moving block 160 is fixed to the first slider 152 and moves with the first slider 152, thus improving the accuracy of the movement stroke of the folding member 130 and consequently improving the folding accuracy. The second base 250 has a second guide rail 260 and a second slider 270, and a second moving block 230 is fixed to the second slider 270 and moves with the second slider 270, thus improving the accuracy of the movement stroke of the positioning member.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first base 140 is provided with an angle adjustment mechanism 153, and the mounting platform 150 is connected to the first base 140 through the angle adjustment mechanism 153. The angle adjustment mechanism 153 is used to adjust the tilt angle of the mounting platform 150, thereby adjusting the movement angle of the folding piece 130 to suit different folding angle scenarios.

[0053] In some embodiments, the angle adjustment mechanism includes a first connecting plate vertically disposed on the first base 140 and a second connecting plate disposed at the bottom of the mounting platform 150. The first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are hinged at the end near the battery cell carrier, and overlap and are movably connected at the end away from the battery cell carrier in the vertical direction. Adjusting the connection height or overlap height of the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate in the vertical direction can adjust the tilt angle of the mounting platform 150.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first drive unit 110 and the second drive unit 210 can be cylinders or motors, the battery cell carrier can be a conveying platform or turntable, the battery cell carrier is provided with adsorption holes, the adsorption holes are connected to the vacuum equipment, the first drive unit 110, the vacuum equipment and the second drive unit 210 realize data interaction through the bus, and are equipped with a controller to synchronously adjust the position and pressure parameters, which can improve the folding accuracy and folding efficiency.

[0055] In some embodiments, the cell carrier also includes an array of fiber optic sensors for detecting the cell position, enabling rapid scanning of the cell edge and forming a rapid response closed loop with the pressing action of the folding member 130, thereby shortening the cell folding cycle and improving production efficiency.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second transmission mechanism 220 includes a push rod connected to the second drive unit 210, the push rod being connected to the second moving block 230, a positioning member 240 being fixed to the second moving block 230, an elastic member being sleeved around the push rod, and a positioning module including the positioning member 240 for contacting the battery cell; one end of the push rod away from the second drive unit 210 is connected to the second moving block 230 for driving the second moving block 230 to move, and the elastic member abutting against the second moving block 230.

[0057] The second moving block 230 is L-shaped, and the positioning member 240 has a plate-like structure. A recessed platform structure 241 is provided on the side of the positioning member 240 near the battery cell support. The end of the positioning member 240 abuts against the side wall of the battery cell body. The aluminum-plastic film side of the battery cell 300 is located on the upper surface of the recessed platform structure 241. The recessed platform structure 241 not only prevents deformation of the aluminum-plastic film side but also positions the battery cell 300 in both the vertical and horizontal directions. In this embodiment, the elastic element can be a spring. Under the elastic pressure provided by the spring, it can adapt to battery cells of different widths. The spring can adopt a variable pitch helical structure to ensure that the battery cell remains stably clamped during the folding process.

[0058] See Figure 2 In some embodiments, the folding drive mechanism 100 is provided with a support block 170 on the side near the battery cell carrier. The upper end of the support block 170 is provided with a folding support surface 171 on the side facing the folding drive mechanism 100. The upper end of the support block 170 is provided with a lateral support surface on the side facing the battery cell positioning mechanism 200. When the battery cell is positioned, the side of the battery cell abuts against the lateral support surface.

[0059] The fixed mounting structure of the support block 170 can form an interference fit with the first base 140 through a heat-fitting process, reducing the axial displacement under the impact load of the folded edge and avoiding the folding angle fluctuation caused by the offset of the support surface. In some embodiments, the vertical support surface height of the support block 170 is adjustable, for example, by using a shim set to adapt to aluminum-plastic film battery cells of different thicknesses, improving the compatibility of different battery cells. In some embodiments, the support block 170 is detachably mounted on the first base 140, and by replacing it with different support blocks 170, the folded edge support surface 171 at different angles can be switched to suit application scenarios with different folding angles.

[0060] In some embodiments, the lateral support surface of the support block 170 is arranged vertically, and the movement direction of the positioning module is along the horizontal direction L3. When the positioning module moves toward the cell carrier, it is used to press the cell against the lateral support surface along the horizontal direction L3. The lateral support surface and the folded edge support surface 171 intersect at the end of the support block 170 to form a support portion. The side edge of the cell is bent along the support portion by the folded edge working surface 131. The folded edge working surface 131 of the metal pressure head and the vertical support surface section form a geometric constraint boundary, thereby limiting the bending area of ​​the aluminum-plastic film within a set width range and reducing the occurrence rate of folded edge wrinkles. As a rigid linear fulcrum, the support portion effectively suppresses the stretching and springback of the aluminum-plastic film under the lateral clamping force applied by the cell positioning mechanism 200, meeting the long-term packaging reliability requirements of the power battery.

[0061] The various embodiments of this application have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or improvement of the technology in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A battery cell folding device, characterized in that, include: Folding drive mechanism, cell positioning mechanism and cell support component; The folding drive mechanism and the cell positioning mechanism are respectively located on both sides of the cell carrier, and the cell carrier is used to carry the cell to be processed. The folding drive mechanism includes a first drive unit, a folding component that is connected to the first drive unit, and a folding support surface that cooperates with the folding component. When the folding component is driven, it is used to bend the side of the battery cell to be folded along the plane direction of the folding support surface.

2. The cell folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folded edge support surface is an inclined surface, which is along a first inclined direction, and the first inclined direction forms a first angle with the battery cell carrier.

3. The cell folding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first included angle is 15°~75°.

4. The cell folding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movement direction of the folded part is along the second inclined direction, and the second inclined direction forms a second angle with the first inclined direction.

5. The cell folding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The folding support surface is located on one side of the folded part, and the folding support surface is opposite to the folded part in the direction of movement; The folding member has a folding working surface on the part facing the folding support surface for contacting one side of the battery cell to be folded. The folding support surface is used to support the side of the battery cell to be folded on the other side. The folding working surface is arranged parallel to the folding support surface.

6. The cell folding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The end of the folding piece away from the first driving unit is equipped with a detachable metal pressure head, and the folding working surface is located on the metal pressure head.

7. The cell folding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first driving unit is connected to the folding piece via a first transmission mechanism; the first transmission mechanism includes a transmission rod connected to the power output end of the driving unit, the transmission rod is connected to a first moving block, the folding piece is fixed to the first moving block, and the driving unit is used to drive the transmission rod to perform linear reciprocating motion along the second inclined direction; The cell positioning mechanism includes a second driving unit, a second transmission mechanism, and a positioning module. The second driving unit is used to drive the positioning module to move through the second transmission mechanism, and the positioning module is used to position the cell to be folded onto the cell carrier.

8. The cell folding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The folding drive mechanism has a support block on the side near the cell carrier. The upper end of the support block has a folding support surface on the side facing the folding drive mechanism. The upper end of the support block has a lateral support surface on the side facing the cell positioning mechanism. When the cell is positioned, the side of the cell abuts against the lateral support surface.

9. The cell folding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second transmission mechanism includes a push rod connected to the second drive unit, the push rod being connected to the second moving block, and an elastic element being sleeved around the push rod. The positioning module includes a positioning element, which is fixed to the second moving block. The end of the push rod away from the drive unit is connected to the second moving block and is used to drive the second moving block to move. The elastic element is connected to the second moving block.

10. The cell folding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lateral support surface is arranged vertically, and the positioning module moves horizontally. When the positioning module moves toward the battery cell carrier, it is used to press the battery cell against the lateral support surface in the horizontal direction. The lateral support surface and the folded edge support surface intersect at the end of the support block to form a support portion, and the side of the battery cell is bent along the support portion by the folded edge working surface.

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