Sheeting mechanism and lamination device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a piece separating mechanism and a lamination device. The piece separating mechanism comprises a material taking assembly and a material pressing assembly; the material taking assembly is used for taking polar pieces which are sequentially stacked, any two adjacent polar pieces do not completely coincide, and the polar pieces comprise a to-be-taken polar piece and an adjacent polar piece adjacent to the to-be-taken polar piece; the material pressing assembly comprises a material pressing body, and the material pressing body is used for pressing the adjacent polar piece at a position not coinciding with the to-be-taken polar piece. The piece separating mechanism provided by the application can more accurately and completely separate the polar pieces, and greatly reduces the risk of lithium precipitation and thermal runaway caused by the adhesion of the polar pieces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a slitting mechanism and a stacking device. Background Technology

[0002] Stacked batteries are widely used in new energy vehicles, energy storage power stations, industrial equipment, and other fields. The electrodes used for stacking are typically stored in clips. When stacking is needed, a robotic arm removes the electrodes one by one from the clips. However, during the robotic arm's suction and retrieval process, adhesion problems can easily occur due to static electricity, causing adjacent electrodes to be lifted along with the electrode being retrieved. This makes it difficult to accurately separate the electrodes. If the retrieved electrode is stacked together with its adhered adjacent electrodes, it can lead to lithium plating and thermal runaway risks in the battery. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a separation mechanism that can accurately separate the electrode sheets, greatly reducing the risk of lithium plating and thermal runaway caused by electrode sheet adhesion.

[0004] A slicing mechanism, comprising:

[0005] A material handling component is used to pick up electrode sheets stacked sequentially, wherein any two adjacent electrode sheets do not completely overlap, and the electrode sheets include the electrode sheet to be picked up and adjacent electrode sheets adjacent to the electrode sheet to be picked up.

[0006] A pressing assembly includes a pressing body, which is used to press against the adjacent electrode at a location that does not overlap with the electrode to be removed.

[0007] Understandably, when the material handling assembly picks up the electrode to be picked up, the pressing body can press against the adjacent electrode at a point where it does not overlap with the electrode to be picked up. The pressing force of the pressing body is greater than the adsorption force between the adjacent electrode and the electrode to be picked up, which can prevent the adjacent electrode from being picked up along with the electrode to be picked up, thereby achieving the separation of the adjacent electrode and the electrode to be picked up. In other words, the separating mechanism provided in this application uses a physical pressing method of direct contact and pressing of the pressing body against the point where it does not overlap with the electrode to be picked up on the adjacent electrode, which is conducive to accurately separating the adjacent electrode and picking up the electrode to be picked up separately, greatly reducing the risk of lithium plating and thermal runaway caused by electrode adhesion.

[0008] In some embodiments, the material taking component has a material taking direction and a circumferential direction, and the material pressing component is arranged at a distance from the material taking component along the material taking direction; the material pressing component includes a first material pressing body and a second material pressing body, which are arranged at a distance along the circumferential direction and are used to press against two adjacent electrode sheets respectively.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first pressing body and the second pressing body are disposed on opposite sides of the electrode sheet, the sheet-separating mechanism has a first direction, the first pressing body and the second pressing body are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the first direction, and the first direction is set at an angle to the material taking direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the material taking assembly includes at least two adsorbents spaced apart along the first direction for taking the electrode sheet to be taken; the at least two adsorbents distributed at both ends along the first direction are each capable of reciprocating independently in a direction parallel to the material taking direction and are configured to move in response to the pressing state of the first pressing body and the second pressing body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the slitting mechanism has a second direction, and the first direction, the second direction, and the material taking direction are perpendicular to each other; both the first pressing body and the second pressing body are provided with pressing sections, which are used to press against the tabs of the corresponding electrode sheets;

[0012] The length of the tab that contacts the pressing section along the first direction is less than the total length of the tab, and / or the width of the pressing section along the second direction is not less than the width of the corresponding tab.

[0013] In some embodiments, along the first direction, the ratio of the length of the tab that contacts the pressing section to the total length of the tab is k, where k satisfies: 0.5 ≤ k ≤ 0.9.

[0014] In some embodiments, the material taking component has a material taking direction, and the pressing component and the material taking component are arranged at intervals along the material taking direction; the slitting mechanism further includes a material separating component, at least a portion of which is disposed on the side of the pressing component facing the material taking component along the material taking direction, the material separating component having a material separating direction, the material separating direction being set at an angle to the material taking direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pressing assembly includes a first pressing body and a second pressing body for pressing, the first pressing body and the second pressing body being used to press two adjacent electrodes respectively; one of the two adjacent electrodes is the adjacent electrode when the first pressing body presses, and the other electrode is the adjacent electrode when the second pressing body presses; the distributing assembly includes a first distributing body corresponding to the first pressing body and a second distributing body corresponding to the second pressing body, both the first distributing body and the second distributing body being provided with an air supply channel that is angled to the corresponding adjacent electrode and supplies air to the corresponding adjacent electrode.

[0016] This application also provides a stacking device, which includes a wafer picking station.

[0017] The electrode picking station is equipped with a material box and the aforementioned electrode separating mechanism. The material box is equipped with a storage cavity for storing electrode sheets. At least a portion of the pressing component can extend into the storage cavity to press against the adjacent electrode sheet. At least a portion of the picking component can extend into the storage cavity to remove the electrode sheet to be picked.

[0018] Alternatively, the stacking device may include a wafer picking station and a wafer splitting station, wherein the wafer splitting station includes a plurality of mutually adhered electrode sheets taken from the wafer picking station, and the aforementioned wafer splitting mechanism.

[0019] In some embodiments, the electrode includes a main body and an electrode tab connected to one side of the main body, and the storage cavity includes a main body cavity and two electrode tab cavities disposed on opposite sides of the main body cavity. The main body cavity is used to accommodate the main body, and the electrode tab cavities are used to accommodate the electrode tabs. The electrode tabs of two adjacent electrodes in the storage cavity are disposed in the two electrode tab cavities.

[0020] In some embodiments, the stacking apparatus further includes a detection mechanism for detecting the adhesion of the electrode sheets taken from the wafer picking station or the wafer splitting station. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 A frontal view of the first state of the slicing mechanism during material handling according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of the second state of the slicing mechanism during material handling, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial top view of the material pressing assembly and electrode sheet cooperation in a slitting mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the material box in a stacking device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a top view of an embodiment of the stacking apparatus provided in this application, in which electrode sheets are contained in a feed box.

[0027] Figure 6This is a partial schematic diagram of the detection mechanism in a stacking apparatus provided in another embodiment of this application during detection;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a partial schematic diagram of the conveying mechanism in a stacking apparatus provided in another embodiment of this application during the conveying process.

[0029] Reference numerals: 100, Segmentation mechanism; 110, Material handling assembly; 111, Adsorption component; 112, Assembly base; 120, Pressing assembly; 121, Pressing body; 1211, First pressing body; 1212, Second pressing body; 130, Distributing assembly; 131, First distributing body; 132, Second distributing body; 200, Material box; 210, Support plate; 211, Main support part; 212, Electrode support part; 220, Enclosure component; 300, Detection. Mechanism; 310, First detector; 320, Second detector; 600, Conveying mechanism; 700, Electrode; 710, Main body; 720, Electrode tab; 1111, First adsorption element; 1112, Second adsorption element; 1113, Third adsorption element; 1201, Pressing section; 1202, Connecting section; 2001, Storage chamber; 2001A, Main body chamber; 2001B, Electrode tab chamber; 7100, Electrode to be taken; 7200, Adjacent electrode. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0031] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "attached to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is 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 can mean that the first feature is 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.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. 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 term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] In related technologies, multiple electrode sheets are stacked vertically in a material box. An ion air knife and a brush are located along the edge of the material box opening, with the ion air knife positioned below the brush. The ion air knife blows air onto the uppermost electrode sheets, causing them to float. When the feeding mechanism picks up the topmost electrode sheet and moves it upwards, the brush separates any adhering electrode sheets. However, because the electrode sheets are thin and lightweight, more than one electrode sheet may float under the action of the ion air knife. The topmost electrode sheet picked up by the feeding mechanism may have other electrode sheets adhering to it due to static electricity or other reasons. Even a slight sweeping of the brush along the edge of the electrode sheet is insufficient to ensure accurate separation of other electrode sheets from the topmost electrode sheet picked up by the robotic arm, still posing risks of lithium plating and thermal runaway.

[0036] Based on this, one embodiment of this application provides a segmentation mechanism that can more accurately separate any two adjacent electrodes, greatly reducing the risk of lithium plating and thermal runaway caused by electrode adhesion. The segmentation mechanism is described in detail below.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of this application provides a sheet-splitting mechanism 100, including a picking component 110 and a pressing component 120. The picking component 110 is used to pick up electrode sheets 700 stacked sequentially, wherein any two adjacent electrode sheets 700 do not completely overlap. Each electrode sheet 700 includes an electrode sheet 7100 to be picked up and adjacent electrode sheets 7200 adjacent to the electrode sheet 7100 to be picked up. The picking component 110 is used to pick up the electrode sheet 7100 to be picked up. The pressing component 120 includes a pressing body 121, which is used to press against the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 at a location that does not overlap with the electrode sheet 7100 to be picked up.

[0038] It needs to be clarified beforehand that, taking multiple electrode sheets 700 stacked along the thickness direction of the electrode sheet 700 as an example, "incomplete overlap" means that when the electrode sheet to be taken 7100 and the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 are stacked sequentially, there are overlapping areas (the parts where the projections of the electrode sheet to be taken 7100 and the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 fall on each other's surfaces along the thickness direction of the electrode sheet 700) and non-overlapping areas (the parts where the projections of the electrode sheet to be taken 7100 and the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 do not fall on each other's surfaces along the thickness direction of the electrode sheet 700). Furthermore, the non-overlapping mentioned here refers to the non-overlapping areas of the adjacent electrode sheets 7200 and the electrode sheet to be taken 7100 in their sequentially stacked state before the electrode sheet to be taken 7100 is retrieved. For example, if the electrode to be removed 7100 has a through hole extending along its thickness direction, then the position on the adjacent electrode 7200 corresponding to this through hole is the non-overlapping point between the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode to be removed 7100, which can also be referred to as the non-overlapping point between the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode to be removed 7100. This is only an example for illustration; the non-overlapping points between the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode to be removed 7100 will be described later in conjunction with the specific structure of the electrode 700.

[0039] It should also be noted that after the electrode 7100 to be taken is removed, the adjacent electrode 7200 will become the next electrode 7100 to be taken, the next electrode 700 will become the next adjacent electrode 7200, and so on, until all electrodes 700 are sliced. When the last electrode 700 is taken, only the electrode 7100 to be taken remains.

[0040] The material handling component 110 has a material handling direction Z, that is... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The material handling assembly 110 moves along the material handling direction Z after acquiring the electrode 7100 to be taken. The pressing body 121 can press against the adjacent electrode 7200 at the non-overlapping point with the electrode 7100 to be taken, preventing the adjacent electrode 7200 from moving upwards simultaneously with the electrode 7100 to be taken, thereby achieving the separation of the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode 7100 to be taken. In other words, the separating mechanism 100 provided in this embodiment uses the physical pressing method of direct contact and pressing of the pressing body 121 against the non-overlapping point of the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode 7100 to be taken, which is conducive to the accurate separation of the adjacent electrode 7200 and greatly reduces the risk of lithium plating and thermal runaway caused by the adhesion of the electrode 700.

[0041] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments, the material-picking component 110 has a material-picking direction Z and a circumferential direction S. The circumferential direction S is the direction surrounding the outer periphery of the material-picking component 110 in the material-picking state along the material-picking direction Z, and the circumferential direction S is perpendicular to the material-picking direction Z. The non-overlapping area between the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode to be picked 7100 can be achieved by offsetting or deflecting the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode to be picked 7100. The non-overlapping area between two adjacent electrodes 700 is located on the outer periphery of the overlapping area between the two adjacent electrodes 700 along the circumferential direction S.

[0042] The pressing assembly 120 and the picking assembly 110 are arranged at intervals along the picking direction Z. Typically, the picking assembly 110 is located above the pressing assembly 120. The picking assembly 110 can move up and down relative to the pressing assembly 120 in a direction parallel to the picking direction Z to sequentially pick up the electrode 700. The pressing assembly 120 includes a first pressing body 1211 and a second pressing body 1212, which are arranged at intervals around the electrode 700 along the circumferential direction S. They are used to press down on two adjacent electrode 700s respectively. The picking direction Z is vertically upward. The two adjacent electrode 700s can be any two adjacent electrode 700s other than the first electrode 700 at the top, which are stacked sequentially among multiple electrode 700s before the picking assembly 110 picks up the electrode 700.

[0043] In any three adjacent electrode sheets 700, the top electrode sheet is initially designated as the electrode sheet to be removed 7100, and the middle electrode sheet is initially designated as the adjacent electrode sheet 7200. The first pressing body 1211 (or the second pressing body 1212) presses against the middle electrode sheet that is initially designated as the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 (specifically, it presses against the middle electrode sheet at a point where it does not overlap with the top electrode sheet). After the material taking component 110 removes the top electrode sheet, the first pressing body 1211 or the second pressing body 1212 detaches from the original electrode sheet. The original intermediate electrode 7100 is positioned at the top as the next electrode to be retrieved, and the bottom electrode 7200 is positioned as the next adjacent electrode. The second pressing body 1212 (or the first pressing body 1211) presses against the bottom electrode (specifically, it presses against the bottom electrode at a point where it does not overlap with the original intermediate electrode). The material-retrieving component 110 then removes the original intermediate electrode. In this way, the material-retrieving component 110 sequentially retrieves the stacked electrode 700. Among the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212, the one closer to the intermediate electrode at a point where it does not overlap with the top electrode is used to press against the intermediate electrode, and the one closer to the bottom electrode at a point where it does not overlap with the intermediate electrode is used to press against the bottom electrode.

[0044] When the picking component 110 picks up the electrode 7100 to be picked up, the picking component 110 drives the electrode 7100 to be picked up to move along the picking direction Z. The electrode 7100 to be picked up gradually separates from the adjacent electrode 7200. At this time, the adjacent electrode 7200 is in a pressed state, which causes the adjacent electrode 7200 to gradually separate from the electrode 7100 to be picked up.

[0045] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the electrode 700 includes a main body 710 and a tab 720 connected to one side of the main body 710. The non-overlapping areas of two adjacent electrodes 700 are achieved by deflecting the two adjacent electrodes 700 by 180°. After deflection, the main bodies 710 of any two adjacent electrodes 700 overlap, but the tabs 720 do not. Therefore, the tab 720 adjacent to the electrode 720 serves as a non-overlapping area with the electrode 7100 to be taken, and the pressing body 121 is used to press against the tab 720, which is the non-overlapping area. Typically, the main body 710 is coated with an active material layer, and the tab 720 is an empty foil area. The corresponding main bodies 710 of any two adjacent electrodes 700 overlap, but their corresponding tabs 720 do not overlap. Therefore, when the main body 710 partially overlaps and partially does not overlap, the active material layer is easily damaged at the interface; and by using the tab 720, which is not coated with the active material layer, as the non-overlapping part, the pressure body 121 can avoid damaging the active material layer by pressing.

[0046] Specifically, the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 are used to press against two adjacent electrode sheets 700 respectively. The first pressing body 1211 is used to press against the tab 720 of the corresponding electrode sheet 700 in the two adjacent electrode sheets 700 when it is an adjacent electrode sheet 7200, and the second pressing body 1212 is used to press against the tab 720 of the other electrode sheet 700 in the two adjacent electrode sheets 700 when it is an adjacent electrode sheet 7200.

[0047] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the electrode 700, and the slitting mechanism 100 has a first direction X, i.e. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the left-right direction, the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the first direction X, which is angled to the material taking direction Z. That is, the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 are arranged opposite each other at a 180° interval along the circumferential direction S. Correspondingly, when multiple electrode sheets 700 are stacked, any two adjacent electrode sheets 700 are deflected by 180° relative to each other, so that the non-overlapping part of any two adjacent electrode sheets 700 is the electrode tab 720. The first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 are respectively arranged corresponding to the electrode tab 720 of any two adjacent electrode sheets 700. Specifically, the first direction X is perpendicular to the material taking direction Z.

[0048] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the tab 720 of the electrode to be taken 7100 is located on the right side of the main body 710 along the first direction X, and the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200 is located on the left side of the main body 710 along the first direction X. When the material taking assembly 110 takes the electrode to be taken 7100, the first pressing body 1211 on the left side presses against the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200, causing the adjacent electrode 7200 to be accurately separated from the electrode to be taken 7100, thereby achieving the requirement of accurate separation of any two adjacent electrodes 700.

[0049] Alternatively, the pressing assembly 120 includes a pressing body 121. In this case, the pressing body 121 needs to be movable to facilitate adjustment of its position relative to the adjacent electrode 7200, thereby ensuring that the pressing body 121 always presses against the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200. For example, the pressing body 121 can rotate circumferentially around the electrode 700 in the direction S. Figure 1 and Figure 2 For example, the pressing body 121 is located on the left and presses against the tab 720 of the second electrode 700. After the first electrode 700 is removed, the pressing body 121 rotates to the right and presses against the tab 720 of the third electrode 700, and the material taking component 110 picks up the second electrode 700. This is just an example.

[0050] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments, the slicing mechanism 100 has a second direction Y, that is Figure 1 In the front-back direction, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the material picking direction Z are perpendicular to each other. The first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 are both provided with pressing sections 1201, which are used to press the tab 720 of the corresponding electrode 700 when it is an adjacent electrode 7200.

[0051] The pressing section 1201 can press against the upper surface of the tab 720 and contact the tab 720 surface to enhance the pressing effect and prevent adjacent electrode 7200 from easily detaching. Simultaneously, both the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212 also include a connecting section 1202 for supporting the pressing section 1201. The connecting section 1202 can be installed on a worktable for supporting the sequentially stacked electrode 700s. The connecting section 1202 can reciprocate at least along the first direction X and the vertical direction. Specifically, the connecting section 1202 can be connected to the worktable via a robotic arm (not shown). Before acquiring the electrode 7100 to be picked up, the corresponding pressing section 1201 first moves along the first direction X and the vertical direction to above the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200, and then moves along the vertical direction until it contacts and presses against the tab 720. After the electrode sheet 7100 is removed, the corresponding pressing section 1201 first moves vertically to the electrode tab 720 that is no longer pressed by it, and then moves along the first direction X to a position above the electrode tab 720. This avoids the pressing section 1201 from wearing down the electrode tab 720.

[0052] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In this configuration, the length of the tab 720 that contacts the pressing section 1201 along the first direction X is less than the total length of the tab 720. In other words, when the pressing section 1201 presses against the tab 720, a portion of the tab 720 is not pressed down. This unpressed portion of the tab 720 is located near the main body 710. This arrangement prevents the pressing section 1201 from directly contacting the main body 710 of the electrode 700, thus improving the protection of the main body 710.

[0053] In some embodiments, the length of the tab 720 in contact with the pressing section 1201 along the first direction X is L1, and the total length of the tab 720 along the first direction X is L2. L1 and L2 satisfy: 5mm≤L1≤60mm, 1mm≤(L2-L1)≤10mm.

[0054] Understandably, when the pressing section 1201 presses against the corresponding tab 720, the length of the tab 720 not pressed along the first direction X is (L2-L1), which is also the distance between the pressing section 1201 and the main body 710 along the first direction X. If the length of the pressing section 1201 in contact with the tab 720 along the first direction X is too long, causing the entire tab 720 to be pressed, the pressing section 1201 is prone to contact and wear of the active material layer at the main body 710. Conversely, if the length of the pressing section 1201 in contact with the tab 720 along the first direction X is too short, the tab 720 will easily detach from the pressing section 1201, making it difficult to achieve stable pressing. Therefore, by limiting the length of the contact between the pressing section 1201 and the electrode tab 720 along the first direction X and the distance between the pressing section 1201 and the main body 710 along the first direction X when the pressing section 1201 presses against the corresponding tab 720, the pressing section 1201 can stably press to accurately separate while avoiding affecting the main body 710 of the electrode 700.

[0055] In some specific implementations, L1 can be 5mm, 20mm, 30mm, 50mm, 60mm, etc., and the difference between L2 and L1 can be 1mm, 5mm, 8mm, 10mm, etc. This is just an example.

[0056] In some specific implementations, L1 satisfies: 10mm≤L1≤30mm, for example, L1 is 10mm, 15mm, 18mm, 25mm, 30mm, etc. The difference between L2 and L1 satisfies: 2mm≤(L2-L1)≤5mm, for example, the difference between L2 and L1 is 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, etc.

[0057] In some embodiments, along the first direction X, the ratio of L1 to L2 is k, where k satisfies: 0.5≤k≤0.9.

[0058] Understandably, 0.5≤k is used to ensure stable pressure; and k≤0.9 is used to avoid damage to the main body 710 caused by the pressing section 1201.

[0059] In some specific embodiments, k can be: 0.5, 0.6, 0.625, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85 or 0.9.

[0060] Furthermore, k satisfies: 0.7≤k≤0.8.

[0061] That is, while ensuring sufficient crimping length, the distance between the pressing section 1201 and the main body 710 along the first direction X is slightly increased to better avoid contact damage to the main body 710.

[0062] For example, k can be: 0.7, 0.72, 0.74, 0.76, 0.78 or 0.8.

[0063] In some embodiments, along the second direction Y, the width W1 of the pressing section 1201 is not less than the width W2 of the tab 720, that is, W2≤W1. This arrangement helps to ensure that the pressing section 1201 can cover the tab 720 in the second direction Y, increasing the contact area and improving the pressure resistance stability.

[0064] In some specific embodiments, W1 is greater than W2, and the pressing section 1201 protrudes from both sides of the tab 720 along the second direction Y.

[0065] Among them, the length of the protruding electrode tab 720 on each side of the pressing section 1201 along the second direction Y is between 1mm and 10mm.

[0066] More specifically, the length of the protruding tabs 720 on both sides of the pressing section 1201 along the second direction Y can be between 3mm and 5mm, for example, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, etc.

[0067] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the material handling assembly 110 includes at least two adsorption elements 111 arranged at intervals along a first direction X. It is understood that the adsorption of the electrode 700 by the adsorption elements 111 is used to acquire the electrode 700.

[0068] In some specific embodiments, the adsorption element 111 may include a suction nozzle for adsorption. The material handling assembly 110 also includes an assembly base 112 on which each adsorption element 111 is assembled. The assembly base 112 is connected to a robotic arm (not shown), which moves the assembly base 112 and the adsorption elements 111 thereon up and down to separate the adsorbed electrode 700.

[0069] Among them, at least two adsorption elements 111 distributed at both ends along the first direction X are each capable of reciprocating independently in a direction parallel to the material taking direction Z (i.e., the vertical direction), and are configured to move in response to the pressing state of the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the tab 720 of the electrode to be taken 7100 is located on the right side, and the tab 720 adjacent to the electrode 7200 is located on the left side. The material taking assembly 110 has three spaced-apart adsorption elements 111, which are mounted on the assembly base 112. From left to right, they are the first adsorption element 1111, the second adsorption element 1112, and the third adsorption element 1113. The suction nozzles of the first adsorption element 1111 and the third adsorption element 1113 are vertically telescopically connected to the assembly base 112 via components such as cylinders or electric push rods. The first adsorption element 1111 is configured to move in response to the pressing state of the first pressing body 1211. When the first pressing body 1211 presses against the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200, each adsorption element 111 moves closer to and adsorbs the electrode 7100 to be taken along with the assembly base 112. Then, the first adsorption element 1111 first moves the electrode 700 upward. At this time, because the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200 is pressed by the first pressing body 1211, the adjacent electrode 7200 is partially separated from the electrode 7100 to be taken (e.g., Figure 1 As shown in the diagram), after a certain degree of separation, the remaining two adsorbent elements 111 adsorb the electrode to be removed 7100 and continue to move upward, achieving complete separation between the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode to be removed 7100 (as shown in the diagram). Figure 2 (The state shown).

[0070] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ,when Figure 1 When the second electrode 700 is used as the electrode to be removed 7100, the third electrode 700 is used as the adjacent electrode 7200. At this time, after the three adsorption elements 111 adsorb the electrode to be removed 7100, the third adsorption element 1113 adsorbs the right side area of ​​the electrode to be removed 7100 and first drives the electrode to be removed 7100 to move upward. At this time, the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200 is pressed by the second pressing body 1212, causing the adjacent electrode 7200 to separate from the electrode to be removed 7100.

[0071] In other words, the two adsorption elements 111 located on both sides along the first direction X can selectively move upward along the material removal direction Z according to the pressing state of the first pressing body 1211 and the second pressing body 1212, so that the electrode 7100 to be removed is partially separated first and then completely separated. Compared with direct and complete separation, the adhesion force between the electrode 700 needs to be overcome.

[0072] It should be noted that the number of adsorption elements 111 is not limited to the aforementioned three; it can also be four, five, etc. This is merely an example.

[0073] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments, the slitting mechanism 100 further includes a dispensing component 130. At least a portion of the dispensing component 130 is disposed on the side of the pressing component 120 facing the picking component 110 along the picking direction Z. The dispensing component 130 has a dispensing direction T, and the angle between the dispensing direction T and the picking direction Z is set at angle α. That is, the dispensing component 130 further assists in separating the adjacent electrode 7200 from the electrode 7100 to be picked up. When the picking component 110 picks up the electrode 7100 to be picked up and moves upward, the pressing body 121 presses against the adjacent electrode 7200, creating a gap between the electrode 7100 to be picked up and the adjacent electrode 7200. At this time, the dispensing component 130 can act on this gap, further acting on the adjacent electrode 7200 to achieve complete separation.

[0074] In some embodiments, the pressing assembly 120 includes a first pressing body 1211 and a second pressing body 1212 as an example. The dispensing assembly 130 includes a first dispensing body 131 corresponding to the first pressing body 1211 and a second dispensing body 132 corresponding to the second pressing body 1212. Both the first dispensing body 131 and the second dispensing body 132 are provided with air supply channels (not shown) that are angled to the corresponding adjacent electrode 7200 and supply air to the corresponding adjacent electrode 7200. Figure 1 As shown, when the electrode to be removed 7100 moves upward with the first adsorption member 1111, creating a gap between the left side of the electrode to be removed 7100 and the left side of the adjacent electrode 7200, the first dispensing body 131 can blow airflow into this gap, thereby assisting in the separation of the adjacent electrode 7200 from the electrode to be removed 7100 under the action of the airflow. Simultaneously, the second dispensing body 132 works similarly; when a gap first appears on the right side of any two adjacent electrodes 700, the second dispensing body 132 blows gas into this gap to assist in separation. Utilizing the airflow through the air delivery channel is equivalent to eliminating physical contact with the electrode 700, thus improving the protection of the electrode 700 while still achieving separation.

[0075] Both the first and second material distribution bodies 131 and 132 employ air knives with wind speeds ranging from 10 m / s to 50 m / s. Further, the wind speed range is between 15 m / s and 30 m / s. Simultaneously, the angle α between the material distribution direction T and the material collection direction Z can be between 115° and 135°. This ensures that the airflow always faces the adjacent electrode 7200, reducing adsorption interference with the electrode 7100 to be collected. Furthermore, it allows for a smoother blowing of the adjacent electrode 7200, preventing displacement of the adjacent electrode 7200 and thus avoiding wear between the electrode tab 720 and the pressing body 121. For example, the angle α between the material distribution direction T and the material collection direction Z can be 135°, 130°, 125°, 123°, or 120°.

[0076] Alternatively, the material distribution assembly 130 can also be in physical contact with the adjacent electrode 7200, for example, a horizontally rolling brush that extends into and rolls through the aforementioned gap to accelerate the complete separation of the adjacent electrode 7200.

[0077] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 This application also provides a stacking device, including a wafer picking station. The wafer picking station is equipped with a material box 200 and the aforementioned wafer separating mechanism 100. The material box 200 has a storage cavity 2001 for storing electrode sheets 700. At least a portion of the pressing component 120 can extend into the storage cavity 2001 to press against adjacent electrode sheets 7200, and at least a portion of the picking component 110 can extend into the storage cavity 2001 to remove the electrode sheet 7100 to be picked. That is, at the wafer picking station, the electrode sheets 700 in the material box 200 need to be removed one by one for stacking. In this process, because the pressing component 120 can press against the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 at a point where it does not overlap with the electrode sheet 7100 to be picked, it is beneficial to completely separate the adjacent electrode sheet 7200 and the electrode sheet 7100 to be picked, ensuring that the electrode sheets 700 placed in the battery cell will not stick, reducing the risk of lithium plating and thermal runaway.

[0078] like Figures 4 to 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the storage cavity 2001 includes a main cavity 2001A and two tab cavities 2001B disposed on opposite sides of the main cavity 2001A. The main cavity 2001A is used to accommodate the main body 710, and the tab cavities 2001B are used to accommodate the tabs 720. The tabs 720 of two adjacent electrodes 700 in the storage cavity 2001 are disposed in the two tab cavities 2001B.

[0079] Specifically, the material box 200 includes a support plate 210 and a plurality of enclosure members 220 disposed on the support plate 210. The plurality of enclosure members 220 and the support plate 210 together form a material storage cavity 2001. The support plate 210 includes a main support portion 211 and an electrode tab support portion 212. The electrode tab support portion 212 is connected to both sides of the main support portion 211 along the first direction X. The length of the electrode tab support portion 212 along the second direction Y is less than that of the main support portion 211. Enclosure members 220 are provided on both sides of the main support portion 211 along the first direction X. Specifically, two enclosure members 220 are connected to each side of the main support portion 211 along the first direction X. The two enclosure members 220 on each side are respectively located on both sides of the corresponding electrode tab support portion 212 along the second direction Y. The space area above the electrode tab support portion 212 is designated as the aforementioned electrode tab cavity 2001B, and the space area above the main support portion 211 is designated as the main cavity 2001A.

[0080] In this design, along the second direction Y, the width of the electrode support 212 is W3, the width of the main body 710 is W4, and the width of the electrode 720 is W2, where W2 < W3 < W4. Simultaneously, the length of the main body 710 along the first direction X is L3, and the distance between the two blocking members 220 spaced apart along the first direction X is L4, where L3 < L4 < L3 + L2 + L2. The distance between the two blocking members 220 spaced apart along the first direction X is also the length of the main body cavity 2001A enclosed by the blocking members 220 along the first direction X.

[0081] This configuration, while ensuring more stable positioning of the electrode plate 700, reduces wear on the edges of the main body 710 and the electrode ear 720 caused by the enclosure 220.

[0082] In some embodiments, L4 < L3 + L2. Thus, each tab 720 can extend out of the main body cavity 2001A and enter the corresponding tab cavity 2001B. Furthermore, the distance between the two retaining members 220 located on both sides of the corresponding tab support 212 along the second direction Y is W5. By limiting W5 < W1, the pressure body 121 can only enter the tab cavity 2001B and cannot enter the main body cavity 2001A, thus avoiding wear on the main body 710.

[0083] In some embodiments, the stacking device includes a wafer picking station and a wafer separating station. The wafer picking station has multiple electrodes 700 stacked sequentially, with adjacent electrodes 700 not completely overlapping. The wafers are picked up using existing wafer picking equipment. Therefore, the wafer picking station may remove multiple mutually attracted electrodes 700 and transfer them to the wafer separating station. The wafer separating station is equipped with the aforementioned wafer separating mechanism 100, which can accurately and thoroughly separate the mutually attracted electrodes 700. That is, when multiple electrodes 700 adhere to each other and need to be separated during the wafer picking process or other processes, the adhered electrodes 700 can be placed as a whole in the wafer separating station, and the aforementioned wafer separating mechanism 100 can be used to separate the electrodes 700 one by one.

[0084] like Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the stacking device further includes a detection mechanism 300, which is used to detect the adhesion of the electrode 700 taken out from the self-removal station or the slitting station, thereby further reducing the risk of adhesion.

[0085] The detection mechanism 300 includes a first detector 310 and a second detector 320, which are arranged at intervals along a first direction X, and are used to detect electrode tabs 720 with different orientations, respectively. Therefore, when the first detector 310 and the second detector 320 simultaneously detect the electrode tabs 720, it indicates that electrode 700 adhesion has occurred. For example, both the first detector 310 and the second detector 320 are vision cameras. This is only an example.

[0086] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 In actual use, the conveying mechanism 600 (such as a conveyor belt) transfers electrode sheets 700 with the same tab orientation 720 to the loading station (not shown). At the loading station, a robotic arm picks up the first electrode sheet 700 and places it into the storage cavity 2001 without changing the tab orientation 720. At this time, the main body 710 of the first electrode sheet 700 is located in the main body cavity 2001A, and the tab 720 is located in one of the tab cavities 2001B. Then, the robotic arm picks up the second electrode sheet 700 and rotates it 180° to change the tab orientation 720 before placing it into the storage cavity 2001. At this time, the main body 710 of the second electrode sheet 700 is located in the main body cavity 2001A, and the tab 720 is located in the other tab cavity 2001B. Then, the third electrode 700 is picked up and inserted with its tab 720 facing the same direction. Next, the tab 720 of the fourth electrode 700 is rotated 180° and inserted. This cycle is repeated to complete the loading of the electrode 700.

[0087] When it is necessary to remove the electrode 700 from the material box 200, the material box 200 is placed at the electrode removal station, and the electrode 700 is removed by a robotic arm using existing technology. The removed electrode 700 is then inspected by the detection mechanism 300. If the removed electrode 700 is found to be adhered, it is transferred to the electrode separation station. The pressing component 120 in the electrode separation mechanism 100 at the electrode separation station presses against the tab 720 of the adjacent electrode 7200, and then the electrode 7100 to be removed is picked up by the picking component 110. When a gap appears between the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode 7100 to be removed, the separating component 130 blows air to completely separate the adjacent electrode 7200 and the electrode 7100 to be removed. This process is repeated until all the electrode 700s are separated and removed one by one. Alternatively, the electrode removal station is equipped with a electrode separation mechanism. After the material box 200 is placed at the electrode removal station, the electrode 700 is removed one by one by the electrode separation mechanism.

[0088] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0089] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fragmentation mechanism, characterized by, include: The material handling component (110) is used to handle the electrode sheets (700) stacked in sequence, wherein any two adjacent electrode sheets (700) do not completely overlap, and the electrode sheet (700) includes the electrode sheet to be handled (7100) and the adjacent electrode sheet (7200) adjacent to the electrode sheet to be handled (7100). The pressing assembly (120) includes a pressing body (121) for pressing against the adjacent electrode (7200) at a point that does not overlap with the electrode to be removed (7100).

2. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material taking component (110) has a material taking direction (Z) and a circumferential direction (S); the material pressing component (120) is arranged at intervals with the material taking component (110) along the material taking direction (Z); the material pressing component (120) includes a first material pressing body (1211) and a second material pressing body (1212), which are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction (S) and are used to press against two adjacent electrode sheets (700) respectively.

3. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first pressing body (1211) and the second pressing body (1212) are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the electrode (700). The slitting mechanism (100) has a first direction (X). The first pressing body (1211) and the second pressing body (1212) are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the first direction (X). The first direction (X) is set at an angle to the material taking direction (Z).

4. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The material taking assembly (110) includes at least two adsorption elements (111) arranged at intervals along the first direction (X) for taking the electrode (7100) to be taken; the at least two adsorption elements (111) distributed at both ends along the first direction (X) are each capable of reciprocating independently in a direction parallel to the material taking direction (Z) and are configured to move in response to the pressing state of the first pressing body (1211) and the second pressing body (1212).

5. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The slitting mechanism (100) has a second direction (Y), and the first direction (X), the second direction (Y) and the material taking direction (Z) are perpendicular to each other; the first pressing body (1211) and the second pressing body (1212) are both provided with pressing sections (1201), and the pressing sections (1201) are used to press against the tabs (720) of the corresponding electrode sheet (700). The length of the tab (720) that contacts the pressing section (1201) along the first direction (X) is less than the total length of the tab (720), and / or the width of the pressing section (1201) along the second direction (Y) is not less than the width of the corresponding tab (720).

6. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, Along the first direction (X), the ratio of the length of the tab (720) in contact with the pressing section (1201) to the total length of the tab (720) is k, where k satisfies: 0.5≤k≤0.

9.

7. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material taking component (110) has a material taking direction (Z), and the material pressing component (120) and the material taking component (110) are arranged at intervals along the material taking direction (Z); the slitting mechanism (100) further includes a material separating component (130), at least a portion of which is disposed on the side of the material pressing component (120) facing the material taking component (110) along the material taking direction (Z), and the material separating component (130) has a material separating direction (T), which is angularly set to the material taking direction (Z).

8. The segmentation mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pressing assembly (120) includes a first pressing body (1211) and a second pressing body (1212) for pressing. The first pressing body (1211) and the second pressing body (1212) are used to press two adjacent electrode plates (700) respectively. One of the two adjacent electrode plates (700) is the adjacent electrode plate (7200) when the first pressing body (1211) presses against it, and the other electrode plate (700) is the adjacent electrode plate (7200) when the second pressing body (1212) presses against it. The material distribution assembly (130) includes a first material distribution body (131) corresponding to the first pressing body (1211) and a second material distribution body (132) corresponding to the second pressing body (1212). Both the first material distribution body (131) and the second material distribution body (132) are provided with air supply channels that are at an angle to the corresponding adjacent electrode (7200) and supply air to the corresponding adjacent electrode (7200).

9. A stacking device, characterized in that, The stacking device includes a wafer picking station, which is provided with a material box (200) and a wafer splitting mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The material box (200) is provided with a storage cavity (2001) for storing electrode sheets (700). At least a portion of the pressing assembly (120) can extend into the storage cavity (2001) to press against the adjacent electrode sheet (7200). At least a portion of the picking assembly (110) can extend into the storage cavity (2001) to remove the electrode sheet (7100) to be picked. Alternatively, the stacking device may include a wafer picking station and a wafer splitting station, the wafer splitting station comprising a plurality of mutually adhered electrode sheets (700) taken from the wafer picking station, and a wafer splitting mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The stacking apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The electrode (700) includes a main body (710) and an electrode tab (720) connected to one side of the main body (710). The storage cavity (2001) includes a main cavity (2001A) and two electrode tab cavities (2001B) respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main cavity (2001A). The main cavity (2001A) is used to accommodate the main body (710), and the electrode tab cavities (2001B) are used to accommodate the electrode tabs (720). The electrode tabs (720) of two adjacent electrodes (700) in the storage cavity (2001) are respectively disposed in the two electrode tab cavities (2001B).

11. The stacking apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stacking device further includes a detection mechanism (300) for detecting the adhesion of the electrode sheets (700) taken from the wafer picking station or the wafer splitting station.

Images