Liquid Injection and Stasis Device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of battery technology and discloses a liquid injection and settling device, including a first clamp, a second clamp, liquid injection cups, and a vacuum module. The second clamp is disposed on top of the first clamp. The first clamp has a sealed cavity inside for holding multiple battery cells to be injected with liquid. The second clamp has a receiving cavity inside for holding multiple liquid injection cups corresponding to the multiple battery cells to be injected with liquid. The top of the first clamp has multiple liquid injection cup fixing holes corresponding to the multiple liquid injection cups, so that a part of the liquid injection cup extends into the sealed cavity through the liquid injection cup fixing holes to inject liquid into the battery cells. The top of the first clamp also has a vacuum connection port, through which the sealed cavity is connected to the vacuum module, so that the vacuum module can evacuate the sealed cavity. The above-mentioned liquid injection and settling device helps to reduce the positive and negative pressure evacuation time, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving operation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a liquid injection and settling device. Background Technology

[0002] After electrolyte filling, lithium batteries need to be placed in a settling chamber to allow the electrolyte to fully wet the electrodes. Currently, the industry typically uses a bell-shaped settling chamber for this purpose. The battery cells are placed in the settling chamber before electrolyte filling, and the chamber can also accommodate the electrolyte filling cup, making it suitable for both electrolyte filling and settling. However, these settling chambers are large and heavy, and the time required to reach positive and negative pressure and depressurize is long, resulting in high energy consumption and hindering operational efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides a liquid injection and settling device, which helps to reduce the positive and negative pressure drainage time, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving work efficiency.

[0004] This utility model provides a liquid injection and settling device, including a first clamp, a second clamp, an injection cup, and a vacuum module, wherein the second clamp is disposed on the top of the first clamp;

[0005] The first clamp has a sealed cavity inside, which is used to place multiple battery cells to be injected with liquid;

[0006] The second clamp has an internal cavity for holding a plurality of injection cups corresponding to the plurality of cells to be injected with liquid. The top of the first clamp is provided with a plurality of injection cup fixing holes corresponding to the plurality of injection cups, so that a part of the injection cup extends into the sealed cavity through the injection cup fixing hole to inject liquid into the cell.

[0007] The top of the first clamp is also provided with a vacuum connection port, and the sealed cavity is connected to the vacuum module through the vacuum connection port so that the vacuum module can evacuate the sealed cavity.

[0008] The liquid injection and settling device provided by this utility model includes a relatively independent first clamp and a second clamp. The first clamp is used to place the battery cell, and the second clamp is used to place the liquid injection cup. The second clamp is located on top of the first clamp so that the liquid injection cup can communicate with the battery cell through the liquid injection cup fixing hole, thereby injecting liquid into the battery cell. The first clamp has a sealed cavity inside. When the battery cell needs to be settling after liquid injection, a vacuum module is used to evacuate the sealed cavity through the vacuum connection port, allowing the battery cell to be settling under negative pressure. Because the battery cell and the liquid injection cup are set in different cavities, the sealed cavity only needs to provide space for placing the battery cell. Compared with the traditional bell-shaped settling cavity, the sealed cavity has a smaller volume, a smaller gas filling volume, and a shorter positive and negative pressure evacuation time, which helps to reduce energy consumption and improve work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid injection and settling device in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the first clamp and the second clamp in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a structure in an embodiment of the present invention, in which the battery cell and the liquid injection cup are respectively placed in the first clamp and the second clamp;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a top view of one of the limiting blocks in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a structure when the upper cover and lower shell are separated in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0014] In the picture:

[0015] 10-Battery cell; 100-First clamp; 101-Sealed cavity; 102-Injection cup fixing hole; 103-Vacuum connection port; 110-Lower shell; 111-Base plate; 112-Side plate; 1121-Bearing surface; 120-Top cover; 130-Limiting block; 131-Limiting cavity; 140-Gasket; 150-Limiting part; 151-Limiting surface; 200-Second clamp; 201-Accommodating cavity; 210-Outer shell; 300-Injection cup; 400-Vacuum module; 500-Stationary cavity; 510-Connecting pipe; 511-First pipe; 512-Second pipe; 520-Positioning pin. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0017] refer to Figure 1 The liquid injection and settling device in this embodiment may include a first clamp 100, a second clamp 200 and an injection cup 300. The second clamp 200 is disposed on the top of the first clamp 100, and the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200 are fixed relative to each other.

[0018] Please refer to the above. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first clamp 100 has a sealed cavity 101 inside, which can be used to place multiple battery cells 10 to be injected with liquid. That is, when the battery cell 10 is placed in the sealed cavity 101, the battery cell 10 is isolated from the atmospheric environment outside the first clamp 100.

[0019] The second clamp 200 has an internal receiving cavity 201 for holding multiple injection cups 300. Each injection cup 300 in the receiving cavity 201 corresponds to one of the multiple battery cells 10 in the sealed cavity 101. The top of the first clamp 100 has injection cup fixing holes 102 corresponding to each injection cup 300. These holes connect the sealed cavity 101 and the receiving cavity 201. When an injection cup 300 is placed in the receiving cavity 201, a portion of the injection cup 300 can extend into the sealed cavity 101 through the injection cup fixing hole 102. At this time, the injection nozzle of the injection cup 300 can communicate with the injection port of the battery cell 10, allowing the operator to inject electrolyte into the battery cell 10 through the injection cup 300.

[0020] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the liquid injection and settling device may further include a vacuum module 400. The top of the first clamp 100 is also provided with a vacuum connection port 103, and the sealed cavity 101 can be connected to the vacuum module 400 through the vacuum connection port 103. After the liquid injection into the battery cell 10 is completed, the vacuum module 400 can evacuate the sealed cavity 101 so that the battery cell 10 can be settling under negative pressure.

[0021] It should be understood that the liquid injection and settling device in this embodiment uses a relatively independent first clamp 100 and a second clamp 200. The first clamp 100 is used to place the battery cell 10, and the second clamp 200 is used to place the liquid injection cup 300. Positioning the second clamp 200 on top of the first clamp 100 allows the liquid injection cup 300 to inject liquid into the battery cell 10. The first clamp 100 has a sealed cavity 101 inside. When the battery cell 10 needs to be settling after liquid injection, only the inside of the sealed cavity 101 needs to be evacuated. Since the sealed cavity 101 only needs to provide space for the battery cell 10, compared to a traditional bell-shaped settling cavity, the sealed cavity 101 in this embodiment has a smaller volume. During the liquid injection and settling process, the time required to reach positive and negative pressure in the sealed cavity 101 is shortened, which not only reduces energy consumption but also improves operational efficiency.

[0022] In practical applications, to ensure a good seal within the sealed cavity 101 of the first clamp 100, a corresponding sealing structure (not shown in the figure) can be provided between the injection cup fixing hole 102 and the injection cup 300. This allows the injection cup fixing hole 102 to maintain a sealing effect with the injection cup 300 under the action of the sealing structure, thereby ensuring the seal within the sealed cavity 101. For example, the sealing structure can be a sealing rubber ring.

[0023] In some embodiments, refer again Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first clamp 100 may include a lower shell 110 and an upper cover 120, which are detachably connected. The lower shell 110 has a space inside for placing the battery cell 10. When the upper cover 120 is removed from the lower shell 110, the space inside the lower shell 110 is exposed, making it easy to place the battery cell 10 into the lower shell 110. After the battery cell 10 is in place, the upper cover 120 can be closed onto the lower shell 110, forming a sealed cavity 101 inside the first clamp 100 to facilitate subsequent liquid injection and settling operations.

[0024] A cell limiting structure may also be provided inside the sealed cavity 101. The cell limiting structure can be used to fix the cell 10 to ensure that the cell 10 remains relatively fixed with the first clamp 100 during subsequent liquid injection and settling operations.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the cell limiting structure may include a limiting block 130, which is fixed inside the lower shell 110. The limiting block 130 may be provided with multiple limiting cavities 131. Each limiting cavity 131 may extend through the limiting block 130 along the arrangement direction of the lower cover and the upper cover 120. When the cell 10 is placed in the first clamp 100, the cell 10 can be placed into the limiting cavity 131 to fix the cell 10.

[0026] Specifically, the shape of the limiting cavity 131 is the same as that of the battery cell 10. For example, if the battery cell 10 is cylindrical, then the limiting cavity 131 is also cylindrical. When the battery cell 10 is placed in the limiting cavity 131, the bottom of the battery cell 10 can directly contact the bottom of the lower shell 110, and the inner wall of the limiting cavity 131 can contact the outer surface of the battery cell 10, thereby preventing the battery cell 10 from swaying left and right during operation.

[0027] refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, the multiple limiting cavities 131 are independent of each other, meaning that there is a certain gap between any two adjacent limiting cavities 131, which makes the limiting block 130 appear as a honeycomb structure. When the battery cell 10 is placed in the limiting cavity 131, the limiting cavity 131 can provide sufficient limiting effect for the battery cell 10 because the sidewall of the limiting cavity 131 has a certain thickness.

[0028] In addition, the side end face of the limiting block 130 near the second clamp 200 can be set lower than the top end face of the battery cell 10 so that the robot can quickly remove the battery cell 10 from the limiting cavity 131 after the battery cell 10 has been filled with liquid and left to stand.

[0029] It is worth mentioning that the honeycomb-shaped limiting block structure used in this embodiment can also fill the sealed cavity 101, thereby reducing the space available for filling the gas in the sealed cavity 101. This further shortens the auxiliary time when a vacuum needs to be evacuated from the sealed cavity 101, thus improving operational efficiency.

[0030] As an alternative implementation scheme, such as Figure 2 or Figure 3 As shown, the limiting block 130 can be arranged circumferentially along the sealed cavity 101 so that the limiting block 130 can fill the sealed cavity 101 horizontally. In other words, the outer surface of the limiting block 130 can abut against the inner wall of the sealed cavity 101, and the bottom of the limiting block 130 can also contact the bottom of the sealed cavity 101. This not only ensures the fixing effect between the limiting block 130 and the sealed cavity 101, but also allows the limiting block 130 to fill more space in the sealed cavity 101, thereby reducing the gas filling space of the sealed cavity 101. The smaller the gas filling space in the sealed cavity 101, the shorter the positive and negative pressure evacuation time (e.g., vacuuming time) in the sealed cavity 101 during operation, thereby further improving operation efficiency.

[0031] Continue to refer to Figure 2The second clamp 200 includes a housing 210, which can be fixedly connected to the side of the upper cover 120 opposite to the lower cover 110. In this embodiment, the upper cover 120 can serve not only as the top structure of the first clamp 100, but also as the bottom structure of the second clamp 200. It can be understood that when the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 110 are closed and fixed together, the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200 are in a relatively fixed state.

[0032] Furthermore, combined again Figure 2 and Figure 3 The injection cup fixing hole 102 can be provided through the upper cover 120, and the injection cup 300 can be fixed in the injection cup fixing hole 102. Since the battery cell 10 can be limited by the limiting block 130 when placed in the sealed cavity 101, the battery cell 10 and the first clamp 100 are positioned. The injection cup fixing hole 102 can be set directly opposite the limiting cavity 131. When the upper cover 120 is closed on the lower shell 110, the injection cup 300 can be directly opposite the battery cell 10, thereby ensuring that the injection nozzle of the injection cup 300 can maintain communication with the injection hole of the battery cell 10. In this way, the positioning work between the injection cup 300 and the battery cell 10 can be eliminated, which is conducive to further improving the work efficiency.

[0033] A positioning module (not shown in the figure) may also be provided inside the receiving cavity 201. The positioning module can assist the liquid injection cup fixing hole 102 in positioning the liquid injection cup 300 to ensure that the liquid injection cup 300 can be better fixed relative to the liquid injection cup fixing hole 102. For example, the upper cover 120 may also be provided on the side opposite to the lower shell 110, with a positioning groove corresponding to the liquid injection cup fixing hole 102. The positioning groove protrudes from the surface of the upper cover 120, and the bottom of the positioning groove communicates with the liquid injection cup fixing hole 102. When the liquid injection cup 300 is placed in the receiving cavity 201, the liquid injection cup 300 can be placed in the positioning groove, and the outer surface of the liquid injection cup 300 can contact the inner wall of the positioning groove. The bottom of the liquid injection cup 300 can extend into the sealed cavity 101 through the liquid injection cup fixing hole 102, thereby ensuring that the liquid injection cup 300 can be fixed in the receiving cavity 201 and also positioned with the battery cell 10.

[0034] Furthermore, a vacuum connection port 103 extends through the upper cover 120. The vacuum connection port 103 can be arranged to avoid the liquid filling cup fixing hole 102. For example, the vacuum connection port 103 can be located near the inner wall of the outer casing 210. When it is necessary to connect the vacuum connection port 103 through a pipeline, the pipeline can avoid the liquid filling cup 300 for convenient operation.

[0035] In some embodiments, a height adjustment module may be provided between the lower shell 110 and the upper cover 120. This module can be used to adjust the relative installation position between the upper cover 120 and the lower shell 110, thereby changing their relative position and adjusting the height of the sealed cavity 101. It is understood that since the injection cup 300 and the upper cover 120 remain relatively fixed, when replacing battery cells 10 of different specifications (different heights), if the installation position between the upper cover 120 and the lower shell 110 remains unchanged, it cannot be guaranteed that the injection cup 300 and the battery cells 10 of different specifications can maintain communication. Therefore, by providing a height adjustment module, when replacing battery cells 10 of different specifications, the height of the upper cover 120 can be adjusted via the height adjustment module, thereby ensuring that the injection nozzle of the injection cup 300 can maintain communication with the injection hole of the battery cell 10.

[0036] As an alternative implementation scheme, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the lower shell 110 may include a bottom plate 111 and a side plate 112. The side plate 112 is connected to the bottom plate 111, and the upper cover 120 is connected to the side plate 112, so that the bottom plate 111, the side plate 112, and the upper cover 120 form a sealed cavity 101. The side plate 112 has a bearing surface 1121 at one end facing the upper cover 120. When the upper cover 120 is closed on the lower shell 110, the upper cover 120 can abut against the bearing surface 1121.

[0037] The height adjustment module may include a shim 140, which is disposed on the bearing surface 1121 and is detachably connected to the bearing surface 1121. Furthermore, the inner wall of the side plate 112 is provided with a limiting portion 150, which is perpendicular to the bearing surface 1121 and protrudes from the bearing surface 1121 on one end face facing the upper cover 120. The side of the limiting portion 150 away from the internal space of the sealed cavity 101 may have a limiting surface 151, and an L-shaped limiting structure may be formed between the limiting surface 151 and the bearing surface.

[0038] When the upper cover 120 is closed on the lower shell 110, the end face of the upper cover 120 facing the interior space of the sealed cavity 101 can abut against the limiting surface 151, and the end face of the upper cover 120 facing the side plate 112 can abut against the gasket 140 and remain fixed with the gasket 140. In this way, by providing the limiting part 150, the gas flow channel between the upper cover 120 and the lower shell 110 can be changed to an L-shaped structure, making it easier to maintain the sealed state in the sealed cavity 101.

[0039] When a gasket 140 is placed on the bearing surface 1121, the relative position between the upper cover 120 and the lower shell 110 changes, thereby increasing the height of the sealed cavity 101. Since the gasket 140 is detachably connected to the bearing surface 1121, the relative position between the upper cover 120 and the lower shell 110 can be changed by replacing gaskets 140 of different thicknesses, thus meeting the operational requirements of different specifications of battery cells 10.

[0040] In this embodiment, the height of the limiting part 150 protruding from the bearing surface 1121 can be designed so that when gaskets 140 of different thicknesses are provided, at least a portion of the limiting surface 151 of the limiting part 150 can be abutted. For example, when the bearing surface 1121 is not provided with gaskets 140, after the upper cover 120 is closed on the lower shell 110, the end face of the limiting part 150 facing the upper cover 120 can be close to the top of the upper cover 120. This not only ensures that the height of the limiting part 150 protruding from the bearing surface 1121 is sufficient, but also does not affect the installation between the upper cover 120 and the lower shell 110.

[0041] In some embodiments, refer again Figure 1 The liquid injection and settling device may also include a settling chamber 500, which can be used to place the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200. After the battery cell 10 has been injected with liquid, the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200 can be moved as a whole into the settling chamber 500 to complete the settling operation of the battery cell 10.

[0042] The top of the settling chamber 500 is provided with a connecting pipe 510. The connecting pipe 510 may include multiple first pipes 511 communicating with multiple liquid injection cups 300 and a second pipe 512 communicating with a vacuum connection port 103. The first pipes 511 and the second pipes 512 are respectively connected to the vacuum module 400. When the vacuum module 400 is working, it can evacuate the sealed chamber 101 and the liquid injection cups 300, thereby allowing the battery cell 10 to be settling under negative pressure.

[0043] It should be noted that the function of the settling chamber 500 in this embodiment is different from that of the traditional bell-shaped settling chamber. In the traditional bell-shaped settling chamber, both the electrolyte injection and settling of the battery cell 10 must be completed within the chamber. However, in this embodiment, the electrolyte injection process of the battery cell 10 can be completed outside the settling chamber 500 (e.g., in…). Figure 3 The electrolyte filling of the battery cell can be completed in the current state (it does not need to be done in the settling chamber 500). It is understood that the settling chamber 500 in this embodiment only provides space for the battery cell 10 to settle, so as to arrange the pipeline connected to the vacuum module 400.

[0044] In addition, when the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200 are transported as a whole, the micro-vibrations generated by the first clamp 100 during the transport process can also cause the liquid and gas in the cell 10 to be replaced, so that the electrolyte can better wet the electrode.

[0045] In this embodiment, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 3 When the battery cell 10 needs to stand after liquid injection, a vacuum can be drawn into the injection cup 300 using the first conduit 511, and a vacuum can be drawn into the sealed cavity 101 using the second conduit 512. When the sealed cavity 101 is under negative pressure, the battery cell 10 is prone to bulging under the pressure difference between the inside and outside. However, since the battery cell 10 is fixed by the limiting cavity 131 in the aforementioned embodiment, the limiting cavity 131 can prevent the battery cell 10 from bulging and deforming. Furthermore, since the injection cup 300 and the battery cell 10 are always in communication, even if the sealed cavity 101 is under negative pressure, the injection cup 300 remains in communication with the inside of the battery cell 10 after vacuuming, which can balance the pressure inside and outside the battery cell 10, thereby preventing the battery cell 10 from bulging and deforming.

[0046] Furthermore, a positioning component can be provided inside the settling cavity 500. The positioning component can be used to position the first clamp 100 to ensure that when the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200 are placed together in the settling cavity 500, each pipeline can be aligned with the injection cup 300 and the vacuum connection port 103, thereby ensuring that each pipeline can be accurately connected to each injection cup 300 and the vacuum connection port 103.

[0047] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the positioning assembly may include multiple positioning pins 520 disposed at the bottom of the stationary cavity 500, and correspondingly, the bottom of the first clamp 100 is provided with multiple positioning holes (not shown in the figure). When the first clamp 100 is placed in the stationary cavity 500, each positioning pin 520 can be fixed in the corresponding positioning hole, thereby ensuring accurate positioning between the first clamp 100 and the stationary cavity 500, and enabling the first clamp 100 and the second clamp 200 as a whole to maintain a relatively fixed state with respect to the stationary cavity 500.

[0048] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, if these modifications and variations of this utility model fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A liquid injection and settling device, characterized in that, It includes a first clamp, a second clamp, a liquid injection cup, and a vacuum module, wherein the second clamp is disposed on top of the first clamp; The first clamp has a sealed cavity inside, which is used to place multiple battery cells to be injected with liquid; The second clamp has an internal cavity for holding a plurality of injection cups corresponding to the plurality of cells to be injected with liquid. The top of the first clamp is provided with a plurality of injection cup fixing holes corresponding to the plurality of injection cups, so that a part of the injection cup extends into the sealed cavity through the injection cup fixing hole to inject liquid into the cell. The top of the first clamp is also provided with a vacuum connection port, and the sealed cavity is connected to the vacuum module through the vacuum connection port so that the vacuum module can evacuate the sealed cavity.

2. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A limiting block is provided inside the sealed cavity, and the limiting block is fixed inside the sealed cavity; The limiting block is provided with multiple limiting cavities, and there is a gap between any two adjacent limiting cavities. The shape of the limiting cavity is the same as the shape of the battery cell. The battery cell is placed in the limiting cavity, and the inner wall of the limiting cavity is in contact with the outer surface of the battery cell.

3. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer surface of the limiting block abuts against the inner wall of the sealed cavity.

4. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamp includes a lower shell and an upper cover, the upper cover being detachably connected to the lower shell; The second clamp is fixedly connected to the side of the upper cover opposite to the lower shell.

5. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 4, characterized in that, A height adjustment module is provided between the lower shell and the upper cover. The height adjustment module is used to adjust the installation position between the upper cover and the lower shell to adjust the height of the sealed cavity.

6. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lower shell includes a bottom plate and a side plate. The side plate has a bearing surface at one end facing the upper cover. The height adjustment module includes a shim disposed on the bearing surface. The shim is detachably connected to the bearing surface. The inner wall of the side plate is provided with a limiting part that protrudes from the bearing surface, and the limiting part is perpendicular to the bearing surface; When the upper cover is closed onto the lower shell, the upper cover abuts against the limiting part and the upper cover abuts against the gasket.

7. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The receiving cavity is provided with a positioning module, which is used to position the plurality of injection cups so that the injection cups are fixed in the injection cup fixing holes; When the upper cover is closed on the lower shell, the liquid injection cup is connected to the battery cell located in the sealed cavity.

8. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a settling cavity for placing the first clamp and the second clamp; The top of the static cavity is provided with a connecting pipe, which is used to connect to the liquid injection cup and the vacuum connection port. The connecting pipe is also used to connect to the vacuum module so that the vacuum module can evacuate the sealed cavity and the liquid injection cup.

9. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The stationary cavity is equipped with a positioning component for positioning the first clamp.

10. The liquid injection and settling device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The positioning component includes multiple positioning pins disposed at the bottom of the stationary cavity, and the bottom of the first clamp is provided with multiple positioning holes, and the multiple positioning pins and the multiple positioning holes are fixed together.

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