Split ram device for laser welding and battery busbar welding apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of split type pressure head devices and battery busbar welding equipment for laser welding, the split type pressure head device includes two lower pressing modules oppositely arranged along Y axis direction, two the lower pressing module includes Z axis drive mechanism, X axis drive mechanism and two pressure head modules;The Z axis drive mechanism, the X axis drive mechanism and the pressure head module are sequentially connected, two the pressure head module is used to downwardly press to the object to be welded, two the pressure head module is driven by the X axis drive mechanism and is used to change pressure position along X axis;Two lower pressing modules of the present scheme can utilize laser welder to adjust next pressure position in X axis direction in the time of welding one row of busbar, so that laser welder does not need to wait the time required for lower pressing module to change pressure position, and then laser welder can continuously and efficiently perform welding operation, which greatly improves the efficiency of welding two rows of busbar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of welding, and in particular to a split-type pressure head device for laser welding and a battery busbar welding equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Current battery modules consist of multiple batteries and multiple busbars. The busbars are mostly made of aluminum, which has good electrical and thermal conductivity. Multiple busbars are welded to their corresponding batteries, allowing the batteries to be connected in series or parallel to form a battery module with a large capacity. Currently, the welding between the busbars and batteries uses automated laser welding. Before welding, a pressure nozzle is used to pre-press the busbars to ensure reliable welding to the battery terminals.

[0003] Current welding processes typically use a single nozzle. During operation, the nozzle first presses down on one busbar, then the laser welder welds the busbar being pressed down. The nozzle then pre-presses down on a second busbar, and the laser welder moves to weld that busbar as well, repeating this process until all busbars are welded. This method takes time for the nozzle to change position, preventing the laser welder from operating at high speed continuously, resulting in low welding efficiency for multiple busbars. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a split-type pressure head device for laser welding and a battery busbar welding equipment, mainly solving the technical problem of how to improve the welding efficiency of battery busbars.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A split-type pressure head device for laser welding includes two pressure modules arranged opposite each other along the Y-axis. Each pressure module includes a Z-axis drive mechanism, an X-axis drive mechanism, and two pressure head modules. The Z-axis drive mechanism, the X-axis drive mechanism, and the pressure head modules are connected in sequence. Both pressure head modules are used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded. Both pressure head modules are driven by the X-axis drive mechanism to change the pressure position along the X-axis.

[0007] In one of the technical solutions, within the same pressing module, two pressing head modules are driven by the X-axis driving mechanism to move in the same direction, towards each other, or away from each other along the X-axis.

[0008] In one of the technical solutions, the pressure head module includes a cylinder, a lifting seat, a slide, an elastic element, and a pressure nozzle;

[0009] The cylinder is connected to the X-axis drive mechanism and the lifting seat respectively and is used to drive the lifting seat to move up and down. The slide is slidably connected to the lifting seat in the longitudinal direction. The elastic element is disposed between the lifting seat and the slide. The slide has a downward movement tendency due to the elastic force of the elastic element. The pressure nozzle is connected to the slide and is used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded.

[0010] In one of the technical solutions, the pressure head module further includes a connecting seat, which is fixed on the slide. A plurality of springs are provided between the pressure nozzle and the connecting seat, and the plurality of springs apply a downward force to the pressure nozzle so that the pressure nozzle can float relative to the connecting seat.

[0011] In one of the technical solutions, the pressure nozzle includes multiple pressure blocks, which are arranged circumferentially to form a central hole for the laser to pass through. The multiple pressure blocks are used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded. Each pressure block is connected to the connecting seat by a guide post. The pressure block is slidably connected to the connecting seat in the longitudinal direction through the guide post. Each guide post is fitted with a spring.

[0012] In one of the technical solutions, each of the pressure blocks is fixed with a bolt at its top. The bolt stud includes the guide post. The head of the bolt is located above the connecting seat. The pressure block is subjected to the elastic force of the spring, which causes the head of the bolt to have a downward tendency to abut against the top surface of the connecting seat.

[0013] In one of the technical solutions, the pressure head module further includes a negative pressure pipe, and a dust suction chamber is provided on the slide. The negative pressure pipe is fixed on the slide and connected to the dust suction chamber. The end of the dust suction chamber away from the negative pressure pipe is arranged adjacent to the central hole.

[0014] In one of the technical solutions, the pressure head module further includes a rangefinder, which is fixedly connected to the lifting seat and is used to detect the height between itself and the object to be welded.

[0015] In one of the technical solutions, the pressure head module further includes a pressure sensor connected to the top or bottom of the elastic element, and the pressure sensor is used to acquire the elastic force data of the elastic element.

[0016] This application also provides a battery busbar welding device for welding two rows of buses spaced apart along the Y-axis to the terminals of a battery. The battery busbar welding device includes a driver, a laser welder, and the aforementioned split-type pressure head device for laser welding. The driver is connected to the laser welder and is used to drive the laser welder to move at least along the X-axis and the Y-axis. The laser welder reciprocates and alternately welds the two rows of buses along the Y-axis.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the split-type pressure head device for laser welding provided by this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] Taking the busbars used to connect two adjacent batteries as an example, this solution can weld two rows of busbars in the Y-axis direction according to the following process: First, the Z-axis drive mechanism drives two pressure head modules to descend to the pre-welding height. Then, the two pressure head modules in the two pressing modules press down simultaneously (i.e., a total of four pressure head modules press down on the busbars). Then, the laser welder first welds the two busbars on the left side in the Y-axis direction. Then, the laser welder welds the two busbars on the right side in the Y-axis direction. At the same time, the two pressure head modules on the left side in the Y-axis direction are lifted up and then moved along the X-axis direction to the next busbar to be welded and apply downward pressure to the busbar. Then, the laser welder welds the two busbars on the left side in the Y-axis direction. At the same time, the two pressure head modules on the right side in the Y-axis direction are lifted up and then moved along the X-axis direction to the next busbar to be welded and apply downward pressure to the busbar. Then, the laser welder welds the two busbars on the right side in the Y-axis direction. That is, the laser welder alternately welds the two rows of busbars in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] The two pressure modules in this solution can use the time it takes for the laser welder to weld one row of busbars to adjust the next pressure position in the X-axis direction. This eliminates the need for the laser welder to wait for the pressure modules to change their pressure positions, allowing the laser welder to continuously and efficiently perform welding operations. This significantly improves the welding efficiency of both rows of busbars. Compared with the existing solution using a single-head pressure nozzle, the welding efficiency of this solution can be greatly improved. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a split-type pressure head device for laser welding when welding a busbar on a battery, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one of the pressure-down modules provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure head module provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure head module provided in an embodiment of this application from another angle;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0026] Figure label:

[0027] 1. Pressing module; 11. Z-axis drive mechanism; 12. X-axis drive mechanism; 13. Pressing head module; 130. Cylinder; 131. Lifting seat; 132. Slide seat; 1321. Dust suction chamber; 133. Elastic element; 134. Pressing nozzle; 1341. Pressing block; 1342. Central hole; 135. Connecting seat; 136. Spring; 137. Guide post; 138. Bolt; 139. Negative pressure pipe; 140. Rangefinder; 141. Pressure sensor; 2. Battery. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0029] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0030] It should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are 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 are not intended to 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.

[0031] 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 one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 3 This utility model provides a split-type pressure head device for laser welding. The split-type pressure head device includes two pressure modules 1 arranged opposite each other along the Y-axis. Each pressure module 1 specifically includes a Z-axis drive mechanism 11, an X-axis drive mechanism 12, and two pressure head modules 13. The Z-axis drive mechanism 11, X-axis drive mechanism 12, and pressure head modules 13 are connected in sequence. The Z-axis drive mechanism 11 is used to drive the X-axis drive mechanism 12 and the two pressure head modules 13 to move up and down along the Z-axis. The Z-axis drive mechanism 11 is used to drive the two pressure head modules 13 to descend to the pre-welding height, and also to drive the two pressure head modules 13 to rise to a higher height to avoid objects moving below. The X-axis drive mechanism 12 is used to drive the pressure head modules 13 to move laterally along the X-axis. The descent of the two pressure head modules 13 is used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded. The two pressure head modules 13 are driven by the X-axis drive mechanism 12 to change the position of the pressure along the X-axis. It should be further explained that the two pressure head modules 13 can share the same X-axis drive mechanism 12 to meet the welding requirements of multiple objects to be welded being evenly spaced on the X-axis; the two pressure head modules 13 can also each use an X-axis drive mechanism 12 to meet the welding requirements of multiple objects to be welded being arranged on the X-axis with varying distances.

[0034] In this embodiment, the object to be welded is a busbar used to connect two adjacent batteries 2. The following process can be used to weld two rows of busbars located in the Y-axis direction: First, the Z-axis drive mechanism 11 drives two pressure head modules 13 to descend to the pre-welding height. Then, the two pressure head modules 13 within the two pressing modules 1 simultaneously press down (i.e., a total of four pressure head modules 13 press down on the busbars). Next, the laser welder first welds the two busbars on the left side of the Y-axis direction, and then the laser welder welds the two busbars on the right side of the Y-axis direction. Simultaneously, the Y-axis... The two pressure head modules 13 on the left side of the direction are lifted upward and then moved along the X-axis to the next busbar to be welded and pressure is applied downward to the busbar. Then the laser welder welds the two busbars on the left side of the Y-axis. At the same time, the two pressure head modules 13 on the right side of the Y-axis are lifted upward and moved along the X-axis to the next busbar to be welded and pressure is applied downward to the busbar. Then the laser welder welds the two busbars on the right side of the Y-axis. That is, the laser welder alternately welds the two rows of busbars in the Y-axis direction.

[0035] In summary, the two pressure modules 1 of this solution can use the welding time of the laser welder on one row of busbars to adjust the next pressure position in the X-axis direction. This eliminates the need for the laser welder to wait for the pressure module 1 to change the pressure position, thus enabling the laser welder to continuously and efficiently perform welding operations. This significantly improves the welding efficiency of both rows of busbars. Compared with the existing solution using a single-head pressure nozzle, the welding efficiency of this solution can be greatly improved.

[0036] This section further explains that within the same pressure module 1, the two pressure head modules 13 can change their pressure application position along the X-axis in three ways: moving in the same direction, moving towards each other, or moving away from each other. When the two pressure head modules 13 move in the same direction along the X-axis, the laser welder initially welds the busbars at both ends along the X-axis, and then gradually welds the busbars in the middle region. When the two pressure head modules 13 move in the same direction along the X-axis, the laser welder initially welds the busbar at one end along the X-axis and one busbar in the middle region, and then gradually welds the other busbars along the other end of the X-axis. When the two pressure head modules 13 move away from each other along the X-axis, the laser welder initially welds the two busbars in the middle region, and then gradually welds the other busbars at both ends along the X-axis.

[0037] The following is a detailed description of the specific structure of the pressure head module 13.

[0038] Please refer to the following: Figures 3 to 5The pressure head module 13 specifically includes a cylinder 130, a lifting seat 131, a slide 132, an elastic element 133, and a pressure nozzle 134. The cylinder 130 is connected to the X-axis drive mechanism 12, which drives the cylinder 130 to move along the X-axis to achieve the function of moving the entire pressure head module 13 along the X-axis. The lifting seat 131 is connected to the cylinder 130, and the cylinder 130 drives the lifting seat 131 to move up and down. The slide 132 is slidably connected to the lifting seat 131 in the longitudinal direction by connecting a guide rail and a slider. The elastic element 133 is disposed between the lifting seat 131 and the slide 132. The slide 132 has a downward movement tendency after being subjected to the elastic force of the elastic element 133. The elastic element 133 is preferably a spring. The pressure nozzle 134 is connected to the slide 132 and is used to directly apply downward pressure to the manifold. By designing the pressure head module 13 as described above, the pressure nozzle 134 can apply elastic pressure to the busbar. That is, the downward pressure applied by the pressure nozzle 134 to the busbar has a buffering effect, preventing damage to the busbar or battery terminals. In fact, the pre-pressure on the busbar is equal to the elastic force of the elastic element 133 after compression.

[0039] Please refer to them again. Figures 3 to 5 The pressure head module 13 also includes a connecting seat 135, which is fixed on the slide 132. The pressure nozzle 134 and the connecting seat 135 are connected by multiple springs 136. The multiple springs 136 apply a downward force to the pressure nozzle 134, so that the pressure nozzle 134 can float relative to the connecting seat 135. This allows the pressure nozzle 134 to apply downward pressure to the busbar, even if the busbar is deformed and the flatness is poor, or even if the battery terminals are deformed, the floating pressure nozzle 134 can still ensure that the busbar and the battery terminals are tightly fitted, thereby improving the reliability of subsequent welding of the busbar and the battery.

[0040] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5The pressure nozzle 134 specifically includes multiple pressure blocks 1341. These multiple pressure blocks 1341 are used to jointly apply downward pressure to the busbar. The multiple pressure blocks 1341 are arranged circumferentially to form a central hole 1342. This central hole 1342 actually penetrates the connecting seat 135 upwards. The laser emitted by the external laser welder passes downwards through this central hole 1342 and welds the busbar to the battery terminal. In addition, each pressure block 1341 is connected to the connecting seat 135 by a guide post 137. Each guide post 137 is fitted with the aforementioned spring 136. By setting the guide post 137, each pressure block 1341 can slide longitudinally connected to the connecting seat 135, that is, the pressure nozzle 134 can float. When each pressure block 1341 presses on the busbar, it can have different heights, thereby reliably pressing the uneven busbar onto the battery terminal. Specifically, the guide post 137 can be fixed on the pressure block 1341 and slidably connected to the connecting seat 135 in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the guide post 137 can be fixed on the connecting seat 135 and slidably connected to the pressure block 1341 in the longitudinal direction. Both designs can achieve the purpose of slidably connecting the pressure block 1341 and the connecting seat 135 in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, each pressure block 1341 is fixed with a bolt 138 on its top. The thread of the bolt 138 is screwed into the pressure block 1341. The stud of the bolt 138 includes the aforementioned guide post 137. The head of the bolt 138 is located above the connecting seat 135. After the pressure block 1341 is subjected to the elastic force of the spring 136, the head of the bolt 138 tends to move downward and abut against the top surface of the connecting seat 135, thereby limiting the downward movement of the bolt 138 and preventing the pressure block 1341 from dislodging downward from the connecting seat 135 after being subjected to the elastic force of the spring 136. The bolt 138 with the guide post 137 has the advantages of simple assembly, simple structure and low cost.

[0041] Please refer to them again. Figures 3 to 5 The pressure head module 13 also includes a negative pressure pipe 139. A dust suction chamber 1321 is provided on the slide 132. The negative pressure pipe 139 is fixed on the slide 132. One end of the negative pressure pipe 139 is used to connect to an external air extraction device, and the other end of the negative pressure pipe 139 is connected to the dust suction chamber 1321. The end of the dust suction chamber 1321 away from the negative pressure pipe 139 is arranged adjacent to the aforementioned central hole 1342 to extract dust, gas and welding slag after laser welding.

[0042] Please refer to them again. Figures 3 to 5 The pressure head module 13 also includes a rangefinder 140, which is fixedly connected to the lifting seat 131. The rangefinder 140 is used to detect the height between itself and the busbar, which helps the external laser welder to adjust the welding focal length according to the actual height position of the busbar, thereby helping to reliably weld the busbar onto the battery terminal.

[0043] Please refer to them again. Figures 3 to 5 The pressure head module 13 also includes a pressure sensor 141, which is connected to the top or bottom of the elastic element 133. The pressure sensor 141 is used to obtain the elastic force data of the elastic element 133, thereby obtaining the pressure value applied by the nozzle 134 to the busbar. The pressure value of the pressure sensor 141 can be used to determine whether the busbar is over-pressurized or under-pressurized. In other words, the pressure head module 13 of this solution has a pressure detection function. When the pressure applied to the busbar is insufficient or the busbar is over-pressurized, an alarm can be set to remind the operator. This helps to ensure that the subsequent welding quality of the busbar can be achieved, and also prevents the busbar or battery terminals from being damaged by pressure.

[0044] This embodiment also provides a battery busbar welding device, which includes a driver, a laser welder, and the aforementioned split-type pressure head device. The driver is connected to the laser welder and is used to drive the laser welder to move at least along the X-axis and Y-axis, so that the laser welder can weld any one of the busbars below. Furthermore, based on the aforementioned split-type pressure head device, the laser welder preferably alternately welds two rows of busbars spaced apart along the Y-axis, so that when the laser welder is welding one row of busbars, there is enough time for the pressure module on the other side to change the pressure position, thereby enabling the laser welder to perform welding operations continuously and efficiently. In other words, due to the adoption of the aforementioned split-type pressure head device, the welding device of this embodiment also has the advantage of high busbar welding efficiency.

[0045] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and only specifically describe the technical principles of the present utility model. These descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present utility model in any way. Based on this explanation, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model, as well as other specific embodiments of the present utility model that can be conceived by those skilled in the art without creative effort, should be included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A split-type pressure head device for laser welding, characterized in that, It includes two pressing modules arranged opposite each other along the Y-axis. Each pressing module includes a Z-axis drive mechanism, an X-axis drive mechanism, and two pressing head modules. The Z-axis drive mechanism, the X-axis drive mechanism, and the pressing head modules are connected in sequence. Both pressing head modules are used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded. Both pressing head modules are driven by the X-axis drive mechanism to change the pressure position along the X-axis.

2. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Within the same pressing module, the two pressing head modules are driven by the X-axis driving mechanism to move in the same direction, towards each other, or away from each other along the X-axis.

3. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure head module includes a cylinder, a lifting seat, a slide, an elastic element, and a pressure nozzle; The cylinder is connected to the X-axis drive mechanism and the lifting seat respectively and is used to drive the lifting seat to move up and down. The slide is slidably connected to the lifting seat in the longitudinal direction. The elastic element is disposed between the lifting seat and the slide. The slide has a downward movement tendency due to the elastic force of the elastic element. The pressure nozzle is connected to the slide and is used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded.

4. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The pressure head module also includes a connecting seat, which is fixed on the slide. Multiple springs are provided between the pressure nozzle and the connecting seat. The multiple springs apply a downward force to the pressure nozzle so that the pressure nozzle can float relative to the connecting seat.

5. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The pressure nozzle includes multiple pressure blocks, which are arranged circumferentially to form a central hole for the laser to pass through. The multiple pressure blocks are used to apply downward pressure to the object to be welded. Each pressure block is connected to the connecting seat by a guide post. The pressure block is slidably connected to the connecting seat in the longitudinal direction through the guide post. Each guide post is fitted with a spring.

6. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the pressure blocks is fixed with a bolt at its top. The bolt stud includes the guide post. The head of the bolt is located above the connecting seat. The pressure block is subjected to the elastic force of the spring, which causes the head of the bolt to tend to move downward and abut against the top surface of the connecting seat.

7. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The pressure head module also includes a negative pressure pipe. A dust suction chamber is provided on the slide. The negative pressure pipe is fixed on the slide and connected to the dust suction chamber. The end of the dust suction chamber away from the negative pressure pipe is arranged adjacent to the central hole.

8. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The pressure head module also includes a rangefinder, which is fixedly connected to the lifting base. The rangefinder is used to detect the height between itself and the object to be welded.

9. The split-type pressure head device for laser welding as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The pressure head module also includes a pressure sensor connected to the top or bottom of the elastic element, which is used to acquire the elastic force data of the elastic element.

10. A battery busbar welding device, characterized in that, The battery busbar welding equipment is used to weld two rows of busbars spaced apart along the Y-axis to the terminals of a battery. The battery busbar welding equipment includes a driver, a laser welder, and a split pressure head device for laser welding as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The driver is connected to the laser welder and is used to drive the laser welder to move at least along the X-axis and the Y-axis. The laser welder reciprocates and alternately welds the two rows of busbars along the Y-axis.

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