Battery transfer device and battery clamp

Abstract

This utility model relates to a battery transfer device and a battery clamp. The battery clamp includes a base, a clamping assembly, and a clamping drive. After a vertically placed battery arrives, the battery clamp, driven by a multi-axis robotic arm, first aligns the opening of the clamping assembly with the side of the battery. The multi-axis robotic arm then moves the battery clamp toward the battery, and the clamping drive moves the two clamping plates closer together to clamp the battery from the side. Next, while the multi-axis robotic arm moves the battery clamp toward a designated workstation, it also flips the battery clamp, turning the clamped battery to a horizontal position. Because the contact area between the clamping plates and the side of the battery is large, and the end abutments effectively prevent the battery from slipping off the clamping assembly, the battery remains stable during the flipping process. Therefore, the battery transfer device described above allows for battery flipping during transfer, making it simpler and more efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery processing equipment technology, and in particular to a battery transfer device and a battery clamp. Background Technology

[0002] In the production and processing of prismatic batteries, finished batteries are typically shipped in an upright position. However, due to subsequent storage or packaging requirements, the batteries often need to be rotated 90 degrees to a horizontal position before transfer. Currently, the conventional approach uses a rotating table with clamps. The upright batteries are first placed on the rotating table, rotated 90 degrees, and then a special clamp is used to pick up the horizontally positioned batteries and transfer them to a designated workstation. This approach requires two separate sets of equipment: a rotating table and clamps. Furthermore, it involves the coordination of multiple process steps. Therefore, this conventional approach results in a complex overall equipment structure, high costs, and reduced production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a battery transfer device and battery clamp that can achieve battery transfer and flipping in a simpler and more efficient way to address the above problems.

[0004] A battery clamp includes a base, a clamping assembly, and a clamping drive. The clamping assembly and the clamping drive are both mounted on the base, and the clamping assembly and the clamping drive are convexly connected. The clamping assembly includes two clamping plates arranged opposite each other. The clamping drive can drive the two clamping plates to move closer or further apart. Each clamping plate has a stop portion formed at its end, and the stop portion protrudes from the edge of the clamping plate toward the other clamping plate.

[0005] In one embodiment, multiple clamping components are provided, and the multiple clamping components are arranged side by side.

[0006] In one embodiment, a plurality of clamping drive members are configured to correspond one-to-one with a plurality of clamping components, and each clamping component is drive-connected to the corresponding clamping drive member.

[0007] In one embodiment, a plurality of clamping drives are arranged sequentially along the parallel direction of a plurality of clamping assemblies, and the plurality of clamping drives are staggered in a direction perpendicular to the parallel direction of the plurality of clamping assemblies.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the clamps has an anti-slip layer on the surface facing the other clamp.

[0009] In one embodiment, the anti-slip layer is configured as a rubber injection-molded layer.

[0010] In one embodiment, the surface of the anti-slip layer has an uneven structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the blocking portion includes a connecting portion and a bending portion, the connecting portion extending from the end of the clamp in a direction parallel to the clamp, and the bending portion extending vertically from the end of the connecting portion, so that the blocking portion is L-shaped.

[0012] In one embodiment, at least two abutments are formed on each of the clamps, and the at least two abutments are spaced apart along the ends of the clamps.

[0013] A battery transfer device includes a multi-axis robotic arm and a battery clamp as described in any of the preferred embodiments above, the battery clamp being mounted on the moving end of the multi-axis robotic arm.

[0014] In the aforementioned battery transfer device and battery clamp, after the vertically placed battery arrives, the battery clamp, driven by a multi-axis robotic arm, first aligns the opening of the clamping assembly with the side of the battery. The multi-axis robotic arm then moves the battery clamp toward the battery, and a clamping drive unit drives the two clamping plates to come closer together, thus clamping the battery from the side. Next, while the multi-axis robotic arm moves the battery clamp toward the designated workstation, it also flips the battery clamp, turning the clamped battery to a horizontal position. Because the contact area between the clamping plates and the battery side is large, and the end abutments effectively prevent the battery from slipping off the clamping assembly, the battery remains stable during the flipping process. Therefore, the battery transfer device described above allows for battery flipping during transfer, making it simpler and more efficient. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery transfer device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the battery transfer device in another operating state.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the battery clamp in the battery transfer device shown.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the battery clamp from another angle;

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the clamping plate in the battery fixture. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model 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 utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", 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 utility model 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 utility model.

[0023] 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 indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0024] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly 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 is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply 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 that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0026] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model provides a battery transfer device 10 and a battery clamp 100. The battery transfer device 10 includes a battery clamp 100 and a multi-axis robotic arm 200, and the battery clamp 100 is mounted on the moving end of the multi-axis robotic arm 200.

[0028] The moving end of the multi-axis robotic arm 200 is capable of movement within multiple degrees of freedom. Specifically, the moving end of the multi-axis robotic arm 200 is capable of translation and rotation. Therefore, the battery gripper 100 can translate and rotate under the drive of the multi-axis robotic arm 200.

[0029] The battery gripper 100 is capable of gripping and releasing the battery 20. When the processed battery 20 is received, the battery gripper 100 can approach the battery 20 and grip it under the drive of the multi-axis robotic arm 200; then, the multi-axis robotic arm 200 drives the battery gripper 100 and the gripped battery 20 to be transferred to the designated workstation; after the battery 20 is transferred to the designated workstation, the battery gripper 100 can release the battery.

[0030] Processed batteries 20, such as prismatic batteries, are typically placed vertically upon arrival. However, due to subsequent storage or packaging requirements, batteries 20 often need to be rotated 90 degrees to a horizontal position. Therefore, the battery transfer device 10 described above needs to rotate the batteries 20 while transferring them to the designated workstation. Specifically, as the multi-axis robotic arm 200 moves the battery clamp 100 towards the designated workstation, it simultaneously drives the battery clamp 100 to rotate until the clamped battery 20 is rotated to a horizontal position. Thus, the battery transfer device 10 can complete the rotation of the batteries 20 during the transfer process without the need for other equipment or welding processes, making it simpler and more efficient.

[0031] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the battery clamp 100 includes a base 110, a clamping assembly 120 and a clamping drive 130.

[0032] The base 110 supports the battery gripper 100, and the gripping assembly 120 and the clamping drive 130 are both mounted on the base 110. The base 110 is used to connect to the moving end of the multi-axis robot 200, so that the battery gripper 100 can move as a whole under the drive of the multi-axis robot 200. Specifically, a mounting base 111 is provided on the top of the base 110. The mounting base 111 is generally disc-shaped and can be connected to the moving end of the multi-axis robot 200 by threaded fasteners.

[0033] The clamping assembly 120 is used to clamp the battery 20, and the clamping assembly 120 is throttle connected to the clamping drive 130. The clamping drive 130 can drive the clamping assembly 120 to clamp or open, thereby grasping or releasing the battery 20. Specifically, the clamping drive 130 can be a gripper cylinder. More specifically, in this embodiment, multiple clamping assemblies 120 are provided, and the multiple clamping assemblies 120 are arranged in parallel. Each clamping assembly 120 can grasp the battery 20, so providing multiple clamping assemblies 120 enables the battery clamp 100 to grasp multiple batteries 20 at once, thereby helping to improve the efficiency of battery 20 transfer.

[0034] Multiple clamping assemblies 120 can be driven by the same clamping drive 130, or they can be driven by multiple clamping drive assemblies 130 respectively. Specifically, in this embodiment, multiple clamping assemblies 120 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and each clamping assembly 120 is drively connected to its corresponding clamping drive 130. Figure 4As shown in the example, if there are four clamping components 120, then there are also four clamping drive components 130. That is, each clamping component 120 is driven by a separate clamping drive component 130, so the transmission structure of each clamping drive component 130 can be set to be relatively simple.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple clamping drive members 130 are arranged sequentially along the parallel direction of multiple clamping assemblies 120, and the multiple clamping drive members 130 are staggered in a direction perpendicular to the parallel direction of the multiple clamping assemblies 120. That is, the multiple clamping drive members 130 are not arranged in a straight line along the parallel direction of the multiple clamping assemblies 120, but adjacent two clamping drive members 130 are arranged in a staggered manner of "one in front and one behind". In this way, the multiple clamping drive members 130 can make more efficient use of the space on both sides of the multiple clamping assemblies 120, thereby making the structure of the battery clamp 100 more compact.

[0036] Please refer to the following: Figure 5 The clamping assembly 120 includes two clamping plates 121 arranged opposite each other, and the clamping drive 130 can drive the two clamping plates 121 to move closer or further apart. Moreover, each clamping plate 121 has a stop portion 1211 formed at its end, and the stop portion 1211 protrudes from the edge of the clamping plate 121 toward the other clamping plate 121.

[0037] A clamping space for holding the battery 20 is formed between the two clamping plates 121. The clamping drive 130 moves the two clamping plates 121 closer together to grip the battery 20, and when the clamping drive 130 moves the two clamping plates 121 away from each other, the battery 20 is released. The abutment 1211 is generally located at the end of the clamping plate 121 away from the clamping drive 130. Figure 4 As shown in the example, the top of each clamping plate 121 is connected to the clamping drive member 130, and the abutment part 1211 is located at the bottom edge of the clamping plate 121.

[0038] After the vertically placed battery 20 arrives, the battery clamp 100, driven by the multi-axis robotic arm 200, first aligns the opening of the clamping assembly 120 towards the side of the battery 20; the multi-axis robotic arm 200 then drives the battery clamp 100 to move towards the battery, and the clamping drive unit drives the two clamping plates 121 to move closer to each other, thus clamping the battery 20 from the side, as detailed below. Figure 1 As shown. Next, while the multi-axis robotic arm 200 moves the battery gripper 100 towards the designated workstation, it also drives the battery gripper 100 to rotate, causing the held battery 20 to rotate to a horizontal position, specifically as follows... Figure 2 As shown.

[0039] Because the contact area between the clamping plate 121 and the side of the battery 20 is large, the clamping effect of the two clamping plates 121 on the battery 20 is better. Moreover, the abutment portion 1211 at the end of the clamping plate 121 can effectively prevent the battery 20 from slipping off the clamping assembly 120. Therefore, the clamping assembly 120 can clamp the battery 20 from the side, and the battery 20 can remain stable during the rotation of the battery clamp 100.

[0040] In this embodiment, each clamping plate 121 has an anti-slip layer 1212 on its surface facing the other clamping plate 121. Specifically, the anti-slip layer 1212 can be a rubber injection molding layer, a silicone layer, or a layered structure formed of other materials with a high coefficient of friction. The anti-slip layer 1212 can increase the friction between the battery 20 and the clamping plate 121, and can further improve the stability of the battery 20 during the flipping process.

[0041] More specifically, in this embodiment, the surface of the anti-slip layer 1212 is formed with an uneven structure (not shown in the figure). The uneven structure can be a groove, a ridge, or a combination thereof formed on the anti-slip layer 1212. The uneven structure can further increase the friction between the battery 20 and the clamping plate 121, thereby further improving the stability of the battery 20 during the flipping process.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the abutment portion 1211 includes a connecting portion 121a and a bending portion 121b. The connecting portion 121a extends from the end of the clamping plate 121 in a direction parallel to the clamping plate 121, and the bending portion 121b extends vertically from the end of the connecting portion 121a, so that the abutment portion 1211 is L-shaped. When the battery 20 is clamped between the two clamping plates 121, the L-shaped abutment portion 1211 can fit well with the two surfaces of the battery 20, thereby achieving better positioning of the battery 20.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least two abutment portions 1211 are formed on each clamping plate 121, and the at least two abutment portions 1211 are spaced apart along the end of the clamping plate 121. The multiple abutment portions 1211 provide better limiting effect for the battery 20 and enable the battery 20 to be subjected to more balanced force, thereby further improving the stability of the battery 20 during the flipping process.

[0044] In the battery transfer device 10 and battery clamp 100 described above, after a vertically placed battery 20 is received, the battery clamp 100, driven by the multi-axis robotic arm 200, first aligns the opening of the clamping assembly 120 towards the side of the battery 20. The multi-axis robotic arm 200 then moves the battery clamp 100 toward the battery 20, and the clamping drive 130 drives the two clamping plates 121 to move closer together, thus clamping the battery 20 from the side. Next, while the multi-axis robotic arm 200 moves the battery clamp 100 toward the designated workstation, it also drives the battery clamp 100 to flip, turning the clamped battery 20 to a horizontal position. Because the contact area between the clamping plates 121 and the side of the battery 20 is large, and the end abutment 1211 effectively prevents the battery 20 from slipping off the clamping assembly 120, the battery 20 remains stable during the flipping process. Therefore, the battery transfer device 10 described above can complete the flipping of the battery 20 during transfer, making it simpler and more efficient.

[0045] 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.

[0046] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery clamp characterized by, The device includes a base, a clamping assembly, and a clamping drive. Both the clamping assembly and the clamping drive are mounted on the base, and the clamping assembly and the clamping drive are connected in a transmission manner. The clamping assembly includes two clamping plates arranged opposite to each other. The clamping drive can drive the two clamping plates to move closer or further apart from each other. Each clamping plate has a stop portion formed at its end, and the stop portion protrudes from the edge of the clamping plate toward the other clamping plate.

2. The battery clamp of claim 1, wherein, The clamping components are provided in multiple ways, and the multiple clamping components are arranged side by side.

3. The battery clamp of claim 2, wherein, The plurality of clamping drive components are configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of clamping assemblies, and each clamping assembly is connected to the corresponding clamping drive component in a transmission manner.

4. The battery clamp of claim 3, wherein, The plurality of clamping drive members are arranged sequentially along the parallel direction of the plurality of clamping assemblies, and the plurality of clamping drive members are staggered in a direction perpendicular to the parallel direction of the plurality of clamping assemblies.

5. The battery clamp of claim 1, wherein, Each of the clamps has an anti-slip layer on the surface facing the other clamp.

6. The battery clamp of claim 5, wherein, The anti-slip layer is made of rubber injection molding.

7. The battery clamp of claim 5 or 6, wherein, The surface of the anti-slip layer has an uneven structure.

8. The battery clamp of claim 1, wherein, The blocking part includes a connecting part and a bending part. The connecting part extends from the end of the clamp in a direction parallel to the clamp, and the bending part extends vertically from the end of the connecting part, so that the blocking part is L-shaped.

9. The battery clamp of claim 8, wherein, Each of the clamps has at least two abutting portions formed thereon, and the at least two abutting portions are spaced apart along the ends of the clamps.

10. A battery transfer device, comprising: The invention includes a multi-axis robotic arm and a battery gripper as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the battery gripper is mounted on the moving end of the multi-axis robotic arm.

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