Automatic work station for battery packs

Abstract

This disclosure provides an automated workstation for battery packs. The automated workstation includes an automated inspection mechanism and an automated unloading mechanism. The automated inspection mechanism includes a weight detection component and an appearance inspection component for automatically detecting the weight and appearance of the battery pack located at the inspection station, respectively. The automated unloading mechanism includes a hoisting component for automatically transferring the battery pack from the inspection station to the unloading station. This automated workstation not only integrates the automated inspection and unloading mechanisms but also fully automates the inspection and unloading of the battery packs. No manual intervention is required during the inspection and unloading processes, thus improving battery pack production efficiency through automation and eliminating the risks of human error and safety hazards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and more specifically to an automated workstation for battery packs. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of new energy technologies such as batteries, the quality control requirements in the battery pack production process are becoming increasingly stringent. After assembly, each battery pack needs to be inspected for its size, weight, shape, and appearance, and the inspection data needs to be stored. After inspection, the battery packs are placed into packaging boxes (this process is usually called unpacking).

[0003] Currently, the aforementioned testing and unloading operations rely on manual use of testing and transfer tools. Workers need to be deeply involved in the operation, which reduces the production efficiency of battery packs and also increases the risk of misoperation and safety risks. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present disclosure provides an automated workstation for battery packs, which can realize automatic detection and automatic unloading of battery packs, avoid manual intervention, improve production efficiency, and reduce the risk of misoperation and safety risks.

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

[0006] An automated workstation for battery packs includes an automatic inspection mechanism and an automatic unloading mechanism, wherein:

[0007] The automatic detection mechanism is used to detect the battery pack located at the detection station. The automatic detection mechanism includes a weight detection component and an appearance detection component, which are used to automatically detect the weight and appearance of the battery pack, respectively.

[0008] The automatic unloading mechanism is movable between the inspection station and the unloading station, and includes a hoisting assembly for automatically transferring the battery pack from the inspection station to the unloading station.

[0009] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the weight detection component includes:

[0010] A lifting support frame is set at the testing station and used to support the battery pack, and descends under the gravity of the battery pack;

[0011] A pressure sensor is installed at the bottom of the lifting support frame, and bears the weight of the battery pack during the descent of the lifting support frame, and detects the magnitude of the weight.

[0012] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the appearance inspection component includes a defect detection component, which includes:

[0013] First guide rail;

[0014] A sliding arm is slidably mounted on the first guide rail and has an angle of less than 180° with the first guide rail;

[0015] The first and second detection cameras are mounted on the sliding arm.

[0016] The sliding arm moves the first detection camera and the second detection camera by sliding on the first guide rail, so that the first detection camera can take a picture of the top surface of the battery pack located at the detection station, and the second detection camera can take a picture of the first side surface of the battery pack located at the detection station.

[0017] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the first guide rail includes a plurality of parallel first guide rails, and the plurality of first guide rails are respectively located on both sides of the inspection station; the sliding arm includes a guide rail portion located at the top of the inspection station, and a plurality of connecting portions connected to both ends of the guide rail portion and respectively located on both sides of the inspection station, the plurality of connecting portions being slidably connected to the plurality of first guide rails located on both sides of the inspection station;

[0018] Furthermore, the first detection camera is slidably mounted on the guide rail; there are multiple second detection cameras, which are respectively mounted on the multiple connecting parts, so as to capture images of the two parallel first sides of the battery pack.

[0019] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the defect detection component further includes:

[0020] Multiple third inspection cameras are arranged between the inspection station and the unloading station, and the multiple third inspection cameras are respectively arranged on both sides of the movement path of the battery pack from the inspection station to the unloading station, so that the third inspection cameras can capture images of two parallel second sides of the battery pack during the transfer of the battery pack.

[0021] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the appearance inspection component further includes a size inspection component, which includes:

[0022] The fourth inspection camera is slidably mounted on the guide rail and captures images of the battery pack located at the inspection station by means of the sliding arm and the sliding on the guide rail.

[0023] A rangefinder is mounted on the guide rail and uses the sliding arm to detect the position of the top surface of the battery pack located at the detection station.

[0024] Optionally, the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs further includes a first positioning component for positioning the battery pack at the inspection station, the first positioning component comprising:

[0025] The coarse positioning structure includes a positioning claw movably disposed on at least one side of the inspection station and having a positioning slot, wherein the positioning claw moves to cause the positioning slot to engage with the transfer trolley carrying the battery pack located at the inspection station;

[0026] The precision positioning structure includes a retractable positioning pin disposed at the inspection station and a pin hole disposed on the transfer trolley. The positioning pin is inserted into the pin hole to lock the transfer trolley, which carries the battery pack, at the inspection station.

[0027] The locking accuracy of the positioning pin and the pin hole is higher than that of the positioning slot.

[0028] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the unloading station includes multiple unloading stations, and the hoisting assembly includes:

[0029] support;

[0030] The second crossbeam is slidably mounted on the bracket and its position can be transferred between the inspection station and the unloading station by sliding on the bracket.

[0031] The lifting structure is slidably mounted on the second crossbeam, and its position transfer between different unloading stations is achieved by sliding on the second crossbeam;

[0032] A gripper structure is attached to the lifting structure and is used to grip and release the battery pack.

[0033] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the lifting structure includes:

[0034] The first driving component is used to drive the gripper structure to move up and down;

[0035] The second driving component is used to drive the gripper structure to rise and fall and control the rising and falling height of the gripper structure.

[0036] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the lifting structure includes:

[0037] The sliding seat is slidably connected to the second crossbeam;

[0038] A turntable is rotatably mounted on the sliding seat, and both the first driving component and the second driving component are mounted on the turntable.

[0039] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the gripper structure includes:

[0040] A connecting bracket is connected to the first driving component and the second driving component;

[0041] Multiple gripper assemblies are slidably connected to the connecting frame and are respectively located on opposite sides of the connecting frame;

[0042] A gripping and releasing drive component is disposed on the connecting frame and drives the plurality of gripper assemblies located on opposite sides of the connecting frame to move closer to each other and further away from each other.

[0043] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the gripper assembly includes:

[0044] The second guide rail is slidably connected to the connecting frame and slides back and forth under the drive of the gripping and releasing drive component;

[0045] Multiple grippers are slidably connected to the second guide rail and can be positioned on the second guide rail by a locking element.

[0046] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the gripper structure further includes a fifth detection camera connected to the connecting frame. The fifth detection camera is used to capture the position of the battery pack to be gripped at the detection station, and / or to capture the position of the unloading support structure at the unloading station.

[0047] Optionally, the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs further includes a second positioning component for positioning the unloading support structure for receiving the battery pack at the unloading station, the second positioning component comprising:

[0048] A first moving structure is disposed on at least one side of the unloading station in a first direction, and positions the unloading bearing structure in the first direction;

[0049] The second moving structure is disposed on one side of the unloading station in a second direction and positions the unloading bearing structure in the second direction, wherein the second direction has an angle of less than 180° with the first direction.

[0050] Optionally, in the aforementioned automated workstation for battery packs,

[0051] The first direction is the length direction of the unloading station, and the first moving structure is provided on both sides of the first direction of the unloading station. The first moving structure includes a push plate and a first drive motor. The push plates located on both sides move closer to each other under the drive of the first drive motor to clamp and position the unloading bearing structure.

[0052] The second direction is the width direction of the unloading station, and the discharge port of the unloading station is located on one side of the second direction. The second moving structure is arranged on the opposite side of the discharge port in the second direction. The second moving structure includes a second drive motor, a third drive motor, and a hanging plate. The third drive motor moves along the second direction under the drive of the second drive motor, and the hanging plate moves along the first direction under the drive of the third drive motor.

[0053] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automated workstation for battery packs, the unloading station includes multiple unloading stations, and each unloading station is equipped with a detection sensor for detecting the unloading load-bearing structure.

[0054] The automated workstation for battery packs disclosed herein includes an automated inspection mechanism located near the inspection station and an automated unloading mechanism located between the inspection station and the unloading station. The automated inspection mechanism inspects the battery packs located at the inspection station and includes at least a weight detection component for automatically detecting the battery pack's weight and an appearance inspection component for automatically detecting the battery pack's appearance. These two components enable automated weight and appearance inspection of the battery packs without manual intervention. The automated unloading mechanism includes at least a lifting component that automatically lifts the battery pack and transfers it from the inspection station to the unloading station. This lifting and transfer process also requires no manual intervention. In summary, this automated workstation not only integrates the automated inspection and unloading mechanisms but also fully automates the inspection and unloading of battery packs. Since no manual intervention is required during the inspection and unloading processes, automated operation can improve battery pack production efficiency and eliminate the risks of human error and safety hazards. Attached Figure Description

[0055] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure 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 embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an automated workstation for a battery pack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0057] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the weight detection component.

[0058] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the defect detection component of an automated inspection mechanism;

[0059] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the first detection camera;

[0060] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second detection camera mounted on the sliding arm;

[0061] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure for setting up the third inspection camera between the inspection station and the unloading station;

[0062] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the dimension detection component of the automatic detection mechanism installed on the sliding arm;

[0063] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth detection camera and rangefinder;

[0064] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure for positioning the transfer trolley using the first positioning component;

[0065] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a structure that combines a coarse positioning structure and a fine positioning structure to achieve positioning of the transfer trolley;

[0066] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the coarse positioning structure used to position the transfer trolley.

[0067] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the positioning pin and the precision positioning drive component for the precision positioning structure;

[0068] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a precision positioning structure for positioning a transfer trolley;

[0069] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the structure for transferring the battery pack to the material loading station for hoisting components;

[0070] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure for the cooperation between the support frame and the second crossbeam for the hoisting component;

[0071] Figure 16 A structural diagram illustrating the connection between the lifting structure and the second crossbeam;

[0072] Figure 17 A structural diagram for improving the structure;

[0073] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the gripper structure;

[0074] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the gripper structure from another perspective;

[0075] Figure 20 A schematic diagram showing how the first and second moving structures position the material-bearing structure.

[0076] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the second moving structure;

[0077] Figure 22 A schematic diagram of the structure for setting up the detection sensor at the material unloading station.

[0078] exist Figures 1-22 middle:

[0079] 1-Automatic detection mechanism, 2-Automatic unloading mechanism, 3-First positioning component, 4-Second positioning component, 5-Detection station, 6-Unloading station, 7-Transfer trolley, 8-Unloading support structure, 9-Detection sensor, 10-Battery pack;

[0080] 11-Weight detection component, 12-Appearance inspection component, 21-Lifting component, 31-Coarse positioning structure, 32-Fine positioning structure, 41-First moving structure, 42-Second moving structure, 71-Positioning column;

[0081] 101 - First side view, 102 - Second side view;

[0082] 111-Lifting support frame, 112-Pressure sensor, 113-Ball bearing, 121-Defect detection assembly, 122-Dimensional detection assembly;

[0083] 211-Support, 212-Second crossbeam, 213-Lifting structure, 214-Gripper structure;

[0084] 311-Positioning claw, 312-Positioning slot, 313-Coarse positioning drive component;

[0085] 321-Positioning pin, 322-Pin hole, 323-Precision positioning drive component;

[0086] 411-Push plate, 412-First drive motor;

[0087] 421 - Second drive motor, 422 - Third drive motor, 423 - Mounting plate;

[0088] 1111 - First crossbeam, 1112 - Telescopic outrigger;

[0089] 1211-First guide rail, 1212-Sliding arm, 1213-First detection camera, 1214-Second detection camera, 1215-Third detection camera, 1216-Sliding frame;

[0090] 1221 - Fourth detection camera; 1222 - Rangefinder;

[0091] 2121 - Crossbeam drive motor; 2122 - Transmission rod;

[0092] 2131-First driving component, 2132-Second driving component, 2133-Sliding seat, 2134-Turntable, 2135-Lifting drive motor, 2136-Turntable drive motor;

[0093] 2141-Connecting frame, 2142-Gripper assembly, 2143-Grip and release drive unit, 2144-Fifth detection camera;

[0094] 12121 - Guide rail section, 12122 - Connecting section;

[0095] 21421 - Second guide rail, 21422 - Gripper;

[0096] 21431 - Grab and release drive motor, 21432 - Lead screw. Detailed Implementation

[0097] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them.

[0098] In related technologies, the inspection and unloading processes in battery pack production rely on manual operation, with workers using inspection and transfer tools to complete the tasks. Because this method requires significant worker involvement, it has the following drawbacks: 1. Manual inspection is inefficient and prone to errors; 2. Inspection data needs to be manually entered into a database, posing a risk of data entry errors; 3. Manual unloading is also inefficient; 4. During manual operation, workers are prone to bumping into and damaging the surface of the battery pack, resulting in defective products; 5. Manual unloading poses safety risks to workers, such as injuries from falling objects.

[0099] In response to the above situation, such as Figures 1-22 As shown, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides an automated workstation for a battery pack. This automated workstation can be used as a component of a battery pack production line, and it can realize automatic detection and automatic unloading of the battery pack 10 during the production process of the battery pack 10.

[0100] This automated workstation includes an integrated automatic detection mechanism 1 and an automatic unloading mechanism 2. The so-called integrated setup means that a certain area is divided in the production site, and the automatic detection mechanism 1 and the automatic unloading mechanism 2 are arranged adjacent to each other in this area so that they can work automatically and collaboratively.

[0101] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, an isolation net can be set up at the boundary of the divided area. Both the automatic inspection mechanism 1 and the automatic unloading mechanism 2 are located within the space enclosed by the isolation net. Openings are provided in the isolation net for the battery pack 10 to enter and exit. An inspection station 5 and an unloading station 6 are also provided in this space. The inspection station 5 is the position where the battery pack 10 stops when it is inspected by the automatic inspection mechanism 1. The automatic inspection mechanism 1 is located near the inspection station 5, specifically at the top and / or at least one side of the inspection station 5.

[0102] After being assembled on the production line, the battery pack 10 is carried and positioned by the transfer trolley 7, and then transported to the automated workstation by an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) equipped on the production line. Specifically, it enters the space enclosed by the isolation net through an opening and stops at the inspection station 5 to await inspection by the automated inspection mechanism 1. The unloading station 6 is used to receive the batteries 10 that have been inspected and removed from the transfer trolley 7 (or the production line). An unloading support structure 8 for carrying the battery pack 10 can be pre-set at this position (this unloading support structure 8 is, for example, a packaging box for packaging the battery pack 10 or an inspection transfer trolley for transferring the battery pack 10 to the inspection room). Figures 20-22 (Taking the placement of a packaging box on the unloading station 6 as an example for demonstration). After the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10 on it arrive at the inspection station 5, the automatic inspection mechanism 1 can automatically inspect the battery pack 10. The automatic inspection mechanism 1 includes at least a weight detection component 11 and an appearance inspection component 12. The weight detection component 11 can automatically detect the weight of the battery pack 10, and the appearance inspection component 12 can automatically detect the appearance of the battery pack 10. The automatic unloading mechanism 2 is used to realize the automatic unloading of the battery pack 10. It can move between the inspection station 5 and the unloading station 6. The automatic unloading mechanism 2 includes at least a hoisting component 21. This hoisting component 21 can automatically pick up the battery pack 10 located at the inspection station 5 and automatically transport and place the battery pack 10 to the unloading station 6 by hoisting, thereby realizing the automatic transfer of the battery pack 10 from the inspection station 5 to the unloading station 6.

[0103] By using the aforementioned automated workstation, automatic inspection and unloading of the battery pack 10 can be achieved, eliminating manual intervention. This offers the following advantages: 1. Automated inspection improves work efficiency and reduces the likelihood of errors in inspection results; 2. Inspection data is automatically stored in the database, eliminating the risk of manual data entry errors and ensuring complete data traceability; 3. Automated unloading further improves work efficiency; 4. The higher precision of automated inspection and unloading operations better prevents damage to the surface of the battery pack 10 from collisions, improving the appearance yield of the battery pack 10; 5. Workers no longer need to participate in the unloading operation, eliminating worker safety risks. Furthermore, this automated workstation integrates the automated inspection mechanism 1 and the automated unloading mechanism 2 in the same area, i.e., integrating the weight detection component 11, the appearance inspection component 12, and the hoisting component 21. This not only reduces the floor space but also achieves a modular design, enabling the automated workstation to achieve integrated modular handling, installation, and replacement, significantly shortening the installation time and making installation simpler and more convenient.

[0104] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the weight detection component 11 of the automatic detection mechanism 1 includes a lifting support frame 111 and a pressure sensor 112. The lifting support frame 111 is set on the detection station 5 and is used to support the battery pack 10, and descends under the gravity of the battery pack 10. The pressure sensor 112 is set at the bottom of the lifting support frame 111 and bears the gravity of the battery pack 10 during the descent of the lifting support frame 111, as well as detecting the magnitude of the gravity. The lifting support frame 111 supports the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10 on it, and the pressure sensor 112 weighs the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10. In this structure, the pressure sensor 112 is placed at the bottom of the lifting support frame 111 to avoid direct rigid contact between the pressure sensor 112 and the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10. This protects the pressure sensor 112 from damage during frequent rigid contact with the transfer trolley 7 and extends its service life. To ensure that the pressure sensor 112 can detect the weight of the battery pack 10 and enable the lifting support frame 111 to lift, the lifting support frame 111 includes a first crossbeam 1111 for contacting the transfer trolley 7 and multiple telescopic outriggers 1112 supporting the first crossbeam 1111. The telescopic outriggers 1112 can be spring sleeve structures, scissor structures, or pneumatic struts, etc. Before the transfer trolley 7 and battery pack 10 are placed on the lifting support frame 111, the telescopic outrigger 1112 is in an extended state. The telescopic outrigger 1112 supports the first crossbeam 1111 above the pressure sensor 112. After the jacking vehicle transports the transfer trolley 7 and battery pack 10 to the testing station 5, the jacking vehicle stops moving and jacks up (i.e. lowers its own height) so that the transfer trolley 7 and battery pack 10 it carries fall onto the first crossbeam 1111, thereby allowing the lifting support frame 111 to replace the jacking vehicle in supporting the transfer trolley 7 and battery pack 10. Since the first crossbeam 1111 and the telescopic outrigger 1112 bear the weight of the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10, the telescopic outrigger 1112 is compressed to a shortened state. In this state, the pressure sensor 112 replaces the telescopic outrigger 1112 in supporting the first crossbeam 1111. That is, the weight of the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10 is borne by the pressure sensor 112, allowing the pressure sensor 112 to detect the weight of the battery pack 10 (the weight of the transfer trolley 7 and the first crossbeam 1111 can be removed by program settings), and transmit the weight data to the automatic station's memory for automatic storage. After the battery pack 10 is removed and the submerged lifting vehicle raises the unloaded transfer trolley 7, the telescopic outrigger 1112, no longer bearing weight, re-extends to raise the first crossbeam 1111 above the pressure sensor 112. In specific settings, such as... Figure 2As shown, to improve weighing accuracy, multiple pressure sensors 112 can be equally spaced below a single first crossbeam 1111 to simultaneously detect the weight of the battery pack 10. Furthermore, multiple sets of [unclear text - possibly related to pressure sensors] are also provided. Figure 2 The weight detection components 11 shown are respectively set on both sides of the movement path of the submersible lifting vehicle to avoid interfering with the movement of the submersible lifting vehicle, and to achieve balanced support for the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10, as well as to more accurately detect the weight of the battery pack 10.

[0105] In addition, the weight detection component 11 can also be other structures, such as setting the pressure sensor 112 on a fixed bracket 211 that cannot be raised or lowered, so that when the jacking vehicle is jacking up, the transfer trolley 7 and the battery pack 10 are placed directly on the pressure sensor 112.

[0106] In an optional embodiment, the appearance inspection component 12 detects at least whether the outer surface of the battery pack 10 has structural defects or damage. These defects or damages can be detected by the defect detection component 121; that is, the appearance inspection component 12 includes the defect detection component 121. For example... Figure 3As shown, this defect detection assembly 121 includes a first guide rail 1211, a sliding arm 1212, a first detection camera 1213, and a second detection camera 1214 (the first and second detection cameras 1213 and 1214, as well as the third, fourth, and fifth detection cameras 1215, 1221, and 2144 described later, are all cameras with detection functions in the related art). The sliding arm 1212 is slidably disposed on the first guide rail 1211 and has an angle of less than 180° with the first guide rail 1211, for example, an angle of 90°. The first and second detection cameras 1213 and 1214 are disposed on the sliding arm 1212. In this structure, since the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 are mounted on the sliding arm 1212, and the sliding arm 1212 is slidably mounted on the first guide rail 1211, the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 can move in the extension direction of the first guide rail 1211 by sliding the sliding arm 1212 on the first guide rail 1211. When specifically set up near the detection station 5, the height of the first guide rail 1211 can be equal to or close to the height of the battery pack 10 located at the detection station 5, so as to ensure that the battery pack 10 is within the shooting range of the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214. Furthermore, for example, the first guide rail 1211 can be set along the length direction of the cuboid battery pack 10, so that the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 can achieve complete shooting of the battery pack 10 in the length direction of the battery pack 10 by moving on the first guide rail 1211, and the shooting accuracy is higher. Furthermore, the angle between the sliding arm 1212 and the first guide rail 1211 can be set to 90°, so that the sliding arm 1212 is positioned along the width direction of the cuboid battery pack 10. Simultaneously, when the first detection camera 1213 is positioned on the sliding arm 1212, it is located above the battery pack 10, allowing the first detection camera 1213 to capture images of the top surface of the battery pack 10. The second detection camera 1214 is positioned at a height equal to or close to the height of the battery pack 10, allowing it to capture images of the first side surface 101 of the battery pack 10. Since the second detection camera 1214 can move along the length direction of the battery pack 10, the first side surface 101 of the battery pack 10 captured by the second detection camera 1214 is the side surface containing the long side and the high side of the battery pack 10. Figure 3As shown. The first inspection camera 1213 and the second inspection camera 1214 can identify whether there are structural defects or damages on the top surface and the first side surface 101 of the battery pack 10 by taking pictures of these surfaces. The data captured by the first inspection camera 1213 and the second inspection camera 1214 are transmitted to the memory of the automated station to realize the automatic storage of appearance data. Alternatively, when the first inspection camera 1213 can realize the top surface shooting and the second inspection camera 1214 can realize the first side surface shooting, the extension direction of the first guide rail 1211 can also not be parallel to the length direction of the battery pack 10, but have a small angle (e.g., 0° to 10°) with the length direction of the battery pack 10. The angle between the sliding arm 1212 and the first guide rail 1211 can also not be 90° (e.g., 80° to 89°, or 91° to 100°). This can also realize the appearance inspection of the battery pack to a certain extent.

[0107] The defect detection component 121 of this structure, by setting the first guide rail 1211 to enable the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 to move, can achieve a wider range of shooting in the length direction of the battery pack 10, so that the automatic detection mechanism 1 can meet the automatic detection of more types of battery packs 10 with different sizes, and improve the compatibility and versatility of the automatic detection mechanism 1. For example, it can enable the automatic detection mechanism 1 to detect various types of battery packs 10 with a length in the range of 1000mm to 2500mm. Furthermore, since the sliding arm 1212's movement power on the first guide rail 1211 is provided by a servo motor, the moving direction, timing, and start / stop positions of the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 can all be controlled by the control module of the automatic workstation (all drive components and electronic devices of the automatic workstation can operate automatically under the control of this control module). The opening and closing of the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 can also be controlled by the controller. Thus, automatic detection of the battery pack 10 is realized, and one-click replacement matching with the corresponding model battery pack 10 can be achieved through the control module (e.g., switching the moving distance of the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214, etc.), thereby optimizing the working performance of the automatic workstation.

[0108] Alternatively, as another embodiment, the first guide rail 1211 and sliding arm 1212 may be omitted. Instead, multiple first detection cameras 1213 and multiple second detection cameras 1214 may be fixedly arranged around the battery pack 10 to achieve the effect of capturing the battery pack 10 in its entirety. In this way, only the opening and closing of the first detection cameras 1213 and the second detection cameras 1214 need to be controlled. This defect detection component 121 can be applied to automatically detect a single model or a few models of battery packs 10.

[0109] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, based on the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 being disposed on the sliding arm 1212 and the sliding arm 1212 being slidably disposed on the first guide rail 1211, multiple first guide rails 1211 can be arranged in parallel, for example, two first guide rails 1211 are disposed, and these first guide rails 1211 are respectively located on both sides of the detection station 5. At the same time, the sliding arm 1212 includes a guide rail portion 12121 located at the top of the detection station 5, and multiple connecting portions 12122 connected to both ends of the guide rail portion 12121 and respectively located on both sides of the detection station 5. For example, two connecting portions 12122 are disposed, and both ends of the guide rail portion 12121 are respectively connected to one connecting portion 12122. Furthermore, these connecting portions 12122 are slidably connected to the multiple first guide rails 1211 located on both sides of the detection station 5. Specifically, with this configuration, the battery pack 10 at inspection station 5 has a first guide rail 1211 on each side, and the two ends of the sliding arm 1212 are slidably connected to these two first guide rails 1211, so that the sliding arm 1212 spans across the top of the battery pack 10. The middle part of the sliding arm 1212, located directly above the battery pack 10, is set as a guide rail structure, i.e., guide rail part 12121, while the two sides on either side of the middle part are connecting parts 12122 that connect the guide rail part 12121 and the first guide rails 1211. The guide rail part 12121 and the connecting part 12122 have an included angle, for example, a 90° included angle, and the connecting part 12122 extends downward relative to the guide rail part 12121, so that the height of the guide rail part 12121 is greater than the height of the battery pack 10 at inspection station 5 due to the support of the connecting part 12122. Alternatively, in other optional embodiments, a first guide rail 1211 may be provided only on one side of the battery pack 10, and the sliding arm 1212, the first detection camera 1213 and the second detection camera 1214 may be supported by the first guide rail 1211 on this side.

[0110] Furthermore, the first detection camera 1213 is mounted on the guide rail 12121 so that it is positioned above the battery pack 10, allowing it to capture images of the top surface of the battery pack 10 from above. To further enable the first detection camera 1213 to capture images of the entire top surface of the battery pack 10 more fully and accurately, it is slidably mounted on the guide rail 12121. Since the sliding arm 1212, where the guide rail 12121 is located, extends along the width of the battery pack 10, the first detection camera 1213, slidably mounted on the guide rail 12121, can slide along the width of the battery pack 10. When capturing images of the top surface of the battery pack 10, the control module of the automatic workstation can first control the sliding arm 1212 to move a preset distance along the length of the battery pack 10 on the first guide rail 1211, then stop moving it, and then control the first detection camera 1213 to slide on the guide rail 12121. Specifically, the first detection camera 1213 slides from one side to the other along the width of the battery pack 10. During this sliding process, the first detection camera 1213 detects a local area of ​​the top surface of the battery pack 10 (this local area is one of multiple equally divided elongated local areas on the top surface). Then, the above operation is repeated so that the sliding arm 1212 moves multiple preset distances multiple times, and the first detection camera 1213 detects multiple local areas one by one until the entire top surface is detected. Alternatively, the first detection camera 1213 can also take pictures of the top surface in the following way: when the shooting range of the first detection camera 1213 is larger than the width of the battery pack 10 (the shooting range can be increased by, for example, by using a detection camera with a larger shooting angle, or by increasing the setting height of the first detection camera 1213), the first detection camera 1213 is fixed on the guide rail 12121, and the sliding arm 1212 moves continuously and uniformly along the length of the battery pack 10 on the first guide rail 1211 to achieve continuous shooting of each local area of ​​the top surface.

[0111] Meanwhile, based on the fact that multiple connecting parts 12122 are provided and respectively located on both sides of the width direction of the battery pack 10, such as Figure 3 As shown, multiple second detection cameras 1214 can also be provided, such as two second detection cameras 1214, and these second detection cameras 1214 can be respectively provided on multiple connecting parts 12122 (e.g. Figure 5(As shown). This configuration not only allows different second detection cameras 1214 to be used to photograph the two parallel first sides 101 of the same battery pack 10 (the shooting method can be to shoot different parts of the first side 101 in stages, or to shoot continuously by continuously sliding the sliding arm 1212), but also allows the second detection camera 1214 to be positioned closer to the first side 101 of the battery pack 10, thereby improving the detection effect on the first side 101.

[0112] Specifically, when the first detection camera 1213 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 12121 of the sliding arm 1212, as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first detection camera 1213 can slide on the guide rail 12121 via the sliding bracket 1216. Specifically, the sliding bracket 1216 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 12121, while the first detection camera 1213 is fixedly mounted on the sliding bracket 1216. By adding the sliding bracket 1216, an illumination lamp can be installed on it to provide a brighter environment for the first detection camera 1213's imaging, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the first detection camera 1213. Optionally, illumination lamps can also be installed on the mounting components of the second detection camera 1214, as well as the third detection camera 1215, fourth detection camera 1221, and fifth detection camera 2144 (described later) to improve the detection accuracy of each camera.

[0113] Based on the defect detection assembly 121, which includes the first detection camera 1213 for detecting the top surface of the battery pack 10 and the second detection camera 1214 for detecting the first side surface 101 of the battery pack 10, in order to achieve a more comprehensive inspection of the surface of the battery pack 10, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the trap detection assembly 121 may further include a third detection camera 1215 for photographing the second side 102 of the battery pack 10. This second side 102 is the side where the wide and high sides of the electric field pack are located. Given that the first guide rail 1211 and sliding arm 1212 already occupy a large area around the detection station 5, in order to reduce the footprint of the automated station and the structural complexity of the automated detection mechanism 1, the third detection camera 1215 may be fixed in place (e.g., ...). Figure 6As shown, the third inspection camera 1215 can be fixed at an appropriate height using a support frame mounted on the ground. Furthermore, to avoid the first guide rail 1211 and sliding arm 1212 obstructing the third inspection camera 1215's imaging, and also to achieve a more complete and accurate image of the second side 102, optionally, the third inspection camera 1215 is positioned between the inspection station 5 and the unloading station 6, and is located on at least one side of the path along which the battery pack 10 is transferred from the inspection station 5 to the unloading station 6. This allows the third inspection camera 1215 to achieve a complete image of the second side 102 during the hoisting and moving process of the battery pack 10. Since the second side 102 also has two parallel sides, as shown... Figure 6 As shown, third detection cameras 1215 can be installed on both sides of the transfer path of the battery pack 10, and these two third detection cameras 1215 can respectively photograph the second side 102 on both sides. The method of photographing the second side 102 can be to achieve phased photographing by intermittently moving the battery pack 10 or to achieve continuous photographing by continuous moving it. Of course, if there is enough space, the third detection cameras 1215 can also be slidably installed on the guide rail like the first detection cameras 1213 and the second detection cameras 1214.

[0114] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the appearance inspection component 12, in addition to the defect inspection component 121 described above, may further include a size inspection component 122. This size inspection component 122 is used to inspect the external dimensions of the battery pack 10. The size inspection component 122 mainly includes a fourth inspection camera 1221 and a rangefinder 1222. The fourth inspection camera 1221 is used to inspect the length (long side dimension) and width (wide side dimension) of the battery pack 10, while the rangefinder 1222 is used to inspect the thickness (thick side dimension) of the battery pack 10. In a specific configuration, the fourth inspection camera 1221 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 12121 of the sliding arm 1212. The fourth inspection camera 1221 operates in the same manner as the first inspection camera 1213. It captures images of the battery pack 10 at the inspection station 5 by moving the sliding arm 1212 along the length of the battery pack 10 and sliding it along the guide rail 12121 along the width of the battery pack 10. For example, it can detect the width of the battery pack 10 by sliding it along the guide rail 12121 and capturing images of the long side of the battery pack 10, and detect the long side by moving the sliding arm 1212 along the length of the battery pack 10. Alternatively, it can capture images of the four corners of the top surface of the battery pack 10 by moving the sliding arm 12121 along the width of the battery pack 10 and simultaneously moving it along the length of the battery pack 10 along the guide rail 12121. Both inspection methods can detect the length and width of the battery pack 10. After inspection, the data is automatically stored in the automatic station's memory.

[0115] For example, when a fourth detection camera 1221 is installed on the guide rail section 12121, in order to facilitate installation and simplify the structure, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the fourth detection camera 1221 can be fixedly mounted on the sliding bracket 1216 on which the first detection camera 1213 is mounted, so that the fourth detection camera 1221 can move synchronously with the first detection camera 1213. Of course, the fourth detection camera 1221 can also be slidably mounted independently on the guide rail 12121 relative to the first detection camera 1213.

[0116] The rangefinder 1222 is also mounted on the guide rail 12121. For ease of installation and structural simplification, the rangefinder 1222 can also be mounted on the sliding frame 1216 and slide along the guide rail 12121 with the sliding frame 1216. Alternatively, it can be fixedly mounted on the guide rail 12121 so that it moves only along the length of the battery pack 10 with the sliding arm 1212. The detection method of the rangefinder 1222 is as follows: the height parameter of the bottom surface of the battery pack 10 located at the detection station 5 is preset in the control module of the rangefinder 1222 or the automatic station. Since the rangefinder 1222 is mounted on the guide rail 12121, it is higher than the top surface of the battery pack 10. When measuring distance, the rangefinder 1222 emits a laser downward in a vertical direction. When the sliding arm 1212 slides on the first guide rail 1211 to move the rangefinder 1222 directly above the battery pack 10, the laser emitted downward by the rangefinder 1222 will fall on the top surface of the battery pack 10. This allows the rangefinder 1222 to detect the position of the top surface of the battery pack 10 (i.e., the height of the top surface) through the reflected laser. Then, the difference between the height of the top surface and the height of the bottom surface can be calculated to obtain the thickness of the battery pack 10 (this calculation process can be performed by the rangefinder 1222 or by the control module of the automatic workstation).

[0117] The aforementioned appearance inspection component 12 includes both a defect detection component 121 for detecting surface defects of the battery pack 10 and a size detection component 122 for detecting the external dimensions of the battery pack 10. This makes the appearance inspection component 12 more functional, integrates more inspection content, and provides a more comprehensive and outstanding appearance inspection effect on the battery pack 10, significantly improving the working performance of the automated workstation.

[0118] In optional embodiments, to further improve detection accuracy, such as Figures 9-13As shown, the automatic inspection mechanism 1 also includes a first positioning component 3, used to position the battery pack 10 at the inspection station 5, thereby ensuring that the battery pack 10 stays more accurately at the inspection station 5 and preventing accidental movement of the battery pack 10 during the inspection process. This first positioning component 3 includes a coarse positioning structure 31 and a fine positioning structure 32. The coarse positioning structure 31 includes a positioning claw 311 movably disposed on at least one side of the inspection station 5. The positioning claw 311 is provided with a positioning slot 312, and by moving, the positioning slot 312 is engaged with the transfer trolley 7 carrying the battery pack 10 at the inspection station 5. Specifically, a positioning post 71 is provided on the transfer trolley 7 for cooperating with the positioning claw 311. When the submerged lifting vehicle moves the transfer trolley 7 and its battery pack 10 to the inspection station 5, the submerged lifting vehicle stops moving and lies submerged. The transfer trolley 7 falls onto the lifting support frame 111 of the weight detection component 11. Then, the positioning claw 311 located on the side of the inspection station 5 approaches the transfer trolley 7 under the drive of the coarse positioning drive component 313 (the coarse positioning drive component 313 is, for example, a cylinder). Because the positioning claw 311 is provided with a positioning slot 312, as the positioning claw 311 approaches the transfer trolley 7, the positioning post 71 on the transfer trolley 7 will enter the positioning slot 312. When the positioning post 71 moves in the V-shaped positioning slot 312, the positioning slot 312 will guide the positioning post 71 to align the positioning post 71 and the positioning slot 312, thereby allowing the transfer trolley 7 to move in the inbound / outbound direction (this inbound / outbound direction is as follows). Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 10 and Figure 14 As shown by the green arrow, the battery pack 10 can move slightly along its length (in the same direction as the in-and-out direction) to more accurately stop at the inspection station 5. (Since the weight detection component 11 also includes ball bearings 113 rotatably mounted on the lifting support frame 111, the battery pack 10 is supported on the first crossbeam 1111 by multiple ball bearings 113, so the transfer trolley 7 on the lifting support frame 111 can move.) When the battery pack 10 is removed from the transfer trolley 7, the coarse positioning drive component 313 drives the positioning claw 311 to reset, the positioning pin 71 moves out of the positioning slot 312, and the coarse positioning structure 31 releases the positioning of the transfer trolley 7.

[0119] In specific settings, the coarse positioning structure 31 can be set in the same way as the weight detection component 11, that is, coarse positioning structures 31 are set on both sides of the moving path of the jacking vehicle (or on both sides of the detection station 5). The positioning claws 311 of the coarse positioning structures 31 on both sides move towards each other and cooperate on both sides of the transfer trolley 7 to clamp and position the transfer trolley 7, thus improving the positioning accuracy.

[0120] The fine positioning structure 32 is a structure that further positions the transfer carriage 7 based on the coarse positioning structure 31. It includes a retractable positioning pin 321 located on or near the inspection station 5, and a pin hole 322 on the transfer carriage 7. The positioning pin 321 is inserted into the pin hole 322 to engage the transfer carriage 7, which carries the battery pack 10, located at the inspection station 5. The engagement accuracy of the positioning pin 321 and the pin hole 322 is higher than that of the positioning slot 312 and the positioning post 71. By setting and using this fine positioning structure 32, the positioning accuracy of the transfer carriage 7 can be further improved after the coarse positioning structure 31 positions it. In a specific structure, such as... Figure 2 As shown, a fine positioning drive component 323 (e.g., a cylinder) can be installed at the end of the first crossbeam 1111 of the weight detection component 11. A positioning pin 321 is then connected to the drive end of the fine positioning drive component 323 (e.g., coaxially mounted on the telescopic rod of the cylinder, or the telescopic rod of the cylinder can be used directly as the positioning pin 321) to allow the positioning pin 321 to move telescopically. To improve positioning accuracy, the telescopic movement can be vertical, and a pin hole 322 is provided on the transfer carriage 7. When the transfer carriage 7 is positioned by the coarse positioning structure 31, the pin hole 322 and the positioning pin 321 are nearly aligned. Then, the fine positioning drive component 323 is controlled to drive the positioning pin 321 to extend, i.e., to rise. Because the tip of the positioning pin 321 is a pointed or spherical end, its tip can enter the pin hole 322 during the upward movement of the positioning pin 321. Guided by the inclined or curved surface of the tip, the positioning pin 321 and the pin hole 322 are coaxially aligned. Due to the higher precision of the fit between the positioning pin 321 and the pin hole 322, the positioning of the transfer trolley 7 can be achieved more accurately through the insertion and fit of the positioning pin 321 and the pin hole 322, allowing the transfer trolley 7 to stop more precisely at the detection position. When the battery pack 10 is removed from the transfer trolley 7, the precision positioning drive component 323 drives the positioning pin 321 to move downward and retract, the positioning pin 321 moves out of the pin hole 322, and the precision positioning structure 32 releases the positioning of the transfer trolley 7.

[0121] With the positioning pin 321 located at one end of the first crossbeam 1111 of the weight detection component 11, and with weight detection components 11 located on both sides of the detection station 5, a precision positioning drive component 323 and a positioning pin 321 can be installed on the first crossbeam 1111 on both sides of the detection station 5. Furthermore, the precision positioning drive component 323 and the positioning pin 321 on the first crossbeam 1111 on different sides can be arranged diagonally. This allows for diagonal positioning of the transfer trolley 7, further improving the positioning accuracy, reliability, and stability of the transfer trolley 7.

[0122] Additionally, in an optional embodiment, the automated workstation may include multiple unloading stations 6, for example... Figure 14 and Figure 22 The diagram shows two unloading stations 6 arranged along the same straight line. In this case, the hoisting assembly 21 of the automatic unloading mechanism 2 includes a bracket 211, a second crossbeam 212, a lifting structure 213, and a gripper structure 214. The bracket 211 is the supporting component of the hoisting assembly 21, and the second crossbeam 212, the lifting structure 213, and the gripper structure 214 are all mounted on the bracket 211. Specifically, the bracket 211 can be configured as two gantry brackets spaced apart in the arrangement direction of the multiple unloading stations 6 (this arrangement direction is the same as the entry and exit direction of the transfer trolley 7), and the two brackets 211 extend from the detection station 5 to the unloading station 6 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. The two ends of the second crossbeam 212 are slidably mounted on the two brackets 211 respectively. The second crossbeam 212 can achieve synchronous sliding on the two brackets 211 through a gear and rack drive, belt drive, or chain drive, etc. For example... Figure 16 As shown, racks are laid on two supports 211 respectively. A beam drive motor 2121, which drives the second beam 212, is located in the middle of the second beam 212. Transmission rods 2122 are connected to both sides of the beam drive motor 2121. The transmission rods 2122 rotate under the drive of the beam drive motor 2121 and are arranged parallel to the second beam 212. Gears are fixedly connected to the ends of the two transmission rods 2122 away from the beam drive motor 2121. These gears mesh with the racks on the two supports 211 respectively. The parameters of the two gears and the two racks are the same. When the beam drive motor 2121 drives the transmission rods 2122 to rotate, the two gears at both ends of the transmission rods 2122 can rotate synchronously. Through cooperation with the racks, the two ends of the second beam 212 can slide synchronously on the two supports 211, allowing the beam to reciprocate between the inspection station 5 and the unloading station 6. Alternatively, only one bracket 211 may be provided, with one end or the middle part of the second crossbeam 212 slidably connected to the bracket 211 to form a cantilever structure.

[0123] The lifting structure 213 is used to lift and lower the battery pack 10. It is slidably mounted on the second crossbeam 212, and a rack is also provided on the second crossbeam 212. The lifting structure 213 is equipped with a lifting drive motor 2135 that drives the lifting structure 213 to move on the second crossbeam 212, and a gear driven by the lifting drive motor 2135. This gear meshes with the rack on the second crossbeam 212, and the lifting drive motor 2135 drives the gear to rotate on the rack, thereby realizing the sliding of the lifting structure 213 on the second crossbeam 212. Since the two supports 211 are spaced apart in the arrangement direction of the multiple unloading stations 6, the second crossbeam 212, which is connected to the two supports 211 at both ends, extends in the arrangement direction of the multiple unloading stations 6. Therefore, the lifting structure 213 slides back and forth on the second crossbeam 212 along the arrangement direction of the multiple unloading stations 6, thus realizing the position transfer of the lifting structure 213 between different unloading stations 6.

[0124] The gripper structure 214 is used to grip and place the battery pack 10. It is connected to the lifting structure 213 and located below the lifting structure 213. The gripper structure 214 can also move between different unloading stations 6 by moving the lifting structure 213 on the second crossbeam 212, and can move between the inspection station 5 and the unloading station 6 by moving the second crossbeam 212 on the bracket 211.

[0125] The lifting assembly 21 with this structure is relatively stable, with high lifting stability and accuracy. Moreover, it enables the gripper structure 214 for grabbing the battery pack 10 to be flexibly transferred between multiple different unloading stations 6, improving the reliability and efficiency of unloading the battery pack 10.

[0126] Optional, such as Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, the lifting structure 213 includes a first driving component 2131 for driving the gripper structure 214 to rise and fall, and a second driving component 2132 for driving the gripper structure 214 to rise and fall and controlling the rising and falling height of the gripper structure 214. Since the lifting structure 213 is used to lift and lower the battery pack 10 gripped by the gripper structure 214, i.e., to drive the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10 to rise and fall, and since the battery pack 10 has a large weight (several hundred kilograms or even more than one ton), the lifting structure 213 needs to have a large lifting force. Based on this, the lifting structure 213 can include multiple driving components, including the first driving component 2131 for providing the lifting force. The first driving component 2131 is, for example, a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. To provide a more sufficient lifting force, multiple first driving components 2131 can be provided, for example... Figure 16 and Figure 17The two are shown. To ensure a more even force distribution on the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10 it grips, multiple first drive components 2131 are symmetrically arranged around the center of the second drive component 2132. The second drive component 2132, while assisting in providing lifting force, also controls the lifting height of the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10 it grips. To improve control precision, a servo motor with high drive precision can be selected as the second drive component 2132. A gear is mounted on the output shaft of the servo motor, and a rack arranged vertically is connected to the gripper structure 214. The rack meshes with the gear. When the battery pack 10 needs to be lifted, both the first drive component 2131 and the second drive component 2132 are activated simultaneously. The first drive component 2131 serves as the primary power source to lift the battery pack 10. During the lifting process, the second drive component 2132 drives the gear to rotate on the rack, causing the rack to rise. When the second drive component 2132 reaches a preset condition (e.g., reaches a preset drive duration or rotates to a preset number of revolutions), the second drive component 2132 stops driving. Simultaneously, the second drive component 2132 also stops driving, thus keeping the battery pack 10 at a preset height. Similarly, the same operation is used when lowering the battery pack 10, the only difference being the reverse direction of the driving force. This lifting structure 213 achieves stable and reliable lifting of the battery pack 10, as well as precise control of the lifting height, thereby optimizing the performance of the automated workstation.

[0127] like Figure 16 and Figure 17As shown, the lifting structure 213 includes a sliding seat 2133 for sliding connection with the second crossbeam 212 and for supporting the first driving component 2131 and the second driving component 2132. Further, the lifting structure 213 may also include a turntable 2134, which is rotatably mounted on the sliding seat 2133, and both the first driving component 2131 and the second driving component 2132 are mounted on the turntable 2134. This arrangement enables the lifting structure 213 to rotate. Since the gripper structure 214 is connected to the lower part of the lifting structure 213 via the first driving component 2131 and the second driving component 2132, mounting the first driving component 2131 and the second driving component 2132 on the turntable 2134, which can rotate relative to the sliding seat 2133, enables the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10 it grips to rotate. In a specific working scenario, when the gripper structure 214 moves to above the battery pack 10 located at the inspection station 5 by sliding the second crossbeam 212 on the support 211 and the lifting structure 213 sliding on the second crossbeam 212, if there is an angular deviation between the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10, the gripper structure 214 can be rotated by the turntable 2134 to make the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10 angularly aligned (i.e., the long side of the rectangular connecting frame 2141 described later is aligned with the long side of the cuboid battery pack 10, and the wide side of the connecting frame 2141 is aligned with the wide side of the battery pack 10). Then the lifting structure 213 can drive the gripper structure 214 to descend and grab the battery pack 10. Simultaneously, before placing the battery pack 10 onto the unloading station 6, the rotating disk 2134 can drive the gripper structure 214 to rotate, thereby rotating the battery pack 10 and aligning the angle between the gripped battery pack 10 and the unloading support structure 8 on the unloading station 6. Specifically, the rotational power of the rotating disk 2134 can be provided by a rotating disk drive motor 2136 mounted on the sliding seat 2133. A gear is mounted on the output shaft of the rotating disk drive motor 2136. The rotating disk 2134 is a circular disk with teeth on its circumferential sidewalls, and the gear meshes with the teeth on the circumferential sidewalls of the rotating disk 2134 to drive the rotating disk 2134. Alternatively, other gears can be coaxially mounted on the rotating disk 2134 and meshed with the gears on the rotating disk drive motor 2136 to drive the rotating disk 2134.

[0128] By making the lifting structure 213 include a turntable 2134 that drives the gripper structure 214 to rotate, the angle between the gripper structure 214 and the battery pack 10 can be automatically aligned during the gripping process and the angle between the battery pack 10 and the unloading support structure 8 during the unloading process. This makes the automatic unloading mechanism 2 applicable to more diverse working scenarios and improves the automation level of the automatic unloading mechanism 2.

[0129] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 18 and Figure 19 As shown, the gripper structure 214 includes a connecting frame 2141, multiple gripper assemblies 2142, and a gripping and releasing drive component 2143. The connecting frame 2141 is a structure that connects the first drive component 2131 and the second component of the lifting structure 213, and is also a structure for mounting multiple gripper assemblies 2142 and gripping and releasing drive component 2143. It can be welded from metal rods or metal tubes. In order to better match the battery pack 10, the connecting frame 2141 can be set as a rectangular frame.

[0130] The gripper assembly 2142 is an actuating component for gripping and releasing the battery pack 10, and it includes multiple grippers, such as... Figure 19 The two or more gripper assemblies 2142 shown are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the connecting frame 2141. These two sides can be the two sides where the long side of the connecting frame 2141 is located, so that the multiple gripper assemblies 2142 are used to grip the first side 101 where the long side of the battery pack 10 is located. Alternatively, the multiple gripper assemblies 2142 can also be arranged on the two sides where the wide side of the connecting frame 2141 is located, so that the multiple gripper assemblies 2142 are used to grip the second side 102 where the wide side of the battery pack 10 is located. The specific way to grip the battery pack 10 is to bring the gripper assemblies 2142 on both sides closer together to cooperate in gripping the two sides of the battery pack 10, or to hook the hooks on the two sides. When placing the battery pack 10, the gripper assemblies 2142 on both sides are moved away from each other and separated from the two sides of the battery pack 10.

[0131] The gripping and releasing drive component 2143 is a power component that drives the gripper assemblies 2142 on both sides to move closer and further apart, and it is mounted on the connecting frame 2141. Specifically, as shown... Figure 19 As shown, the gripping and releasing drive component 2143 may include a gripping and releasing drive motor 21431 and lead screws 21432 connected to the drive motor. The gripping and releasing drive motor 21431 is located in the middle of the connecting frame 2141, and lead screws 21432 are provided on both sides of it to transmit power to the gripper assemblies 2142 on both sides. Each lead screw 21432 is fitted with a nut, which is connected to the gripper assembly 2142. The threads of the lead screws 21432 on both sides of the gripping and releasing drive motor 21431 are opposite, so that when the gripping and releasing drive motor 21431 drives the two lead screws 21432 to rotate synchronously, the two nuts fitted on it can drive the gripper assemblies 2142 on both sides to move towards each other (i.e., move closer to each other) or away from each other (i.e., move away from each other), thereby realizing the gripping or releasing of the battery pack 10. Alternatively, the transmission structure connecting the gripping and releasing drive motor 21431 and the gripper assembly 2142 may also be a gear and rack structure or a worm gear structure, etc.

[0132] Optionally, the gripper assembly 2142 includes a second guide rail 21421 connected to the aforementioned nut, and multiple grippers 21422 slidably connected to the second guide rail 21421. The second guide rail 21421 is slidably connected to the connecting frame 2141 and reciprocates under the drive of the gripping drive component 2143 and the lead screw nut structure, so as to realize the mutual approach and distance of the gripper assemblies 2142 on both sides. By setting multiple grippers 21422 on each second guide rail 21421, multiple points of connection between each gripper assembly 2142 and the battery pack 10 can be achieved, improving the reliability and stability of gripping the battery pack 10. At the same time, the multiple grippers 21422 connected to the same second guide rail 21421 can slide on the second guide rail 21421. By sliding on the second guide rail 21421, the spacing between the grippers 21422 can be changed to adapt to gripping battery packs 10 of different sizes. After the spacing is adjusted, each gripper 21422 is locked onto the second guide rail 21421 one-to-one using a locking device (e.g., a pin that can be inserted into the second guide rail 21421) before gripping the battery pack 10. Alternatively, without considering versatility, multiple grippers 21422 can be fixedly connected to the second guide rail 21421 so that the gripper structure 214 is used only for gripping a single type of battery pack 10. To simplify the structure, the position adjustment (i.e., sliding) of the grippers 21422 on the second guide rail 21421 can be done manually.

[0133] For example, such as Figure 18 and Figure 19 As shown, the gripper structure 214 may also include a fifth detection camera 2144 connected to the connecting frame 2141. The fifth detection camera 2144 is used to capture the position of the battery pack 10 to be gripped at the detection station 5, and / or to capture the position of the unloading support structure 8 at the unloading station 6. As described above, the lifting structure 213 can drive the gripper structure 214 to rotate so that the gripper structure 214 is angularly aligned with the battery pack 10 to be gripped at the detection station 5, so as to more accurately grip the battery pack 10. It can also make the gripped battery pack 10 angularly aligned with the unloading support structure 8 at the unloading station 6, so as to more accurately place the battery pack 10 into the unloading support structure 8. Before the angle adjustment, the angle and position of the battery pack 10 to be gripped and the angle and position of the unloading support structure 8 need to be detected and identified to provide a reference for the angle alignment adjustment operation (i.e., to provide the target value of the angle adjustment). Based on this requirement, a fifth detection camera 2144 was added to ensure automatic angle alignment and avoid manual intervention. To improve detection accuracy, multiple fifth detection cameras 2144 can be set up and arranged diagonally on the connecting frame 2141.

[0134] In optional embodiments, to improve the operational accuracy of automatic feeding, such as Figures 20-22 As shown, the automatic unloading mechanism 2 may further include a second positioning component 4 for positioning the unloading support structure 8 for receiving the battery pack 10 at the unloading station 6. This second positioning component 4 includes a first moving structure 41 and a second moving structure 42. The first moving structure 41 is disposed on at least one side of the unloading station 6 in a first direction and positions the unloading support structure 8 in that first direction, which is the arrangement direction of the aforementioned plurality of unloading stations 6. The second moving structure 42 is disposed on one side of the unloading station 6 in a second direction and positions the unloading support structure 8 in that second direction. The second direction has an angle of less than 180° with the first direction, for example, an angle of 90°, meaning the second direction can be perpendicular to the first direction. Since the battery pack 10 is cuboid, the shape of the unloading support structure 8 for receiving the battery pack 10 is also set to a cuboid shape matching the shape of the battery pack 10. The first direction is the length direction of the unloading support structure 8, and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is the width direction of the unloading support structure 8. By simultaneously positioning the unloading support structure 8 in both directions, the unloading support structure 8 can be positioned more accurately on the unloading station 6, reducing the risk of positional deviation during battery pack 10 unloading and achieving accurate unloading of battery pack 10, thus making the unloading effect of the automatic unloading mechanism 2 better.

[0135] Specifically, the first direction is the length direction of the unloading station 6. Since the first direction is also the arrangement direction of multiple unloading stations 6, the multiple unloading stations 6 are arranged along the length direction of the unloading station 6. In this case, a first moving structure 41 is provided on both sides of the unloading station 6 in the first direction. The first moving structure 41 includes a push plate 411 and a first drive motor 412. During positioning, the push plates 411 on both sides move closer to each other under the drive of the first drive motor 412 to clamp and position the unloading support structure 8. In this way, the positioning of the unloading support structure 8 can be achieved more reliably in the first direction. Alternatively, the first moving structure 41 can be provided only on one side of the first direction, which achieves the positioning of the unloading support structure 8 by pushing the unloading support structure 8 to abut against the fence members surrounding the unloading station 6.

[0136] The second direction is the width direction of the unloading station 6, and the discharge port of the unloading station 6 is located on one side of the second direction. The second moving structure 42 is arranged on the opposite side of the discharge port in the second direction (the side where the discharge port is located does not have space for the second moving structure 42 because the discharge port needs to be opened, so the second moving structure 42 is only arranged on the opposite side of the discharge port). The second moving structure 42 includes a second drive motor 421, a third drive motor 422, and a hanging plate 423. During positioning, the third drive motor 422 moves along a second direction (i.e., towards the discharge port) under the drive of the second drive motor 421, so that the hanging plate 423 connected to the third drive motor 422 approaches the unloading support structure 8 located in the unloading station 6. Then, the hanging plate 423 moves along a first direction under the drive of the third drive motor 422, so that the hanging plate 423 can hook onto the unloading support structure 8. Finally, the second drive motor 421 drives the third drive motor 422 and the hanging plate 423 to reset, thereby pulling the unloading support structure 8 to the opposite side of the discharge port and making the unloading support structure 8 abut against the fence surrounding the unloading station 6. Thus, the positioning of the unloading support structure 8 in the second direction is achieved. In addition, the positioning of the unloading support structure 8 in the second direction can also be achieved by other structures, such as suction cups provided on the fence.

[0137] Furthermore, such as Figure 22 As shown, when multiple unloading stations 6 are set up, each unloading station 6 is equipped with a detection sensor 9 for detecting the presence of the unloading support structure 8. When the detection sensor 9 on a certain unloading station 6 detects that the unloading support structure 8 is placed on the detection station 5, the detection sensor 9 transmits the detection result to the control module of the automatic station. The control module controls the gripper assembly 2142 holding the battery pack 10 to move above the unloading station 6, and then controls the lifting structure 213 and the gripping and releasing drive component 2143 to work to place the battery pack 10 into the unloading support structure 8 located on the unloading station 6. In this way, not only is the normal automatic unloading of the battery pack 10 realized, but also the alternating use of multiple unloading stations 6 can be realized, which can realize the unloading of the battery pack 10 more efficiently and further improve the unloading efficiency of the automatic station.

[0138] The basic principles of this disclosure have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, benefits, and effects mentioned in this disclosure are merely examples and not limitations, and should not be considered as essential features of each embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, the specific details disclosed above are for illustrative and facilitative purposes only, and are not limitations. These details do not limit the scope of this disclosure to the necessity of employing the aforementioned specific details for implementation.

[0139] The block diagrams of devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems disclosed herein are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, or configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. As those skilled in the art will recognize, these devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” etc., are open-ended terms meaning “including but not limited to,” and are used interchangeably with them. The terms “or” and “and” as used herein refer to the terms “and / or,” and are used interchangeably with them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “such as” as used herein refers to the phrase “such as but not limited to,” and is used interchangeably with it.

[0140] It should also be noted that in the apparatus, devices, and methods of this disclosure, the components or steps can be disassembled and / or recombined. These disassemblies and / or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions to this disclosure.

[0141] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be carried out within the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0142] It should be understood that the qualifying terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” “fifth,” and “sixth” used in the description of the embodiments of this disclosure are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0143] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations therein.

Claims

1. An automated workstation for a battery pack, characterized in that, It includes an automatic detection mechanism (1) and an automatic unloading mechanism (2), wherein: The automatic detection mechanism (1) is used to detect the battery pack (10) located at the detection station (5). The automatic detection mechanism (1) includes a weight detection component (11) and an appearance detection component (12) for automatically detecting the weight and appearance of the battery pack (10), respectively. The automatic unloading mechanism (2) is movable between the inspection station (5) and the unloading station (6). The automatic unloading mechanism (2) includes a hoisting assembly (21) for automatically transferring the battery pack (10) from the inspection station (5) to the unloading station (6).

2. The automated workstation for battery packs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The weight detection component (11) includes: A lifting support frame (111) is set at the testing station (5) and used to support the battery pack (10), and descends under the gravity of the battery pack (10); A pressure sensor (112) is disposed at the bottom of the lifting support frame (111) and bears the weight of the battery pack (10) during the descent of the lifting support frame (111), and detects the magnitude of the weight.

3. The automated workstation for battery packs according to claim 1, characterized in that, The appearance inspection component (12) includes a defect detection component (121), which includes: First guide rail (1211); The sliding arm (1212) is slidably disposed on the first guide rail (1211) and has an angle of less than 180° with the first guide rail (1211); The first detection camera (1213) and the second detection camera (1214) are mounted on the sliding arm (1212); The sliding arm (1212) moves the first detection camera (1213) and the second detection camera (1214) by sliding on the first guide rail (1211), so that the first detection camera (1213) can take a picture of the top surface of the battery pack (10) located at the detection station (5), and the second detection camera (1214) can take a picture of the first side (101) of the battery pack (10) located at the detection station (5).

4. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first guide rail (1211) includes a plurality of parallel first guide rails (1211), and the plurality of first guide rails (1211) are respectively located on both sides of the detection station (5); the sliding arm (1212) includes a guide rail part (12121) located at the top of the detection station (5), and a plurality of connecting parts (12122) connected to both ends of the guide rail part (12121) and respectively located on both sides of the detection station (5), the plurality of connecting parts (12122) being slidably connected to the plurality of first guide rails (1211) located on both sides of the detection station (5); Furthermore, the first detection camera (1213) is slidably mounted on the guide rail (12121); there are multiple second detection cameras (1214), which are respectively mounted on the multiple connecting parts (12122) to capture images of the two parallel first side surfaces (101) of the battery pack (10).

5. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that, The defect detection component (121) also includes: Multiple third inspection cameras (1215) are arranged between the inspection station (5) and the unloading station (6), and the multiple third inspection cameras (1215) are respectively arranged on both sides of the moving path of the battery pack (10) from the inspection station (5) to the unloading station (6), so that the third inspection cameras (1215) can capture images of the two parallel second sides (102) of the battery pack (10) during the transfer of the battery pack (10).

6. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that, The appearance inspection component (12) further includes a size inspection component (122), the size inspection component (122) comprising: The fourth inspection camera (1221) is slidably mounted on the guide rail (12121), and the battery pack (10) located at the inspection station (5) is photographed by the sliding arm (1212) and the sliding on the guide rail (12121). The rangefinder (1222) is mounted on the guide rail (12121) and is driven by the sliding arm (1212) to detect the position of the top surface of the battery pack (10) located at the detection station (5).

7. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first positioning component (3) for positioning the battery pack (10) at the inspection station (5), the first positioning component (3) comprising: The coarse positioning structure (31) includes a positioning claw (311) movably disposed on at least one side of the inspection station (5) and having a positioning slot (312). The positioning claw (311) moves to cause the positioning slot (312) to engage with the transfer trolley (7) that carries the battery pack (10) located at the inspection station (5). The precision positioning structure (32) includes a retractable positioning pin (321) disposed at the inspection station (5) and a pin hole (322) disposed on the transfer trolley (7). The positioning pin (321) is inserted into the pin hole (322) to lock the transfer trolley (7) located at the inspection station (5) and carrying the battery pack (10). The locking accuracy of the positioning pin (321) and the pin hole (322) is higher than that of the positioning slot (312).

8. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The unloading station includes multiple unloading stations (6), and the hoisting assembly (21) includes: Scaffold (211); The second crossbeam (212) is slidably mounted on the bracket (211) and its position is transferred between the inspection station (5) and the unloading station (6) by sliding on the bracket (211); The lifting structure (213) is slidably disposed on the second crossbeam (212) and its position transfer between different unloading stations (6) is realized by sliding on the second crossbeam (212); A gripper structure (214) is connected to the lifting structure (213) and is used to grip and release the battery pack (10).

9. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The lifting structure (213) includes: The first driving component (2131) is used to drive the gripper structure (214) to rise and fall; The second driving component (2132) is used to drive the gripper structure (214) to rise and fall and control the rising and falling height of the gripper structure (214).

10. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that, The lifting structure (213) includes: The sliding seat (2133) is slidably connected to the second crossbeam (212); A turntable (2134) is rotatably mounted on the sliding seat (2133), and both the first driving component (2131) and the second driving component (2132) are mounted on the turntable (2134).

11. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gripper structure (214) includes: A connecting bracket (2141) is connected to the first driving component (2131) and the second driving component (2132); Multiple gripper assemblies (2142) are slidably connected to the connecting frame (2141) and are respectively located on opposite sides of the connecting frame (2141); A gripping and releasing drive component (2143) is disposed on the connecting frame (2141) and drives the plurality of gripper assemblies (2142) located on opposite sides of the connecting frame (2141) to move closer to each other and further away from each other.

12. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 11, characterized in that, The gripper assembly (2142) includes: The second guide rail (21421) is slidably connected to the connecting frame (2141) and reciprocates under the drive of the gripping and releasing drive component (2143); Multiple grippers (21422) are slidably connected to the second guide rail (21421) and can be positioned on the second guide rail (21421) by a locking element.

13. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 11, characterized in that, The gripper structure (214) also includes a fifth detection camera (2144) connected to the connecting frame (2141). The fifth detection camera (2144) is used to capture the position of the battery pack (10) to be gripped at the detection station (5) and / or to capture the position of the unloading support structure (8) at the unloading station (6).

14. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a second positioning component (4) for positioning the unloading support structure (8) for receiving the battery pack (10) at the unloading station (6), the second positioning component (4) comprising: A first moving structure (41) is disposed on at least one side of the unloading station (6) in a first direction and positions the unloading bearing structure (8) in the first direction. The second moving structure (42) is disposed on one side of the unloading station (6) in the second direction and positions the unloading bearing structure (8) in the second direction. The second direction has an angle of less than 180° with the first direction.

15. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first direction is the length direction of the unloading station (6), and the first moving structure (41) is provided on both sides of the first direction of the unloading station (6). The first moving structure (41) includes a push plate (411) and a first drive motor (412). The push plates (411) located on both sides move closer to each other under the drive of the first drive motor (412) to clamp and position the unloading bearing structure (8). The second direction is the width direction of the unloading station (6), and the discharge port of the unloading station (6) is located on one side of the second direction. The second moving structure (42) is arranged on the opposite side of the discharge port in the second direction. The second moving structure (42) includes a second drive motor (421), a third drive motor (422), and a hanging plate (423). The third drive motor (422) moves along the second direction under the drive of the second drive motor (421), and the hanging plate (423) moves along the first direction under the drive of the third drive motor (422).

16. The automated workstation for a battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The unloading station (6) includes multiple unloading stations (6), and each unloading station (6) is equipped with a detection sensor (9) for detecting the unloading bearing structure (8).

Images