A closure device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of battery technology and discloses a sealing device for sealing the electrolyte inlets of battery cells. It includes a feeding body, sealing films, and a film-applying mechanism. The feeding body has an adhesive surface; multiple sealing films are adhered to the adhesive surface. The film-applying mechanism includes a driving component, a picking component, and a peeling component. The picking component is connected to the driving component, and the peeling component is disposed on the picking component. The driving component is used to drive the picking component to grasp the feeding body until the multiple sealing films on the feeding body are applied one by one to the electrolyte inlets of multiple battery cells, and to drive the peeling component to peel the feeding body off the multiple sealing films. This utility model integrates multiple sealing films onto the feeding body, facilitating the picking of sealing films. Furthermore, the integrated arrangement of multiple sealing films on the feeding body allows for batch sealing of the electrolyte inlets of multiple battery cells, improving sealing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the battery cell manufacturing process, there is a step involving injecting electrolyte into the cell. If the injection port is not sealed after injection and the dew point of the cell's environment is not controlled, allowing the cell to be exposed to the environment, moisture from the air will enter the cell through the injection port. This will cause the electrolyte and electrode water content to exceed the standard, affecting the cell's performance and interface during the formation process, leading to quality problems such as poor cell interface, low initial efficiency, and blackening of the electrode interface.

[0003] Currently, see Figure 1 As shown, the filling port of the battery cell is typically temporarily sealed by inserting a rubber sealing pin. The cell is then fed by a vibratory feeder, and the pin insertion mechanism inserts the rubber sealing pin into the filling port. However, this method suffers from high failure rates, low pin insertion success rates, and a tendency to miss pins. (See also...) Figure 2 As shown, when rubber sealing nails are used to seal the liquid injection port, the cell processing steps are: primary liquid injection - nail insertion - high-temperature wetting - nail removal - negative pressure formation and degassing - nail insertion - high-temperature aging - nail removal - secondary liquid injection. In the processes of high-temperature wetting, negative pressure formation and degassing, and high-temperature aging, repeated nail insertion and removal processes are required at the liquid injection port, resulting in high equipment investment and operating costs, as well as quality problems such as missing nails in the cell. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sealing device to solve the problems of high failure rate, low success rate of nail insertion, easy nail leakage, and high investment and operating costs in subsequent processes when using rubber sealing nails to seal the injection port in the existing technology.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model provides a sealing device for sealing the liquid injection port of a battery cell, comprising:

[0007] The feeding body has an adhesive surface;

[0008] Sealing film, a plurality of said sealing films are adhered to the adhesive surface; and

[0009] The film-applying mechanism includes a driving component, a material-grabbing component, and a peeling component. The material-grabbing component is connected to the driving component, and the peeling component is disposed on the material-grabbing component. The driving component is used to drive the material-grabbing component to grasp the feeding body until the multiple sealing films on the feeding body are attached to the liquid injection ports of multiple battery cells, and to drive the peeling component to peel the feeding body off the multiple sealing films.

[0010] In some embodiments, a feeding clip is also included, and multiple feeding bodies are provided, with the multiple feeding bodies stacked and placed inside the feeding clip.

[0011] In some embodiments, a positioning camera is also included, which is disposed on the material handling component and is used to locate the position of the feeding body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the feeding body is elongated, and a plurality of sealing films are spaced apart along the length of the feeding body.

[0013] In some embodiments, the feeding body is a film.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sealing film is a proton exchange membrane reinforced with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0015] In some embodiments, a tray and a cell conveying line are also included, the tray being disposed on the cell conveying line and used to hold a plurality of the cells.

[0016] In some embodiments, a detection mechanism is further included, which is used to detect whether the sealing film is sealed at the injection port.

[0017] In some embodiments, the detection mechanism includes an image capturing device and an image processing module. The image capturing device is used to photograph the battery cell attached to the sealing film, and the image processing module is communicatively connected to the image capturing device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the testing mechanism further includes an illumination source for illuminating the battery cell.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the sealing device of this utility model has the following advantages:

[0020] The sealing device of this utility model includes a feeding body, sealing films, and a film-applying mechanism. Multiple sealing films are integrated onto the feeding body. The film-applying mechanism picks up the feeding body using its picking component, aligning the multiple sealing films on the feeding body with the liquid injection ports of multiple battery cells. The feeding body is then pressed to adhere the sealing films one by one to the liquid injection ports. A peeling component then peels the feeding body off the sealing films, leaving the sealing films on the liquid injection ports to seal them and prevent contact with air. Using sealing films instead of rubber sealing nails to seal the liquid injection ports of the battery cells avoids problems such as high failure rates, low insertion efficiency, and easy leakage when inserting and removing rubber sealing nails. Furthermore, it prevents electrolyte leakage from the battery cells when inserting and removing sealing nails, thereby reducing cleaning costs, preventing moisture ingress, reducing the operating costs of the dry, low-humidity processing space, and improving battery cell quality. Furthermore, using a sealing film can eliminate the need for repeated insertion and removal of pins before and after the subsequent negative pressure formation process, reducing equipment investment and operating costs. Moreover, the use of a sealing film for the negative pressure formation process can reduce electrolyte residue on the surface of the cell injection port, improving the efficiency of subsequent wiping and welding.

[0021] This invention integrates multiple sealing films onto the feeding body, facilitating the removal of the sealing films. Furthermore, the integration of multiple sealing films onto the feeding body allows for the batch sealing of the liquid injection ports of multiple battery cells, thereby improving sealing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of inserting a rubber sealing pin into the electrolyte filling port of the battery cell in the existing technology;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the battery cell processing procedure when inserting a rubber sealing pin into the battery cell's electrolyte filling port in the existing technology;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing device described in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding body and sealing film in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the placement of the battery cell on the tray in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cell delivery mechanism and the detection mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing film attached to the battery cell in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing film attached to the battery cell in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the material flow at the sealing film on the battery cell in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the battery cell processing steps in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0032] Numbering on the map:

[0033] 1. Feeding body; 11. Adhesive surface; 2. Sealing film; 21. Gas molecules; 22. Water molecules; 3. Film application mechanism; 31. Driving component; 32. Material handling component; 321. Vacuum opening; 33. Adhesive peeling component; 4. Feeding clip; 5. Positioning camera; 6. Tray; 61. Battery cell conveyor line; 611. Support; 612. Roller; 7. Detection mechanism; 71. Image acquisition device; 72. Image processing module; 73. Illumination source;

[0034] 100. Battery cell; 101. Liquid filling port;

[0035] 200. Rubber sealing nail. Detailed Implementation

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used solely for the convenience of describing this utility model and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit its scope.

[0039] See Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the current common sealing method is to insert rubber sealing nails 200 into the liquid injection port 101 of the battery cell 100. This method is prone to problems such as high failure rate and easy leakage of nails. In addition, in processes such as high temperature wetting, negative pressure formation and degassing, and high temperature aging, repeated nail insertion and removal processes are required at the liquid injection port, resulting in high equipment investment and operating costs.

[0040] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a sealing device for sealing the liquid injection port 101 of a battery cell 100. It is primarily used for temporary sealing of the liquid injection port 101 during the transfer process after the battery cell 100 has been filled with liquid but before the sealing pins are welded. (See reference...) Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the sealing device includes a feeding body 1, a sealing film 2, and a film-applying mechanism 3. The feeding body 1 has an adhesive surface 11, and multiple sealing films 2 are provided, with the multiple sealing films 2 being pasted on the adhesive surface 11. The film-applying mechanism 3 includes a driving component 31, a picking component 32, and a peeling component 33. The picking component 32 is connected to the driving component 31, and the peeling component 33 is disposed on the picking component 32. The driving component 31 is used to drive the picking component 32 to grab the feeding body 1 until the multiple sealing films 2 on the feeding body 1 are pasted one by one onto the liquid injection ports 101 of the multiple battery cells 100, and to drive the peeling component 33 to peel the feeding body 1 off the multiple sealing films 2.

[0041] Multiple sealing films 2 are arranged at intervals on the adhesive surface 11 of the feeding body 1. Multiple battery cells 100 are arranged in a row. The feeding body 1 is picked up by the material picking component 32, so that the multiple sealing films 2 on the feeding body 1 are respectively aligned with the liquid injection port 101 of the multiple battery cells 100. The material picking component 32 presses the feeding body 1 to attach the multiple sealing films 2 one by one to the liquid injection port 101. Then, the peeling component 33 peels the feeding body 1 off the multiple sealing films 2, leaving the sealing films 2 on the liquid injection port 101 to seal the liquid injection port 101 and prevent the liquid injection port from contacting the air. Using a sealing film 2 instead of rubber sealing nails 200 to seal the electrolyte inlet 101 of the battery cell 100 avoids problems such as high failure rate, low insertion success rate, and easy nail leakage when inserting or removing rubber sealing nails 200. Furthermore, it prevents electrolyte leakage from the battery cell 100 during sealing nail insertion or removal, thereby reducing cleaning costs, preventing moisture ingress, reducing the operating costs of the dry, low-humidity environment required for the forming process, and improving battery cell quality. See also... Figure 10 As shown, when the sealing film 2 is used to seal the injection port, the battery cell processing steps are: first injection - film application - high temperature wetting - negative pressure formation and degassing - high temperature aging - peeling off the sealing film - second injection. This eliminates the need for repeated insertion and removal of pins before and after the subsequent negative pressure formation process, reducing equipment investment and operating costs. Furthermore, the battery cell 100 undergoes the negative pressure formation process with the sealing film 2, which greatly reduces liquid loss during the negative pressure formation stage, reduces electrolyte residue on the injection port 101 surface, and improves the subsequent wiping and welding efficiency.

[0042] Multiple sealing films 2 are integrated on the feeding body 1, which facilitates the removal of the sealing films 2. Moreover, the multiple sealing films 2 integrated on the feeding body 1 can seal the liquid injection ports 101 of multiple battery cells 100 in batches, thereby improving sealing efficiency.

[0043] See Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the feeding body 1 is elongated, and multiple sealing films 2 are spaced apart along the length of the feeding body 1. Making the feeding body 1 elongated facilitates the regular arrangement of the multiple sealing films 2 on the feeding body 1, thereby facilitating the regular placement of the multiple battery cells 100, ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between the multiple sealing films 2 and the liquid injection ports 101 of the multiple battery cells 100. Furthermore, making the feeding body 1 elongated facilitates full utilization of the space on the feeding body 1, reducing the volume occupied by the feeding body 1, and facilitating the gripping of the feeding body 1 by the material handling component 32. To reduce the overall weight of the feeding body 1 and the sealing films 2, the width of the feeding body 1 is approximately equal to the width of the sealing films 2. The sealing films 2 are circular, with a diameter approximately equal to the width of the feeding body 1.

[0044] In some embodiments, the feeding body 1 is a film. The adhesive side of the film forms an adhesive surface 11, facilitating the fixing of the sealing film 2 to the feeding body 1 and the separation of the sealing film 2 from the feeding body 1. In some embodiments, the feeding body 1 is a tear-off adhesive strip to prevent adhesive residue from remaining on the sealing film 2.

[0045] In some embodiments, the sealing film 2 is a proton exchange membrane reinforced with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The ePTFE-reinforced proton exchange membrane possesses the characteristics of being permeable to air but impermeable to water, and exhibiting selective gas permeability. The working principle of selective gas permeability is achieved through its unique microporous structure and surface tension effect, allowing gas molecules 21 to pass through while preventing the permeation of liquid water molecules 22, thus achieving the function of being permeable to air but impermeable to water. Typically, selective gas permeability can be achieved through chemical adsorption, physical adsorption, and intermolecular forces. The principle of achieving selective gas permeability using intermolecular forces is based on the different abilities of different gas molecules to adhere to, diffuse, and permeate the membrane surface. The permeable and impermeable properties of the ePTFE-reinforced proton exchange membrane can be explained by intermolecular forces and differences in molecular size. See also... Figures 7-9As shown, the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) reinforced proton exchange membrane has a microporous structure. The diameter of the micropores is smaller than that of water molecules 22, but larger than that of gas molecules 21. This makes it difficult for water molecules 22 to permeate through the microporous structure due to their larger size and surface tension, while gas molecules 21 can pass through the micropores, achieving gas permeability. PTFE has extremely low surface energy, making it difficult for water molecules 22 to form a continuous wetting layer on its surface. This low wettability further enhances the water impermeability of the ePTFE-reinforced proton exchange membrane. Using an ePTFE-reinforced proton exchange membrane to replace sealing rubber nails avoids electrolyte leakage during insertion / removal and evacuation, reduces cleaning costs, prevents moisture ingress, reduces the operating costs of the dry, low-humidity processing space, and improves cell quality.

[0046] See Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the drive unit 31 is a robot with a robotic arm. A material-grabbing component 32 is mounted at one end of the robotic arm. The movement of the robotic arm drives the material-grabbing component 32 to move above the loading body 1 to pick up material, and also drives the material-grabbing component 32, which grips the loading body 1, to move above the battery cell 100 and press it down, causing the sealing film 2 on the loading body 1 to adhere to the liquid injection port 101 of the battery cell 100. A peeling component 33 is disposed on the material-grabbing component 32, allowing the peeling component 33 to move with the robotic arm. Thus, the movement of the robotic arm drives the peeling component 33 to peel the loading body 1 from multiple sealing films 2. Using a robot with a robotic arm as the drive unit 31 facilitates the driving movement of the material-grabbing component 32 and the peeling component 33, making their movement more flexible.

[0047] See Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the material-grabbing component 32 is a suction cup. The material-grabbing component 32 is provided with a vacuum opening 321 to adsorb and grasp the loading body 1. The material-grabbing component 32 can be connected to a vacuuming mechanism. The adhesive-removing component 33 is an adhesive-removing hook fixed on both sides of the suction cup, with the hook head facing the center of the suction cup. After pressing the loading body 1 onto the battery cell 100, the adhesive-removing hook hooks the loading body 1, and the driving component 31 drives the adhesive-removing hook to move upward, causing the adhesive-removing hook to hook the loading body 1 and move upward, separating the loading body 1 from the sealing film 2, and the sealing film 2 is attached to the liquid injection port 101.

[0048] See Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing device further includes a positioning camera 5, which is mounted on the material-grabbing component 32 and is used to position the feeding body 1. Positioning the feeding body 1 using the positioning camera 5 facilitates accurate gripping of the feeding body 1 by the material-grabbing component 32, preventing the material-grabbing component 32 from missing its target. The positioning camera 5 can be fixed to one side of the suction cup, and in conjunction with its positioning function, the suction cup adheres to the feeding body 1.

[0049] See Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing device further includes a feeding clip 4, and multiple feeding bodies 1 are provided. Multiple feeding bodies 1 are stacked and placed in the feeding clip 4, which facilitates the material picking component 32 to pick up each feeding body 1 in sequence, thereby facilitating the batch sealing operation of multiple battery cells 100.

[0050] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing device further includes a tray 6 and a cell conveying line 61. The tray 6 is disposed on the cell conveying line 61 and is used to hold multiple cells 100. By integrating multiple cells 100 on the tray 6, it is easier for the cell conveying line 61 to transport the multiple cells 100, and it is convenient to quickly seal the cells 100 on the tray 6 in one go. After the sealing device seals the multiple cells 100, the sealed cells 100 can be promptly conveyed to the next process, improving efficiency.

[0051] See Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the cell conveying line 61 includes a support 611 and a plurality of rollers 612, which are mounted on the support 611 and are rotatable relative to the support 611. A tray 6 is placed on the roller 612. The cell conveying line 61 also includes a drive component that drives the rollers 612 to rotate. By driving the rollers 612 to rotate, the trays 6 on the rollers 612 are moved, conveying the cell 100 on the trays 6 to the next process.

[0052] See Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing device further includes a detection mechanism 7. The detection mechanism 7 is used to detect whether the sealing film 2 is sealed at the injection port 101, preventing unqualified battery cells from flowing out and entering the next process. Whether the sealing film 2 is sealed at the injection port 101 includes two situations: one is whether the sealing film 2 is present at the injection port 101, which can determine if there is any leakage; the other is whether the sealing film 2 is properly sealed at the injection port 101, which can determine if there is any poor sealing. For example, misalignment or curling of the sealing film 2 at the injection port 101 will result in poor sealing of the sealing film 2 at the injection port 101. Whether the sealing film 2 is not present at the injection port 101 or the sealing film 2 is poorly sealed at the injection port 101, both are considered unqualified sealing.

[0053] See Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments, the detection mechanism 7 includes an image capturing device 71 and an image processing module 72. The image capturing device 71 is used to photograph the battery cell 100 with the sealing film 2 attached. The image processing module 72 is communicatively connected to the image capturing device 71. The image capturing device 71 performs visual inspection of the battery cell 100 by taking pictures, and the image processing module 72 processes the images captured by the image capturing device 71 to determine whether the battery cell 100 has the sealing film 2, and whether the sealing film 2 on the battery cell 100 has abnormal fitting size or lifting, etc., indicating poor sealing. The image capturing device 71 is a vision lens, and the image processing module 72 is a host computer. The image capturing device 71 can be installed above the battery cell conveying line 61 to facilitate the image capturing device 71 to photograph the battery cell 100 on the tray 6. It should be noted that the image processing module 72 processes the captured images in the existing technology. For example, it can determine whether the sealing is qualified through image information comparison and analysis, which will not be described in detail in this utility model.

[0054] See Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the detection mechanism 7 further includes an illumination source 73, which is used to illuminate the battery cell 100 to facilitate the image capturing device 71 to capture images of the battery cell 100. The illumination source 73 is positioned above the battery cell delivery line 61.

[0055] The working process of this utility model is as follows:

[0056] Multiple battery cells 100 with open injection ports 101 are placed on a tray 6, and the tray 6 is transported to the sealing position via a battery cell conveyor line 61. The robot, assisted by a positioning camera 5, uses a material-picking component 32 to pick up the loading body 1 with sealing film 2. Then, the robot's robotic arm presses the loading body 1 onto the battery cells 100 on the tray 6. After pressing, the peeling component 33 hooks onto the loading body 1, and the robot's robotic arm separates the loading body 1 from the sealing film 2, causing the sealing film 2 to adhere to the injection port 101, forming a temporary seal.

[0057] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A sealing device for sealing the liquid injection port (101) of a battery cell (100), characterized in that, include: The feeding body (1) has an adhesive surface (11); Sealing film (2), a plurality of said sealing films (2) are adhered to said adhesive surface (11); and The film application mechanism (3) includes a drive (31), a material picking member (32), and a peeling member (33). The material picking member (32) is connected to the drive (31), and the peeling member (33) is disposed on the material picking member (32). The drive (31) is used to drive the material picking member (32) to grab the feeding body (1) until the multiple sealing films (2) on the feeding body (1) are attached to the liquid injection ports (101) of the multiple battery cells (100), and to drive the peeling member (33) to peel the feeding body (1) off the multiple sealing films (2).

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a feeding clip (4), and the feeding body (1) is provided in multiple ways, with multiple feeding bodies (1) stacked inside the feeding clip (4).

3. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a positioning camera (5), which is mounted on the material handling component (32) and is used to position the loading body (1).

4. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding body (1) is long and narrow, and multiple sealing films (2) are spaced apart along the length of the feeding body (1).

5. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding body (1) is a film.

6. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing film (2) is a proton exchange membrane reinforced with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a tray (6) and a cell delivery line (61), the tray (6) being disposed on the cell delivery line (61), the tray (6) being used to place a plurality of the cells (100).

8. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, It also includes a testing mechanism (7), which is used to test whether the sealing film (2) is sealed to the injection port (101).

9. The sealing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The detection mechanism (7) includes an image capturing device (71) and an image processing module (72). The image capturing device (71) is used to capture images of the battery cell (100) attached to the sealing film (2). The image processing module (72) is communicatively connected to the image capturing device (71).

10. The sealing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The testing mechanism (7) also includes an illumination source (73) for illuminating the battery cell (100).

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