Cylindrical battery cell current collector plate welding double-station feeding mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of cylindrical battery cell current collecting plate welding double-station feeding mechanism, it includes including at least two parallelly arranged feeding units along first direction, and one current collecting plate transfer assembly shared by all feeding units.Each feeding unit includes: for separating and supplying single current collecting plate current collecting plate feeding assembly;And for by positioning jig clamping battery cell, and moving between feeding and welding station battery cell feeding assembly.The shared current collecting plate transfer assembly (such as four-axis robot) is responsible for grabbing current collecting plate from any feeding assembly, and places to the battery cell of another unit.The utility model is through the design of parallel alternate operation, when the battery cell of one unit is welded in welding station, another unit can be synchronized to carry out feeding preparation.This working mode greatly shortens production rhythm, reduces equipment idle time, significantly improves overall production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a cell current collector welding and feeding mechanism for the production of new energy cylindrical batteries. Background Technology

[0002] In the production and manufacturing process of new energy cylindrical batteries, the welding of the cell and the current collector is one of the key processes.

[0003] The conventional method for feeding and welding current collectors typically involves first transporting the battery cells to the welding station, and then feeding the current collectors for each individual cell. During the current collector feeding process, the current collectors need to be positioned or corrected, and then positioned and pressed together with the battery cells before welding is finally performed. Once the current collector for one pole of the battery cell is welded, the same welding process is then performed on the other pole.

[0004] This traditional operating method has significant shortcomings. First, the processes are performed sequentially; the cell positioning and clamping processes are not synchronized with the current collector loading. Second, the welding equipment is idle during the pre-welding loading and post-welding unloading processes. This discontinuous workflow results in a slow production cycle, low overall production efficiency, and difficulty in meeting the demands of large-scale production.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a cylindrical cell current collector welding and feeding mechanism to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problem of low production efficiency in the existing technology and to provide a brand-new dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical battery cell current collectors. This mechanism aims to achieve parallel operation of feeding and welding, thereby optimizing the production cycle and significantly improving production efficiency.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical battery cell current collectors, comprising at least two feeding units arranged parallel and spaced apart along the X-axis. Each feeding unit includes: a current collector feeding assembly having a linear module extending along the X-axis, with multiple current collector receiving assemblies disposed on the displacement end of the linear module; and a current collector distributing assembly having a distributing module arranged along the Z-axis and a distributing lever connected thereto, which is displaceable along the Z-axis. Extending along the Y-axis and having spaced-apart partitions corresponding to the multiple sets of collector tray receiving assemblies; a cell feeding assembly having a cell feeding module extending along the Y-axis and a cell and collector tray positioning fixture assembly connected thereto, which can be displaced along the Y-axis; and a collector tray transfer assembly shared by all the feeding units, the collector tray transfer assembly being used to grab the separated collector tray from any of the collector tray feeding assemblies and place it onto the cell held by any of the cell and collector tray positioning fixture assemblies.

[0008] Preferably, a feeder assembly has a hopper feeding cylinder and a hopper auxiliary slide rail extending along the X-axis, a hopper bottom plate slidably fitted on the cylinder and the slide rail, and multiple sets of feeder receiving assemblies are provided on the hopper bottom plate.

[0009] Preferably, the manifold transfer assembly includes a robot mounting base, a four-axis robot mounted on the robot mounting base, and a manifold transfer suction cup assembly mounted at the end of the four-axis robot.

[0010] Preferably, the manifold transfer suction cup assembly includes a cross-shaped suction cup mounting base and four sets of vacuum suction cups respectively connected to the four ends of the suction cup mounting base.

[0011] Preferably, the collecting plate material distribution assembly further includes a material dispensing position sensor bracket and a material dispensing position sensor mounted on the bracket; the material dispensing position sensor is used to detect whether the collecting plate is pushed out to the preset material picking position by the material dispensing lever.

[0012] Preferably, each of the collection tray receiving components includes a first hopper limiting post, a second hopper limiting post, and a central post disposed between the two; the stacked collection trays are sleeved on the central post, and the first and second hopper limiting posts are provided with grooves or bosses extending along the Z-axis for limiting the collection trays.

[0013] Preferably, the feeder assembly further includes a hopper positioning sensor for detecting whether the hopper bottom plate driven by the hopper feeding cylinder has moved to the preset material distribution station.

[0014] Preferably, the battery cell and current collector positioning fixture assembly is provided with a rotary motor that can rotate around the Y-axis so that after the welding of one pole of the battery cell is completed, the clamped battery cell is rotated 180 degrees so that the other pole faces upward.

[0015] Preferably, the battery cell and current collector positioning fixture assembly further includes a fixture base, a rotary motor extending along the Y-axis mounted on the fixture base; a clamping cylinder arranged perpendicular to the Y-axis mounted on the rotary motor; and battery cell clamping plate one and battery cell clamping plate two mounted on the clamping cylinder for clamping the battery cell.

[0016] Preferably, the displacement of the material distribution lever along the Z-axis is used to drive the separator fork to push out the lowermost collector plate of the collector plate receiving assembly.

[0017] Preferably, the displacement of the battery cell and current collector positioning fixture assembly along the Y-axis is used to transfer the fixture holding the battery cell between the loading position and the welding position.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: by setting up at least two parallel feeding units and a shared transfer component, while the battery cells in one feeding unit are being welded at the welding station, the other feeding unit can simultaneously perform the clamping of the battery cells and the preparation of the current collector. This design of parallel and alternating feeding and welding greatly shortens the production cycle of a single piece, effectively reduces the idle time of the welding equipment, and makes reasonable use of the production cycle, thereby significantly improving the overall production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments disclosed in this invention, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below. These drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a dual-station feeding mechanism for welding current collectors of cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the CIMC feed plate assembly.

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of CIMC's flow tray hopper assembly.

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the CIMC feeder assembly.

[0024] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the manifold transfer assembly in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the CIMC flow plate transfer suction cup assembly.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell feeding assembly in this utility model.

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the positioning fixture assembly for the battery cell and current collector.

[0028] In the diagram, the markings are: 100-Collector's tray feeding assembly, 110-Collector's tray hopper assembly, 111-Hoop base plate, 112-Hoop handle, 113-Hoop limit post one, 114-Hoop limit post two, 115-Collector's tray, 116-Center post, 120-Collector's tray dispensing assembly, 122-Dispensing module, 123-Dispensing lever, 124-Dispensing position sensor, 125-Dispensing position sensor bracket, 131-Hoop feeding cylinder, 132-Hoop auxiliary slide rail, 133- 200-Collector's tray transfer assembly, 210-Collector's tray transfer suction cup assembly, 211-Vacuum suction cup, 212-Suction cup mounting base, 220-Four-axis robot, 230-Robot mounting base, 300-Cell positioning and feeding assembly, 310-Cell and collector's tray positioning fixture assembly, 311-Jig base, 312-Rotary motor, 313-Clamping cylinder, 314-Cell clamping plate one, 315-Cell clamping plate two, 316-Cell, 400-Frame plate. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions (including preferred technical solutions) of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of listing some optional embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model provides a dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical battery cell current collectors, which is mounted on a frame plate 400. The core of this mechanism includes at least two feeding units, which in this embodiment are arranged parallel to each other along the X-axis, and a current collector transfer assembly 200 shared by all feeding units.

[0031] Each feeding unit consists of a collector plate feeding assembly 100 and a cell feeding assembly 300.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure of the feeder assembly 100 is described in detail below: The component includes a hopper assembly 110 and a distribution assembly 120.

[0033] The bottom of the hopper assembly 110 is equipped with a hopper feeding cylinder 131 and a hopper auxiliary slide rail 132, both extending along the X-axis. A hopper base plate 111 is slidably mounted on the hopper feeding cylinder 131 and the hopper auxiliary slide rail 132, and can be driven by the cylinder to reciprocate along the X-axis. Multiple sets of hopper receiving assemblies are vertically arranged on the hopper base plate 111. Each set of receiving assemblies consists of a hopper limiting post 113, a hopper limiting post 214, and a central post 116 located between them. The stacked hoppers 115 have holes fitted onto the central post 116, and their outer edges are defined by grooves or bosses on the hopper limiting post 113 and the hopper limiting post 214, thus being stably contained.

[0034] The material distribution assembly 120 is positioned below the moving path of the hopper assembly 110. It includes a material distribution module 122 arranged vertically along the Z-axis, with a material distribution lever 123 connected to the module 122, capable of vertical displacement along the Z-axis. The lever 123 extends along the Y-axis and has spaced partitions corresponding to the multiple sets of material distribution assemblies within the hopper. When the hopper is in position, the lever 123 rises, and the partitions push the bottommost material distribution plate 115 to the preset material picking position.

[0035] To ensure the reliability of the operation, the component is also equipped with two sensors: a hopper position sensor 133, which is used to detect whether the hopper bottom plate 111 has been moved to the material distribution station; and a material distribution position sensor 124 mounted on the material distribution position sensor bracket 125, which is used to confirm whether the collection plate 115 has been successfully pushed out to the material picking position.

[0036] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The structure of the cell feeding assembly 300 is described in detail below: The component includes a cell feeding module 320 extending along the Y-axis, and a cell and collector positioning fixture assembly 310 that can be driven by the module and displaced along the Y-axis.

[0037] The cell and current collector positioning fixture assembly 310 is the core for clamping and flipping the cell. It includes a fixture base 311. A rotary motor 312, extending along the Y-axis, is mounted on the fixture base 311. A clamping cylinder 313, arranged perpendicular to the Y-axis, is mounted on the output end of the rotary motor 312. A pair of cell clamping plates 314 and 315 are mounted on the clamping cylinder 313, which can clamp or release a cell 316 by the action of the cylinder. The fixture assembly 310 can be driven by the cell feeding module 320 to move the cell between the loading position and the welding position. Simultaneously, when needed, the rotary motor 312 can rotate 180 degrees around the Y-axis to flip the cell 316, thereby loading and welding the other electrode of the cell.

[0038] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structure of the shared manifold transfer assembly 200 is described in detail below: This component serves as the central hub connecting the various feeding units. It includes a robot mounting base 230, a four-axis robot 220 mounted thereon, and a manifold transfer suction cup assembly 210 mounted at the robot's end. The suction cup assembly 210 consists of a cross-shaped suction cup mounting base 212 and four sets of vacuum suction cups 211 respectively connected to the four ends of the mounting base, which can efficiently and stably grip and release the manifold 115 through negative pressure.

[0039] The workflow of this utility model is as follows: 1. Preparation stage: The operator loads the stacked collector trays 115 into the collector tray hopper assemblies 110 of the two feeding units, and places the battery cells 316 into the two battery cell positioning fixture assemblies 310. The clamping cylinder 313 drives the battery cell clamping plate one 314 and the battery cell clamping plate two 315 to clamp them.

[0040] 2. Loading at Station A: The feeding cylinder 131 of the hopper in loading unit A is activated, pushing the hopper bottom plate 111 to the material distribution position, which is confirmed by the hopper position sensor 133. Subsequently, the material distribution module 122 drives the material distribution lever 123 to rise, pushing the bottommost collector plate 115 to the material picking position, which is confirmed by the material distribution position sensor 124.

[0041] 3. Transfer and Placement: The shared four-axis robot 220 moves, and its suction cup assembly 210 picks up the collector plate 115 from the picking position of the feeding unit A, and then accurately places it on the top of the battery cell 316 held by the battery cell positioning fixture assembly A.

[0042] 4. Welding and Parallel Feeding: After feeding is completed, the cell feeding module A drives the positioning fixture A to move along the Y-axis to the welding station for welding. At the same time, the feeding unit B repeats the operation in step 2 to prepare for the separation of the collector plate.

[0043] 5. Alternating Cycle: When welding at station A is completed and fixture A returns to the loading position, the four-axis robot 220 can retrieve material from loading unit B and load it onto fixture B. Fixture B is then sent to the welding station. Meanwhile, the rotary motor 312 on fixture A can rotate 180 degrees around the Y-axis to prepare for loading the other pole of the battery cell.

[0044] The dual-station feeder assembly of this utility model has one station for backup and one for use. The robot first takes the feeder from station A, then takes the feeder from station B, while the manual replenishes the feeder from station A, so as to achieve non-stop operation.

[0045] The battery cell and current collector positioning fixture of this utility model has three working positions. First, the battery cell is manually discharged at the outer manual discharge position, then transported to the current collector on the robot in the middle, then transported to the welding position for welding, then returned to the other current collector in the middle, and then transported to the welding position for welding. After welding on both sides is completed, the battery cell is returned to the outer manual position for removal, and so on.

[0046] Through the coordinated and alternating operation of the two feeding units and a shared transfer component, the welding process and the feeding process are seamlessly connected and processed in parallel, thereby achieving the purpose of this utility model to improve production efficiency.

[0047] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, combinations, substitutions, improvements, etc., made under the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-station feeding mechanism for welding current collectors of cylindrical battery cells, characterized in that, include: At least two feeding units arranged parallel to each other along the X-axis, wherein each feeding unit includes: A manifold feeding assembly having a linear module extending along the X-axis, wherein multiple manifold receiving assemblies are provided on the displacement end of the linear module; A feed distribution assembly has a feed distribution module (122) arranged along the Z-axis and a feed distribution lever (123) connected thereto that can be displaced along the Z-axis. The feed distribution lever extends along the Y-axis and has spaced partitions that correspond one-to-one with the multiple sets of feed distribution assemblies. A cell feeding assembly having a cell feeding module (320) extending along the Y-axis and a cell and collector positioning fixture assembly (310) connected thereto and displaceable along the Y-axis. And a collector plate transfer assembly (200) shared by all the feeding units, the collector plate transfer assembly (200) being used to grab the separated collector plate from any of the collector plate feeding assemblies and place it onto the battery cell held by any of the battery cell and collector plate positioning fixture assemblies (310).

2. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The manifold transfer assembly (200) includes a robot mounting base (230), a four-axis robot (220) mounted on the robot mounting base (230), and a manifold transfer suction cup assembly (210) mounted at the end of the four-axis robot (220).

3. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 2, characterized in that, The manifold transfer suction cup assembly (210) includes a cross-shaped suction cup mounting base (212) and four sets of vacuum suction cups (211) respectively connected to the four ends of the suction cup mounting base (212).

4. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collecting plate material distribution assembly also includes a material dispensing position sensor bracket (125) and a material dispensing position sensor (124) mounted on the bracket; the material dispensing position sensor (124) is used to detect whether the collecting plate is pushed out to the preset material picking position by the material dispensing lever (123).

5. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned collection tray receiving components includes a first hopper limiting post (113), a second hopper limiting post (114), and a central post (116) disposed between the two; the stacked collection trays (115) are sleeved on the central post (116), and the first hopper limiting post (113) and the second hopper limiting post (114) are provided with grooves or bosses extending along the Z-axis for limiting the collection trays (115).

6. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed assembly includes a hopper feeding cylinder (131) and a hopper auxiliary slide rail (132). A hopper bottom plate (111) is slidably fitted on the cylinder and the slide rail. The hopper bottom plate is equipped with a hopper position sensor (133) to detect whether the hopper bottom plate (111) driven by the hopper feeding cylinder (131) has moved to the preset material distribution position.

7. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, A rotary motor (312) is provided on the battery cell and current collector positioning fixture assembly (310). The rotary motor can rotate around the Y-axis so that after the welding of one pole of the battery cell is completed, the clamped battery cell (316) is rotated 180 degrees so that the other pole faces upward.

8. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cell and collector positioning fixture assembly (310) further includes a fixture base (311), a rotary motor (312) extending along the Y-axis is mounted on the fixture base (311); a clamping cylinder (313) arranged perpendicular to the Y-axis is mounted on the rotary motor (312); and a cell clamping plate one (314) and a cell clamping plate two (315) are mounted on the clamping cylinder (313) for clamping the cell (316).

9. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical battery cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The displacement of the material distribution lever (123) along the Z-axis is used to drive the dividing fork to push out the lowermost collection plate of the collection plate receiving assembly.

10. The dual-station feeding mechanism for welding cylindrical cell current collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The displacement of the battery cell and current collector positioning fixture assembly (310) along the Y-axis is used to transfer the fixture holding the battery cell between the loading position and the welding position.

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