Battery cell thickness measuring mechanism

Abstract

This application relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and more particularly to a cell thickness measurement mechanism. The cell thickness measurement mechanism includes a mounting frame, and a substrate, a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a clamping plate driving assembly disposed on the mounting frame. The first and second clamping plates are slidably mounted on the mounting frame. The substrate has a first pressing plane, the first clamping plate has a second pressing plane, and the second clamping plate has a third pressing plane. The second and third pressing planes are parallel to and opposite to a first and a second region of the first pressing plane, respectively. The clamping plate driving assembly includes a first power output end, a second power output end, and a third power output end. The first and second power output ends are respectively used to push the first and second clamping plates towards the substrate, and the third power output end is used to simultaneously push the first and second clamping plates towards the substrate. This mechanism enables compatible measurement of a large-size cell and two small-size cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a cell thickness measuring mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Before stacking multiple battery cells into a battery cell module, the thickness of each cell needs to be measured to determine if it meets the required standards. If the thickness of a cell exceeds the specified range, it needs to be discarded to prevent it from affecting the quality of the battery cell module.

[0003] Existing cell thickness measurement methods involve clamping the cell between two parallel clamping plates at the thickness measurement station, and using a sensor to detect the distance between the two clamping plates, which is then used to determine the cell's thickness. However, when two small cells are delivered to the thickness measurement station, using the conventional method of clamping both cells simultaneously may result in the thinner cell being left unclamped, leading to inaccurate thickness measurements. Furthermore, while using two sets of clamping plates to clamp each small cell allows for the measurement of both small cells, when a single large cell is delivered, using two sets of clamping plates to clamp the large cell may result in two different distance measurements, making it impossible to accurately measure the thickness of the large cell.

[0004] Therefore, conventional cell thickness measurement methods cannot adequately accommodate the measurement of a large-size cell and two small-size cells. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a cell thickness measurement mechanism to solve the technical problem that the existing technology cannot achieve compatible measurement of a large-size cell and two small-size cells.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: The cell thickness measuring mechanism includes a mounting frame, and a substrate, a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a clamping plate driving assembly disposed on the mounting frame, wherein: The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are slidably mounted on the mounting frame along the first horizontal direction. The substrate has a first extrusion plane, the first clamping plate has a second extrusion plane, and the second clamping plate has a third extrusion plane. The first extrusion plane includes a first region and a second region. The second extrusion plane and the third extrusion plane are parallel to and opposite to the first region and the second region, respectively. Each extrusion plane is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The clamping plate driving assembly includes a first power output end, a second power output end, and a third power output end. The first power output end is used to push the first clamping plate to move toward the substrate, the second power output end is used to push the second clamping plate to move toward the substrate, and the third power output end is used to simultaneously push the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate to move toward the substrate.

[0007] This cell thickness measurement mechanism uses two clamping plates to measure the thickness of two small-sized cells separately. When measuring a single cell, a third power output terminal allows the two clamping plates to simultaneously approach the substrate, ensuring that the second pressing plane of the first clamping plate and the third pressing plane of the second clamping plate are coplanar, thus enabling accurate measurement of the cell thickness. By employing this technical solution, the cell thickness measurement mechanism achieves compatible measurement of both a large-sized cell and two small-sized cells.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are sequentially distributed along a second direction, and the clamping plate driving assembly includes a first driving source, a second driving source, and a third driving source, wherein: The first drive source is slidably disposed on the mounting bracket along the second direction, and the third drive source is configured to drive the first drive source to slide relative to the mounting bracket along the second direction to a first position and a second position. When the first drive source is in the first position, the power output terminal of the first drive source is the first power output terminal; when the first drive source is in the second position, the power output terminal of the first drive source is the third power output terminal. The power output end of the second drive source is the second power output end.

[0009] In the above embodiments, the third drive source is used to change the position of the first drive source relative to the mounting bracket, thereby changing the function undertaken by the power output end of the first drive source, so that the power output end of the first drive source can act as both the first power output end and the third power output end.

[0010] In some embodiments, the clamping plate driving assembly further includes a pressure plate and a sliding plate, the pressure plate being located on the side of the first clamping plate away from the substrate, and the sliding plate being slidably disposed on the mounting bracket along a second direction; The pressure plate is slidably connected to the first side of the sliding plate along the first horizontal direction. The first driving source is a piston cylinder with a piston rod that extends and retracts along the first horizontal direction and is located on the second side of the sliding plate. The piston rod of the first driving source passes through the sliding plate and is positioned towards the pressure plate. The third driving source is a piston cylinder with a piston rod that extends and retracts in the second direction, and the power output end of the third driving source is connected to the sliding plate. When the first driving source is in the first position, the first driving source can drive the pressure plate to push the first clamping plate towards the substrate; when the first driving source is in the second position, the first driving source can drive the pressure plate to simultaneously push the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate towards the substrate. The second direction is parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0011] In the above structure, the sliding plate provides a mounting carrier for the first drive source and the pressure plate, allowing the first drive source and the pressure plate to slide on the mounting bracket along the second direction; the pressure plate and the piston rod of the first drive source are not directly connected, which facilitates the arrangement of a pressure sensor between the pressure plate and the piston rod of the first drive source.

[0012] In some embodiments, the clamping plate drive assembly further includes a first pressure bearing member and a first pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure bearing member is disposed opposite to the power output end of the first drive source, and the first pressure sensor is disposed between the pressure plate and the first pressure bearing member.

[0013] The first pressure sensor can detect the pressure value applied to the pressure plate by the first driving source in real time, thereby providing data support for stopping the application of pressure by the first driving source and avoiding damage to the battery cell.

[0014] In some embodiments, the clamping plate drive assembly further includes a second pressure bearing member and a second pressure sensor, the second pressure bearing member being disposed opposite to the power output end of the second drive source, and the second pressure sensor being disposed between the second clamping plate and the second pressure bearing member.

[0015] The second pressure sensor can detect the pressure applied to the second clamping plate by the second drive source in real time, thereby providing data support for stopping the pressure application of the second drive source and avoiding damage to the battery cell.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are sequentially distributed along a second direction, and the clamping plate driving assembly includes a first driving source, a second driving source, and a third driving source fixed on the mounting bracket, wherein: The power output ends of the first drive source, the third drive source, and the second drive source are distributed sequentially along the second direction. The power output end of the first drive source is the first power output end, and the power output end of the first drive source is directly facing the center of the first clamping plate; The power output end of the second drive source is the second power output end, and the power output end of the second drive source is directly facing the center of the second clamping plate; The power output end of the third drive source is the third power output end, which is directly opposite the gap between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

[0017] In the above embodiments, the third driving source is used to provide a third power output terminal. Using the above technical solution, the working principle of the cell thickness measurement mechanism is as follows: When measuring the thickness of two small-sized cells, the first and second driving sources operate, while the third driving source does not operate. The first and second driving sources respectively push the first and second clamping plates closer to the substrate. When measuring the thickness of a large-sized cell, the third driving source operates, while the first and second driving sources do not operate. The third driving source simultaneously pushes the first and second clamping plates closer to the substrate. Therefore, this cell thickness measurement mechanism can also achieve compatible measurement of both a large-sized cell and two small-sized cells.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of first elastic guide members, each of which has its two ends connected to the mounting frame and the first clamping plate along the first horizontal direction, and each first elastic guide member is capable of telescoping and deforming in the first horizontal direction. When the first elastic guide member is not subjected to external force, it is in a contracted state. Using the above technical solution, when the first elastic guide member is not subjected to external force, the first clamping plate is located away from the mounting frame.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of second elastic guide members, each of which has its two ends connected to the mounting frame and the second clamping plate along the first horizontal direction, and each second elastic guide member is capable of telescoping and deforming in the first horizontal direction. When the second elastic guide member is not subjected to external force, it is in a contracted state. Using the above technical solution, when the second elastic guide member is not subjected to external force, the second clamping plate is located away from the mounting frame.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of third elastic guides, each of which has its two ends connected to the mounting frame and the substrate respectively along the first horizontal direction, and each third elastic guide is capable of telescoping and deforming in the first horizontal direction. When the third elastic guide is not subjected to external force, it is in a contracted state. Using the above technical solution, when the third elastic guide is not subjected to external force, the substrate is located away from the mounting frame.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first elastic guide includes a fixing block, a guide rod, a guide sleeve, and a spring. The fixing block is fixed to the first clamping plate, the guide sleeve is fixed to the mounting bracket, the first end of the guide rod is fixed to the fixing block, the second end of the guide rod passes through the guide sleeve and through the mounting bracket, the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, the first end of the spring is fixed to the fixing block, the second end of the spring is fixed inside the guide sleeve, and the spring is in a contracted state when it is not subjected to external force. The first, second, and third elastic guide members have the same structure.

[0022] In the above structure, the guide rod can both limit the movement trajectory of the first clamping plate relative to the mounting bracket and limit the installation position of the spring; while the spring can provide elastic force to drive the first clamping plate away from the mounting bracket. By adopting the above technical solution, each elastic guide component has both guiding and elastic force providing functions.

[0023] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of first guide rods. A first guide hole is provided on the mounting frame corresponding to the position of each first guide rod. One end of each first guide rod is fixed to a first clamping plate, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding first guide hole. The first guide rods are provided to further limit the movement trajectory of the first clamping plate relative to the mounting frame.

[0024] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of second guide rods. A second guide hole is provided on the mounting bracket corresponding to the position of each second guide rod. One end of each second guide rod is fixed to a second clamping plate, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding second guide hole. The second guide rods are provided to further limit the movement trajectory of the second clamping plate relative to the mounting bracket.

[0025] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of third guide rods. A third guide hole is provided on the mounting bracket corresponding to the position of each third guide rod. One end of each third guide rod is fixed to the substrate, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding third guide hole. The third guide rods are provided to further limit the movement trajectory of the substrate relative to the mounting bracket.

[0026] In some embodiments, the substrate is slidably mounted on the mounting frame along a first horizontal direction; the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a substrate driving assembly disposed on the mounting frame, the substrate driving assembly being configured to drive the substrate close to the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

[0027] Using the above technical solution, the substrate can approach the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate under the drive of the substrate driving component, so that the substrate and the first and second clamping plates apply pressure to the cell from both sides at the same time.

[0028] In some embodiments, the substrate driving assembly includes a wedge, a fourth driving source, and a roller, wherein: The wedge is slidably disposed on the mounting frame in the vertical direction. The wedge is located on the side of the substrate away from the first extrusion plane. The wedge has a driving ramp at an acute angle to the vertical direction. The fourth driving source is configured to drive the wedge to slide in the vertical direction on the mounting frame. The roller is positioned in the center of the side of the substrate facing the wedge, and the outer surface of the roller abuts against the driving inclined surface of the wedge.

[0029] In the above structure, the purpose of setting the wedge is to convert the vertical driving force output by the fourth driving source into a driving force in the first horizontal direction and transmit the driving force to the substrate; the purpose of setting the roller is to reduce the frictional resistance between the wedge and the substrate and avoid the substrate from getting stuck. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the thickness measurement of a large-size battery cell using existing technology that employs two sets of clamping plates. Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cell thickness measuring mechanism provided in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the substrate and two clamping plates provided in Embodiment 1 of this application when measuring two small-sized battery cells; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the substrate and two clamping plates provided in Embodiment 1 of this application when testing a large-size battery cell; Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second mounting plate, the first clamping plate, the second clamping plate, the first driving assembly, and related connecting components provided in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 6 A top view of the second mounting plate, first clamping plate, second clamping plate, first drive assembly, and related connecting components provided in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 7 A top view of the second mounting plate, the first clamping plate, and related connecting components provided in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 8 A top view of the assembly structure of the first mounting plate and the substrate provided in Embodiment 1 of this application; Figure 9 for Figure 8 Sectional view at point AA; Figure 10 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the decomposition process; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the substrate and two clamping plates provided in Embodiment 2 of this application when measuring two small-sized battery cells; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the substrate and two clamping plates provided in Embodiment 2 of this application when testing a large-size battery cell.

[0032] icon: 1-Mounting bracket; 11-First mounting plate; 12-Second mounting plate; 13-Connecting plate; 2-Substrate; 3-First clamping plate; 4-Second clamping plate; 5-Clamping plate drive assembly; 51-First drive source; 52-Second drive source; 53-Third drive source; 54-Pressure plate; 55-First pressure bearing component; 56-First pressure sensor; 57-Second pressure bearing component; 58-Second pressure sensor; 59-Sliding plate; 520-First guide structure; 61-First elastic guide; 62-Second elastic guide; 63-Third elastic guide; 64-Fourth elastic guide; 71 First guide rod; 72 Second guide rod; 73 Third guide rod; 81-First ranging sensor; 82-Second ranging sensor; 83-First reference block; 84-Second reference block; 9-Baseboard driving assembly; 91-Wedge block; 92-Fourth driving source; 93-Roller; 94-Second guide structure; 100-cell. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] It should be noted that in the description of this application, the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "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 application 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 application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, the terms "connection" and "installation" 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 direct connection or a connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] Example 1 Existing methods for measuring battery cell thickness involve clamping the cell between two parallel clamping plates at a thickness measurement station, and using a sensor to detect the distance between the two plates; this distance represents the cell's thickness. This method is suitable for measuring a single battery cell, but not for measuring two cells. Figure 1 As shown, if two sets of clamps are used ( Figure 1 The method of simultaneously measuring the thickness of two small battery cells by clamping two corresponding clamping plates (one on the top and one on the bottom) is effective. However, when measuring a single cell, it's impossible to ensure that the sides of the clamping plates facing the cell are coplanar, thus hindering accurate measurement of the thickness of the larger cell. This discrepancy becomes even more pronounced when the larger cell has bulges.

[0037] To address the technical problem that existing cell thickness measurement methods cannot achieve compatible measurement of a large-size cell and two small-size cells, this application provides a cell thickness measurement mechanism, referring to... Figures 2 to 4 The cell thickness measuring mechanism includes a mounting frame 1, and a substrate 2, a first clamping plate 3, a second clamping plate 4, and a clamping plate driving assembly 5 disposed on the mounting frame 1, wherein: The first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 are slidably mounted on the mounting frame 1 along the first horizontal direction. The substrate 2 has a first extrusion plane, the first clamping plate 3 has a second extrusion plane, and the second clamping plate 4 has a third extrusion plane. The first extrusion plane includes a first region and a second region. The second extrusion plane and the third extrusion plane are parallel to and opposite to the first region and the second region, respectively. Each extrusion plane is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The clamping plate driving assembly 5 includes a first power output end, a second power output end and a third power output end. The first power output end is used to push the first clamping plate 3 to move toward the substrate 2, the second power output end is used to push the second clamping plate 4 to move toward the substrate 2, and the third power output end is used to simultaneously push the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 to move toward the substrate 2.

[0038] Reference Figure 3The process of the cell thickness measuring mechanism measuring the thickness of two cells 100 simultaneously is as follows: First, the two cells 100 are placed in the gap between the substrate 2 and the first clamping plate 3 and the gap between the substrate 2 and the second clamping plate 4, respectively. At this time, one cell is located between the first region of the first extrusion plane and the second extrusion plane, and the other cell is located between the second region of the first extrusion plane and the third extrusion plane. Next, the control system controls the first power output end of the clamping plate driving assembly 5 to push the first clamping plate 3 towards the substrate 2. At the same time, the control system controls the second power output end of the clamping plate driving assembly 5 to push the second clamping plate 4 towards the substrate 2. When the substrate 2 and the first clamping plate 3 clamp the cell 100 located between them from both sides, and the substrate 2 and the second clamping plate 4 clamp the cell 100 located between them from both sides, the thickness of the two cells 100 can be measured by detecting the gap between the substrate 2 and the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4, respectively.

[0039] Reference Figure 4 The process of measuring the thickness of a battery cell by the battery cell thickness measuring mechanism is as follows: First, the battery cell 100 is placed in the gap between the substrate 2 and the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4; then, the control system controls the third power output end of the clamping plate driving assembly 5 to simultaneously push the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 toward the substrate 2. At this time, the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 can be regarded as a clamping plate; when the substrate 2 and the first and second clamping plates clamp the battery cell 100 from both sides, the thickness of the battery cell 100 can be measured by detecting the gap between the substrate 2 and the first and second clamping plates.

[0040] The cell thickness measuring mechanism provided in this application can measure the thickness of two small-sized cells 100 separately by setting two clamping plates. When measuring a single cell 100, a third power output end allows the two clamping plates to synchronously approach the substrate 2, thereby ensuring that the second pressing plane of the first clamping plate 3 and the third pressing plane of the second clamping plate 4 are coplanar, thus enabling accurate measurement of the cell 100 thickness. Due to the above technical solution, this cell thickness measuring mechanism achieves compatible measurement of both a large-sized cell 100 and two small-sized cells 100.

[0041] Furthermore, the cell thickness measurement mechanism also includes a first ranging sensor 81, a second ranging sensor 82, a first reference block 83, and a second reference block 84. One of the first ranging sensor 81 and the first reference block 83 is fixedly mounted on the substrate 2, while the other is fixedly mounted on the first clamping plate 3, with the detection end of the first ranging sensor 81 facing the first reference block 83. Similarly, one of the second ranging sensor 82 and the second reference block 84 is fixedly mounted on the substrate 2, while the other is fixedly mounted on the second clamping plate 4, with the detection end of the second ranging sensor 82 facing the second reference block 84. In this embodiment, both ranging sensors are fixedly mounted on the substrate 2, and the two reference blocks are fixedly mounted on the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4, respectively. Through the two sets of matching ranging sensors and reference blocks, the distance between the substrate 2 and the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 can be automatically detected.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the mounting frame 1 has a U-shaped structure and includes a first mounting plate 11, a second mounting plate 12, and a connecting plate 13 connecting the lower ends of the first mounting plate 11 and the second mounting plate 12. The substrate 2 is mounted on the first mounting plate 11, and the first clamping plate 3, the second clamping plate 4, and the clamping plate driving assembly 5 are all mounted on the second mounting plate 12. The substrate 2, the first clamping plate 3, and the second clamping plate 4 are located within the gap between the first mounting plate 11 and the second mounting plate 12.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 are sequentially distributed along a second direction, and the clamping plate driving assembly 5 includes a first driving source 51, a second driving source 52, and a third driving source 53, wherein: The first drive source 51 is slidably disposed on the mounting bracket 1 along the second direction, and the third drive source 53 is configured to drive the first drive source 51 to slide relative to the mounting bracket 1 along the second direction to a first position and a second position. When the first drive source 51 is in the first position, the power output end of the first drive source 51 is the first power output end; when the first drive source 51 is in the second position, the power output end of the first drive source 51 is the third power output end. The power output end of the second drive source 52 is the second power output end.

[0044] In this embodiment, the second direction simply needs to be parallel to the first extrusion plane. In this embodiment, the second direction is parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. In other embodiments, the second direction can also be a vertical direction, or another direction parallel to the first extrusion plane and inclined to the horizontal plane.

[0045] In this embodiment, the third drive source 53 is used to change the position of the first drive source 51 relative to the mounting bracket 1, thereby changing the function of the power output end of the first drive source 51, so that the power output end of the first drive source 51 can act as both the first power output end and the third power output end.

[0046] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 5 The clamping plate driving assembly 5 also includes a pressure plate 54 and a sliding plate 59. The pressure plate 54 is located on the side of the first clamping plate 3 away from the substrate 2, and the sliding plate 59 is slidably disposed on the mounting frame 1 along the second direction. The pressure plate 54 is slidably connected to the first side of the sliding plate 59 along the first horizontal direction. The first driving source 51 is a piston cylinder with a piston rod that extends and retracts along the first horizontal direction and is disposed on the second side of the sliding plate 59. The piston rod of the first driving source 51 passes through the sliding plate 59 and is disposed toward the pressure plate 54. The third drive source 53 is a piston cylinder with a piston rod that extends and retracts in the second direction, and the power output end of the third drive source 53 is connected to the sliding plate 59. When the first driving source 51 is in the first position, the first driving source 51 can drive the pressure plate 54 to push the first clamping plate 3 toward the substrate 2; when the first driving source 51 is in the second position, the first driving source 51 can drive the pressure plate 54 to push the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 toward the substrate 2 at the same time. The second direction is parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0047] In this embodiment, the clamping plate drive assembly 5 also includes several fixing rods (specifically two). One end of each fixing rod is fixed to the cylinder of the first drive source 51, while the other end passes through the second mounting plate 12 and is fixed to the second side of the sliding plate 59, thus realizing the installation and fixation of the first drive source 51 and the sliding plate 59.

[0048] The purpose of setting up the sliding plate 59 is twofold: firstly, to provide a mounting carrier for the first drive source 51 and the pressure plate 54, so that the two can be slidably mounted on the mounting bracket 1 along the second direction; secondly, compared with the technical solution of directly fixing the pressure plate 54 to the piston rod end of the first drive source 51, in this embodiment the pressure plate 54 is mounted on the sliding plate 59 and has no direct connection with the piston rod of the first drive source 51, which facilitates the arrangement of a pressure sensor between the pressure plate 54 and the piston rod of the first drive source 51.

[0049] In some other embodiments, the pressure plate 54 may also be directly fixed to the end of the piston rod of the first drive source 51.

[0050] Optionally, the piston cylinder described in this application can be any one of a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder. In some other embodiments, the driving source can also be a motor, and the motor achieves the purpose of driving the clamping plate to move linearly through a linear transmission structure such as a ball screw.

[0051] In some embodiments, to limit the movement trajectory of the first driving source 51, the clamp driving assembly 5 further includes a first guide structure 520, which can be a guide rail slider type guide structure or a guide groove slider type guide structure. In this embodiment, the first guide structure 520 includes a first guide rail and a first slider, wherein the first guide rail extends along a second direction and is fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket 1 (specifically on the second mounting plate 12), and the first slider is slidably disposed on the first guide rail and fixedly mounted on the second side of the sliding plate 59.

[0052] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The clamping plate drive assembly 5 also includes a first pressure bearing member 55 and a first pressure sensor 56. The first pressure bearing member 55 is disposed opposite to the power output end of the first drive source 51, and the first pressure sensor 56 is disposed between the pressure plate 54 and the first pressure bearing member 55.

[0053] In some embodiments, the clamping plate drive assembly 5 further includes a second pressure bearing member 57 and a second pressure sensor 58. The second pressure bearing member 57 is disposed opposite to the power output end of the second drive source 52, and the second pressure sensor 58 is disposed between the second clamping plate 4 and the second pressure bearing member 57.

[0054] In this embodiment, the clamping plate drive assembly 5 includes a first pressure bearing member 55, a first pressure sensor 56, a second pressure bearing member 57, and a second pressure sensor 58. The first pressure sensor 56 and the first pressure bearing member 55 are both fixed on the side of the pressure plate 54 facing the first driving source 51. One end of the first pressure bearing member 55 is directly opposite the force-bearing area of ​​the first pressure sensor 56, and the other end is directly opposite the power output end of the first driving source 51 (i.e., the piston rod end of the first driving source 51). The second pressure bearing member 57 and the second pressure sensor 58 are both fixed on the side of the second clamping plate 4 facing the second driving source 52. One end of the second pressure bearing member 57 is directly opposite the force-bearing area of ​​the second pressure sensor 58, and the other end is directly opposite the power output end of the second driving source 52 (i.e., the piston rod end of the second driving source 52).

[0055] Using the above technical solution, when the power output end of the first drive source 51 extends, the first drive source 51 transmits power to the first clamping plate 3 or simultaneously to the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 through the first pressure bearing member 55, the first pressure sensor 56, and the pressure plate 54. The first pressure sensor 56 can detect the pressure value applied by the first drive source 51 to the pressure plate 54 in real time, thereby providing data support for stopping the pressure application of the first drive source 51 and avoiding damage to the battery cell 100. Similarly, when the power output end of the second drive source 52 extends, the second drive source 52 transmits power to the second clamping plate 4 through the first pressure bearing member 55 and the second pressure sensor 58 in real time. The second pressure sensor 58 can detect the pressure value applied by the second drive source 52 to the second clamping plate 4 in real time, thereby providing data support for stopping the pressure application of the second drive source 52.

[0056] Continue to refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of first elastic guide members 61. Each first elastic guide member 61 has its two ends connected to the mounting frame 1 and the first clamping plate 3 along the first horizontal direction, respectively. Each first elastic guide member 61 is capable of telescoping and deforming in the first horizontal direction, and is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. Using the above technical solution, when the first elastic guide member 61 is not subjected to external force, the first clamping plate 3 is located away from the mounting frame 1.

[0057] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of second elastic guide members 62. Each second elastic guide member 62 has its two ends connected to the mounting frame 1 and the second clamping plate 4 respectively along the first horizontal direction. Each second elastic guide member 62 is capable of telescoping and expanding in the first horizontal direction, and is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. Using the above technical solution, when the second elastic guide member 62 is not subjected to external force, the second clamping plate 4 is located away from the mounting frame 1.

[0058] Reference Figure 8 In some embodiments, the substrate 2 is slidably mounted on the mounting frame 1 along a first horizontal direction; the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of third elastic guide members 63, each of which has its two ends along the first horizontal direction connected to the mounting frame 1 and the substrate 2 respectively, and each third elastic guide member 63 is capable of stretching and deforming in the first horizontal direction, and is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. Using the above technical solution, when the third elastic guide member 63 is not subjected to external force, the substrate 2 is located away from the mounting frame 1.

[0059] The functions of the various elastic guides described above are similar. Taking the second elastic guide 62 as an example, the functions of the second elastic guide 62 are: first, to restrict the movement trajectory of the second clamping plate 4 relative to the mounting bracket 1 in the first horizontal direction; second, when the second clamping plate 4 is not pushed by the second driving source 52, the second elastic guide 62 can provide elastic force to make the second clamping plate 4 clamp the substrate 2 and limit the battery cell 100; third, the second elastic guide 62 can provide elastic force to move the second clamping plate 4 away from the second driving source 52, so as to prevent the second pressure sensor 58 from being under stress for a long time.

[0060] Reference Figure 7 In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of fourth elastic guide members 64. Each fourth elastic guide member 64 passes through the sliding plate 59 and the second mounting plate 12, and its two ends along the first horizontal direction are respectively connected to the main body of the first driving source 51 and the pressure plate 54. Each fourth elastic guide member 64 can extend and retract in the first horizontal direction, and is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. Using the above technical solution, when the fourth elastic guide member 64 is not subjected to external force, the pressure plate 54 is located away from the sliding plate 59.

[0061] The function of the fourth elastic guide 64 is as follows: firstly, to limit the movement trajectory of the pressure plate 54 relative to the first drive source 51 and the sliding plate 59 in the first horizontal direction; secondly, after the piston rod of the first drive source 51 retracts, the fourth elastic guide 64 can provide elastic force to separate the piston rod of the first drive source 51 from the first pressure bearing member 55, thereby preventing the first pressure sensor 56 from being under stress for a long time.

[0062] In one specific embodiment, the cell thickness measuring mechanism may include one, any two, any three, or all of the following: a first elastic guide 61, a second elastic guide 62, a third elastic guide 63, and a fourth elastic guide 64. In this embodiment, the cell thickness measuring mechanism includes four first elastic guides 61, four second elastic guides 62, four third elastic guides 63, and two fourth elastic guides 64. The four first elastic guides 61 are rectangularly distributed in the four corner areas of the first clamping plate 3, the four second elastic guides 62 are rectangularly distributed in the four corner areas of the second clamping plate 4, the four third elastic guides 63 are rectangularly distributed in the four corner areas of the substrate 2, and the two fourth elastic guides 64 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the first pressure sensor 56.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first elastic guide 61, the second elastic guide 62, the third elastic guide 63, and the fourth elastic guide 64 have the same structure. Taking the first elastic guide 61 as an example, the structure of the first elastic guide 61 is as follows: the first elastic guide 61 includes a fixing block, a guide rod, a guide sleeve, and a spring. The fixing block is fixed on the first clamping plate 3, the guide sleeve is fixed on the mounting frame 1, the first end of the guide rod is fixed on the fixing block, the second end of the guide rod passes through the guide sleeve and through the mounting frame 1, the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, the first end of the spring is fixed on the fixing block, and the second end of the spring is fixed inside the guide sleeve. The spring is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. In the above structure, the guide rod can both limit the movement trajectory of the first clamping plate 3 relative to the mounting frame 1 and limit the installation position of the spring; while the spring can provide elastic force to drive the first clamping plate 3 away from the mounting frame 1 (specifically the second mounting plate 12). By adopting the above technical solution, each elastic guide has both guiding and elastic force functions.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of first guide rods 71. A first guide hole is provided on the mounting frame 1 corresponding to the position of each first guide rod 71. One end of each first guide rod 71 is fixed to the first clamping plate 3, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding first guide hole. The first guide rods 71 ​​are provided to further limit the movement trajectory of the first clamping plate 3 relative to the mounting frame 1.

[0065] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of second guide rods 72. A second guide hole is provided on the mounting frame 1 corresponding to the position of each second guide rod 72. One end of each second guide rod 72 is fixed to the second clamping plate 4, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding second guide hole. The second guide rods 72 are provided to further limit the movement trajectory of the second clamping plate 4 relative to the mounting frame 1.

[0066] In some embodiments, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of third guide rods 73. A third guide hole is provided on the mounting frame 1 corresponding to the position of each third guide rod 73. One end of each third guide rod 73 is fixed to the substrate 2, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding third guide hole. The third guide rods 73 are provided to further limit the movement trajectory of the substrate 2 relative to the mounting frame 1.

[0067] In one specific embodiment, the cell thickness measuring mechanism may include one, any two, or all of the first guide rod 71, the second guide rod 72, and the third guide rod 73. In this embodiment, the cell thickness measuring mechanism includes two first guide rods 71, two second guide rods 72, and two third guide rods 73.

[0068] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9In some embodiments, the substrate 2 is slidably mounted on the mounting frame 1 along a first horizontal direction; the cell thickness measuring mechanism also includes a substrate driving component 9 disposed on the mounting frame 1, the substrate driving component 9 being configured to drive the substrate 2 to approach the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4.

[0069] Using the above technical solution, the substrate 2 can approach the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 under the drive of the substrate driving component 9, so that the substrate 2 and the first and second clamping plates apply pressure to the battery cell 100 from both sides at the same time.

[0070] In this embodiment, the substrate driving assembly 9 includes a wedge 91, a fourth driving source 92, and a roller 93, wherein: The wedge 91 is slidably disposed on the mounting frame 1 in the vertical direction. The wedge 91 is located on the side of the substrate 2 away from the first extrusion plane. The wedge 91 has a driving slope at an acute angle to the vertical direction. The fourth driving source 92 is configured to drive the wedge 91 to slide in the vertical direction on the mounting frame 1. The roller 93 is located in the center of the side of the substrate 2 facing the wedge, and the outer circular surface of the roller 93 can abut against the driving slope of the wedge 91.

[0071] In the above structure, the purpose of providing the roller 93 is to reduce the frictional resistance between the wedge 91 and the substrate 2, and to prevent the substrate 2 from getting stuck. In some other embodiments, the roller 93 may be replaced by an arc surface or an inclined surface parallel to the driving inclined surface.

[0072] Furthermore, the fourth drive source 92 is a piston cylinder in which the piston rod extends and retracts vertically. For example... Figure 9 As shown, during the process of the fourth driving source 92 driving the wedge 91 to slide upward relative to the mounting frame 1, when the driving inclined surface on the wedge 91 abuts against the roller 93, the driving inclined surface can push the roller 93, and then push the substrate 2 closer to the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4, thereby achieving the effect of applying pressure to the battery cell 100 from both sides simultaneously by the substrate 2 and the first and second clamping plates.

[0073] Reference Figure 10 In some embodiments, to limit the movement trajectory of the wedge 91, the substrate driving assembly 9 further includes a second guide structure 94, which can be a guide rail slider type guide structure or a guide groove slider type guide structure. In this embodiment, the second guide structure 94 includes a second guide rail and a second slider, wherein the second guide rail extends vertically and is fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket 1 (specifically on the first mounting plate 11), and the second slider is slidably disposed on the second guide rail and fixedly mounted on the wedge 91.

[0074] Example 2 The main difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the function of the third driving source 53 and its specific installation structure are different.

[0075] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 In this embodiment, the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 are sequentially distributed along the second direction. The clamping plate driving assembly 5 includes a first driving source 51, a second driving source 52, and a third driving source 53 fixed on the mounting frame 1, wherein: The power output ends of the first drive source 51, the third drive source 53, and the second drive source 52 are distributed sequentially along the second direction. The power output end of the first drive source 51 is the first power output end, and the power output end of the first drive source 51 is directly facing the center of the first clamping plate 3. The power output end of the second drive source 52 is the second power output end, and the power output end of the second drive source 52 is directly facing the center of the second clamping plate 4. The power output end of the third drive source 53 is the third power output end, and the power output end of the third drive source 53 is directly opposite the gap between the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4.

[0076] The working principle of the cell thickness measuring mechanism using the above technical solution is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, when measuring the thickness of two small-sized battery cells 100, the first driving source 51 and the second driving source 52 operate, while the third driving source 53 does not operate. The first driving source 51 and the second driving source 52 respectively push the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 closer to the substrate 2; as Figure 12 As shown, when measuring the thickness of a large-size battery cell 100, the third driving source 53 operates, while the first driving source 51 and the second driving source 52 do not operate. The third driving source 53 simultaneously pushes the first clamping plate 3 and the second clamping plate 4 closer to the substrate 2. Therefore, the battery cell thickness measuring mechanism provided in this embodiment can also achieve compatible measurement of a large-size battery cell 100 and two small-size battery cells 100.

[0077] Since the first drive source 51 in this embodiment does not need to slide relative to the mounting bracket 1, the sliding plate 59, the first guide structure 520 and related accessories are not provided in this embodiment.

[0078] In this embodiment, the mounting structure of the first drive source 51 and the second drive source 52 is the same as that of the second drive source 52 in Embodiment 1. The mounting structure of the third drive source 53 is similar to that of the first drive source 51 in Embodiment 1, except that the third drive source 53 is directly fixed to the mounting bracket 1 (specifically the second mounting plate 12) by a fixing rod.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A cell thickness measuring mechanism, characterized in that, The cell thickness measuring mechanism includes a mounting frame, and a substrate, a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a clamping plate driving assembly disposed on the mounting frame, wherein: The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are slidably mounted on the mounting frame along the first horizontal direction. The substrate has a first extrusion plane, the first clamping plate has a second extrusion plane, and the second clamping plate has a third extrusion plane. The first extrusion plane includes a first region and a second region. The second extrusion plane and the third extrusion plane are parallel to and opposite to the first region and the second region, respectively. Each extrusion plane is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The clamping plate driving assembly includes a first power output end, a second power output end, and a third power output end. The first power output end is used to push the first clamping plate to move toward the substrate, the second power output end is used to push the second clamping plate to move toward the substrate, and the third power output end is used to simultaneously push the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate to move toward the substrate.

2. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are distributed sequentially along a second direction. The clamping plate driving assembly includes a first driving source, a second driving source, and a third driving source, wherein: The first drive source is slidably disposed on the mounting bracket along the second direction, and the third drive source is configured to drive the first drive source to slide relative to the mounting bracket along the second direction to a first position and a second position. When the first drive source is in the first position, the power output terminal of the first drive source is the first power output terminal; when the first drive source is in the second position, the power output terminal of the first drive source is the third power output terminal. The power output terminal of the second drive source is the second power output terminal.

3. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The clamping plate driving assembly further includes a pressure plate and a sliding plate. The pressure plate is located on the side of the first clamping plate away from the substrate, and the sliding plate is slidably disposed on the mounting bracket along the second direction. The pressure plate is slidably connected to the first side of the sliding plate along the first horizontal direction. The first driving source is a piston cylinder with a piston rod that extends and retracts along the first horizontal direction and is disposed on the second side of the sliding plate. The piston rod of the first driving source passes through the sliding plate and is disposed toward the pressure plate. The third driving source is a piston cylinder with a piston rod that extends and retracts in the second direction, and the power output end of the third driving source is connected to the sliding plate; When the first driving source is in the first position, the first driving source can drive the pressure plate to push the first clamping plate toward the substrate; When the first driving source is in the second position, the first driving source can drive the pressure plate to simultaneously push the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate toward the substrate; The second direction is parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

4. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping plate drive assembly further includes a first pressure bearing member and a first pressure sensor. The first pressure bearing member is disposed opposite to the power output end of the first drive source, and the first pressure sensor is disposed between the pressure plate and the first pressure bearing member. And / or, the clamping plate drive assembly further includes a second pressure bearing member and a second pressure sensor, the second pressure bearing member being disposed opposite to the power output end of the second drive source, and the second pressure sensor being disposed between the second clamping plate and the second pressure bearing member.

5. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are distributed sequentially along a second direction. The clamping plate driving assembly includes a first driving source, a second driving source, and a third driving source fixed on the mounting bracket, wherein: The power output terminals of the first drive source, the third drive source, and the second drive source are distributed sequentially along the second direction; The power output end of the first drive source is the first power output end, and the power output end of the first drive source is directly facing the center of the first clamping plate; The power output end of the second drive source is the second power output end, and the power output end of the second drive source is directly facing the center of the second clamping plate; The power output end of the third drive source is the third power output end, which is located directly opposite the gap between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

6. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The cell thickness measuring mechanism also includes several first elastic guide members. Each first elastic guide member is connected to the mounting frame and the first clamping plate at both ends along the first horizontal direction. Each first elastic guide member can extend and retract in the first horizontal direction. When the first elastic guide member is not subjected to external force, it is in a contracted state. And / or, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of second elastic guide members, each of which has its two ends connected to the mounting frame and the second clamping plate along the first horizontal direction, and each of the second elastic guide members is capable of stretching and deforming in the first horizontal direction, and is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. And / or, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of third elastic guide members, each of which has its two ends connected to the mounting frame and the substrate respectively along the first horizontal direction, and each of the third elastic guide members is capable of stretching and deforming in the first horizontal direction, and is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force.

7. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first elastic guide includes a fixing block, a guide rod, a guide sleeve, and a spring. The fixing block is fixed to the first clamping plate, the guide sleeve is fixed to the mounting bracket, the first end of the guide rod is fixed to the fixing block, the second end of the guide rod passes through the guide sleeve and through the mounting bracket, the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, the first end of the spring is fixed to the fixing block, the second end of the spring is fixed inside the guide sleeve, and the spring is in a contracted state when not subjected to external force. The first elastic guide, the second elastic guide, and the third elastic guide have the same structure.

8. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The cell thickness measuring mechanism also includes several first guide rods. The mounting bracket has a first guide hole corresponding to the position of each first guide rod. One end of each first guide rod is fixed to the first clamping plate, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding first guide hole. And / or, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of second guide rods, and the mounting bracket has a second guide hole corresponding to the position of each second guide rod. One end of each second guide rod is fixed to the second clamping plate, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding second guide hole. And / or, the cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a plurality of third guide rods, and the mounting bracket has a third guide hole corresponding to the position of each third guide rod. One end of each third guide rod is fixed to the substrate, and the other end is inserted into the corresponding third guide hole.

9. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The substrate is slidably mounted on the mounting bracket along the first horizontal direction; The cell thickness measuring mechanism further includes a substrate driving assembly disposed on the mounting frame, the substrate driving assembly being configured to drive the substrate close to the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

10. The cell thickness measuring mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The substrate driving assembly includes a wedge, a fourth driving source, and a roller, wherein: The wedge is slidably disposed on the mounting bracket in the vertical direction. The wedge is located on the side of the substrate opposite to the first extrusion plane. The wedge has a driving slope at an acute angle to the vertical direction. The fourth driving source is configured to drive the wedge to slide in the vertical direction on the mounting bracket. The roller is disposed at the center of the side of the substrate facing the wedge, and the outer circumference of the roller abuts against the driving inclined surface of the wedge.

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