An integrated device for bending and welding a tab

Abstract

The utility model discloses a tab bending and welding integrated device, including battery tool driving mechanism, its upper installation has battery tool, and the one side of battery tool is installed tab bending mechanism, and the other side of battery tool is installed baffle driving mechanism, and baffle driving mechanism can drive baffle to move to battery tool, and still be equipped with baffle detection mechanism on baffle driving mechanism, the lower part of laser welding machine sets up the laser welding machine driving mechanism of can drive its movement. The present application will insert baffle, tab bending and welding independent process integration together, and the whole modular design is made into single machine platform multi -station tool and realizes on -line assembly line type product welding, can realize to satisfy welding function and can realize the purpose of saving site area, reaches the complexity degree reduction of equipment cost reduction of function module quantity reduction, improves single station efficiency, improves whole line production efficiency and increases product yield, and the management maintenance of modular structure design later period is more convenient and fast.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, specifically to an integrated device for bending and welding electrode tabs. Background Technology

[0002] The existing square battery welding process mostly involves welding the tabs and adapters, followed by butterfly welding to complete the product welding process. Now, a direct welding process is used, which directly welds the tabs and lead pieces. This process is superior to the adapter welding. Previously, the equipment was often made into multiple single-machine multi-station forms.

[0003] like Figure 1 The positive electrode tab 50 and negative electrode tab 60 are placed in the fixture, respectively. Battery cells A30 and B40 are fixedly placed in the fixtures on both sides (not shown in the fixture diagram). The tabs and adapters are ultrasonically welded. After passing inspection, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, two sets of battery cell products undergo butterfly welding using a laser. The top cover 7 is placed inside the fixture, and the positive electrode connecting piece 50 and the negative electrode connecting piece 60 are placed on the left and right sides of the fixture (not shown in the fixture diagram), respectively. The laser (not shown in the diagram) performs the connection welding operation between the positive and negative electrode connecting pieces and the top cover 7 to complete the product welding. Subsequently, the core assembly operation is performed to complete the product welding. Currently, this welding method uses multiple workstations, and the battery cell products undergo multiple core assembly welding operations. The welding cycle is long and the site occupies a large area. Multiple machines and multiple handling welding operations result in high overall equipment costs.

[0004] In summary, traditional electrode bending, separator insertion, and welding processes are all modular, and generally have several pain points:

[0005] Firstly, the equipment configuration is complex, the equipment occupies a large area, the equipment cost is high, and the production efficiency is low.

[0006] Secondly, repeated handling and turnover of products can easily lead to failures and uncontrollable factors, resulting in more product defects and waste. Repeated handling and handling of products can damage battery cells, increase production cycle time, and reduce production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to solve the problem of low efficiency caused by the traditional welding method which often uses independent modules.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0009] An integrated device for bending and welding tabs includes a battery fixture drive mechanism, on which a battery fixture is mounted. A tab bending mechanism is mounted on one side of the battery fixture, and a separator drive mechanism is mounted on the other side of the battery fixture. The separator drive mechanism can drive the separator to move toward the battery fixture. The separator drive mechanism is also provided with a separator detection mechanism.

[0010] It also includes a laser welding machine, the lower part of which is provided with a laser welding machine drive mechanism capable of driving its movement.

[0011] This application integrates the independent processes of inserting partitions, bending electrode tabs, and welding into a modular design, enabling online assembly line welding of products in a single machine with multiple workstations. This not only meets the welding function but also saves space, reduces the number of functional modules, lowers equipment complexity and costs, improves single-workstation efficiency, increases overall production line efficiency, and increases product yield. Furthermore, the modular structure design makes subsequent management and maintenance more convenient and efficient.

[0012] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the separator driving mechanism includes a separator adjusting component one and a separator adjusting component two. The separator adjusting component one is located above the battery fixture. The output end of the separator adjusting component one is connected to the separator adjusting component two, and the output end of the separator adjusting component two is connected to the separator.

[0013] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the separator detection mechanism is located on one side of the battery tooling, and the sensor in the separator detection mechanism performs detection when it is on the same plane as the separator.

[0014] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the tab bending mechanism includes a fixed plate, and a drive frame is slidably connected to the lower part of the fixed plate. Two sets of bending push plates for bending the tab are installed on the side of the drive frame facing the battery tooling.

[0015] As a further embodiment of this utility model: a driving component is installed on the fixed plate to drive the two sets of bending push plates to move toward the battery tooling.

[0016] As a further embodiment of this utility model: a second driving component is installed on the driving frame for driving the two sets of bending push plates to move towards or away from each other.

[0017] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the laser welding machine drive mechanism includes a laser adjustment component one, a laser adjustment component two, and a laser adjustment component three. The laser adjustment component two is installed at the output end of the laser adjustment component three, the laser adjustment component one is installed at the output end of the laser adjustment component two, and the laser welding machine is installed at the output end of the laser adjustment component one.

[0018] As a further embodiment of this invention, it also includes a welding head replacement mechanism, which can drive the laser welding head to move to the welding head position of the laser welding machine.

[0019] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the welding head replacement mechanism includes a welding head adjustment component one, a spare welding head transport frame, a welding head adjustment component two, and a welding head clamp. Several spare welding heads are installed on the top of the spare welding head transport frame. The output end of the welding head adjustment component two is connected to the welding head adjustment component one, and the output end of the welding head adjustment component one is connected to the welding head clamp.

[0020] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the bottom of the battery fixture is slidably mounted on the battery fixture drive mechanism, and a battery clamp is provided on the top; the two sides of the battery fixture are also provided with limiting mechanisms.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0022] This application integrates the independent processes of inserting partitions, bending electrode tabs, and welding into a modular design, making it a single machine with multiple workstations to realize online assembly line product welding. This not only meets the welding function but also saves space, reduces the number of functional modules, reduces equipment complexity and costs, improves single-workstation efficiency, improves overall production line efficiency, and increases product yield. Furthermore, the modular structure design makes subsequent management and maintenance more convenient and faster.

[0023] This application utilizes a single-station method for bending, inserting partitions, and welding operations, which greatly improves product yield and reduces product rejection rate; it also reduces the complexity of equipment structure, reduces the number of equipment configurations, and features modular equipment design, making changeover simple and quick.

[0024] This application achieves automatic welding head replacement by setting a spare welding head transport rack on one side of the laser welding machine, storing several spare welding heads on the spare welding head transport rack, and then using welding head adjustment component one and welding head adjustment component two to move the spare welding heads to the position of the laser welding machine. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the current electrode tab welding process;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the current welding process between the electrode tab and the top cover;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated electrode tab bending and welding device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the laser welding machine and welding head replacement structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram from another perspective of the integrated electrode tab bending and welding device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Partial structural diagram;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode tab bending mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the electrode tabs relative to the partition plate before welding, according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 30. Cell A; 40. Cell B; 50. Negative electrode tab connecting piece; 60. Positive electrode tab connecting piece; 70. Top cover;

[0035] 1. Laser welding machine;

[0036] 2. Pole ear bending mechanism; 21. Fixed plate; 22. Upper connecting cover; 23. Drive component one; 24. Drive frame; 25. Drive component two; 26. Moving plate; 27. Bending push plate;

[0037] 3. Welding head; 4. Laser adjustment component one; 5. Laser adjustment component two; 6. Welding head adjustment component one; 7. Spare welding head transport rack; 8. Battery tooling drive mechanism; 9. Laser adjustment component three; 10. Separator adjustment component one; 11. Separator adjustment component two; 12. Separator; 13. Gantry frame; 14. Battery tooling; 15. Product; 16. Separator inspection mechanism; 17. Limiting mechanism; 18. Welding head adjustment component two; 19. Welding head clamp; 20. Battery clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0039] Reference Figure 3An integrated electrode tab bending and welding device includes a laser welding machine 1, an electrode tab bending mechanism 2, a welding head 3, a laser adjustment component 1 4, a laser adjustment component 2 5, a welding head adjustment component 1 6, a spare welding head transport rack 7, a battery tooling drive mechanism 8, a laser adjustment component 3 9, a separator adjustment component 1 10, a separator adjustment component 2 11, a separator 12, a gantry frame 13, a battery tooling 14, a product 15, a separator detection mechanism 16, a limiting mechanism 17, a welding head adjustment component 2 18, a welding head clamp 19, and a battery clamp 20.

[0040] The laser welding mechanism consists of laser welding machine 1, welding head 3, laser adjustment component 1 4, laser adjustment component 2 5, and laser adjustment component 3 9.

[0041] The welding head adjustment component 16, the spare welding head transport frame 7, the welding head adjustment component 218, and the welding head clamp 19 constitute the welding head replacement structure.

[0042] The partition adjustment component 21, partition 12, and partition adjustment component 10 constitute the partition insertion mechanism.

[0043] Reference Figure 3 The gantry frame 13 is an inverted "U" shaped frame. The battery tooling drive mechanism 8 is installed directly below the gantry frame 13, and the top crossbar of the gantry frame 13 is arranged parallel to the battery tooling drive mechanism 8. A laser adjustment component 3 9 is installed below the gantry frame 13 and on one side of the battery tooling drive mechanism 8, wherein the laser adjustment component 3 9 is arranged parallel to the battery tooling drive mechanism 8.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 The top of the tab bending mechanism 2 is installed on the top crossbar of the gantry frame 13. The tab bending mechanism 2 includes a fixed plate 21, an upper connecting cover 22, a first driving component 23, a driving frame 24, a second driving component 25, a moving plate 26, and a bending push plate 27. The fixed plate 21 has a slot, and the bottom of the fixed plate 21 is slidably connected to the driving frame 24. The top of the driving frame 24 is provided with a driving block, which can slide in the slot. The first driving component 23 is installed on the top of the fixed plate 21 and on one side of the slot. Therefore, the first driving component 23 can push the driving block to move along the slot, thereby driving the driving frame 24 to move along the slot toward the battery fixture 14. It should be noted that the direction of the slot is toward the battery fixture 14. At the same time, a slide rail is provided at the bottom of the fixed plate 21, and the driving frame 24 can be slidably connected to the slide rail. The slide rail is arranged parallel to the slot and is arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0045] Two sets of movable plates 26 are provided on the side of the drive frame 24 facing the battery fixture 14. A bending push plate 27 is detachably mounted on the side of the movable plates 26 facing the battery fixture 14 via bolts or pins. The side of the movable plates 26 facing away from the battery fixture 14 is slidably mounted onto the drive frame 24. Two sets of drive components 25 are provided on the drive frame 24 to drive the two sets of movable plates 26 respectively. The drive components 25 can drive the two sets of movable plates 26 to move towards each other or away from each other along the X-axis. When moving towards each other, the battery tabs can be bent by the two sets of bending push plates 27. Figure 8 The product 15 on display is the battery cell, with tabs on both sides. The tabs on both sides need to be bent, and the bending push plate 27 is used to bend the tabs.

[0046] It should be noted that the drive components 1 and 23, and drive components 25 can be either linear electric cylinders or linear motors; this application does not limit the specific type of equipment used. The X-axis, Y-axis mentioned above, and the Z-axis mentioned later, all refer to [the following text is incomplete and requires further context]. Figure 3 Based on.

[0047] Reference Figure 6 The bottom of the battery fixture 14 is mounted on the battery fixture drive mechanism 8, which drives the battery fixture 14 to move above it, allowing it to move to the next process. The top of the battery fixture 14 is connected to the battery clamp 20 via a linear motor, which drives the battery clamp 20 and the battery to move along the X-axis.

[0048] Reference Figure 6 Limiting mechanisms 17 are provided on one or both sides of the battery fixture 14. The limiting mechanism 17 includes a base plate, a push rod and a limiting block are provided on the top of the base plate. The push rod can push the limiting block to move toward the battery, that is, move in the Y-axis direction, thereby limiting the battery.

[0049] Reference Figure 6 A support frame is also provided on one side of the battery fixture 14. A separator adjustment component 10 is installed on the support frame. The output end of the separator adjustment component 10 is connected to the separator adjustment component 2 11, and the output end of the separator adjustment component 2 11 is connected to the separator 12. Specifically, the separator adjustment component 10 can drive the separator adjustment component 2 11 and the separator 12 to move along the Y-axis, while the separator adjustment component 2 11 can drive the separator 12 to move along the Z-axis. Finally, the position of the separator 12 is adjusted by the separator adjustment component 10 and the separator adjustment component 2 11 so that it is accurately inserted between the cells.

[0050] It should be noted that the partition adjustment component 10 and the partition adjustment component 2 11 can be either linear motors or ball screws. This application does not limit the specific type of equipment used.

[0051] Reference Figure 6A separator detection mechanism 16 is also installed on the support frame. The separator detection mechanism 16 can be equipped with a linear motor for position adjustment. The separator detection mechanism 16 is located on one side of the battery tooling 14. The sensor inside the separator detection mechanism 16 performs detection when it is on the same plane as the separator 12.

[0052] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The bottom of the laser welding machine 1 is mounted to the laser adjustment component 3 9. The laser adjustment component 3 9 is mounted horizontally and can drive the laser welding machine 1 to move along the X-axis. The output end of the laser adjustment component 3 9 is connected to the laser adjustment component 2 5. The laser adjustment component 2 5 is mounted vertically to the laser adjustment component 3 9. The output end of the laser adjustment component 2 5 is connected to the vertically mounted laser adjustment component 1 4, and the output end of the laser adjustment component 1 4 is connected to the laser welding machine 1.

[0053] In summary, the laser adjustment component 3 9 can drive the laser adjustment component 2 5, the laser adjustment component 1 4, and the laser welding machine 1 to move along the X-axis; the laser adjustment component 2 5 can drive the laser adjustment component 1 4 and the laser welding machine 1 to move along the Y-axis; and the laser adjustment component 1 4 can drive the laser welding machine 1 to move along the Z-axis; thus, the position of the laser welding machine 1 can be freely adjusted.

[0054] It should be noted that the laser adjustment component 1 4, laser adjustment component 2 5, and laser adjustment component 3 9 can be made of linear cylinder, linear electric cylinder, or ball screw. This application does not limit the specific equipment used.

[0055] Reference Figure 4 Several spare welding heads are placed on the top of the spare welding head transport rack 7, and the bottom slides on the guide rail; the output end of the welding head adjustment component 2 18 is connected to the welding head adjustment component 1 6, and the output end of the welding head adjustment component 1 6 is connected to the welding head clamp 19. Therefore, the welding head clamp 19 can clamp the spare welding heads on the spare welding head transport rack 7, and then use the welding head adjustment component 1 6 to drive it to rise along the Z-axis. Then, the welding head adjustment component 2 18 carries the spare welding head to the position of the welding head 3 for replacement; the welding head adjustment component 1 6 and the welding head adjustment component 2 18 are distributed perpendicularly.

[0056] The specific operating principle of this application is as follows:

[0057] In use, the robotic arm (not shown in the figure) picks up product 15 (battery in this application) at the loading position, places it on the battery fixture 14 and clamps it. The battery fixture drive mechanism 8 drives the battery fixture 14 to move into position. The limiting mechanism 17, under the drive, presses against product 15 to limit the product. After the separator adjustment part 10 extends into position, the separator adjustment part 2 11 descends and inserts into the space between the ultrasonically welded tabs (e.g., ...). Figure 8 (as shown);

[0058] Then, under the retraction of the partition adjustment component 10, the partition 12 is pressed tightly against the lead plate. The electrode bending mechanism 2, fixed on the gantry frame 13, bends the electrodes on both sides of the battery cell and remains stationary. After the welding head 3 and the laser welding machine 1 are driven into position by the laser adjustment component 4 and the laser adjustment component 9, they move to the outside of the electrode bending mechanism 2. Under the drive of the laser adjustment component 5, the welding head 3 is pressed against the bent electrode and kept pressed (otherwise, a false weld will occur after welding).

[0059] After the laser welding machine 1 completes the welding operation, the laser welding machine 1 is turned off, and the welding head 3 and the laser welding machine 1 are disengaged from the electrode surface of the product 15 under the action of the laser adjustment component 2 5.

[0060] The partition 12 rises under the action of the partition adjusting component 2 11, and then the partition adjusting component 10 moves forward to perform a flatness test on the partition 12 (after welding is completed, the partition detection mechanism 16 extends, and the sensor on it performs a detection operation on the partition 12 to confirm whether the partition 12 has deformed. If deformed, the partition 12 is replaced manually to avoid poor soldering or damage to the electrode tabs of the product 12 due to the deformation of the partition 12).

[0061] The battery fixture 14 flows into the next station under the drive of the battery fixture drive mechanism 8. The robot arm descends to pick up the product 15 in the battery fixture 14 to complete the unloading. The battery fixture 14 moves to the next station under the drive of the magnetic levitation logistics line. This structure performs different operations at each station to complete multiple processes of the product.

[0062] When the welding head needs to be replaced after a certain number of welding operations, the welding head 3 is driven by the laser adjustment component 1 4, laser adjustment component 2 5, and laser adjustment component 3 9 to the replacement welding head position. After the welding head adjustment component 1 6 moves forward to the welding head position on the laser and clamps the welding head 3, the welding head clamping mechanism (not shown in the figure) on the laser welding machine 1 is released. The welding head adjustment component 1 6 retracts and takes the welding head 3 to the position, places it in the empty space on the spare welding transport mechanism and releases it. The welding head adjustment component 1 6 then picks up a new welding head from the spare welding head transport rack 7, moves it forward to the welding head position on the laser welding machine 1, clamps the new welding head and retracts to complete the automatic welding head replacement operation.

[0063] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model 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 of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A tab bending and welding integrated device, comprising a battery tooling drive mechanism, wherein a battery tooling is mounted on top of the drive mechanism, characterized in that: A tab bending mechanism is installed on one side of the battery fixture, and a separator driving mechanism is installed on the other side of the battery fixture. The separator driving mechanism can drive the separator to move toward the battery fixture, and a separator detection mechanism is also provided on the separator driving mechanism. It also includes a laser welding machine, the lower part of which is provided with a laser welding machine drive mechanism that can drive its movement.

2. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separator driving mechanism includes a separator adjusting component one and a separator adjusting component two. The separator adjusting component one is located above the battery fixture. The output end of the separator adjusting component one is connected to the separator adjusting component two, and the output end of the separator adjusting component two is connected to the separator.

3. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separator detection mechanism is located on one side of the battery tooling, and the sensor in the separator detection mechanism performs detection when it is on the same plane as the separator.

4. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tab bending mechanism includes a fixed plate, and a drive frame is slidably connected to the lower part of the fixed plate. Two sets of bending push plates for bending the tab are installed on the side of the drive frame facing the battery tooling.

5. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixed plate is equipped with a drive component for driving the two sets of bending push plates to move toward the battery tooling.

6. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The drive frame is equipped with a second drive component for driving the two sets of bending push plates to move towards or away from each other.

7. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser welding machine drive mechanism includes a laser adjustment component one, a laser adjustment component two, and a laser adjustment component three. The laser adjustment component two is installed at the output end of the laser adjustment component three, the laser adjustment component one is installed at the output end of the laser adjustment component two, and the laser welding machine is installed at the output end of the laser adjustment component one.

8. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a welding head replacement mechanism, which can drive the laser welding head to move to the welding head position of the laser welding machine.

9. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The welding head replacement mechanism includes a welding head adjustment component one, a spare welding head transport frame, a welding head adjustment component two, and a welding head clamp. Several spare welding heads are installed on the top of the spare welding head transport frame. The output end of the welding head adjustment component two is connected to the welding head adjustment component one, and the output end of the welding head adjustment component one is connected to the welding head clamp.

10. The electrode tab bending and welding integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the battery fixture is slidably mounted on the battery fixture drive mechanism, and the top is provided with a battery clamp; the two sides of the battery fixture are also provided with limiting mechanisms.

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