Method for operating a system for the automated mixing and application of a multi-component thermal conductivity medium

Abstract

Method for operating a system (100) for the automated mixing and application of a thermal conductivity medium (M) consisting of several components (K1, K2) in the manufacture of batteries (B), wherein the system (100) comprises a stationary mixing device (110) for mixing the thermal conductivity medium (M) and a robot (120) with an application device (130) for applying the thermal conductivity medium (M), wherein the method comprises the following repetitive steps: - Moving the application device (130) to the stationary mixing device (110), where the application device (130) receives a supply of mixed heat transfer medium (M); - Moving the application device (130) to a production area (W) for the batteries (B), where the mixed thermal conductivity medium (M) is applied during the production of the batteries (B); characterized in that, firstly, when mixing the thermal conductivity medium (M), the mixing device (110) is always operated with the same mixing settings and with the same mixing speed, and secondly, when applying the mixed thermal conductivity medium (M), the application speed is varied, which has no adverse effect on the mixing quality of the thermal conductivity medium (M).

Description

[0001] According to the preamble of claim 1, the invention relates to a method for operating a system for the automated mixing and application of a multi-component thermal conductivity medium in the manufacture of batteries.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2018 208 070 A1 describes a method for manufacturing a battery module assembly for a motor vehicle. The described method includes, among other things, the automated introduction of a thermal interface material into a gap formed during the preceding assembly (between the battery module and the housing element). The thermal interface material, which is liquid during introduction, fills the gap and subsequently reacts and hardens. The thermal interface material thus acts both as a gap filler and as a thermal interface material (TI). The thermal interface material can be a multi-component material (e.g., 2K, 3K, or 4K) containing fillers. A nozzle guided by a robot can be used to introduce the thermal interface material.

[0003] The closest patent application, DE 10 2019 208 805 B3, describes a method for introducing a thermally conductive filler into a gap of varying height formed between a first component, e.g., a battery module, and a second component, e.g., a battery holder, when they are joined together. The method provides that the proportion of a thermally conductive filler contained in the filler varies depending on the height of the gap. This means that the filler has different proportions of a thermally conductive filler in different areas. The filler is mixed with a mixing device immediately before being introduced or applied.

[0004] For the state of the art, reference is also made to DE 10 2019 109 208 B3, US 2019 / 0 181 514 A1 and EP 0 576 498 B1.

[0005] Based on the nearest state of the art, the invention aims to improve the automated processing of a multi-component thermal conductivity medium in the manufacture of batteries.

[0006] The problem is solved by the inventive method of claim 1. Additional features of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (which expressly includes features described as "for example", "preferred", "in particular", etc.) and the drawing.

[0007] A suitable system (which can also be referred to as a system) for the automated mixing and application or dispensing of a multi-component thermal conductivity medium, which reacts or hardens after mixing, during the manufacture of batteries, comprises at least the following system components: - a, in particular only one, stationary or fixed mixing device for mixing, in particular for automated mixing, the heat transfer medium from several (i.e. at least two) components; - at least one robot, in particular an articulated robot, and an application device guided by the robot, in particular attached or held on the articulated arm of the robot, wherein the application device can receive and apply or dispense a supply of mixed thermal conductivity medium; - a control device which controls the system (i.e. the mixing device, the robot and the application device) in such a way that the (movable) application device repeatedly (su) receives a supply of mixed thermal conductivity from the stationary mixing device, i.e. the application device is virtually supplied with mixed thermal conductivity from the stationary mixing device, which is then subsequently applied or dispensed again during the production of batteries.

[0008] There is no line connection between the stationary mixing device and the robot-guided application device for the transfer of the heat transfer medium.

[0009] Preferably, only one stationary mixing device and several robots with (each) an application device, which are supplied with mixed thermal conductivity by the one mixing device, are included.

[0010] Mixing refers to the production of a thermally conductive medium, initially liquid, by mixing pre-fabricated components. The aim is specifically to ensure that the thermally conductive medium reacts or hardens after mixing and is therefore ready for immediate further processing. The thermally conductive medium could be, for example, a reactive or hardening silicone matrix with ceramic or metallic fillers.

[0011] The batteries to be manufactured are preferably automotive batteries, in particular so-called traction or driving batteries for the electric drive of an automobile, whereby the invention can relate to the manufacture of battery modules as well as the manufacture of battery units or battery systems. The invention is particularly suitable for series production.

[0012] A key aspect of the invention is the spatial and temporal separation of mixing the thermal conductivity medium and applying the (mixed) thermal conductivity medium. The application device and the mixing device can thus be operated essentially independently of each other. Since the robot only needs to carry and move the application device (without the mixing device), the payload is reduced, enabling fast robot movements and short cycle times, and / or allowing the use of a robot with a lower payload capacity. The lower payload can also be used to accommodate a larger supply of mixed thermal conductivity medium, for example, by using a larger storage chamber (su). A further advantage is that the application and mixing devices can be operated independently of each other.The dispensing rate of the heat transfer medium is independent of the mixing rate, and the dispensing rate also has no direct influence on the mixing quality (since the mixing device can always be operated with the same mixing settings, in particular with the same mixing rate).

[0013] The stationary mixing device may have a piston feeder or screw feeder for each component of the heat transfer medium, connected to a common mixing valve or mixing chamber (or the like).

[0014] The stationary mixing device or its dosing unit can be connected via lines, in particular hoses or pipes, to storage containers for the components of the heat transfer medium. The storage containers (such as drums or the like) can be located away from the stationary mixing device, e.g., in a separate storage room, or next to the stationary mixing device, e.g., in a rack.

[0015] The application device can have at least one reservoir for the mixed thermal conductivity medium and a metering or injection head with at least one application or dispensing nozzle (for the thermal conductivity medium) or the like. The metering or injection head can be designed with a piston or screw conveyor. The application device enables controlled application or dispensing (with a defined dispensing rate or quantity) of the thermal conductivity medium located in the reservoir. The application of the thermal conductivity medium can be carried out, for example, by injecting it into a gap or space or a filling opening (as described in DE 10 2018 208 070 A1) or by applying it to a surface. The nozzle is designed accordingly.Preferably, at least one pressure sensor is arranged in the application nozzle or in the area of ​​the application nozzle for monitoring the application process and / or for pressure control of a varying application rate or a varying volume flow rate when applying the heat transfer medium (su).

[0016] The stationary mixing device and / or the (mobile) application unit can be equipped with valves to enable the automated transfer of the mixed heat transfer medium from the stationary mixing device to the application unit, or the automated filling of the application unit. Furthermore, the stationary mixing device and the application unit can be equipped with compatible couplings to allow automated connection and disconnection.

[0017] The inventive method for operating a system for the automated mixing and application of a multi-component thermal conductivity medium in the manufacture of batteries, wherein the system comprises a stationary mixing device for mixing the thermal conductivity medium and at least one robot with an application device for applying the thermal conductivity medium, wherein it is in particular a system as previously described, comprises at least the following repeating steps: - Moving the application device to the stationary mixing device (using the robot), where the application device receives a supply of mixed thermal conductivity medium; - Moving the application device to a manufacturing or assembly area for the batteries, where the mixed thermal conductivity medium is applied during the manufacturing of the batteries (whereby the application device is also moved or guided by the robot).

[0018] The process steps are executed automatically and controlled, in particular, by means of a control unit (so). The aforementioned process steps are repeated, meaning that the application unit at the stationary mixing device takes on a new supply of mixed thermal conductivity as soon as the previously taken-on supply for battery production is used up. Depending on the requirements, this supply can be an undefined quantity or a quantity precisely defined for specific production tasks. The application unit, guided by the robot, essentially shuttles back and forth between the stationary mixing device and the battery production area.

[0019] Preferably, the heat transfer medium is mixed in the stationary mixing device on demand, which means in particular that the stationary mixing device is operated discontinuously rather than continuously. Preferably, the stationary mixing device only begins mixing or is only switched on when the supply of mixed heat transfer medium in the application device is almost depleted, the storage chamber is almost empty, or the application device is already coupled or docked to the stationary mixing device to receive mixed heat transfer medium.

[0020] When mixing the thermal conductivity medium, the mixing device is always operated with the same mixing settings and at the same mixing speed. When applying the mixed thermal conductivity medium, the application rate or quantity (i.e., the volumetric flow rate) is varied or changed, which has no adverse effect on the mixing quality of the thermal conductivity medium (so). In particular, it is provided that the application rate or volumetric flow rate decreases during an application process (especially during an injection or coating process; so), i.e., is high at the beginning and low at the end, which is achieved in particular by appropriate pressure control.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a system for the automated mixing and application of a multi-component thermal conductivity medium in the manufacture of batteries.

[0022] The in Fig. The system 100 shown comprises a stationary mixing device 110 for mixing a heat transfer medium M from several components K1 and K2, a robot 120, an application device 130 guided by the robot 120 or held on the robot arm and movable in space for applying the mixed or prepared heat transfer medium M and a control device 140 for controlling the system 100.

[0023] The stationary mixing device 110 has two piston or screw feeders 111 and 112 connected to a mixing valve 113. The components K1 and K2 to be mixed are supplied via lines L1 and L2, which lead to storage containers. The application device 130 has a reservoir 131 or the like for holding a supply of thermal conductivity M and a metering or injection head 132 with at least one application nozzle 133 for applying or dispensing the thermal conductivity M.

[0024] The invention provides that the application device 130 is repeatedly moved to the stationary mixing device 110, as illustrated by arrow p1, where it receives a supply of mixed thermal conductivity M or the storage chamber 131 is filled with mixed thermal conductivity M, and is then moved back to a production area or production zone W, as illustrated by arrow p2, where the previously mixed thermal conductivity M is used for the production of batteries B and is dispensed through the nozzle 133, as illustrated by arrow p3.

[0025] The stationary mixing device 110 and the movable application device 130 can be equipped with valve devices and / or compatible couplings to enable automated transfer of the mixed heat transfer medium M to the application device 130 or automated filling of the application device 130.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a system (100) for the automated mixing and application of a thermal conductivity medium (M) consisting of several components (K1, K2) in the manufacture of batteries (B), wherein the system (100) comprises a stationary mixing device (110) for mixing the thermal conductivity medium (M) and a robot (120) with an application device (130) for applying the thermal conductivity medium (M), wherein the method comprises the following repetitive steps: - Moving the application device (130) to the stationary mixing device (110), where the application device (130) receives a supply of mixed heat transfer medium (M); - Moving the application device (130) to a manufacturing area (W) for the batteries (B), where the mixed thermal conductivity medium (M) is applied during the manufacturing of the batteries (B); characterized by, that firstly, when mixing the thermal conductivity medium (M), the mixing device (110) is always operated with the same mixing settings and with the same mixing speed, and secondly, when applying the mixed thermal conductivity medium (M), the application speed is varied, which has no adverse effect on the mixing quality of the thermal conductivity medium (M). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the mixing of the heat transfer medium (M) in the stationary mixing device (110) takes place as required. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the application rate decreases during an application process, i.e., it is high at the beginning and low at the end. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that the decreasing application rate is achieved through appropriate pressure control.

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