Cleaning device for cleaning a workpiece carrier for carrying components comprising battery cells for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle.

Abstract

Cleaning device for cleaning a workpiece carrier for carrying components comprising battery cells for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle; wherein the cleaning device has a brush section; the cleaning device has a nozzle section for blowing out air and / or gas; and the cleaning device has a suction section for drawing in air and / or gas; wherein the brush section, the nozzle section and the suction section are arranged such that the workpiece carrier can be swept over by the brush section, the nozzle section and the suction section during a relative translational movement between the cleaning device and the workpiece carrier.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a workpiece carrier for carrying components comprising battery cells for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle.

[0002] During the manufacture of such energy storage devices, especially high-voltage storage devices, defects can occur due to impurities in the battery cells.

[0003] During manufacturing, the battery cells are assembled into a battery module. For this purpose, the battery cells and / or components of the battery module to be manufactured are placed on a workpiece carrier. The battery cells have a coating and / or paint finish to prevent, for example, voltage flashover in the finished energy storage device. The coating and / or paint finish is typically a relatively thin layer.

[0004] Contaminants or particles in the form of foreign matter, paint, and / or residual dirt may be present on the workpiece carrier. These particles can damage the paint and / or coating due to the thin layer when the battery cells are mounted on the workpiece carrier. This can lead to a voltage flashover and ultimately damage the module base. Damage to or destruction of the paint surface can result in a voltage flashover during a high-voltage test, and the battery module must be rejected.

[0005] It is known from the prior art to clean the workpiece carrier in order to prevent contamination and thus damage or rejects.

[0006] Non-contact cleaning methods using compressed air and methods using contact cleaning are known in the prior art. However, these methods can only remove a portion of the contamination.

[0007] DE 35 00 005 A1 discloses a coating booth for coating the surface of workpieces with coating powder, which is guided to the workpiece in the coating chamber of the booth by means of an airflow, with a suction device for extracting the booth air through at least one filter designed in the form of a predominantly flat surface filter into a clean gas chamber arranged on its flow rear side.

[0008] Against the background of this prior art, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a device suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the aforementioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the object of the disclosure is to reliably and effectively provide an improved cleaning method for a workpiece carrier for carrying components comprising battery cells for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0010] The problem is then solved according to one aspect of the disclosure by a cleaning device for cleaning a workpiece carrier for carrying components comprising battery cells for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle; wherein the cleaning device has a brush section; the cleaning device has a nozzle section for blowing out air and / or gas; and the cleaning device has a suction section for drawing in air and / or gas; wherein the brush section, the nozzle section and the suction section are arranged such that the workpiece carrier can be swept over by the brush section, the nozzle section and the suction section during a relative translational movement between the cleaning device and the workpiece carrier.

[0011] It was recognized that the brush section, the nozzle section, and the suction section together provide an improved cleaning effect compared to, for example, mechanical cleaning or contact cleaning with a brush alone, or to suction and / or blowing alone. The cleaning device allows for the combination of features from contact cleaning, suction, and blowing. A brush held in the brush section can sweep away and / or loosen contaminants. To ensure that the contaminants can be reliably and effectively suctioned away, they can be mechanically agitated, for example, by blowing them on with the nozzle section. The suction section enables the suction of contaminants, foreign bodies, and / or particles. The air and / or gas drawn into the suction section may therefore contain contaminants or pollutants.

[0012] The brush section, nozzle section, and suction section can be arranged to work together effectively. This leads to synergistic effects during cleaning. It was found that the brush section, nozzle section, and suction section can be arranged such that the relative translational movement between the cleaning device and the workpiece carrier—that is, a movement of the cleaning device relative to the workpiece carrier and / or a movement of the workpiece carrier relative to the cleaning device—allows the brush section, nozzle section, and suction section to sweep across the workpiece carrier and thus clean it. This sweeping action can be contactless with respect to the cleaning device and / or occur at a distance between the cleaning device and the workpiece carrier such that brushes held in the brush section make contact with the workpiece carrier.

[0013] Optionally, the suction section is positioned between the brush section and the nozzle section. This allows a brush held in the brush section and the nozzle section to transport contaminants towards the suction section when passing over the workpiece carrier.

[0014] Optionally, the cleaning device has a cleaning side; and the brush section, nozzle section, and suction section are arranged on the cleaning side. The cleaning side can be defined as the side of the cleaning device facing the workpiece carrier when the device is in use. This allows the brush section, nozzle section, and suction section to work together to clean the workpiece carrier.

[0015] Optionally, the cleaning surface has a base and a frame that projects from the base and partially surrounds it. This frame can define the direction of the relative translational movement between the cleaning device and the workpiece carrier. For example, the frame can include two webs aligned parallel to the direction of the relative translational movement between the cleaning device and the workpiece carrier. A brush can be held in the brush section perpendicular to these webs.

[0016] Optionally, the brush section is configured to hold at least two aligned brushes; the nozzle section has at least two aligned nozzles; and / or the suction section has at least two aligned suction openings. This allows for a wider range of cleaning options. In particular, the brush section is configured to hold at least two aligned brushes; the nozzle section has at least two aligned nozzles; and the suction section has at least two aligned suction openings. This allows, for example, two workpiece carriers aligned parallel to each other to be cleaned simultaneously by the cleaning device.

[0017] Optionally, the cleaning device has a suction port for extracting air and / or gas drawn into the suction section; the suction section has at least two suction openings; and the cleaning device has a channel branching between the suction port and the at least two suction openings. This embodiment enables efficient manufacturing of the cleaning device and effective extraction precisely localized by the channel.

[0018] Optionally, the nozzle section is configured to blow air and / or gas at an angle, particularly between 30° and 50°, towards the workpiece carrier. For example, the nozzle section can be configured to apply air and / or gas to the workpiece carrier at an angle of 40°. This allows contaminants to be effectively mechanically loosened, i.e., dislodged and / or agitated.

[0019] Optionally, the nozzle section is designed to blow air and / or gas at least partially towards the suction section and / or the brush section. This prevents mechanically disturbed contaminants from being carried away by the nozzle section, allowing them to be removed by the brushes held in the brush section and / or sucked up by the suction section. This further improves technical cleanliness.

[0020] Optionally, the cleaning device can be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. It was recognized that the geometry of the cleaning device is primarily defined by the workpiece carrier. Therefore, manufacturing the device using an additive process allows it to be adapted to the workpiece carrier.

[0021] Optionally, the cleaning device can be made of polyamide. It was found that polyamide, in particular, can be processed to create a relatively smooth surface, which facilitates the suction of contaminants, as the adhesion of aspirated particles to the surface is reduced. Furthermore, polyamide is cost-effective to process.

[0022] One embodiment of each is described below with reference to the figures. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows features of the manufacture of battery cell-comprising components for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle and the use of a cleaning device according to one aspect of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device according to one aspect of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device according to one aspect of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of a cleaning device according to one aspect of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 5 shows, by way of example, a detail of a cleaning device according to one aspect of the disclosure; and Fig. Figure 6 shows a section of a cleaning device according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows features of the manufacture of battery cells 46 comprising components 47 for an energy storage device 45 of a motor vehicle 40 and the use of a cleaning device 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Fig. 1 is divided into four sections (A), (B), (C) and (D).

[0024] Section (A) illustrates that battery cells 46 are first provided for the production, the number of which is shown only schematically.

[0025] Furthermore, a workpiece carrier 10 is provided. The workpiece carrier 10 is designed to accommodate the battery cells 46 and other components of component 47. For example, the workpiece carrier 10 comprises one, two, or two pairs of elongated tracks. The tracks are made, for example, of a plastic.

[0026] Section (A) further illustrates the cleaning device 50. The cleaning device 50 is designed to clean the workpiece carrier 10, i.e., to remove contaminants, such as particles, located on a surface of the workpiece carrier 10. For this purpose, the cleaning device 50 and the workpiece carrier 10 are arranged to perform a relative translational movement B. For example, the workpiece carrier 10 can pass under the cleaning device 50 and / or the cleaning device 50 can be guided along the workpiece carrier 10. The cleaning device 50 is further described with reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 described.

[0027] Section (B) in Fig. Figure 1 shows that the battery cells 46 are arranged on the workpiece carrier 10 which has been cleaned by the cleaning device 50.

[0028] The arrangement of the battery cells 46 and other components for manufacturing component 47 on the workpiece carrier 10 enables the assembly of component 47 according to section (C). Component 47 is, for example, a battery module. Component 47 may include features for the mechanical arrangement and / or mounting of the battery cells 46 and / or for the electrical contacting of the battery cells 46.

[0029] Component 47 can be installed in the energy storage device 45, and the energy storage device 45 can be installed in the motor vehicle 40 according to section (D). The energy storage device 45 is designed as a traction battery and thus forms a rechargeable high-voltage storage device with a plurality of battery cells 46 connected in series and parallel, which are arranged in the components 47.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The cleaning device 50 according to Fig. 2 is a cleaning device 50 for cleaning a workpiece carrier 10 for carrying components 47 comprising battery cells 46 for an energy storage device 45 of a motor vehicle 40. Such battery cells 46, such components 47, such energy storage device 45 and such a motor vehicle 40 are related to Fig. 1 described. Fig. 2 is with reference to Fig. 1 described.

[0031] The cleaning device 50 has a brush section 52. The brush section 52 is designed to have two aligned brushes 53a (see Fig. 5) to hold. The brush section 52 has a slot-shaped recess for this purpose (see also Fig. 3 or Fig. 6) The brush section 52 is designed to fasten at least two aligned brushes 53a by clamping and / or gluing.

[0032] The cleaning device 50 has a nozzle section 55 for blowing out air and / or gas. The nozzle section 55 has two aligned nozzles 56a, 56b.

[0033] The cleaning device 50 has a suction section 60 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) for drawing in air and / or gas. The suction section 60 has two aligned suction openings 61a, 61b.

[0034] The cleaning device 50 is designed to perform a relative translational movement B between a workpiece carrier 10 and the cleaning device 50. For this purpose, the brushes 53a are arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement B, the nozzles 56a, 56b are arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement B, and the suction openings 61a, 61b are arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement B.

[0035] The brush section 52, the nozzle section 55, and the suction section 60 are arranged such that the workpiece carrier 10 can be cleaned by the brush section 52, the nozzle section 55, and the suction section 60 during the relative translational movement B between the cleaning device 50 and the workpiece carrier 10. For this purpose, the cleaning device 50 has a cleaning side 51. The cleaning side 51 is arranged to be directed at the workpiece carrier 10 during cleaning. The brush section 52, the nozzle section 55, and the suction section 60 are arranged on the cleaning side 51. Thus, the brush section 52, the nozzle section 55, and the suction section 60 are arranged to be directed at the workpiece carrier 10 during cleaning.Since the brush section 52, the nozzle section 55 and the suction section 60 are arranged on the same side of the cleaning device 50, namely the cleaning side 51, the brush section 52, the nozzle section 55 and the suction section 60 can sweep over the workpiece 10 during movement B.

[0036] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Such a cleaning device 50 is related to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described. Fig. 3 is referred to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0037] The suction section 60 is arranged between the brush section 52 and the nozzle section 55. Specifically, in the direction of movement B, suction section 60 is positioned between the brush section 52 and the nozzle section 55. Thus, the suction openings 61a, 61b are located between the brushes 53a and the nozzles 56a, 56b.

[0038] Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of a cleaning device 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Such a cleaning device 50 is related to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 described. Fig. 4 is referred to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 described.

[0039] The cleaning device 50 has a suction port 62 for extracting air and / or gas drawn in through the suction section 60. The suction port 62 has, for example, an outer diameter of 0.5 cm. The cleaning device 50 has a channel 63 branching between the suction port 62 and the at least two suction openings 61a, 61b (see also Fig. 6) This allows air and / or gas to be extracted through each of the suction openings 61a, 61b by applying pressure to the suction port 62.

[0040] Fig. Figure 5 shows, by way of example, a detail of a cleaning device 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Such a cleaning device 50 is related to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 described. Fig. 5 is referred to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 described.

[0041] The cleaning surface 51 has a base 51a and a frame 51b that projects from the base 51a and partially surrounds it. Openings for the suction openings 61a, 61b and for the nozzles 56a, 56b are arranged on the base 51a. The brushes 56b, the suction openings 61a, 61b, and the nozzles 56a, 56b extend elongatedly perpendicular to the direction of movement B to achieve effective and thorough cleaning. The frame 51b is formed by two webs parallel to the direction of movement B. The frame 51b, or rather the webs, are offset by, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm, for example, 2 mm (in Fig. 5 in the direction of the image plane). In the direction of movement B, brush 56a first sweeps over the workpiece carrier 10.

[0042] The cleaning device 50 is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. The cleaning device 50 consists of a polyamide, for example, so-called PA11 and / or PA12.

[0043] Fig. Figure 6 shows a section of a cleaning device 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure. Such a cleaning device 50 is related to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 described. Fig. 6 is referred to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 described.

[0044] The nozzle section 55 is configured to blow air and / or gas at an angle of 40° to the workpiece carrier 10. In other words, the nozzles 56a and 56b are positioned opposite the cleaning side 51. The nozzle section 55 is configured to blow air and / or gas at least partially in the direction of the suction section 60 and / or the brush section 52. During movement B, the brush 56a thus first sweeps across the workpiece carrier 10. This loosens contaminants. The contaminants are mechanically agitated by the blowing action through the nozzles 56a and 56b and are carried towards the suction section 60, where they are transported away with the air and / or gas through the suction openings 61a and 61b. Reference symbol (part of the description) 10 workpiece carriers 40 motor vehicle 45 Energy storage device 46 battery cells 47 components 50 cleaning device 51 Cleaning page 51a Base area 51b frame 52 Brush section 53a brush 55 Nozzle section 56a nozzle 56b nozzle 60 Suction section 61a Suction opening 61b Suction opening 62 Suction port Channel 63 B relative translational movement QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 35 00 005 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (50) for cleaning a workpiece carrier (10) for carrying components (47) comprising battery cells (46) for an energy storage device (45) of a motor vehicle (40); wherein - the cleaning device (50) has a brush section (52); - the cleaning device (50) has a nozzle section (55) for blowing out air and / or gas; and - the cleaning device (50) has a suction section (60) for drawing in air and / or gas; wherein - the brush section (52), the nozzle section (55) and the suction section (60) are arranged such that the workpiece carrier (10) can be brushed over by the brush section (52), the nozzle section (55) and the suction section (60) during a relative translational movement (B) between the cleaning device (50) and the workpiece carrier (10). [2] Cleaning device (50) according to claim 1, wherein the suction section (60) is arranged between the brush section (52) and the nozzle section (55). [3] Cleaning device (50) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the cleaning device (50) has a cleaning side (51); and - the brush section (52), the nozzle section (55) and the suction section (60) are arranged on the cleaning side (51). [4] Cleaning device (50) according to claim 3, wherein - the cleaning side (51) has a base area (51a) and a frame (51b) that projects outwards from the base area (51a) and partially surrounds the base area (51a). [5] Cleaning device (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the brush section (52) is designed to hold at least two brushes (53a) aligned with each other; - the nozzle section (55) has at least two nozzles (56a, 56b) aligned with each other; and / or - the suction section (60) has at least two suction openings (61a, 61b) aligned with each other. [6] Cleaning device (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the cleaning device (50) has a suction port (62) for extracting air and / or gas drawn into the suction section (60); - the suction section (60) has at least two suction openings (61a, 61b); and - the cleaning device (50) has a channel (63) branching between the suction port (62) and the at least two suction openings (61a, 61b). [7] Cleaning device (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle section (55) is configured to blow air and / or gas at an angle, in particular at an angle between 30° and 50°, to the workpiece carrier (10). [8] Cleaning device (50) according to claim 7, wherein the nozzle section (55) is configured to blow air and / or gas at least partially in the direction of the suction section (60) and / or the brush section (52). [9] Cleaning device (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (50) is produced by an additive process. [10] Cleaning device (50) according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning device (50) consists of a polyamide.

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