Positioning device for positioning single cells and method for positioning

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning device (1) for positioning individual cells (2) in a cell carrier (3), wherein the cell carrier (3) has a number of receptacles (3.1) for arranging an individual cell (2). According to the invention, a gripping element (1.1) with a plurality of suction nozzles (1.2) is provided, the gripping element (1.1) is arranged along a vertical axis (z) above the individual cells (2), and the suction nozzles (1.2) are designed to suck in and hold the individual cell (2) by means of generated negative pressure, each receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) has a recess (A) on the bottom, the diameter (d A ) is smaller than a diameter (d Z) of the individual cells (2), a vacuum unit (1.3) with a plurality of further suction nozzles (1.4) is arranged along the vertical axis (z) below the arranged cell carrier (3), a respective further suction nozzle (1.4) is arranged along the vertical axis (z) below a receptacle (3.1) with a recess (A), the vacuum unit (1.3) is designed to generate a negative pressure in the further suction nozzle (1.4) for sucking in the individual cells (2) after deactivation of the generation of the negative pressure in the suction nozzle (1.2), and the negative pressure of the further suction nozzles (1.4) acting through the recess (A) in the respective receptacle (3.1) draws the respective individual cell (2) into the receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a positioning device for positioning individual cells in a cell carrier to form a cell module for an electrical energy storage device, wherein the cell carrier has a number of receptacles, each receptacle being designed for arranging an individual cell. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for positioning individual cells.

[0002] A positioning mechanism for battery cells is known from CN 209717128 U. The positioning mechanism comprises a base, a positioning assembly arranged on the base, and an elastic element connected to the positioning assembly. The elastic element serves to drive the positioning assembly to clamp a battery cell. The positioning assembly comprises a first and a second positioning element. The first positioning element serves to position the battery cell longitudinally, and the second positioning element serves to position the battery cell transversely.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of specifying a positioning device for positioning individual cells in a cell carrier and a method for positioning individual cells.

[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention by a positioning device which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a method which has the features specified in claim 4.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0006] A positioning device for positioning individual cells in a cell carrier to form a cell module for an electrical energy storage device provides that the cell carrier has a number of receptacles, each receptacle being designed for arranging an individual cell. According to the invention, a gripping element with a plurality of suction nozzles is provided. The gripping element is arranged along a vertical axis above the individual cells, and the suction nozzles are designed to suck in the individual cell by means of a generated negative pressure and to hold it by the negative pressure. Each receptacle of the cell carrier has a recess on its bottom side, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the individual cells. A vacuum unit with a plurality of further suction nozzles is arranged along the vertical axis below the cell carrier, which is arranged relative to the sucked-in and held individual cells.a respective further suction nozzle of the vacuum unit is arranged along the vertical axis below a receptacle with a recess, the vacuum unit is designed to generate a negative pressure in the suction nozzle for holding the cell carrier arranged on the further suction nozzle and for sucking the individual cells after deactivation of the generation of the negative pressure in the suction nozzle of the gripping element, and the negative pressure of the further suction nozzles of the vacuum unit acting through the recess in the respective receptacle draws the respective individual cell into the receptacle of the cell carrier until it reaches its respective end position.

[0007] Using a positioning device designed in this way, precise positioning of the individual cells in the cell carrier is possible without any significant risk of mechanical damage to the individual cells during positioning. This opens the door to new concepts.

[0008] The positioning device enables individual cells to be installed at least for a cell module or an electrical energy storage device to be arranged in the cell carrier in a single cycle, thereby optimizing the cycle time for cell module production. Furthermore, the individual cells can be freely dimensioned, making the positioning device particularly well-suited for the construction of cell modules and / or an electrical energy storage device.

[0009] Furthermore, flexibility is provided with regard to the dimensioning of individual cells and their cell formats. The positioning device is particularly suitable for positioning individual cells designed as round cells, while also being independent of the materials used for the cell housing of the individual cells. These can be made of steel, particularly Hilumin, and / or aluminum, for example.

[0010] The positioning device and a method for positioning the individual cells by means of the positioning device place comparatively lower demands on plant technology in terms of complexity, so that the positioning device and the method that can be carried out by means of it can be integrated into existing processes of a production environment without great effort.

[0011] The method, its processes and a manufactured product, in particular in the form of a cell module, are coordinated with each other, so that a structure of the cell carrier is specifically utilized and / or adapted to the processes.

[0012] The cell carrier is particularly suitable for handling and further installation, so that the number of individual cells of an electrical energy storage device can be divided into cell modules and thus an electrical energy storage device can be assembled from several cell carriers equipped with individual cells.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0014] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a positioning device for positioning individual cells and an enlarged section of the sectional view, Fig. 2 schematically shows a process of positioning the individual cells by means of the positioning device and Fig. 3 schematically shows a sectional view of the positioning device before inserting individual cells into a cell carrier of an alternative embodiment and a sectional view of the individual cells inserted into the cell carrier in the alternative embodiment.

[0015] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a positioning device 1 for positioning individual cells 2 in a cell carrier 3, along with an enlarged section of the sectional view. According to the present embodiment, the individual cells 2 are designed as round cells.

[0017] The positioning device 1 comprises a gripping element 1.1 with a plurality of suction nozzles 1.2 arranged at a predetermined distance from one another. The suction nozzles 1.2 can be arranged in one row or in several rows one behind the other.

[0018] Furthermore, the positioning device 1 comprises the cell carrier 3, which has cup-shaped receptacles 3.1, wherein a single cell 2 can be arranged in each receptacle 3.1. Each receptacle 3.1 has a recess A on the bottom side, the diameter d A is smaller than a diameter d Ean insertion opening of the respective holder 3.1, i.e. holder 3.1, and a diameter d Z of the respective single cell 2. The diameter d Z of the individual cells 2 is at most 50.0 mm and at least 5.0 mm, with the diameter d E the insertion opening and thus the respective receptacle 3.1 is dimensioned such that it corresponds at least to the sum of the diameter d Z of the respective individual cell 2 and 0.001 mm. The cell carrier 3 is made, for example, of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic and / or Styrofoam or the like. The cell carrier 3 can also have metallic connectors for electrically interconnecting the electrical pole contacts of adjacently arranged individual cells 2.

[0019] In addition, the positioning device 1 comprises a vacuum unit 1.3 with a plurality of additional suction nozzles 1.4, wherein the vacuum unit 1.3 is arranged along a vertical axis z below the cell carrier 3. The respective additional suction nozzle 1.4 is arranged below a recess A of a respective receptacle 3.1 of the cell carrier 3.

[0020] In particular, a number of suction nozzles 1.2 of the gripping element 1.1 corresponds to a number of receptacles 3.1 of the cell carrier 3 and a number of further suction nozzles 1.4 of the vacuum unit 1.3.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a sequence of positioning the individual cells 2 into the receptacles 3.1 of the cell carrier 3 by means of the positioning device 1.

[0022] First, the individual cells 2 to be picked up by means of the cell carrier 3 are positioned on the gripping element 1.1 in accordance with an arrangement of the suction nozzles 1.2.

[0023] A negative pressure is generated in the suction nozzle 1.2, which sucks in the individual cells 2, in particular in the area of ​​a cell lid, whereby the individual cells 2 are held on the gripping element 1.1 by the acting negative pressure.

[0024] The gripping element 1.1, with the individual cells 2 held by the suction nozzles 1.2, is then arranged above the cell carrier 3 with respect to the vertical axis z, or vice versa, wherein, in particular, each of the individual cells 2 is positioned above a receptacle 3.1, in particular its insertion opening. The individual cells 2 protrude, in particular, by a predeterminable amount into the receptacles 3.1 of the cell carrier 3.

[0025] If the individual cells 2 are positioned in this way by means of the gripping element 1.1, the vacuum unit 1.3 is activated to generate a vacuum in the further suction nozzle 1.4 and the generation of a vacuum in the suction nozzle 1.2 of the gripping element 1.1 is deactivated.

[0026] The negative pressure generated in the suction port 1.3 of the vacuum unit 1.3, which acts on the individual cells 2 through the recess A of the respective receptacle 3.1 of the cell carrier 3, draws the individual cells 2 into the receptacle 3.1 of the cell carrier 3 until they reach their respective end positions. The cell carrier 3 is then loaded with the individual cells 2, which are precisely positioned. The individual cells 2 can then be electrically connected and arranged with the cell carrier 3 in a housing of an electrical energy storage device.

[0027] To generate the negative pressure in the receptacles 3.1 of the cell carrier 3 by means of the additional suction nozzles 1.4, it is necessary that the diameter d Z of the individual cells 2 and the diameter d Ethe insertion opening and thus the receptacle 3.1 are coordinated with one another. In addition, it can be provided that a lateral surface of the respective individual cell 2 and / or an inner surface of the respective receptacle 3.1 of the cell carrier 3 is provided with a coating to reduce frictional resistance between the individual cell 2 and the receptacle 3.1 when the respective individual cell 2 is inserted, i.e., sucked, into its receptacle 3.1.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the positioning device 1 before inserting the individual cells 2 into a cell carrier 3' of an alternative embodiment and a sectional view of the individual cells 2 inserted into the cell carrier 3' in the alternative embodiment.

[0029] The cell carrier 3' formed in the alternative embodiment has openings 3.3 introduced into the walls 3.2 delimiting the respective receptacle 3.1; these openings 3.3 serve to form a channel within a housing of the electrical energy storage device, in which the cell carrier 3' equipped with individual cells 2 or several cell carriers 3' equipped with individual cells 2 is or are arranged.

[0030] This channel formed by the openings 3.3 can be flowed through in particular by a temperature control medium in order to temperature control, in particular to cool, the individual cells 2 during operation of the electrical energy storage device. List of reference symbols 1 positioning device 1.1 Gripping element 1.2 Suction nozzle 1.3 Vacuum unit 1.4 additional suction nozzle 2 single cells 3, 3' cell carrier 3.1 Recording 3.2 Wall 3.3 Opening A recess d A Diameter of recess d E Diameter of insertion opening / receptacle d Z Diameter of single cell QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] CN 209717128 U

[0002]

Claims

[1] Positioning device (1) for positioning individual cells (2) in a cell carrier (3) to form a cell module for an electrical energy storage device, wherein the cell carrier (3) has a number of receptacles (3.1) and a respective receptacle (3.1) is designed for the arrangement of an individual cell (2), characterized by , that - a gripping element (1.1) with a plurality of suction nozzles (1.2) is present, - the gripping element (1.1) is arranged along a vertical axis (z) above the individual cells (2) and the suction nozzles (1.2) are designed to suck in the individual cell (2) by means of the generated negative pressure and to hold it by the negative pressure, - each receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) has a recess (A) on the bottom side, the diameter (d A ) is smaller than a diameter (d Z ) of the individual cells (2), - a vacuum unit (1.3) with a plurality of further suction nozzles (1.4) is arranged along the vertical axis (z) below the cell carrier (3) arranged in relation to the sucked-in and held individual cells (2), - a respective further suction nozzle (1.4) of the vacuum unit (1.3) is arranged along the vertical axis (z) below a receptacle (3.1) with a recess (A), - the vacuum unit (1.3) is designed to generate a negative pressure in the further suction nozzle (1.4) for holding the cell carrier (3) arranged on the further suction nozzle (1.4) and for sucking in the individual cells (2) after deactivating the generation of the negative pressure in the suction nozzle (1.2) of the gripping element (1.1), and - the negative pressure of the further suction nozzles (1.4) of the negative pressure unit (1.3) acting through the recess (A) in the respective receptacle (3.1) draws the respective individual cell (2) into the receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) until it reaches its respective end position. [2] Positioning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the diameter (d A ) of the recess (A) of the respective receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) is smaller than a diameter (d E ) an insertion opening of the respective holder (3.1). [3] Positioning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a lateral surface of the respective individual cell (2) and / or an inner surface of the respective receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) is provided with a coating for reducing frictional resistance between the individual cell (2) and the receptacle (3.1) when the individual cell (2) is inserted into its receptacle (3.1). [4] Method for positioning individual cells (2) in a cell carrier (3) to form a cell module for an electrical energy storage device by means of a positioning device (1) which is designed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the individual cells (2) are sucked in and held by means of negative pressure generated in the suction nozzle (1.2) of the gripping element (1.1), - the gripping element (1.1) with the individual cells (2) is positioned along the vertical axis (z) above the receptacles (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) or vice versa, so that each individual cell (2) is arranged above an insertion opening of a receptacle (3.1), - the respective further suction nozzle (1.4) of the vacuum unit (1.3) is arranged along the vertical axis (z) below a recess (A) of a receptacle (3.1), - a negative pressure is generated by means of the further suction nozzles (1.4) of the vacuum unit (1.3) arranged along the vertical axis (z) below the cell carrier (3) when the generation of the negative pressure in the suction nozzles (1.2) of the gripping element (1.1) is deactivated and - the respective individual cell (2) is drawn into a receptacle (3.1) of the cell carrier (3) by the negative pressure of the further suction nozzles (1.4) acting through the recess (A) in the respective receptacle (3.1) until it reaches its respective end position.

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