Workpiece support

Abstract

The invention relates to a workpiece support in which a plurality of workpieces (1) can be arranged in multiple arrangements, said workpiece support comprising: - at least two longitudinal supports (19), - spring-loaded separating walls (13) which run between the two longitudinal supports (19) and which can be moved along the longitudinal supports (19), wherein at least one respective receiving region (7) for one or more workpieces (1) is defined between two adjacent separating walls (13), said receiving region being delimited laterally by adjacent longitudinal supports (19), and - a moving mechanism (15), by means of which the separating walls (13) can be moved against the spring force such that the workpieces (1) are held in the receiving regions (7) in a force-fitting manner by the adjacent separating walls (13).

Description

[0001] WORKPIECE CARRIER

[0002] The invention relates to a workpiece carrier in which a plurality of workpieces can be arranged in a multiple arrangement.

[0003] Battery production involves heating and / or drying steps. During these steps, battery cell components are heated and / or dried over an extended period of time in a dedicated processing station. During these steps, the battery cell components are securely held in a workpiece carrier. The battery cell components are also transported to and from the production station in the workpiece carrier. Multiple workpiece carriers can be stacked so that the battery cell components can be processed in a predetermined arrangement in the production station and are protected by the tool carrier during transport and production, as well as during possible intermediate storage.

[0004] JP 2002-2708 A shows a container with movable partitions whose lateral projections engage grooves in the container's side walls. Spring elements between a container end wall and a partition allow the partitions and the objects arranged between them to be pushed together.

[0005] EP 3290 152 A1 shows a workpiece carrier with movable support elements that can be moved along lateral rails.

[0006] DE 20 2018 107 171 U1 shows a container with transverse dividers running between the container side walls and longitudinal divider bars arranged between two adjacent dividers. The objective is to provide a workpiece carrier for workpieces, for example, for battery cell components, that securely holds the workpieces in a multiple arrangement.

[0007] This object is achieved by a workpiece carrier in which a plurality of workpieces can be arranged in a multiple arrangement. The workpiece carrier comprises at least two longitudinal beams and spring-loaded partitions that extend between the two longitudinal beams and are displaceable along the longitudinal beams. Between each of two adjacent partitions, at least one receiving area for one or more workpieces is defined, which is laterally delimited by adjacent longitudinal beams. A displacement mechanism is provided with which the partitions can be displaced against a spring force, so that the workpieces are held in the receiving areas by the adjacent partitions in a force-fitting manner.

[0008] The workpiece carrier is designed to hold workpieces. A workpiece is a component to be processed or transported. The workpiece carrier holds the workpieces ready for these purposes. Battery cell components, as example workpieces, can be end products or intermediate products from which batteries or their components are manufactured. The term battery cell components also includes batteries. The batteries, or their components or intermediate products, can be rechargeable or can only be discharged once.

[0009] For workpieces in a multiple arrangement, the workpiece carrier is designed to accommodate several workpieces, which are advantageously placed in areas provided for this purpose. The size of such an area for holding the workpiece can exceed the size of the workpiece. Advantageously, at least sufficient play is provided to position the workpiece there. The holding area is defined by adjacent partition walls and adjacent longitudinal beams. They limit the holding area longitudinally and laterally. Further holding areas are defined by an outer wall and the adjacent partition wall as well as adjacent longitudinal beams, so that workpieces can also be held force-fittingly between this outer wall and the adjacent partition wall. The force-fitting connection is created by the forces acting between the components.Compressive or, in particular, frictional forces created by pressing the components together hold the components in place. Nevertheless, the frictional connection can be supported by a positive fit in certain designs.

[0010] By moving the partition walls, the workpieces are clamped between two adjacent partition walls and held in place by the frictional connection between the two partition walls, which press against the workpieces from opposite sides. In the same way, the partition wall adjacent to the outer wall is moved and, together with the outer wall, holds the workpieces arranged between them in frictional connection. The explanations below regarding the holding of workpieces between two adjacent partition walls and the means provided for this purpose also apply to the workpieces between the outer wall and the adjacent partition wall. However, the outer wall is not moved.

[0011] The partitions are spring-loaded, so that their movement occurs either against a spring force or with the assistance of a spring force. When the frictional connection is formed, the movement occurs against the spring force. Advantageously, the workpiece carrier is preloaded even when not loaded with workpieces, so that a spring force already acts on the partitions in their predetermined home position, from which they are moved to form the frictional connection for holding the workpieces. The partitions are advantageously spring-coupled, so that the movement of one partition is transmitted to the other partitions via elastically deformable springs.

[0012] Using the sliding mechanism, the partitions can be moved against a spring force, so that the workpieces in the receiving areas are pressed between the adjacent partitions and held in place with a force fit. This prevents the workpieces from slipping out between the partitions. In one design, the partitions are straight. Alternatively, the partition area facing the workpiece can be adapted to the shape of the workpiece, for example, by means of a bulge.

[0013] In one embodiment, one or more workpieces from the plurality of workpieces can be arranged in each of the receiving areas. If there are multiple workpieces, these can be arranged in a row along the partition walls, so that each workpiece in this row is clamped between the adjacent partition walls. In one embodiment, the held workpiece can extend over several receiving areas, which implies that the same workpiece can be arranged in these receiving areas. In one embodiment, the partition walls have holes through which the longitudinal supports run, so that the partition walls can be moved and are guided and held by the longitudinal supports. Alternatively, open notches on the edges can be provided for this purpose.

[0014] In one design, the longitudinal beams run between two opposite outer walls. At least two of the longitudinal beams are permanently connected to the outer walls to define the distance between the outer walls. Welded or screwed connections can be used. The other longitudinal beams, if present, can also be permanently connected or have some play to prevent jamming during assembly. The longitudinal beams can, for example, have a round or square cross-section. Support rods can run between two opposite outer walls onto which the workpieces can be placed from above during loading without them slipping down out of the workpiece carrier. The partition walls can also be moved along the support rods. The support rods can run underneath the partition walls or in holes or notches open towards the edge through the partition walls.

[0015] Advantageously, the receiving areas are arranged in rows and columns, with the columns running along the longitudinal beams between the outer sides and the rows running along the partition walls. Rows and columns run perpendicular to each other. Versions with only one column are available, which can result in wide receiving areas.

[0016] Advantageously, outer longitudinal beams run along opposite outer sides of the workpiece carrier. These, together with the outer walls, increase the stability of the workpiece carrier through the resulting frame structure. Alternatively, receiving areas are provided in an outer column whose outer side is not delimited by a longitudinal beam. The frictional connection provided by the partition walls nevertheless allows for secure, force-fitting support for the workpieces even in the receiving areas of the outer columns.

[0017] In one embodiment, more than one longitudinal member runs along the same outer side and / or between two adjacent columns. For example, the longitudinal members can be arranged in pairs on the same outer side and / or between two adjacent columns: In one embodiment, the two longitudinal members of the pair are then arranged one above the other. This improves stability. Advantageously, at least one spring is coupled between two adjacent partition walls. The spring is an elastically deformable element between adjacent partition walls that is compressed when the partition walls are moved towards each other. Deformed in this way, the spring force of the elastic element acts opposite to the compression direction and presses on the partition walls. The spring force causes the compressed partition walls to move away from each other again when the compressive force decreases.This releases the frictional connection that holds the workpieces and allows them to be removed from the workpiece carrier. When the workpiece carrier is not loaded, the spring is advantageously preloaded.

[0018] In one embodiment, the spring is designed to run around the longitudinal member and, in the prestressed state, is supported on the partition walls. Such a spring can be a spiral spring made of a wire wound spirally around the longitudinal member. In one embodiment, spiral springs are provided on each of the longitudinal members between the adjacent partition walls and the outer wall and the partition wall adjacent to it. In an alternative embodiment, springs arranged in this way are not provided on all of the longitudinal members. In a further embodiment, spiral springs are not provided on each of the longitudinal members running between the adjacent partition walls and the outer wall and the adjacent partition wall, wherein the longitudinal members carrying the springs are not the same for all pairs of adjacent partition walls.

[0019] The displacement mechanism is designed to displace the partition walls to form the frictional connection and to fix the displacement of the partition walls so that the workpieces are held in a frictional connection. The displacement mechanism is arranged on the other outer wall and moves the adjacent first partition wall away from the outer wall. No receiving areas are provided between the outer wall with the displacement mechanism and the first partition wall. The displacement mechanism causes the adjacent first partition wall to press the workpieces arranged on it against the partition wall adjacent to the first partition wall, which then has the same effect on the workpieces arranged on it until all workpieces have been pushed together between the partition walls and are held in a frictional connection. The displacement mechanism is designed to change the distance between the first partition wall and the outer wall. To form the frictional connection, the distance is increased.To release the frictional connection, the distance is reduced, whereby the spring action moves the partition walls apart again.

[0020] In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism comprises at least one spacer, which is used to establish the distance from the first partition wall. The distance is also changed by moving the spacer. Such a displacement mechanism can comprise an internal thread on the outer wall and a screw with an external thread as a spacer, which is rotated against the first partition wall by the internal thread, thereby displacing it.

[0021] In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism comprises a lever designed to space the first partition wall from the outer wall. Such a lever can be designed, for example, as a toggle lever. Advantageously, the lever can be locked after the force-locking connection has been established, so that it remains in its position to hold the workpieces force-locked. Alternative means for the displacement mechanism can be, for example, a wedge or a latch.

[0022] The components of the workpiece carrier are advantageously made of metal, which is stable and heat-resistant. The connections between the longitudinal beams and the outer walls are advantageously screwed, so that the connections are detachable, allowing the replacement of components and their use in other workpiece carriers. The partition walls and the springs are simply placed on the longitudinal beams. The springs are preloaded when the longitudinal beams are attached to the outer walls. A workpiece carrier assembled in this way offers a degree of design freedom, as different components can be combined as needed. The workpiece carrier is sustainable because the components are reusable. For example, the longitudinal beams used can be selected from longitudinal beams of different lengths.

[0023] Below, some examples are explained in more detail using the drawings. They show:

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional arrangement of an embodiment of a workpiece carrier,

[0025] Fig. 2 a top view of the workpiece carrier,

[0026] Fig. 3 a bottom view of the workpiece carrier,

[0027] Fig. 4 a side view of the workpiece carrier and

[0028] Fig. 5 a three-dimensional detailed view of the workpiece carrier.

[0029] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional arrangement of an exemplary embodiment of a workpiece carrier for workpieces 1, which in this exemplary embodiment are battery cell components 1. A plurality of battery cell components as exemplary embodiments of workpieces 1 can be arranged in a multiple arrangement in the workpiece carrier. The battery cell components as workpieces 1 are securely held in position by the workpiece carrier.

[0030] The workpiece carrier comprises a front outer wall 3 and a rear outer wall 5, between which receiving areas 7 for the battery cell components 1 are provided. Terms such as "front", "rear", "top", "bottom" and the like do not denote absolute positions in space, but rather illustrate the arrangement of the components relative to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving areas 7 are completely or largely filled by the battery cell components 1. The receiving areas 7 are arranged in rows 9 and columns 11. The columns 9 run longitudinally between the outer walls 3, 5. The rows 11 run transversely thereto. Spring-loaded, movable partition walls 13 are provided between the rows 11, which, when pushed together, hold the battery cell components 1 in the receiving areas 7 between two adjacent partition walls 13 by means of a frictional connection.A sliding mechanism 15 is configured to slide the partition walls 13 so that the battery cell components 1 are securely clamped between adjacent partition walls 13 and held in place by friction. The sliding mechanism 15 also fixes the positions of the partition walls 13 and the battery cell components 1.

[0031] Similarly, between the rear outer wall 5 and the adjacent partition wall 132, receiving areas 7 are defined, in which the battery cell components 1 are held in frictional engagement by the movable adjacent partition wall 132 and the rear outer wall 5. Pin-shaped, upwardly projecting stacking aids 17 on the front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5 in the corner areas of the workpiece carrier facilitate stacking of the workpiece carriers, as upwardly projecting tips 35 of the stacking aids 17 engage in corresponding recesses 39 of a stacked workpiece carrier.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the workpiece carrier from Fig. 1 . A plurality of movable partition walls 13 are arranged between the front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5. A first partition wall 131 is arranged adjacent to the front outer wall 3. By moving it, its distance from the front outer wall 3 can be changed. When it is pushed towards the rear outer wall 5, its distance from the front outer wall 3 increases and causes the depth of the receiving areas 7, which is the distance between adjacent partition walls 13, to be reduced.

[0033] Longitudinal beams 19 extend between the front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5. In this exemplary embodiment, eight pairs of equidistantly spaced longitudinal beams 19 are provided, which are firmly connected to the front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5. The connection can be made, for example, by welding or screwing. In this exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal beams 19 have internal threads on the end faces, into which screws 21 engage through holes and washers 23 in the front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5, so that the front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5 are fixed between the longitudinal beams 19 and the screw heads and washers 23, since the holes have a smaller diameter.

[0034] Between the rear outer wall 5 and its adjacent partition wall

[0035] 132 and between adjacent partition walls 13, springs 25 are coupled in each case. The springs 25 are coil springs that wind around the longitudinal beams 19 and, in a prestressed state, are supported on the rear outer wall 5 and the adjacent partition wall 132 or between adjacent partition walls 13. In this exemplary embodiment, eight coil springs 25, one on each longitudinal beam 19, are arranged between the rear outer wall 5 and the adjacent partition wall 132 or between two adjacent partition walls 13. The springs 25 are prestressed even when the workpiece carrier is not loaded. The length of the lined-up springs 25 in the relaxed state on a longitudinal beam 19 is greater than the distance between the outer walls 3, 5.

[0036] The displacement mechanism 15 comprises screw nuts 27 with an internal thread fastened to the front outer wall 3 and displacement screws 29 whose external thread engages with the internal thread. In this exemplary embodiment, three displacement screws 29 and three screw nuts 27 are provided, one for each column 11. More or fewer displacement screws 29 and screw nuts 27 can be provided. The screw nuts 27 are firmly connected to the front outer wall 3, for example, welded. They are provided on the inside of the front outer wall 3 such that the first partition 131 is spaced from the front outer wall 3 by at least the height of the screw nuts 27. The end face of the screw shaft presses on the first partition 131 and can thus push it away from the front outer wall 3.When the adjustment screws 29 are turned back, the preload of the springs 25 causes the first partition 131 and the other partitions 13 to move in the opposite direction. Turning the adjustment screws 29 changes the length of the screw shaft, which extends beyond the screw nut 27 into the interior of the workpiece carrier, thus moving the first partition 131 away from the front outer wall 3. The inwardly projecting shaft, together with the height of the screw nut 27, defines the distance between the first partition 131 and the front outer wall 3.

[0037] The receiving areas 7 are defined by adjacent partition walls 13 and adjacent longitudinal beams 19. One or more battery cell components 1 can be arranged in each receiving area 7. If there are multiple battery cell components 1, these are arranged in a row along the partition wall 13. In this exemplary embodiment, a battery cell component 1 with a rectangular contour and five cavities is arranged in each receiving area 7. The battery cell component 1 shown is an exemplary embodiment of a workpiece that can be held by the workpiece carrier and is shown merely as an example. The workpiece 1 to be held is in no way limited to the shape shown or its basic cuboid shape. It can have a variety of designs.The battery cell components 1 in the receiving areas 7 are held in a force-locking manner by the adjacent partition walls 13 after they have been moved together by the sliding screws 29 of the sliding mechanism 15 to such an extent that a secure force-locking connection is created between the battery cell components 1 and the partition walls 13.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment, the springs 25 of the unpopulated workpiece carrier without battery cell components 1 are pretensioned such that the depth of the receiving areas 7 as the distance between adjacent partition walls 13 is sufficient to easily insert the battery cell components 1 into the receiving areas 1 without the need for pressing. The sliding mechanism 15 reduces the depth, the partition walls 13 move together and a frictional connection is created by the partition walls 13 being pushed together with the sliding screws 29. Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the workpiece carrier. Retaining rods 31 run between adjacent longitudinal beams 19, on which the battery cell components 1 can be placed during assembly. In this exemplary embodiment, two retaining rods 31 are arranged between two adjacent longitudinal beams 19. The retaining rods 31 can, for example, have a round or square cross-section. The latter increases the support surface.The support rods 31 can be attached to the front and rear outer walls 3, 5 in the same way as the longitudinal beams 19.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows the workpiece carrier in a side view.

[0040] The front outer wall 3 and the rear outer wall 5 are beveled forwards and backwards on both the top and bottom sides, respectively, forming support surfaces 33 for stacking multiple workpiece carriers. Cylindrical stacking aids 17 extend between the support surfaces 33. Their tips 35 protrude beyond the support surface 33 through a hole in the upper support surface 33. A recess 39 is provided in the lower end face of the stacking aid 17, the position of which corresponds to a hole in the lower support 33. The tip 35 of another workpiece carrier can engage in the recess 39 to specify the alignment of the workpiece carriers during stacking and to stabilize the stack against lateral slippage.

[0041] The partition walls 19 have holes for the longitudinal members 19 and the support rods 31. The holes are designed such that the partition walls 13 can be moved along the longitudinal members 19 and support rods 31. In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional contours of the holes and the longitudinal members 19 and support rods 31 correspond in shape and size such that there is sufficient play for moving the partition walls 13. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the support rods 31 are arranged below the partition walls 13. The distance of the first partition wall 131, defined by the screw nuts 27, is clearly visible in the basic position without components. The displacement of the partition walls 13 when fixing the battery cell components 1 is achieved by turning the displacement screws 29 so that their shaft ends move the first partition wall 131 away from the front outer wall 3.This movement is transmitted to the other partition walls 13 via the springs 25 and, if equipped, the battery cell components 1, so that the movement of the displacement screws 29 also pushes the other partition walls 13 and battery cell components 1 together until the battery cell components 1 are held in place by friction. In this state, the workpiece carrier can then be moved and rotated without the battery cell components 1 falling out.

[0042] By turning the sliding screws 29 in the opposite direction, the battery cell components 1 are released, since this causes the partition walls 13 to move away from each other due to the spring force and thus the release of the frictional connection.

[0043] Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional detail of the workpiece carrier in the front corner area. Clearly visible is the distance between the first partition wall 131 and the front outer wall 3, which can be adjusted using the adjustment screws 29 of the adjustment mechanism 15.

[0044] In this exemplary embodiment, the partition walls 13 have depressions 37 in their upper edge, which are located in the center of the receiving areas 7. These depressions 37 facilitate the loading of the workpiece carrier, since a hand or machine inserting the battery cell components 1 can push the battery cell components 1 further into the receiving areas 7 than would be the case with a straight upper edge. The features stated above and in the claims, as well as those shown in the figures, can be advantageously implemented both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not limited to the described exemplary embodiments, but can be modified in many ways within the scope of expert knowledge.

[0045] Reference symbol

[0046] I Workpiece / battery cell component

[0047] 3 front exterior wall

[0048] 5 rear exterior wall

[0049] 7 Recording area

[0050] 9 line

[0051] II Column

[0052] 13, 131 , 132 partition wall

[0053] 15 Sliding mechanism

[0054] 17 Stacking aid

[0055] 19 longitudinal members

[0056] 21 Screw

[0057] 23 Washer

[0058] 25 spring

[0059] 27 Screw nut

[0060] 29 Sliding screw

[0061] 31 Grab bar

[0062] 33 contact surface

[0063] 35 lace

[0064] 37 Lowering

[0065] 39 recess

Claims

Claims: 1 . Workpiece carrier in which a plurality of workpieces (1) can be arranged in a multiple arrangement, the workpiece carrier comprising: - at least two longitudinal members (19), - spring-loaded partition walls (13) which run between the two longitudinal beams (19) and which are displaceable along the longitudinal beams (19), wherein between two adjacent partition walls (13) at least one receiving area (7) for one or more workpieces (1) is defined, which is laterally delimited by adjacent longitudinal beams (19), - a displacement mechanism (15) with which the partition walls (13) can be displaced against a spring force, so that the workpieces (1) are held in the receiving areas (7) by the adjacent partition walls (13) in a force-fitting manner.

2. Workpiece carrier according to claim 1, wherein in the receiving areas (7) one or more workpieces (1) from the plurality of workpieces (1) can be arranged in a row along the partition walls (13).

3. Workpiece carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal supports (19) extend between two opposite outer walls (3, 5).

4. Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving areas (7) are arranged in rows (9) and columns (11), wherein the columns (11) run along the longitudinal supports (19) and the rows (9) run along the partition walls (13).

5. Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein outer longitudinal supports (19) run on opposite outer sides of the workpiece carrier.

6. Workpiece carrier according to claim 4 or 5, wherein more than one longitudinal carrier (19) runs on a same outer side and / or between two adjacent gaps (11).

7. Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one spring (25) is coupled between two adjacent partition walls (13).

8. Workpiece carrier according to claim 7, wherein the spring (25), which can be designed in particular as a spiral spring, runs around the longitudinal carrier (19) and is supported on the partition walls (13) in a prestressed state.

9. Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement of the partition walls (13) can be fixed by the displacement mechanism (15).

10. Workpiece carrier according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a first partition wall (131) is arranged adjacent to one of the outer walls (3) and the displacement mechanism (15) is designed to change the distance of the first partition wall (131) from the outer wall (3). 11 . Workpiece carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement mechanism (15) comprises a spacer.

12. Workpiece carrier according to claim 11, wherein the displacement mechanism (15) comprises an internal thread and a screw (29) with an external thread as a spacer.

13. Workpiece carrier according to one of claims 3 to 12, wherein at least one receiving area (7) is defined between a second partition wall (132) adjacent to one of the outer walls (5) and this outer wall (5) and at least one spring (25) is coupled.

14. Workpiece holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein holding rods (31) on which the workpieces (1) can be placed run between two opposite outer walls (3, 5).

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