Battery tray pressurizing device

Abstract

To provide a pressurizing device for a battery tray.SOLUTION: A battery tray pressurizing device includes a base, a compression force generating module, a fixing module, and a controller. The compression force generating module and the fixing module are provided on the base. The controller is electrically connected to the compression force generating module and the fixing module. The controller controls the fixing module to be coupled between the compression force generating module and the battery tray, and controls the compression force generating module to apply a compression force to a support plate of the battery tray, so that the support plate applies pressure to a pressure plate of the battery tray via a spring, thereby restraining batteries on a plurality of partition plates of the battery tray.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to battery formation technology, and in particular, to a pressurizing device that pressurizes a battery tray to restrain and shape a battery.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, semi-finished lithium batteries (i.e., soft-pack lithium batteries) must first undergo a formation process before being manufactured into products. "Formation" refers to a process of storing electrical energy by energizing a soft-pack lithium battery to gradually solidify the chemical components in a fluid state within the soft-pack lithium battery. However, since a soft-pack lithium battery fills a flexible bag with chemical components in a fluid state, it gradually expands during the formation process. Therefore, how to prevent excessive expansion of the soft-pack lithium battery has been one of the problems that need to be solved during the formation process.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] In view of the above circumstances, the inventor of the present invention proposes a pressurizing device for a battery tray that is used to prevent the swelling of a soft-pack lithium battery during formation by applying a uniform shaping external force in order to pressurize and shape the soft-pack lithium battery. In some embodiments, the battery tray includes a frame, a pressure plate, a support plate, a plurality of partition plates, and at least one spring. The pressure plate, the support plate, and the plurality of partition plates are coupled to the frame. At least one spring is provided between the pressure plate and the support plate, and at least one battery is provided on each partition plate. The pressurizing device includes a base, a compression force generating module, a fixing module, and a controller. The compression force generating module is provided on the base, and the fixing module is also provided on the base. The controller is electrically connected to the compression force generating module and the fixing module. The controller is used to control the fixing module to be coupled between the compression force generating module and the frame of the battery tray, and the controller controls the compression force generating module to apply a compression force to the support plate of the battery tray, and the support plate applies pressure to the pressure plate through at least one spring, so as to be used to restrain at least one battery on the plurality of partition plates.

[0004] In some embodiments, the compression force generating module has a mounting holder and a thrust generator. The mounting holder is coupled to the base. The thrust generator is provided on the mounting holder. The frame has a fixing plate, the fixing module has at least one locking arm, and in response to the controller controlling the fixing module to be coupled between the compression force generating module and the frame, both ends of the at least one locking arm are respectively hooked to the mounting holder and the fixing plate.

[0005] In some embodiments, the compression force generating module further has a displacement generating means and a guide rail. The displacement generating means and the guide rail are provided on the base, the mounting holder is coupled to the guide rail, the displacement generating means is electrically connected to the controller, and is used to be controlled by the controller to slide the mounting holder.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fixing module further has an actuator, the actuator is coupled to the base, electrically connected to the controller, the locking arm is coupled to the actuator, and the controller is further used to control the actuator to move the locking arm closer to or away from the mounting holder and the fixing plate.

[0007] In some embodiments, the fixing module further has a first sliding member and a second sliding member. The first sliding member is coupled to the locking arm, and the locking arm slides along a first direction through the first sliding member. The second sliding member is provided between the first sliding member and the base, coupled to the actuator, and the locking arm slides along a second direction through the second sliding member.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fixing module further has a placement plate and an elastic member. The placement plate is provided between the first sliding member and the second sliding member, and the actuator has a movable part coupled to the placement plate. Each locking arm has a stopper portion, and the elastic member is provided between the placement plate and the stopper portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the compression force generating module has a mounting holder and a thrust generator. The mounting holder is provided on the base. The thrust generator is provided on the mounting holder. The frame has a fixing plate, the fixing module has at least one locking arm, and one end of the locking arm is hinge-coupled to the mounting holder. In response to the controller controlling to couple the fixing module between the compression force generating module and the frame, the other end of the locking arm is respectively latched to the mounting holder and the fixing plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fixing module further includes an actuator, a first sliding member, and a second sliding member. The actuator is provided on the base and electrically connected to the controller. The first sliding member is coupled to the locking arm. The second sliding member is provided between the first sliding member and the base and coupled to the actuator. In response to the controller controlling the actuator to move the other end of the locking arm closer to or away from the mounting holder and the fixing plate, the locking arm slides along the first direction through the first sliding member, and the locking arm slides along the second direction through the second sliding member. In some embodiments, the fixing module further includes a pivot member provided between the first sliding member and the second sliding member, and the first sliding member and the second sliding member pivot relative to each other through the pivot member.

[0011] In some other embodiments, the pressing device for the battery tray includes a base, a compression force generating module, a fixing module, and a controller. The compression force generating module includes a thrust generator and a mounting holder. The mounting holder is coupled to the base, and the thrust generator is provided on the mounting holder. The fixing module includes a pair of actuators and a pair of locking arms. The pair of actuators are provided on the base, and each locking arm is coupled to each actuator respectively and provided on both sides of the compression force generating module and both sides of the battery tray. The controller is electrically connected to the thrust generator and the pair of actuators, and is used to control the pair of actuators to couple each locking arm between the mounting holder and the battery tray respectively, so as to maintain the distance between the compression force generating module and the battery tray within a specific range, and the controller is used to control the thrust generator to apply a compression force to the battery tray.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] In short, according to any embodiment, the battery tray pressing device can apply a compressive force to the battery tray through a compression force generating module to press and shape the battery on the partition plate of the battery tray. Both ends of the lock arm are respectively connected to the mounting holder of the compression force generating module and the fixing plate of the battery tray, so that displacement occurs during the process of the battery tray receiving the compression force, and the compression force generating module cannot smoothly apply the compression force to the battery tray, thus avoiding the situation that the battery cannot be effectively pressed and shaped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 4 showing the pressurizing device 1 and the battery tray 2. The pressurizing device 1 includes a base 10, a compression force generating module 11, a fixing module 12, and a controller 13. Both the compression force generating module 11 and the fixing module 12 are provided on the base 10, and the controller 13 is electrically connected to the compression force generating module 11 and the fixing module 12.

[0015] In some embodiments, the battery tray 2 has a frame 20, a pressing plate 21, a supporting plate 22, a plurality of partition plates 23, and four springs 24. Since the pressing plate 21, the supporting plate 22, and the plurality of partition plates 23 are coupled to the frame 20, they are movable relative to the frame 20. The springs 24 are provided between the pressing plate 21 and the supporting plate 22. In some embodiments, the battery tray 2 is used to store soft-pack lithium batteries, that is, soft-pack lithium batteries (not shown) are fixed to both sides of the partition plate 23 respectively. The frame 20 has a fixing plate 200.

[0016] (Example 1) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, FIGS. 5 to 8 show exemplary aspects of Example 1 of the pressurizing device 1 of the battery tray 2. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, in this embodiment, the compression force generating module 11 of the pressurizing device 1 of the battery tray 2 has a mounting holder 110 and a thrust generator 111. The mounting holder 110 is coupled to the base 10, and the thrust generator 111 is provided on the mounting holder 110. In some embodiments, the fixing module 12 is assumed to have a pair of lock arms 120, but is not limited thereto. The lock arm 120 may be single or multiple.

[0017] In this embodiment, when the pressurizing device 1 of the battery tray 2 starts to operate, the controller 13 controls to couple the fixed module 12 between the compression force generating module 11 and the frame 20 of the battery tray 2. In some embodiments, both ends of each locking arm 120 are coupled by being hooked to the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200, respectively.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fixed module 12 is coupled to the base 10 and further has a pair of actuators 121 electrically connected to the controller 13. Each actuator 121 is respectively coupled to the corresponding locking arm 120, and the controller 13 controls the actuator 121 of the fixed module 12 to move the locking arm 120 closer to or away from the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200. In some embodiments, when the controller 13 controls to couple the fixed module 12 between the compression force generating module 11 and the frame 20, the controller 13 controls the actuator 121 to move the locking arm 120 closer to the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200, so that both ends of each locking arm 120 are respectively hooked to the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixed module 12 further has a first sliding member 122 and a second sliding member 123. The first sliding member 122 is coupled to the locking arm 120, and the second sliding member 123 is provided between the first sliding member 122 and the base 10 and is coupled to the actuator 121. The first sliding member 122 enables the locking arm 120 to slide along the first direction D1. When the actuator 121 is activated, the locking arm 120 can move along the second direction D2 via the second sliding member 123.

[0020] In some embodiments, after the fixing module 12 is coupled between the compression force generating module 11 and the frame 20, the controller 13 controls the compression force generating module 11 to apply a compression force to the supporting plate 22 of the battery tray 2. The supporting plate 22 applies pressure to the pressing plate 21 through the spring 24, thereby restraining at least one battery on the plurality of partition plates 23.

[0021] Specifically, in some embodiments, the compression force generating module 11 applies a compression force to the supporting plate 22 of the battery tray 2 through the thrust generator 111. One end of the thrust generator 111 has a pressing head 114 and a telescopic member 115. The pressing head 114 faces the first direction D1 and faces one side of the supporting plate 22 of the battery tray 2 (FIG. 4). In some embodiments, when the compression force generating module 11 applies a compression force to the supporting plate 22 of the battery tray 2, the telescopic member 115 of the compression force generating module 11 extends, and the pressing head 114 contacts the supporting plate 22, gradually applying a compression force to the supporting plate 22. Then, the battery tray 2 is slightly displaced in the direction away from the pressing head 114 (the first direction D1), and one end of the locking arm 120 is hooked to the fixing plate 200.

[0022] In some embodiments, when the battery tray 2 is slightly displaced in the direction away from the pressing head 114 (the first direction D1), the locking arm 120 is moved by the fixing plate 200 and may slide in the first direction D1 through the first sliding member 122. The other end of the locking arm 120 is also locked to the mounting holder 110. At this time, both ends of the locking arm 120 are respectively hooked to the fixing plate 200 and the mounting holder 110, so the distance between the compression force generating module 11 and the battery tray 2 is maintained within a specific range. The specific range is the length of the locking arm 120 in the first direction D1. Therefore, when the compression force generating module 11 continues to apply a compression force to the battery tray 2, the battery tray 2 stops displacing, making it easier to continuously apply the compression force.

[0023] In some embodiments, when the compression force generating module 11 applies a compression force to the pressure plate 22, the pressure plate 22 transmits the compression force to the pressure applying plate 21 via the spring 24, and the pressure applying plate 21 pressurizes and shapes a battery (not shown) provided on the plurality of partition plates 23. In some embodiments, before the compression force generating module 11 applies a compression force to the battery tray 2, the spring 24 can apply a compression force to the pressure applying plate 21 in advance to bring the plurality of partition plates 23 into close contact with each other and slightly shape the battery. Note that the spring 24 can also form a buffering effect, thereby preventing the pressing head 114 from directly colliding with the pressure applying plate 21 and avoiding the compression force generating module 11 from applying an excessive compression force.

[0024] In some embodiments, when the formation of the battery is completed, the operation of the pressurizing device 1 of the battery tray 2 stops, and the controller 13 controls the actuator 121 to drive the lock arm 120 away from the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200. The lock arm 120 can slide in the second direction D2 through the second sliding member 123 so that the lock arm 120 is not continuously latched to the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200, thereby separating the lock arm 120 from the mounting holder 110 and the fixing plate 200.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the compression force generating module 11 further includes a displacement generating means 112 and a guide rail 113. Both the displacement generating means 112 and the guide rail 113 are provided on the base 10, and the mounting holder 110 is coupled to the guide rail 113. In some embodiments, the displacement generating means 112 is electrically connected to the controller 13 and is controlled by the controller to slide the mounting holder 110. When attempting to apply a compression force to the battery tray 2, the controller 13 controls the displacement generating means 112 to slide the mounting holder 110 away from the battery tray 2 so that the mounting holder 110 is latched to the other end of the locking arm 120. When the formation of the battery is completed, the controller 13 controls the mounting holder 110 to slide towards the battery tray 2 so that the mounting holder 110 can be disengaged from the locking arm 120.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fixing module 12 further includes a mounting plate 124 and an elastic member 125. The mounting plate 124 is provided between the first sliding member 122 and the second sliding member 123. In some embodiments, the actuator 121 has a movable part 127, and each locking arm 120 has a stopper part 126. The movable part 127 is coupled to the mounting plate 124, and the elastic member 125 is provided between the mounting plate 124 and the stopper part 126. Thereby, the elastic member 125 can be used to more surely ensure that the locking arm 120 returns to its initial position, that is, can return along the first direction D1, when the operation of the pressing device 1 of the battery tray 2 stops. Therefore, the actuator 121 in the first direction D1 can be omitted.

[0027] (Example 2) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS. 9 to 12, FIGS. 9 to 12 show exemplary aspects of Example 2 of the pressing device 1. The main difference between this embodiment and the aforementioned Embodiment 1 lies in the configuration and arrangement method of the fixing module 12. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the actuator 121 is provided on the base 10 and electrically connected to the controller 13. The lock arm 120 is assembled on the first sliding member 122, and the second sliding member 123 is provided between the first sliding member 122 and the base 10, and the second sliding member 123 is coupled to the actuator 121.

[0028] In some embodiments, the fixing module 12 further has a pivot member 128. The pivot member 128 may be a ball bearing and is provided between the first sliding member 122 and the second sliding member 123. Therefore, the first sliding member 122 and the second sliding member 123 can be pivotally relative to each other via the pivot member 128. One end of the lock arm 120 is hinge-coupled to the mounting holder 110 by a hinge member 129 which may also be a ball bearing. Thus, when the controller 13 controls the actuator 121 to move the lock arm 120, only the end away from the mounting holder 110 can approach or move away from the fixing plate 200, that is, the lock arm 120 undergoes a swinging motion. At this time, the lock arm 120 can slide along the first direction D1 via the first sliding member 122 and can slide along the second direction D2 through the second sliding member 123. Also, during the swinging process of the lock arm 120, the pivot member 128 and the hinge member 129 provide degrees of freedom of rotation.

[0029] In this embodiment, before the pressing device 1 of the battery tray 2 attempts to apply a compressive force to the battery tray 2, one end of the lock arm 120 is latched to the fixing plate 200 of the battery tray 2 to ensure that the distance between the compression force generating module 11 and the battery tray 2 is maintained within a specific range. Since the subsequent pressing operation is substantially the same as that in the aforementioned Embodiment 1, the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, in some embodiments, a pair of spacing maintaining devices 3 are provided on both sides of the battery tray 2. After the battery tray 2 enters the pressurizing position, the spacing maintaining devices 3 on both sides approach the battery tray 2 and, in addition to maintaining the distance between the partition plates 23 on the battery tray 2, supply power to a battery (not shown) for formation.

[0031] In some embodiments, the thrust generator 111 may be, but is not limited to, a screw jack reducer, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, or a linear motor. In some embodiments, the pressing head 114 has a plurality of magnets 4 (FIG. 5), and the pressure bearing plate 22 of the battery tray 2 is made of a magnetic material. When the formation of the battery is completed, the pressing head 114 moves in a direction away from the battery tray 2. At this time, the pressing head 114 can adsorb the pressure bearing plate 22 through the magnets 4 to bring the battery tray 2 closer to the mounting holder 110, and by detaching the fixing plate 200 of the battery tray 2 from the locking arm 120, the locking arm 120 can be smoothly returned to the initial position.

[0032] In some embodiments, the controller 13 may be a hardware element with control functions, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a microcontroller unit (MCU), but is not limited thereto. Note that the controller 13 may also be a computing device or system of any single or multiple processors capable of executing computer-readable instructions, such as a workstation, a laptop, a client terminal, a server, a distributed computing system, a portable device, or other computing systems or devices, but is not limited thereto. In the most basic configuration, the controller 13 can have at least one processor and a system memory.

[0033] In some embodiments, the actuator 121 may be a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, or a linear motor, and the first sliding member 122 and the second sliding member 123 may be slide guide devices such as a linear guide, a ball screw, a linear bearing, an air levitation or a magnetic levitation system.

[0034] Although the present application is disclosed as above in the embodiments, it is not intended to limit the creation of the present application. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which it belongs can make various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. However, such modifications and changes shall fall within the scope of the claims of the present application.

[0035] 1 Pressurizing device 10 Base 11 Compression Force Generation Module 110 Mounting Holder 111 Thrust Generator 112 Displacement Generation Means 113 Guide Rail 114 Pressing Head 115 Telescopic Member 12 Fixing Module 120 Locking Arm 121 Actuator 122 First Sliding Member 123 Second Sliding Member 124 Placing Plate 125 Elastic Member 126 Stopper Portion 127 Movable Portion 128 Pivoting Member 129 Hinge Member 13 Controller 2 Battery Tray 20 Frame 200 Fixed Plate 21 Pressing Plate 22 Supporting Pressing Plate 23 Partition Plate 24 Spring 3 Spacing Maintaining Device 4 Magnet D1 First Direction D2 Second Direction

Claims

1. A pressurizing device for a battery tray, wherein the battery tray comprises a frame, a pressure plate, a supporting plate, a plurality of partition plates, and at least one spring, the pressure plate, the supporting plate and the plurality of partition plates are coupled to the frame, at least one of the springs is provided between the pressure plate and the supporting plate, and at least one battery is provided on each of the partition plates, the pressurizing device comprising: a base, a compression force generating module provided on the base, a fixing module provided on the base, a controller electrically connected to the compression force generating module and the fixing module, controlling the fixing module to be coupled between the compression force generating module and the frame of the battery tray, and controlling the compression force generating module to apply a compression force to the supporting plate of the battery tray, and the supporting plate applying a pressure to the pressure plate through at least one of the springs, so as to restrain at least one of the batteries on the plurality of partition plates. A pressurizing device for a battery tray.

2. The compression force generating module comprises: a mounting holder coupled to the base, a thrust generator provided on the mounting holder, the frame has a fixing plate, the fixing module has at least one locking arm, in response to the controller controlling the fixing module to be coupled between the compression force generating module and the frame, both ends of at least one of the locking arms are respectively latched to the mounting holder and the fixing plate. The pressurizing device for a battery tray according to Claim 1.

3. The compression force generating module further comprises: a displacement generating means provided on the base, a guide rail provided on the base, the mounting holder is coupled to the guide rail, the displacement generating means is electrically connected to the controller, and is controlled by the controller to slide the mounting holder. The pressurizing device for a battery tray according to Claim 2.

4. The fixing module further comprises an actuator, the actuator is coupled to the base and electrically connected to the controller, at least one of the locking arms is coupled to the actuator, The controller is further used to control the actuator so as to move at least one of the locking arms closer to or away from the mounting holder and the fixed plate, and is the pressurizing device for a battery tray according to claim 2.

5. The fixing module has a first sliding member and a second sliding member. The first sliding member is coupled to at least one of the locking arms, and at least one of the locking arms slides along a first direction through the first sliding member. The second sliding member is provided between the first sliding member and the base, is coupled to the actuator, and at least one of the locking arms slides along a second direction through the second sliding member. The pressurizing device for a battery tray according to claim 4.

6. At least one of the locking arms has a stopper portion. The fixing module further has a mounting plate provided between the first sliding member and the second sliding member, and an elastic member provided between the mounting plate and the stopper portion. The actuator has a movable portion coupled to the mounting plate. The pressurizing device for a battery tray according to claim 5.

7. The compression force generating module has a mounting holder provided on the base, and a thrust generator provided on the mounting holder. The frame has a fixing plate. The fixing module has at least one locking arm, and one end of at least one of the locking arms is hinged to the mounting holder. In response to the controller controlling to couple the fixing module between the compression force generating module and the frame, the other end of at least one of the locking arms is respectively latched to the mounting holder and the fixing plate. The pressurizing device for a battery tray according to claim 1.

8. The fixing module is provided on the base, and further has an actuator electrically connected to the controller, a first sliding member coupled to a pair of the locking arms, and a second sliding member provided between the first sliding member and the base and coupled to the actuator. In response to controlling the actuator to move the other end of at least one of the lock arms closer to or away from the fixed plate, the pair of lock arms slide along a first direction through the first sliding member and slide along a second direction through the second sliding member. The battery tray pressing device according to claim 7.

9. The fixed module further includes a pivot member provided between the first sliding member and the second sliding member. The first sliding member and the second sliding member pivot relative to each other through the pivot member. The battery tray pressing device according to claim 8.

10. A base, A thrust generator, And a mounting holder, The mounting holder is coupled to the base, The thrust generator has a compression force generating module provided on the mounting holder, a pair of actuators, and a pair of lock arms. The pair of actuators are provided on the base, and each lock arm is coupled to each actuator respectively. A fixed module provided on both sides of the compression force generating module and both sides of the battery tray. And a controller for controlling the pair of actuators to couple each pair of the lock arms between the mounting holder and the battery tray respectively, maintaining the distance between the compression force generating module and the battery tray within a specific range, and controlling the thrust generator to apply a compression force to the battery tray. The battery tray pressing device having the above components.

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