Lamination apparatus

Abstract

A lamination apparatus, comprising a lamination mechanism, a first feeding mechanism for conveying a first electrode sheet to the lamination mechanism, and a second feeding mechanism for conveying a second electrode sheet to the lamination mechanism, the first feeding mechanism and the second feeding mechanism being arranged on two sides of the lamination mechanism in the width direction, respectively. The lamination mechanism comprises a plurality of lamination tables arranged at intervals in the length direction, and comprises lamination robot components arranged corresponding to the lamination tables. The lamination robot components can each grasp the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet and carry same to a corresponding lamination table for alternating lamination. The first feeding mechanism and the second feeding mechanism each comprise a magnetic levitation conveying line for conveying the first electrode sheet or the second electrode sheet, and comprise a detection part disposed on one side of the magnetic levitation conveying line; the detection part can visually locate and detect the posture of the first electrode sheet or the second electrode sheet grasped by the lamination robot component. According to the described lamination apparatus, a high lamination efficiency and a high practicability can be achieved.

Description

Lamination device

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to a patent application filed on June 30, 2023, with application number 202321699642.6 and titled “Laminating Device”, filed with the Patent Office of China. This disclosure also claims priority to a patent application filed on June 30, 2023, with application number 202321699688.8 and titled “Laminating Equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing, and in particular to a lamination device. Background Art

[0003] At present, the production methods of lithium batteries are mainly divided into two methods: winding and stacking. Compared with the winding method, the battery cells produced by the stacking method have higher energy density and better quality. The stacking process, as the key to the stacking production method, largely determines the production efficiency and product quality of stacked lithium batteries.

[0004] In the hot composite lamination method, the lamination process is to transport the positive and negative electrodes through the vacuum belt, and after CCD visual inspection and UVW alignment platform positioning, the pick-and-place robot will alternately stack the positive and negative electrodes on the lamination table until the electrode group on the lamination table reaches the set number of electrodes, and the lamination table starts unloading.

[0005] In the existing thermal composite stacking method, pick-and-place robots are usually used for handling, and CCD vision plus UVW alignment positioning is used for stacking. The main disadvantages of this stacking scheme are: an integrated eight-station stacking table is used for stacking, the stacking method is single, and CCD vision and UVW alignment platforms are required to position the pole pieces at the same time, resulting in low stacking efficiency. At the same time, the stacking equipment has a complex structure and the reserved space for pole piece transfer is small, which leads to low handling efficiency and is difficult to maintain.

[0006] In addition, the existing stacking scheme usually uses a pair of four-station robots and an integrated eight-station stacking table for stacking. The integrated multi-station stacking will cause high risk of sheet dropping, complex logic of ejecting and replacing waste sheets, and long time for ejecting and replacing waste sheets, resulting in reduced efficiency of the entire machine. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, the present disclosure aims to provide a lamination device to achieve higher lamination efficiency.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present disclosure is implemented as follows:

[0009] A method comprising a lamination mechanism, a first feeding mechanism for feeding a first electrode sheet to the lamination mechanism, and a second feeding mechanism for feeding a second electrode sheet to the lamination mechanism, wherein the first feeding mechanism and the second feeding mechanism are respectively arranged on both sides of the lamination mechanism in a width direction;

[0010] The lamination mechanism includes a plurality of lamination platforms spaced apart along the length direction, and a lamination robot assembly corresponding to each lamination platform, each of the lamination robot assemblies being capable of grabbing the first pole piece and the second pole piece and transporting them to the corresponding lamination platform for alternating lamination;

[0011] The first loading mechanism and the second loading mechanism both include a magnetic levitation conveying line for conveying the first pole piece or the second pole piece, and a detection unit provided on one side of the magnetic levitation conveying line, and the detection unit can visually locate and detect the posture of the first pole piece or the second pole piece grasped by the stacking robot assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, the magnetic levitation conveyor line includes a magnetic levitation annular track and a plurality of mover assemblies magnetically levitation-slidingly arranged on the magnetic levitation annular track, and each of the mover assemblies is provided with the first pole piece or the second pole piece.

[0013] Furthermore, the magnetic levitation circular track is provided with a material picking area close to the lamination mechanism, and a loading area upstream of the material picking area. Each of the movable subassemblies can receive the first pole piece or the second pole piece at the loading area and transport it to the material picking area for grabbing by the lamination robot assembly.

[0014] Furthermore, a buffer zone is provided on the magnetic levitation circular track between the material taking area and the material loading area, and the buffer zone is used to cache the movable subassemblies sliding from the material loading area to the material taking area.

[0015] Furthermore, the material picking area is provided with a material picking station corresponding to each of the stacking tables, each of the material picking station can accommodate at least two of the movable sub-assemblies, and each of the stacking tables is provided with at least two stacking stations; the stacking robot assembly includes a stacking robot arranged between the corresponding stacking table and the material picking station, and the stacking robot can grab the first pole piece or the second pole piece on each of the movable sub-assemblies from the material picking station, and place them respectively on each of the stacking stations in the corresponding stacking table.

[0016] Furthermore, a first CCD camera assembly for visually positioning the first pole piece or the second pole piece during lamination is provided on both sides of the width direction of each lamination platform.

[0017] Furthermore, the detection unit includes a second CCD camera assembly respectively arranged corresponding to each of the material retrieving stations.

[0018] Furthermore, a waste rejection and patching mechanism is provided between the first feeding mechanism and the laminating mechanism and between the second feeding mechanism and the laminating mechanism. The waste rejection and patching mechanism comprises a waste station provided on one side of the magnetic levitation circular track, and a waste rejection and patching robot provided between the magnetic levitation circular track and the waste station.

[0019] The scrap station is arranged downstream of the material picking area and between the material picking area and the loading area. The scrap rejection and patching robot can grab the NG first electrode piece or the second electrode piece detected by the detection part and place it on the scrap station.

[0020] Furthermore, the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a patching station arranged near the waste station, and the waste rejection and patching robot can transport the qualified first pole piece or the second pole piece detected by the detection part between the patching station and one of the movable sub-assemblies.

[0021] Furthermore, waste rejection and patching mechanisms are respectively provided on both sides of the width direction of the stacking mechanism; the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a waste rejection and patching robot, and a first driving part that drives the waste rejection and patching robot to slide back and forth along the length direction, and the waste rejection and patching robot can remove the NG first pole piece or the second pole piece detected by the detection part from the first loading mechanism or the second loading mechanism, and can transport qualified first pole piece or second pole piece to the first loading mechanism or the second loading mechanism.

[0022] Furthermore, the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a waste station for storing NG first pole pieces or second pole pieces, and a patching station for storing qualified first pole pieces or second pole pieces, and both the waste station and the patching station can be driven by the first driving unit to slide back and forth along the length direction with the waste rejection and patching robot.

[0023] Furthermore, the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a guide rail extending along the length direction, and the waste rejection and patching robot is slidably arranged on the guide rail.

[0024] Furthermore, the guide rail is located in the magnetic levitation circular track.

[0025] Furthermore, the lamination mechanism includes a movable slide rail extending along the length direction, and a second driving part capable of driving each of the lamination platforms to slide back and forth along the movable slide rail.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure has the following advantages:

[0027] The dual-motor hybrid power system disclosed in the present invention is based on the grasping flexibility of the stacking robot assembly and the cooperation of the detection part that can locate the posture of the first pole piece or the second pole piece. It can realize the pole piece correction and positioning function on the basis of the carrying function. Compared with the existing technology that adopts the correction and positioning method of the manipulator and the UVW alignment platform, the width of the stacking segment is greatly reduced, thereby reserving enough space for the pole piece transportation. The first feeding mechanism and the second feeding mechanism both use the cooperation of magnetic levitation conveyor lines, which helps to improve the efficiency of pole piece transportation. At the same time, the stacking robot assembly plus the split stacking table design, compared with the existing manipulator and integrated stacking table design, can make the stacking processes between the stacking tables non-interfering with each other, so as to reduce the risk of falling pieces, reduce the complexity of the waste patching logic, and reduce the waste patching time. It has better operability and is conducive to breaking through the efficiency limitations of the existing stacking method.

[0028] In addition, the magnetic levitation conveyor line adopts a magnetic levitation circular track, which is conducive to the layout and coordination between the first loading mechanism, the second loading mechanism and the stacking mechanism, and has a better layout effect. The coordination of the loading area, the picking area and the buffer area is conducive to controlling the conveying efficiency of the magnetic levitation conveyor line and the stacking operation of the stacking mechanism at a better cooperative frequency, thereby improving the stacking efficiency. Multiple stacking stations are set on the stacking table, and multiple picking stations and multiple stacking robots are set corresponding to each stacking station, which is conducive to coordinating the pole piece transfer, pole piece handling and stacking operations at a better working rhythm, further improving the stacking efficiency.

[0029] In addition, the provision of the first CCD camera assembly eliminates the need for a mechanism for positioning the electrode on the stacking table. That is, stacking can be performed using a stacking table with a stacking station, which reduces the cost of the stacking table. Furthermore, the use of the first and second CCD camera assemblies offers the advantages of simple structure, mature product, and high operational stability. The provision of a waste rejection and patching mechanism facilitates the rejection and patching of waste electrodes from the first and second electrode sheets. The waste and patching stations are located between the retrieving and loading areas, downstream of the retrieving area, offering the advantage of a rational layout.

[0030] Furthermore, the longitudinally adjustable position of the waste rejection and patching robots improves their efficiency, thereby overcoming the efficiency limitations of existing stacking methods. The use of guide rails enhances the smooth sliding of the waste rejection and patching robots. Furthermore, their placement within a magnetically suspended circular track reduces the space occupied by the stacking device, improving the compactness of the equipment and facilitating miniaturization. The provision of a movable slide rail and a second drive unit allows for the independent driving of each stacking platform, facilitating both the arrangement of the stacking platforms before stacking and the collective unloading of the stacked sheets after stacking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the disclosure. The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain the disclosure and do not constitute an improper limitation of the disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0032] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a lamination device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a lamination mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG3 is an enlarged view of point A in FIG2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a lamination table according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable slide rail according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG6 is an enlarged view of point B in FIG5 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of the waste rejection and patching mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a structural diagram of a lamination device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG9 is an enlarged view of point C in FIG8 ;

[0041] FIG10 is a partial structural diagram of the waste rejection and patching mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable slide rail according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG12 is an enlarged view of point D in FIG11 ;

[0044] Description of reference numerals:

[0045] 11. Lamination table; 111. Lamination station; 12. Lamination robot; 13. Moving slide; 14. Rack;

[0046] 21. First pole piece; 22. Second pole piece;

[0047] 31. First loading mechanism; 32. Second loading mechanism; 33. Magnetic suspension ring track; 34. Retrieving area; 341. Retrieving station; 35. Loading area; 36. Buffer zone;

[0048] 41. First CCD camera assembly;

[0049] 51. Second CCD camera assembly;

[0050] 61. Scrap station; 62. Patch station; 63. Scrap removal and patching robot; 64. Guide rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] It should be noted that, unless there is any conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other.

[0052] In the description of this disclosure, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" appear to indicate orientation or positional relationships, these are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of this disclosure and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure. Furthermore, if terms such as "first" and "second" appear, they are used solely for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0053] Furthermore, in the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," and "connector" should be interpreted broadly. For example, these terms can refer to fixed, removable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the specific meanings of these terms in this disclosure based on the specific circumstances.

[0054] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with embodiments. Example 1

[0055] The present embodiment relates to a lamination device, which, in terms of overall structure, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, includes a lamination mechanism, a first loading mechanism 31 for conveying the first electrode 21 to the lamination mechanism, and a second loading mechanism 32 for conveying the second electrode 22 to the lamination mechanism, and the first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 are respectively arranged on both sides of the lamination mechanism in the width direction.

[0056] Among them, the stacking mechanism includes a plurality of stacking platforms 11 arranged at intervals along the length direction, and a stacking robot assembly arranged corresponding to each stacking platform 11. Each stacking robot assembly can grab the first pole piece 21 and the second pole piece 22 and transport them to the corresponding stacking platform 11 for alternating stacking.

[0057] The first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 both include a magnetic levitation conveyor line for conveying the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22, and a detection unit provided on one side of the magnetic levitation conveyor line, which can visually locate and detect the posture of the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 grasped by the stacking robot assembly.

[0058] Based on the above overall introduction, in this embodiment, as an exemplary structure, still as shown in Figure 1, the magnetic levitation conveyor line includes a magnetic levitation ring track 33, and a plurality of movable subassemblies magnetically levitation-slidably arranged on the magnetic levitation ring track 33, and each movable subassembly is placed with a first pole piece 21 or a second pole piece 22.

[0059] The magnetic suspension conveying line adopts the magnetic suspension annular track 33, which is beneficial to the arrangement and coordination between the first feeding mechanism 31, the second feeding mechanism 32 and the lamination mechanism, and has a better arrangement effect.

[0060] Of course, the arrangement relationship between the magnetic levitation annular track 33 and the mover assembly can refer to the common magnetic levitation conveying system in the prior art, for example, the magnetic levitation annular track 33 is integrated with a stator assembly for cooperating with the magnetic levitation drive of the mover assembly.

[0061] In addition, the first electrode sheet 21 and the second electrode sheet 22 of this embodiment refer to the negative electrode sheet unit and the positive electrode sheet used for lamination, respectively. The negative electrode sheet unit here refers to the negative electrode sheet bag (an integrated body in which a diaphragm is provided on both sides of the negative electrode sheet and the diaphragms on both sides encapsulate the electrode sheets together).

[0062] At the same time, it should be mentioned that, in this embodiment, the structural forms of the first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 are basically the same, and the two can be regarded as mirror images set with the center line of each stacking table 11 as the axis. The only difference is that the first loading mechanism 31 is used to transport the first electrode 21, and the second loading mechanism 32 is used to transport the second electrode 22.

[0063] In this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, a material picking area 34 close to the lamination mechanism and a loading area 35 upstream of the material picking area 34 are provided on the magnetic levitation circular track 33. Each movable subassembly can receive the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 at the loading area 35 and transport it to the material picking area 34 for grabbing by the lamination robot assembly.

[0064] Moreover, as a preferred setting form, a buffer zone 36 is provided on the magnetic levitation circular track 33 of this embodiment, which is located between the material picking area 34 and the material loading area 35 . The buffer zone 36 is used to cache the various movable subassemblies sliding from the material loading area 35 to the material picking area 34 .

[0065] Through the coordination of the loading area 35 , the taking-out area 34 and the buffer area 36 , the conveying efficiency of the magnetic suspension conveyor line and the lamination operation of the lamination mechanism are controlled at a better cooperative frequency, thereby improving the lamination efficiency.

[0066] Furthermore, considering the need to improve the stacking efficiency, in this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, a loading station corresponding to each stacking table 11 is provided in the loading area 34, each loading station can accommodate at least two movable subassemblies, and each stacking table 11 is provided with at least two stacking stations 111.

[0067] The stacking robot assembly includes a stacking robot 12 arranged between the corresponding stacking platform 11 and the material picking station. The stacking robot 12 can grab the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 on each movable sub-assembly from the material picking station and place them respectively on each stacking station 111 in the corresponding stacking platform 11.

[0068] It can be understood that multiple stacking stations 111 are set on the stacking table 11, and multiple material picking stations and multiple stacking robots 12 are set corresponding to each stacking station 111, which is conducive to coordinating the electrode transfer, electrode handling and stacking operations at a better working rhythm, and further improving the stacking efficiency.

[0069] In this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, referring to FIG3 , both sides of the width direction of each stacking table 11 are provided with a first CCD camera assembly 41 for visually positioning the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 during stacking.

[0070] At the same time, and also as a preferred embodiment, the detection unit includes a second CCD camera assembly 51 respectively corresponding to each retrieving station. Of course, in the specific structure, the second CCD camera assembly 51 is preferably configured to include two second CCD camera units, and the two second CCD camera units are respectively corresponding to the two ends of the moving subassembly at the retrieving station (that is, the two ends of the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 at the retrieving station) to ensure the correction and positioning effect.

[0071] Here, the setting of the first CCD camera assembly 41 makes it unnecessary to set up a mechanism for positioning the pole piece on the stacking table 11, that is, the stacking operation can be achieved using the stacking table 11 with the stacking station 111, which can reduce the cost of the stacking table 11. At the same time, the use of the first CCD camera assembly 41 and the second CCD camera assembly 51 also has the advantages of simple structure, mature product and high stability in use.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, a waste rejection and patching mechanism is provided between the first feeding mechanism 31 and the stacking mechanism and between the second feeding mechanism 32 and the stacking mechanism. The waste rejection and patching mechanism has a waste station 61 provided on one side of the magnetic levitation circular track 33, and a waste rejection and patching robot 63 provided between the magnetic levitation circular track 33 and the waste station 61.

[0073] Specifically, the scrap station 61 is located downstream of the material picking area 34 and between the material picking area 34 and the loading area 35. The scrap rejection and patching robot 63 can grab the NG first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22 detected by the detection part and place it on the scrap station 61.

[0074] Moreover, also as a preferred improved form, in this embodiment, the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a patching station 62 arranged near the waste station 61, and the waste rejection and patching robot 63 can transport the qualified first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22 detected by the detection part between the patching station 62 and one of its movable components.

[0075] In this way, the waste removal and patching mechanism can be set up to facilitate the removal and patching of waste sheets of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, and the waste station 61 and the patching station 62 are set between the material taking area 34 and the loading area 35, and are located downstream of the material taking area 34, which has the advantage of reasonable layout.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, as an exemplary structure, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lamination mechanism includes a movable slide rail 13 extending along the length direction, and a second driving part capable of driving each lamination platform 11 to slide back and forth along the movable slide rail 13.

[0077] It can be understood that the arrangement of the movable slide rail 13 and the second driving part can realize the separate driving of each lamination platform 11, which is beneficial to the arrangement of the lamination platforms 11 before lamination and the collective unloading after lamination.

[0078] Of course, in the specific implementation, the above-mentioned second driving unit drives each stacking platform 11 by adopting existing technical means. For example, a rack 14 can be arranged on one side of the movable slide rail 13. The second driving unit includes a driving motor which is separately arranged on each stacking platform 11, and a driving gear which can engage with the rack 14 for transmission is connected to the driving of each driving motor. By making the driving gear models different, the sliding speeds of each stacking platform 11 are different, thereby realizing the separate driving of each stacking platform 11 and parking at different positions.

[0079] It is worth mentioning that all structures not mentioned in the lamination device of this embodiment can refer to common related equipment familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, the waste rejection and patching robot 63 and the lamination robot 12 can adopt four-axis robots, and the movable component is provided with a jig for carrying the pole piece.

[0080] When the lamination device of this embodiment is specifically set up and laid out, each movable subassembly can carry two pole pieces (the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22), and be configured with five lamination platforms, each lamination platform is configured with a lamination robot assembly (that is, two lamination robots, for twelve lamination robots), and two lamination stations 111 are set on each lamination platform 11 to realize a split double-station lamination design, and then the spacing between each lamination platform 11 (lamination robot assembly) is set to 850mm, thereby realizing a design form in which each lamination platform 11 can independently perform lamination at a spacing of 850mm during the lamination process, and at the same time, through the coordinated setting of the transfer slide rail and the second drive part, each lamination platform 11 after lamination is completed can be combined and unloaded at the same time in the unloading area (set at the end of the movable slide rail 13 away from the lamination area) with a station spacing of 175mm.

[0081] In addition, in the structural layout of the lamination device, two waste rejection and patching mechanisms can be set, corresponding to the first feeding mechanism 31 and the second feeding mechanism 32 respectively, to complete the waste rejection and patching operations of the corresponding electrode (the first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22).

[0082] In this way, by adopting the method of four-axis robot handling, correction and double-station stacking, and combining the above-mentioned structural layout (five stacking tables) design, compared with the existing stacking solution using a pair of four-station robots and an integrated eight-station stacking table, it can break through the limitation of its 480ppm maximum stacking efficiency and achieve 800ppm stacking efficiency, which also solves the efficiency bottleneck problem of the existing stacking solution based on pick-and-place robot handling, CCD vision and UVW alignment platform positioning, and using an eight-station stacking table.

[0083] During lamination, the first and second loading mechanisms 31 and 32 receive the pole pieces (first pole piece 21 and second pole piece 22) transferred from the previous process in their respective loading areas 35, with each mover assembly receiving two pole pieces. After receiving the pole pieces, each mover assembly moves via the magnetic levitation circular track 33 to the buffer zone 36, where it awaits removal by the corresponding lamination robot 12 in the retrieving area 34.

[0084] The movable sub-assemblies that have taken out the sheets and the movable sub-assemblies carrying the pole sheets in the buffer zone 36 move at the same time. The movable sub-assemblies carrying the pole sheets move to the material taking area 34 to wait for the stacking robot 12 to take out the sheets. The stacking robot 12 adjusts the posture of the pole sheets with the help of the visual positioning parameters of the second CCD camera assembly 51, completes the pole sheet correction and then takes out the sheets. After taking out the sheets, the movable sub-assemblies move to the loading area 35 to wait for material connection again. After taking out the sheets, the stacking robot 12 transports the pole sheets to the stacking table 11 for alternating stacking of positive and negative pole sheets (first pole sheet 21 and second pole sheet 22).

[0085] If a pole piece is NG during the lamination process of the lamination robot 12, the lamination will be abandoned, and the motor assembly with the NG pole piece and other motor assemblies that have been lamination-ready will be moved to the waste rejection and patching station 62 together, where the waste rejection and patching robot will first perform waste rejection, and then the lamination stations 111 that are missing pole pieces due to waste rejection will be subjected to several rounds of lamination operations on all the lamination stations 111 that are missing pole pieces until the number of pole pieces in the pole group on the lamination stations 111 that are missing pole pieces reaches the set number.

[0086] After the number of pole pieces in the pole group on all lamination stations 111 reaches the set value, the lamination robot 12 stops and the lamination table 11 moves horizontally with the help of the movable slide 13 to unload the poles. During the unloading movement of the lamination tables 11, all lamination tables 11 are combined and moved to the unloading area together, maintaining a spacing of 175mm between each station. After unloading is completed, each lamination table 11 returns along the original trajectory, separating and returning to its respective lamination position during the movement, and maintaining a spacing of 850mm. Then, a new pole group is stacked.

[0087] It should be noted that there are two situations in which waste is rejected: the first is that both pole pieces on the movable subassembly are NG pieces, and both pieces are rejected and sent to the waste station 61 (which is equipped with a waste box); the second is that one piece is NG and the other is OK, and the NG piece is placed on the waste station 61 by the rejection and patching robot, and the OK piece is placed on the patching station 62 by the rejection and patching robot, waiting for the next OK piece to be paired, and then placed on the movable subassembly for transportation. The movable subassembly does not need to stop receiving materials in the loading area 35.

[0088] The stacking device of this embodiment is based on the grasping flexibility of the stacking robot assembly and the cooperation of the detection part to locate the posture of the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22. It can realize the pole piece correction and positioning function on the basis of the carrying function. Compared with the existing technology that adopts the correction and positioning method of the manipulator and the UVW alignment platform, the width of the stacking segment is greatly reduced, thereby reserving enough space for the pole piece transportation. The first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 both use the cooperation of magnetic levitation conveyor lines, which helps to improve the pole piece transportation efficiency. At the same time, the stacking robot assembly plus the split stacking table 11 design, compared with the existing design method of the manipulator and the integrated stacking table 11, can make the stacking processes between the stacking tables 11 not interfere with each other, so as to reduce the risk of falling pieces, reduce the complexity of the logic of waste patching, and reduce the time of waste patching. It has better operability and is conducive to breaking through the efficiency limitations of the existing stacking method. Example 2

[0089] This embodiment also involves a stacking device. In terms of overall structure, as shown in Figures 8 to 12, it also includes a stacking mechanism, a first loading mechanism 31 for conveying the first electrode 21 to the stacking mechanism, and a second loading mechanism 32 for conveying the second electrode 22 to the stacking mechanism. The difference between the stacking device of this embodiment and the stacking device in Example 1 mainly lies in the overall structural layout and the relevant structural settings involving the waste rejection and patching mechanisms.

[0090] However, it is worth noting that, in this embodiment, although some components and contents, such as the stacking table 11, the stacking station 111, the stacking robot 12, the movable slide 13, the rack 14, the first loading mechanism 31, the second loading mechanism 32, the magnetic levitation circular track 33, the material picking area 34, the loading area 35, the buffer zone 36, the first CCD camera assembly 41, the second CCD camera assembly 51, the waste station 61, the patching station 62, the waste rejection and patching robot 63, etc., have a certain degree of similarity with the relevant components and contents in Example 1, but, considering the understanding of the overall layout and relevant contents of the stacking device of this embodiment, in addition to focusing on the relevant contents of the improvements involved in this embodiment, this embodiment also still introduces the relevant or identical components in Example 1 to varying degrees.

[0091] Specifically, the stacking mechanism of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and includes a plurality of stacking platforms 11 spaced apart along the length direction, and a stacking robot assembly corresponding to each stacking platform 11. Each stacking robot assembly is capable of grabbing the first pole piece 21 and the second pole piece 22 and transporting them to the corresponding stacking platform 11 for alternating stacking. The first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 each include a magnetic levitation conveyor line for conveying the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22, and a detection unit provided on one side of the magnetic levitation conveyor line. The detection unit is capable of visually locating and detecting the posture of the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 grabbed by the stacking robot assembly.

[0092] In addition, waste rejection and patching mechanisms are provided on both sides of the lamination mechanism in the width direction of this embodiment. The waste rejection and patching mechanisms include a waste rejection and patching robot 63 and a first drive unit that drives the waste rejection and patching robot 63 to slide back and forth along the length direction. The waste rejection and patching robot 63 can remove NG first electrode sheets 21 or second electrode sheets 22 detected by the detection unit from the first loading mechanism 31 or the second loading mechanism 32, and can transfer qualified first electrode sheets 21 or second electrode sheets 22 to the first loading mechanism 31 or the second loading mechanism 32.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an exemplary structure, as shown in Figure 8, the magnetic levitation conveyor line includes a magnetic levitation ring track 33, and a plurality of movable subassemblies magnetically levitation-slidably arranged on the magnetic levitation ring track 33, and each movable subassembly is placed with a first pole piece 21 or a second pole piece 22.

[0094] The magnetic suspension conveying line adopts the magnetic suspension annular track 33, which is beneficial to the arrangement and coordination between the first feeding mechanism 31, the second feeding mechanism 32 and the lamination mechanism, and has a better arrangement effect.

[0095] Of course, the arrangement relationship between the magnetic levitation annular track 33 and the mover assembly can refer to the common magnetic levitation conveying system in the prior art, for example, the magnetic levitation annular track 33 is integrated with a stator assembly for cooperating with the magnetic levitation drive of the mover assembly.

[0096] Furthermore, the first electrode sheet 21 and the second electrode sheet 22 of this embodiment respectively refer to the negative electrode sheet unit and the positive electrode sheet used in the stack. The negative electrode sheet unit herein refers to the negative electrode sheet bag (an integrated body in which separators are provided on both sides of the negative electrode sheet, and the separators on both sides encapsulate the electrode sheets together). In the state shown in FIG8 , the width direction of this embodiment is perpendicular to the length direction.

[0097] At the same time, it should be mentioned that, in this embodiment, the structural forms of the first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 are basically the same, and the two can be regarded as mirror images set with the center line of each stacking table 11 as the axis. The only difference is that the first loading mechanism 31 is used to transport the first electrode 21, and the second loading mechanism 32 is used to transport the second electrode 22.

[0098] In this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, as shown in Figure 10, the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a waste station 61 for storing NG first pole pieces 21 or second pole pieces 22, and a patching station 62 for storing qualified first pole pieces 21 or second pole pieces 22, and both the waste station 61 and the patching station 62 can be driven by the first driving unit to slide back and forth along the length direction with the waste rejection and patching robot 63.

[0099] The arrangement of the waste station 61 and the patching station 62 here allows for a rational arrangement of the waste rejection and patching mechanisms, thereby ensuring efficient waste rejection and patching. The first drive unit can employ a structure similar to that of a magnetic levitation conveyor line, thereby utilizing magnetic levitation drive to improve the drive accuracy and efficiency of the waste rejection and patching robot 63, the waste station 61, and the patching station 62.

[0100] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a guide rail 64 extending along the length of the machine. The waste rejection and patching robot 63 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 64 to facilitate smooth sliding of the waste rejection and patching robot 63. Of course, considering the sliding stability of the waste station 61 and the patching station 62, the waste station 61 and the patching station 62 also slide on the guide rail 64.

[0101] In the specific structure, as a preferred implementation form, referring to FIG8 , the guide rail 64 of this embodiment is located in the magnetic levitation annular track 33 , which can save space occupied by the lamination device, improve the compactness of the equipment, and facilitate miniaturization design.

[0102] In addition, in this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, a material picking area 34 close to the lamination mechanism and a loading area 35 upstream of the material picking area 34 are provided on the magnetic levitation circular track 33. Each movable subassembly can receive the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 at the loading area 35 and transport it to the material picking area 34 for grabbing by the lamination robot assembly.

[0103] Specifically, as a preferred implementation form, the magnetic levitation circular track 33 of this embodiment is provided with a buffer zone 36 located between the material picking area 34 and the material loading area 35 , and the buffer zone 36 is used to cache the various movable subassemblies sliding from the material loading area 35 to the material picking area 34 .

[0104] Through the coordination of the loading area 35 , the taking-out area 34 and the buffer area 36 , the conveying efficiency of the magnetic suspension conveyor line and the lamination operation of the lamination mechanism are controlled at a better cooperative frequency, thereby effectively improving the lamination efficiency.

[0105] At the same time, taking into account the need to improve stacking efficiency, in this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, in combination with Figures 8 and 9, a loading area 34 is provided with a loading station 341 corresponding to each stacking table 11, each loading station 341 can accommodate at least two movable subassemblies, and each stacking table 11 is provided with at least two stacking stations 111.

[0106] The stacking robot assembly includes a stacking robot 12 arranged between the corresponding stacking platform 11 and the material picking station 341. The stacking robot 12 can grab the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 on each movable sub-assembly from the material picking station 341 and place them respectively on each stacking station 111 in the corresponding stacking platform 11.

[0107] It can be understood that multiple stacking stations 111 are set on the stacking table 11, and multiple material picking stations 341 and multiple stacking robots 12 are set corresponding to each stacking station 111, which is conducive to coordinating the electrode transfer, electrode handling and stacking operations at a better working rhythm, and further improving the stacking efficiency.

[0108] In this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, as shown in FIG9 , the detection unit includes a second CCD camera assembly 51 respectively corresponding to each retrieving station 341. Of course, in the specific structure, the second CCD camera assembly 51 is preferably configured to include two second CCD camera units, and the two second CCD camera units are respectively corresponding to the two ends of the moving subassembly at the retrieving station 341 (i.e., the two ends of the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 at the retrieving station 341) to ensure the correction and positioning effect.

[0109] At the same time, as a preferred implementation form, referring to Figure 9, in this embodiment, a first CCD camera assembly 41 is provided on both sides of the width direction of each stacking table 11, and the first CCD camera assembly 41 is used to visually locate the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22 during stacking.

[0110] Here, the use of the first CCD camera assembly 41 and the second CCD camera assembly 51 has the advantages of simple structure, mature product, and high stability in use. At the same time, the setting of the second CCD camera assembly 51 makes it unnecessary to set a mechanism for positioning the pole piece on the stacking table 11, that is, the stacking operation can be achieved using the stacking table 11 with the stacking station 111, which can reduce the cost of the stacking table 11.

[0111] In addition, as an exemplary structure, as shown in FIG11 and FIG12 , the lamination mechanism includes a movable slide rail 13 extending along the length direction, and a second driving portion capable of driving each lamination platform 11 to slide back and forth along the movable slide rail 13 .

[0112] It can be understood that the arrangement of the movable slide rail 13 and the second driving part can realize the separate driving of each lamination platform 11, which is beneficial to the arrangement of the lamination platforms 11 before lamination and the collective unloading after lamination.

[0113] Of course, in the specific implementation, the above-mentioned second driving unit drives each stacking platform 11 by adopting existing technical means. For example, a rack 14 can be arranged on one side of the movable slide rail 13. The second driving unit includes a driving motor which is separately arranged on each stacking platform 11, and a driving gear which can engage with the rack 14 for transmission is connected to the driving of each driving motor. By making the driving gear models different, the sliding speeds of each stacking platform 11 are different, thereby realizing the separate driving of each stacking platform 11 and parking at different positions.

[0114] When the lamination device of this embodiment is specifically set up and laid out, each movable subassembly can carry two pole pieces (the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22), and be configured with six lamination tables 11, and each lamination table 11 is configured with a lamination robot assembly (that is, two lamination robots 12, providing twelve lamination robots 12), and two lamination stations 111 are set on each lamination table 11 to realize a split double-station lamination table design.

[0115] Subsequently, the spacing between each stacking platform 11 (stacking robot assembly) is set to 1750mm, thereby realizing a design form in which each stacking platform 11 can independently stack at a spacing of 1750mm during the stacking process. At the same time, through the coordinated setting of the transfer slide rail and the drive unit, after the stacking is completed, each stacking platform 11 can be combined to unload materials simultaneously in the unloading area (arranged at the end of the moving slide rail 13 away from the stacking area) with a station spacing of 175mm.

[0116] Moreover, in the structural layout of the stacking device, two waste rejection and patching mechanisms can be provided, corresponding to the first loading mechanism 31 and the second loading mechanism 32 respectively, to complete the waste rejection and patching operations of the corresponding electrode (the first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22). In specific implementation, the waste rejection and patching robots, the waste station 61 and the patching station 62 in the two waste rejection and patching mechanisms can be adjusted in position along the length direction, which is also conducive to improving the operation rhythm.

[0117] In this way, by adopting the method of four-axis robot handling, correction and double-station stacking, and combining the design of the above-mentioned structural layout (six stacking tables 11), compared with the existing stacking solution using a pair of four-station robots and an integrated eight-station stacking table, it is possible to break through the limitation of its 480ppm maximum stacking efficiency and achieve 1000ppm stacking efficiency, which also solves the problem of efficiency bottleneck in the existing stacking solution using an eight-station stacking table 11 based on pick-and-place robot handling, CCD vision and UVW alignment platform positioning.

[0118] During lamination, the first and second loading mechanisms 31 and 32 receive the pole pieces (first pole piece 21 and second pole piece 22) transferred from the previous process in their respective loading areas 35, and each mover assembly receives two pole pieces. After receiving the pole pieces, each mover assembly moves to the buffer zone 36 via the magnetic levitation circular track 33. The five mover assemblies in the buffer zone 36 and a mover at the sixth retrieving station 341 (from left to right, the first to sixth retrieving stations 341) form a mover module. Each mover module carries twelve pole pieces and advances one mover module at a time, i.e., six mover assemblies, to supply the pole pieces to all lamination robots 12.

[0119] After the stacking robot 12 at the retrieving station 341 (①) has removed the last two pole pieces from a mover module, the six mover assemblies of that mover module move to the receiving area for material collection. After each mover module is delivered to its proper location, the stacking robot 12 uses the visual positioning parameters of the first CCD camera assembly 41 to adjust the pole piece's posture, perform pole piece deviation correction, and then remove the pole pieces. This dual-station retrieving process is completed in two steps. After the stacking robot 12 has removed the pole pieces, it moves them to the stacking table 11 for alternating stacking of the positive and negative pole pieces (the first pole piece 21 and the second pole piece 22).

[0120] If a failed pole piece is encountered during the robot's material removal process, the stacking robot 12 stops, and the reject and patching robot 63 moves to the failed position via the magnetic levitation track to remove and patch the failed pole piece. Once the pole pieces in the pole groups of all stacking tables 11 have reached the set value, the stacking robot 12 stops, and the stacking tables 11 move horizontally via the movable slide 13 to unload the poles. During the unloading process, all stacking tables 11 are combined, maintaining a 175mm spacing between stations and moving together to the unloading area. After unloading is completed, the stacking tables 11 return along their original trajectory, separating and returning to their respective stacking positions during the movement, maintaining a spacing of 1750mm, before a new pole group is stacked.

[0121] It should be noted that the reject and patch robot 63 must first determine whether there are any electrodes in the patch station 62 during the reject and patch process. If there are electrodes, it will move directly to the NG position to perform the reject and patch operation. If there are no electrodes, the reject and patch robot 63 will move to the electrode loading area 35 and directly take two electrodes and place them on the patch station 62. After taking the electrodes, the reject and patch robot 63 will move to the NG position to take the NG electrodes and place them on the waste station 61. Then, the qualified electrodes on the patch station 62 will be placed at the electrode NG position, and the patching is completed.

[0122] The lamination device of this embodiment, based on the grasping flexibility of the lamination robot assembly and the cooperation of the detection part that can locate the posture of the first pole piece 21 or the second pole piece 22, can realize the pole piece correction and positioning functions on the basis of having the transportation function. Compared with the existing technology that uses a manipulator and a UVW alignment platform to cooperate with each other for correction and positioning, the width of the lamination section is greatly reduced, thereby reserving sufficient space for pole piece transportation. Combined with the use of magnetic suspension conveyor lines in both the first feeding mechanism 31 and the second feeding mechanism 32, it helps to improve the efficiency of pole piece transportation.

[0123] At the same time, the design of the stacking robot assembly plus the split stacking table 11, compared with the existing design of the manipulator and the integrated stacking table 11, can make the stacking processes between the stacking tables 11 non-interfering with each other, so as to reduce the risk of sheet dropping, reduce the complexity of the waste rejection and patching logic, and reduce the waste rejection and patching time, with better operability. Moreover, the position of the waste rejection and patching robot 63 is adjustable in the length direction, which can also improve the waste rejection and patching efficiency, thereby helping to break through the efficiency limitations of the existing stacking method.

[0124] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A lamination device, characterized in that: It comprises a lamination mechanism, a first feeding mechanism for conveying a first electrode sheet to the lamination mechanism, and a second feeding mechanism for conveying a second electrode sheet to the lamination mechanism, and the first feeding mechanism and the second feeding mechanism are respectively arranged on both sides of the lamination mechanism in a width direction; The lamination mechanism comprises a plurality of lamination platforms arranged at intervals along the length direction, and a lamination robot assembly arranged corresponding to each of the lamination platforms, each of the lamination robot assemblies being capable of grabbing the first pole piece and the second pole piece and transporting them to the corresponding lamination platform for alternating lamination; The first loading mechanism and the second loading mechanism both include a magnetic levitation conveyor line for conveying the first pole piece or the second pole piece, and a detection unit arranged on one side of the magnetic levitation conveyor line, and the detection unit can visually locate and detect the posture of the first pole piece or the second pole piece grasped by the stacking robot assembly.

2. The lamination device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic suspension conveyor line includes a magnetic suspension annular track and a plurality of movable subassemblies magnetically and slidably arranged on the magnetic suspension annular track, and the first pole piece or the second pole piece is placed on each of the movable subassemblies.

3. The lamination device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The magnetic levitation circular track is provided with a material picking area close to the lamination mechanism, and a loading area upstream of the material picking area. Each of the movable subassemblies can receive the first pole piece or the second pole piece at the loading area and transport it to the material picking area for being grasped by the lamination robot assembly.

4. The lamination device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A buffer zone is provided on the magnetic suspension annular track between the material fetching zone and the material loading zone, and the buffer zone is used for caching each of the mover assemblies sliding from the material loading zone to the material fetching zone.

5. The lamination device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The material taking area is provided with material taking stations corresponding to each of the lamination platforms, each of the material taking stations can accommodate at least two of the mover assemblies, and each of the lamination platforms is provided with at least two lamination stations; The stacking robot assembly includes a stacking robot arranged between the corresponding stacking platform and the material picking station. The stacking robot can grab the first pole piece or the second pole piece on each of the movable subassemblies from the material picking station and place them respectively on each of the stacking stations in the corresponding stacking platform.

6. The lamination device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A first CCD camera assembly for visually positioning the first pole piece or the second pole piece during lamination is respectively provided on both sides in the width direction of each lamination platform.

7. The lamination device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The detection unit includes a second CCD camera assembly respectively arranged corresponding to each of the material picking stations.

8. The lamination device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A waste rejection and sheet-replacing mechanism is provided between the first feeding mechanism and the sheet-stack mechanism and between the second feeding mechanism and the sheet-stack mechanism. The waste rejection and sheet-replacing mechanism comprises a waste station provided on one side of the magnetic suspension circular track, and a waste rejection and sheet-replacing robot provided between the magnetic suspension circular track and the waste station; The scrap station is arranged downstream of the material picking area and between the material picking area and the loading area. The scrap rejection and patching robot can grab the first pole piece or the second pole piece that is NG detected by the detection unit and place it on the scrap station.

9. The lamination device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The scrap rejection and patching mechanism includes a patching station arranged close to the scrap station, and the scrap rejection and patching robot can carry the qualified first pole piece or the second pole piece detected by the detection unit between the patching station and one of the movable subassemblies.

10. The lamination device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two sides of the lamination mechanism in the width direction are respectively provided with waste rejection and sheet filling mechanisms; The scrap rejection and patching mechanism includes a scrap rejection and patching robot, and a first driving unit that drives the scrap rejection and patching robot to slide back and forth along the length direction. The scrap rejection and patching robot can reject the NG first pole piece or the second pole piece detected by the detection unit from the first loading mechanism or the second loading mechanism, and can transport the qualified first pole piece or the second pole piece to the first loading mechanism or the second loading mechanism.

11. The lamination device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The waste rejection and patching mechanism includes a waste station for storing NG first pole pieces or second pole pieces, and a patching station for storing qualified first pole pieces or second pole pieces, and both the waste station and the patching station can be driven by the first driving unit to slide back and forth along the length direction with the waste rejection and patching robot.

12. The lamination device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The waste rejection and patching mechanism comprises a guide rail extending along the length direction, and the waste rejection and patching robot is slidably arranged on the guide rail.

13. The lamination device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The guide rail is located in the magnetic suspension circular track.

14. The lamination device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The lamination mechanism comprises a movable slide rail extending along the length direction, and a second driving part capable of driving each of the lamination platforms to slide back and forth along the movable slide rail.

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