Tab bending module and control method therefor

Abstract

The present application discloses a tab bending module and a control method therefor. The tab bending module comprises a battery positioning mechanism, a bending press tool mechanism and a turn-over mechanism, wherein the battery positioning mechanism comprises a battery placement fixture and a battery positioning assembly; the turn-over mechanism comprises a top cap positioning assembly and a turn-over power assembly for driving the top cap positioning assembly to rotate, the top cap positioning assembly comprising a positioning block, a clamping block and side clamping blocks, the positioning block being used for positioning a terminal post on a top cap, the clamping block being used for fixing the side of the top cap away from a tab, and two side clamping blocks being used for fixing the other two sides of the top cap; and the bending press tool mechanism comprises a press tool and a press tool power assembly for driving the press tool to move. The present application implements accurate positioning of a battery by means of the battery positioning mechanism, and then implements positioning and fixing of a top cap by means of the top cap positioning assembly, such that the top cap is fixed from a plurality of positions, thereby preventing deformation of the top cap when bending the tab.

Description

Tab bending module and control method thereof

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202322287336.8 filed on August 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a tab bending module and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0004] At present, with the rapid development of new energy vehicles, the demand for lithium batteries continues to increase, which makes the lithium battery industry have higher and higher requirements for lithium battery assembly technology and equipment.

[0005] The outer shell of lithium batteries mostly adopts a square aluminum shell. The battery poles of the square aluminum shell are arranged on both sides of the short side, which leads to the complexity of the assembly process and limits the production capacity of lithium batteries. Specifically, the square aluminum shell used in traditional lithium batteries adopts a layout method in which the poles are drawn out on both sides of the short side. When assembling the battery, the tabs on the battery cell and the poles on the top cover are welded together, and then the tabs are bent and the top cover is installed in the aluminum shell to form a battery product. In the existing bending process, a clamp is used to clamp the two sides of the short side of the top cover before bending. During the bending process, due to the concentrated force points on the top cover, the top cover may be deformed, thereby affecting the quality of the battery product.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides a tab bending module to prevent the top cover from being deformed when the tab is bent.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve its technical problems is:

[0009] A tab bending module comprises a battery positioning mechanism, a bending press mechanism and a flipping mechanism; the battery positioning mechanism comprises a battery placement jig and a battery positioning assembly, the battery placement jig is used to carry the battery to be processed, and the battery positioning assembly is used to position the battery to a specified position; the flipping mechanism comprises a top cover positioning assembly and a flipping power assembly that drives the top cover positioning assembly to rotate, the top cover positioning assembly comprises a positioning block, a clamping block and a side clamping block, the positioning block is used to position the pole on the top cover, the clamping block is used to fix the side of the top cover away from the tab, and the side clamping block has two and is used to fix the other two sides of the top cover; the bending press mechanism comprises a press and a press power assembly that drives the press to move, and when the tab is bent, the press abuts against the bent part of the tab.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the battery positioning assembly includes a positioning plate, which is slidably connected to the battery placement jig, and a positioning power assembly for driving the battery placement jig to move is provided on the positioning plate.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the battery positioning mechanism also includes a battery fixing assembly, which includes a first clamping cylinder and clamping plates installed on the two movable ends of the first clamping cylinder. The first clamping cylinder is installed on the battery placement fixture, and the two clamping plates respectively hold against the two sides of the long side of the battery when they move toward each other.

[0012] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the top cover positioning assembly also includes a rotating connecting seat, a second clamping cylinder is provided on the rotating connecting seat, and the two side clamping blocks are respectively fixed to the two movable ends of the second clamping cylinder.

[0013] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, a limit seat is provided on the rotating connecting seat, and the limit seat is located on the moving path of the side clamping block.

[0014] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, a clamping cylinder is installed on the rotating connecting seat, and the clamping block is fixedly connected to the movable end of the clamping cylinder.

[0015] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the positioning block is fixedly mounted on the support frame, the support frame is provided on the rotating connecting seat, the positioning block is fixedly mounted on the support frame, and the positioning block is provided with a positioning groove for accommodating the pole on the top cover.

[0016] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the flip power assembly includes a rotating base plate and a rotating motor fixedly connected to the rotating base plate, and the output shaft of the rotating motor is fixedly connected to the rotating connecting seat.

[0017] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the flipping mechanism also includes a lifting power component that drives the rotating base plate to move in the vertical direction.

[0018] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the press knife power assembly includes an X-axis drive assembly for driving the press knife to move horizontally and a Z-axis drive assembly for driving the press knife to move vertically.

[0019] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the tab bending module also includes an alternating mechanism, and the battery positioning mechanism is configured with two, the alternating mechanism including a first horizontal moving component, a second horizontal moving component and at least one vertical moving component, the first horizontal component is horizontally opposite to the flipping mechanism, the second horizontal moving component is slidingly connected to the vertical moving component, one battery positioning component is connected to the first horizontal moving component, and the other battery positioning component is connected to the vertical moving component, the vertical moving component is used to adjust the vertical position of the battery positioning component, and the first horizontal moving component and the second horizontal moving component are used to adjust the horizontal position of the battery positioning component.

[0020] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the battery placement jig also includes a first holding assembly and a second holding assembly that can be movably arranged. The first holding assembly and the second holding assembly are arranged corresponding to the top cover of the battery. The first holding assembly is used to support the top cover before the tab is bent, and the second holding assembly is used to support the top cover against the aluminum shell of the battery after the tab is bent.

[0021] The present application also proposes a control method for a tab bending module, wherein the tab bending module is configured as the aforementioned tab bending module, and the control method for the tab bending module includes:

[0022] A battery positioning assembly is activated to adjust the battery placement fixture to a first predetermined position; wherein, at the first predetermined position, the battery is located at a bending station, and the top cover of the battery is positioned and placed on a positioning block of the top cover positioning assembly;

[0023] Starting a knife pressing power assembly, wherein the knife pressing power assembly controls the knife pressing to press against the portion of the tab to be bent; and

[0024] The flipping power assembly is started to flip the top cover positioning assembly to a second predetermined position. During this process, the pressing knife bends the tab and retracts. At the second predetermined position, the top cover is installed into the aluminum shell of the battery.

[0025] As an improvement to the above technical solution, after the steps of starting the battery positioning assembly and adjusting the battery placement fixture to the first predetermined position, the method further includes:

[0026] Controlling the positioning block to move toward the top cover at the first predetermined position until it abuts against the top cover;

[0027] Controlling the relative movement of the two side clamping blocks to clamp the two short sides of the top cover; and

[0028] The clamping block is controlled to move toward the top cover so as to be clamped on the long side of the top cover away from the tab.

[0029] As an improvement of the above technical solution, the battery placement fixture further includes a first holding component, which is used to support the top cover;

[0030] Before the step of controlling the positioning block to move toward the top cover at the first predetermined position until it abuts against the top cover, the method further includes: the first holding assembly supporting the top cover;

[0031] After the step of controlling the positioning block to move toward the top cover at the first predetermined position until it abuts against the top cover, the method further includes: the first retaining assembly being disengaged from the top cover.

[0032] As an improvement of the above technical solution, the flip mechanism further includes a lifting assembly and a Y-axis drive assembly for driving the top cover positioning assembly to move, and the flip power assembly is started, and the flip power assembly flips the top cover positioning assembly to the second predetermined position. During this process, the step of the press knife bending the tab and retracting specifically includes:

[0033] The turning power assembly turns over the top cover positioning assembly, and the pressing knife of the bending pressing knife mechanism is separated from the tab;

[0034] The lifting assembly drives the top cover positioning assembly to move in a vertical direction so that the top cover and the aluminum shell are aligned along the Y axis; and

[0035] The Y-axis driving assembly drives the top cover positioning assembly to move along the Y-axis to the second predetermined position.

[0036] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the step in which the flipping power assembly flips the top cover positioning assembly and the pressing blade of the bending pressing blade mechanism is separated from the tab specifically includes:

[0037] The flip power assembly flips the top cover positioning assembly to a predetermined angle;

[0038] The pressing blade of the bending and pressing mechanism is separated from the tab;

[0039] The turning power assembly continues to turn the top cover positioning assembly to 90°.

[0040] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the battery placement jig further includes a second holding assembly, which is used to hold the top cover against the aluminum shell. The flipping power assembly is started, and the flipping power assembly flips the top cover positioning assembly to a second predetermined position. In this process, after the pressing knife bends the tab and retracts, the jig further includes:

[0041] controlling the second retaining assembly to move to the second predetermined position to hold the top cover against the aluminum shell;

[0042] controlling the top cover positioning assembly to switch out of the second predetermined position to detach from the top cover;

[0043] The battery positioning assembly adjusts the battery placement fixture to a third predetermined position; wherein, the third predetermined position is used for loading and unloading batteries.

[0044] The beneficial effects of the present application are: the battery to be processed is placed on a battery placement jig, and is positioned by the battery positioning assembly to facilitate the battery tabs and top cover to be located at the bending station, and then the top cover is accurately positioned and fixed by the positioning block in the top cover positioning assembly, and two side clamping blocks and a clamping block are used to fix the three sides of the top cover except the side where it is connected to the tab, and the top cover positioning assembly is driven to flip by the flipping power assembly to bend the tab, and here the top cover positioning assembly implements multi-point clamping support for the top cover, thereby preventing the top cover from deformation during bending. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0046] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a tab bending module of the present application;

[0047] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery positioning mechanism in a tab bending module of the present application;

[0048] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a flip mechanism in a tab bending module of the present application;

[0049] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a top cover positioning assembly in a tab bending module of the present application;

[0050] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a bending and pressing mechanism in a tab bending module of the present application;

[0051] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a tab bending module of the present application;

[0052] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of the alternating mechanism and the battery positioning mechanism in FIG6 ;

[0053] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of the second horizontal moving assembly in FIG7;

[0054] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of the vertical moving assembly and the battery positioning mechanism in FIG7 ;

[0055] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of the battery positioning mechanism in FIG7;

[0056] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a battery tab bent in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG12 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for controlling a tab bending module of the present application;

[0058] FIG13 is a flow chart of another embodiment of a method for controlling a tab bending module according to the present application;

[0059] FIG14 is a flow chart of another embodiment of a method for controlling a tab bending module according to the present application.

[0060] Reference numerals: 1, battery; 11, aluminum shell; 12, battery cell; 13, tab; 14, top cover;

[0061] 2. Battery positioning mechanism; 21. Battery placement fixture; 211. First support plate; 212. First support column; 213. Second support plate; 214. Support block; 215. Limit block; 217. Support plate; 218. Second holding cylinder; 219. Holding clamp;

[0062] 22. Battery fixing assembly; 221. Clamping plate; 23. Battery positioning assembly; 231. Fixed base plate; 232. Second support column; 233. Positioning plate; 234. Guide rail slider assembly; 235. Positioning power assembly;

[0063] 3. Flip mechanism; 31. Top cover positioning assembly; 311. Rotating plate; 312. Rotating connecting plate; 313. Side clamping cylinder mounting plate; 314. Guide column; 315. Second clamping jaw cylinder; 316. First clamping block fixing plate; 317. First side clamping block; 318. Clamping cylinder mounting plate; 319. Support frame; 3110. Positioning block; 3111. Positioning groove; 3112. Clamping cylinder; 3113. Clamping block fixing plate; 3114. Clamping block; 3115. Second clamping block fixing plate; 31 16. Second side clamping block; 3117. Clamping groove; 3118. Limit seat; 3119. Lifting cylinder; 32. Flipping power assembly; 321. Rotating motor; 322. Reducer; 323. Reducer mounting plate; 324. Rotating base plate; 33. Lifting assembly; 331. Transverse vertical plate; 332. Lifting linear module; 333. Lifting linear module slider; 34. Y-axis drive assembly; 341. Linear module mounting plate; 342. Y-axis linear module; 343. Y-axis linear module slider;

[0064] 4. Bending and pressing mechanism; 41. Pressing knife; 42. Pressing knife mounting plate; 43. Lifting cylinder; 44. Lifting cylinder mounting plate; 45. X-axis linear module slider; 46. X-axis linear module;

[0065] 5. Alternating mechanism; 51. First horizontal moving assembly; 511. Horizontal guide rail; 512. Translation plate; 52. Second horizontal moving assembly; 521. Moving rack; 522. Driving gear; 523. Horizontal motor; 53. Vertical moving assembly; 531. Vertical moving plate; 532. Support rod; 533. Guide rod; 534. Driving rod; 535. Vertical motor; 536. Vertical guide rail; 537. Guide plate; 538. Vertical motor mounting plate.

[0066] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0068] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present application (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0069] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing throughout the text includes three parallel schemes. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, or scheme B, or a scheme in which A and B are satisfied at the same time. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0070] 1 and 2 , the present application provides a tab bending module, comprising a battery positioning mechanism 2, a bending press mechanism 4 and a flipping mechanism 3; the battery positioning mechanism 2 comprises a battery placement jig 21 and a battery positioning assembly 23; the flipping mechanism 3 comprises a top cover positioning assembly 31 and a flipping power assembly 32 for driving the top cover positioning assembly 31 to rotate, the top cover positioning assembly 31 comprises a positioning block 3110, a clamping block 3114 and a side clamping block, and the side clamping blocks have two; the bending press mechanism 4 comprises a press 41 and a press power assembly for driving the press 41 to move, and when the tab 13 is bent, the press 41 abuts against the bending part of the tab 13. In this embodiment, the battery 1 to be bent is transported to the battery placement fixture 21 by an external manipulator, and the battery 1 is positioned by the battery positioning assembly 23 so that the battery 1 is located at the bending station. Then, the top cover 14 is precisely positioned by the positioning block 3110 in the top cover positioning assembly 31, which also plays a fixing role. Two side clamps and a clamping block 3114 are used to fix the three sides of the top cover 14 except the side connected to the pole ear 13. The top cover positioning assembly 31 is driven to flip by the flipping power assembly 32, and then the pole ear 13 is bent. Here, the top cover positioning assembly 31 realizes multi-point clamping support for the top cover 14, thereby preventing the top cover 14 from deformation during bending. In addition, when the pole ear 13 is bent, the pressing knife 41 is against the bending part of the pole ear 13, thereby preventing the bending part of the pole ear 13 from bulging upward and deforming, so as to improve the bending quality of the pole ear 13.

[0071] Further, according to the above description of the operation of the tab bending module and the following description of the control of the pressing knife 41 by the pressing knife power assembly, it can be understood that during the operation of the tab bending module, the following steps are followed, with reference to Figure 12: first, step S100, start the battery positioning assembly 23, the battery positioning assembly 23 adjusts the battery placement fixture 21 to the first predetermined position, wherein, at the first predetermined position, the battery 1 is located at the bending station, and the top cover 14 of the battery 1 is limited and placed on the positioning block 3110 of the top cover positioning assembly 31; then step S200, start the pressing knife power assembly, the pressing knife power assembly controls the pressing knife 41 to press against the part of the tab 13 to be bent; then step S300, start the flipping power assembly 32, the flipping power assembly 32 flips the top cover positioning assembly 31 to the second predetermined position, during which the pressing knife 41 bends the tab 13 and retracts, wherein, at the second predetermined position, the battery 1 is still at the bending station, and its top cover 14 is installed in the aluminum shell 11 of the battery 1. In this way, from step S100 to step S300 , the flipping installation of the top cover 14 and the bending and shaping of the tab 13 are performed synchronously, which simplifies the processing steps while ensuring the bending quality of the tab 13 , thereby improving efficiency.

[0072] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 2, the battery placement fixture 21 includes a fixture bracket formed by a first support plate 211, a first support column 212 and a second support plate 213. The second support plate 213 is provided with a support block 214 for placing and supporting the battery 1. In addition, two limit block 215 groups are provided along the length direction of the second support plate 213. The limit block 215 group includes two limit blocks 215. The two limit block 215 groups play a positioning role for the battery 1, so that the battery 1 is placed on the support block 214 and the position is not tilted.

[0073] Further, referring to Figure 2, the battery positioning mechanism 2 also includes a battery fixing assembly 22, and the battery fixing assembly 22 includes a first clamping cylinder and clamps 221 installed on the two movable ends of the first clamping cylinder. The first clamping cylinder is installed at the bottom of the second support plate 213, and the two clamps 221 respectively press against the two sides of the long side of the battery 1 when moving toward each other, thereby clamping and fixing the battery 1, thereby improving the stability of the battery 1 when the tab 13 is bent.

[0074] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 2, the battery positioning assembly 23 includes a fixed base plate 231, a second support column 232 and a positioning plate 233. The positioning plate 233 is installed on the fixed base plate 231 through the second support column 232. A guide rail slider assembly 234 is connected between the top of the positioning plate 233 and the bottom of the first support plate 211. The two are slidably connected through the guide rail slider assembly 234. A positioning power assembly 235 for driving the first support plate 211 to move is provided on the positioning plate 233. The positioning power assembly 235 can adopt a linear module such as a ball screw, a linear motor, or a cylinder. When the battery 1 is placed on the battery placement jig 21 and fixed, the positioning power component 235 drives the first support plate 211 to move and slide on the positioning plate 233, thereby driving the movement of the entire battery placement jig 21 to adjust the position of the battery 1 to achieve positioning. Specifically, the positioning power component 235 drives the battery 1 to move until the pole on the top cover 14 is directly above the positioning groove 3111 set on the positioning block 3110 and stops, completing the positioning of the battery 1.

[0075] In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 3 , the flip mechanism 3 includes a top cover positioning assembly 31 , a flip power assembly 32 , a lifting assembly 33 and a Y-axis driving assembly 34 . Specifically, referring to Figure 3, the Y-axis drive assembly 34 includes a linear module mounting plate 341 and a Y-axis linear module 342, the lifting assembly 33 includes a transverse vertical plate 331 and a lifting linear module 332 installed on the transverse vertical plate 331, the transverse vertical plate 331 is fixedly connected to the slider in the Y-axis linear module 342 (marked as the Y-axis linear module slider 343), the flip power assembly 32 includes a rotating base plate 324 and a rotating motor 321 fixedly connected to the rotating base plate 324, the rotating base plate 324 is fixedly connected to the slider in the lifting linear module 332 (marked as the lifting linear module slider 333), the rotating base plate 324 is connected to a reducer mounting plate 323, and a reducer 322 connected to the rotating motor 321 is fixed on the reducer mounting plate 323, and the output spindle of the reducer 322 is fixedly connected to the rotating plate 311 in the top cover positioning assembly 31. 6 , the working state of the bending of the tab 13 on the battery cell 12 is: tab bending → top cover moves down for alignment → top cover enters the shell. Specifically, the flipping power assembly 32 drives the top cover positioning assembly 31 to flip, thereby driving the tab 13 to bend. Then, the lifting assembly 33 can drive the top cover positioning assembly 31 to move up and down in the Z-axis direction, thereby adjusting the height of the top cover 14 after the tab 13 is bent so that it corresponds to the aluminum shell 11. Then, the Y-axis drive can drive the top cover positioning assembly 31 to move along the Y-axis direction, thereby installing the bent top cover 14 into the aluminum shell 11.

[0076] Further, according to the above description of the flipping process of the top cover 14, that is, the refinement of step S300, it can be concluded without a doubt that the flipping mechanism 3 adjusts the position of the top cover 14 and installs the top cover 14 on the aluminum shell 11 of the battery 1, following the following steps, with reference to Figure 14: first, step S310, the flipping power component 32 flips the top cover positioning component 31, and the pressing knife 41 of the bending pressing knife mechanism 4 disengages from the pole ear 13; then step S320, the lifting component 33 drives the top cover positioning component 31 to move in the vertical direction, that is, the Z-axis direction, so that the top cover 14 and the aluminum shell 11 are aligned along the Y-axis, that is, the height of the top cover 14 after the pole ear 13 is bent is adjusted to be consistent with the height of the aluminum shell 11; then step S330, the Y-axis drive component 34 drives the top cover positioning component 31 to move along the Y-axis to the second predetermined position to install the bent top cover 14 into the aluminum shell 11. In this way, from step S310 to step S330, the top cover 14 can be flipped from the first predetermined position, and then under the pushing action of the top cover positioning assembly 31, the top cover 14 can be stably flipped and accurately installed on the aluminum shell 11 of the battery 1, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the installation of the top cover 14.

[0077] Specifically, referring to FIG4 , the top cover positioning assembly 31 further includes an L-shaped rotating connection seat formed by a rotating plate 311 and a rotating connecting plate 312. The rotating plate 311 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the reducer 322. The rotating connecting plate 312 is fixedly connected to a side clamp cylinder mounting plate 313. A second clamping cylinder 315 is fixedly mounted on the side clamp cylinder mounting plate 313. The two movable ends of the second clamping cylinder 315 are respectively fixedly connected to a first clamp block fixing plate 316 and a second clamp block fixing plate 3115. The two side clamps are respectively labeled as a first side clamp block 317 and a second side clamp block 3116. The first side clamp block 317 is fixedly connected to the first clamp block fixing plate 316, and the second side clamp block 3116 is fixedly connected to the second clamp block fixing plate 3115. When the second clamping cylinder 315 drives the first side clamp block 317 and the second side clamp block 3116 to move toward each other, the short sides of the top cover 14 are clamped and fixed.

[0078] Furthermore, a limit seat 3118 is provided on the side clamp cylinder mounting plate 313, and the limit seat 3118 is located on the moving path of the side clamp block. When the first side clamp block 317 and the second side clamp block 3116 move toward each other, they will be blocked and limited by the limit seat 3118, thereby preventing the first side clamp block 317 and the second side clamp block 3116 from exerting excessive clamping force on the top cover 14 and causing damage to the top cover 14.

[0079] The top cover positioning assembly 31 also includes a clamping cylinder mounting plate 318, on which a clamping cylinder 3112 is installed. The movable end of the clamping cylinder 3112 is fixedly connected to a clamping block fixing plate 3113, and the clamping block 3114 is fixedly installed on the clamping block fixing plate 3113. In this way, when the clamping cylinder 3112 drives the clamping block fixing plate 3113 to move, the clamping block 3114 can clamp and fix the long side of the top cover 14.

[0080] Furthermore, in order to improve the fixing effect of the top cover 14, a clamping groove 3117 is provided on the clamping block 3114, the first side clamping block 317 and the second side clamping block 3116. The size of the clamping groove 3117 matches the side of the top cover 14, that is, the side of the top cover 14 can be embedded in the clamping groove 3117.

[0081] In addition, a positioning groove 3111 is provided on the positioning block 3110, and the positioning block 3110 is installed on the clamping cylinder mounting plate 318 through a support frame 319. The clamping cylinder mounting plate 318 is connected to the side clamping cylinder mounting plate 313 through a guide column 314 guide sleeve structure. The side clamping cylinder mounting plate 313 is also provided with a lifting cylinder 3119 that drives the clamping cylinder mounting plate 318 to move up and down, thereby driving the positioning block 3110 to move up and down. When the battery 1 is positioned to the top cover 14 above the positioning groove 3111, the lifting cylinder 3119 drives the clamping cylinder mounting plate 318 to move upward, thereby driving the positioning block 3110 to move upward synchronously, and the positioning block 3110 is abutted against the top cover 14. The pole on the top cover 14 is now embedded in the positioning groove 3111, which can support the side wall of the top cover 14 and reduce the deformation of the top cover 14 when the pole ear 13 is bent.

[0082] Furthermore, based on the above description of how the top cover positioning assembly 31 limits and fixes the top cover 14, it can be specifically concluded that after step S100 and before step S200, the operation process of the top cover positioning assembly 31 to limit and fix the top cover 14 follows the following steps, with reference to Figure 13: first, step S110, controlling the positioning block 3110 to move toward the top cover 14 in the first predetermined position to support the top cover 14; then step S120, controlling the two side clamping blocks to move relative to each other to clamp the two short sides of the top cover 14; then step S130, controlling the clamping block to move toward the top cover 14 to clamp the long side of the top cover 14 away from the tab 13. In this way, from step S110 to step S130, the top cover 14 can be kept stable on the top cover positioning assembly 31, so as to improve the stability of the top cover 14 when flipping during the bending process of the tab 13, thereby ensuring the installation accuracy and stability of the top cover 14, and further ensuring the bending effect of the tab 13.

[0083] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 5, the pressing knife power assembly includes an X-axis drive assembly for driving the pressing knife 41 to move horizontally along the X-axis direction and a Z-axis drive assembly for driving the pressing knife 41 to move up and down along the Z-axis direction. The fixed end of the Z-axis drive assembly is fixedly connected to the movable end of the X-axis drive assembly, and the pressing knife 41 is fixedly connected to the movable end of the Z-axis drive assembly, so that the X-axis drive assembly can drive the Z-axis drive assembly and the pressing knife 41 to move above the tab 13, and then the Z-axis drive assembly can drive the pressing knife 41 to move downward and abut against the tab 13, so that the tab 13 is subjected to the pressure of the pressing knife 41 during bending, and the tab 13 will bend at the contact position of the pressing knife 41, so that multiple deformations or upward protrusions caused by direct bending of the tab 13 can be avoided, thereby improving the bending quality of the tab 13.

[0084] Further, based on the above description of the control of the pressing knife 41 by the pressing knife power assembly, and the description of the flipping process of the top cover 14 by the top cover positioning assembly 31 under the action of the flipping power assembly 32, it can be concluded without a doubt that the above step S310 can be subdivided. During the flipping process of the top cover 14, the operation process of the pressing knife 41 follows the following steps, referring to Figure 14: first, step S311, the flipping power assembly 32 flips the top cover positioning assembly 31 to a predetermined angle; then step S312, the pressing knife 41 of the bending pressing knife 41 mechanism 4 is separated from the pole ear 13; then step S313, the flipping power assembly 32 continues to flip the top cover positioning assembly 31 to 90°. According to the above-mentioned pressing tool power assembly regarding the shaping process of the tab 13 by the pressing tool 41, the tab 13 will be subjected to the pressure of the pressing tool 41 during the bending process and bend at the contact position of the pressing tool 41. Before the top cover 14 is installed on the aluminum shell 11, the pressing tool 41 needs to be withdrawn. At this time, the pressing tool 41 needs to be separated from the tab 13 after the top cover 14 is flipped to a certain angle. The angle can be any angle of the flipping of the top cover 14. According to the above description and diagram, the flipping amplitude of the top cover 14 is 90°. Therefore, the angle is defined as a predetermined angle, which can be specifically 45°, so that the shaping of the tab 13 and the flipping of the top cover 14 can be carried out simultaneously, thereby ensuring the shaping quality of the tab 13 and the stability of the installation of the top cover 14, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

[0085] Specifically, the X-axis drive assembly includes an X-axis linear module 46, and the Z-axis drive assembly includes a lifting cylinder 43 and a lifting cylinder 43 mounting plate. The lifting cylinder 43 mounting plate is fixedly connected to the slider (marked as the X-axis linear module slider 45) in the X-axis linear module 46. The lifting cylinder 43 is fixedly connected to the lifting cylinder 43 mounting plate, and the movable end of the lifting cylinder 43 is fixedly connected to the pressing knife mounting plate 42. The pressing knife 41 is fixedly connected to the pressing knife mounting plate 42.

[0086] In another embodiment, please refer to Figures 6 to 9, the tab bending module also includes an alternating mechanism 5, and the battery positioning mechanism 2 is configured with two, the alternating mechanism 5 includes a first horizontal moving component 51, a second horizontal moving component 52 and at least one vertical moving component 53, the first horizontal component is horizontally opposite to the flipping mechanism 3, the second horizontal moving component 52 is slidingly connected to the vertical moving component 53, one battery positioning component 23 is connected to the first horizontal moving component 51, and the other battery positioning component 23 is connected to the vertical moving component 53, the vertical moving component 53 is used to adjust the vertical position of the battery positioning component 23, the first horizontal moving component 51 and the second horizontal moving component 52 are used to adjust the horizontal position of the battery positioning component 23. Without loss of generality, the alternating mechanism 5 is also provided with a base for its installation and fixation, and the first horizontal moving component 51 and the second horizontal moving component 52 are both arranged on the base. It can be understood that the first horizontal moving component 51 is provided with a battery positioning mechanism 2, and the first horizontal moving component 51 is provided with another battery positioning mechanism 2. The first horizontal moving component 51 is moved horizontally on the base to pull the battery positioning component 23 back and forth between the bending station and the loading and unloading station. Similarly, the second horizontal moving component 52 is moved horizontally on the base. In the process of pulling the battery positioning component 23 thereon to move back and forth horizontally, or before the horizontal movement, the vertical moving component 53 will adjust the height of the battery positioning component 23 thereon in the vertical direction, thereby avoiding the battery positioning component 23 pulled by the first horizontal moving component 51, and adjusting the corresponding battery positioning component 23 to a height suitable for the bending station and the loading and unloading station, thereby realizing the processing of the two battery positioning components 23 by a flipping mechanism 3 and a bending press mechanism 4, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the motor. It should be noted that the first horizontal moving assembly 51 and the second horizontal moving assembly 52 may also carry multiple battery positioning mechanisms 2. Of course, in other embodiments, a flipping mechanism 3, a bending and pressing mechanism 4, and a battery positioning assembly 23 may be provided in a paired combination, with only the horizontal moving assembly or the vertical moving assembly 53 provided on the base to move the battery positioning assembly 23 between the bending station and the loading and unloading station.

[0087] Specifically, for the first horizontal moving component 51, it includes a horizontal guide rail 511 set on the base, and a translation plate 512 slidably connected to the horizontal guide rail 511. At least one battery positioning mechanism 2 is set on the translation plate 512. The translation plate 512 moves horizontally along the horizontal guide rail 511 to achieve reciprocating movement between the bending station and the loading and unloading stations, thereby facilitating the processing of the battery 1. The second horizontal moving component 52 includes a moving rack 521, a driving gear 522, a horizontal motor 523 and a moving rack 521 arranged on the base. The moving rack 521 on the base can slide relative to the base. The driving gear 522 is transmitted through the output shaft of the horizontal motor 523, and the two are fixed on the base. The two moving racks 521 are distributed in parallel, and the driving gear 522 is clamped between the two moving racks 521 and meshed with each other. In this way, the horizontal motor 523 drives the driving gear 522 to rotate so that the two moving racks 521 slide in different directions respectively, so as to drive the vertical moving component 53 to move horizontally, thereby pulling the battery positioning mechanism 2 thereon to move horizontally between the bending station and the loading and unloading station. The two moving racks 521 are clamped and meshed with a driving gear 522, which ensures the stable transmission of power between the driving gear 522 and the moving rack 521, thereby ensuring the stability of the horizontal movement of the battery positioning mechanism 2. The vertical moving assembly 53 includes a lower structure composed of a plurality of support rods 532, a vertical motor mounting plate 538, a vertical guide rail 536, a drive rod 534 and a vertical motor 535, and an upper structure composed of a plurality of guide rods 533, a vertical moving plate 531 and a guide plate 537. The drive rod 534, the guide rod 533 and the support rod 532 extend in parallel, the vertical motor 535 is mounted on the vertical motor mounting plate 538, the vertical motor mounting plate 538 is fixedly connected to the upper part of the support rod 532, and the upper part of the drive rod 534 is axially limited and circumferentially connected to the vertical motor mounting plate 538, the output shaft of the vertical motor 535 is transmission-connected to the upper end of the driving rod 534, and the guide plate 537 is slidably sleeved on the driving rod 534, and at least one support rod 532 is provided in parallel with a vertical guide rail 536 slidably connected to the guide plate 537, and when the driving rod 534 rotates, the guide plate 537 moves axially along the driving rod 534 and the vertical guide rail 536, wherein the guide rod 533 is movably penetrated into the vertical motor mounting plate 538, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the guide rod 533, and the upper end of which is fixedly connected to the vertical moving plate 531, and the battery positioning mechanism 2 is installed on the vertical moving plate 531.In this way, under the action of the vertical motor 535, the driving rod 534 rotates, driving the guide plate 537 to move up and down along the axis of the driving rod 534 and the vertical guide rail 536, thereby pulling the battery positioning mechanism 2 on the vertical moving plate 531 through the guide rod 533 to move back and forth in the height direction to adapt to the height of the bending station or the loading and unloading station, and to avoid the battery positioning mechanism 2 pulled by the first horizontal moving assembly 51, thereby avoiding interference between the two and improving the processing efficiency of the battery 1. It is not general. The lower parts of the support rod 532 and the driving rod 534 are commonly connected to a connecting plate, on which the moving rack 521 of the second horizontal moving assembly 52 is provided, thereby realizing the vertical relative movement of the upper structure and the lower structure, and the horizontal movement of the vertical moving assembly 53.

[0088] In one embodiment, referring to FIG10 , the battery placement jig 21 further includes a first and second movably disposed retaining assembly. The first and second retaining assemblies are disposed corresponding to the top cover 14 of the battery 1. The first retaining assembly is used to support the top cover 14 before the tab 13 is bent, and the second retaining assembly is used to hold the top cover 14 against the aluminum shell 11 of the battery 1 after the tab 13 is bent. It will be understood that before the top cover 14 is supported by the positioning block 3110, that is, during the process of the battery positioning mechanism 2 moving from the loading and unloading station to the bending station, the first retaining assembly supports the top cover 14 to prevent it from falling and breaking the tab 13. This also facilitates the positioning of the top cover 14 against the positioning block 3110, improving the convenience and efficiency of battery 1 processing. Once the top cover 14 is supported by the positioning block 3110, the first retaining assembly retracts to prevent interference with the flipping mechanism 3 when flipping the top cover 14. After the top cover 14 is loaded into the aluminum shell 11 by the flip mechanism 3, the flip mechanism 3 first maintains the abutment against the top cover 14. At this time, the second holding component moves to the second predetermined position to clamp the top cover 14 on the aluminum shell 11. Then the flip mechanism 3 disengages from the top cover 14, and the second holding component continues to abut the top cover 14. During the process of the alternating mechanism 5 moving the battery positioning mechanism 2 from the bending station to the loading and unloading station, the second holding component continues to abut the top cover 14 until the robot takes away the processed battery 1. In this way, continuous processing of multiple batteries 1 is achieved, and the bending station and the loading and unloading station can be adjusted to positions that adapt to the current environment and production line layout, thereby improving the flexibility and applicability of the tab bending module.

[0089] Specifically, a first holding cylinder is provided on the second support plate 213, and the first holding cylinder drives and is connected to a holding plate 217. Under the action of the first holding cylinder, the holding plate 217 can extend out of the edge of the second support plate 213 and retract into the edge of the second support plate 213, thereby supporting the top cover 14 during the loading and bending processes and avoiding interference with the bending and unloading processes. Similarly, a second holding cylinder 218 is also provided on the second support plate 213, which is parallel to the distribution direction of the two limit blocks 215. Two holding clamps 219 are movably connected to the second support plate 213, and the holding clamps 219 can move in two directions, one direction is parallel to the two. Distribution direction, the other direction is parallel to the direction in which the top cover 14 is loaded into the aluminum shell 11, and the two free ends of the second holding cylinder 218 are respectively driven to connect to the two holding clamps 219. In this way, after the top cover 14 is loaded into the aluminum shell 11, the second holding cylinder 218 first drives the two holding clamps 219 to move toward each other outside the second support plate 213, until they are opposite to the top cover 14 in the loading direction of the top cover 14, and then the second holding cylinder 218 drives the two holding clamps 219 to press against the top cover 14 along the loading direction of the top cover 14, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the top cover 14 and the aluminum shell 11 in the process from the bending station to the unloading station, so that the robot can take away the battery 1 and enter the next processing step.

[0090] Further, in this embodiment, please refer to FIG10 , based on the above-mentioned step S110, according to the operation of the above-mentioned alternating mechanism 5, in conjunction with the operation of the flipping mechanism 3, it can be concluded that before implementing step S110, the first holding component is required to support the top cover 14; at the same time, it can also be understood that after implementing step S110, the first holding component is required to be detached from the top cover 14. Similarly, in this embodiment, please continue to refer to FIG10 , according to the operation of the above-mentioned alternating mechanism 5, after completing step S300, the operation of the tab bending module also includes the following sequence: first, the second holding component is controlled to move to the second predetermined position to support the top cover 14 on the aluminum shell 11; then the top cover positioning component 31 is controlled to switch out of the second predetermined position to detach from the top cover 14; then the battery positioning component 23 adjusts the battery placement fixture 21 to the third predetermined position; wherein, the third predetermined position is used for loading and unloading the battery 1. In this way, the linkage operation of the first holding assembly, the flipping mechanism 3 and the second holding assembly is realized, thereby improving the efficiency of battery 1 processing, and the bending station and the loading and unloading stations can be adjusted to positions that adapt to the current environment and production line layout, thereby improving the flexibility and applicability of the tab bending module.

[0091] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of the present application and does not limit the scope of protection of the present application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A tab bending module, wherein: The tab bending module comprises: A battery positioning mechanism (2) comprises a battery placement jig (21) and a battery positioning assembly (23), wherein the battery placement jig (21) is used to carry a battery (1) to be processed, and the battery positioning assembly (23) is used to position the battery (1) to a specified position; A flip mechanism (3) comprises a top cover positioning assembly (31) and a flip power assembly (32) for driving the top cover positioning assembly (31) to rotate, wherein the top cover positioning assembly (31) comprises a positioning block (3110), a clamping block (3114) and a side clamping block, wherein the positioning block (3110) is used to position a pole on the top cover (14), the clamping block (3114) is used to fix one side of the top cover (14) away from the pole ear (13), and the side clamping block has two and is used to fix the other two sides of the top cover (14); The bending and pressing knife mechanism (4) comprises a pressing knife (41) and a pressing knife power assembly for driving the pressing knife (41) to move. When the pole lug (13) is bent, the pressing knife (41) abuts against the bending part of the pole lug (13).

2. The tab bending module according to claim 1, wherein: The battery positioning assembly (23) comprises a positioning plate (233), the positioning plate (233) is slidably connected to the battery placement fixture (21), and a positioning power assembly (235) for driving the battery placement fixture (21) to move is arranged on the positioning plate (233).

3. The tab bending module according to claim 2, wherein: The battery positioning mechanism (2) further comprises a battery fixing assembly (22), wherein the battery fixing assembly (22) comprises a first clamping cylinder and clamping plates (221) mounted on two movable ends of the first clamping cylinder, wherein the first clamping cylinder is mounted on the battery placement fixture (21), and the two clamping plates (221) respectively abut against two sides of the long side of the battery (1) when they move towards each other.

4. The tab bending module according to claim 1, wherein: The top cover positioning assembly (31) also includes a rotating connection seat, on which a second clamping jaw cylinder (315) is arranged, and the two side clamping blocks are respectively fixed to the two movable ends of the second clamping jaw cylinder (315).

5. The tab bending module according to claim 4, wherein: A limit seat (3118) is provided on the rotating connection seat, and the limit seat (3118) is located on the moving path of the side clamping block.

6. The tab bending module according to claim 5, wherein: A clamping cylinder (3112) is installed on the rotating connection seat, and the clamping block (3114) is fixedly connected to the movable end of the clamping cylinder (3112).

7. The tab bending module according to claim 6, wherein: A support frame (319) is provided on the rotating connection seat, and the positioning block (3110) is fixedly mounted on the support frame (319). The positioning block (3110) is provided with a positioning groove (3111) for accommodating a pole on the top cover (14).

8. The tab bending module according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The turning power assembly (32) comprises a rotating base plate (324) and a rotating motor (321) fixedly connected to the rotating base plate (324); the output shaft of the rotating motor (321) is fixedly connected to the rotating connection seat.

9. The tab bending module according to claim 8, wherein: The turning mechanism (3) further comprises a lifting assembly (33) for driving the rotating base plate (324) to move in a vertical direction.

10. The tab bending module according to claim 1, wherein: The pressing knife power assembly comprises an X-axis driving assembly for driving the pressing knife (41) to move horizontally and a Z-axis driving assembly for driving the pressing knife (41) to move vertically.

11. The tab bending module according to claim 1, wherein: The tab bending module also includes an alternating mechanism (5), and the battery positioning mechanism (2) is configured with two, and the alternating mechanism (5) includes a first horizontal moving component (51), a second horizontal moving component (52) and at least one vertical moving component (53), the first horizontal component is horizontally opposite to the flipping mechanism (3), the second horizontal moving component (52) is slidably connected to the vertical moving component (53), one of the battery positioning components (23) is connected to the first horizontal moving component (51), and the other of the battery positioning components (23) is connected to the vertical moving component (53), the vertical moving component (53) is used to adjust the vertical position of the battery positioning component (23), and the first horizontal moving component (51) and the second horizontal moving component (52) are used to adjust the horizontal position of the battery positioning component (23).

12. The tab bending module according to claim 1, wherein: The battery placement fixture (21) further comprises a first retaining assembly and a second retaining assembly which can be movably arranged. The first retaining assembly and the second retaining assembly are arranged corresponding to the top cover (14) of the battery. The first retaining assembly is used to support the top cover (14) before the pole lug (13) is bent, and the second retaining assembly is used to support the top cover (14) against the aluminum shell (11) of the battery after the pole lug (13) is bent.

13. A control method for a tab bending module, wherein the tab bending module is the tab bending module according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The control method of the tab bending module comprises: The battery positioning assembly (23) is started, and the battery positioning assembly (23) adjusts the battery placement fixture (21) to a first predetermined position; wherein, at the first predetermined position, the battery is located at a bending station, and the top cover (14) of the battery is limitedly placed on a positioning block (3110) of the top cover positioning assembly (31); Starting a knife pressing power assembly, wherein the knife pressing power assembly controls the knife pressing to press against the portion of the tab (13) to be bent; and The flipping power assembly (32) is started, and the flipping power assembly (32) flips the top cover positioning assembly (31) to a second predetermined position. During this process, the pressing knife bends the pole ear (13) and retracts; wherein, at the second predetermined position, the top cover (14) is installed into the aluminum shell (11) of the battery.

14. The control method of the tab bending module according to claim 13, wherein: After the step of starting the battery positioning component (23) and the battery positioning component (23) adjusting the battery placement fixture (21) to the first predetermined position, the method further comprises: Controlling the positioning block (3110) to move toward the top cover (14) at the first predetermined position until it abuts against the top cover (14); Controlling the two side clamping blocks to move relative to each other so as to clamp the two short sides of the top cover (14); and The clamping block is controlled to move toward the top cover (14) so ​​as to clamp the long side of the top cover (14) away from the pole lug (13).

15. The control method of the tab bending module according to claim 14, wherein: The battery placement jig (21) further comprises a first holding component, wherein the first holding component is used to support the top cover (14); Before the step of controlling the positioning block (3110) to move toward the top cover (14) at the first predetermined position to abut against the top cover (14), the method further comprises: the first holding assembly supports the top cover (14); After the step of controlling the positioning block (3110) to move toward the top cover (14) at the first predetermined position until it abuts against the top cover (14), the method further includes: the first retaining assembly is disengaged from the top cover (14).

16. The control method of the tab bending module according to claim 13, wherein: The flipping mechanism (3) further comprises a lifting assembly (33) and a Y-axis driving assembly for driving the top cover positioning assembly (31) to move, the flipping power assembly (32) is started, and the flipping power assembly (32) flips the top cover positioning assembly (31) to a second predetermined position. During this process, the pressing knife bends the tab (13) and retracts the tab, specifically comprising: The turning power assembly (32) turns over the top cover positioning assembly (31), and the pressing knife of the bending pressing knife mechanism (4) is separated from the pole ear (13); The lifting assembly (33) drives the top cover positioning assembly (31) to move in a vertical direction so that the top cover (14) and the aluminum shell (11) are aligned along the Y axis; and The Y-axis driving assembly drives the top cover positioning assembly (31) to move along the Y-axis to the second predetermined position.

17. The control method of the tab bending module according to claim 16, wherein: The step in which the turning power assembly (32) turns over the top cover positioning assembly (31) and the pressing knife of the bending pressing knife mechanism (4) is separated from the pole ear (13) specifically comprises: The turning power assembly (32) turns the top cover positioning assembly (31) to a predetermined angle; The pressing blade of the bending pressing blade mechanism (4) is separated from the pole ear (13); The flipping power assembly (32) continues to flip the top cover positioning assembly (31) to 90°.

18. The control method of the tab bending module according to claim 13, wherein: The battery placement jig (21) further comprises a second holding component, the second holding component being used to hold the top cover (14) against the aluminum shell (11), the flipping power component (32) being started, the flipping power component (32) flipping the top cover positioning component (31) to a second predetermined position, and in this process, after the step of the pressing knife bending the tab (13) and retracting, the method further comprises: Controlling the second retaining assembly to move to the second predetermined position to hold the top cover (14) against the aluminum shell (11); Controlling the top cover positioning assembly (31) to switch out of the second predetermined position to disengage from the top cover (14); The battery positioning component (23) adjusts the battery placement fixture (21) to a third predetermined position; wherein the third predetermined position is used for loading and unloading batteries.

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