Conveying device for conveying workpiece and battery production line

Abstract

A conveying device for conveying a workpiece and a battery production line. The conveying device comprises a first conveyor (7), a second conveyor (8), an in-place detection device, and a controller. The in-place detection device comprises: a support (1); a support shaft (2) mounted on the support (1); a rocker (3) mounted on the support shaft (2) and supported to be rotatable about the axis of the support shaft (2), the rocker (3) being configured to be rotatable between a first posture and a second posture; and a sensor (5) mounted on the support (1) and configured to, if it is detected that the rocker (3) is in the second posture, send a first specified signal indicating that a workpiece under test (6) has been in place. The controller is configured to at least control a drive device of the first conveyor (7) on the basis of the first specified signal. By integrating the sensor (5) and the rocker (3) which serves as an object under test, the impact of the external environment on a detection operation can be reduced, so that the detection reliability can be improved, thereby improving the control reliability of the conveying device and the battery production line.

Description

Conveying device for conveying workpieces and battery production line

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202322965647.5, application date November 2, 2023, and invention name “Conveying device and battery production line for conveying workpieces”, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into this disclosure as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing, and in particular to a conveying device for conveying workpieces and a battery production line. Background Art

[0004] New energy batteries are being used more and more widely in life and industry. For example, new energy vehicles equipped with batteries have been widely used. In addition, batteries are also being increasingly used in energy storage fields.

[0005] Battery manufacturing is increasingly using automated production lines. Within these lines, conveyors used to transport components such as batteries or battery trays sometimes need to change direction. To determine the timing for this change, it's sometimes necessary to detect whether batteries or battery trays have reached their designated positions. How to accurately and reliably detect the position of batteries and battery trays and adjust the conveyor direction accordingly is a key research topic in the industry.

[0006] Utility Model Content

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a conveying device for conveying workpieces and a battery production line, which can reduce the influence of the external environment on the detection action of the sensor and thus improve the reliability of the detection of the workpiece being in place.

[0008] The present disclosure is achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a conveying device for conveying workpieces, the conveying device comprising: a first conveyor having a first conveying direction; a second conveyor having a second conveying direction intersecting the first direction; an in-place detection device, the in-place detection device comprising a bracket, a support shaft, a rocker and a sensor, the support shaft being mounted on the bracket, the rocker being mounted on the support shaft and supported to rotate around the axis of the support shaft, and the rocker being configured to rotate between a first posture and a second posture, the sensor being mounted on the bracket and configured to emit a first prescribed signal indicating that the workpiece to be measured is in place if it detects that the rocker is in the second posture; and a controller configured to control at least a drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal.

[0010] Because this system uses a sensor within the in-place detection device to detect the rocker arm, rather than directly detecting the workpiece as with traditional in-place detection devices, it reduces the risk of the detection results being affected by factors such as the workpiece's state, the in-place detection device, and the workpiece's surroundings. Furthermore, because the sensor detects the position of the workpiece by detecting changes in the rocker's posture, it achieves highly reliable detection with a simple structure. Furthermore, because a specified signal is emitted based on the sensor's detection results, predetermined processing or operations can be performed promptly on the in-place workpiece.

[0011] By equipping a conveying device for conveying workpieces with the aforementioned in-place detection device, it is possible to reliably determine that the workpiece is in place, allowing for appropriate processing or operation. Because the in-place detection device utilizes a sensor within the in-place detection device to detect a rocker within the in-place detection device, this improves detection reliability while also reducing the workload associated with modifying the conveying device equipped with the in-place detection device and the production line employing the conveying device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sensor includes at least any one of a proximity sensor and a color sensor.

[0013] Because both the sensor and the joystick being tested are mounted on the bracket, a proximity sensor can reliably detect the joystick's posture. Furthermore, the joystick can be designed to have a color easily perceived by a color sensor, allowing the color sensor to detect the joystick's posture. Compared to traditional methods of directly detecting the workpiece using proximity or color sensors, this system improves detection reliability because it eliminates factors such as shape and color differences that could reduce detection sensitivity.

[0014] In some embodiments, the in-place detection device further includes a position switch, and the position switch is configured to send a second specified signal indicating that the in-place detection device has been reset or the workpiece has left after the rocker changes from the second posture to the first posture.

[0015] Since the in-position detection device is also equipped with a position switch, the position switch can detect when the rocker reaches the first position, thereby reliably returning to the state of detecting the position of the next workpiece to be measured. Moreover, since a signal that the workpiece has been removed can be reliably obtained, corresponding processing or operation can be carried out in a timely manner.

[0016] In some embodiments, the rocker includes an operating rod and a reset rod connected as one body, the operating rod extends toward the incoming direction of the workpiece to be measured, and at least either the operating rod or the reset rod is in contact with the position switch.

[0017] Because the rocker includes an integrally connected operating lever and a reset lever, and the operating lever extends toward the incoming direction of the workpiece being measured, the operating lever can be easily manipulated by a workpiece being transported from that direction. The reset lever is also driven by the operating lever, allowing the rocker to be switched from a first position to a second position based on the position of the workpiece being measured using a simple structure. Because the contact can be moved using the operating lever and / or the reset lever, the sensor can be easily and reliably triggered based on changes in the rocker's position. This reduces the risk of adverse effects from the workpiece being measured, the surrounding environment, and the like, allowing for reliable detection of the workpiece's position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the support shaft is arranged horizontally, and the rocker is configured so that, in the first posture, the reset rod is hanging down and the operating rod is extended toward the incoming direction of the workpiece to be measured and at a specified angle to the incoming direction; in the second posture, the operating rod is pushed and the reset rod is lifted.

[0019] Because the operating lever is oriented in the direction of the incoming workpiece and forms a specified angle with that direction, when the workpiece arrives, the rocker arm reliably changes from the first position to the second position through the movement of the workpiece itself. Furthermore, in the second position, the reset lever is lifted by the workpiece's pressure on the operating lever. Therefore, when the workpiece releases its pressure on the operating lever, the reset lever rotates back to the first position through its own weight, eliminating the need for an additional reset mechanism or reset action. This allows the rocker arm to transition between the first and second positions using a simple structure.

[0020] In some embodiments, the operating lever and the reset lever of the rocker are respectively located on both sides of the bracket in a manner of straddling the bracket; the position switch is provided at a position of the bracket between the operating lever and the reset lever.

[0021] By arranging the operating rod and the reset rod to be located on both sides of the bracket and arranging the position switch at a position of the bracket between the operating rod and the reset rod, space can be compactly utilized and the structure is simple, thereby improving the layout flexibility of the in-position detection device.

[0022] In some embodiments, a transfer device is provided at the intersection of the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and the transfer device is used to transfer the workpiece to be measured from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

[0023] In this way, the workpiece to be measured can be easily switched from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

[0024] In some embodiments, the controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to a drive device of the first conveyor, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying.

[0025] Because the first drive controller can control the drive device of the first conveyor to stop the first conveyor based on the first specified signal, the workpiece can be stopped promptly at the specified position after it is in place, allowing for subsequent processing or operation. Furthermore, because the first specified signal is generated based on reliable sensor detection results, it can reduce missed detections and false detections of the workpiece's in place, helping to maintain a predetermined production cycle, such as on a production line.

[0026] In some embodiments, the controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the first conveyor and a second drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the second conveyor. The first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying, and the second drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the second conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the second conveyor starts conveying.

[0027] Because the first drive controller can control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first specified signal to stop the first conveyor, the workpiece under test can be stopped at the specified position in a timely manner. Because the second drive controller can control the drive device of the second conveyor based on the first specified signal to start the second conveyor, the second conveyor can replace the first conveyor to transport the workpiece under test. Because the first and second conveyors have different conveying directions and are intersecting, the workpiece under test can be transported around a corner without the use of a robot.

[0028] In some embodiments, the controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the first conveyor, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying and control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the second prescribed signal so that the first conveyor starts conveying again.

[0029] Therefore, based on the detection results of the in-place detection device, the controller stops conveying the first conveyor when the workpiece is in place, and can promptly restore the state of continuing to convey the measured workpiece through the first conveyor and preparing to detect the in-place status of the next measured workpiece when the workpiece has left the first conveyor.

[0030] In some embodiments, the conveying device also includes: a sensing device for sensing that the workpiece to be measured is approaching the in-place detection device, the sensing device is configured to send a sensing signal to the first drive controller if the workpiece to be measured is sensed, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the sensing signal so that the first conveyor reduces the conveying speed.

[0031] Thus, the first conveyor can be decelerated when the workpiece approaches the in-place detection device, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the workpiece and / or the in-place detection device due to the workpiece colliding with the in-place detection device with excessive impact force.

[0032] In some embodiments, the sensing device is located in the incoming direction of the in-place detection device. This allows the arrival of the workpiece to be detected before it reaches the in-place detection device, allowing the first conveyor to be lowered promptly. Furthermore, because it is located in the incoming direction, the workpiece can be easily and reliably detected.

[0033] In some embodiments, the arrival detection device is provided at the direction transition from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

[0034] Thus, the workpiece to be measured moves along the first direction through the first conveyor and pushes the rocker, thereby rotating the rocker from the first posture to the second posture; once the rocker becomes the second posture, the workpiece to be measured moves along the second direction through the second conveyor.

[0035] In some embodiments, the workpiece to be measured includes at least any one of a battery and a battery tray.

[0036] Thus, the conveying device can be used to convey batteries and battery trays.

[0037] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery production line, comprising the conveying device provided by the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0038] Utility model effect

[0039] The present disclosure provides a conveying device for conveying workpieces and a battery production line that can reduce the influence of the external environment on the detection action of a workpiece in-place detection device, thereby improving the reliability of detection of workpiece in-placement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same components. In the drawings:

[0041] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a rocker of an in-position detection device in a conveying device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in a state where the rocker is in a second posture;

[0042] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a rocker of an in-position detection device in a conveying device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in a state where the rocker is in a first posture;

[0043] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a conveying device and a workpiece conveyed thereto provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery production line provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] Explanation of the reference numerals 1-bracket; 2-support shaft; 3-rocker; 31-operating lever; 32-reset lever; 4-position switch; 5-sensor; 6-measured workpiece; 7-first conveyor; 8-second conveyor; 9-transfer device; 10-sensing device; 11-processing equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present disclosure and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present disclosure and the above-mentioned figure descriptions are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0048] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used solely to distinguish between different objects and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or to implicitly specify the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the technical features indicated. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" means more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0049] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0050] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0051] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by technical terms such as "length", "width", "height", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, technical terms such as "installed," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and can refer to internal connectivity between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure based on specific circumstances.

[0053] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be understood in a broad sense, and can be direct contact, contact through an intermediate medium layer, contact with essentially no interaction force between the two contacting parties, or contact with interaction force between the two contacting parties.

[0054] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0055] Currently, in lithium-ion power battery production workshops, various process equipment is typically connected by logistics conveyor lines. These lines can run on the same level or across multiple levels, and the movement path from the starting position to the target position often involves numerous changes in direction. For example, 90-degree turns require a transplanter, which requires the precise positioning of the battery or the pallet carrying it. In actual production, numerous factors can affect sensor accuracy, such as improper sensor installation, workshop lighting, reflective (shiny metal) or absorbent (black) batteries or pallets, and pallet damage. These factors can ultimately lead to improper positioning of batteries or pallets. This can cause logistics lines to become blocked, preventing subsequent batteries from continuing to operate properly and requiring manual intervention, which can negatively impact operational cycle time. In logistics lines equipped with elevators, batteries can even overturn or fall due to misalignment, posing a risk of fire. Therefore, accurately and reliably determining the position of workpieces on the production line, particularly at corners, remains an urgent challenge in this field.

[0056] The inventors of this disclosure noted that current battery in-place detection solutions employ photoelectric sensors or mirror-reflective sensors installed alongside the battery logistics conveyor line to directly detect the presence of batteries or battery-carrying trays to determine battery in-place. However, this solution places high demands on the brightness and color difference between the workshop and the sensor's operating environment. The sensors are easily affected by factors such as ambient brightness and light reflections, resulting in the risk of misjudgment.

[0057] In order to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the inventors of the present disclosure have developed a detection system that does not use the battery body or the tray carrying the battery as the object to be detected, but instead integrates the sensor and the induction plate that triggers the sensor action. In this way, regardless of the external environment or the conditions of the battery or the tray itself, the purpose of reliable detection can be achieved.

[0058] Based on such an inventive concept, the present disclosure provides a conveying device for conveying workpieces, the conveying device comprising a first conveyor having a conveying direction in a first direction, a second conveyor having a conveying direction in a second direction intersecting the first direction, an in-place detection device, and a controller. The in-place detection device comprises a bracket, a support shaft mounted on the bracket, a rocker, and a sensor. The rocker is mounted on the supported shaft and supported so as to be able to rotate around the axis of the support shaft, and the rocker is configured to be able to rotate between a first posture and a second posture. The sensor is mounted on the bracket and is configured to emit a first prescribed signal indicating that the workpiece to be measured is in place if it detects that the rocker is in the second posture. The controller is configured to control at least the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal.

[0059] Because this system uses a sensor within the in-place detection device to detect the rocker arm, rather than directly detecting the workpiece as with traditional in-place detection devices, it reduces the risk of the detection results being affected by factors such as the workpiece's state, the in-place detection device, and the workpiece's surroundings. Furthermore, because the sensor detects the position of the workpiece by detecting changes in the rocker's posture, it achieves highly reliable detection with a simple structure. Furthermore, because a specified signal is emitted based on the sensor's detection results, predetermined processing or operations can be performed promptly on the in-place workpiece.

[0060] By equipping a conveying device for conveying workpieces with the aforementioned in-place detection device, it is possible to reliably determine that the workpiece is in place, allowing for appropriate processing or operation. Because the in-place detection device utilizes a sensor within the in-place detection device to detect a rocker within the in-place detection device, this improves detection reliability while also reducing the workload associated with modifying the conveying device equipped with the in-place detection device and the production line employing the conveying device.

[0061] The conveying device of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a battery conveyor line, for example, a battery conveyor line that needs to detect whether the battery or tray is in place. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the conveying device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used not only in a battery conveyor line, but also in a conveyor line that conveys other workpieces, and the in-place detection device therein can also perform in-place detection on these workpieces.

[0062] The battery mentioned in the present disclosure may be a battery cell, a battery module or a battery pack.

[0063] A battery cell refers to a basic unit that can realize the mutual conversion of chemical energy and electrical energy. It can be used to make battery modules or battery packs, which are used to power electrical devices.

[0064] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell may be a secondary battery. A secondary battery refers to a battery cell that can be continuously used by activating active materials by charging after the battery cell is discharged.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell may be a primary battery, which can be discharged but cannot be recharged and reused.

[0066] The battery cells may be lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries, sodium metal batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, magnesium-ion batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, lead-acid batteries, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067] The battery cells may be cylindrical, prismatic or other shaped battery cells. Prismatic battery cells include square-shell battery cells, blade-shaped battery cells, and polygonal prismatic batteries. Polygonal prismatic batteries are, for example, hexagonal prismatic batteries, etc. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a rocker of an in-position detection device in a conveying device provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, in a state in which the rocker is in a second posture; Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a rocker of an in-position detection device in a conveying device provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, in a state in which the rocker is in a first posture; Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a conveying device and a workpiece conveyed thereby provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery production line provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3, the present disclosure provides a conveying device for conveying workpieces, the conveying device includes: a first conveyor 7, the conveying direction is a first direction; a second conveyor 8, the conveying direction is a second direction intersecting the first direction; an in-place detection device, the in-place detection device includes a bracket 1, a support shaft 2, a rocker 3 and a sensor 5; the support shaft 2 is installed on the bracket 1, the rocker 3 is installed on the support shaft 2 and is supported to rotate around the axis of the support shaft 2, and the rocker 3 is configured to rotate between a first posture and a second posture, the sensor 5 is installed on the bracket 1 and is configured to send a first prescribed signal indicating that the measured workpiece 6 is in place if it detects that the rocker 3 is in the second posture; and a controller (not shown in the figure), which is configured to control at least the drive device of the first conveyor 7 based on the first prescribed signal.

[0071] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the in-position detection device includes a bracket 1, a support shaft 2, a rocker 3, and a sensor 5. The support shaft 2 is mounted on the bracket 1. The rocker 3 is mounted on the support shaft 2 and supported for rotation about the axis of the support shaft 2. The rocker 3 is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The sensor 5 is mounted on the bracket 1 and is configured to emit a first predetermined signal indicating that the workpiece 6 to be measured has been in position when it detects that the rocker 3 is in the second position.

[0072] The rocker 3, supported by the support shaft 2, is rotatable as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rocker 3 can be a unitary structure, for example, formed from a single plate. The rocker 3 is configured to assume the position shown in Figure 2 under its own weight. The rocker 3 can be made of resin, metal, or other suitable materials.

[0073] The sensor 5 is used to detect whether the posture of the rocker is the posture shown in Figure 1 (second posture). When the second posture shown in Figure 1 is detected, the sensor 5 can send a first specified signal, indicating that the workpiece 6 being transported has reached the position shown in Figure 1.

[0074] Because this device, unlike conventional in-place detection devices, uses sensor 5 within the in-place detection device to detect the rocker 3 within the device, unlike conventional in-place detection devices, it reduces the risk of the detection results being affected by factors such as the state of the workpiece itself, the in-place detection device, and the workpiece's surroundings. Furthermore, because sensor 5 detects whether the workpiece 6 is in place by detecting changes in the position of rocker 3, it achieves highly reliable detection with a simple structure. Furthermore, because sensor 5 can generate a predetermined signal based on the detection result of sensor 5, it can promptly perform predetermined processing or operations on the in-place workpiece 6.

[0075] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor 5 includes at least one of a proximity sensor and a color sensor.

[0076] Sensor 5 can be a proximity sensor, primarily detecting whether operating lever 31, located on the incoming workpiece side, is sufficiently close. If operating lever 31 is sufficiently close, it indicates that the incoming workpiece 6 is pushing rocker 3 to rotate, causing operating lever 31 to be positioned close to sensor 5, as shown in Figure 1. Because sensor 5 detects rocker 3, it is less susceptible to the influence of the workpiece 6 itself. For example, in a battery conveyor line, the workpiece 6 can be a single battery cell or a tray used to hold the cells.

[0077] Alternatively, the sensor 5 may be a color sensor. In this case, at least the operating lever 31 of the joystick 3 may be made to have a bright, easily perceived color, thereby improving detection reliability.

[0078] Because both the sensor 5 and the rocker 3 for detection are located on the bracket 1, the proximity sensor can reliably detect the rocker's posture. Furthermore, the rocker 3 can be designed to have a color easily perceived by a color sensor, thereby detecting the rocker's posture using the color sensor. Compared to traditional methods of directly detecting the workpiece using proximity sensors or color sensors, this helps improve detection reliability because factors such as shape and color differences in the workpiece that could reduce detection sensitivity are eliminated.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the in-position detection device further includes a position switch 4, which is configured to send a second specified signal indicating that the in-position detection device has been reset or the workpiece has left after the rocker 3 changes from the second posture to the first posture.

[0080] Since the position detection device is further provided with a position switch 4, the position switch 4 can detect that the rocker 3 has reached the first position, thereby reliably returning to the state of detecting the position of the next workpiece 6 to be measured. Moreover, since a signal that the workpiece 6 has left can be reliably obtained, corresponding processing or operation can be carried out in a timely manner.

[0081] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rocker 3 includes an operating rod 31 and a reset rod 32 connected as one body, the operating rod 31 extends toward the incoming direction of the workpiece 6 to be measured, and at least one of the operating rod and the reset rod is in contact with the position switch 4.

[0082] For example, position switch 4 can be a normally closed contact switch connected in series in the external circuit of sensor 5. When rocker 3 is in a first position, the normally closed contact closes. When rocker 3 rotates from the first position to the second position, the contact moves, the normally closed contact opens, and sensor 5 emits a first predetermined signal. When rocker 3 returns to the first position, the normally closed contact recloses, and sensor 5 emits a second predetermined signal. Position switch 4 triggers sensor 5, indirectly detecting the state of rocker 3 and further determining the position of workpiece 6, thereby controlling the start and stop of the conveyor drive.

[0083] Since the position switch 4 can detect whether the rocker 3 is in the first or second position and can send a corresponding signal, it is possible to reliably determine whether the workpiece is in place or removed by reliably detecting the rocker position, thereby allowing the prescribed processing or operation to be performed in a timely manner. In addition, the sensor 5 can also be triggered by the position change of the position switch 4, which can more reliably trigger the sensor 5.

[0084] In addition, the reset rod 32 should be designed into a shape that facilitates the movement of the contact to meet the functional requirements of the rocker 3.

[0085] 1 and 3 , the reset lever 32 is configured in a circular plate shape, and the center of gravity of the rocker 3 is located on the reset lever 32 side, so that the reset lever 32 can be restored to the first posture from the second posture based on the weight of the rocker 3 .

[0086] Because the rocker 3 includes an operating lever 31 and a reset lever 32 connected as one body, and the operating lever 31 extends toward the incoming direction of the workpiece 6 being measured, the operating lever 31 can be easily operated by the workpiece 6 being transported from the incoming direction. The reset lever 32 moves in conjunction with the operating lever 31, thereby enabling the rocker 3 to switch from a first posture to a second posture based on the position of the workpiece 6 using a simple structure. Because the contact can be moved using the operating lever 31 and / or the reset lever 32, the sensor 5 can be easily and reliably triggered based on the change in the rocker 3's posture. This allows the sensor 5 to be reliably triggered based on the change in the rocker 3's posture, thereby being less affected by reflections from the workpiece being measured, the brightness of the surrounding environment, and other adverse effects, and thus enabling reliable detection of the workpiece's position.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support shaft 2 is arranged horizontally, and the rocker 3 is constructed so that, in the first posture, the reset rod 32 is hanging down and the operating rod 31 is extended toward the incoming direction of the workpiece 6 to be measured and at a specified angle to the incoming direction; in the second posture, the operating rod 31 is pushed and the reset rod 32 is lifted.

[0088] Here, the so-called incoming direction refers to the incoming direction of the workpiece 6 conveyed by the in-place detection device, with the upstream side of the in-place detection device being considered as the incoming direction of the workpiece 6. In Figure 1, the horizontal direction to the right of the in-place detection device is the incoming direction.

[0089] The angle formed between the operating lever 31 and the incoming material direction refers to the angle (e.g., an acute angle) formed between the outer contour of the operating lever 31 on the side in contact with the workpiece 6 and the incoming material direction. If this angle is too large, the workpiece 6 may not be able to push the operating lever 31 to rotate the rocker 3. If this angle is too small, the movement of the operating lever 31 when the workpiece 6 pushes the operating lever 31 may be too small and the sensor 5 may not be able to reliably detect it. Therefore, the size of this angle is preferably such that the operating lever 31 can rotate within a certain range when pushed by the workpiece 6, for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.

[0090] In addition, the extension length of the operating rod 31 is not particularly limited as long as the operating rod 31 does not interfere when the joystick 3 is rotated to the second posture and can be detected by the sensor 5 .

[0091] Because the operating lever 31 is oriented toward the incoming direction of the workpiece 6 and forms a specified angle with that direction, when the workpiece arrives, the movement of the workpiece 6 itself reliably causes the rocker 3 to change from the first posture to the second posture. Furthermore, in the second posture, the reset lever 32 is lifted by the workpiece 6 pressing on the operating lever 31. Therefore, when the workpiece 6 releases its pressure on the operating lever 31, the reset lever 32 can rotate and return to the first posture by its own weight, eliminating the need for an additional reset mechanism or reset action. Thus, the transition of the rocker 3 between the first and second postures can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0092] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operating rod 31 and the reset rod 32 of the rocker 3 are respectively located on both sides of the bracket 1 in a manner spanning the bracket 1; the position switch 4 is provided at a position of the bracket 1 between the operating rod 31 and the reset rod 32.

[0093] By positioning the operating lever 31 and the reset lever 32 on either side of the bracket 1 and locating the position switch 4 between the operating lever 31 and the reset lever 32 on the bracket 1, space can be used compactly and the structure is simplified, thereby increasing the flexibility of the placement detection device. Furthermore, rotating the rocker 3 triggers the position switch 4 and the sensor 5.

[0094] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the conveying directions of the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8 are perpendicular. For example, the first conveyor 7 is the upper conveyor, and the second conveyor 8 is the lower conveyor. As the workpiece 6 is conveyed from the first conveyor 7 toward the second conveyor 8, the workpiece 6 pushes the operating lever 31 of the rocker 3, causing it to rotate to the second position shown in Figure 1. This indicates that the workpiece 6 has reached its intended position.

[0095] By equipping a conveying device for conveying workpieces with an in-place detection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to reliably determine that the workpiece is in place, and to perform appropriate processing or operations in a timely manner. Because the in-place detection device utilizes a sensor within the in-place detection device to detect a rocker within the in-place detection device, this improves detection reliability while also reducing the workload associated with modifying the conveying device in which the in-place detection device resides, as well as the production line in which the conveying device is used.

[0096] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a transfer device 9 is provided at the intersection of the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8 , and the transfer device 9 is used to transfer the workpiece 6 to be measured from the first conveyor 7 to the second conveyor 8 .

[0097] For example, the transfer device 9 shown in FIG3 can be an elevator. When the workpiece 6 to be measured is transported from the first conveyor 7 located on the upper layer to the transfer device 9, the transfer device 9 can be lowered to a position where the conveying surface is substantially flush with the conveying surface of the second conveyor 8. The transfer device 9 is driven to transfer the workpiece 6 to the second conveyor 8.

[0098] The transfer device 9 may also not have a driving device. The transfer device 9 can extend upward from between the conveying rollers of the second conveyor 8 to support the workpiece 6 to be measured. When the transfer device 9 descends to below the conveying rollers of the second conveyor 8, the workpiece 6 to be measured is transferred to the second conveyor 8.

[0099] Of course, the transfer device 9 may also be in other structural forms, as long as it can achieve transfer, and there is no special limitation here.

[0100] In this way, the workpiece 6 to be measured can be easily switched from the first conveyor 7 to the second conveyor 8 .

[0101] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the first conveyor, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying.

[0102] As an example, the second conveyor 8 may be in operation all the time. When the workpiece 6 to be measured is in place, the first conveyor 7 is stopped to prevent the subsequent workpiece from arriving too early.

[0103] Because the first drive controller can control the drive device of the first conveyor to stop the first conveyor based on the first specified signal, the workpiece can be stopped promptly at the specified position after it is in place, allowing for subsequent processing or operation. Furthermore, because the first specified signal is generated based on reliable sensor detection results, it can reduce missed detections and false detections of the workpiece's in place, helping to maintain a predetermined production cycle, such as on a production line.

[0104] In other embodiments, the controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the first conveyor and a second drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the second conveyor. The first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on a first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying, and the second drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the second conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the second conveyor starts conveying.

[0105] For example, the driving device may be, but is not limited to, a common motor, a servo motor, etc.

[0106] Because the first drive controller can control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first specified signal to stop the first conveyor, the workpiece under test can be stopped at the specified position in a timely manner. Because the second drive controller can control the drive device of the second conveyor based on the first specified signal to start the second conveyor, the second conveyor can replace the first conveyor to transport the workpiece under test. Because the first and second conveyors have different conveying directions and are intersecting, the workpiece under test can be transported around a corner without the use of a robot.

[0107] In some embodiments, the in-place detection device further includes a position switch 4, which is configured to emit a second prescribed signal indicating that the in-place detection device has been reset or the workpiece 6 to be measured has left after the rocker 3 changes from the second posture to the first posture, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor 7 based on the second prescribed signal so that the first conveyor 7 starts conveying again. Exemplarily, the position switch 4 of the in-place detection device is configured to emit a second prescribed signal. Specifically, once the rocker 3 is in the first posture and contacts the contact of the position switch 4, the position switch 4 triggers the signal circuit to emit a second prescribed signal indicating that the workpiece 6 to be measured has left, and the controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor 7 based on the second prescribed signal indicating that the workpiece 6 to be measured has left so that the first conveyor 7 starts conveying again.

[0108] Because the arrival detection device also includes a position switch, it can detect when the rocker has reached the first position. Therefore, it can reliably resume conveying the workpiece to be measured via the first conveyor and prepare to detect the arrival of the next workpiece. Furthermore, because it can reliably receive a signal indicating that the workpiece has left the machine, it can promptly perform appropriate processing or operations.

[0109] In some embodiments, the conveying device also includes: a sensing device 10, which is configured to be triggered to send a sensing signal before the rocker 3 starts to rotate from the first posture to the second posture, and the controller is configured to control the driving device of the first conveyor 7 according to the sensing signal so that the first conveyor 7 reduces the conveying speed.

[0110] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3 , the sensing device 10 is disposed in the conveying path of the first conveyor 7 and is located on the upstream material-incoming direction side of the in-place detection device.

[0111] In this way, the first conveyor 7 can be slowed down when the workpiece 6 approaches the in-place detection device, so as to reduce the risk of damage to the workpiece and / or the in-place detection device due to the workpiece 6 colliding with the in-place detection device with excessive impact force.

[0112] In some embodiments, the sensing device 10 is located in the incoming direction of the in-place detection device. This allows the workpiece 6 to be detected before it reaches the in-place detection device, allowing the first conveyor 7 to be lowered promptly. Furthermore, because it is located in the incoming direction, the workpiece 6 can be easily and reliably detected.

[0113] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3 , the arrival detection device is provided at the direction transition from the first conveyor 7 to the second conveyor 8 .

[0114] The in-place detection device can be provided at the position where the workpiece 6 is switched from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and is used for in-place detection during direction change. The in-place detection device can also be used in other in-place detection scenarios, such as performing some processing after detecting that the workpiece 6 is in place.

[0115] In addition, the conveying directions of the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8 shown in FIG. 3 are substantially perpendicular to each other, but they may not be perpendicular to each other.

[0116] Thus, the workpiece 6 to be measured moves along the first direction through the first conveyor 7 and pushes the rocker 3, thereby rotating the rocker 3 from the first posture to the second posture; once the rocker 3 becomes the second posture, the workpiece 6 to be measured moves along the second direction through the second conveyor 8.

[0117] In this embodiment, the workpiece 6 to be measured includes at least any one of a battery and a battery tray.

[0118] Thus, the conveying device can be used to convey batteries and battery trays.

[0119] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a battery production line, which includes the above-mentioned conveying device.

[0120] As shown in Figure 4, the battery production line includes the aforementioned conveying device and processing equipment 11. The conveying device comprises a first conveyor 7 and a second conveyor 8 arranged in two upper and lower levels. The first conveyor 7, which is located upstream of the incoming material flow, is higher than the second conveyor 8, which is located downstream of the receiving material flow. The conveying directions of the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8 form a 90° angle. A transfer device 9, comprising a lift, is located at the corner. The lift can be powered by a pneumatic cylinder or a motor, and is used to lower the workpiece 6 to be tested and feed it onto the second conveyor 8. The processing equipment 11 is located upstream of the first conveyor 7. The processing equipment 11 in the disclosed embodiment can be any manufacturing equipment required for a battery production line. When the workpiece 6 is processed by the processing equipment 11 and then transferred from the first conveyor 7 to the transfer device 9, the rocker 3 of the in-place detection device contacts the workpiece 6, the operating lever 31 and the reset lever 32 switch positions, the normally closed contact of the position switch 4 opens, and the sensor 5 emits a first predetermined signal. Once the workpiece is in place, the upstream first conveyor 7 slows down or stops. At this point, the transfer device 9 operates, feeding the workpiece onto the second conveyor 8. After the workpiece leaves, the rocker 3 is reset, the position switch 4 is hit and the normally closed contact is closed, the sensor 5 sends a second specified signal, and the first conveyor 7 continues to work and transport the subsequent workpiece.

[0121] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure, rather than to limit them. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and description of the present disclosure. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the claims. Industrial Applicability

[0122] Through the present disclosure, a conveying device and a battery production line for conveying workpieces are provided. The conveying device includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, an in-place detection device and a controller. The in-place detection device includes: a bracket; a support shaft, mounted on the bracket; a rocker, mounted on the support shaft and supported to rotate around the axis of the support shaft, the rocker being configured to rotate between a first posture and a second posture; and a sensor, mounted on the bracket, configured to send a first prescribed signal indicating that the workpiece to be measured is in place if the rocker is detected to be in the second posture. The controller is configured to control at least the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal. By integrating the sensor and the rocker as the object to be detected into one body, the influence of external environments such as light, color of the object to be detected, and the state of the object to be detected itself on the detection action of the sensor can be reduced, which helps to improve the reliability of sensor detection, and thereby improve the control reliability of the conveying device and the battery production line.

Claims

1. A conveying device for conveying a workpiece, comprising: A first conveyor, wherein the conveying direction is a first direction; A second conveyor, wherein the conveying direction is a second direction intersecting the first direction; A position detection device, the position detection device comprising a bracket, a support shaft, a rocker and a sensor, the support shaft is mounted on the bracket, the rocker is mounted on the support shaft and supported to rotate around the axis of the support shaft, and the rocker is configured to rotate between a first posture and a second posture, the sensor is mounted on the bracket and configured to send a first specified signal indicating that the workpiece to be measured is in position if it is detected that the rocker is in the second posture; and The controller is configured to control at least a driving device of the first conveyor based on the first predetermined signal.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor includes at least any one of a proximity sensor and a color sensor.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The in-position detection device further includes a position switch, and the position switch is configured to send a second specified signal indicating that the in-position detection device has been reset or the workpiece has left after the rocker changes from the second posture to the first posture.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: The rocker comprises an operating rod and a reset rod connected as one body. The operating rod extends toward the incoming direction of the workpiece to be measured. At least either one of the operation lever and the reset lever is in contact with the position switch.

5. The conveying device according to claim 4, wherein: The support shaft is arranged horizontally, The rocker is configured such that, in the first posture, the reset lever hangs down and the operating lever extends toward the incoming direction of the workpiece to be measured and at a predetermined angle to the incoming direction; In the second posture, the operating lever is pushed and the reset lever is lifted.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5, wherein: The operating rod and the reset rod of the rocker are respectively located on both sides of the bracket in a manner of straddling the bracket; The position switch is arranged at a position of the bracket between the operating rod and the reset rod.

7. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: A transfer device is provided at the intersection area of ​​the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and the transfer device is used to transfer the workpiece to be measured from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

8. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to a drive device of the first conveyor, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying.

9. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the first conveyor and a second drive controller electrically connected to the drive device of the second conveyor, The first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying. The second drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the second conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the second conveyor starts conveyance.

10. The conveying device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein: The controller includes a first drive controller electrically connected to a drive device of the first conveyor, and the first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the first prescribed signal so that the first conveyor stops conveying, and to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the second prescribed signal so that the first conveyor starts conveying again.

11. The conveying device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The conveying device also includes: A sensing device is used to sense that the workpiece is close to the in-place detection device, and the sensing device is configured to send a sensing signal to the first drive controller if the workpiece is sensed. The first drive controller is configured to control the drive device of the first conveyor based on the sensing signal so that the first conveyor reduces a conveying speed.

12. The delivery device according to claim 11, wherein: The sensing device is arranged in the material incoming direction of the in-place detection device.

13. The delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The arrival detection device is arranged at the direction conversion point from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

14. The delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The workpiece to be measured includes at least any one of a battery and a battery tray.

15. A battery production line, comprising the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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