Cover removal device and battery liquid injection apparatus

Abstract

A cover removal device (10) and a battery liquid injection apparatus. The cover removal device (10) comprises a frame (100) and a carrying mechanism (200). The carrying mechanism (200) comprises a substrate (210), a lifting / lowering assembly (220), a grabbing assembly (230) and a plurality of blocking assemblies (240). When batteries after completing standing move to a position below the carrying mechanism (200) along with a tray (20) and an upper cover (30), the grabbing assembly (230) can move downwards under the drive of the lifting / lowering assembly (220), and then the upper cover (30) is clamped by the grabbing assembly (230). During the clamping of the upper cover (30) by the grabbing assembly (230), blocking heads (241) of the plurality of blocking assemblies (240) can extend into a plurality of liquid injection cups (31) respectively and block liquid discharging holes of the liquid injection cups (31). Then, the grabbing assembly (230) moves upwards under the drive of the lifting / lowering assembly (220) such that the upper cover (30) can be removed from the tray (20), and then the liquid injection cups (31) are separated from the batteries. Since the plurality of blocking heads (241) block the liquid discharging holes of the plurality of liquid injection cups (31) respectively, even if an electrolyte is left in the liquid injection cups (31), the residual electrolyte cannot leak out through the liquid discharging holes when the liquid injection cups (31) are separated from the batteries, thereby effectively preventing the batteries in the tray (20) from being polluted by the electrolyte.

Description

Cover removal device and battery filling equipment

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on November 14, 2023, with application number 202323067523.1 and entitled “Cover Removal Device and Battery Filling Equipment,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of lithium battery equipment, and in particular to a cover removal device and a battery liquid injection device. Background Art

[0003] After the lithium batteries are shelled, they need to be moved to the battery filling equipment for filling. During the filling operation, multiple batteries are generally placed in batches on a tray and moved to the battery filling equipment. Then, a top cover containing multiple filling cups is placed on top of the tray, and the multiple filling cups are connected to the filling holes of the multiple batteries. A fixed amount of electrolyte is injected into each filling cup, and the electrolyte gradually flows into the battery through the bottom liquid hole to complete the battery filling.

[0004] The top cover and its filling cup also place the battery into an isobaric chamber for positive and negative pressure cycles to promote electrolyte absorption. After the static period is completed, the top cover is removed from the tray, and the battery can be removed and moved to the next process.

[0005] However, the electrolyte may not flow smoothly due to the tilt of the filling cup or the blockage of the liquid hole, resulting in electrolyte remaining in the filling cup after the rest period. When the upper cover is removed from the tray, the electrolyte remaining in the filling cup will leak out and contaminate the batteries in the tray, causing battery rework and scrapping, and increasing maintenance work.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a cover removal device and battery filling equipment that can effectively prevent the electrolyte from contaminating the battery in order to solve the above problems.

[0008] A cover removal device, comprising:

[0009] racks; and

[0010] A transport mechanism mounted on the frame includes a lifting assembly, a grabbing assembly, and a plurality of blocking assemblies. The grabbing assembly is capable of gripping or releasing an upper cover containing a plurality of liquid-filling cups and is capable of moving in an up-and-down direction under the drive of the lifting assembly to remove the upper cover from the tray. Each of the blocking assemblies includes a plug.

[0011] Wherein, the blocking assembly can move with the grabbing assembly, and when the grabbing assembly clamps the upper cover, the plugs of multiple blocking assemblies can respectively extend into multiple liquid filling cups and block the lower liquid holes of the liquid filling cups.

[0012] In one embodiment, the grabbing assembly includes a support plate, a driving member and two oppositely arranged clamping plates, the support plate is connected to the driving end of the lifting assembly, each clamping plate is provided with a positioning pin on the side facing the other clamping plate, the two clamping plates are slidably mounted on the support plate, and the driving member can move the two clamping plates closer to or away from each other so that the positioning pin is inserted into the mounting hole on the side of the upper cover or withdrawn from the mounting hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the conveying mechanism also includes a base plate for supporting the lifting assembly, the grabbing assembly and the blocking assembly, the base plate is installed on the frame, the grabbing assembly also includes a guide rod extending along the up and down directions, a linear bearing is provided on the base plate, the guide rod can be slidably passed through the linear bearing and one end is connected to the support plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, a plurality of the blocking assemblies are mounted on the support plate and are capable of moving along the up and down directions with the support plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the plug can elastically abut against the bottom of the liquid filling cup along the up-down direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, each of the blocking components further includes a base and an elastic member, the plug is slidably mounted on the base along the up-down direction, and the elastic member applies a downward pre-tightening force to the plug.

[0017] In one embodiment, the base is columnar, and the elastic member is a compression spring sleeved on the base and abutting against the plug.

[0018] In one embodiment, a waste discharge carrier is further provided on the frame, and the transport mechanism is capable of moving along a preset direction perpendicular to the up-down direction to drive the grabbing assembly to move above the waste discharge carrier. The grabbing assembly is capable of moving along the up-down direction under the drive of the lifting assembly and placing the clamped upper cover on the waste discharge carrier.

[0019] In one embodiment, a rack extending along the preset direction is provided on the frame, and the conveying mechanism also includes a base plate for supporting the lifting assembly, the grabbing assembly and the blocking assembly, and the base plate is slidably mounted on the frame along the preset direction. The conveying mechanism also includes a motor mounted on the base plate and a gear connected to the motor, and the gear is engaged with the rack. The gear can roll along the rack under the drive of the motor to drive the base plate to slide along the preset direction.

[0020] In one embodiment, a cleaning mechanism is further included that is mounted on the frame. The cleaning mechanism can move along the preset direction to above the waste discharge carrier and can clean the plurality of liquid filling cups placed in the upper cover of the waste discharge carrier.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cleaning mechanism includes a second substrate, a second lifting assembly and a cleaning assembly. The second substrate is slidably mounted on the frame along the preset direction. The second lifting assembly and the cleaning assembly are mounted on the second substrate. The cleaning assembly can move with the second substrate to the top of the waste discharge carrier. The cleaning assembly includes a plurality of cleaning heads, and the plurality of cleaning heads can be driven by the second lifting assembly to extend into the plurality of liquid filling cups carried on the upper cover of the waste discharge carrier.

[0022] In one embodiment, a discharge conveyor line is further included, and the cleaning mechanism further includes a second grabbing assembly, the second grabbing assembly being mounted on the second substrate and capable of gripping or releasing the upper cover, the second grabbing assembly being capable of moving with the second substrate to above the waste discharge carrier, and being capable of moving in the up-down direction under the drive of the second lifting assembly to grip the upper cover carried on the waste discharge carrier;

[0023] The second grabbing assembly can move with the second substrate to above the discharge conveyor line, and can move in the up-down direction under the drive of the second lifting assembly to place the clamped upper cover on the discharge conveyor line.

[0024] In one embodiment, a limiting ring is formed on the cleaning head, and the limiting ring can abut against the opening edge of the liquid filling cup and cover the opening of the liquid filling cup when the cleaning head is inserted into the liquid filling cup.

[0025] In one embodiment, the limiting ring can elastically abut against the opening edge of the liquid filling cup along the up-down direction.

[0026] A battery liquid filling device comprises the cover removal device as described in any one of the preferred embodiments above.

[0027] In the above-mentioned cover removal device and battery liquid filling equipment, when the battery that has been placed at rest moves to the bottom of the transport mechanism along with the tray and the upper cover, the grabbing assembly can first move downward under the drive of the lifting assembly, and then the grabbing assembly can clamp the upper cover. In the process of the grabbing assembly clamping the upper cover, the plugs of the multiple blocking assemblies can respectively extend into the multiple liquid filling cups and block the lower liquid holes of the liquid filling cups. Then, the grabbing assembly moves upward under the drive of the lifting assembly, and the upper cover can be removed from the tray carrying the battery, thereby separating the liquid filling cup from the battery. In this process, since the multiple plugs respectively block the lower liquid holes of the multiple liquid filling cups, when the liquid filling cup is separated from the battery, even if there is residual electrolyte in the liquid filling cup, the residual electrolyte cannot leak out through the lower liquid hole, thereby effectively preventing the battery in the tray from being contaminated by the electrolyte. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] 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 these drawings without any creative work.

[0029] FIG1 is a front view of a cover removal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG2 is a front view of the transport mechanism in the cover removal device shown in FIG1 ;

[0031] FIG3 is a left side view of the transport mechanism shown in FIG2 ;

[0032] FIG4 is a front view of the waste discharge carrier in the cover removal device shown in FIG1 ;

[0033] FIG5 is a left side view of the waste discharge carrier shown in FIG4;

[0034] FIG6 is a front view of the cleaning mechanism in the cover removal device shown in FIG1 ;

[0035] FIG7 is a left side view of the cleaning mechanism shown in FIG6;

[0036] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the tray and the upper cover in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG9 is a left side view of the tray and the upper cover shown in FIG8 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly understood, specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar modifications without violating the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0039] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing 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 and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure.

[0040] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. Throughout the present disclosure, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0041] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "installed," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this disclosure based on specific circumstances.

[0042] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0043] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0044] 1 , the present disclosure provides a cover removal device 10 and a battery liquid filling device (not shown). The battery liquid filling device includes the cover removal device 10 .

[0045] The battery filling equipment is used to fill batteries in batches. In addition, the filling equipment generally includes a filling mechanism (not shown), an isobaric chamber (not shown) and other components. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a plurality of batteries to be filled (not shown) are first loaded into the tray 20, and the upper cover 30 is installed on the tray 20. The upper cover 30 includes a plurality of filling cups 31, and the number and arrangement of the filling cups 31 are the same as the number and arrangement of the batteries in the tray 20, and the plurality of filling cups 31 are respectively docked with the filling holes of the plurality of batteries. After the tray 20 and the upper cover 30 are assembled, a certain amount of electrolyte can be injected into each filling cup 31 by the filling mechanism, and then the tray 20 together with the upper cover 30 can be moved into the isobaric chamber for positive and negative pressure circulation and static, so as to promote the electrolyte to flow into the battery and be absorbed.

[0046] After the batteries have finished resting, the tray 20 and the upper cover 30 are removed from the isobaric chamber and moved into the cover removal device 10. The cover removal device 10 removes the upper cover 30 from the tray 20 and separates the liquid filling cup 31 from the battery. The multiple batteries that have completed liquid filling can be transported to the next process along with the tray 20.

[0047] Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together. The cover removal device 10 in the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure includes a frame 100 and a transport mechanism 200 .

[0048] The transport mechanism 200 includes a base plate 210, a lifting assembly 220, a gripping assembly 230, and multiple blocking assemblies 240. The base plate 210 serves as a support and is typically a metal plate. The lifting assembly 220, the gripping assembly 230, and the multiple blocking assemblies 240 are all directly or indirectly supported by the base plate 210. The base plate 210 is mounted to the frame 100, thereby mounting the transport mechanism 200 on the frame 100. Of course, in other embodiments, the lifting assembly 220, the gripping assembly 230, and the multiple blocking assemblies 240 may also be directly supported by the frame 100.

[0049] The gripping assembly 230 is capable of gripping and releasing the upper cover 30. After the batteries have rested, the tray 20, along with the upper cover 30, is moved into the decapping device 10 and positioned beneath the transport mechanism 200. Specifically, in this embodiment, the decapping device 10 also includes an infeed conveyor line 400. After the tray 20 carrying the batteries is removed from the isobaric chamber, it is placed on the infeed conveyor line 400 and transported to beneath the transport mechanism 200.

[0050] The lifting assembly 220 drives the gripping assembly 230 to move vertically to remove the upper cover 30 from the tray 20. Specifically, the lifting assembly 220 first drives the gripping assembly 230 down to a height approximately flush with the upper cover 30, allowing the gripping assembly 230 to grip the upper cover 30. Once the gripping assembly 230 grips the upper cover 30, the lifting assembly 220 drives the gripping assembly 230 upward to remove the upper cover 30 from the tray 20. The tray 20 carrying the batteries is then transported to the next process step by the infeed conveyor line 400.

[0051] The lifting assembly 220 is mounted on the base plate 210 and can be a cylinder or a motor screw assembly, as long as it can drive the transport mechanism 200 to move in the up and down directions.

[0052] In this embodiment, the gripping assembly 230 includes a support plate 231, a drive member 232, and two opposing clamping plates 233. The support plate 231 is connected to the drive end of the lifting assembly 220. Each clamping plate 233 is provided with a positioning pin 234 on the side facing the other clamping plate 233. The two clamping plates 233 are slidably mounted on the support plate 231. The drive member 232 can move the two clamping plates 233 closer to or farther from each other, so that the positioning pin 234 can be inserted into or removed from the mounting hole 301 (see Figure 9) on the side of the upper cover 30.

[0053] The clamping plate 233 can be slidably arranged on the support plate 231 through a guide rail and a slider, and the driving member 232 can be a cylinder. The two clamping plates 233 can be driven by the same driving member 232, or they can be driven by two driving members 232 respectively. Driven by the lifting assembly 220, the support plate 231 can move downward until the positioning pin 234 is aligned with the mounting hole 301 on the side of the upper cover 30. At this time, the driving member 232 drives the two clamping plates 233 to approach each other, and the positioning pin 234 can be inserted into the mounting hole 301, thereby clamping the upper cover 31. When the upper cover 31 needs to be released, the driving member 232 drives the two clamping plates 233 away from each other until the positioning pin 234 withdraws from the mounting hole 301.

[0054] Specifically, in this embodiment, the gripping assembly 230 further includes a guide rod 235 extending in the vertical direction. A linear bearing 211 is provided on the base plate 210. The guide rod 235 slidably passes through the linear bearing 211 and is connected at one end to the support plate 231. A plurality of guide rods 235 are generally provided, and by cooperating with the linear bearing 211, they guide the support plate 231, thereby preventing the support plate 231 from shaking during the lifting process.

[0055] The number and arrangement of the blocking components 240 are generally consistent with the number and arrangement of the liquid filling cups 31 in the upper cover 30. Driven by the lifting component 220, the blocking components 240 can move with the grabbing component 230. Specifically, in this embodiment, multiple blocking components 240 are mounted on the support plate 231.

[0056] Furthermore, each sealing assembly 240 includes a plug 241. The plug 241 can be rod-shaped and extend in the vertical direction. The sealing assembly 240 can move with the gripping assembly 230. When the gripping assembly 230 clamps the upper cover 30, the plugs 241 of the multiple sealing assemblies 240 can respectively extend into the multiple liquid filling cups 31 and seal the lower liquid holes of the liquid filling cups 31 (not shown).

[0057] Specifically, as the lifting assembly 220 drives the gripping assembly 230 downward, the multiple blocking assemblies 240 also move downward. Furthermore, when the gripping assembly 230 descends to a height capable of gripping the upper cover 30, the multiple plugs 241 can extend into the multiple liquid filling cups 31 and seal the lower liquid holes of the liquid filling cups 31.

[0058] After the gripping assembly 230 has gripped the upper cover 30, it is driven by the lifting assembly 220 to move upward, removing the upper cover 30 from the battery tray 20 and separating the filling cups 31 from the batteries. During this process, the multiple plugs 241 respectively block the lower liquid holes of the multiple filling cups 31. Therefore, even if there is residual electrolyte in the filling cups 31, the residual electrolyte cannot leak out through the lower liquid holes, effectively preventing the residual electrolyte from leaking and contaminating the batteries in the tray 20.

[0059] In this embodiment, the plug 241 is able to elastically abut against the bottom of the liquid filling cup 31 in the vertical direction. This elastic abutment prevents damage to the plug 241 and the liquid filling cup 31 due to hard contact between the plug 241 and the bottom of the liquid filling cup 31. Furthermore, the elastic abutment of the plug 241 against the bottom of the liquid filling cup 31 generates a preload, thereby ensuring that the plug 241 maintains a secure abutment against the bottom of the liquid filling cup 31. This prevents the plug 241 from separating from the bottom of the liquid filling cup 31 due to factors such as shaking, thereby effectively sealing the lower liquid hole.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each sealing assembly 240 further includes a base 242 and an elastic member 243. The plug 241 is slidably mounted on the base 242 in the vertical direction, and the elastic member 243 applies a downward preload force to the plug 241. When the plug 241 abuts the bottom of the liquid injection cup 31, the elastic member 243 elastically deforms and generates a downward preload force, thereby reliably pressing the plug 241 against the bottom of the liquid injection cup 31.

[0061] Obviously, in other embodiments, the plug 241 may be configured as a structure formed of an elastic material, and the plug 241 itself may be able to achieve elastic contact with the bottom of the liquid injection cup 31 by virtue of its own elasticity.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base 242 is cylindrical, and the elastic member 243 is a compression spring that is sleeved on the base 242 and abuts the plug 241. The compression spring is highly reliable and less susceptible to failure. Furthermore, the cylindrical base 242 effectively positions the compression spring, effectively preventing it from falling off or shifting, thereby enhancing the reliability of the plugging assembly 240.

[0063] After the transport mechanism 200 removes the upper cover 30 from the tray 20 , the upper cover 30 needs to be recycled for subsequent battery injection. Prior to this, the electrolyte remaining in the injection cup 31 needs to be discharged.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 1 again. In this embodiment, the cover removal device 10 also includes a waste discharge carrier 500 disposed on the frame 100. The conveying mechanism 200 can move along a preset direction perpendicular to the up and down direction to drive the grabbing assembly 230 to move above the waste discharge carrier 500. The grabbing assembly 230 can move along the up and down direction under the drive of the lifting assembly 220 and place the clamped upper cover 30 on the waste discharge carrier 500.

[0065] Specifically, the preset direction refers to the left-right direction shown in Figure 1. The waste discharge carrier 500 can carry the upper cover 30 without blocking the lower liquid hole of the liquid filling cup 31 in the carried upper cover 20. After the conveying mechanism 200 removes the upper cover 30 from the tray 20, the substrate 210 can move along the preset direction until the conveying mechanism 200 is located above the waste discharge carrier 500; then, the lifting component 220 drives the grabbing component 230 to descend until the upper cover 30 contacts or is about to contact the waste discharge carrier 500, and the grabbing component 230 releases the grabbed upper cover 30 to place the upper cover 30 on the waste discharge carrier 500; finally, the lifting component 220 drives the grabbing component 230 to rise, and the conveying mechanism 200 returns to its position and prepares to remove the next upper cover 30.

[0066] After the gripper assembly 230 releases the upper cover 30 and rises, the plug 241 also withdraws from the liquid filling cup 31, thereby opening the lower liquid opening of the liquid filling cup 31. At this point, the residual electrolyte in the liquid filling cup 31 can flow out through the lower liquid opening. Once all the residual electrolyte in the liquid filling cup 31 has been completely drained, the upper cover 30 can be removed from the waste discharge assembly and recycled.

[0067] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5 together. In this embodiment, the waste discharge carrier 500 includes a porous carrier plate 510, a liquid collecting tank 520, a drainage pipe 530, and a liquid storage tank 540. The porous carrier plate 510 is used to support the upper cover 30. Its surface is provided with multiple drainage nozzles 511 that can be connected to the lower liquid holes of the liquid injection cup 31. The liquid collecting tank 520 is arranged below the porous carrier plate 510 and is connected to the drainage pipe 530. The residual electrolyte in the liquid injection cup 31 flows out from the lower liquid holes and enters the liquid collecting tank 520 through the drainage nozzles 511. It is then guided by the drainage pipe 530 to the liquid storage tank 540 for collection. In addition, the drainage pipe 530 can also be connected to an external pumping device (not shown) to pump out the waste liquid in the liquid storage tank 540.

[0068] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, a rack 110 extending in a predetermined direction is provided on the frame 100, and a base plate 210 is slidably mounted on the frame 100 in the predetermined direction. The transport mechanism 200 further includes a motor 250 mounted on the base plate 210 and a gear 260 connected to the motor 250. The gear 260 meshes with the rack 110. Driven by the motor 250, the gear 260 can roll along the rack 110 to drive the base plate 210 to slide in the predetermined direction.

[0069] The gear 260 can be rotatably mounted on the base plate 210 via a rotating shaft, bearings, etc. When the gear 260 rolls along the rack 110 under the drive of the motor 250, it can drive the base plate 210 to slide in a predetermined direction, thereby driving the lifting assembly 220, the grabbing assembly 230, the blocking assembly 240, and the upper cover 30 grasped by the grabbing assembly 230 to move in the predetermined direction.

[0070] Because the lower liquid hole of the liquid filling cup 31 may be clogged, gravity cannot allow the residual electrolyte to flow out naturally through the lower liquid hole. Moreover, after long-term use, the inner wall of the liquid filling cup 31 may also accumulate a lot of dirt. In this case, before the upper cover 30 on the waste discharge carrier 500 is recycled, the multiple liquid filling cups 31 inside the upper cover 30 need to be cleaned.

[0071] Please refer to Figure 1 again. In this embodiment, the cover removal device 10 also includes a cleaning mechanism 300 installed on the frame 100. The cleaning mechanism 300 can move along a preset direction to the top of the waste discharge carrier 500 and can clean the multiple liquid filling cups 31 placed in the upper cover 30 of the waste discharge carrier 500.

[0072] The cleaning mechanism 300 can clean the liquid injection cup 31 by blowing air, flushing water or a combination thereof, thereby achieving the purpose of unblocking the lower liquid hole and cleaning the inner wall of the liquid injection cup 31 .

[0073] Please refer to Figures 6 and 7 together. In this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 300 includes a second substrate 310, a second lifting assembly 320 and a cleaning assembly 340. The second substrate 310 is slidably mounted on the frame 100 along a preset direction. The cleaning assembly 340 includes a plurality of cleaning heads 341, and the plurality of cleaning heads 341 can be driven by the second lifting assembly 320 to respectively extend into the plurality of liquid filling cups 31 on the upper cover 30 carried by the waste discharge carrier 500.

[0074] The second lifting assembly 320 and the cleaning assembly 340 are both mounted on the second base plate 310. As the second base plate 310 moves in a predetermined direction, the cleaning assembly 340 is moved to above the waste discharge carrier 500. The second lifting assembly 320 then drives the cleaning assembly 340 downward until the cleaning heads 341 are inserted into the liquid filling cups 31.

[0075] Specifically, the cleaning assembly 340 also includes components such as a manifold 342 and a fluid control valve 343. Multiple cleaning heads 341 are connected to the manifold 342, and the fluid control valve 343 controls whether fluid flows into the manifold 342. When the cleaning heads 341 are inserted into the liquid filling cup 31, the fluid control valve 343 opens, allowing the cleaning fluid to flow into the manifold 342. The cleaning fluid is then ejected through the cleaning heads 341 to clean the liquid filling cup 31.

[0076] The cleaning mechanism 300 has a substantially similar structure to the transport mechanism 200, differing in that the blocking assembly 240 is replaced by a cleaning assembly 340. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 300 further includes a second motor 350 mounted on the second substrate 310 and a second gear 360 connected to the second motor 350. The second gear 360 meshes with the rack 110. Driven by the second motor 350, the second gear 360 can roll along the rack 110 and drive the second substrate 310 to move in a predetermined direction.

[0077] Similarly, the second gear 360 can be rotatably mounted on the second base plate 310 via a rotating shaft, bearing, etc. When the second gear 360 rolls along the rack 110 driven by the second motor 350, it can drive the second base plate 310 to slide in a predetermined direction, thereby driving the lifting assembly 220 and the blocking assembly 240 to move in the predetermined direction.

[0078] In this embodiment, a limiting ring 3411 is formed on the cleaning head 341 . The limiting ring 3411 can abut against the opening edge of the liquid filling cup 31 and cover the opening of the liquid filling cup 31 when the cleaning head 341 is inserted into the liquid filling cup 31 .

[0079] The limiting ring 3411 can be integrally formed with the cleaning head 341. Since the limiting ring 3411 covers the opening of the liquid injection cup 31, it prevents the cleaning liquid from splashing outward from the opening of the liquid injection cup 31 during the cleaning process. Wastewater generated by cleaning can only be discharged from the lower liquid hole of the liquid injection cup 31, thereby effectively maintaining a clean working environment.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the retaining ring 3411 is capable of elastically abutting against the opening edge of the liquid filling cup 31 in the vertical direction. This elastic abutment prevents damage to the liquid filling cup 31 caused by hard contact between the retaining ring 3411 and the opening edge of the liquid filling cup 31. Furthermore, this elastic abutment generates a preload, ensuring that the retaining ring 3411 maintains reliable contact with the opening edge of the liquid filling cup 31. This prevents the retaining ring 3411 from separating from the liquid filling cup 31 due to factors such as shaking, thereby effectively covering the opening of the liquid filling cup 31.

[0081] Similarly, the limiting ring 3411 can be elastically connected to the opening edge of the liquid filling cup 31 by means of the pre-tightening force provided by the second elastic member 344, such as a compression spring.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, the cover removal device 10 further includes a discharge conveyor line 600, and the cleaning mechanism 300 further includes a second grabbing assembly 330. The second grabbing assembly 330 is mounted on the second substrate 310 and is capable of clamping or releasing the upper cover 30. The second grabbing assembly 330 can move with the second substrate 310 to the top of the waste discharge carrier 500 and can move in the up and down directions under the drive of the second lifting assembly 320 to clamp the upper cover 30 carried on the waste discharge carrier 500. The second grabbing assembly 330 can move with the second substrate 310 to the top of the discharge conveyor line 600 and can move in the up and down directions under the drive of the second lifting assembly 320 to place the clamped upper cover 30 on the discharge conveyor line 600.

[0083] The discharge conveyor line 600 and the waste discharge assembly are spaced apart in a preset direction and can transport the upper cover 30 to a designated location for recycling. After the second grabbing assembly 330 moves above the waste discharge carrier 500, the second lifting assembly 320 first drives the second grabbing assembly 330 and the cleaning assembly 340 to descend until the second grabbing assembly 330 can clamp the upper cover 31 and allow the multiple cleaning heads 341 to extend into the multiple liquid injection cups 31 for cleaning. After the liquid injection cups 31 are cleaned, the second lifting assembly 320 drives the second grabbing assembly 330 to ascend, thereby lifting the upper cover 30 from the waste discharge carrier 500. Next, the second substrate 310 moves toward the discharge conveyor line 600 along a preset direction until the second grabbing assembly 330 moves above the discharge conveyor line 600. Finally, the second lifting assembly 320 drives the second grabbing assembly 330 to descend and release the upper cover 30, allowing the upper cover 30 to be placed on the discharge conveyor line 600 for recycling.

[0084] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the upper cover 30 may be directly removed from the waste discharge carrier 500 for recycling.

[0085] The structure of the second grabbing assembly 330 may also be the same as that of the grabbing assembly 230. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second grabbing assembly 330 includes a second support plate 331, a second driving member 332, and two oppositely disposed second clamping plates 333. The second support plate 331 is connected to the driving end of the second lifting assembly 320. Each second clamping plate 333 is provided with a second positioning pin 334 on the side facing the other second clamping plate 333. The two second clamping plates 333 are slidably mounted on the second support plate 331. The second driving member 332 can move the two second clamping plates 333 closer to or farther away from each other, so that the second positioning pin 334 is inserted into the mounting hole 301 (see FIG. 9 ) on the side of the upper cover 30 or withdrawn from the mounting hole 301.

[0086] The second clamping plate 333 can be slidably arranged on the second support plate 331 through a guide rail and a slider, and the second driving member 332 can be a cylinder. The two second clamping plates 333 can be driven by the same second driving member 332, or can be driven by two second driving members 332 respectively. Under the drive of the second lifting assembly 320, the second support plate 331 can move downward until the second positioning pin 334 is aligned with the mounting hole 301 on the side of the upper cover 30. At this time, the second driving member 332 drives the two second clamping plates 333 to approach each other, and the second positioning pin 334 can be inserted into the mounting hole 301, thereby clamping the upper cover 31. When the upper cover 31 needs to be released, the second driving member 332 drives the two second clamping plates 333 away from each other until the second positioning pin 334 exits the mounting hole 301.

[0087] In the aforementioned cover removal device 10 and battery filling equipment, when the resting battery, along with the tray 20 and upper cover 30, is moved below the transport mechanism 200, the gripping assembly 230 first moves downward, driven by the lifting assembly 220, and then the gripping assembly 230 grasps the upper cover 30. While the gripping assembly 230 grasps the upper cover 30, the plugs 241 of the multiple sealing assemblies 240 respectively extend into the multiple filling cups 31 and seal the lower liquid holes of the filling cups 31. Next, the gripping assembly 230, driven by the lifting assembly 220, moves upward, removing the upper cover 30 from the tray 20 supporting the battery, thereby separating the filling cups 31 from the battery. During this process, since the multiple plugs 241 respectively block the lower liquid holes of the multiple filling cups 31, when the filling cup 31 is separated from the battery, even if there is residual electrolyte in the filling cup 31, the residual electrolyte cannot leak out through the lower liquid hole, thereby effectively preventing the batteries in the tray 20 from being contaminated by the electrolyte.

[0088] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0089] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present disclosure. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art could make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cover removal device, characterized in that: include: frame; and The transport mechanism installed on the frame includes a lifting assembly, a grabbing assembly and a plurality of blocking assemblies, wherein the grabbing assembly can clamp or release the upper cover including the plurality of liquid injection cups, and can move in the up and down direction under the drive of the lifting assembly to remove the upper cover from the tray, and each of the blocking assemblies includes a plug; Wherein, the blocking component can move with the grabbing component, and when the grabbing component clamps the upper cover, the plugs of multiple blocking components can respectively extend into multiple liquid filling cups and block the lower liquid holes of the liquid filling cups.

2. The cover removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grabbing assembly includes a support plate, a driving member and two oppositely arranged clamping plates, the support plate is connected to the driving end of the lifting assembly, each clamping plate is provided with a positioning pin on the side facing the other clamping plate, the two clamping plates are slidably mounted on the support plate, and the driving member can move the two clamping plates closer to or away from each other so that the positioning pin can be inserted into the mounting hole on the side of the upper cover or withdrawn from the mounting hole.

3. The cover removal device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transport mechanism also includes a base plate for supporting the lifting assembly, the grabbing assembly and the blocking assembly, the base plate is mounted on the frame, the grabbing assembly also includes a guide rod extending along the up and down directions, a linear bearing is provided on the base plate, the guide rod can be slidably passed through the linear bearing and one end is connected to the support plate.

4. The cover removal device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A plurality of blocking components are mounted on the support plate and can move along the up-down direction with the support plate.

5. The cover removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The plug can elastically abut against the bottom of the liquid injection cup along the up-down direction.

6. The cover removal device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the blocking components further includes a base and an elastic member. The plug is slidably mounted on the base along the up-down direction, and the elastic member applies a downward pre-tightening force to the plug.

7. The cover removal device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The base is columnar, and the elastic member is a compression spring sleeved on the base and abutting against the plug.

8. The cover removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a waste discharge carrier arranged on the frame, and the conveying mechanism can move along a preset direction perpendicular to the up and down direction to drive the grabbing assembly to move above the waste discharge carrier. The grabbing assembly can move along the up and down direction under the drive of the lifting assembly and place the clamped upper cover on the waste discharge carrier.

9. The cover removal device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a rack extending along the preset direction, the conveying mechanism also includes a base plate for supporting the lifting assembly, the grabbing assembly and the blocking assembly, the base plate is slidably mounted on the frame along the preset direction, the conveying mechanism also includes a motor mounted on the base plate and a gear connected to the motor, the gear is meshed with the rack, and the gear can roll along the rack under the drive of the motor to drive the base plate to slide along the preset direction.

10. The cover removal device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: It also includes a cleaning mechanism installed on the frame, which can move to the top of the waste discharge carrier along the preset direction and can clean the multiple liquid injection cups placed in the upper cover of the waste discharge carrier.

11. The cover removing device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The cleaning mechanism includes a second substrate, a second lifting assembly and a cleaning assembly. The second substrate is slidably mounted on the frame along the preset direction. The second lifting assembly and the cleaning assembly are mounted on the second substrate. The cleaning assembly can move with the second substrate to the top of the waste discharge carrier. The cleaning assembly includes a plurality of cleaning heads, and the plurality of cleaning heads can be driven by the second lifting assembly to extend into the plurality of liquid filling cups carried on the upper cover of the waste discharge carrier, respectively.

12. The cover removal device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The cleaning mechanism further comprises a discharge conveyor line, wherein the cleaning mechanism further comprises a second grabbing assembly, the second grabbing assembly is mounted on the second substrate and can clamp or release the upper cover, the second grabbing assembly can move with the second substrate to the top of the waste discharge carrier, and can move along the up-down direction under the drive of the second lifting assembly to clamp the upper cover carried on the waste discharge carrier; The second grabbing assembly can move with the second substrate to above the discharge conveying line, and can move along the up-down direction under the drive of the second lifting assembly to place the clamped upper cover on the discharge conveying line.

13. The cover removing device according to claim 11, characterized in that: A limiting ring is formed on the cleaning head, and the limiting ring can abut against the opening edge of the liquid injection cup and cover the opening of the liquid injection cup when the cleaning head extends into the liquid injection cup.

14. The cover removal device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The limiting ring can elastically abut against the opening edge of the liquid injection cup along the up-down direction.

15. A battery filling device, characterized in that: It comprises a cover removing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 above.

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