Battery cell pairing device

Abstract

A battery cell pairing device, comprising a battery cell stacking apparatus, a feeding apparatus and at least one flipping apparatus. The feeding apparatus comprises a first feeding apparatus and a second feeding apparatus, the first feeding apparatus is used for conveying a first battery cell, and the second feeding apparatus is used for conveying a second battery cell to the battery cell stacking apparatus. The at least one flipping apparatus comprises a first flipping apparatus, the first flipping apparatus is provided in a flippable manner around a set axis, and during flipping, the first battery cell located at the first feeding apparatus can be flipped 180 degrees and then placed on the battery cell stacking apparatus, so as to form a battery cell group formed by stacking the first battery cell and the second battery cell on the battery cell stacking apparatus.

Description

Battery cell pairing equipment

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on November 17, 2023, with application number 202323120915.X and entitled “Cell Pairing Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell pairing device. Background Art

[0003] Before battery assembly, multiple cells need to be paired and installed in the same housing. In related technologies, cell pairing equipment first uses a robot to transfer the cells to the pull belt of the next station, and then the robot flips the cells on the pull belt of the next station. This requires many transfers and transfers of cells, occupies a large area of ​​equipment, has a high risk of damage from cell handling, and has low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a battery cell pairing device to address the problems that related battery cell pairing equipment occupies a large area and has low production efficiency.

[0005] A cell pairing device, comprising:

[0006] Battery cell stacking device;

[0007] Loading device, including:

[0008] a first loading device, for transporting a first battery cell;

[0009] a second loading device, configured to transport the second battery cell to the battery cell stacking device; and

[0010] At least one turning device comprising:

[0011] The first flipping device is arranged to be flippable around a set axis, and during the flipping process, the first battery cell located at the first loading device can be flipped 180 degrees and placed on the battery cell stacking device to form a battery cell group consisting of the first battery cell and the second battery cell stacked on the battery cell stacking device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cell pairing device further comprises a transfer device and a first transfer device; the at least one flipping device further comprises a second flipping device;

[0013] The first transfer device and the second flipping device are both used to obtain a battery cell group from the battery cell stacking device, and the second flipping device is used to flip the obtained battery cell group 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the set axis and then place it on the transfer device;

[0014] The transfer device is used to receive the battery cell groups transported by the second turning device and the battery cell groups transported by the first transfer device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the battery cell pairing device further includes a battery cell group rotating device, a second transfer device, and a material unloading device;

[0016] The battery cell group rotating device is used to rotate the battery cell group located on the transfer device 180 degrees around an axis perpendicular to the set axis at intervals;

[0017] The second transfer device is used to transport the battery cell groups on the transfer device to the unloading device to form four battery cell paired groups on the unloading device, each of which is a pair of rotated battery cell groups and non-rotated battery cell groups;

[0018] The unloading device is used for unloading the four-cell paired group.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cell pairing device further includes a glue sticking device, a glue sticking detection device, and a glue sticking recovery device; the glue sticking detection device is located downstream of the glue sticking device;

[0020] The glue applying device is used to apply glue to the battery cell group located in the transfer device; the glue applying detection device is used to detect whether the battery cell group located in the transfer device is qualified for glue applying, and the glue applying recovery device is used to recover the battery cell group with unqualified glue applying.

[0021] In some embodiments, the flipping device includes a rotating base and a flipping clamp; the flipping clamp is disposed on the rotating base;

[0022] The rotating seat is configured to be flippable around the set axis, and can drive the flip clamp to flip 180 degrees when flipping.

[0023] In some embodiments, the flipping device includes a plurality of flipping jaws, each of which is arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the set axis; all of the flipping jaws flip synchronously under the drive of the rotating seat.

[0024] In some embodiments, the rotating seat includes a telescopic portion and a mounting portion, and the mounting portion is disposed on the telescopic portion;

[0025] The telescopic portion is configured to be flippable around the set axis and telescopic in a direction intersecting the set axis;

[0026] The flip clamp is arranged on the mounting portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the flipping device further includes a lifting mechanism, the rotating seat is disposed on the lifting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism is used to drive the rotating seat to rise and fall in a direction intersecting the set axis.

[0028] In some embodiments, the battery cell pairing device further includes a battery cell detection device and a battery cell recovery device;

[0029] The battery cell detection device is used to detect whether the battery cells located on the feeding device are qualified, and the battery cell recovery device is used to recover unqualified battery cells on the feeding device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the battery cell pairing device further includes a good product storage device and a good product transfer device; the good product storage device is used to store qualified battery cells;

[0031] The loading device is used to transport multiple battery cells as a transport group;

[0032] The good product transfer device is used to transport the good product storage device to the vacant position of each transport group after the unqualified battery cells in each transport group are recovered to the recovery device, and / or,

[0033] The good product transfer device is used to transfer qualified battery cells in each of the transport groups to the good product storage device, and is used to transfer multiple battery cells in the good product storage device as one of the transport groups to the loading device.

[0034] In actual use of the above-mentioned cell pairing device, after the first flipping device obtains the first cell from the first loading device, it flips the first cell and, when flipped into place, directly places the first cell on the cell stacking device to be stacked together with the second cell transported to the cell stacking device by the second loading device to form a cell group. The first flipping device has the function of flipping and transporting the first cell, "killing two birds with one stone", not only realizing the pairing of two cells in the cell pairing device, but also eliminating other transport structures to transport the flipped cells to the cell stacking device, which helps to reduce the number of devices in the cell pairing device, reduce the occupied area of ​​the cell pairing device, and at the same time improve the production efficiency of the cell pairing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments 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:

[0036] FIG1 is a cell pairing device in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a cell pairing process in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a flipping device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] The accompanying drawings in the specific implementation manner are as follows:

[0040] 100. Cell pairing equipment; 1. Cell; B. First cell; A. Second cell; 2. Cell group; 3. Four-cell pairing group; X. Setting axis; 10. Loading device; 11. First loading device; 12. Second loading device; 10a. Loading manipulator; 10b. Loading conveyor belt; 10c. Loading platform; 20. Turning device; 21. First turning device; 22. Second turning device; 20a. Rotating seat; 20b. Turning clamp Claw; a1, telescopic part; a2, mounting part; 20c, rotation drive mechanism; 30, battery cell stacking device; 50, transfer device; 41, first transfer device; 42, second transfer device; 61, battery cell group rotation device; 62, unloading device; 71, gluing device; 72, gluing detection device; 73, gluing recovery device; 81, battery cell detection device; 82, battery cell recovery device; 91, good product storage device; 92, good product transfer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] 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.

[0042] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that, if any, terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", and "circumferential" 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 on the present disclosure.

[0043] Furthermore, if used, the terms "first" and "second," if present, 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.

[0044] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, 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.

[0045] In this disclosure, if it appears, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is “above” or “below” a second feature, it can 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. Moreover, when a first feature is “above,” “above,” or “above” a second feature, it can 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 can 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.

[0046] It should be noted that, if present, 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 referred to as being "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 embodiments.

[0047] A battery cell is the smallest unit that makes up a battery and generates electrochemical reactions. It can be a wound cell or a stacked cell. An insulating film can be applied to the outside of the cell to insulate it from the battery casing. After the cell is assembled into the battery casing / aluminum-plastic film, it undergoes processes such as liquid injection and formation to create a battery. Typically, a single battery contains multiple cells to increase its energy density and battery life. Multiple cells within the same battery must be matched and selected, and the tabs of the same polarity must be electrically connected.

[0048] The cell pairing device is used to automatically pair cells. As mentioned in the background, related cell pairing machines suffer from low production efficiency and large footprint. This disclosure addresses these issues by proposing a cell pairing device. The cell pairing device proposed in this disclosure is described in detail below.

[0049] FIG1 is a diagram of a cell pairing device 100 in some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a cell 1 pairing process in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] Referring to Figure 1 , a cell pairing device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cell stacking device 30, a loading device 10, and at least one flipping device 20. The loading device 10 includes a first loading device 11 and a second loading device 12. The first loading device 11 is used to transport a first cell B, and the second loading device 12 is used to transport a second cell A to the cell stacking device 30. The at least one flipping device 20 includes a first flipping device 21. The first flipping device 21 is disposed flippably about a set axis X. During the flipping process, the first cell B located at the first loading device 11 can be flipped 180 degrees and placed on the cell stacking device 30, thereby forming a cell group 2 on the cell stacking device 30, which is composed of the first cell B and the second cell A stacked together.

[0051] The battery cell group 2 is formed by stacking and pairing a first battery cell B and a second battery cell A. In actual application, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the tabs of the first battery cell B in the first loading device 11 and the second battery cell A in the second loading device 12 are both located on the same side in the width direction and arranged close to the same side in the thickness direction. The tabs of the same polarity in the first battery cell B and the second battery cell A are arranged in opposite directions in the length direction. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first battery cell B and the second battery cell A are both battery cell 1. That is, when referring to battery cell 1, battery cell 1 can be either the first battery cell B or the second battery cell A, depending on the type of device in which battery cell 1 is located.

[0052] The loading device 10 is used to transport the battery cells 1. The first loading device 11 and the second loading device 12 both serve as loading devices 10, and are used to load the first battery cell B and the second battery cell A, respectively. The structural designs of the first loading device 11 and the second loading device 12 can be the same or different. For example, as shown in Figure 1, each loading device 10 includes a loading robot 10a, a loading conveyor belt 10b and a loading platform 10c. The loading platform 10c is used to place the battery cells 1 transported by external equipment. The loading robot 10a is used to transfer the battery cells 1 on the loading platform 10c to the loading conveyor belt 10b. The loading conveyor belt 10b is used to transport the battery cells 1 downstream.

[0053] There is at least one flipping device 20, and at least one flipping device 20 serves as a first flipping device 21. The first flipping device 21 is used to retrieve a first battery cell B from the first loading device 11 and then flip the retrieved first battery cell B 180 degrees about a predetermined axis X. The predetermined axis X corresponds to the width of the first battery cell B placed on the first loading device 11. The first loading device 11 and the second loading device 12 can transport the battery cell 1 along the width of the corresponding battery cell 1. That is, the first loading device 11 can transport the first battery cell B along the width of the first battery cell B, and the second loading device 12 can transport the second battery cell A along the width of the second battery cell A. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, after the first battery cell B is flipped 180 degrees, its positive and negative tabs are both flipped from bottom to top, and the arrangement of the positive and negative tabs along the length of the battery cell is reversed. In Figure 2, the letter B represents the first battery cell B, the letter A represents the second battery cell A, the letter Al represents the positive tab, and the letter Cu represents the negative tab.

[0054] After the first flipping device 21 flips the first battery cell B, it directly places the flipped battery cell 1 on the battery cell stacking device 30. Downstream of the second loading device 12 is the battery cell stacking device 30, and the second loading device 12 can transport the second battery cell A to the battery cell stacking device 30, and stack the transported second battery cell A on the flipped first battery cell B. Of course, the first flipping device 21 can also directly stack the flipped first battery cell B on the second battery cell A at the battery cell stacking device 30. It can be understood that a first battery cell B and a second battery cell A are stacked to form a battery cell group 2. As shown in Figure 2, in the battery cell group 2, the first battery cell B and the second battery cell A are stacked in the thickness direction, and the tabs of the first battery cell B and the second battery cell A are close and the tabs of the same polarity are aligned.

[0055] In actual use of the above-mentioned cell pairing device 100, after the first flipping device 21 obtains the first cell B from the first loading device 11, it flips the first cell B and, once flipped into place, directly places the first cell B on the cell stacking device 30 to be stacked together with the second cell A transported to the cell stacking device 30 by the second loading device 12 to form a cell group 2. The first flipping device 21 has the function of flipping and transporting the first cell B, "killing two birds with one stone". It not only realizes the pairing of two cells in the cell pairing device 100, but also eliminates the need for other transport structures to transport the flipped cell 1 to the cell stacking device 30. This helps to reduce the number of devices in the cell pairing device 100, reduces the occupied area of ​​the cell pairing device 100, and also improves the production efficiency of the cell pairing device 100.

[0056] In some embodiments, with continued reference to FIG. 1 and in conjunction with FIG. 2 , the cell pairing apparatus 100 further includes a transfer device 50 and a first transfer device 41 . The at least one flipping device 20 further includes a second flipping device 22 . Both the first transfer device 41 and the second flipping device 22 are configured to retrieve a cell group 2 from the cell stacking device 30 . The second flipping device 22 is configured to flip the retrieved cell group 2 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the set axis X and then place the retrieved cell group 2 on the transfer device 50 . The transfer device 50 is configured to receive the cell group 2 transported by the second flipping device 22 and the cell group 2 transported by the first transfer device 41 .

[0057] There are two flipping devices 20, one of which serves as a first flipping device 21 and the other as a second flipping device 22. The second flipping device 22 has the function of flipping the battery cell group 2 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the set axis X. The structures of the first flipping device 21 and the second flipping device 22 can be the same or different.

[0058] The transfer device 50 can be a transfer table, a transfer conveyor belt, or the like, without limitation. Some of the cell groups 2 on the cell stacking device 30 are transferred to the transfer device 50 by the first transfer device 41 without changing their placement. Another portion of the cell groups 2 on the cell stacking device 30 are flipped by the second flipping device 22 and then transferred to the transfer device 50. The first transfer device 41 can include a transfer robot, a transfer suction cup, or the like.

[0059] In actual use, when the first transfer device 41 and the second flipping device 22 transfer the cell groups 2 to the transfer device 50, the transferred cell groups 2 are placed adjacent to each other on the transfer device 50, so that the flipped cell groups 2 (transported by the second flipping device 22) are arranged adjacent to at least one group of unflipped cell groups 2 (transported by the first transfer device 41). In actual use, the adjacent flipped cell groups 2 and unflipped cell groups 2 can be regarded as a group of four cell paired groups 3 to be paired.

[0060] At this time, the second flipping device 22 is used to flip part of the cell groups 2 on the cell stacking device 30 while directly transporting the flipped cell groups 2 to the transfer device 50, thereby "killing two birds with one stone" and further reducing the footprint and production efficiency of the cell pairing equipment 100.

[0061] In actual application, the first loading device 11 can simultaneously transport multiple first battery cells B (as a transport group), the second loading device 12 can simultaneously transport multiple second battery cells A (as a transport group), and the first flipping device 21 can simultaneously flip each first battery cell B in the same transport group to the battery cell stacking device 30, and stack them together with each second battery cell A in the same transport group to form multiple battery cell groups 2 as a transport group. Typically, the number of battery cell groups 2 in a transport group is an even number (such as 4, 6, or 8).

[0062] As the cell stacking device 30 continues to transport multiple cell groups 2 in each transport group, the second flipping device 22 and the first transfer device 41 can alternately take the cell groups 2 in each transport group, so that 1 / 2 of the cell groups 2 in the same transport group are flipped and transported by the second flipping device 22, and the remaining 1 / 2 cell groups 2 are transported by the first transfer device 41.

[0063] Specifically, the second flipping device 22 can be used to flip and transport the odd-numbered cell groups 2 within each transport group, and the first transfer device 41 can be used to transport the even-numbered cell groups 2 within each transport group. Alternatively, the cell groups 2 within the transport group can be divided into multiple groups in pairs according to the arrangement order, with adjacent cell groups 2 being transported by the second flipping device 22 and the first transfer device 41, respectively.

[0064] The manner in which the second flipping device 22 and the first transfer device 41 obtain the cell group 2 is not limited in the present disclosure, as long as a group of unflipped cell groups 2 can be arranged adjacent to the flipped cell group 2 at the transfer device 50 .

[0065] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1 , the cell pairing apparatus 100 further includes a cell group rotating device 61 , a second transfer device 42 , and a discharge device 62 . The cell group rotating device 61 is configured to periodically rotate the cell groups 2 on the transfer device 50 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the set axis X. The second transfer device 42 is configured to transport the cell groups 2 on the transfer device 50 to the discharge device 62 , thereby forming four-cell paired groups 3 on the discharge device 62 , each of which is a pairing of the rotated cell groups 2 and the unrotated cell groups 2 . The discharge device 62 is configured to discharge the four-cell paired groups 3 .

[0066] The cell group rotating device 61 can drive the cell group 2 to rotate 180 degrees around the axis perpendicular to the set axis X, so that the tabs of the rotated cell group 2 are switched from one side to the other in the width direction, and the arrangement orientation of the positive tab and the negative tab in the length direction of the cell group 2 is changed.

[0067] In a specific application, the cell group rotating device 61 rotates around an axis in the vertical direction, that is, around an axis parallel to the thickness direction of the cell group 2 .

[0068] There are various specific configurations for the cell group rotation device 61, and those skilled in the art can design them conventionally. For example, the cell group rotation device 61 includes a rotating claw that grips the cell group 2 and rotates it. The same cell group rotation device 61 can be configured with multiple rotating claws to simultaneously rotate multiple cell groups 2.

[0069] The second transfer device 42 may include a transfer robot, a transfer suction cup, etc. Specifically, the cell pairing device 100 may include a plurality of tracks on the top thereof, and the first transfer device 41 , the second transfer device 42 , etc. may be disposed on the tracks and be capable of moving along the tracks.

[0070] When multiple cell groups 2 from the same transport group are transported by the transfer device 50 to the station where the cell group rotating device 61 is located, as shown in Figure 2, the cell group rotating device 61 can periodically obtain 1 / 2 of the cell groups 2 from each transport group so that the positive tabs and negative tabs of two adjacent cell groups 2 are arranged opposite each other. It can be understood that after rotating the cell groups 2, the cell group rotating device 61 repositions the cell groups 2 on the transfer device 50.

[0071] The second transfer device 42 transports the rotated battery cell groups 2 and the non-rotated battery cell groups 2 on the transfer device 50 to the unloading device 62, and pairs each rotated battery cell group 2 with each non-rotated battery cell 1 to form a four-cell pairing group 3, completing the pairing of four battery cells 1.

[0072] As shown in FIG2 , in the four-cell paired group 3 , the tabs of the same polarity of the two cell groups 2 are arranged relative to each other to facilitate subsequent tab welding, thereby achieving parallel connection of the four cells in the internal circuit of the battery.

[0073] At this time, the battery cell pairing device 100 can complete the pairing of four battery cells 1, which is suitable for producing large-capacity batteries.

[0074] In some embodiments, with continued reference to FIG1 , the battery cell 1 pairing arrangement further includes a gluing device 71, a gluing detection device 72, and a gluing recovery device 73. The gluing detection device 72 is located downstream of the gluing device 71. The gluing device 71 is used to apply glue to the battery cell group 2 located in the transfer device 50. The gluing detection device 72 is used to detect whether the battery cell group 2 located in the transfer device 50 has passed the gluing test. The gluing recovery device 73 is used to recover battery cell groups 2 that have failed the gluing test.

[0075] The specific structure of the gluing device 71 can refer to conventional arrangements in the art. For example, the gluing device 71 includes a tape unwinding unit, a gluing unit, a release paper tearing unit, and a tape cutting unit. The tape unwinding unit is used to unwind a roll of tape, the tape cutting unit is used to cut a certain length of tape from the roll, the gluing unit is used to absorb the cut tape, and the release paper tearing unit is used to tear the release paper absorbed by the tape in the gluing unit from its adhesive layer. The gluing unit then adheres the adhesive layer of the tape to the battery pack 2 to bundle the two battery cells 1 in the battery pack 2.

[0076] The adhesive inspection device 72 is located downstream of the adhesive device 71 and is used to detect whether the adhesive of the adhesive-applied battery pack 2 is qualified. The adhesive inspection device 72 may include a CCD camera, which captures an image of the adhesive-applied battery pack 2 and then determines whether the adhesive of the battery pack 2 is qualified based on the image. If the adhesive of the battery pack 2 is unqualified, the unqualified battery pack 2 can be removed by a robotic arm and recycled to the adhesive recovery device 73.

[0077] In order to replace the removed battery cell group 2, an abnormal processing point can be set at the glue recovery device 73, and the battery cell group 2 with unqualified glue can be processed manually or with relevant processing equipment to make the battery cell group 2 with qualified glue. Then, the robot arm will transport the qualified battery cell group 2 back to the transfer device 50 for replacement.

[0078] At this time, the gluing device 71 can be used to bundle the two battery cells 1 in the battery cell group 2 so that the stacked position of the two battery cells 1 is more secure and stable, which helps to improve the reliability of the battery prepared by the battery cell group 2.

[0079] In other embodiments, the cell pairing device 100 may further include a cell group detection device (not shown), which is used to scan and record the model of each cell 1 in the cell group 2 and / or to check the quality of the tabs of each cell 1 in the cell group 2 to prevent cell groups 2 with damaged tabs from entering the production line. Furthermore, cell groups 2 with damaged tabs can be recycled to a cell group recycling device (not shown).

[0080] Regarding the layout of the cell pairing apparatus 100, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the cell stacking device 30 is arranged on the same side of the first and second loading devices 11, 12, with the loading conveyor belts 10b of the first and second loading devices 11, 12 conveying the cells 1 in opposite directions. The cell stacking device 30, loading conveyor belt 10b, transfer device 50, and unloading device 62 convey the cells in parallel. This results in a relatively compact structure for the cell pairing apparatus 100. Specifically, the cell stacking device 30, transfer device 50, and unloading device 62 all utilize conveyor belts for transport.

[0081] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a flipping device 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] 3 , the flipping device 20 includes a rotating base 20a and a flipping jaw 20b. The flipping jaw 20b is disposed on the rotating base 20a. The rotating base 20a is configured to be flippable about a set axis X and can drive the flipping jaw 20b to flip 180 degrees during flipping.

[0083] As can be understood, the flipping jaw 20b can be opened and closed to clamp and release the clamped object. When the flipping device 20 functions as the first flipping device 21, the object clamped by the flipping jaw 20b can be a battery cell 1. When the flipping device 20 functions as the second flipping device 22, the object clamped by the flipping jaw 20b can be a battery cell group 2. For example, the flipping jaw 20b includes a dual-axis cylinder and two clamping plates. The two clamping plates are arranged at the two output ends of the dual-axis cylinder and can be moved closer to or farther away from each other under the drive of the dual-axis cylinder.

[0084] Driven by a rotary motor, the rotating base 20a can reciprocate within a 180-degree range around a set axis X. A person skilled in the art can routinely design the specific structure of the rotating base 20a. For example, the rotating base 20a may include a rotating shaft and a base body connected to the rotating shaft, with the tilting jaw 20b disposed on the base body. The rotating shaft rotates about the set axis X under the drive of the rotary motor.

[0085] Taking the flipping device 20 as the first flipping device 21 as an example, in actual use, the rotating base 20a flips the flipping jaw 20b to a position where it can grip the battery cell 1, and then drives the flipping jaw 20b to flip 180 degrees and position it above the battery cell stacking device 30. The flipping jaw 20b releases the battery cell 1, thereby placing the battery cell 1 on the battery cell stacking device 30. In this case, the flipping device 20 has a simple structure and is easy to implement.

[0086] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 3 , the flipping device 20 includes a plurality of flipping jaws 20 b , each of which is spaced apart and parallel to the set axis X. All of the flipping jaws 20 b are synchronously flipped under the drive of the rotating base 20 a .

[0087] As described above, in actual use, the first loading device 11 transports multiple first battery cells B as a transport group, while the cell stacking device 30 transports multiple cell groups 2 as a transport group. When a transport group is transported to the station where the flipping device 20 is located, each flipping jaw 20b of the flipping device 20 can simultaneously grip all battery cells 1 / cell groups 2 in the same transport group, thereby improving the pairing efficiency of the cell pairing device 100.

[0088] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 3 , the rotating base 20 a includes a telescopic portion a1 and a mounting portion a2 . The mounting portion a2 is disposed on the telescopic portion a1 . The telescopic portion a1 is configured to be reversible about a set axis X and to be retractable in a direction intersecting the set axis X. The reversible clamping jaw 20 b is disposed on the mounting portion a2 .

[0089] The mounting portion a2 can be a plate, a seat, etc., as long as it can realize the installation of the flip clamp 20b. The telescopic portion a1 can be a telescopic cylinder, a telescopic rod, etc., as long as it can be telescopic in the direction intersecting (usually perpendicular to) the set axis X.

[0090] Take the flipping device 20 clamping the battery cell 1 of the first loading device 11 as an example. In actual application, when the battery cell 1 needs to be flipped, the telescopic part a1 retracts, and the rotating seat 20a rotates to the position where the flipping claw 20b can clamp the battery cell 1. The telescopic part a1 extends so that the flipping claw 20b is inserted into both sides of the battery cell 1, and the flipping claw 20b clamps the battery cell 1. Then, the rotating seat 20a rotates to the battery cell stacking device 30, and the flipping claw 20b releases the clamped battery cell 1 / battery cell group 2. The telescopic part a1 drives the flipping claw 20b to retract, and after flipping 180 degrees in the opposite direction, it waits for the next group of battery cells 1 to be transported to the position by the first loading device 11. In this way, while waiting for the battery cell 1 to be in place, the flipping device 20 will not interfere with the transportation of the battery cell 1.

[0091] It can be understood that the telescopic direction of the telescopic portion a1 is substantially perpendicular to the clamping direction of the flip clamping claw 20b.

[0092] In some embodiments, the flipping device 20 further includes a lifting mechanism (not shown), and the rotating base 20a is disposed on the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the rotating base 20a to rise and fall in a direction intersecting the set axis X.

[0093] The lifting mechanism is used to drive the rotating base 20a to rise and fall in the vertical direction. Generally, the axis X is set perpendicular to the vertical direction and located in the horizontal plane. The lifting mechanism can be a lifting cylinder, a lifting motor, etc., and the specific structure is not limited.

[0094] In actual use, when the flipping clamp 20b clamps the battery cell 1, the lifting mechanism rises, the rotating seat 20a flips 180 degrees so that the flipping clamp 20b is located above the battery cell stacking device 30, the lifting mechanism descends, the flipping clamp 20b places the battery cell 1 on the battery cell stacking device 30 and releases the battery cell 1, the telescopic portion a1 of the rotating seat 20a retracts, driving the flipping clamp 20b to exit the battery cell stacking device 30, the lifting mechanism rises, the rotating seat 20a with the telescopic portion a1 retracted flips 180 degrees in the opposite direction, the lifting mechanism descends, and the flipping device 20 waits for the next group of battery cells 1 to be transported to the position by the first loading device 11, and the cycle repeats. At this time, the rotating seat 20a flips at a higher altitude, which can reduce the possibility of the battery cells 1 colliding with the battery cell stacking device 30 when it is flipped into position, thereby protecting the battery cells 1.

[0095] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 1, the battery cell pairing device 100 also includes a battery cell detection device 81 and a battery cell recovery device 82. The battery cell detection device 81 is used to detect whether the battery cell 1 located on the loading device 10 is qualified, and the battery cell recovery device 82 is used to recover unqualified battery cells 1 on the loading device 10.

[0096] The battery cell detection device 81 may include, but is not limited to, a CCD camera, which can capture an image of the battery cell 1 to determine whether the quality of the battery cell 1 is qualified. Specifically, the battery cell detection device 81 can determine whether the tab of the battery cell 1 is bent, broken, damaged, or other defects based on the image of the battery cell 1.

[0097] The cell recycling device 82 may be a recycling platform, recycling box, etc. If the cell detection device 81 detects that the cell 1 is of unqualified quality, a corresponding transfer device such as a manipulator / conveyor belt will return the unqualified cell 1 on the feeding device 10 to the cell recycling device 82 .

[0098] In this way, the number of unqualified battery cells 1 flowing into the production line can be reduced, thereby improving the yield rate.

[0099] In some embodiments, the battery cell pairing device 100 further includes a good product storage device 91 and a good product transfer device 92. The good product storage device 91 is used to store qualified battery cells 1, and the loading device 10 is used to transport multiple battery cells 1 as a transport group. The good product transfer device 92 is used to transport the battery cells 1 in the good product storage device 91 to the vacant positions of each transport group after the unqualified battery cells 1 in each transport group are recovered to the recovery device; and / or, the good product transfer device 92 is used to transfer the qualified battery cells 1 in each transport group to the good product storage device 91, and to transfer the multiple battery cells 1 in the good product storage device 91 as a transport group to the loading device 10.

[0100] When the battery cell detection device 81 detects that there are unqualified battery cells 1 in each transport group, the corresponding transfer device will transport the unqualified battery cells 1 to the battery cell recovery device 82. This will result in an insufficient number of battery cells 1 in the transport group.

[0101] In some cases, the qualified battery cells 1 stored on the good product storage device 91 can be transported to the corresponding vacant position of the delivery group by the good product transfer device 92 to replenish the vacant position with battery cells 1. At this time, the qualified battery cells 1 stored on the good product storage device 91 can be pre-stored.

[0102] In other cases, the good product transfer device 92 can first transfer the qualified battery cells 1 in the transport group to the good product storage device 91 for storage. When the qualified battery cells 1 at the good product storage device 91 reach the target number and can be used as a transport group, the good product transfer device 92 can transfer the multiple battery cells 1 that can be used as a transport group at the good product storage device 91 to the loading device 10 for loading.

[0103] In other cases, when the number of qualified battery cells 1 in the transport group reaches a preset number, the good product transfer device 92 can fill the qualified battery cells 1 stored on the good product storage device 91 to the vacant positions in the transport group. When the number of qualified battery cells 1 in the transport group does not reach the preset number, the good product transfer device 92 can first transfer the qualified battery cells 1 in the transport group to the good product storage device 91. When the battery cells 1 at the good product storage device 91 can form a transport group, the multiple battery cells 1 at the good product storage device 91 that can be used as a transport group are transferred back to the loading device 10 for loading.

[0104] In this way, each conveying group can be supplemented by the battery cells 1 on the good product storage device 91, or the qualified battery cells 1 at the good product storage device 91 can be transported to the loading device 10 as a conveying group, which can speed up the grouping of conveying groups with all qualified battery cells 1 and improve the production efficiency of the battery cell pairing equipment 100.

[0105] With reference to FIG. 2 and in combination with FIG. 1 , the working process of the cell pairing device 100 in a specific embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0106] The first loading device 11 transports 2N first battery cells B as a transport group, and the second loading device 12 transports 2N second battery cells A as a transport group. During transportation, the battery cell inspection device 81 inspects the quality of the battery cells 1 in each transport group. Unqualified battery cells 1 are transported to the battery cell recovery device 82, and qualified battery cells 1 are obtained from the good product storage device 91 to fill the vacant positions in the transport group.

[0107] The first conveying group including 2N qualified first battery cells B arrives at the station where the first flipping device 21 is located. The first flipping device 21 clamps and synchronously flips each first battery cell B in the first conveying group, and places the first battery cells B in the first conveying group on the battery cell stacking device 30. The second loading device 12 transfers and stacks the second conveying group including 2N qualified second battery cells A on the first conveying group at the battery cell stacking device 30, and stacks each second battery cell A on each first battery cell B, thereby obtaining 2N battery cell groups 2 on the battery cell stacking device 30.

[0108] The cell stacking device 30 transports the 2N cell groups 2 in the transport group as the third transport group to the workstations of the second flipping device 22 and the first transfer device 41. For each cell group 2 in the third transport group on the cell stacking device 30, the second flipping device 22 flips the cell groups 2 at odd positions 180 degrees and places them on the transfer device 50. The first transfer device 41 directly transfers the cell groups 2 at even positions to the transfer device 50, and the flipped cell groups 2 are placed adjacent to the unflipped cell groups 2 on the transfer device 50.

[0109] The transfer device 50 transports 2N battery cell groups 2 in the same transport group to the station where the battery cell group rotation device 61 is located. For the battery cell groups 2 in the same transport group on the transfer device 50, the battery cell group rotation device 61 rotates the battery cell groups 2 in odd positions 180 degrees or rotates the battery cell groups 2 in even positions 180 degrees. Then, the second transfer device 42 places the battery cell groups 2 in each transport group in pairs on the unloading device 62 according to the arrangement order to form N groups of four battery cell paired groups 3.

[0110] The unloading device 62 unloads the four-cell paired group 3 .

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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 may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the scope 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 invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell pairing device (100), comprising: A battery cell stacking device (30); The feeding device (10) comprises: A first loading device (11) for transporting a first battery cell (B); A second loading device (12) is used to transport the second battery cell (A) to the battery cell stacking device (30); and At least one turning device (20) comprising: The first flipping device (21) is flippably arranged around a set axis (X), and during the flipping process, the first battery cell (B) located at the first loading device (11) can be flipped 180 degrees and placed on the battery cell stacking device (30), so as to form a battery cell group (2) formed by stacking the first battery cell (B) and the second battery cell (A) on the battery cell stacking device (30).

2. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The battery cell pairing device (100) further includes a transfer device (50) and a first transfer device (41); the at least one flipping device (20) further includes a second flipping device (22); The first transfer device (41) and the second flipping device (22) are both used to obtain a battery cell group (2) from the battery cell stacking device (30), and the second flipping device (22) is used to flip the obtained battery cell group (2) 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the set axis (X) and then place it on the transfer device (50); The transfer device (50) is used to receive the battery cell group (2) transported by the second flipping device (22) and the battery cell group (2) transported by the first transfer device (41).

3. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The battery cell pairing device (100) further includes a battery cell group rotating device (61), a second transport device (42) and a material unloading device (62); The cell group rotating device (61) is used to rotate the cell group (2) located on the transfer device (50) by 180 degrees around an axis perpendicular to the set axis (X) at intervals; The second transfer device (42) is used to transport each battery cell group (2) on the transfer device (50) to the unloading device (62), so as to form a four-battery cell pairing group (3) on the unloading device (62) consisting of a rotated battery cell group (2) and a non-rotated battery cell group (2); The unloading device (62) is used for unloading the four-cell paired group (3).

4. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The battery cell pairing device (100) further comprises a glue sticking device (71), a glue sticking detection device (72) and a glue sticking recovery device (73); the glue sticking detection device (72) is located downstream of the glue sticking device (71); The glue sticking device (71) is used to stick glue to the battery cell group (2) located in the transfer device (50); the glue sticking detection device (72) is used to detect whether the battery cell group (2) located in the transfer device (50) is qualified for glue sticking; and the glue sticking recovery device (73) is used to recover the battery cell group (2) with unqualified glue sticking.

5. The cell pairing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The flipping device (20) comprises a rotating seat (20a) and a flipping clamp (20b); the flipping clamp (20b) is arranged on the rotating seat (20a); The rotating seat (20a) is configured to be flippable around the set axis (X), and can drive the flip clamp (20b) to flip 180 degrees when flipping.

6. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The flipping device (20) comprises a plurality of flipping jaws (20b), each of which is arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the set axis (X); all of the flipping jaws (20b) are flipped synchronously under the drive of the rotating seat (20a).

7. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The rotating seat (20a) comprises a telescopic portion (a1) and a mounting portion (a2), wherein the mounting portion (a2) is arranged on the telescopic portion (a1); The telescopic portion (a1) is configured to be flippable around the set axis (X) and telescopic in a direction intersecting the set axis (X); The flip clamp (20b) is arranged on the mounting portion (a2).

8. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The turning device (20) further comprises a lifting mechanism, the rotating seat (20a) is arranged on the lifting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism is used to drive the rotating seat (20a) to rise and fall in a direction intersecting the set axis (X).

9. The cell pairing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The battery cell pairing device (100) further includes a battery cell detection device (81) and a battery cell recovery device (82); The battery cell detection device (81) is used to detect whether the battery cells (1) located on the feeding device (10) are qualified, and the battery cell recovery device (82) is used to recover unqualified battery cells (1) on the feeding device (10).

10. The cell pairing device (100) according to claim 9, wherein: The battery cell pairing device (100) further comprises a good product storage device (91) and a good product transfer device (92); the good product storage device (91) is used to store qualified battery cells (1); The loading device (10) is used to transport a plurality of battery cells (1) as a transport group; The good product transfer device (92) is used to transport the good product storage device (91) to the vacant position of each transport group after the unqualified battery cells (1) in the transport group are recovered to the recovery device; and / or, The good product transfer device (92) is used to transfer the qualified battery cells (1) in each of the transport groups to the good product storage device (91), and is used to transfer the multiple battery cells (1) at the good product storage device (91) as one of the transport groups to the loading device (10).

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