Roller gripper for secondary battery cell pouch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, comprising: a body; an actuator provided at the body; a rod provided to be elevated by the actuator; a pair of grip-rotating bodies rotatably coupled, so as to face each other, to a rotary shaft provided in parallel to the rod in the body, such that the rod is positioned to be insertable between sides of the grip-rotating bodies and a cell pouch is provided to be insertable between the other sides of the grip-rotating bodies; roller slides, each provided to rotatably support the rod inserted into the sides of each of the grip-rotating bodies; roller grips, each rotatably provided on the other sides of each of the grip-rotating bodies so as to grip the cell pouch by reducing the gap between the other sides of the grip-rotating bodies when the rod is inserted between the roller slides; and open members provided at the grip-rotating bodies so as to release the grip on the cell patch by separating the roller grips from each other when the rod returns and is partially or entirely retracted from between the roller slides.

Description

Roller gripper for secondary battery cell pouch

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, and more particularly, to a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch that accurately and stably grips a secondary battery cell pouch using a roller, and reduces mechanical wear that may occur during the gripping process while ensuring smooth gripping operation, thereby providing excellent durability.

[0002]

[0003] Typically, secondary batteries are rechargeable and capable of large capacity. Representative examples include nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these secondary batteries, some can be manufactured in a flexible pouch type, offering the advantage of relatively flexible shape.

[0004] These secondary battery cell pouches are constructed by having battery cells inside and a polymer outer shell corresponding to the pouch surrounding the battery cells. For this purpose, they are composed of electrodes, pouches, and battery cells. In addition, if the internal structure of the secondary battery cell pouch is damaged or destroyed, resulting in a breakdown of insulation, the battery cells may not be able to maintain normal voltage, which may result in low voltage and swelling of the internal battery cells.

[0005] Therefore, secondary battery cell pouches must be operated in a way that defects can be eliminated at the source by inspecting for defects including insulation wires. During this inspection process, a device that allows for stable transport of the cell pouch also plays an important role.

[0006] As a technology for stably transporting a cell pouch of a conventional secondary battery, Korean Patent No. 10-1873709 entitled "Secondary Battery Cell Pouch Gripper and Transfer Having the Same" has been proposed. This comprises: a body; a rod installed to be raised and lowered on the body; an actuator provided on the body to raise and lower the rod; A pair of grip rotation bodies are installed so as to be rotatably stacked vertically on a rotation axis provided parallel to the rod downwardly on the body so as to be located at the end side of the rod, and support protrusions formed on each side thereof are respectively located on both ends of the rod, and guide surfaces are formed to be inclined to guide the insertion of the ends of the rods into the opposite sides of the support protrusions, and when the rod is lowered and presses the guide surfaces and is inserted between the support protrusions to widen the gap between the support protrusions, the grip rotation bodies rotate around the rotation axis to narrow the gap between the grip portions provided on each other side, so that the grip portions grip the secondary battery cell pouch; and an elastic member installed on the grip rotation bodies so that when the rod is returned and removed from between the support protrusions, the grip portions are widened to release the grip on the tab portion of the secondary battery cell pouch.

[0007] However, such conventional technology has problems in that, as it is used, it is difficult to operate smoothly due to friction between the load and the support protrusion, and it even takes unnecessary time for maintenance and management due to mechanical wear, and the grip part can cause damage to the cell pouch due to friction with the cell pouch.

[0008]

[0009] In order to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention aims to provide a secondary battery cell pouch that can be gripped accurately and stably using a roller, to ensure smooth gripping operation while reducing mechanical wear that may occur during the gripping process, thereby ensuring excellent durability, and to accurately detect the gripped cell pouch.

[0010]

[0011] In order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body; an actuator provided on the body; a rod installed to be raised and lowered by the actuator; a pair of grip rotation bodies rotatably coupled to each other on a rotation shaft provided parallel to the rod on the body so as to face each other, such that the rod is positioned between one side of each of them so as to be insertable, and a cell pouch is provided between the other side of each of them; roller slides each installed to rotatably support the rod inserted into one side of each of the grip rotation bodies; roller grips each installed to be rotatably installed on the other side of each of the grip rotation bodies so that when the rod is inserted between the roller slides, the gap between the other sides of each of the grip rotation bodies is reduced, thereby gripping the cell pouch; And when the load returns and part or all of the roller slides are removed, the roller grips are separated from each other, thereby releasing the grip on the cell pouch. A secondary battery cell pouch gripper is provided.

[0012] The above load may have a cone shape and a tip portion having a constant diameter at the end so that it can be placed between the roller slides even when the grip is released.

[0013] The above roller slide can be installed so as to be rotatable on a first rotation axis that is installed orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the load on one side of the grip rotation body, on the side into which the load enters.

[0014] The grip rotation body may be provided so that the first receiving groove for receiving the roller slide together with the first rotation axis is opened to one side.

[0015] The above roller grip can be installed so as to be rotatable on a second rotation axis installed orthogonal to the direction in which the cell pouch enters the other side of the grip rotation body.

[0016] The above grip rotation body may be provided so that a second receiving groove for receiving the roller grip together with the second rotation axis is opened to one side.

[0017] The above open member may be formed of a magnetic attachment member that is mounted on a mounting member provided on each side of the grip rotation body so as to face each other, thereby allowing the grip rotation members to be attached to each other by magnetic force.

[0018] The body may further include a pouch detection unit configured to detect a cell pouch, and the pouch detection unit may further include: a lever having a hinge axis at its center hinged to a surface of the body facing the cell pouch; a support protrusion protruding from one side of the lever so that the cell pouch is pressed when gripped by the roller grip; an elastic member providing elastic force between the lever and the body so that the lever returns when the cell pouch is separated from the support protrusion; and a switching module installed in the body so that the lever is pressed by the other side of the lever when the lever is returned by the elastic member, and the cell pouch presses the support protrusion so that the other side of the lever is separated when the lever is rotated.

[0019]

[0020] According to the roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to the present invention, a secondary battery cell pouch can be gripped accurately and stably using a roller, and durability can be improved by reducing mechanical wear that may occur during the gripping process while ensuring smooth gripping operation, and it has the effect of accurately detecting the cell pouch being gripped.

[0021]

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an open state of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing an open state of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded view of a grip rotation body of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the grip rotation body of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view from another direction.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a closed state of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing a closed state of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a closed state in which a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention grips a cell pouch.

[0029]

[0030] Since the present invention may have numerous embodiments through various modifications, specific embodiments will be illustrated and described by way of example in the drawings. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, but encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives encompassed by the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an open state of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing an open state of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded view of a grip rotation body of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an exploded view of a grip rotation body of a roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention from another direction.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a roller gripper (100) for a secondary battery cell pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body (110), an actuator (120), a rod (130), a grip rotation body (140, 150), a roller slide (170), a roller grip (180), and an open member (160).

[0034] The body (110) may be provided with a fixing member (111) to be fixed to a transfer device for transporting a cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7) of a secondary battery by various methods such as bolting, and may be formed of a longitudinal member extending in a vertical direction as in the present embodiment, and may be provided with a rotation axis (112) protruding downward.

[0035] The actuator (120) is installed in the body (110) to reciprocate the rod (130), and may have, for example, a pneumatic actuator structure driven by air pressure. The actuator (120) may include, for example, a pair of ports (121) for injecting and discharging air pressure, a chamber (not shown) provided in the body (110) so that air pressure is supplied to both sides from each of the ports (121), a piston rod (122) installed in the chamber, reciprocating by air pressure, and having a rod (130) fixed at the end thereof, and a spring installed in the chamber so that the piston rod (122) returns. Accordingly, in this way, when the actuator (120) is configured as a pneumatic actuator, for example, the space supplied with air pressure from each port (121) within the chamber is isolated from each other, so that the rod (130) can be reciprocated together with the piston rod (122) that reciprocates within the chamber by selectively supplying air pressure to the port (121), and as another example, the piston rod (122) can be reciprocated together with the rod (130) by the air pressure supplied to the chamber, the air pressure discharged to the outside from the chamber, and the elasticity of the spring.

[0036] The rod (130) is installed to be raised and lowered by the actuator (120), and may be installed to protrude downward, as in the present embodiment, for example. The rod (130) has a cone shape, and a tip portion (131) having a constant diameter at the end thereof is arranged to be positioned between the roller slides (170) even when the grip is released. Therefore, since the rod (130) has a cone shape, when inserted between the roller slides (170), the gap between the roller slides (170) gradually widens, so that the roller grip (180) on the opposite side can have a stable gripping force, and since the tip portion (131) having a constant diameter is positioned between the roller slides (170), when inserted between the roller slides (170), the gap between the roller slides (170) can smoothly widen.

[0037] The grip rotation body (140, 150) is rotatably coupled to a pair of rotation shafts (112) provided in parallel with the rod (130) on the body (110) so that a rod (130) can be inserted between each one side thereof, and a cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7) can be inserted between each other side thereof. The grip rotation body (140, 150) can be rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft (112) by a rotation coupling part (141, 151) provided at the center thereof, and can be installed on the rotation shaft (112) by a member such as a bushing or a bearing to ensure smooth rotation and rotatably fixing between the grip rotation body (140, 150) and the rotation shaft (112).

[0038] The roller slide (170) is installed to support the rotation of the rod (130) inserted into one side of each of the grip rotation bodies (140, 150). Therefore, the roller slide (170) can reduce the resistance caused by friction with the rod (130), thereby ensuring smooth operation and preventing mechanical damage.

[0039] The roller slide (170) can be installed so as to be rotatable on a first rotation axis (142, 152) installed orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the load (130) on one side of the grip rotation body (140, 150) on which the load (130) enters. As a result, the roller slide (170) can stably support the load (130) in rotation.

[0040] The grip rotation body (140, 150) may be provided with a first receiving groove (145, 155) that is open to one side to receive the roller slide (170) together with the first rotation shaft (142, 152). Here, the first receiving groove (145, 155) may allow the roller slide (170) to protrude sufficiently to support the rotation of the rod (130). Due to the structure of the first receiving groove (145, 155), the grip rotation body (140, 150) provides a compact structure, thereby making it advantageous to configure it in multiple arrays.

[0041] The roller grip (180) is rotatably installed on the other side of each of the grip rotation bodies (140, 150), so that when the rod (130) is inserted between the roller slides (170), the gap between the other sides of each of the grip rotation bodies (140, 150) is reduced, thereby gripping the cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7). Accordingly, the cell pouch (10) can minimize damage occurring during the gripping process by reducing frictional resistance due to rotational support when in contact with the roller grip (180). When the roller grip (180) grips the cell pouch (10), for example, it can grip the end (11; shown in FIG. 7) of the cell pouch (10).

[0042] The roller grip (180) can be installed rotatably on a second rotation axis (143, 153) installed orthogonal to the direction in which the cell pouch (10; illustrated in FIG. 7) enters the other side of the grip rotation body (140, 150). Accordingly, the roller grip (180) can be rotated in a direction in which the cell pouch (10) can move smoothly, thereby minimizing damage to the cell pouch (10) and enabling smooth gripping and grip release.

[0043] The grip rotation body (140, 150) may be provided with a second receiving groove (146, 156) that is open to one side to receive the roller grip (180) together with the second rotation shaft (143, 153). Here, the second receiving groove (146, 156) may allow the roller grip (180) to protrude sufficiently for gripping the cell pouch (10). Due to the structure of the second receiving groove (146, 156), the grip rotation body (140, 150) provides a compact structure, thereby making it advantageous to configure it into a plurality of arrays.

[0044] The open member (160) is installed on the grip rotation body (140, 150) so that when the load (130) returns and is partially or completely removed from between the roller slides (170), the roller grips (180) are separated from each other, thereby releasing the grip on the cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7).

[0045] The open member (160) may be formed as a magnetic attachment member that is mounted on the mounting members (144, 154) provided on the sides facing each other, such that the grip rotation bodies (140, 150) are attached to each other by magnetic force, for example, as in the present embodiment. Here, the magnetic attachment member may be formed as a pair of magnets arranged to have an attractive force between them, as in the present embodiment, or may be formed as a magnet and an iron piece that are magnetically attached to each other. Accordingly, when the rod (130) is inserted between the roller slides (170), the magnetic attachment parts are separated from each other due to the limit of the magnetic force, so that the roller slides (170) are separated from each other, thereby reducing the gap between the roller grips (180), thereby allowing them to close, and when the rod (130) moves in the direction of detachment from the roller slide (170), the roller grips (180) are separated from each other by the magnetic force of the magnetic attachment parts, thereby allowing them to open.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a roller gripper (100) for a secondary battery cell pouch may be provided with a pouch detection unit (190) to detect a cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7) in a body (110).

[0047] The pouch detection unit (190) includes a lever (191) whose center is hingedly connected to the hinge axis (193) on the surface facing the cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7) in the body (110), a support projection (192) protruding from one side of the lever (191) so that the cell pouch (10) is pressed when gripped by the roller grip (180), an elastic member (194) that provides elasticity so that the lever (191) returns when the cell pouch (10) is separated from the support projection (192) between the lever (191) and the body (110), and the lever (191) can be pressed by the other side of the lever (191) when the lever (191) returns by the elastic member (194), and the cell pouch (10) presses the support projection (192) so that when the lever (191) is rotated, the other side of the lever (191) It may include a switching module (195) installed in the body (110) so as to be spaced apart. Accordingly, when the cell pouch (10) presses the support protrusion (192) to rotate the lever (191), the elastic member (194) is compressed so that the other side of the lever (191) is spaced apart from the switching module (195) to output a cell pouch detection signal, and when the cell pouch (10) is spaced apart from the support protrusion (192), the lever (191) is rotated in the opposite direction by the elastic force of the elastic member (194), so that the other side of the lever (191) presses the switching module (195) to detect the absence of the cell pouch (10).

[0048] According to the roller gripper (100) for a secondary battery cell pouch having such a configuration, for example, in order to simultaneously load or unload a plurality of cell pouches (10; shown in FIG. 7) of a secondary battery into an inspection device, when the load (130) is partially or completely removed from the roller slide (170) by the operation of the actuator (120), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gap between the roller grips (180) on the opposite side is widened by the magnetic force of the open member (160), thereby making it possible for the cell pouch (10; shown in FIG. 7) to be inserted or removed between the roller grips (180).

[0049] Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the load (130) is inserted between the roller slides (170) by the operation of the actuator (120), the grip rotation body (140, 150) rotates despite the magnetic force of the open member (160), thereby reducing the gap of the roller grip (180), so that the roller grip (180) grips the cell pouch (10), as shown in FIG. 7.

[0050] Meanwhile, when the cell pouch (10) is moved to a desired location, the grip release and gripping operations for the cell pouch (10) can be performed by the above-described operations.

[0051] According to the present invention, a secondary battery cell pouch can be gripped accurately and stably using a roller.

[0052] In addition, according to the present invention, durability can be improved by reducing mechanical wear that may occur during the gripping process while ensuring smooth gripping action, and the cell pouch can be accurately detected.

[0053] While the present invention has been described with reference to the attached drawings, various modifications may be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0054]

[0055] According to the present invention, a secondary battery cell pouch can be gripped accurately and stably using a roller, and durability can be improved by reducing mechanical wear that may occur during the gripping process while ensuring smooth gripping action, and it has the effect of enabling accurate detection of the cell pouch.

Claims

1. Body; An actuator provided in the above body; A load installed to be raised and lowered by the above actuator; A grip rotation body having a pair of rotation axes provided in the body so as to be parallel to the load and rotatably coupled to face each other, positioned so that the load can be inserted between each one side, and so that a cell pouch can be inserted between each other side; Roller slides each installed to rotatably support the load inserted into one side of each of the grip rotation bodies; A roller grip that is rotatably installed on each other side of the grip rotation body so that when the load is inserted between the roller slides, the gap on each other side of the grip rotation body is reduced, thereby gripping the cell pouch; and An open member installed on the grip rotation body so that when the load returns and part or all of the roller slides are removed, the roller grips are separated from each other, thereby releasing the grip on the cell pouch; A secondary battery cell pouch gripper comprising:

2. In claim 1, The above load is, A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, having a cone shape and a tip portion having a constant diameter at the end, such that the tip portion can be positioned between the roller slides even when the grip is released.

3. In claim 1, The above roller slide is, A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, which is installed so as to be rotatable on a first rotational axis that is installed orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the load on one side of the grip rotation body through which the load enters.

4. In claim 3, The above grip rotation body is, A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, each of which is provided with a first receiving groove that is open to one side to receive the roller slide together with the first rotation axis.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The above roller grip, A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, which is installed so as to be rotatable on a second rotation axis installed orthogonal to the direction in which the cell pouch enters on the other side of the grip rotation body.

6. In claim 5, The above grip rotation body is, A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, wherein a second receiving groove for receiving the roller grip together with the second rotation axis is provided to be opened to one side.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The above open member is, A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, comprising a magnetic attachment portion that is mounted so as to face each other on a mounting portion provided on each side of the grip rotation body so as to be attached to each other by magnetic force.

8. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The above body further includes a pouch detection unit configured to detect a cell pouch, The above pouch detection unit is, A lever whose center is hinged to a hinge axis on a surface facing the cell pouch in the body; A supporting projection on one side of the lever so that the cell pouch is pressed when gripped by the roller grip; An elastic member between the lever and the body that provides elasticity to allow the lever to return when the cell pouch is separated from the support protrusion; and A switching module installed in the body so that when the lever is returned by the elastic member, the other side of the lever is pressed, and when the cell pouch presses the support projection to rotate the lever, the other side of the lever is separated; A roller gripper for a secondary battery cell pouch, further comprising:

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