Method and device for separating battery plates

Abstract

For separating battery plates (10) contained in a stack (9), with battery plates (10) that are bonded together being separated from one another by the battery plates (10) being moved horizontally and vertically relative to one another, battery plates (10) are moved horizontally by plates (4) being placed against substantially vertically oriented edges of the battery plates (10) and being pivoted about substantially vertical axes (14), and are moved vertically by a plate that provides support for the battery plates (10) being pivoted about a substantially horizontal axis, the horizontal and vertical relative movements of the battery plates (10) being performed one after the other or at the same time.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATED BATTERY PLATES

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a device having the features of the introductory parts of the independent claims directed to the method and the device.

[0003] Battery plates are used in lead-acid batteries and lead-acid accumulators. The positive and negative battery plates are connected to each other via soldered bars attached to their terminals. The bars connecting the positive and negative battery plates each carry a terminal pin that protrudes from the battery casing.

[0004] Due to the steps involved in manufacturing battery plates and in forming packs from battery plates in upstream processes, battery plates may stick together in packs (stacks) containing battery plates.

[0005] Since the battery plates must be separated for further processing after production, it is necessary to separate the battery plates in the packages so that battery plates can be further processed individually, e.g., pocketed. For example, it is intended that battery plates be fed individually to devices for pocketing battery plates (cf. AT 387 870 B and AT 412 134 B). If battery plates stick together in a package, the battery plates must be separated from one another.

[0006] The separation of battery plates can be carried out manually or in devices designed for this purpose. EP 3 387 694 B1 (WO 2017 / 098240 A1) relates to a method and a device for separating battery plates. In the known method, a package of battery plates is dropped onto an obliquely oriented work surface and the work surface is then pivoted into a horizontal position, the battery plates moving relative to one another upon impact with the work surface and upon pivoting of the work surface. In addition, the battery plates of the package are displaced horizontally relative to one another in order to separate adhering battery plates. The known procedure requires that the battery plates are subsequently aligned by an alignment mechanism because the battery plates are no longer aligned on the work surface after being dropped and moved horizontally.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a method and a device suitable for carrying out the method, in which neither alignment nor an alignment mechanism nor dropping is required.

[0008] This object is achieved by a method having the features of the independent claim directed to the method and by a device having the features of the independent claim directed to the device.

[0009] Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the method on the one hand and of the device on the other hand are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] Since, in the invention, the battery plates of the pack are moved relative to one another when separating plates that are laterally adjacent to them and / or while standing on a base, the battery plates are held in an aligned position by the plates and the base. Therefore, individual battery plates cannot overlap other battery plates in the pack. Therefore, special method steps and devices for aligning the battery plates after separating battery plates from one another are unnecessary in the invention and do not need to be provided for in the invention.

[0011] In the invention, battery plates can be separated from one another exclusively by horizontal movement or exclusively by vertical movement of the battery plates relative to one another.

[0012] Within the scope of the invention, battery plates can be separated from one another by horizontal and vertical movement of the battery plates relative to one another.

[0013] The horizontal movement can be performed before or after the vertical movement of battery plates relative to each other. It is also possible to perform the horizontal and vertical movements of battery plates relative to each other simultaneously.

[0014] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the plates are pivoted about substantially vertical axes, which can have a substantially constant distance from the space in which the package of battery plates is arranged, the technical effect is achieved of a favorable spatial arrangement with simple movements with effective separation of the battery plates.

[0015] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the base is tilted about an axis lying substantially in its center, preferably a horizontal axis, the technical effect of a vertical relative movement of the battery plates effective for separating battery plates results.

[0016] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the plates are pivoted back and forth and / or the floor is tilted back and forth, the technical effect is that only little space is required for the movements of the plates and the floor.

[0017] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the plates are pivoted through equal angles in such a way that they are aligned parallel to one another in every pivoting position when pivoting, the technical effect is a horizontal relative movement effective for all battery plates of the pack, because the pack of battery plates is deformed in a parallelogram-like manner in one direction and then in the other direction when viewed from above.

[0018] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the package for separating the battery plates is introduced into a space which is at least partially delimited by the plates and a wall which forms the floor of the space after pivoting of the space, the technical effect results that the battery plates of the package are securely held and well guided during their relative movements.

[0019] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the package of horizontally aligned battery plates is introduced into the room, the wall of which is aligned vertically, with a horizontal movement and the room is then pivoted by 90 ° in order to align the battery plates introduced into the room vertically and the wall then forming the floor horizontally, the technical effect results that the introduction device for introducing the package into the room can be of simple construction and can operate with a linear movement when introducing a package of battery plates to be separated into the room.

[0020] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the battery plates are moved relative to one another first in the vertical direction and then in the horizontal direction or vice versa, the technical effect results that the forced horizontal relative movements of the battery plates caused by the plates also separate battery plates from one another, which adhere to one another more firmly and no problems arise in separating firmly adhering battery plates during the relative movements in the vertical direction.

[0021] This also applies to the embodiment of the method in which the battery plates are moved horizontally and vertically relative to each other at the same time.

[0022] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the battery plates are moved several times horizontally and / or vertically relative to one another, or vice versa, simultaneously or successively, the technical effect is that the multiple relative movements of the battery plates ensure that the battery plates are reliably separated from one another.

[0023] When battery plates are moved relative to one another in a horizontal direction and / or when battery plates are moved relative to one another in a vertical direction, vibrations can be exerted on the battery plate stack to promote the separation of battery plates from one another.

[0024] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the battery plates are introduced into the space with an orientation in which the tabs of the battery plates point away from the floor, the technical effect is that the tabs of the battery plates do not interfere with the safe and tilt-free reception of the package of battery plates in the space.

[0025] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the space for receiving a package of battery plates is delimited laterally by pivotable plates and between the plates by the wall which forms the tiltable floor after the pivoting of the space, and if an introduction device is provided for introducing a package of battery plates into the space, the technical effect results that even without additional equipment for aligning battery plates separated from one another, an aligned package without battery plates projecting laterally is present after the separation process.

[0026] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the plates are pivotably mounted about axes which are preferably at a substantially constant distance from the region of the vertical edges of the space in which the plates are located, the technical effect of a spatially favorable arrangement with effective horizontal relative movement of the battery plates in the package is achieved.

[0027] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the wall forming the base is mounted so as to be tiltable about an axis lying substantially in its center, the technical effect is achieved that, even with a low overall height of the device, sufficient vertical relative movements are possible for the effective separation of battery plates.

[0028] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that drives for pivoting are assigned to the plates, the technical effect results that an automated operation of the device is possible.

[0029] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a drive for tilting is assigned to the wall forming the floor, the technical effect is that an automated operation of the device is possible.

[0030] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the space is pivotally held from a standby position, in which the wall is aligned substantially vertically, into an operating position, in which the wall is aligned substantially horizontally, the technical effect is achieved that the package with battery plates to be separated can be inserted in a simple horizontal linear movement and thus a simple construction of the loading device is possible.

[0031] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the insertion device is designed to insert a package of battery plates into the room, the wall of which is aligned substantially vertically in the standby position of the room, the technical effect results that the wall limits the path of the insertion device even without separate end stops and at the same time ensures the correct position of the package of battery plates in the room.

[0032] If, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drives for pivoting the plates and the drive for tilting the wall forming the floor can be activated after the introduction of a package of battery plates and when the space is pivoted into the operating position, the technical effect is achieved that it is ensured that the plates and the wall forming the floor are only moved to effect the horizontal and vertical relative movements between battery plates of the package after a package with battery plates to be separated has been correctly positioned in the space.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the method and device according to the invention can be described as follows:

[0034] The device proposed for carrying out the method according to the invention is a device for separating battery plates that adhere to one another due to upstream steps in the manufacturing process when producing battery plates combined into packs. For example, the device comprises a space that can be tilted about a horizontal axis and is bounded laterally by two plates, to the rear by a wall, and to the bottom by a support strip.

[0035] A package of battery plates is inserted into the chamber in a horizontal movement with the aid of an insertion device, with the tabs of the battery plates pointing backwards with respect to the direction of insertion.

[0036] It is possible to provide a protective plate on the top and bottom of the battery plate package.

[0037] As soon as the package of battery plates has been inserted, a hold-down stamp can be lowered onto the package of battery plates from above.

[0038] The next step is to pivot the battery plate pack, and in particular the space in which the battery plate pack is accommodated, through 90° so that the tabs of the battery plates now point upwards (or downwards). After pivoting the battery plate pack, the side plates are placed on the right and left of the battery plate pack, on the now - for example - vertical edges of the battery plates, and the hold-down device lowered from above onto the battery plate pack is released from the battery plate pack, i.e. moved away transversely to the insertion direction, for example by around 5 mm.

[0039] In the next step, the plates placed laterally on the pack of battery plates are pivoted parallel to one another about vertical axes, wherein the axes of the pack of battery plates have, for example, an at least approximately constant distance, so that the pack of battery plates as a whole is moved back and forth and, at the same time, horizontal relative movements occur between the individual battery plates of the pack of battery plates as a result of the parallelogram-like deformation of the pack of battery plates. During the relative movements, vibrations can be introduced into the pack of battery plates, for example via the plates, in order to assist in separating the battery plates from one another. After these movements, the plates placed laterally return to their starting position in which they rest against the lateral edges of the battery plates and are aligned essentially perpendicular to the battery plates.

[0040] After the room has been pivoted, the wall which originally formed the rear wall of the room, i.e. before the room was pivoted, now forms the floor on which the battery plates stand with their edges opposite the flags. The wall which now forms the floor is pivoted in both directions about an at least essentially horizontal axis which is arranged below the wall and approximately in the middle of the package of battery plates, so that the battery plates are moved relative to one another with vertical movements. The hold-down die does not rest on the package of battery plates, while the battery plates are moved by pivoting the wall which now forms the floor. Vibrations can also be introduced into the package of battery plates during these movements of the battery plates relative to one another.

[0041] As a next step, the hold-down die can be repositioned against the battery plate stack, holding the stack between the support bar and the hold-down die. The chamber is then pivoted 90° back to its original position.

[0042] After the side plates have been detached from the package of battery plates and the hold-down die has been lifted off, the package of battery plates is brought out of the room again with the battery plates now separated from each other.

[0043] The advantage is that when the battery plates are moved relative to each other, the side plates are positioned laterally on the battery plates both while they are pivoted back and forth (horizontal movements of the battery plates) and when the wall of the room that now forms the floor is pivoted (vertical movements of the battery plates), so that after the battery plates have been separated from each other, it is no longer necessary to align the battery plates.

[0044] If the battery plates or the terminal battery plates are moved relative to one another in the device during separation of the plates from one another (once horizontally and once vertically), protective plates can be provided at both ends of the battery plate stack to protect the terminal battery plates. The battery plate stack rests against the support bar and the hold-down die via the optionally provided protective plates. Further details, features, and advantages of the method and device according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which refers to the attached drawings. It shows:

[0045] Fig. 1a to 1d show the device in its initial position in different views,

[0046] Fig. 2a to 2d the device with inserted package of battery plates in different views,

[0047] Fig. 3a to 3d show the device from Fig. 2a to 2d without the insertion device in different views,

[0048] Fig. 4a to 4d the device with plates pivoted to one side to carry out horizontal relative movements in different

[0049] views,

[0050] Fig . 5a to 5e the device with the wall forming the floor pivoted to carry out vertical relative movements in different views and Fig . 5e this in section and

[0051] Fig . 6a to 6d the device with pivoted plates and pivoted wall in different views for simultaneous execution of horizontal and vertical relative movements .

[0052] The device 1 according to the invention comprises a structural unit 3 in a frame 2 which can be pivoted by 90 ° about a horizontal axis with the frame 2.

[0053] The structural unit 3 comprises two lateral plates 4 , a plate which forms a vertically aligned wall 5 in the basic position, a support bar 6 which is aligned horizontally in the basic position ( Fig . la ) and a hold-down stamp 7 which is arranged above the support bar 6 in the basic position of the structural unit 3 .

[0054] The wall 5 , the side plates 4 and the hold-down stamp

[0055] 7 and the support bar 6 define a space 8 into which a package 9 of battery plates 10 can be introduced with the aid of an introduction device 11 with a linear and horizontal movement (arrow 12).

[0056] For this purpose, the insertion device 11 can be pushed forward into the space 8 from the side opposite the wall 5, so that a package 9 of battery plates 10 with, for example, flags 13 of the battery plates 10 pointing away from the wall 5 can be pushed into the space

[0057] 8 can be inserted (inserted).

[0058] The chamber 8 and the package 9 of battery plates 10 accommodated therein are pivoted by 90° (horizontal axis) into the position shown in Figs. 2a to 2d, so that the battery plates 10 stand on the wall 5, which now forms the floor of the chamber 8, and are aligned essentially vertically with the lugs 13 pointing upwards. In principle, the battery plates 10 in the chamber 8 can also be aligned with the lugs 13 pointing downwards, sideways, or backwards (towards the wall 5).

[0059] When the chamber 8 with the package 9 of battery plates 10 contained therein is pivoted, the hold-down die 7 is advanced onto the package 9 of battery plates 10. The hold-down die 7 then rests against the initially uppermost battery plate 10, so that the package 9 of battery plates 10 can be pivoted smoothly together with the chamber 8.

[0060] The plates 4 arranged laterally next to the vertical edges of the battery plates 10 after the pivoting of the space 8 are pivotable about axes 14 which are spaced from the space 8 and are arranged approximately in the planes of the package 9 defined by the lateral edges of the battery plates 10.

[0061] The lateral plates 4 are assigned drives (not shown) with which the plates 4 - starting from the basic position (Fig. 3a to 3d) - can be pivoted back and forth parallel to one another about the axes 14 (Fig. 4a to 4d).

[0062] While the plates 4 are pivoted in order to move the battery plates 10 contained in the package 9 relative to one another in the horizontal direction, the hold-down punch 7 is lifted from the package 9 of battery plates 10, for example by approximately 5 mm, so that the relative movement of the battery plates 10 to one another is not hindered by the hold-down punch 7.

[0063] It should also be noted that a protective plate can be placed on each of the bottom battery plate 10 and the top battery plate 10 during insertion to protect them. In this case, the package 9 of battery plates 10 rests on the support bar 6 via the protective plate during insertion, and the hold-down die 7 acts on the package 9 of battery plates 10 via the upper protective plate.

[0064] A drive 15 is assigned to the wall 5, which forms the floor of the room 8 after the room 8 has been pivoted through 90°, so that it can be pivoted about a horizontal axis which lies essentially in the middle of the wall 5 forming the floor, but below the wall 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive 15 comprises two lifting members 16 which are pivotally coupled to the wall 5. The lifting members 16 are alternately raised / lowered to pivot the wall 5 (Figs. 5c and 5e). The back and forth pivoting of the wall 5 forming the base, on which the battery plates 10 stand, carried out when the hold-down stamp 7 is lifted, causes the battery plates 10 to be moved upwards and downwards (vertically) relative to one another, whereby battery plates 10 adhering to one another are released from one another, thus causing the battery plates 10 to be separated from one another.

[0065] The device 1 can be operated as follows:

[0066] A package 9 of battery plates 10 is introduced into the space 8 in an introduction direction (arrow 12) with the aid of an introduction device 11, the flags 13 of the battery plates 10 pointing rearward with respect to the introduction direction (Fig. 1a to 2d).

[0067] As soon as the package 9 is pushed into the space 8 , the hold-down punch 7 is lowered onto the package 9 from above.

[0068] In the next step, the chamber 8 with the package 9 accommodated in it is pivoted by 90 ° with the hold-down stamp 7 resting on the package 9, so that the flags 13 of the battery plates 10 now point upwards (Fig. 2a to 2d).

[0069] After the pivoting of the package 9 of battery plates 10 has been carried out, the lateral plates 4 are placed from the right and left against the now vertical edges of the battery plates 10 and the hold-down punch 7 placed against the package 9 is released from the package 9, i.e. moved away by approximately 5 mm, for example.

[0070] In the next step, the plates 4 placed laterally against the battery plates 10 - starting from the position according to Fig. 3a to 3d - are pivoted parallel to one another about the vertical axes 14, which are spaced from the package 9 (Fig. 4a to 4d), so that the package 9 as a whole is displaced back and forth and at the same time horizontal relative movements occur between the individual battery plates 10 of the package 9. After these movements, the laterally placed plates 4 return to their starting position (Fig. 3c to 3d), in which they rest laterally against the vertical edges of the battery plates 10 and are aligned essentially perpendicular to the planes of the battery plates 10.

[0071] After pivoting the chamber 8 from the position shown in Fig. 2a to 2d into the position shown in Fig. 3c to 3d, the plate originally forming the wall 5 of the chamber 8, i.e. before pivoting the chamber 8, now forms the floor of the chamber 8, on which the battery plates 10 stand with their lower edges opposite the flags 13 (Fig. 3c). The wall 5 now forming the floor is pivoted in both directions ("back and forth") about a horizontal axis which is aligned below the wall 5 substantially parallel to the planes of the battery plates 10 and in particular is arranged approximately in the middle of the package 9 of battery plates 10 with the aid of the drive 15 comprising the lifting members 16 (Fig. 5c and 5e). Thus, the battery plates 10 are moved relative to each other with vertical movements.In this case, the hold-down stamp 7 is released from the battery plates 10 and does not rest on the battery plates 10, while the battery plates 10 are moved relative to one another by pivoting the wall 5 which now forms the base.

[0072] In the next step, the hold-down die 7 is placed back against the package 9 so that it is held between the support bar 6 and the hold-down die 7. Then, the chamber 8 is pivoted back by 90° into its initial position (Fig. 2a to 2d).

[0073] After the lateral plates 4 have been detached from the package 9 of battery plates 10 and the hold-down die 7 has been lifted off, the package 9, with the battery plates 10 now separated from one another, is brought out of the space 8 again. When the battery plates 10 are moved relative to one another - both while they are being shifted back and forth by the plates 4 (horizontal movements of the battery plates 10) and when the wall 5 forming the floor of the space 8 is pivoted (vertical movements of the battery plates 10) - the lateral plates 4 are placed on the vertical edges of the battery plates 10 (laterally), so that after the battery plates 10 have been separated from one another, no alignment of the battery plates 10 is required.

[0074] As shown in Figs. 6a to 6d, in the invention, a horizontal relative movement (by pivoting the side plates 4) and a vertical relative movement (pivoting the wall 5) can be carried out simultaneously to separate battery plates 10 from one another.

[0075] While the battery plates 10 are moved relative to one another in a vertical direction and / or while the battery plates 10 are moved relative to one another in a horizontal direction, the battery plates can be subjected to vibrations. The vibrations can be generated by vibration generators that act on the battery plates 10 directly and / or via the plates 4 and / or the wall 5.

[0076] In summary, an embodiment of the invention can be described as follows:

[0077] In order to separate battery plates 10 contained in a package 9, adhering battery plates 10 are separated from one another by horizontally and vertically moving the battery plates 10 relative to one another, battery plates 10 are moved horizontally by placing plates 4 on substantially vertically aligned edges of the battery plates 10 and pivoting them about substantially vertical axes 14, and moved vertically by pivoting a plate on which the battery plates 10 stand about a substantially horizontal axis, the horizontal and vertical relative movements of the battery plates 10 being carried out successively or simultaneously.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for separating battery plates (10) contained in a package (9), wherein adhering battery plates (10) are separated from one another by horizontally and / or vertically moving the battery plates (10) relative to one another, characterized in that battery plates (10) are moved horizontally by plates (4) and pivoted about substantially vertical axes (14) and / or that the battery plates (10) are moved vertically by pivoting a plate on which the battery plates (10) stand about a substantially horizontal axis.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the package (9) for separating the battery plates (10) from each other is introduced into a space (8) which is at least partially surrounded by the plates (4) and which has a wall (5) of the plate forming the space (8).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the plates (4) are pivoted about substantially vertical axes (14) which are spaced from the space (8) in which the package (9) of battery plates (10) is arranged.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wall (5) forming the base is pivoted about a horizontal axis aligned parallel to the planes of the battery plates (10) and preferably located in their center.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the plates (4) are pivoted back and forth and / or the wall (5) forming the floor is pivoted back and forth.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plates (4) are pivoted through equal angles such that they are aligned parallel to one another in each pivoting position.

7. Method according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the package (9) with horizontally aligned battery plates (10) is introduced with a horizontal movement into the space (8) whose wall (5) is vertically aligned, and that the space (8) is then pivoted by 90° in order to align the battery plates (10) introduced into the space (8) vertically and the wall (5) horizontally.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that battery plates (10) are moved relative to one another first, preferably several times, in the vertical direction and then, preferably several times, in the horizontal direction or vice versa.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the battery plates 10 are preferably moved horizontally and / or vertically relative to one another several times simultaneously.

10. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the battery plates (10) are introduced into the space (8) with an orientation in which the tabs (13) of the battery plates (10) point away from the wall (5).

11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the package (9) of battery plates (10) is loaded by a hold-down die (7) at least during the pivoting of the space (8).

12. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a space (8) for receiving a package (9) of battery plates (10), the space (8) being delimited laterally by pivotable plates (4) and by a tiltable wall (5), and by an introduction device (11) for introducing a package (9) of battery plates (10) into the space (8).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the plates (4) are pivotally mounted about axes (14) which are arranged at a distance from the space (8) in which the package (9) is to be received.

14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the wall (5) forming a floor when the space (8) is pivoted is mounted so as to be tiltable about an axis which is aligned parallel to the planes of the battery plates (10) and preferably lies in their center and which is preferably aligned horizontally.

15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the plates (4) are assigned drives for pivoting.

16. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the wall (5) is assigned a drive (15) for pivoting.

17. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the space (8) consists of a Standby position, in which the wall (5) is substantially vertically aligned, into an operating position in which the wall (5) now forming the floor of the room (8) is substantially horizontally aligned, is pivotally held.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the insertion device (11) for inserting a package (9) from battery plates (10) in the room (8) whose wall (5) is substantially vertically aligned in the standby position of the room (8).

19. Device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the drives for pivoting the plates (4) and the drive (15) for tilting the wall (5) after the introduction of a package (9) of battery plates (10) and can be activated when the chamber (8) is swivelled into the operating position.

20. Device according to one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that a hold-down stamp (7) is provided in the region of the space (8) which is at the top when a package (9) of battery plates (10) is inserted.

21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that a support strip (6) is provided on the side of the space (8) opposite the hold-down stamp (7).

22. Device according to one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that vibration generators, which are preferably assigned to the wall (5) and / or the plates (4), are provided for subjecting the battery plates (10) to vibrations.

Images