Material storage apparatus, battery assembly system and control method, and battery production system

Abstract

The present application relates to a material storage apparatus, a battery assembly system and control method, and a battery production system. A first sensing component is provided on a material bin, wherein the first sensing component is used for determining whether an assembly apparatus enters a material pick-up port; when the material storage apparatus does not receive a material pick-up instruction, the first sensing component is in a working state, and monitors in real time whether the assembly apparatus enters the material pick-up port, and if it is detected that the assembly apparatus enters the material pick-up port, the first sensing component feeds back a corresponding signal to a control module, such that the control module controls the assembly apparatus to stop acting, so as to limit the assembly apparatus from mistakenly entering a containing cavity, and in this case, a feeding operation can be carried out at a feeding port, that is, materials can enter the containing cavity via the feeding port so as to be accommodated, and thus safe feeding is realized; and when the material storage apparatus has received the material pick-up instruction, the first sensing component is in a stop-working state, and in this case, the assembly apparatus can smoothly enter the containing cavity via the material pick-up port to pick up materials. By means of such design, it is not necessary to individually configure spaces on a one-to-one basis, and thus space occupation is reduced, thereby increasing the space utilization rate and reducing the assembly cost.

Description

Storage device, battery assembly system and control method, and battery production system

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202410179109X, filed on February 18, 2024, entitled “Storage device, battery assembly system and control method and battery production system”, the entire text of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a storage device, a battery assembly system and control method, and a battery production system. Background Art

[0004] With the development of automation technology, battery assembly is gradually being automated. However, due to the structural design of the storage device, automated operations require separate spaces for loading and unloading materials, resulting in large space usage and high costs.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a material storage device, a battery assembly system and control method, and a battery production system to reduce space occupancy and lower assembly costs.

[0007] In the first aspect, the present application provides a storage device, which includes: a silo having a accommodating cavity, and provided with a loading port and a discharging port connected to the accommodating cavity, the loading port being used for allowing materials to pass through and be accommodated in the accommodating cavity; a first sensing component being provided on the silo, for detecting an assembly device entering the discharging port, and the first sensing component being configured to stop working when the storage device receives a discharging instruction; a control module being electrically connected to the first sensing component, and the control module controlling the assembly device to stop entering the accommodating cavity according to a signal fed back by the first sensing component.

[0008] The above-mentioned storage device is provided with a first sensing component on the silo, and the first sensing component is used to determine whether the assembly device has entered the material extraction port. When the storage device does not receive a material extraction instruction, the first sensing component is in an operating state, monitoring in real time whether the assembly device has entered the material extraction port; if detected, a corresponding signal is fed back to the control module, and the control module controls the assembly device to stop moving, so as to prevent the assembly device from accidentally entering the accommodating chamber. At this time, the loading operation can be carried out at the loading port, that is, the material can enter the accommodating chamber through the loading port for storage, thus achieving safe loading. When the storage device receives a material extraction instruction, the first sensing component is in a stopped working state, and the assembly device can smoothly enter the accommodating chamber through the material extraction port for extraction. With this design, the first sensing component can be used to form a safety protection structure for extraction at the silo's material extraction port, so that both loading and extraction can be completed smoothly in the same silo, without the need for one-to-one separate configuration space, reducing space occupancy, improving space utilization, and reducing assembly costs.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first sensing component includes a first transmitter and a first receiver, each located on opposing inner walls of the material dispensing opening. A signal path between the first transmitter and the first receiver is used to detect the assembly device. This design, with the first transmitter and the first receiver, increases the distribution range of the signal path and improves detection accuracy.

[0010] In some embodiments, the hopper further includes a second sensing component mounted on the hopper. This second sensing component is used to detect objects entering the loading port, and is configured to cease operation upon receiving a loading instruction. This design, incorporating a second sensing component at the loading port, creates a protective structure, reducing the risk of operational accidents caused by objects entering the hopper due to misoperation, thereby enhancing the safety of the assembly process.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second sensing component includes a second transmitter and a second receiver, each disposed on opposing inner walls of the loading port. A signal path between the second transmitter and the second receiver is used to sense objects entering the loading port. This design, with the inclusion of the second transmitter and the second receiver, increases the range of the signal path and improves detection accuracy.

[0012] In some embodiments, the storage device further includes a transport mechanism, which is used to enter and exit the loading port and transport the material through the loading port into the accommodating cavity. Such a design facilitates loading through the transport mechanism, which is conducive to improving assembly efficiency.

[0013] In some embodiments, the storage device further includes a guide member for guiding the transport mechanism in and out. This design and the introduction of the guide member make the transport mechanism enter and exit the silo more smoothly, reducing the difficulty of manual operation.

[0014] In some embodiments, a guide member is rotatably mounted on one of the inner wall of the silo and the transport mechanism, and is configured to roll against the other. This design, by designing the guide member as a rotatable structure, allows the transport mechanism and the silo to guide the material in a rolling manner, reducing friction during the loading process and further improving the convenience of loading.

[0015] In some embodiments, guides are provided on opposite sides of the loading port, with the spacing D between the two guides gradually increasing from the end of the guide closest to the receiving cavity to the end of the guide further away from the receiving cavity. This design allows the transport mechanism to be quickly pushed into the loading port, reducing the difficulty of manual operation and improving loading efficiency.

[0016] In some embodiments, the storage device further includes a positioning assembly, which is disposed within the hopper and is used to position the transport mechanism at the loading station. This design, through the positioning assembly, allows the transport mechanism to be stably positioned at the loading station, thereby enabling the assembly device to accurately retrieve materials, thereby improving assembly accuracy.

[0017] In some embodiments, the storage device further includes a material level detector for detecting material at a predetermined position within the silo. This design allows for timely monitoring of material information within the silo, reducing the likelihood of assembly halts due to material shortages and ensuring stable and continuous assembly operations.

[0018] In some embodiments, the hopper also includes a skew detector for detecting the degree to which the material within the hopper is skewed relative to the horizontal. This design, combined with the skew detector, provides timely information about the material's state, facilitating corrective action, enabling the assembly device to stably pick up materials and improving assembly reliability.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery assembly system, which includes: a workbench; a material storage device such as any of the above; and an assembly device for transferring materials in a silo to the workbench and performing assembly operations on the materials on the workbench.

[0020] The above-mentioned battery assembly system adopts the above-mentioned storage device, and a first sensing component is set on the silo, and the first sensing component is used to determine whether the assembly device enters the material extraction port. When the storage device does not receive the material extraction instruction, the first sensing component is in a working state, and monitors in real time whether the assembly device enters the material extraction port to prevent the assembly device from accidentally entering the accommodating cavity. At this time, the loading operation can be carried out at the loading port, that is, the material can enter the accommodating cavity through the loading port for storage, thus achieving safe loading. When the storage device receives the material extraction instruction, the first sensing component is in a stopped working state, and the assembly device can smoothly enter the accommodating cavity through the material extraction port for material extraction. With such a design, the first sensing component can be used to form a safety protection structure for material extraction at the material extraction port of the silo, so that both loading and extraction can be completed smoothly in the same silo, without the need for one-to-one separate configuration of space, reducing space occupancy, improving space utilization, and reducing assembly costs.

[0021] In some embodiments, the assembly device includes an operating mechanism, a material retrieving mechanism, and a tightening mechanism. The operating mechanism can be selectively assembled with the material retrieving mechanism and the tightening mechanism. The operating mechanism transfers the material from the retrieving port to the workbench via the material retrieving mechanism, and the operating mechanism tightens the material on the workbench via the tightening mechanism. This design utilizes the operating mechanism to switch between the material retrieving mechanism and the tightening mechanism to complete the material retrieving and tightening operations, effectively completing the assembly work while also reducing equipment investment, costs, and space usage.

[0022] In some embodiments, the material picking mechanism includes a first bracket and a pickup assembly mounted on the first bracket. The first bracket and the operating mechanism are detachably assembled, and the pickup assembly is used to pick up or release the material. This design, incorporating the first bracket and the pickup assembly, allows the pickup assembly to be stably fixed, facilitating stable material picking.

[0023] In some embodiments, the retrieving mechanism further includes a distance measuring assembly mounted on the first bracket. The distance measuring assembly is configured to measure the distance between the picking assembly and the material to be picked up within the hopper. This design allows the distance measuring assembly to accurately control the downward movement of the picking assembly, thereby achieving precise material retrieval.

[0024] In some embodiments, the retrieving mechanism further includes a first actuator mounted on the first bracket, and a bottom support member connected to the first actuator. The first actuator is configured to drive the bottom support member toward or away from the material, and the bottom support member is configured to support the material. With this design, during the retrieving process, the first actuator drives the bottom support member, ensuring stable support for the material and reducing the risk of the material falling during the retrieving process.

[0025] In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism includes a second bracket and a tightening assembly mounted on the second bracket. The second bracket and the operating mechanism are detachably assembled, and the tightening assembly is used to rotationally tighten the fastener on the material. This design, incorporating the second bracket and the tightening assembly, stabilizes the tightening assembly, facilitating a stable tightening operation.

[0026] In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism further includes a second driver, which is mounted on the second bracket and configured to drive the tightening assembly to move on the second bracket. This design allows the tightening assembly to be precisely positioned at the desired tightening position during the tightening operation, thereby improving assembly accuracy.

[0027] In some embodiments, the tightening mechanism further includes a camera mounted on the second bracket for capturing the position of the fastener on the material. This design, combined with the camera, allows for precise location of the tightening position, further improving assembly accuracy.

[0028] In some embodiments, the battery assembly system further includes a first fixture frame and a first presence detector disposed on the first fixture frame. The first fixture frame is used to support the retrieving mechanism, and the first presence detector is used to detect whether the retrieving mechanism is on the first fixture frame. This design, with the introduction of the first fixture frame, ensures stable storage of the retrieving mechanism. Furthermore, the introduction of the first presence detector accurately determines the presence of the retrieving mechanism on the first fixture frame, facilitating the operator's decision to continue assembly with the retrieving mechanism.

[0029] In some embodiments, the battery assembly system further includes a second fixture frame and a second in-position detector disposed on the second fixture frame. The second fixture frame is used to support the tightening mechanism, and the second in-position detector is used to detect whether the tightening mechanism is on the second fixture frame. This design, with the introduction of the second fixture frame, allows for stable storage of the tightening mechanism. Furthermore, the introduction of the second in-position detector accurately determines the presence of the tightening mechanism on the second fixture frame, facilitating the operator's decision as to whether to continue assembly with the tightening mechanism.

[0030] On the third aspect, the present application provides a battery assembly control method, which is applied to any of the above battery assembly systems. The battery assembly control method includes the following steps: controlling the first sensing component to stop working; controlling the assembly device to transfer the material in the hopper from the material taking port to the workbench; controlling the first sensing component to resume working state; and controlling the assembly device to perform assembly operations on the material on the workbench.

[0031] In the aforementioned battery assembly control method, during the assembly process, the first sensing component is controlled to be inactive, allowing the assembly device to smoothly enter the silo through the material extraction port to complete the material extraction operation. After the material extraction is completed, the first sensing component is controlled to be in an active state to prevent the assembly device from accidentally entering the silo; at the same time, the assembly device is controlled to perform assembly operations on the materials on the workbench. This design, utilizing the first sensing component, can form a safety control structure for material extraction at the silo's material extraction port, allowing both loading and extraction to be completed smoothly within the same silo, eliminating the need for separate, one-to-one allocation of space. This reduces space occupancy, improves space utilization, and lowers assembly costs.

[0032] In some embodiments, before controlling the first sensing component to be inactive, the process further includes: determining whether the material retrieving mechanism of the assembly device is on the first fixture; if so, controlling the operating mechanism of the assembly device to assemble with the material retrieving mechanism; and controlling the operating mechanism to move the material retrieving mechanism above the material retrieving opening. This design ensures an orderly and stable material retrieving process, thereby ensuring stable material assembly.

[0033] In some embodiments, the step of controlling the assembly device to assemble the material on the workbench includes: controlling the assembly device's operating mechanism to disengage from the assembly device's material-retrieving mechanism; determining whether the assembly device's tightening mechanism is on the second fixture; and if so, controlling the operating mechanism to assemble with the tightening mechanism and perform the tightening operation on the material on the workbench. This design ensures an orderly and stable tightening process, thereby ensuring stable assembly of the material.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a battery production system, which includes any of the above battery assembly systems.

[0035] The battery production system described above utilizes the aforementioned storage device and a first sensing component installed on the silo. This component detects whether the assembly device has entered the material extraction port. When the storage device does not receive a material extraction command, the first sensing component remains operational, monitoring the assembly device's entry into the extraction port in real time. If detected, a corresponding signal is fed back to the control module, which in turn stops the assembly device to prevent it from accidentally entering the storage chamber. During this time, loading can proceed at the loading port, allowing material to enter the storage chamber through the loading port for safe loading. When the storage device receives a material extraction command, the first sensing component ceases operation, allowing the assembly device to enter the storage chamber through the extraction port for safe loading. This design utilizes the first sensing component to create a safety shield for material extraction at the silo's extraction port, enabling both loading and extraction to be performed smoothly within the same silo, eliminating the need for dedicated dedicated spaces. This reduces space usage, improves space utilization, and lowers assembly costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the drawings without creative work.

[0037] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a material storage device described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0038] FIG2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the storage device described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0039] FIG3 is another perspective view of the internal structure of the storage device described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0040] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery assembly system described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0041] FIG5 is a perspective view of the structure of the material taking mechanism and the first tooling frame in some embodiments of the present application.

[0042] FIG6 is a diagram from another perspective of the structure of the material taking mechanism and the first tooling frame as described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0043] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of the cooperation between the tightening mechanism and the second tooling frame described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0044] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the material taking control logic described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0045] FIG9 is a flow chart 1 of a battery assembly control method according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0046] FIG10 is a second flow chart of the battery assembly control method described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0047] FIG11 is a flow chart 3 of the battery assembly control method described in some embodiments of the present application.

[0048] 100. Storage device; 10. Silo; 11. Loading port; 12. Removal port; 13. Accommodation chamber; 14. Guide member; 15. Guide member; 16. Deflection detector; 17. Level detector; 20. First sensing component; 21. First transmitting end; 22. First receiving end; 30. Second sensing component; 31. Second transmitting end; 32. Second receiving end; 40. Positioning component; 50. Transport mechanism; 51. Support platform; 52. Roller; 200. Workbench; 300 , assembly device; 310, operating mechanism; 320, material picking mechanism; 321, first bracket; 322, picking component; 323, bottom cover; 324, first drive; 325, ranging component; 330, tightening mechanism; 331, second bracket; 332, tightening component; 333, second drive; 334, shooting equipment; 400, first tooling rack; 410, first in-situ detector; 500, second tooling rack; 510, second in-situ detector; 600, material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the specific embodiments of the present application 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 application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0050] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and does 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 cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0051] In addition, if the terms "first" or "second" appear, these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of this application, if the term "plurality" appears, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0052] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, removable connections, or integration; mechanical connections, electrical connections; direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediary, and internal connections between two components or interactions between two components, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0053] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, if a first feature is described as being "above" or "below" a second feature, or similar descriptions, this may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is described as being "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is described as being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0054] It should be noted that if 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. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. If any, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiment.

[0055] Currently, market developments indicate that power batteries are becoming increasingly widely used. They are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal, wind, and solar power plants, but are also widely used in electric vehicles like electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as in military equipment and aerospace. As power battery applications continue to expand, market demand is also growing.

[0056] With the development of automation technology, the assembly of batteries has gradually adopted automated operations. The structure of a battery generally includes a cover, a base plate, and a battery cell accommodated between the cover and the base plate. During automatic assembly, the cover needs to be taken out of the storage device and placed on the base plate for assembly operations. However, in traditional storage devices, in order to achieve smooth loading and unloading of materials and reduce conflicts between the two operations, a one-to-one approach is required to set up two separate spaces, one for loading operations and one for unloading operations; at the same time, conveying equipment such as ground rails can be used between the two spaces to transport the cover. However, this one-to-one configuration of separate spaces will result in a large device footprint and high assembly operation costs.

[0057] To address the issues of large space requirements and high costs associated with conventional storage devices, this application proposes a storage device that incorporates a first sensing component mounted on the silo to detect whether an assembly device has entered the material extraction port. When the storage device does not receive a material extraction command, the first sensing component operates, monitoring the assembly device in real time. If detected, it sends a corresponding signal to a control module, which in turn stops the assembly device to prevent it from entering the storage chamber. During this time, loading can proceed through the loading port, allowing material to enter the storage chamber for safe loading. When the storage device receives a material extraction command, the first sensing component ceases operation, allowing the assembly device to enter the storage chamber through the loading port for safe loading. This design utilizes the first sensing component to create a safety shield for material extraction at the silo's material extraction port. This allows both loading and extraction to occur smoothly within the same silo, eliminating the need for separate dedicated spaces. This reduces space usage, improves space utilization, and lowers assembly costs.

[0058] The material storage device proposed in the present application can be applied not only to the assembly process of the cover, but also to the assembly of other components, such as the assembly of the battery bottom plate, the assembly of the battery cell, etc.

[0059] According to some embodiments of the present application, please refer to FIG1 , the present application provides a storage device 100, the storage device 100 includes: a silo 10, a first sensing component 20 and a control module. The silo 10 has a accommodating chamber 13, and is provided with a loading port 11 and a discharging port 12 connected to the accommodating chamber 13. The loading port 11 is used for allowing the material 600 to pass through and be accommodated in the accommodating chamber 13. The first sensing component 20 is provided on the silo 10, and is used to detect the assembly device 300 entering the discharging port 12, and the first sensing component 20 is configured to be in a stop working state when the storage device 100 receives a discharging instruction. The control module is electrically connected to the first sensing component 20, and the control module controls the assembly device 300 to stop entering the accommodating chamber 13 according to the signal fed back by the first sensing component 20.

[0060] The silo 10 is a structure that allows material 600 to be stored within it through a loading port 11 and allows the assembly device 300 to remove material 600 through a material removal port 12. Its shape can be variously designed, for example, it can be designed as a fenced area or a box structure with a loading port 11 and a material removal port 12. The material 600 is not limited to battery components, such as battery covers, but can also be other components to be processed.

[0061] As for the distribution of the loading port 11 and the discharging port 12 on the silo 10 , the two can be respectively located on different sides of the silo 10 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the loading port 11 can be set at the front of the silo 10 , and the discharging port 12 can be set at the top of the silo 10 .

[0062] The first sensing component 20 refers to a device that can detect the assembly device 300 at the material taking port 12. When the first sensing component 20 detects the assembly device 300 in the material taking port 12, it can restrict the assembly device 300 from continuing to move into the accommodating chamber 13. For example, the first sensing component 20 is electrically connected to the control module. When the first sensing component 20 detects the assembly device 300, it sends a signal to the control module. The control module controls the assembly device 300 to stop moving according to the signal, or disconnects the power supply of the assembly device 300 to stop entering the accommodating chamber 13. Of course, after stopping entering the accommodating chamber 13, the assembly device 300 can continue to be controlled to move away from the material taking port 12. The assembly device 300 refers to a device that can take out the material 600 and perform assembly operations on it.

[0063] To further improve safety, warning devices such as indicator lights and alarms may be provided. When the first sensing component 20 detects the assembly device 300 at the material taking port 12 , the warning device will emit light or sound an alarm.

[0064] The first sensing component 20 can be selected from a variety of options, for example, the first sensing component 20 can be but not limited to a photosensor, a grating, a pressure sensor, etc. Meanwhile, the control module can also be but not limited to an industrial computer, a single chip microcomputer, an electronic control unit, etc.

[0065] Furthermore, when the first sensing component 20 is in operation, it can detect the assembly device 300 in the reclaiming port 12. When it is in a stopped state, it cannot detect the assembly device 300 in the reclaiming port 12. At this time, the reclaiming port 12 is open, and the assembly device 300 can freely enter and exit the reclaiming port 12. The operating state of the first sensing component 20 can be switched according to different scenarios. For example, if the storage device 100 does not receive a material reclaim instruction, the first sensing component 20 is controlled to be in operation. If the assembly device 300 is detected at the reclaiming port 12, a corresponding signal is fed back to the control module, which controls the assembly device to stop operation, thereby restricting the entry and exit of the assembly device 300 and reducing the risk of operational accidents caused by improper operation of the assembly device 300. If the storage device 100 receives a material reclaim instruction, this indicates that the silo 10 has completed the loading operation. At this time, the first sensing component 20 is stopped, allowing the assembly device 300 to freely enter and exit the reclaiming port 12, thereby smoothly completing the material reclaiming operation.

[0066] Among them, there are many ways to design the triggering method of the material picking instruction, for example: the operator uses touch buttons, switches and other components to make the storage device 100 obtain the corresponding signal; or, the corresponding material picking signal can be automatically sent according to the degree to which the assembly device 300 completes the assembly operation.

[0067] It should also be noted that the first sensing assembly 20 can be positioned in a variety of locations on the silo 10, as long as it can detect the assembly device 300 entering the material dispensing opening 12. For example, the first sensing assembly 20 can be fixed to a portion of the silo 10 near the material dispensing opening 12; or the first sensing assembly 20 can be fixed above the material dispensing opening 12, but with the sensing end of the first sensing assembly 20 adjacent to or extending into the material dispensing opening 12.

[0068] With such a design, the first sensing component 20 can be used to form a safety control structure for material extraction at the material extraction port 12 of the silo 10, so that both loading and extracting can be completed smoothly in the same silo 10 without the need for one-to-one separate configuration of space, thereby reducing space occupancy, improving space utilization, and reducing assembly costs.

[0069] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG1 , the first sensing component 20 includes a first transmitting end 21 and a first receiving end 22 . The first transmitting end 21 and the first receiving end 22 are respectively disposed on two opposing inner walls of the material dispensing port 12 . The signal path between the first transmitting end 21 and the first receiving end 22 is used to detect the assembly device 300 .

[0070] The first transmitting end 21 is the component of the first sensing component 20 that can emit signals, and the first receiving end 22 is the component of the first sensing component 20 that can receive signals. A signal path is formed between the first transmitting end 21 and the first receiving end 22, such as an infrared light path or an ultraviolet light path. In some embodiments, the first sensing component 20 can be a grating.

[0071] The first transmitting end 21 and the first receiving end 22 are respectively distributed on two opposite inner walls of the material discharging port 12, so that the signal channel between the two can be spread throughout the material discharging port 12. At this time, if the assembly device 300 enters the material discharging port 12, it can be easily sensed, and the assembly device 300 can be stopped from entering further.

[0072] In some examples, the first transmitting end 21 and the first receiving end 22 are respectively connected to the inner wall of the material taking port 12 by methods including, but not limited to, bolt connection, clamping, riveting, welding, bonding, and the like.

[0073] Such a design, introducing the first transmitting end 21 and the first receiving end 22, facilitates increasing the distribution range of the signal path and improving the accuracy of detection.

[0074] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG1 , the storage device 100 further includes a second sensing component 30 electrically connected to the control module. The second sensing component 30 is used to detect objects entering the loading port 11, and the second sensing component 30 is configured to stop working when the storage device 100 receives a loading instruction.

[0075] The second sensing component 30 is a device capable of detecting objects at the loading port 11. When the second sensing component 30 detects an object entering the loading port 11, it can send a corresponding signal to the control module. For example, the second sensing component 30 is electrically connected to the control module. When the second sensing component 30 detects an object, it will send a signal to the control module. In this case, corresponding warning devices such as indicator lights and alarms can be set at the loading port 11. When the second sensing component 30 detects an object at the loading port 11, the warning device will emit a light or sound an alarm. The object can be any object, such as an operator, material 600, equipment for handling material 600, etc.

[0076] The second sensing component 30 can be selected from a variety of options, for example, the second sensing component 30 can be but not limited to a photosensor, a grating, a pressure sensor, etc. At the same time, the control module can also be but not limited to an industrial computer, a single chip microcomputer, an electronic control unit, etc.

[0077] In addition, the second sensing component 30 can detect objects in the loading port 11 when it is in a working state; when it is in a stopped working state, it cannot detect objects in the loading port 11. At this time, the loading port 11 is in a released state, and objects can freely enter and exit the loading port 11. The operating state of the second sensing component 30 can be switched according to different scenarios. For example, if the storage device 100 does not receive a loading instruction, the second sensing component 30 is controlled to be in a working state to restrict the entry and exit of objects and reduce the risk of operational accidents caused by misoperation of objects. If the storage device 100 receives a loading instruction, this means that the silo 10 has completed the loading operation. At this time, the second sensing component 30 is in a stopped working state, allowing objects to freely enter and exit the loading port 11 to successfully complete the loading operation.

[0078] Among them, there are many ways to design the triggering method of the loading instruction, for example: the operator touches buttons, switches and other components to enable the storage device 100 to obtain the corresponding signal; or, the corresponding loading signal can be automatically sent according to the degree of completion of the assembly operation of the object.

[0079] With this design, the second sensing component 30 is introduced at the loading port 11 to form a protective structure, thereby reducing the occurrence of operational accidents caused by objects entering the silo 10 due to misoperation, thereby improving the safety of the assembly process.

[0080] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG1 , a second sensing component 30 includes a second transmitting end 31 and a second receiving end 32 . The second transmitting end 31 and the second receiving end 32 are respectively disposed on two opposing inner walls of the loading port 11 . The signal path between the second transmitting end 31 and the second receiving end 32 is used to at least sense objects entering the loading port 11 .

[0081] The second transmitting end 31 is the component of the second sensing component 30 that can emit signals, and the second receiving end 32 is the component of the second sensing component 30 that can receive signals. A signal path is formed between the second transmitting end 31 and the second receiving end 32, such as an infrared light path or an ultraviolet light path. In some embodiments, the second sensing component 30 can be a grating.

[0082] The second transmitting end 31 and the second receiving end 32 are respectively distributed on two opposite inner walls of the loading port 11, so that the signal channel between the two can be spread throughout the loading port 11. At this time, if an object enters the loading port 11, it can be easily sensed, thereby providing a timely warning.

[0083] The second transmitting end 31 and the second receiving end 32 may be connected to the inner wall of the loading port 11 by, but not limited to, bolt connection, clamping, riveting, welding, bonding, etc.

[0084] Such a design, introducing the second transmitting end 31 and the second receiving end 32, facilitates increasing the distribution range of the signal path and improving the accuracy of detection.

[0085] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG1 , the storage device 100 further includes a transport mechanism 50 . The transport mechanism 50 is used to enter and exit the loading port 11 and transport the material 600 through the loading port 11 into the accommodating chamber 13 .

[0086] The transport mechanism 50 refers to a device used to transport the material 600 to the accommodating chamber 13, which can be designed as but not limited to a cart structure, an AGV trolley, a forklift, etc. When the transport mechanism 50 loaded with the material 600 moves to the accommodating chamber 13, the material 600 can be unloaded into the accommodating chamber 13; it can also stay in the accommodating chamber 13 and serve as a supporting structure for the material 600. In order to better support the material 600, please refer to Figure 3. The transport mechanism 50 may include a supporting platform 51 and rollers 52 arranged at the bottom of the supporting platform 51, and the material 600 can be placed on the supporting platform 51. Among them, the supporting platform 51 can be designed as a frame structure, such as a square frame, on which the material 600 can be stacked; of course, the supporting platform 51 can also be designed as other structures, such as a plate.

[0087] During the loading process, if a second sensing component 30 is provided at the loading port 11, a loading instruction can be sent to the storage device 100, such as by touching a button or switch, to disable the second sensing component 30 and put it into a stopped state. At this point, the empty transport mechanism 50 can be pulled out of the loading port 11, and the fully loaded transport mechanism 50 can be pushed into the accommodating chamber 13.

[0088] Such a design facilitates material loading through the transport mechanism 50, which is beneficial to improving assembly efficiency.

[0089] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 2 , the storage device 100 further includes a guide member 14 , which is used to guide the entry and exit of the transport mechanism 50 .

[0090] The guide member 14 refers to a component that can guide the entry and exit of the transport mechanism 50. For example, it can be designed as a combination structure of a guide rail and a slider; it can also be designed as a guide wheel structure, etc.

[0091] With such a design, the guide member 14 is introduced, so that the transport mechanism 50 can enter and exit the silo 10 more smoothly, reducing the difficulty of manual operation.

[0092] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 2 , the guide member 14 can be rotatably disposed on one of the inner wall of the silo 10 and the transport mechanism 50 , and is configured to roll against the other.

[0093] The guide member 14 can be rotatably mounted on the inner wall of the silo 10 and rollably abut against the transport mechanism 50. Alternatively, the guide member 14 can be rotatably mounted on the transport mechanism 50 and rollably abut against the inner wall of the silo 10. The guide member 14 can be designed as a roller structure, a cylindrical roller structure, or a ball bearing structure.

[0094] A guide member 14 is provided on at least one side of the conveying mechanism 50 in a direction intersecting the inlet and outlet directions. For example, a guide member 14 may be provided between one side of the conveying mechanism 50 and the inner wall of the silo 10; or a guide member 14 may be provided between both sides of the conveying mechanism 50 and the inner wall of the silo 10.

[0095] In addition, one or more guide members 14 may be provided between the conveying mechanism 50 and the inner wall of the silo 10 on either side of the conveying mechanism 50 along a direction intersecting the in-and-out direction.

[0096] In this design, the guide member 14 is designed to be a rotatable structure, so that the guidance between the conveying mechanism 50 and the silo 10 is a rolling guide, which reduces the friction during the loading process and further improves the convenience of loading.

[0097] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG2 , the silo 10 is provided with guide members 15 on opposite sides of the loading port 11. The distance D between the two guide members 15 gradually increases from the end of the guide member 15 close to the accommodating cavity 13 to the end of the guide member 15 away from the accommodating cavity 13.

[0098] The guide member 15 is a structure that provides guidance for the movement of the transport mechanism 50 and can be designed as a plate-shaped structure. When two guide members 15 are provided at the loading port 11, the two guide members 15 form an expanded structure at the loading port 11, which makes it easier to guide the transport mechanism 50 into the loading port 11.

[0099] Such a design enables the transport mechanism 50 to be quickly pushed into the loading port 11 , thereby reducing the difficulty of manual operation and improving loading efficiency.

[0100] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 3 , the storage device 100 further includes a positioning assembly 40. The positioning assembly 40 is disposed in the silo 10 and is used to position the transport mechanism 50 on the loading station.

[0101] As can be seen, when the fully loaded transport mechanism 50 moves into the silo 10, it remains in the silo 10, serving as a support structure for the material 600. The positioning assembly 40 is a device that stabilizes the transport mechanism 50 at the loading station and can be, but is not limited to, a clamping cylinder, an electromagnet, a latch structure, etc.

[0102] The number of positioning assemblies 40 may be one or more. When there are multiple positioning assemblies 40, at least two positioning assemblies 40 may be spaced apart along a predetermined direction, so that the transport mechanism 50 is generally symmetrically fixed, reducing the possibility of positional deviation of the transport mechanism 50 when it is stationary. The predetermined direction intersects a plane formed by the inlet and outlet direction and the height direction of the storage device 100.

[0103] With such a design, the transport mechanism 50 is stably positioned on the loading station through the positioning assembly 40 , so that the assembly device 300 can accurately pick up materials, which is beneficial to improving assembly accuracy.

[0104] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 3 , the storage device 100 further includes a material level detector 17 , which is configured to detect material 600 at a preset position in the silo 10 .

[0105] The material level detector 17 is a device capable of detecting material 600 at a preset position. It may be, but is not limited to, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a light-sensitive sensor, or the like. The preset position can be determined based on actual detection. For example, the preset position may correspond to the position of material 600 at the top layer when fully loaded, or it may correspond to the position of material 600 at the bottom layer. When the preset position corresponds to the position of material 600 at the bottom layer, if no material 600 is detected, it indicates a shortage of material, requiring timely replenishment of material 600 into the silo 10. When the preset position corresponds to the position of material 600 at the top layer, this indicates that loading is complete, and the second sensing component 30 at the loading port 11 can be restored to operation.

[0106] With such a design, the material level detector 17 can timely obtain information about the material 600 in the silo 10, thereby reducing the probability of assembly stopping due to lack of material, and ensuring stable and continuous assembly operation.

[0107] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 3 , the storage device 100 further includes a skew detector 16 , which is configured to detect a degree of skewness of the material 600 in the silo 10 relative to the horizontal direction.

[0108] The deflection detector 16 is a device that detects whether the material 600 is deflected within the silo 10. For example, it can be an inclinometer or a device that emits visible light and compares it with the material 600. If the material 600 is deflected relative to the horizontal within the silo 10, the assembly device 300 may have insufficient gripping force during material removal due to the uneven surface, resulting in an inability to stably grasp the material 600.

[0109] The skew detector 16 can be positioned in various locations within the silo 10. For example, the skew detector 16 can be positioned corresponding to the topmost layer of material 600 to detect skew when the silo is full. The skew detector 16 can also be positioned corresponding to the bottommost layer of material 600 to detect skew when the silo is short of material. In some embodiments, the skew detector 16 includes at least two skew detectors, one for detecting the degree of skew in the topmost layer of material 600 and one for detecting the degree of skew in the bottommost layer of material 600.

[0110] With such a design, the deflection detector 16 is introduced to timely understand the state of the material 600, facilitate correcting the state of the material 600, and enable the assembly device 300 to stably pick up the material 600, which is conducive to improving the reliability of assembly.

[0111] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG4 , the present application provides a battery assembly system, comprising: a workbench 200, an assembly device 300, and a storage device 100 as described above. The assembly device 300 is used to transfer material 600 in a silo 10 to the workbench 200 and perform assembly operations on the material 600 on the workbench 200.

[0112] The workbench 200 refers to a structure that can support the material 600 and provide an operating space for assembling the material 600. It can be designed as a bracket structure or a table structure.

[0113] The assembly device 300 is a device capable of removing material 600 from the silo 10 and placing it on the workbench 200. It can also perform assembly operations on the material 600. To accomplish both material removal and assembly, the assembly device 300 can be designed as two separate devices, such as a material removal device and an assembly device. Alternatively, it can be designed as a robotic arm with interchangeable material removal and assembly tools.

[0114] The assembly operation refers to an action performed according to the assembly requirements of the material 600, which may include: tightening operation, welding operation, pressing operation, etc.

[0115] The battery assembly system described above utilizes the aforementioned storage device 100 and a first sensing component 20 disposed on the silo 10. This first sensing component 20 determines whether the assembly device 300 has entered the material access opening 12. This design, utilizing the first sensing component 20, creates a safety control structure for accessing the material at the access opening 12 of the silo 10. This allows both loading and unloading to be completed smoothly within the same silo 10, eliminating the need for separate dedicated spaces for each. This reduces space usage, improves space utilization, and lowers assembly costs.

[0116] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG4 , the assembly device 300 includes an operating mechanism 310, a material taking mechanism 320, and a tightening mechanism 330. The operating mechanism 310 can be selectively assembled with the material taking mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330. The operating mechanism 310 transfers the material 600 from the material taking port 12 to the workbench 200 via the material taking mechanism 320, and the operating mechanism 310 tightens the material 600 on the workbench 200 via the tightening mechanism 330.

[0117] The material picking mechanism 320 refers to a device capable of picking up or releasing the material 600, and the picking up method can be various, such as magnetic suction, grasping, vacuum suction, etc. Specifically, in some embodiments, the material picking mechanism 320 can include a suction cup.

[0118] The tightening mechanism 330 refers to a device for tightening components on the material 600 that need to be tightened, such as tightening bolts on the material 600.

[0119] The operating mechanism 310 is a device capable of movement and switching between the retrieving mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330. It can be, but is not limited to, a robotic arm or a linear module structure with independent movement along the X, Y, and Z axes. The operating mechanism 310 switches between the retrieving mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330 to perform both the retrieving and tightening operations. Compared to separate retrieving and tightening devices, this embodiment uses a shared operating mechanism 310, reducing equipment investment and costs while also minimizing space requirements.

[0120] To achieve rapid switching between the retrieving mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330, a quick-change disk can be provided on each of the retrieving mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330. When one end of the operating mechanism 310 is inserted into the quick-change disk, a snap structure in the quick-change disk is clamped to the end of the operating mechanism 310 by the action of an air cylinder. Of course, there are many other ways to achieve quick switching, such as electromagnetic suction, a combination of a claw and an air cylinder, etc.

[0121] With this design, the operating mechanism 310 is used to switch the assembly between the material taking mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330 to complete the material taking and tightening operations, which not only effectively completes the assembly work, but also reduces equipment investment, reduces costs, and reduces space occupancy.

[0122] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG5 , the material picking mechanism 320 includes a first bracket 321 and a picking assembly 322 disposed on the first bracket 321. The first bracket 321 and the operating mechanism 310 are detachably assembled, and the picking assembly 322 is used to pick up or release the material 600.

[0123] The first bracket 321 serves as the skeleton structure of the retrieving mechanism 320, providing support for other components within the retrieving mechanism 320. The first bracket 321 and the operating mechanism 310 can be assembled and disassembled. For example, the first bracket 321 may be provided with a quick-change plate. Alternatively, the first bracket 321 may be provided with a combination of a claw and a cylinder. When the operating mechanism 310 approaches the first bracket 321, the cylinder pushes the claw, clamping one end of the operating mechanism 310.

[0124] The pickup assembly 322 is a component capable of picking up or releasing the material 600. It may be, but is not limited to, a suction cup, an electromagnetic device, a claw structure, or the like. When the pickup assembly 322 includes a suction cup, vacuum is applied to ensure that the material 600 is stably held on the suction cup. Multiple suction cups may be provided to ensure more stable material 600 retention.

[0125] The pickup assembly 322 may be connected to the first bracket 321 by, but is not limited to, bolt connection, clamping, welding, bonding, etc.

[0126] In addition, in order to reduce the impact force of the picking component 322 on the material 600 during the picking process, an elastic structure such as a spring, elastic rubber, etc. can be provided between the picking component 322 and the first bracket 321 to achieve elastic picking.

[0127] With such a design, the first bracket 321 and the picking assembly 322 are introduced, so that the picking assembly 322 is stably fixed, thereby facilitating stable picking of the material 600 .

[0128] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG6 , the picking mechanism 320 further includes a distance measuring component 325 . The distance measuring component 325 is disposed on the first bracket 321 and is used to obtain the distance between the picking component 322 and the material 600 to be picked up in the silo 10 .

[0129] The distance measuring component 325 refers to a device that can obtain the distance between the picking component 322 and the material 600 to be picked up, for example, it can be but is not limited to a distance measuring sensor, a radar, etc.

[0130] With such a design, the distance between the picking component 322 and the material 600 can be obtained through the distance measuring component 325, so as to accurately control the downward movement of the picking component 322 and realize accurate material picking.

[0131] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG5 , the material picking mechanism 320 further includes a first driver 324 disposed on the first bracket 321, and a bottom support member 323 connected to the first driver 324. The first driver 324 is used to drive the bottom support member 323 toward or away from the material 600, and the bottom support member 323 is used to support the material 600.

[0132] The bottom scoop member 323 refers to a component that can support the material 600 during the material retrieval process, and one end of the bottom scoop member 323 can be a bent structure. For example, the bottom scoop member 323 can include a rod body and a scoop bottom protruding from a surface of the rod body, and the scoop bottom and the rod body are arranged at an angle.

[0133] The first driver 324 is the device that powers the bottom scoop member 323. It can be, but is not limited to, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a combination of a motor and a transmission mechanism. When the pickup assembly 322 contacts the surface of the material 600, the first driver 324 drives the bottom scoop member 323 toward the material 600, allowing the material 600 to at least partially rest on the bottom scoop member 323. When the material is removed, the first driver 324 drives the bottom scoop member 323 away from the material 600.

[0134] In order to make the material 600 more stable, the number of the bottom covering pieces 323 can be set to multiple, and at the same time, two of the bottom covering pieces 323 can be located on different sides of the material 600 respectively.

[0135] With such a design, during the material picking process, the first driver 324 is used to drive the bottom support member 323 so that the material 600 is stably supported, thereby reducing the risk of the material 600 falling during the material picking process.

[0136] According to some embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figure 7, the tightening mechanism 330 includes a second bracket 331 and a tightening assembly 332 arranged on the second bracket 331, the second bracket 331 and the operating mechanism 310 are detachably assembled, and the tightening assembly 332 is used to rotate and tighten the fasteners on the material 600.

[0137] The second bracket 331 serves as the skeleton of the tightening mechanism 330, providing support for the other components within the tightening mechanism 330. The second bracket 331 and the operating mechanism 310 can be assembled and disassembled. For example, the second bracket 331 may be provided with a quick-change plate. Alternatively, the second bracket 331 may be provided with a combination of a claw and a cylinder. When the operating mechanism 310 approaches the second bracket 331, the cylinder pushes the claw, clamping one end of the operating mechanism 310.

[0138] The tightening assembly 332 refers to a component for rotating and tightening the fasteners on the material 600, which may be but is not limited to a tightening gun, etc., wherein the fasteners may be but are not limited to bolts, screws, etc.

[0139] The connection method of the tightening component 332 on the second bracket 331 can be, but is not limited to, bolt connection, clamping, welding, bonding, etc.

[0140] In addition, in order to reduce the impact force of the tightening component 332 on the material 600 during the picking process, an elastic structure such as a spring, elastic rubber, etc. can be set between the tightening component 332 and the second bracket 331 to achieve elastic contact.

[0141] With such a design, the second bracket 331 and the tightening assembly 332 are introduced, so that the tightening assembly 332 is stably fixed, thereby facilitating a stable tightening operation.

[0142] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG7 , the tightening mechanism 330 further includes a second driver 333 . The second driver 333 is disposed on the second bracket 331 , and is used to drive the tightening assembly 332 to move on the second bracket 331 .

[0143] The second driver 333 is a device that provides power for the movement of the tightening assembly 332. It can be, but is not limited to, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a combination of a motor and a transmission mechanism. When the tightening assembly 332 needs to tighten another location, the second driver 333 drives the tightening assembly 332 to move above the location.

[0144] The number of the tightening assembly 332 can be one or more. When the tightening assembly 332 is provided in plurality, the assembly efficiency can be improved.

[0145] With such a design, during the tightening operation, the tightening assembly 332 is driven to move by the second driver 333 so that the tightening assembly 332 can be accurately positioned at the desired tightening position, thereby improving the assembly accuracy.

[0146] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG7 , the tightening mechanism 330 further includes a photographing device 334 . The photographing device 334 is disposed on the second bracket 331 and is used to obtain location information of fasteners on the material 600 .

[0147] The photographing device 334 refers to a device capable of acquiring the location information of the fasteners on the material 600 , such as but not limited to a camera.

[0148] With this design, the camera 334 is introduced to accurately locate the position to be tightened, thereby further improving the assembly accuracy.

[0149] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG6 , the battery assembly system further includes a first tooling frame 400 and a first in-position detector 410 disposed on the first tooling frame 400. The first tooling frame 400 is used to support the material removal mechanism 320, and the first in-position detector 410 is used to detect whether the material removal mechanism 320 is on the first tooling frame 400.

[0150] The first tooling rack 400 is a structure for storing the material-retrieving mechanism 320 , and its shape can be designed in various ways, such as a cylindrical structure, a square structure, etc.

[0151] The first in-position detector 410 is capable of detecting the presence of the retrieving mechanism 320 on the first fixture 400. It may be, but is not limited to, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a light-sensitive sensor, or an anti-mute latch. In some embodiments, the first in-position detector 410 may include an in-position sensor and an in-position anti-mute latch. The in-position anti-mute latch not only determines the presence of the retrieving mechanism 320 but also positions the retrieving mechanism 320, ensuring its accurate placement on the first fixture 400.

[0152] With this design, the first tooling rack 400 is introduced, so that the material picking mechanism 320 can be stored stably; at the same time, the first in-position detector 410 is introduced, which can accurately determine the presence status of the material picking mechanism 320 on the first tooling rack 400, making it easier for the operating mechanism 310 to determine whether to continue to assemble with the material picking mechanism 320.

[0153] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG7 , the battery assembly system further includes a second fixture frame 500 and a second in-position detector 510 disposed on the second fixture frame 500. The second fixture frame 500 is used to support the tightening mechanism 330, and the second in-position detector 510 is used to detect whether the tightening mechanism 330 is on the second fixture frame 500.

[0154] The second tooling rack 500 is a structure for storing the tightening mechanism 330 , and its shape can be designed in various ways, such as a cylindrical structure, a square structure, etc.

[0155] The second in-position detector 510 is capable of detecting the presence of the tightening mechanism 330 on the second fixture 500. It may be, but is not limited to, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a light-sensitive sensor, or an anti-mash pin. In some embodiments, the second in-position detector 510 may include both an in-position sensor and an in-position anti-mash pin. The in-position anti-mash pin not only determines the presence of the tightening mechanism 330 but also positions the tightening mechanism 330, ensuring its accurate placement on the second fixture 500.

[0156] In addition, to facilitate understanding of the control logic of material removal, please refer to Figure 8. Upon receiving the tool change request instruction, the operating mechanism 310 moves to the top of the second tool holder 500; takes a photo to locate the placement position on the second tool holder 500; places the tightening mechanism 330 on the second tool holder 500, and checks whether the second in-position detector 510 is valid, such as: whether the in-position sensor and the in-position anti-foolproofing latch are valid; if valid, release the tightening mechanism 330, and the operating mechanism 310 moves to the top of the first tool holder 400; checks whether the first in-position detector 410 is valid, such as: whether the in-position sensor and the in-position anti-foolproofing latch are valid. Check whether the latch is valid; if valid, the operating mechanism 310 moves to the clamping position, opens the quick-change disc grabbing cylinder, and the operating mechanism 310 grabs the material grabbing mechanism 320 and leaves; the operating mechanism 310 moves to above the silo 10 and requests to enter the workstation. If the workstation conditions are met, entry is allowed and the first sensing component 20 is shielded; the distance is measured at the distance measuring point above the material 600; the system memory and the distance measuring layer height are compared to see if they are consistent. If so, the material 600 is grabbed, the operating mechanism 310 leaves the grabbing area, and the first sensing component 20 is restored to work, and the material grabbing is completed.

[0157] With this design, the second tooling rack 500 is introduced, so that the tightening mechanism 330 can be stored stably; at the same time, the second in-position detector 510 is introduced to accurately determine the presence status of the tightening mechanism 330 on the second tooling rack 500, making it easier for the operating mechanism 310 to determine whether to continue assembling with the tightening mechanism 330.

[0158] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 9 , the present application provides a battery assembly control method, which is applied to any of the above battery assembly systems. The battery assembly control method includes the following steps:

[0159] S100, controlling the first sensing component 20 to be in a stopped working state;

[0160] S200, controlling the assembly device 300 to transfer the material 600 in the silo 10 from the material taking port 12 to the workbench 200;

[0161] S300, controlling the first sensing component 20 to resume working state;

[0162] S400 , controlling the assembly device 300 to perform assembly operations on the material 600 on the workbench 200 .

[0163] In step S100, the first sensing component 20 is shielded, effectively opening the material retrieving port 12. The assembly device 300 can now freely enter and exit the material retrieving port 12 to complete the material retrieving process. Once the material retrieving process is complete, step S300 is executed to resume operation of the first sensing component 20, completing a closed protection process.

[0164] In addition, the execution order of step S300 and step S400 is not limited, for example, step S300 may be executed first and then step S400; or step S400 may be executed first and then step S300. Of course, step S300 and step S400 may also be executed simultaneously.

[0165] In the above-mentioned battery assembly control method, during the assembly process, the first sensing component 20 is controlled to be in a stopped state, so that the assembly device 300 can smoothly enter the silo 10 through the material extraction port 12 to complete the material extraction operation. After the material extraction is completed, the first sensing component 20 is controlled to be in a working state to prevent the assembly device 300 from accidentally entering the silo 10; at the same time, the assembly device 300 is controlled to perform assembly operations on the material 600 on the workbench 200. With such a design, using the first sensing component 20, a safety control structure for material extraction can be formed at the material extraction port 12 of the silo 10, so that both loading and extracting can be completed smoothly in the same silo 10, without the need for one-to-one separate configuration space, reducing space occupancy, improving space utilization, and reducing assembly costs.

[0166] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 10 , before the step of controlling the first sensing component 20 to stop working in S100, the process further includes:

[0167] S500, determining whether the material taking mechanism 320 of the assembly device 300 is on the first tooling rack 400;

[0168] S600: If yes, control the operating mechanism 310 and the material taking mechanism 320 of the assembly device 300 to assemble;

[0169] S700 , controlling the operating mechanism 310 to move the material taking mechanism 320 to above the material taking port 12 , and sending a material taking instruction to the material storage device 100 .

[0170] In step S500, it can be determined by sensors or latches whether the material taking mechanism 320 is on the first tooling rack 400. If not, it means that the material taking mechanism 320 is missing and the corresponding tooling should be replenished in time.

[0171] Furthermore, after executing step S700, the first sensing component 20 must be controlled to remain in a stopped state. However, the first sensing component 20 may be stopped during the execution of step S100, for example, if the material storage device 100 has already received the material removal instruction and stopped the first sensing component 20 before executing step S100. Alternatively, the first sensing component 20 may be stopped before executing step S100, in which case the first sensing component 20 is already in a stopped state when executing step S100.

[0172] Such a design enables the material taking process to proceed in an orderly and stable manner, thereby ensuring stable assembly of the material 600 .

[0173] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 11 , S400 , the step of controlling the assembly device 300 to perform an assembly operation on the material 600 on the workbench 200 , includes:

[0174] S410, controlling the operating mechanism 310 of the assembly device 300 and the material taking mechanism 320 of the assembly device 300 to disassemble;

[0175] S420, determining whether the tightening mechanism 330 of the assembly device 300 is on the second fixture frame 500;

[0176] S430 , if yes, control the operating mechanism 310 to assemble with the tightening mechanism 330 , and perform a tightening operation on the material 600 on the workbench 200 .

[0177] In step S420, it can be determined by using components such as sensors or latches whether the tightening mechanism 330 is on the second tooling rack 500. If not, it means that the tightening mechanism 330 is missing and the corresponding tooling should be replenished in time.

[0178] Such a design allows the tightening process to proceed in an orderly and stable manner, thereby ensuring stable assembly of the material 600 .

[0179] According to some embodiments of the present application, the present application provides a battery production system, which includes any of the above battery assembly systems.

[0180] The battery production system described above utilizes the aforementioned storage device 100 and a first sensing assembly 20 disposed on the silo 10. This first sensing assembly 20 determines whether the assembly device 300 has entered the material removal opening 12. This design, utilizing the first sensing assembly 20, creates a safety and protective structure for material removal at the material removal opening 12 of the silo 10. This allows both loading and unloading to be completed smoothly within the same silo 10, eliminating the need for dedicated space for each. This reduces space usage, improves space utilization, and lowers assembly costs.

[0181] According to some embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figures 1 to 11. The present application provides a battery assembly system, including an operating mechanism 310, a material picking mechanism 320, a tightening mechanism 330 and a storage device 100. The operating mechanism 310 can quickly switch between the material picking mechanism 320 and the tightening mechanism 330. The storage device 100 includes a silo 10, a first sensing component 20 and a second sensing component 30. The first sensing component 20 is arranged at the material picking port 12 of the silo 10, and the second sensing component 30 is arranged at the material loading port 11 of the silo 10, so that a closed space can be formed to improve space utilization. During the loading process, a person manually presses the request button, and the first sensing component 20 is shielded; the person manually unlocks the clamping cylinder through the knob switch, and then pulls out the conveying mechanism 50; the full material conveying mechanism 50 is manually pushed in from the loading port 11, and guide parts 14 are added on both sides to reduce the difficulty of manual operation; after the conveying mechanism 50 is manually pushed in, the person manually uses the knob switch to clamp the conveying mechanism 50; the operating mechanism 310 requests to grab the material, and the first sensing component 20 is shielded after the work station responds ok, and the operating mechanism 310 can enter to pick up the material. After the material is picked up and leaves, the operating mechanism 310 sends a departure signal, and the work station restores the first sensing component 20.

[0182] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above 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.

[0183] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage device, comprising: A silo (10) has a receiving cavity (13) and is provided with a loading port (11) and a material removal port (12) communicating with the receiving cavity (13), wherein the loading port (11) is used for allowing material (600) to pass through and be received in the receiving cavity (13); a first sensing component (20) provided on the silo (10) for detecting an assembly device (300) entering the material taking port (12), and the first sensing component (20) is configured to be in a stopped working state when the material storage device receives a material taking instruction; a control module electrically connected to the first sensing component (20), and configured to control the assembly device (300) to stop entering the accommodating cavity (13) based on a signal fed back by the first sensing component (20); A second sensing component (30) electrically connected to the control module, the second sensing component (30) is used to detect objects entering the loading port (11), and the second sensing component (30) is configured to be in a stopped working state when the storage device receives a loading instruction.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein: The first sensing component (20) includes a first transmitting end (21) and a first receiving end (22), wherein the first transmitting end (21) and the first receiving end (22) are respectively arranged on two opposite inner walls of the material taking port (12), and a signal path between the first transmitting end (21) and the first receiving end (22) is used to detect the assembly device (300).

3. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein: The second sensing component (30) includes a second transmitting end (31) and a second receiving end (32), and the second transmitting end (31) and the second receiving end (32) are respectively arranged on two opposite inner walls of the loading port (11), and the signal path between the second transmitting end (31) and the second receiving end (32) is at least used to sense the object entering the loading port (11).

4. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The storage device further comprises a transport mechanism (50), wherein the transport mechanism (50) is used for entering and exiting the loading port (11) and transporting the material (600) into the accommodating cavity (13) through the loading port (11).

5. The storage device according to claim 4, wherein: The material storage device further comprises a guide member (14), and the guide member (14) is used to guide the entry and exit of the transport mechanism (50).

6. The storage device according to claim 5, wherein: The guide member (14) is rotatably arranged on one of the inner wall of the silo (10) and the conveying mechanism (50), and is used to roll against the other.

7. The storage device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The silo (10) is provided with guide members (15) on opposite sides of the loading port (11), and the distance D between the two guide members (15) gradually increases from one end of the guide member (15) close to the accommodating cavity (13) to the other end of the guide member (15) away from the accommodating cavity (13).

8. The storage device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The storage device further comprises a positioning assembly (40), which is arranged in the silo (10) and is used to position the transport mechanism (50) on a loading station.

9. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The material storage device further comprises a material level detector (17), and the material level detector (17) is used to detect the material (600) at a preset position in the silo (10).

10. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The storage device further comprises a deflection detector (16), wherein the deflection detector (16) is used to detect the degree of deflection of the material (600) in the silo (10) relative to the horizontal direction.

11. A battery assembly system, comprising: Workbench(200); The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; An assembly device (300) for transferring the material (600) in the silo (10) to the workbench (200), and perform assembly operations on the material (600) on the workbench (200).

12. The battery assembly system according to claim 11, wherein: The assembly device (300) includes an operating mechanism (310), a material taking mechanism (320) and a tightening mechanism (330). The operating mechanism (310) can be selectively assembled with the material taking mechanism (320) and the tightening mechanism (330). The operating mechanism (310) transfers the material (600) from the material taking port (12) to the workbench (200) through the material taking mechanism (320). The operating mechanism (310) tightens the material (600) on the workbench (200) through the tightening mechanism (330).

13. The battery assembly system according to claim 12, wherein: The material picking mechanism (320) includes a first bracket (321) and a picking assembly (322) provided on the first bracket (321); the first bracket (321) and the operating mechanism (310) are detachably assembled; and the picking assembly (322) is used to pick up or release the material (600).

14. The battery assembly system according to claim 13, wherein: The material picking mechanism (320) further includes a distance measuring component (325), which is arranged on the first bracket (321) and is used to obtain the distance between the picking component (322) and the material (600) to be picked up in the silo (10).

15. The battery assembly system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The material picking mechanism (320) further includes a first driver (324) provided on the first bracket (321), and a bottom support member (323) connected to the first driver (324), wherein the first driver (324) is used to drive the bottom support member (323) to move closer to or away from the material (600), and the bottom support member (323) is used to support the material (600).

16. The battery assembly system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein: The tightening mechanism (330) includes a second bracket (331) and a tightening assembly (332) provided on the second bracket (331); the second bracket (331) and the operating mechanism (310) are detachably assembled; the tightening assembly (332) is used to rotationally tighten the fastener on the material (600).

17. The battery assembly system according to claim 16, wherein: The tightening mechanism (330) further comprises a second driver (333), wherein the second driver (333) is arranged on the second bracket (331), and the second driver (333) is used for driving the tightening assembly (332) to move on the second bracket (331).

18. The battery assembly system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The tightening mechanism (330) further includes a photographing device (334), which is disposed on the second bracket (331) and is used to obtain location information of the fastener on the material (600).

19. The battery assembly system according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein: The battery assembly system further comprises a first tooling frame (400) and a first in-position detector (410) provided on the first tooling frame (400), wherein the first tooling frame (400) is used to support the material-retrieving mechanism (320), and the first in-position detector (410) is used to detect whether the material-retrieving mechanism (320) is on the first tooling frame (400).

20. The battery assembly system according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein: The battery assembly system further comprises a second tooling frame (500) and a second in-position detector (510) provided on the second tooling frame (500), wherein the second tooling frame (500) is used to support the tightening mechanism (330), and the second in-position detector (510) is used to detect whether the tightening mechanism (330) is on the second tooling frame (500).

21. A battery assembly control method, applied to the battery assembly system according to any one of claims 11 to 20, the battery assembly control method comprising the following steps: Controlling the first sensing component (20) to be in a stopped working state; controlling the assembly device (300) to transfer the material (600) in the silo (10) from the material taking port (12) to the workbench (200); controlling the first sensing component (20) to resume working state; The assembly device (300) is controlled to perform assembly operations on the material (600) on the workbench (200).

22. The battery assembly control method according to claim 21, wherein: Before the step of controlling the first sensing component (20) to be in a stopped working state, the method further comprises: Determining whether the material taking mechanism (320) of the assembly device (300) is on the first tooling frame (400); If so, controlling the operating mechanism (310) of the assembly device (300) to assemble with the material taking mechanism (320); The operating mechanism (310) is controlled to move the material taking mechanism (320) to a position above the material taking port (12).

23. The battery assembly control method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein: The step of controlling the assembly device (300) to perform an assembly operation on the material (600) on the workbench (200) comprises: Controlling the disassembly of the operating mechanism (310) of the assembly device (300) and the material taking mechanism (320) of the assembly device (300); determining whether the tightening mechanism (330) of the assembly device (300) is on the second fixture frame (500); If so, the operating mechanism (310) is controlled to be assembled with the tightening mechanism (330), and a tightening operation is performed on the material (600) on the workbench (200).

24. A battery production system, comprising the battery assembly system according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

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