Battery conveying system, battery conveying method, and battery production line

Abstract

A battery conveying system, a battery conveying method, and a battery production line. The battery conveying system comprises a transfer table, wherein the transfer table comprises at least two carrying platforms configured for carrying a battery, and each of the at least two carrying platforms is capable of performing independent reciprocating motion in a first direction; a first pick-and-place apparatus configured for picking up the battery and placing same on at least one of the carrying platforms; a second pick-and-place apparatus configured for picking up the battery carried by the carrying platform and placing same at a specified location; and a push plate, wherein the push plate is disposed on each carrying platform and is capable of moving forwards or backwards in the first direction, so as to perform a pushing action by means of a forward motion; the first pick-and-place apparatus and the second pick-and-place apparatus are positioned on opposite sides of the transfer table in the first direction.

Description

Battery conveying system, battery conveying method and battery production line

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202410209200.1, application date February 26, 2024, and invention name “Battery Conveying System, Battery Conveying Method and Battery Production Line”, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into this disclosure as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a battery conveying system, a battery conveying method and a battery production line. Background Art

[0004] New energy batteries are being used more and more widely in life and industry. For example, new energy vehicles equipped with batteries have been widely used. In addition, batteries are also being increasingly used in energy storage fields.

[0005] During the battery manufacturing process, a battery conveyor system is typically required to transport batteries, enabling them to flow between various workstations or conveyor lines. In the development of battery manufacturing technology, in addition to improving battery performance, increasing production efficiency is also one of the industry's ongoing goals. The impact of battery conveyor efficiency on production efficiency cannot be ignored. Therefore, how to improve battery conveyor efficiency is a topic of ongoing research in the industry.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a battery conveying system, a battery conveying method and a battery production line that have high conveying efficiency and can improve the production line cycle time.

[0008] The present disclosure is achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0009] The first aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery conveying system. The battery conveying system includes: a transfer table including at least two carrying platforms for carrying the battery, at least two of the carrying platforms being capable of independently reciprocating along a first direction; a first grasping and placing device for grasping the battery and placing the battery on at least any one of the carrying platforms; a second grasping and placing device for grasping the battery carried on the carrying platform and placing the battery at a specified position; and a push plate for pushing the battery, the push plate being provided on each of the carrying platforms and capable of moving forward or backward along the first direction, the pushing operation being performed by the forward movement of the push plate; wherein the first grasping and placing device and the second grasping and placing device are located on opposite sides of the transfer table along the first direction.

[0010] Since the transfer table includes at least two carrying platforms, and each carrying platform can independently reciprocate along the first direction, when one of the carrying platforms has completed unloading through the first grabbing and placing device and moves to the vicinity of the second grabbing and placing device for loading, the first grabbing and placing device can continue to grab the battery and place it on the other carrying platform, and the other carrying platform also moves to the vicinity of the second grabbing and placing device after unloading is completed to wait for loading. In this way, after the second grabbing and placing device has grabbed the battery on one of the carrying platforms, it can continue to grab the battery on the other carrying platform without interruption, thereby realizing uninterrupted loading of batteries, and the empty carrying platform that has completed loading will move again along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grabbing and placing device, and the first grabbing and placing device continues to unload, and so on and so forth, which can effectively improve the rhythm of the production line, reduce waiting time, speed up transportation efficiency, and improve production capacity, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing production costs.

[0011] In addition, the push plate can push the batteries placed on the carrying platform by the first grasping and placing device, so that the batteries can be closely arranged along the first direction, and can push the batteries to the position to be grasped, facilitating subsequent grasping by the second grasping and placing device. As a result, the first grasping and placing device and the second grasping and placing device can easily grasp and place the batteries even if they move within a relatively small range. Moreover, because the push plate performs the pushing operation by moving forward, it can easily perform the pushing operation even if different numbers of batteries are loaded on the carrying platform.

[0012] In some embodiments, the transfer table includes: a base bracket, the supporting platform is arranged on the base bracket; and at least two guide rails, each of the guide rails is arranged on the base bracket and extends along the first direction, and each of the supporting platforms is supported on the guide rail in a manner that it can move along the guide rail.

[0013] As a result, the carrying platform can achieve reciprocating motion along the first direction by cooperating with the guide rail, and the structure is simple. In addition, the provision of the guide rail can reduce friction and shaking when the carrying platform moves along the first direction, thereby making the movement of the carrying platform smoother and more stable, more reliable, and with less energy consumption, which is more conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. In addition, by driving the carrying platform to reciprocate along the guide rail, the size of the transfer table can be easily designed according to needs, so that the first and second grabbing and releasing devices on both sides of the transfer table can be appropriately connected, so that the first and second grabbing and releasing devices can easily grab and release batteries even if they move within a smaller range.

[0014] In some embodiments, blocking members are provided on two opposite sides of the base support along the first direction, and the blocking members are used to block the carrying platform.

[0015] Therefore, when the carrying platform reciprocates along the first direction, the blocking member can limit the carrying platform, preventing the carrying platform from falling off the guide rail, thereby improving the reliability of the carrying platform moving along the first direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the transfer station includes: a reference plate, disposed on the carrying platform and on an opposite side of the push plate along the first direction, the reference plate being used to block the battery.

[0017] Since the reference plate is also provided, the position where the battery is finally pushed into place can be limited, thereby preventing the battery from falling off the carrying platform during the pushing operation of the pushing plate.

[0018] In some embodiments, the push plate can reciprocate along the first direction under the drive of a pushing drive device, and the pushing drive device is located below the bearing surface of the bearing platform; the bearing platform is formed with a avoidance opening extending along the first direction, and the push plate is connected to the push plate connector through the avoidance opening, and the push plate connector is connected to the pushing drive device.

[0019] As a result, the push plate can be automatically moved in the first direction under the drive of the push drive device, thereby easily achieving the pushing operation and simplifying the structure and motion control. In addition, because the push drive device is located below the load surface of the load platform, it does not interfere with the batteries placed on the load platform, and more space is reserved above the load platform, making it easier to place and grab the batteries.

[0020] In some embodiments, the transfer table includes a lifting device, which is connected to the push plate connector and is arranged between the push plate and the push plate connector. The push plate can reciprocate along a third direction under the drive of the lifting device; wherein, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021] As a result, the push plate can adjust its height along the third direction under the drive of the jacking device, so that good pushing operations can be performed on batteries of different heights and sizes, which has better compatibility and is conducive to flexible production.

[0022] In some embodiments, the transfer station includes a push detection sensor, which is provided on the push plate and is used to detect whether the battery is pushed into place.

[0023] In this way, it is possible to detect whether the battery is pushed into place, and after the battery is pushed into place, the push plate is retreated or maintained in the current position to facilitate the second grasping and releasing device to grasp. In addition, the possibility of damage to the battery due to excessive pushing of the push plate can be reduced, and the reliability of the pushing operation of the push plate can be improved.

[0024] In some embodiments, the transfer table includes: a pressing member for pressing the battery along a third direction, and the pressing member is driven by a pressing drive device and is arranged on the supporting platform in a manner that can reciprocate along the third direction.

[0025] As a result, the pressing member can compress the batteries on the supporting platform along the third direction, so that the second grasping and placing device can only grasp the batteries that are not compressed, reducing the possibility of the second grasping and placing device accidentally grasping excess batteries during the process of grasping the batteries, improving the reliability of the second grasping and placing device's grasping, and also realizing the conversion of batteries from a whole row to a specified number.

[0026] In some embodiments, the pressing member is mounted on the turntable via a movable platform, and the movable platform can reciprocate along the first direction on the turntable under the drive of a movable driving device.

[0027] Thus, the pressing member can be moved in an automated manner along the first direction using a simple and stable structure. Furthermore, since the pressing member can move along the first direction, batteries at different positions can be pressed by adjusting the position of the pressing member along the first direction, allowing the second gripping device to accurately grasp a specified number of batteries.

[0028] In some embodiments, the transfer table includes an alignment component, which is provided on the supporting platform and is used to perform alignment operations on the battery; the alignment component includes two alignment members, which extend along the first direction and can approach or move away from each other relative to each other along the second direction, and the alignment operation is performed by the approaching action of the two alignment members; wherein the second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction.

[0029] Since the turntable includes an alignment component, and the two alignment parts of the alignment component can be aligned by approaching each other along the second direction, it is possible to align multiple batteries on the carrier platform with a simple structure and simple movements to form a neat battery queue, which is more conducive to the grasping of the second grasping and placing device. Moreover, since the two alignment parts extend along the first direction, it is possible to align multiple batteries at the same time, and the alignment efficiency is higher. In addition, since the turntable achieves alignment and centering by the mutual approach of the two alignment parts, it can adapt to batteries of different sizes by adjusting the distance between the two alignment parts when they are close. It has good compatibility and is conducive to flexible production.

[0030] In some embodiments, the two alignment members are connected to a screw rod, which extends along the second direction and is rotatably arranged below the supporting platform. The two alignment members can approach or move away from each other along the screw rod as the screw rod rotates.

[0031] Thus, the two alignment members can be moved closer to each other by rotating the screw, making it easy to achieve reliable alignment of the battery in a simple structure and automated manner without the need for additional alignment references. Moreover, the screw being located below the carrier platform can provide a larger operating space for the carrier platform, making it more convenient to perform alignment operations on the battery. The screw drive can also move the two alignment members closer to or away from each other in a continuous motion, making the movement smoother and more stable. In addition, the screw drive has high transmission efficiency and low energy consumption, which is more conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0032] In some embodiments, the alignment assembly includes at least two first alignment connectors, one end of the two first alignment connectors is respectively connected to the two alignment members, and the other end is respectively connected to the two second alignment connectors; the two second alignment connectors are both supported on the screw rod, and can reciprocate along the second direction as the screw rod rotates.

[0033] Thus, only one screw can be used to move the two alignment members closer to or farther from each other, which helps reduce the number of parts and eases assembly difficulty. Moreover, the movement of the two alignment members closer to or farther from each other can be more synchronized, thereby better aligning the battery.

[0034] In some embodiments, the turntable also includes a synchronous belt assembly; the synchronous belt assembly includes two synchronous wheels and a synchronous belt that transmits and connects the two synchronous wheels, one synchronous wheel is connected to the output end of the alignment drive device, and the other synchronous wheel is connected to the screw rod; the synchronous belt assembly can rotate under the drive of the alignment drive device, driving the screw rod to rotate.

[0035] Therefore, the transmission structure using a synchronous belt and a synchronous wheel can make the alignment component approach or move away from both sides in the second direction at the same time and align, thereby realizing the alignment of the battery, with higher movement accuracy and a more stable movement process, and can reduce the risk of excessive force during alignment.

[0036] The second aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery conveying method, which uses a battery conveying system to convey batteries, wherein the battery conveying system includes a transfer table, a first grasping and placing device, and a second grasping and placing device; the transfer table includes at least a first load-bearing platform and a second load-bearing platform, and the first load-bearing platform and the second load-bearing platform can independently reciprocate along a first direction; the first load-bearing platform and the second load-bearing platform are respectively provided with a push plate, and the push plate can move forward or backward along the first direction; the battery conveying method includes: moving the first load-bearing platform along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device, the first grasping and placing device grasps the battery from a preset position and places the battery on the first load-bearing platform; moving the first load-bearing platform carrying the battery along the first direction Move to the vicinity of the second grasping and placing device, and make the second carrying platform move along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device; the second grasping and placing device grasps the battery placed on the first carrying platform after being pushed by the push plate and places the battery at a specified position, and the first grasping and placing device grasps the battery from the preset position and places the battery on the second carrying platform; make the second carrying platform move along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grasping and placing device, after the second grasping and placing device grasps and places all the batteries carried on the first carrying platform, it continues to grasp and place the batteries carried on the second carrying platform after being pushed by the push plate, and the first carrying platform moves again along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device.

[0037] In this way, the battery can be discharged and loaded continuously through the alternating movement of the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform between the first grasping and placing device and the second grasping and placing device, thereby effectively improving the production line rhythm, reducing waiting time and improving transportation efficiency.

[0038] In some embodiments, the transfer table includes a reference plate and a pressing member arranged on the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform; the pressing member can move along the first direction and can move along the third direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the third direction; before the second grasping and placing device grasps the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, the battery conveying method includes: moving the push plate located on the carrying platform where the battery to be grasped is located forward along the first direction to push the battery until all the batteries are tightly fitted between the pushing surface of the push plate and the abutting surface of the reference plate; moving the pressing member located on the carrying platform where the battery to be grasped is located along the first direction to a preparatory pressing position, and moving from the preparatory pressing position along the third direction until the pressing member contacts the adjacent battery of the battery to be grasped.

[0039] Thus, the batteries can be arranged closely along the first direction through the pushing operation of the push plate, and the batteries can be pushed to the position to be grasped, which is convenient for the second grasping device to grasp. Moreover, the contact between the pressing member and the adjacent batteries of the battery to be grasped reduces the possibility of the second grasping device grasping excess batteries, thereby improving the reliability of the second grasping device grasping.

[0040] In some embodiments, the step of the second grasping device grasping the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform includes: the second grasping device grasps the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, which is located on the side of the reference plate and is not pressed by the pressing member, and places the battery in the specified position; the pressing member moves away from the battery along the third direction; the push plate moves forward along the first direction to push the battery until all the batteries are tightly fitted between the pushing surface and the abutment surface; the pressing member moves along the third direction until the pressing member contacts the battery adjacent to the battery to be grasped; and the above steps are repeated until the second grasping device grasps all the batteries carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform.

[0041] After the second grasping and placing device completes a grasping operation, the clamping member releases the clamping, and the push plate pushes again so that the battery behind is pushed to the position to be grasped, making it easier for the second grasping and placing device to continue the next grasping operation. In this way, the battery can be converted from a whole row to a specified number of batteries in an automated manner through simple actions.

[0042] In some embodiments, the transfer table includes an alignment component arranged on the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform; the alignment component includes two alignment parts, and the two alignment parts can approach or move away from each other relative to each other along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction; before the second grasping and placing device grasps the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, the battery conveying method also includes: making the two alignment parts approach each other relative to each other along the second direction until the alignment surface of the alignment part contacts the battery to align the battery; making the two alignment parts move away from each other relative to each other along the second direction.

[0043] Thus, a neatly aligned battery queue can be easily formed by the movement of the two alignment members approaching each other, which is more conducive to the grasping of the second grasping and placing device, and reduces the possibility of missed grasping or wrong grasping due to the disordered arrangement of batteries.

[0044] The third aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery production line, which includes: a discharge table, a battery conveying system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, and a battery conveying line; a first grasping and placing device is used to grasp the battery at the discharge table and place the battery on a transfer table; a second grasping and placing device is used to grasp the battery carried on the transfer table and place the battery on the battery conveying line.

[0045] In this way, the battery can be transported in an automated manner, and the production cycle can be reduced by coordinating the action sequence of at least two carrying platforms of the transfer station, thereby improving the transportation efficiency and increasing the production capacity.

[0046] Effects of the Invention

[0047] The present disclosure provides a battery conveying system, a battery conveying method, and a battery production line that have high conveying efficiency and can improve production line tact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same components. In the drawings:

[0049] FIG1 is a schematic plan view of the structure of a battery conveying system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a transfer station provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an axonometric projection of a turntable provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure of a transfer station provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG5 is a flow chart of a battery delivery method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG6 is another schematic flow chart of a battery delivery method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0055] FIG7 is another schematic flow chart of a battery transport method provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0056] FIG8 is another schematic flow chart of a battery transport method provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] Explanation of reference numerals 1-turntable; 11-base bracket; 12-guide rail; 13-blocking member; 2-carrying platform; 21-carrying surface; 22-carrying frame; 23-sliding member; 24-avoidance; 3-push plate; 31-push driving device; 32-push plate connecting member; 33-push plate bracket; 34-elastic member; 35-lifting device; 36-push detection sensor; 4-reference plate; 5-pressing member; 51-pressing driving device; 52-pressing Bracket; 53-mobile platform; 54-mobile drive device; 55-compression detection sensor; 6-alignment assembly; 61-alignment member; 62-first alignment connecting member; 63-second alignment connecting member; 7-screw; 71-engaging member; 8-synchronous belt assembly; 81-synchronous wheel; 82-synchronous belt; 83-cover; 9-alignment drive device; 10-first grasping and releasing device; 20-second grasping and releasing device; 30-battery; 100-battery conveying system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present disclosure and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0059] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in this disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0060] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, technical terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used solely to distinguish different objects and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or to implicitly specify the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the technical features indicated. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" means more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0061] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0063] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by technical terms such as "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", and "circumferential" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, technical terms such as "installed," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and can refer to internal connectivity between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure based on specific circumstances.

[0065] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be understood in a broad sense, and can be direct contact, contact through an intermediate medium layer, contact with essentially no interaction force between the two contacting parties, or contact with interaction force between the two contacting parties.

[0066] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0067] Currently, new energy batteries are increasingly being used in everyday life and industry. They are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but are also widely used in electric vehicles like electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, as well as in a variety of fields such as aerospace. As the application of power batteries continues to expand, market demand is also growing.

[0068] During the battery production process, it is necessary to connect various conveyor lines or workstations through a battery conveyor system to convey the batteries so that the batteries can flow between various conveyor lines and workstations for different processing operations. For example, in the process of producing battery modules or battery packs, it is usually necessary to remove battery cells from a large battery package containing many battery cells and load them onto the conveyor line. The rhythm of loading and conveying the battery cells affects the production rhythm of subsequent processes. Therefore, the conveying efficiency of the battery conveyor system greatly affects the production efficiency of the battery. Therefore, improving the conveying efficiency of the battery conveyor system helps to improve the production rhythm of the battery production line, which can effectively improve the production efficiency of the battery production line and help reduce production costs.

[0069] Existing battery conveying systems usually use truss grippers to connect conveyor lines and workstations. However, the truss grippers need to move back and forth to grab and convey batteries, resulting in a slow conveying cycle and low conveying efficiency.

[0070] In response to the problems existing in the above-mentioned related technologies, the present disclosure proposes a battery conveying system. The battery conveying system includes a turntable, a first grabbing and placing device, a second grabbing and placing device, and a push plate. The turntable includes at least two carrying platforms for carrying batteries, and at least two carrying platforms can independently reciprocate along the first direction. The first grabbing and placing device is used to grab the battery and place the battery on at least any one of the carrying platforms. The second grabbing and placing device is used to grab the battery carried on the carrying platform and place the battery at a specified position. The push plate is used to push the battery, and the push plate is provided on each carrying platform and can move forward or backward along the first direction, and the pushing operation is performed by the forward movement of the push plate. The first grabbing and placing device and the second grabbing and placing device are located on opposite sides of the turntable along the first direction.

[0071] The battery conveying system of the disclosed embodiment can discharge and load batteries simultaneously with a simple structure and simple actions, and can also realize uninterrupted loading of batteries, thereby effectively improving the rhythm of the production line, reducing waiting time, speeding up battery conveying efficiency, improving production capacity, and thereby improving production efficiency and reducing production costs.

[0072] The battery conveying system of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in the battery production process, for example, for conveying batteries during loading. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the battery conveying system provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is not only used for conveying various batteries in the battery production process, but can also be used to convey other workpieces that need to be conveyed on other production lines.

[0073] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 .

[0074] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the battery conveying system provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the transfer table provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the transfer table provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the partially enlarged structure of the transfer table provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a flow chart of the battery conveying method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is another flow chart of the battery conveying method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is another flow chart of the battery conveying method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is another flow chart of the battery conveying method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for ease of description, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are set. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the case where the three directions are perpendicular to each other. For ease of description, as shown by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2, the direction of arrow X is the first direction, the direction of arrow Y is the second direction, and the direction of arrow Z is the third direction. The direction indicated by arrow Z along the third direction is sometimes referred to as "upward," and the opposite direction is referred to as "downward."

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the first aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery conveying system 100. The battery conveying system 100 includes a transfer table 1, a first grasping and placing device 10, a second grasping and placing device 20, and a push plate 3. The transfer table 1 includes at least two carrying platforms 2 for carrying batteries 30, and at least two carrying platforms 2 can independently reciprocate along the first direction. The first grasping and placing device 10 is used to grasp the battery 30 and place the battery 30 on at least any one of the carrying platforms 2. The second grasping and placing device 20 is used to grasp the battery 30 carried on the carrying platform 2 and place the battery 30 in a specified position. The push plate 3 is used to push the battery. The push plate 3 is provided on each carrying platform 2 and can move forward or backward along the first direction. The pushing operation is performed by the forward movement of the push plate 3. The first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20 are located on opposite sides of the transfer table 1 along the first direction.

[0077] In the manufacturing process of products such as batteries, a battery conveyor system is typically required to connect various conveyor lines or workstations to transport batteries, allowing batteries to flow between various conveyor lines and workstations for different processing operations. The battery conveyor system 100 implemented in the present disclosure is a system that can connect a discharge table and a battery conveyor line and can transport batteries between them.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery may be a battery cell.

[0079] A battery cell refers to a basic unit that can realize the mutual conversion of chemical energy and electrical energy. It can be used to make battery modules or battery packs, which are used to power electrical devices.

[0080] The battery cell may be a secondary battery. A secondary battery refers to a battery cell that can be recharged to activate the active material after the battery cell is discharged and can be used continuously.

[0081] The battery cells may be lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries, sodium metal batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, magnesium-ion batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, lead-acid batteries, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] Although not shown, a battery cell generally includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. During the charge and discharge process of the battery cell, active ions (such as lithium ions) are inserted and removed between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator is placed between the positive and negative electrodes to prevent short circuits between the positive and negative electrodes while allowing active ions to pass through.

[0083] In some embodiments, the battery cell further includes an electrolyte, which acts as a conductor of ions between the positive and negative electrodes. This disclosure does not specifically limit the type of electrolyte, and the electrolyte may be selected based on needs. The electrolyte may be liquid, gel, or solid.

[0084] In some embodiments, a battery cell may include a housing. The housing is used to encapsulate components such as the electrode assembly and the electrolyte. The housing may be a steel housing, an aluminum housing, a plastic housing (e.g., polypropylene), a composite metal housing (e.g., a copper-aluminum composite housing), or an aluminum-plastic film.

[0085] As an example, the battery cell can be a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, a soft-pack battery cell or a battery cell of other shapes. The prismatic battery cell includes a square-shell battery cell, a blade-shaped battery cell, a polygonal battery, such as a hexagonal battery, etc. There is no special limitation in the present disclosure.

[0086] In some embodiments, the housing includes an end cap and a shell. The shell has an opening, and the end cap closes the opening to form a sealed space for accommodating the electrode assembly, electrolyte, and other substances. The shell may have one or more openings. One or more end caps may also be provided.

[0087] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with at least one electrode terminal, which is electrically connected to the tab. The electrode terminal may be directly connected to the tab or indirectly connected to the tab via an adapter component. The electrode terminal may be provided on the end cap or on the housing.

[0088] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with a pressure relief mechanism for releasing the internal pressure of the battery cell.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery may also be a single physical module including one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. When there are multiple battery cells, the multiple battery cells are connected in series, in parallel or in hybrid via a busbar.

[0090] The battery conveying system 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG1 , the battery conveying system 100 includes a transfer table 1 , a first pick-and-place device 10 , and a second pick-and-place device 20 .

[0091] The transfer platform 1 is located between the first pick-and-place device 10 and the second pick-and-place device 20 and is used to transport or carry the batteries 30 to be loaded. The first pick-and-place device 10 and the second pick-and-place device 20 are located on opposite sides of the transfer platform 1 along a first direction.

[0092] Exemplarily, the first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20 may be grasping and placing robots. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first grasping and placing device 10 is a six-axis robot, and the second grasping and placing device 20 is a four-axis robot.

[0093] Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that in some other embodiments, the first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20 may also be any other suitable devices as long as they can grasp the battery.

[0094] As shown in Figure 2, the transfer station 1 includes at least two carrying platforms 2 for carrying batteries 30. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, there are two carrying platforms 2. In some other embodiments, more carrying platforms 2 may also be provided.

[0095] Here, any one of the two carrying platforms 2 is used as an example for explanation. The carrying platform 2 includes a carrying surface 21 and a carrying frame 22, and the carrying frame 22 is located below the carrying surface 21. The carrying surface 21 is generally flat, and the battery 30 is placed on the carrying surface 21. The flat carrying surface 21 can make the placement of the battery 30 more stable. The carrying frame 22 is used to support the carrying surface 21, and various functional components can be set on the carrying frame 22 for pushing, aligning, and other operations on the battery 30 carried on the carrying surface 21 (described in detail later).

[0096] The two supporting platforms 2 (the first supporting platform and the second supporting platform) of the embodiment of the present disclosure can each independently reciprocate along the first direction, that is, they can move from the side close to the first grasping and placing device 10 to the side close to the second grasping and placing device 20, and can also move from the side close to the second grasping and placing device 20 to the side close to the first grasping and placing device 10.

[0097] When the batteries 30 are started to be transported, one of the carrying platforms 2 (the first carrying platform) can be moved along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device 10, so that the first grasping and placing device 10 grasps the battery 30 at the preset position and places the battery 30 on the carrying surface 21 of the carrying platform 2. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first grasping and placing device 10 can grasp multiple batteries 30 at a time and place multiple batteries 30 on the carrying platform 2 at the same time. The embodiment of the present disclosure does not specifically limit the number of batteries 30 grasped by the first grasping and placing device 10, and can be set according to actual conditions. The first grasping and placing device 10 can perform only one grasping and placing operation, or can perform multiple grasping and placing operations. The first grasping and placing device 10 can stop grasping and placing batteries to the carrying platform 2 until the number of batteries carried by the carrying platform 2 reaches the maximum (that is, when the discharge is completed). The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the maximum number of batteries that the carrying platform 2 can carry, and can be specifically set according to the actual size of the carrying platform 2.

[0098] When one of the carrying platforms 2 has finished unloading, it will move along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grabbing and placing device 20. The second grabbing and placing device 20 will grab the battery 30 on the carrying platform 2 and place the battery 30 in the specified position. At this time, the other carrying platform 2 (the second carrying platform) will move along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grabbing and placing device 10. While the second grabbing and placing device 20 grabs the battery 30 and loads the battery, the first grabbing and placing device 10 unloads the battery from the other carrying platform 2. After the other carrying platform 2 has finished unloading, it will also move along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grabbing and placing device 20 to wait for loading. Therefore, after the second grabbing and placing device 20 has finished grabbing the battery 30 on one carrying platform 2, it can continue to grab the battery 30 on the other carrying platform 2. The empty carrying platform 2 will move again to the vicinity of the first grabbing and placing device 10 to wait for the first grabbing and placing device 10 to unload the battery. After unloading, it will move back to the vicinity of the second grabbing and placing device 20 to wait for loading. In this way, after the second grabbing and placing device 20 grabs the battery 30 on one of the carrying platforms 2, it can continue to grab the battery 30 on the other carrying platform 2 without interruption, so as to realize uninterrupted loading of the battery 30, thereby effectively improving the rhythm of the production line, reducing waiting time, speeding up transportation efficiency, and increasing production capacity, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing production costs.

[0099] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, along the conveying direction of the battery, the first grasping and placing device 10 is located on the upstream side, and the second grasping and placing device 20 is located on the downstream side. The preset position is the unloading table, and the specified position is the battery conveyor line. Under normal circumstances, the number of batteries 30 grasped by the second grasping and placing device 20 is less than the number of batteries 30 grasped by the first grasping and placing device 10. Because there are usually multiple batteries 30 stored at the unloading table on the upstream side, the first grasping and placing device 10 can grasp multiple batteries 30 at one time to achieve faster unloading, while the battery conveyor line on the downstream side will sequentially convey the specified number of batteries to each workstation for corresponding processing operations. Therefore, the second grasping and placing device 20 needs to grasp the multiple batteries in a row on the supporting platform 2 in steps according to the actual situation, that is, only grasp the specified number of batteries 30 at a time. For example, if the next process requires processing operations on individual batteries, the second grasping and placing device 20 can only grasp one battery at a time.

[0100] In the related art, although it is possible to use a truss gripper with a grab and release function to sequentially grab batteries and move the batteries one by one to the downstream conveyor line, the truss gripper needs to move back and forth, which is very time-consuming and has a very low conveying efficiency.

[0101] The battery conveying system 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve uninterrupted loading of materials by the second grasping and placing device 20 through the alternating reciprocating motion of at least two carrying platforms 2, thereby effectively improving the production line rhythm and battery conveying efficiency.

[0102] In the disclosed embodiment, the second grasping and placing device 20 is capable of grasping two batteries 30 at a time and placing them in a predetermined position. In other embodiments, the second grasping and placing device 20 may grasp one battery 30 or more batteries 30 (more than two) at a time. The disclosed embodiment does not impose a specific limit on the number of batteries 30 grasped by the second grasping and placing device 20, and the number may be set based on actual conditions.

[0103] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preset position may also be, for example, an upstream conveyor line for transferring the batteries 30 processed at other workstations to the vicinity of the transfer table 1. The specified position may also be, for example, a tray on a downstream tray conveyor line for transferring the batteries 30 via the tray to subsequent workstations for corresponding processing operations.

[0104] When the batteries 30 are grasped from the preset position by the first grasping and placing device 10 and placed on the supporting platform 2, the distribution of the multiple batteries 30 along the first direction is relatively loose, that is, there may be gaps between each battery 30, which makes it possible for the second grasping and placing device 20 to grasp empty batteries, that is, fail to grasp the required number of batteries 30. In addition, due to the limited grasping range of the second grasping and placing device 20, the batteries 30 grasped and placed on the supporting platform 2 by the first grasping and placing device 10 are not necessarily in the ready-to-grasp position (a position close to the second grasping and placing device 20) that the second grasping and placing device 20 can grasp.

[0105] Therefore, the transfer table 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a push plate 3, which is arranged on the side of the carrying platform 2 close to the first grasping device 10. The push plate 3 can push the batteries 30 on the carrying platform 2 along the first direction, so that the gap between each battery 30 can be reduced or even eliminated. In addition, the batteries 30 on the carrying platform 2 can also be pushed to the waiting position to be grasped by the pushing operation of the push plate 3 along the first direction, so as to facilitate the subsequent grasping by the second grasping device 20. Moreover, after the second grasping device 20 completes a grasping operation, the push plate 3 can continue to push the remaining batteries 30 to the waiting position to be grasped, so as to facilitate the second grasping device 20 to perform the next grasping operation, so that the second grasping device 20 can continuously grasp without adjusting its position, and the pushing and grasping operations are repeated until the second grasping device 20 has grasped all the batteries 30 on the carrying platform 2.

[0106] That is, the forward direction of the push plate 3 can be a direction gradually away from the first grasping and placing device 10 along the first direction or a direction gradually approaching the second grasping and placing device 20 along the first direction.

[0107] The push plate 3 may be in the shape of a plate, a strip, or a rod that is long in the second direction. There is no specific limitation on the shape of the push plate 3 as long as it can push the batteries 30. Furthermore, there is no specific limitation on the length of the push plate 3 in the second direction as long as it can push batteries 30 of all sizes compatible with the battery conveyor system 100.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transfer station 1 includes a base support 11 and at least two guide rails 12, and the carrying platform 2 is disposed on the base support 11. Each guide rail 12 is disposed on the base support 11 and extends along a first direction, and each carrying platform 2 is supported on the guide rail 12 in a manner capable of moving along the guide rail 12.

[0109] The guide rail 12 is usually a groove or ridge made of metal or other suitable materials, and is mainly used in situations where linear reciprocating motion occurs. The guide rail 12 can support, fix, and guide moving parts or devices and reduce friction during their movement.

[0110] The carrying platform 2 can achieve reciprocating motion along the first direction by cooperating with the guide rail 12, with a simple structure and ingenious design. In addition, the guide rail 12 can limit the movement trajectory of the carrying platform 2 while reducing the possibility of friction and shaking when the carrying platform 2 moves along the first direction, thereby making the movement of the carrying platform 2 smoother and more stable, more reliable, and with lower energy consumption, which is more conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0111] In addition, by driving the carrying platform 2 to reciprocate along the guide rail 12, the size of the turntable 1 can be easily designed according to needs, so that the first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20 on both sides of the turntable 1 can be properly connected, so that the first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20 can easily grasp and place batteries even if they move within a smaller range.

[0112] Specifically, as shown in FIG3 , a plurality of sliding members 23 are provided below the carrier body 22 of the carrier platform 2. The sliding members 23 are connected to the carrier body 22 and are provided on the guide rail 12 in a manner capable of reciprocating along the guide rail 12 in a first direction. The sliding members 23 include, but are not limited to, sliding plates, sliding blocks, sliding rods, or sliding assemblies composed of a plurality of structures.

[0113] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sliding member 23 is a sliding block, which can reciprocate along the guide rail 12 under the drive of a driving device, thereby driving the carrying platform 2 to reciprocate along the first direction. The driving device includes but is not limited to a motor.

[0114] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide rail 12 is a ridge-shaped protrusion structure, and the sliding member 23 is provided with a groove. The sliding member 23 can reciprocate along the guide rail 12 through the cooperation between the groove and the ridge-shaped protrusion structure of the guide rail 12.

[0115] In some other embodiments, the guide rail 12 may also be in a groove shape, and the sliding member 23 is provided with a protrusion, and the sliding member 23 can drag the protrusion through the engagement with the groove of the guide rail 12 to perform reciprocating motion along the guide rail 12 .

[0116] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not impose a specific limit on the number of guide rails 12 , as long as the number of guide rails 12 is at least the same as the number of carrying platforms 2 .

[0117] For example, the transfer platform 1 may include only two guide rails 12 , and the two carrying platforms 2 respectively reciprocate along one guide rail 12 .

[0118] As another example, the transfer platform 1 may include four guide rails 12 , and the two carrying platforms 2 respectively reciprocate along the two guide rails 12 .

[0119] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not impose any specific limitation on the number of the sliding members 23 , as long as it can ensure that the carrying platform 2 can slide smoothly along the guide rail 12 through the sliding members 23 .

[0120] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, blocking members 13 are provided on two opposite sides of the base bracket 11 along the first direction, and the blocking members 13 are used to block the carrying platform 2 .

[0121] Therefore, when the carrying platform 2 reciprocates along the first direction, it can limit the carrying platform 2 and prevent the carrying platform 2 from falling off the guide rail 12, thereby improving the reliability of the carrying platform 2 moving along the first direction.

[0122] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, there are four blocking members 13, which are arranged in pairs. The two blocking members in each pair of blocking members 13 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of a supporting platform 2 along the first direction, so as to limit the supporting platform 2.

[0123] The embodiment of the present disclosure does not impose a specific limit on the number of the blocking members 13 , as long as it can ensure that the carrying platform 2 does not fall off the guide rail 12 during the reciprocating motion along the first direction.

[0124] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transfer station 1 includes a reference plate 4 , which is disposed on the carrying platform 2 and on the opposite side of the push plate 3 along the first direction. The reference plate 4 is used to block the battery 30 .

[0125] The transfer platform 1 further includes a reference plate 4, which is disposed on a side of the carrying platform 2 near the second pick-and-place device 20 and remains stationary along the first direction. The reference plate 4 defines the final position of the battery 30 and prevents the battery 30 from falling off the carrying platform 2 during the pushing operation of the push plate 3.

[0126] The reference plate 4 includes a generally flat abutment surface. This flat abutment surface can make the force applied to the battery 30 more uniform, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the battery conveying system 100 during the pushing operation on the battery 30. In some embodiments, the reference plate 4 may further include a buffer layer on the abutment surface to prevent damage to the battery 30 caused by contact between the rigid reference plate 4 and the battery 30. The length of the reference plate 4 along the second direction can be sufficient as long as it can block all sizes of batteries 30 compatible with the battery conveying system 100. For example, it can be set to be the same or substantially the same as the length of the push plate 3 along the second direction.

[0127] When the push plate 3 pushes the battery 30, the push plate 3 approaches the reference plate 4 along the first direction, thereby applying a thrust along the first direction to the battery 30, pushing the battery 30 toward the position to be grasped and allowing multiple batteries 30 to be closely arranged along the first direction. As a result, the first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20 can easily grasp and place the battery even if they move within a smaller range.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, there are two push plates 3 and two reference plates 4, and one push plate 3 and one reference plate 4 are provided on each supporting platform 2. In some other embodiments, when the turntable 1 includes more supporting platforms 2, the number of push plates 3 and reference plates 4 should also be increased accordingly.

[0129] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG4 , the push plate 3 is capable of reciprocating along a first direction under the drive of a push drive 31, and the push drive 31 is located below the support surface 21 of the support platform 2. The support platform 2 is formed with an escape opening 24 extending along the first direction, and the push plate 3 passes through the escape opening 24 to connect to the push plate connector 32, which is in turn connected to the push drive 31.

[0130] The push plate 3 can be directly or indirectly connected to the pushing drive device 31. Thus, the push plate 3 can be driven by the pushing drive device 31 to move in the first direction in an automated manner, thereby easily achieving a pushing operation, and the structure and motion control are simple.

[0131] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the push plate 3 can be indirectly connected to the pushing drive device 31 via the push plate connector 32 and the push plate bracket 33, wherein one end of the push plate bracket 33 is connected to the push plate 3 and the other end is connected to the push plate connector 32, and the push plate connector 32 is connected to the pushing drive device 31. In this way, by providing the push plate connector 32, the connection area between the push plate 3 and the pushing drive device 31 can be increased, the connection reliability can be increased, and the movement of the push plate 3 can be made smoother.

[0132] In addition, an elastic member 34 may be provided between the push plate bracket 33 and the push plate 3, so that the push plate 3 can have a certain elastic buffer when pushing the battery 30, reducing the possibility of damage to the battery 30. The elastic member 34 includes but is not limited to a compression spring.

[0133] Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that in some other embodiments, the push plate 3 may also be indirectly connected to the push drive device 31 through the push plate bracket 33 , or the push plate 3 may also be directly connected to the push drive device 31 .

[0134] The pushing drive device 31 includes but is not limited to a motor. As a specific example, a linear motor can be used.

[0135] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pushing drive device 31 is arranged on the carrier body 22 and is located below the carrying surface 21 of the carrying platform 2. Therefore, it will not interfere with the battery 30 placed on the carrying platform 2. It also reserves a larger space for the carrying surface 21 of the carrying platform 2 to facilitate the placement and grasping of the battery 30.

[0136] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG4 , the transfer platform 1 includes a lifting device 35 connected to the push plate connector 32 and disposed between the push plate 3 and the push plate connector 32. The push plate 3 can reciprocate along a third direction driven by the lifting device 35. The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0137] The model and size specifications of the batteries 30 transported each time by the battery conveying system 100 may be different. Therefore, the transfer table 1 also includes a lifting device 35. The lifting device 35 can be directly connected to the push plate 3, or can be indirectly connected to the push plate 3 via the push plate bracket 33. In this way, the push plate 3 can adjust the height of the push plate 3 along the third direction under the drive of the lifting device 35, so that good pushing operations can be performed for batteries 30 of different heights and sizes, which has better compatibility and is conducive to flexible production.

[0138] Exemplarily, the lifting device 35 includes but is not limited to a lifting cylinder.

[0139] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transfer station 1 includes a push detection sensor 36 , which is provided on the push plate 3 and is used to detect whether the battery 30 is pushed into place.

[0140] In this way, it is possible to detect whether the battery 30 is pushed into place during the pushing operation of the push plate 3, and after the battery 30 is pushed into place, the push plate 3 is retreated or maintained at the current position to facilitate the second grasping and releasing device 20 to grasp. In addition, the possibility of damage to the battery 30 caused by excessive pushing of the push plate 3 can be reduced.

[0141] Exemplarily, the push detection sensor 36 can calculate the overall size of the battery queue composed of multiple batteries 30 on the supporting platform 2 along the first direction through the size of a single battery 30 along the first direction, and determine the spacing distance between the push plate 3 and the reference plate 4 based on the overall size, so as to judge whether the push plate 3 is pushed into place.

[0142] The push detection sensor 36 includes but is not limited to a diffuse reflection sensor, a laser sensor, or a grating scale sensor.

[0143] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the aforementioned lifting devices 35 and the push detection sensors 36 is two, and each of the two load-bearing platforms 2 is provided with one lifting device 35 and one push detection sensor 36. In some other embodiments, if the number of load-bearing platforms 2 is greater, the number of the lifting devices 35 and the push detection sensors 36 will also increase accordingly.

[0144] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 2, the transfer table 1 includes a pressing member 5, which is used to press the battery 30 along the third direction. The pressing member 5 is driven by a pressing drive device 51 and is arranged on the supporting platform 2 in a manner that can reciprocate along the third direction.

[0145] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the disclosed embodiment, there are two pressing members 5, each of which compresses a battery 30 on a respective carrier platform 2. In other embodiments, if there are more carrier platforms 2, the number of pressing members 5 will also increase accordingly. The disclosed embodiment is described using any one of the two pressing members 5 as an example.

[0146] Specifically, the compression member 5 includes a compression surface that contacts the top surface of the battery 30. The compression surface is generally flat, thereby ensuring a more uniform force on the battery 30 during compression. The compression member 5 is connected to the compression drive device 51 via a compression bracket 52. An elastic member may be provided between the compression bracket 52 and the compression member 5 to provide a buffer during the compression operation of the battery 30 and reduce the possibility of damage to the battery 30. The elastic member includes, but is not limited to, a compression spring.

[0147] Since the plurality of batteries 30 have formed a battery queue tightly arranged along the first direction under the pushing operation of the push plate 3 when the second grasping and placing device 20 grasps the batteries 30 on the carrying platform 2, there is a possibility that the second grasping and placing device 20 may grasp the batteries 30 by mistake, that is, the specified number of batteries are not grasped.

[0148] Therefore, the transfer table 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure also includes a clamping member 5, which can apply a force (for example, a downward thrust or pressure) to the battery 30 along the third direction under the action of the clamping drive device 51, so that the batteries adjacent to the battery to be grasped on the supporting platform 2 can be compressed along the third direction, so that the second grasping device 20 can only grasp the batteries 30 that are not compressed, reducing the possibility of the second grasping device 20 accidentally grasping excess batteries in the process of grasping the batteries 30, improving the reliability of the grasping of the second grasping device 20, and in addition, it can also stably and reliably realize the conversion of batteries 30 from a whole row to a specified number of grasps.

[0149] The compacting drive device 51 includes but is not limited to a compacting cylinder.

[0150] In the disclosed embodiment, the pressing member 5 is further provided with a pressing detection sensor 55 for detecting whether the pressing surface of the pressing member 5 is in contact and pressing against the top surface of the battery 30. This further improves the reliability of the pressing member 5 and reduces the possibility of the pressing member 5 failing to press the battery 30 or damaging the battery 30 due to excessive pressing.

[0151] The compression detection sensor 55 includes, but is not limited to, a diffuse reflection sensor.

[0152] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressing member 5 is disposed on the turntable 1 via a movable stand 53 , and the movable stand 53 can reciprocate along a first direction on the turntable 1 under the drive of a movable driving device 54 .

[0153] Thus, the pressing member 5 can be moved in an automated manner along the first direction using a simple and stable structure. Furthermore, since the pressing member 5 can move along the first direction with the movable platform 53, the position of the pressing member 5 along the first direction can be adjusted to press batteries 30 at different positions, allowing the second gripping device 20 to accurately grasp a specified number of batteries 30.

[0154] The moving drive device 54 includes but is not limited to a linear motor.

[0155] Those skilled in the art will understand that after the pressing member 5 is adjusted in position along the first direction under the drive of the movable platform 53, the preliminary pressing position of the pressing member 5 along the first direction does not need to be changed as long as the specified number of batteries 30 to be grasped by the second grasping and placing device 20 does not change. This is because after each grasping and placing operation of the second grasping and placing device 20, the push plate 3 performs a pushing operation to push the battery 30 behind to the ready-to-be-grabbed position close to the second grasping and placing device 20. Therefore, after the push plate 3 completes the pushing operation, the pressing member 5 can remain in the current position and continue the pressing operation.

[0156] Of course, if the specified number of batteries 30 that the second grasping and placing device 20 needs to grasp changes, the movable platform 53 also needs to move along the first direction, thereby driving the pressing member 5 to move along the first direction to a new preparatory pressing position.

[0157] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG2 , the transfer station 1 includes an alignment assembly 6 , which is disposed on the carrier platform 2 and is used to align the battery 30 . The alignment assembly 6 includes two alignment members 61 , which extend along a first direction and can move toward or away from each other along a second direction. The alignment operation is performed by the approach of the two alignment members 61 . The second direction is perpendicular to both the first and third directions.

[0158] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, there are two alignment assemblies 6, each of which is disposed on a respective carrier platform 2. In other embodiments, if there are more carrier platforms 2, the number of alignment assemblies 6 will also increase accordingly. The embodiment of the present disclosure takes any one of the two alignment assemblies 6 as an example for description.

[0159] The batteries 30 grasped and placed on the carrying platform 2 by the first grasping and placing device 10 are not necessarily arranged neatly, and the placement positions are not necessarily uniform each time. Therefore, when the carrying platform 2 moves near the second grasping and placing device 20, there is a possibility that the second grasping and placing device 20 may grasp the battery by mistake. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the transfer table 1 also includes an alignment component 6.

[0160] Specifically, the alignment assembly 6 includes two paired alignment members 61. In their initial position, the two alignment members 61 are spaced apart along the second direction on opposite sides of the carrying platform 2, and the two alignment members 61 can approach or move away from each other along the second direction. After one of the carrying platforms 2 has been unloaded by the first gripping and placing device 10, the two alignment members 61 on that carrying platform 2 can approach each other along the second direction until they contact the surface of the battery 30 located between the two alignment members 61. These alignment members then exert a certain force on the surface of the battery 30, causing the centerline of the battery 30 to align with the midpoint between the two alignment members 61, thereby achieving alignment of the battery 30. This allows multiple batteries 30 on the carrying platform 2 to be aligned and centered using a simple structure and simple operation, thereby forming a neat battery queue, further facilitating grasping by the second gripping and placing device 20. Furthermore, since alignment of the battery 30 is achieved by aligning the centerline of the battery 30 with the midpoint between the two alignment members 61, no additional structural member serving as an alignment reference is required, simplifying the device configuration.

[0161] The two alignment members 61 of the alignment assembly 6 extend along the first direction and are generally in the shape of long flat plates. Therefore, multiple batteries 30 on the supporting platform 2 can be aligned simultaneously, achieving higher alignment efficiency. Furthermore, because the transfer table 1 achieves centering and alignment through the mutual proximity of the two alignment members 61, the distance (or range of movement) between the two alignment members 61 during their proximity can be adjusted to accommodate batteries 30 of varying sizes, providing excellent compatibility and facilitating flexible production.

[0162] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, two alignment members 61 are connected to the screw rod 7, the screw rod 7 extends along the second direction, and is rotatably arranged below the supporting platform 2. The two alignment members 61 can approach or move away from each other along the screw rod 7 as the screw rod 7 rotates.

[0163] Thus, the two alignment members 61 can be moved closer to each other by rotating the screw 7, thereby easily achieving reliable alignment of the battery 30 in a simple structure and automated manner without the need for additional alignment references. Moreover, the location of the screw 7 below the carrier platform 2 can also provide a larger operating space for the carrier platform 2, which is more conducive to the alignment operation of the battery 30. The screw drive can also make the two alignment members 61 move closer to or away from each other in a continuous motion, making the movement smoother and more stable. In addition, the screw drive has high transmission efficiency and low energy consumption, which is more conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0164] Specifically, the alignment assembly 6 includes at least two first alignment connectors 62, one end of each of the two first alignment connectors 62 is connected to the two alignment members 61, and the other end is connected to two second alignment connectors 63. The second alignment connectors 63 are each supported on the screw rod 7 and can reciprocate along the second direction as the screw rod 7 rotates.

[0165] Because the alignment member 61 is indirectly connected to the screw rod 7 via the first alignment connector 62 and the second alignment connector 63, there is no need to provide multiple screw rods and connect each alignment member 61 to a screw rod. Only one screw rod 7 can be used to achieve the movement of the two alignment members 61 relative to each other, which helps reduce the number of parts and eases assembly difficulty. Moreover, the movement of the two alignment members 61 towards each other or away from each other can be more synchronized, thereby better aligning the battery 30.

[0166] The screw rod 7 can be provided on the support frame 22, and the screw rod 7 is provided with two engaging members 71 engaged with the screw rod 7, and the two second alignment connecting members 63 are respectively fixedly connected to the outer circumferences of the two engaging members 71. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the engaging member 71 can be, for example, a nut engaged with the screw rod 7.

[0167] For example, the spiral directions of the internal threads of the two nuts are opposite, so that the two nuts can move in opposite directions along the second reverse direction as the screw 7 rotates, thereby driving the two positioning parts 61 indirectly connected to them to move in opposite directions along the second direction, thereby achieving relative approach and distance from each other.

[0168] As another example, the two nuts have the same spiral direction, and the screw rod 7 is a bidirectional screw rod (i.e., a screw rod with two threads in opposite directions). In this way, the two nuts can move in opposite directions along the second direction as the screw rod 7 rotates, thereby driving the two positioning members 61 indirectly connected to them to move in opposite directions along the second direction, thereby achieving relative approach and distance from each other.

[0169] In the disclosed embodiment, the first alignment connector 62 is generally in the shape of an inverted U, that is, it has two transverse beams extending in the second direction and a longitudinal beam extending in the third direction, the longitudinal beam being located between the two transverse beams, and the two transverse beams being respectively connected to the alignment member 61 and the second alignment connector 63. This shape of the first alignment connector 62 not only improves the supporting stability of the alignment member 61, but also enables the alignment member 61 to have a greater displacement stroke in the second direction, making the alignment member 61 compatible with batteries 30 of more sizes and specifications, and having better compatibility.

[0170] Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiment of the present disclosure does not specifically limit the shape of the first alignment connector 62 , and the first alignment connector 62 may also be in any other suitable shape.

[0171] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, since the alignment member 61 extends along the first direction and has a long length, the alignment component 6 includes four first alignment connectors 62, and each alignment member 61 is connected to two first alignment connectors 62 respectively. The two first alignment connectors 62 are arranged at intervals along the first direction. In this way, the alignment member 61 can be better supported, so that the movement of the alignment member 61 is smoother, and the movement amplitude along the first direction is the same, so that the battery 30 can be better aligned.

[0172] Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that in some other embodiments, each alignment member 61 may also be connected to three, four or more first alignment connecting members 62 , which may be specifically configured according to the actual size of the alignment member 61 .

[0173] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second alignment connecting member 63 is generally in the shape of a flat plate extending along the first direction. Thus, when the alignment member 61 is connected to multiple first alignment connecting members 62, the opposite ends of the first alignment connecting member 62 connected to the alignment member 61 can be connected to a second alignment connecting member 63. In this way, the multiple first alignment connecting members 62 can move synchronously along the second direction, thereby making the movement of the alignment member 61 along the second direction more stable and reliable.

[0174] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG3 , the transfer table 1 further includes a synchronous belt assembly 8 . The synchronous belt assembly 8 includes two synchronous pulleys 81 and a synchronous belt 82 that transmits and connects the two synchronous pulleys 81 . One synchronous pulley 81 is connected to the output end of the alignment drive device 9 , and the other synchronous pulley 81 is connected to the lead screw 7 . The synchronous belt assembly 8 can rotate under the drive of the alignment drive device 9 , thereby driving the lead screw 7 to rotate.

[0175] Therefore, the transmission structure using the synchronous belt 82 and the synchronous wheel 81 can make the alignment component 6 approach or move away from both sides in the second direction at the same time and align, thereby realizing the alignment of the battery, with higher movement accuracy and more stable movement process, and can reduce the risk of excessive force during alignment.

[0176] In the embodiment disclosed herein, the alignment drive device 9 can be fixedly connected to the carrier frame 22, and the alignment drive device 9 and the synchronous belt assembly 8 are both located below the bearing surface 21 of the bearing platform 2. In this way, the area below the bearing surface 21 can be fully utilized to improve space utilization, and will not interfere with the battery 30 on the bearing surface 21, making it convenient for other components or devices to grasp, push, align, and perform other operations on the battery 30.

[0177] In addition, by connecting the alignment drive device 9 and the screw rod 7 through the synchronous belt assembly 8, the alignment drive device 9 can be located above the screw rod 7 along the third direction, so that the alignment drive device 9 will not exceed the supporting platform 2 along the second direction. In this way, the space can be used more reasonably and interference can be reduced.

[0178] Those skilled in the art should understand that the transmission assembly between the positioning drive device 9 and the screw rod 7 is not limited to the synchronous belt assembly 8. In some other embodiments, any other suitable transmission assembly such as belts and pulleys, gears and racks may also be used.

[0179] The alignment driving device 9 includes but is not limited to a motor. As a specific example, the alignment driving device 9 may be a servo motor.

[0180] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 1, a cover body 83 is provided on the outer periphery of the synchronous belt assembly 8. In this way, it can provide certain protection for the synchronous belt assembly 8, reduce the possibility of damage to the synchronous belt assembly 8, and thus improve the movement reliability of the alignment assembly 6.

[0181] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery conveying method, which uses a battery conveying system 100 to convey batteries 30. The battery conveying system 100 includes a transfer table 1, a first grasping and placing device 10, and a second grasping and placing device 20. The transfer table 1 includes at least a first load-bearing platform and a second load-bearing platform, and the first load-bearing platform and the second load-bearing platform can independently reciprocate along a first direction. The first load-bearing platform and the second load-bearing platform are respectively provided with a push plate 3, and the push plate 3 can move forward or backward along the first direction; as shown in Figure 5, the battery conveying method includes:

[0182] S100: The first carrying platform is moved along a first direction to the vicinity of a first grabbing and placing device. The first grabbing and placing device grabs a battery from a preset position and places the battery on the first carrying platform.

[0183] S200: moving the first carrying platform carrying the battery along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grasping and placing device, and moving the second carrying platform along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device.

[0184] S300: The second grasping and placing device grasps the battery placed on the first carrying platform after the pushed plate performs the pushing operation and places the battery at a specified position. The first grasping and placing device grasps the battery from the preset position and places the battery on the second carrying platform.

[0185] S400: Move the second carrying platform along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grasping and placing device. After the second grasping and placing device grasps and places all the batteries carried on the first carrying platform, it continues to grasp and place the batteries carried on the second carrying platform after the push plate performs the pushing operation, and the first carrying platform moves again along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device.

[0186] The preset position may be, for example, a discharge table for storing the batteries 30 . The first grabbing and placing device 10 can grab the batteries 30 from the discharge table and place them on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform for discharge operation.

[0187] The specified position may be, for example, a battery conveyor line. The second grabbing and placing device 20 grabs the battery 30 carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, and places the battery 30 on the battery conveyor line for loading operation.

[0188] Since the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform can independently reciprocate along the first direction, the battery 30 can be discharged and loaded continuously through the alternating movement of the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform between the first grasping and placing device 10 and the second grasping and placing device 20, thereby effectively improving the production line rhythm, reducing waiting time, and improving transportation efficiency.

[0189] Those skilled in the art should understand that the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform do not necessarily move alternately. When the battery conveying system 100 just starts working, the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform may both move to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device 10, waiting for the first grasping and placing device 10 to discharge the material. After the first grasping and placing device 10 completes the discharge of the material from the first carrying platform, it can continue to discharge the material from the second carrying platform uninterruptedly.

[0190] In addition, there is a situation where the second grasping and placing device 20 has not yet completely grasped the batteries on the first carrying platform, while the first grasping and placing device 10 has already completed unloading the batteries from the second carrying platform. In this case, the second carrying platform will also move along the first direction to the side of the second grasping and placing device 20, waiting for the second grasping and placing device 20 to grasp the batteries on the first carrying platform before continuing to grasp the batteries on the second carrying platform. In other words, the first grasping and placing device 10 may be idle and waiting.

[0191] Regardless of whether the first grasping and placing device 10 works continuously or with a waiting period in the middle, as long as the second grasping and placing device 20 can achieve uninterrupted loading, the uninterrupted loading of the battery conveying system 100 can be guaranteed, thereby speeding up the conveying efficiency, improving production capacity, and further improving production efficiency and reducing production costs.

[0192] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transfer station 1 includes a reference plate 4 and a pressing member 5 disposed on a first load platform and a second load platform. The pressing member 5 is movable in a first direction and a third direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the third direction. As shown in FIG6 , before the second grasping and placing device grasps the battery carried on the first load platform or the second load platform, the battery conveying method includes:

[0193] S201: advancing a push plate on a carrying platform where batteries to be grasped are located in a first direction to push the batteries until all batteries are tightly fitted between a pushing surface of the push plate and an abutting surface of a reference plate;

[0194] S202: moving a pressing member located on the carrying platform where the battery to be grasped is located along a first direction to a pre-pressing position, and moving from the pre-pressing position along a third direction until the pressing member contacts a battery adjacent to the battery to be grasped.

[0195] The position to be grasped is, for example, a side of the carrying platform close to the second grasping and placing device 20 .

[0196] Thus, before the second grasping and placing device 20 grasps the battery 30 on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, the pushing operation of the push plate 3 can make the battery 30 closely arranged along the first direction, and the battery 30 can be pushed to the position to be grasped, which is convenient for the grasping of the second grasping and placing device 20 and reduces the possibility of the adverse situation that the second grasping and placing device 20 fails to grasp the battery 30.

[0197] The preparatory pressing position is the position where the pressing member 5 prepares to press down. For example, when the second gripping device 20 grabs two batteries 30 at a time, the preparatory pressing position is above the third battery along the first direction starting from the reference plate 4 side.

[0198] Therefore, the contact between the pressing member 5 and the adjacent batteries of the battery to be grasped reduces the possibility of the second grasping and placing device 20 grasping excess batteries, thereby improving the grasping reliability of the second grasping and placing device 20.

[0199] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG7 , the step of the second grasping and placing device grasping the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform includes:

[0200] S401: The second grabbing and placing device grabs the battery that is carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform and is located on one side of the reference plate and is not pressed by the pressing member, and places the battery at a specified position.

[0201] S402: Move the pressing member away from the battery along the third direction.

[0202] S403: The pushing plate is moved forward in the first direction to push the batteries until all the batteries are tightly fitted between the pushing surface and the abutting surface.

[0203] S404: The pressing member is moved along the third direction until the pressing member contacts a battery adjacent to the battery to be grasped.

[0204] The above steps are repeated until the second pick-up and placement device 20 has finished picking up and placing the batteries 30 carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform.

[0205] After the second grasping device 20 completes a grasping operation, the clamping member 5 releases the clamping, and the push plate 3 performs the pushing operation again so that the battery behind is pushed to the position to be grasped, and the clamping member 5 performs the pressing operation again to facilitate the second grasping device 20 to continue the next grasping operation. In this way, the conversion of batteries 30 from a whole row to a specified number of grasps can be achieved in an automated manner through simple actions.

[0206] In addition, after completing a pushing operation, the push plate 3 can continue to stay at the current position or perform a backward operation.

[0207] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transfer station 1 includes an alignment assembly 6 disposed on the first and second load platforms. The alignment assembly 6 includes two alignment members 61, which can move closer to or farther from each other along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to both the first and third directions. As shown in FIG8 , before the second grasping and placing device grasps the battery carried on the first or second load platform, the battery conveying method further includes:

[0208] S203: The two aligning members are moved closer to each other along the second direction until the aligning surfaces of the aligning members contact the battery to align the battery.

[0209] S204: Move the two alignment members away from each other relatively along the second direction.

[0210] Thus, by bringing the two alignment members 61 closer together, a battery queue with neat centerline alignment can be easily formed, which is more convenient for the second grasping and placing device 20 to grasp and reduce the possibility of the second grasping and placing device 20 missing or grasping the wrong battery due to the disordered arrangement of the battery 30. After completing the alignment operation, the two alignment members 61 move away from each other, thereby facilitating the pushing operation of the push plate 3. In other words, the alignment operation is performed first, and then the pushing operation is performed.

[0211] Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that the push plate 3 may first move along the first direction toward the reference plate 4 to perform a pushing operation. After completing a pushing operation, the push plate 3 may then move along the first direction toward away from the reference plate 4, thereby facilitating the alignment operation of the alignment component 6. That is, the pushing operation is performed first, and then the alignment operation is performed.

[0212] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery production line, comprising a discharge station, a battery conveying system 100 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, and a battery conveyor line. A first gripping and placing device 10 is configured to grasp batteries 30 at the discharge station and place them on a transfer station 1. A second gripping and placing device 20 is configured to grasp batteries 30 carried on the transfer station 1 and place them on the battery conveyor line.

[0213] Thus, the batteries 30 can be transported in an automated manner, and the production cycle can be reduced by coordinating the action sequence of at least two carrying platforms 2 of the transfer table 1, thereby improving the transport efficiency and increasing the production capacity.

[0214] Exemplarily, the battery conveyor line may be a conveyor belt, for example, a belt or other strip-like object, or a plurality of rollers arranged in parallel, or a plurality of chains, etc.

[0215] The second pick-and-place device 20 can, for example, place the battery 30 directly on the battery conveyor line, or can place the battery 30 on a tray on the battery conveyor line.

[0216] In some embodiments, a battery production line can produce battery modules or battery packs including multiple batteries (or multiple battery cells).

[0217] Specific examples of some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0218] As a specific example, the battery conveying system 100 includes a transfer table 1 with two workstations (carrying platform 2), a large packaging gripper (first gripping and placing device 10) and a four-axis transfer fixture (second gripping and placing device 20).

[0219] The transfer table 1 includes a chassis transverse movement module, a side clamping module, a large surface clamping module and a top clamping module. The chassis transverse movement module includes a transverse guide rail (guide rail 12) and a limiter (blocking member 13) extending along the first direction. The two workstations can each reciprocate along the transverse guide rail under the drive of the linear module (driving device). The limiter can play a certain limiting role on the two workstations to prevent the workstations from falling during the movement along the transverse guide rail. The side clamping module includes two side clamping blocks (alignment members 61), a power source servo motor (alignment drive device 9), a connecting screw (screw 7) and a connecting plate (a first alignment connector 62, a second alignment connector 63). The side clamping block is connected to the connecting plate, the connecting plate is supported on the connecting screw, and the connecting screw can rotate under the drive of the power source servo motor, thereby driving the side clamping block to clamp the side of the battery 30. The large surface pressing module includes a large surface pressing block (push plate 3), a large surface fixing block (reference plate 4) and a servo motor (pushing drive device 31). The large surface pressing block can reciprocate along the first direction under the drive of the servo motor, thereby pushing the battery. The top pressing module includes a top pressing block (pressing member 5), a linear module (moving drive device 54), a vertical moving cylinder (pressing drive device 51) and a diffuse reflection sensor (pressing detection sensor 55). The top pressing module can move along the first direction under the drive of the linear module, and can perform a pressing operation on the battery 30 under the drive of the vertical moving cylinder.

[0220] The specific operation of the battery transport system 100 is as follows.

[0221] One of the workstations in the transfer table is driven by the linear module to the discharge position (discharge table), and the large packaging gripper places the entire row of batteries 30 at equal intervals on the transfer table. Driven by the power source servo motor, the transmission structure (synchronous belt assembly 8) drives the side clamping blocks to center and clamp the batteries 30. Driven by the servo motor, the large surface clamping block presses the evenly spaced batteries 30 along the large surface direction, and the large surface fixing block limits the battery 30. Driven by the linear module, the top clamping block moves to the position of the third battery along the large surface direction, and presses the top of the battery downwardly under the drive of the vertical moving cylinder. Then, the workstation is driven by the linear module to the conveyor line (battery conveyor line), and the other workstation is driven by the linear module to the discharge position. The first two batteries at the workstation at the conveyor line are clamped by the four-axis transfer fixture (second grasping and placing device 20) and placed on the tray of the conveyor line. Since the four-axis transfer fixture takes away two batteries, the vertical moving cylinder drives the top clamping block back to the initial position, and the large surface clamping block continues to move forward, pushing the original third and fourth batteries to the large surface fixed block for the four-axis transfer fixture to carry out the next grab. This cycle continues until the four-axis transfer fixture has clamped all the batteries on the station. At this time, the other station has completed the discharge via the large packaging gripper (first gripping device 10), and is driven by the linear module to the vicinity of the conveyor line, and has completed the above-mentioned side clamping, large surface clamping and top clamping steps. Therefore, the four-axis transfer fixture can continue to clamp the batteries on another station without interruption, and the empty station where the clamping is completed is moved back to the discharge position under the drive of the linear module, waiting for the large packaging gripper to perform the discharge operation.

[0222] The coordination of the above-mentioned timing of the two workstations of the transfer table 1 can improve the rhythm of the entire battery conveying system, so that the four-axis transfer fixture can load materials continuously, thereby improving the conveying efficiency, and can also realize the conversion of batteries from a whole row to a single (specified number).

[0223] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they may modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. Such modifications or replacements do not deviate from the essence of the corresponding technical solutions and are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, the various technical features described in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as there are no structural conflicts. Industrial Applicability

[0224] The battery conveying system, battery conveying method and battery production line provided by the present disclosure can effectively improve the rhythm of production lines such as battery production lines, reduce waiting time, speed up the battery conveying efficiency, and thus help improve the production efficiency of battery packs.

Claims

1. A battery conveying system, comprising: The transfer station comprises at least two carrying platforms for carrying batteries, wherein the at least two carrying platforms can independently reciprocate along a first direction; a first grasping and placing device, configured to grasp the battery and place the battery on at least one of the carrying platforms; A second grabbing and placing device, used to grab the battery carried on the carrying platform and place the battery at a specified position; and a push plate for pushing the battery, the push plate being provided on each of the carrying platforms and being capable of moving forward or backward in the first direction, and performing the pushing operation by the forward movement of the push plate; Wherein, the first grasping and placing device and the second grasping and placing device are located on two opposite sides of the transfer platform along the first direction.

2. The battery delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: The relay station includes: a base support, the carrying platform being arranged on the base support; and At least two guide rails, each of the guide rails is provided on the base support and extends along the first direction, and each of the carrying platforms is supported on the guide rail in a manner of being able to move along the guide rail.

3. The battery delivery system according to claim 2, wherein: The base bracket is provided with blocking members on two opposite sides along the first direction, and the blocking members are used to block the carrying platform.

4. The battery transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The relay station includes: A reference plate is provided on the carrying platform and is provided on an opposite side of the push plate along the first direction, and is used to block the battery.

5. The battery transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The push plate can reciprocate along the first direction under the drive of the pushing drive device, and the pushing drive device is located below the bearing surface of the bearing platform; the bearing platform is formed with an avoidance opening extending along the first direction, and the push plate is connected to the push plate connecting member through the avoidance opening, and the push plate connecting member is connected to the pushing drive device.

6. The battery delivery system according to claim 5, wherein: The transfer platform includes a lifting device, which is connected to the push plate connecting member and is arranged between the push plate and the push plate connecting member, and the push plate can reciprocate along the third direction under the drive of the lifting device; Wherein, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The battery transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The transfer station includes a push detection sensor, which is arranged on the push plate and is used to detect whether the battery is pushed into place.

8. The battery transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The relay station includes: A pressing member is used to press the battery along a third direction. The pressing member is driven by a pressing drive device and is arranged on the carrying platform in a manner that it can reciprocate along the third direction.

9. The battery delivery system according to claim 8, wherein: The pressing member is mounted on the transfer platform via a movable platform, and the movable platform can reciprocate along the first direction on the transfer platform under the drive of a movable driving device.

10. The battery transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The transfer station includes an alignment component, which is provided on the carrying platform and is used to perform alignment operations on the battery; The alignment assembly includes two alignment members, which extend along the first direction and can move closer to or farther from each other along a second direction, and the alignment operation is performed by the approaching action of the two alignment members; The second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction.

11. The battery delivery system according to claim 10, wherein: The two alignment members are connected to a screw rod, which extends along the second direction and is rotatably arranged below the carrying platform. The two alignment members can approach or move away from each other along the screw rod as the screw rod rotates.

12. The battery delivery system according to claim 11, wherein: The alignment component includes at least two first alignment connectors, one end of each of the two first alignment connectors is connected to the two alignment members, and the other end is connected to the two second alignment connectors. The two second alignment connectors are both supported on the screw rod and can reciprocate along the second direction as the screw rod rotates.

13. The battery transport system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The transfer station also includes a synchronous belt assembly; The synchronous belt assembly includes two synchronous wheels and a synchronous belt that transmits and connects the two synchronous wheels, one of the synchronous wheels is connected to the output end of the alignment drive device, and the other synchronous wheel is connected to the screw rod; The synchronous belt assembly can rotate under the drive of the positioning drive device, driving the screw rod to rotate.

14. A battery conveying method, comprising conveying batteries using a battery conveying system, the battery conveying system comprising a transfer platform, a first grasping and placing device, and a second grasping and placing device; the transfer platform comprising at least a first load-bearing platform and a second load-bearing platform, the first load-bearing platform and the second load-bearing platform being capable of independently reciprocating along a first direction; A push plate is provided on the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform respectively, and the push plate can move forward or backward along the first direction; The battery delivery method comprises: The first carrying platform is moved along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grabbing and placing device, and the first grabbing and placing device grabs the battery from a preset position and places the battery on the first carrying platform; Move the first carrying platform carrying the battery along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grasping and placing device, and move the second carrying platform along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device; The second grasping and placing device grasps the battery placed on the first carrying platform after being pushed by the push plate and places the battery at a specified position. The first grasping and placing device grasps the battery from the preset position and places the battery on the second carrying platform. The second carrying platform is moved along the first direction to the vicinity of the second grasping and placing device. After the second grasping and placing device has grasped and placed all the batteries carried on the first carrying platform, it continues to grasp and place the batteries carried on the second carrying platform after being pushed by the push plate, and the first carrying platform is moved again along the first direction to the vicinity of the first grasping and placing device.

15. The battery conveying method according to claim 14, wherein: The transfer platform includes a reference plate and a pressing member provided on the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform; the pressing member is movable along the first direction and along a third direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the third direction; Before the second grasping and placing device grasps the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, the battery conveying method includes: Advancing the push plate located on the carrying platform where the battery to be grasped is located in the first direction to push the battery until all the batteries are tightly fitted between the pushing surface of the push plate and the abutting surface of the reference plate; The pressing member located on the carrying platform where the battery to be grasped is located is moved along the first direction to a preparatory pressing position, and is moved along the third direction from the preparatory pressing position until the pressing member contacts a battery adjacent to the battery to be grasped.

16. The battery conveying method according to claim 15, wherein: The step of the second grasping and placing device grasping the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform includes: The second grasping and placing device grasps the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, which is located on one side of the reference plate and is not pressed by the pressing member, and places the battery at the specified position; moving the pressing member away from the battery along the third direction; Advancing the push plate along the first direction to push the batteries until all the batteries are tightly fitted between the pushing surface and the abutting surface; moving the pressing member along the third direction until the pressing member contacts a battery adjacent to the battery to be grasped; Repeat the above steps until the second pick-and-place device has picked up and placed all the batteries carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform.

17. The battery conveying method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein: The transfer platform includes an alignment assembly provided on the first carrying platform and the second carrying platform; the alignment assembly includes two alignment members, and the two alignment members can move closer to or farther from each other along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the third direction; Before the step of the second grasping and placing device grasping the battery carried on the first carrying platform or the second carrying platform, the battery conveying method further includes: The two alignment members are moved closer to each other along the second direction until the alignment surfaces of the alignment members contact the battery to align the battery; The two alignment members are moved away from each other relatively along the second direction.

18. A battery production line, comprising: A discharge table, a battery conveying system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and a battery conveying line; The first grabbing and placing device is used to grab the battery at the unloading platform and place the battery on the transfer platform; The second grabbing and placing device is used to grab the battery carried on the transfer table and place the battery on the battery conveying line.

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