End plate installation apparatus and battery production device

Abstract

An end plate installation apparatus and a battery production device. The end plate installation apparatus is used to sleeve an end plate onto a positive terminal of a battery cell. The positive terminal of the battery cell is provided with a tab. The tab has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is connected to the positive terminal, and the second end portion is an end away from the positive terminal. The end plate installation apparatus comprises: a fixture, an end plate clamping assembly, a first tab holding assembly, and a second tab holding assembly. The fixture is used to support and fix the battery cell. The end plate clamping assembly is used to clamp the end plate and drive the end plate to move. The first tab holding assembly has a holding state and an avoidance state. When in the holding state, the first tab holding assembly contacts a middle portion of the tab to prevent the tab from sagging, and when in the avoidance state, the first tab holding assembly avoids a sleeving path of the end plate. The second tab holding assembly is configured such that, when the first tab holding assembly is in the avoidance state and the second end portion of the tab passes through the end plate, the second tab holding assembly contacts the second end portion of the tab to prevent the tab from sagging.

Description

An end plate mounting device and battery production equipment

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202422105318.8, filed on August 28, 2024, entitled “An end plate mounting device and battery production equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411194773.8, filed on August 28, 2024, entitled “An end plate mounting device and battery production equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an endplate mounting device and battery production equipment. Background Technology

[0004] During battery production, end plates need to be fitted onto the positive terminal of the battery cell. However, since the positive terminal of the battery cell has tabs that are relatively long and soft, when the end plate is directly fitted onto the positive terminal of the battery cell, the tabs are prone to drooping during the fitting process. This may cause the tabs to fold between the battery cell and the Mylar, potentially leading to short circuits and other safety hazards, and affecting the performance and quality of the battery. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides an endplate mounting device and battery production equipment, which can prevent the tabs from sagging during the endplate mounting operation, thus ensuring the performance and quality of the battery.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides an end plate mounting device for fitting an end plate onto the positive terminal of a battery cell. The positive terminal of the battery cell has a tab, which has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the positive terminal, and the second end is the end furthest from the positive terminal. The end plate mounting device includes:

[0007] A fixture for supporting and fixing the battery cell;

[0008] An end plate clamping assembly is used to clamp the end plate and drive the end plate to move so that the end plate is sleeved on the positive end.

[0009] The first electrode retaining assembly has a retaining state and a avoidance state. When the first electrode retaining assembly is in the retaining state, it contacts the middle position of the electrode to prevent the electrode from drooping. When the first electrode retaining assembly is in the avoidance state, it avoids the sleeve path of the end plate.

[0010] A second tab retaining assembly is configured to contact the second end of the tab when the first tab retaining assembly is in a clearance state and the second end of the tab passes through the end plate, thereby preventing the tab from sagging.

[0011] Optionally, the second tab holding assembly includes a tab support and a second drive structure connected to the tab support. The tab support is movably disposed on the fixture along the first direction. The second drive structure is used to drive the tab support to move closer to or away from the tab along the first direction. When the tab support moves closer to the tab, it can support the second end of the tab. The first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the positive and negative terminals of the battery cell.

[0012] Optionally, the tab support includes a support ramp for supporting the second end, wherein the height of the support ramp decreases in the direction close to the fixture in the first direction.

[0013] Optionally, the fixture includes:

[0014] The carrier is used to support the battery cell;

[0015] A battery cell positioning structure includes a first positioning member and a second positioning member. The first positioning member and the second positioning member are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the carrier in a first direction and can move closer to or further away from each other in the first direction. The first positioning member is used to abut against the positive terminal of the battery cell, and the second positioning member is used to abut against the negative terminal of the battery cell.

[0016] The electrode support is disposed on the first positioning member.

[0017] Optionally, the first positioning member is slidably disposed on the carrier member along the first direction, and the first positioning member is provided with a first contact portion;

[0018] The second driving structure includes a reset member and a second driving member disposed between the first positioning member and the carrier member. The reset member is used to provide a reset force to the first positioning member in the first direction toward the cell. The second driving member is provided with a second contact portion. When the second driving member drives the second contact portion to move away from the cell in the first direction, the second contact portion is used to block and cooperate with the first contact portion to limit the position of the first positioning member in the first direction away from the cell.

[0019] Optionally, the end plate clamping assembly includes a first frame and an end plate clamping member, wherein the end plate clamping member is movably disposed on the first frame along the first direction, and the end plate is disposed on the first frame along the vertical direction.

[0020] Optionally, the first frame is provided with a guide rail that extends along the first direction, and the end plate clamp is provided with a guide slider that slides in cooperation with the guide rail.

[0021] Optionally, the end plate clamp is slidably mounted on the guide slider in the vertical direction.

[0022] Optionally, the end plate clamping member includes a jaw, and the jaw is provided with a limiting protrusion. When the jaw clamps the end plate, the limiting protrusion is used to limit the end plate in the vertical direction.

[0023] Optionally, the first electrode holder assembly includes a second frame and a first clamping member and a second clamping member movably disposed on the second frame in a vertical direction. The first clamping member and the second clamping member can move closer to or further away from each other in the vertical direction. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are respectively located on both sides of the electrode in the vertical direction and correspond to the middle position of the electrode in the vertical direction.

[0024] This embodiment also provides a battery production equipment, the battery production equipment comprising:

[0025] The end plate mounting device described above;

[0026] A frame, wherein multiple workstations are provided on the frame, and the multiple workstations are used to process the battery cells supported on the fixture in different processes;

[0027] The fixture is movably mounted on the frame along the arrangement direction of the plurality of workstations to transfer the battery cell carried on the fixture to any of the workstations.

[0028] Compared with related technologies, the beneficial effects of this disclosure are as follows:

[0029] Therefore, when fitting the end plate onto the positive terminal of the battery cell, firstly, the battery cell with the positive electrode tab is placed on the fixture to ensure it is firmly fixed and will not move or shake during operation. Then, the first electrode tab holding assembly is in a holding state, so that it contacts the middle position of the electrode tab. At this time, the first electrode tab holding assembly provides support for the middle position of the electrode tab, preventing it from sagging. Then, the end plate clamping assembly is used to clamp the end plate and move it towards the positive terminal of the battery cell, so that the end plate is fitted from the second end toward the positive terminal. As the end plate gets closer to the middle position of the electrode tab, when the first electrode tab holding assembly hinders the end plate from moving forward, the first electrode tab holding assembly... The component switches to the avoidance state, avoiding the end plate's mounting path so that the end plate can continue to be mounted smoothly. At this time, the second tab holding component contacts the second end of the tab to support the second end of the tab, thereby preventing the tab from sagging. The end plate clamping component continues to push the end plate until the end plate is completely mounted on the positive terminal of the cell, thus completing the end plate mounting operation. Through the coordinated work of the first tab holding component and the second tab holding component, the tab can always be effectively supported and restricted throughout the entire end plate mounting process, thereby preventing the tab from sagging and avoiding the tab from folding between the cell and Mylar during the end plate mounting process, thus preventing any impact on the battery's performance. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 2 is a top view of the battery cell in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the end plate mounting device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another part of the structure of the end plate mounting device provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 5 is a top view of the fixture provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the fixture provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the tab support provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 8 is the front view of Figure 7;

[0039] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the second driving structure provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 10 is a top view of the second drive structure provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0041] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the end plate clamping assembly provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 12 is a side view of the endplate clamping assembly provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 13 is a top view of the end plate clamping assembly provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 12;

[0045] Figure 15 is a side view of the first tab holding assembly provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0046] Figure 16 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 15.

[0047] Key reference numerals: 1. End plate mounting device; 10. End plate; 20. Battery cell; 21. Electrode tab; 21a. First end; 21b. Second end; 30. Mylar membrane; 100. Fixture; 110. Bearing member; 120. Battery cell positioning structure; 1201. First positioning member; 12011. First contact part; 1202. Second positioning member; 1203. Connector; 200. End plate clamping assembly; 210. First frame; 2101. Guide slide rail; 220. End plate clamping member; 2201. Guide slider; 2202. Gripper; 22021. Limiting protrusion; 300. First electrode tab holding assembly; 310. Second frame; 3201. First clamping member; 3202. Second clamping member; 400, Second tab holding assembly; 410, Tab support; 4101, Supporting slope; 420, Second driving structure; 4201, Reset component; 4202, Second driving component; 42021, Second contact portion. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0049] In this disclosure, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this disclosure and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0050] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in certain circumstances to indicate a dependency or connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0051] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are primarily used to distinguish different devices, elements, or components whose specific types and structures may be the same or different, and are not intended to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the indicated devices, elements, or components. Unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0053] As mentioned in the background section, since the positive terminal of the battery cell has a tab, which is relatively long and soft, when the end plate is directly placed on the positive terminal of the battery cell, the tab is very prone to drooping during the end plate placement operation. This may cause the tab to fold between the battery cell and the Mylar, which may lead to safety hazards such as short circuits and affect the performance and quality of the battery.

[0054] To address the aforementioned issues, this disclosure provides an endplate mounting device and battery production equipment. The endplate mounting device, through the coordinated operation of a first tab holding assembly and a second tab holding assembly, ensures effective support and restraint for the tabs throughout the entire endplate mounting process, thereby preventing the tabs from sagging and avoiding folding of the tabs between the battery cell and Mylar during the endplate mounting process, thus preventing any impact on battery performance.

[0055] The technical solutions of this disclosure will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0056] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, this embodiment provides an end plate mounting device 1 for mounting an end plate 10 onto the positive terminal of a battery cell 20. A tab 21 is provided on the positive terminal of the battery cell. The tab 21 has a first end 21a and a second end 21b. The first end 21a is connected to the positive terminal, and the second end 21b is the end furthest from the positive terminal. The end plate mounting device 1 includes: a jig 100, an end plate clamping assembly 200, a first tab holding assembly 300, and a second tab holding assembly 400. The jig 100 is used to support and fix the battery cell 20; the end plate clamping assembly 200 is used to clamp the end plate 10 and... The movable end plate 10 moves so that the end plate 10 is fitted onto the positive end; the first electrode tab retaining assembly 300 has a retaining state and a avoidance state. When the first electrode tab retaining assembly 300 is in the retaining state, it contacts the middle position of the electrode tab 21 to prevent the electrode tab 21 from sagging. When the first electrode tab retaining assembly 300 is in the avoidance state, it avoids the fitting path of the end plate; the second electrode tab retaining assembly 400 is configured to contact the second end 21b of the electrode tab when the first electrode tab retaining assembly 300 is in the avoidance state and the second end 21b of the electrode tab passes through the end plate 10, so as to prevent the electrode tab from sagging.

[0057] Therefore, when fitting the end plate 10 onto the positive terminal of the battery cell 20, the battery cell 20 with the tab 21 is first placed on the fixture 100 to ensure that the battery cell 20 is firmly fixed and will not move or shake during operation. Then, the first tab holding assembly 300 is held so that it contacts the middle position of the tab 21. At this time, the first tab holding assembly 300 provides support for the middle position of the tab 21 to prevent it from sagging. Then, the end plate clamping assembly 200 clamps the end plate 10 and moves the end plate 10 toward the positive terminal of the battery cell 20 to fit the end plate 10 from the second end 21b toward the positive terminal. As the end plate 10 gets closer to the middle position of the tab 21, when the first tab holding assembly 300 obstructs the end plate 10 from moving forward, the first tab holding assembly 300... Switching to the avoidance state, the end plate 10 is avoided from being fitted, so that the end plate 10 can continue to be fitted smoothly. At this time, the second tab holding assembly 400 contacts the second end 21b of the tab 21 to support the second end 21b of the tab 21, thereby preventing the tab 21 from sagging. The end plate clamping assembly 200 continues to push the end plate 10 until the end plate 10 is completely fitted onto the positive terminal of the cell 20, thus completing the fitting operation of the end plate 10. Through the coordinated work of the first tab holding assembly 300 and the second tab holding assembly 400, the tab 21 can always be effectively supported and restricted during the entire fitting process of the end plate 10, thereby preventing the tab 21 from sagging and avoiding the tab 21 from folding between the cell 20 and the Mylar film 30 during the fitting process of the end plate 10, so as to prevent the performance of the battery from being affected.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 4 to 6, the second tab holding assembly 400 includes a tab support 410 and a second drive structure 420 connected to the tab support 410. The tab support 410 is movably disposed on the fixture 100 along a first direction. The second drive structure 420 is used to drive the tab support 410 to move closer to or away from the tab 21 along the first direction. When the tab support 410 moves closer to the tab 21, it can support the second end 21b of the tab 21. The first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the positive and negative terminals of the cell 20.

[0059] The first direction mentioned above is the direction indicated by arrow X in Figure 6.

[0060] By movably setting the tab support 410 along the first direction and precisely driving it to move closer to or away from the tab by the second drive structure 420, the tab support 410 can accurately reach and support the second end 21b of the tab 21, ensuring that the position of the tab 21 in the first direction is accurate and avoiding the influence of the position deviation of the tab 21 on the operation of the end plate 10. Furthermore, since the second drive structure 420 can flexibly drive the tab support 410, the second tab holding assembly 400 can adapt to cells 20 of different lengths, shapes, and specifications. For example, when different models of cells 20 need to be switched on the production line, it is not necessary to replace the entire second tab holding assembly 400; only the position of the tab support 410 needs to be adjusted by the second drive structure 420.

[0061] In one possible embodiment, referring to FIG7, the tab support 410 includes a support ramp 4101 for supporting the second end 21b, wherein the height of the support ramp 4101 decreases in a first direction along the direction close to the fixture 100.

[0062] Therefore, when it is necessary to support the second end 21b of the tab 21, as the second drive structure 420 drives the tab support 410 to move closer to the tab 21 in the first direction, the second end 21b of the tab 21 will gradually come into contact with the support slope 4101. Since the height of the support slope 4101 decreases in the direction closer to the fixture 100, the tab 21 will be gradually supported along the support slope 4101 until it reaches a stable support position. The support slope 4101 makes the support process of the tab 21 gradual, reducing the instantaneous impact force on the tab 21 and reducing the risk of damage to the tab. In addition, in the first direction, the height of the support slope 4101 decreases in the direction closer to the fixture 100, so that when the tab support 410 supports the second end 21b, the fitting of the end plate 10 will not be interfered with by the tab support 410, ensuring that the end plate 10 can be smoothly fitted onto the positive end.

[0063] In one possible embodiment, referring to FIG5, the fixture 100 includes: a carrier 110 and a cell positioning structure 120. The carrier 110 is used to carry the cell 20. The cell positioning structure 120 includes a first positioning member 1201 and a second positioning member 1202. The first positioning member 1201 and the second positioning member 1202 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the carrier 110 in a first direction and can move closer to or further away from each other in the first direction. The first positioning member 1201 is used to abut against the positive terminal of the cell 20, and the second positioning member 1202 is used to abut against the negative terminal of the cell 20. The tab support member 410 is disposed on the first positioning member 1201.

[0064] By setting a cell positioning structure 120 on the fixture 100, the cell positioning structure 120 includes a first positioning member 1201 and a second positioning member 1202. The first positioning member 1201 and the second positioning member 1202 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support member 110 in the first direction, and can move closer or further away from each other in the first direction, so that when the cell 20 is placed on the support member 110, the first positioning member 1201 and the second positioning member 1202 move closer to each other in the first direction, the first positioning member 1201 abuts against the positive terminal of the cell 20, and the second positioning member 1202 abuts against the negative terminal of the cell 20, thereby fixing the cell 20 in the accurate position on the support member 110.

[0065] Furthermore, since the tab support 410 is mounted on the first positioning member 1201, during the fitting of the end plate 10, the first positioning member 1201 is first moved away from the positive end along the first direction to expose the second end 21b. At this time, the first tab holding assembly 300 contacts the middle position of the tab, and then the end plate clamping assembly 200 is used to fit the end plate 10 onto the tab 21. When the end plate 10 is fitted to the position of the first tab holding assembly 300, the first tab holding assembly 300... In the avoidance state, the first positioning member 1201 is moved toward the fixture 100 along the first direction to drive the electrode tab support 410 toward the second end 21b until the electrode tab support 410 contacts the second end 21b. At this time, the end plate 10 is continued to be fitted until the end plate 10 is fitted onto the positive end. The first positioning member 1201 is continued to move toward the fixture 100 until the first positioning member 1201 abuts against the positive end to press the end plate 10 against the positive end and prevent the end plate 10 from falling off.

[0066] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 6 to 10, the first positioning member 1201 is slidably disposed on the carrier member 110 along a first direction, and the first positioning member 1201 is provided with a first contact portion 12011; the second driving structure 420 includes a reset member 4201 and a second driving member 4202 disposed between the first positioning member 1201 and the carrier member 110. The reset member 4201 is used to provide a reset force to the first positioning member 1201 in the first direction toward the cell 20. The second driving member 4202 is provided with a second contact portion 42021. When the second driving member 4202 drives the second contact portion 42021 to move away from the cell 20 in the first direction, the second contact portion 42021 is used to stop and cooperate with the first contact portion 12011 to limit the position of the first positioning member 1201 in the first direction away from the cell 20.

[0067] The reset component 4201 can be any type of reset component 4201, such as a compression spring, a tension spring, or a gas spring, and is not limited here.

[0068] Therefore, in the initial state, the reset member 4201 provides a reset force to the first positioning member 1201 in the first direction, moving towards the battery cell 20, so that the first positioning member 1201 is positioned close to the battery cell 20 to position the battery cell 20. When it is necessary to sleeve the end plate 10 on the positive terminal, the second driving member 4202 starts to work to drive the second contact portion 42021 to move away from the battery cell 20 in the first direction. At this time, the second contact portion 42021 and the first contact portion 12011 on the first positioning member 1201 stop and cooperate, thereby driving the first positioning member 1201 to overcome the reset force of the reset member 4201 and move away from the battery cell 20 in the first direction, so as to limit the position of the first positioning member 1201 in the first direction away from the battery cell 20. Through the cooperation of the reset member 4201 and the second driving member 4202, the first battery cell 20 can be precisely controlled. The movement of the positioning element 1201 enables precise positioning and stable release of the battery cell 20, improving the accuracy and reliability of the operation. Furthermore, the presence of the reset element 4201 allows the first positioning element 1201 to adaptively adapt to battery cells 20 of different sizes, providing appropriate positioning force within a certain range. In addition, this structure is relatively simple, reducing complex transmission mechanisms, lowering costs and maintenance difficulty, and making operation more convenient. For example, in actual production, when the battery cell 20 is placed on the carrier 110, the first positioning element 1201 quickly approaches and accurately positions itself under the action of the reset element 4201. When the battery cell 20 needs to be removed after the end plate 10 is installed, the action of the second drive element 4202 ensures that the first positioning element 1201 stably moves away from the battery cell 20, avoiding unnecessary damage or obstruction to the battery cell 20.

[0069] The movement process and driving method of the second positioning element 1202 are the same as those of the first positioning element 1201, and will not be described again here.

[0070] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 7 and 8, the first positioning member 1201 is fixedly connected to the first contact portion 12011 via the connector 1203, and the reset member 4201 is disposed between the connector 1203 and the fixture 100.

[0071] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 11 and 12, the end plate clamping assembly 200 includes a first frame 210 and an end plate clamping member 220. The end plate clamping member 220 is movably disposed on the first frame 210 in a first direction and movably disposed on the first frame 210 in a vertical direction.

[0072] Therefore, when preparing to clamp the end plate 10, the end plate clamping member 220 moves along the first direction to the position of the end plate, then descends vertically towards the end plate 10 and clamps the end plate 10. Next, the end plate clamping member 220 rises vertically to a certain height to avoid collision with other components when moving the end plate 10 along the first direction, and moves the end plate 10 to above the positive terminal of the battery cell 20 along the first direction. At this time, the end plate clamping member 220 descends vertically again, so that the end plate 10 and the battery cell 20 are on the same horizontal plane. The end plate clamping member 220 moves again along the first direction and places the end plate 10 on the positive terminal of the battery cell 20. In this way, the end plate clamp 220 can move flexibly in the first direction and the vertical direction, so that it can adapt to the end plate 10 at different positions and heights, and accurately move the end plate 10 to the positive end of the cell 20, improving the flexibility and adaptability of operation. The vertical movement setting helps to accurately control the position of the end plate 10 in the vertical direction, ensuring the fitting accuracy of the end plate 10 and the positive end of the cell 20, and reducing errors. In addition, rising in the vertical direction first and then moving in the first direction can avoid interference with surrounding components or other installed structures during the movement, improving the safety and stability of operation.

[0073] In one possible embodiment, referring to FIG13, a guide rail 2101 is provided on the first frame 210, the guide rail 2101 extends along a first direction, and a guide slider 2201 that slides in cooperation with the guide rail 2101 is provided on the end plate clamp 220.

[0074] The cooperation between the guide rail 2101 and the guide slider 2201 ensures that the end plate clamping member 220 moves more accurately in the first direction, reducing offset and shaking, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the end plate 10. It also helps the end plate clamping member 220 to remain stable during movement, avoiding jamming or jumping, making the handling and fitting process of the end plate 10 more stable and reliable. In addition, the sliding cooperation can effectively reduce direct friction between components, reduce wear, and extend the service life of the end plate clamping assembly 200.

[0075] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 11 and 12, the end plate clamp 220 is slidably disposed on the guide slider 2201 in the vertical direction.

[0076] By sliding the end plate clamp 220 vertically onto the guide slider 2201, the vertical movement of the end plate clamp 220 can be precisely controlled independently of its movement in the first direction, without interference. This helps to flexibly adjust the height of the end plate at different stages to adapt to various operational needs. Furthermore, the connection with the guide slider 2201 increases the support point and guidance for vertical movement, making the sliding of the end plate clamp 220 in the vertical direction more stable, reducing swaying and deviation. It also makes full use of the space of the guide slider 2201, avoiding the need for additional complex vertical guide structures, resulting in a more compact structure.

[0077] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 12 and 14, the end plate clamping member 220 includes a gripper 2202, and a limiting protrusion 22021 is provided on the gripper 2202. When the gripper 2202 clamps the end plate 10, the limiting protrusion 22021 is used to limit the end plate 10 in the vertical direction.

[0078] By setting a limiting protrusion 22021 on the gripper 2202 of the end plate holder 220 to limit the end plate 10 in the vertical direction, the limiting protrusion 22021 can provide additional obstruction during the process of the end plate 10 being clamped and moved by the gripper 2202, effectively preventing the end plate 10 from accidentally slipping in the vertical direction, improving the safety and reliability of the handling process, and also ensuring that the position of the end plate 10 in the vertical direction remains stable and accurate, so as to ensure that the end plate 10 is accurately fitted onto the positive terminal of the battery cell, which helps to improve the accuracy and quality of the fitting.

[0079] Of course, the end plate clamping component 220 is not limited to the gripper 2202. The end plate clamping component 220 can also be any form of end plate clamping component 220, such as a vacuum suction cup or a magnetic adsorption component, as should be known by those skilled in the art.

[0080] In one possible embodiment, referring to Figures 15 and 16, the first electrode holder assembly 300 includes a second frame 310 and a first clamping member 3201 and a second clamping member 3202 movably disposed on the second frame 310 in the vertical direction. The first clamping member 3201 and the second clamping member 3202 can move closer to or further away from each other in the vertical direction. The first clamping member 3201 and the second clamping member 3202 are respectively located on both sides of the electrode in the vertical direction and correspond to the middle position of the electrode in the vertical direction.

[0081] Therefore, the first clamping member 3201 and the second clamping member 3202 correspond to the middle position of the electrode tab 21 in the vertical direction, which can accurately clamp and hold the middle position of the electrode tab 21, ensuring the stability of the position of the electrode tab 21. Since the first clamping member 3201 and the second clamping member 3202 are arranged to move in the vertical direction and can move closer or further away from each other, they can adapt to electrode tabs 21 of different heights, increasing the versatility of the device. Furthermore, by clamping on both sides of the electrode tab 21, a balanced support force is provided, which more effectively prevents the electrode tab 21 from sagging in the vertical direction.

[0082] This disclosure also provides a battery production equipment, which includes the end plate mounting device 1 and the frame as described in any of the above embodiments. The frame is provided with multiple workstations for processing battery cells carried on the fixture 100 through different processes. The fixture 100 is movably arranged on the frame along the arrangement direction of the multiple workstations to transfer the battery cells carried on the fixture 100 to any workstation.

[0083] The end plate mounting device in this embodiment can have the same structure as the end plate mounting device 1 in the above embodiment and can bring the same or similar beneficial effects. For details, please refer to the description in the above embodiment. This embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0084] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the end plate mounting device and battery production equipment disclosed herein, and are not intended to limit them. Although the end plate mounting device and battery production equipment of this disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An end plate mounting device (1) for mounting an end plate (10) on the positive terminal of a battery cell (20), wherein a tab (21) is provided on the positive terminal of the battery cell (20), the tab (21) having a first end (21a) and a second end (21b), the first end (21a) being connected to the positive terminal, and the second end (21b) being the end away from the positive terminal, the end plate mounting device (1) comprising: A fixture (100) is used to carry and fix the battery cell (20); An end plate clamping assembly (200) is used to clamp the end plate (10) and drive the end plate (10) to move so that the end plate (10) is sleeved on the positive end. The first electrode retaining assembly (300) has a retaining state and a avoidance state. When the first electrode retaining assembly (300) is in the retaining state, it contacts the middle position of the electrode (21) to prevent the electrode (21) from drooping. When the first electrode retaining assembly (300) is in the avoidance state, it avoids the sleeve path of the end plate (10). A second tab retaining assembly (400) is configured to contact the second end (21b) of the tab (21) when the first tab retaining assembly (300) is in a clearance state and the second end (21b) of the tab (21) passes through the end plate (10), thereby preventing the tab (21) from drooping.

2. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The second tab holding assembly (400) includes a tab support (410) and a second drive structure (420) connected to the tab support (410). The tab support (410) is movably disposed on the fixture (100) along a first direction. The second drive structure (420) is used to drive the tab support (410) to move closer to or away from the tab (21) along the first direction. When the tab support (410) moves closer to the tab (21), it can support the second end (21b) of the tab (21). The first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the positive and negative terminals of the cell (20).

3. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The tab support (410) includes a support ramp (4101) for supporting the second end (21b), and in the first direction, the height of the support ramp (4101) decreases in the direction close to the fixture (100).

4. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The fixture (100) includes: A carrier (110) is used to carry the battery cell (20); A cell positioning structure (120) is provided, comprising a first positioning member (1201) and a second positioning member (1202). The first positioning member (1201) and the second positioning member (1202) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support member (110) in a first direction, and can move closer to or further away from each other in the first direction. The first positioning member (1201) is used to abut against the positive terminal of the cell (20), and the second positioning member (1202) is used to abut against the negative terminal of the cell (20). The tab support (410) is disposed on the first positioning member (1201).

5. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The first positioning member (1201) is slidably disposed on the bearing member (110) along the first direction, and the first positioning member (1201) is provided with a first contact portion (12011); The second driving structure (420) includes a reset member (4201) and a second driving member (4202) disposed between the first positioning member (1201) and the carrier member (110). The reset member (4201) is used to provide a reset force to the first positioning member (1201) in the first direction to move toward the battery cell (20). The second driving member (4202) is provided with a second contact portion (42021). When the second driving member (4202) drives the second contact portion (42021) to move away from the battery cell (20) in the first direction, the second contact portion (42021) is used to stop and cooperate with the first contact portion (12011) to limit the position of the first positioning member (1201) in the first direction to be away from the battery cell (20).

6. The end plate mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein, The end plate clamping assembly (200) includes a first frame (210) and an end plate clamping member (220). The end plate clamping member (220) is movably disposed on the first frame (210) along the first direction and movably disposed on the first frame (210) along the vertical direction.

7. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The first frame (210) is provided with a guide slide rail (2101), which extends along the first direction, and the end plate clamp (220) is provided with a guide slider (2201) that slides with the guide slide rail (2101).

8. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The end plate clamp (220) is slidably mounted on the guide slider (2201) in the vertical direction.

9. The end plate mounting device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The end plate clamping member (220) includes a clamp (2202) and a limiting protrusion (22021) is provided on the clamp. When the clamp (2202) clamps the end plate (10), the limiting protrusion (22021) is used to limit the end plate (10) in the vertical direction.

10. The end plate mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The first tab holding assembly (300) includes a second frame (310) and a first clamping member (3201) and a second clamping member (3202) movably disposed on the second frame (310) in the vertical direction. The first clamping member (3201) and the second clamping member (3202) can move closer to or further away from each other in the vertical direction. The first clamping member (3201) and the second clamping member (3202) are respectively located on both sides of the tab (21) in the vertical direction and correspond to the middle position of the tab (21) in the vertical direction.

11. A battery manufacturing apparatus, the battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: The end plate mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 1-10; A frame, on which multiple workstations are provided, the multiple workstations being used to process the battery cell (20) supported on the fixture (100) in different processes; The fixture (100) is movably mounted on the frame along the arrangement direction of the plurality of workstations to transfer the battery cell (20) carried on the fixture (100) to any of the workstations.

Images