Bending mechanism and battery production device

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a bending mechanism and a battery production device. The bending mechanism comprises a fixing member, a first bending member and a second bending member, wherein the fixing member is suitable for connection with a base; the first bending member is slidably connected to the fixing member in a first direction; the second bending member is slidably connected to the fixing member in a second direction; and the first bending member can push the end of a tab away from a cap to bend, and the second bending member can push the cap to rotate towards a battery housing, so that the end of the tab close to the cap is bent. The bending mechanism of the present application can be modularly configured, making it convenient to mount the entire bending mechanism to the base or for removal of the entire bending mechanism from the base for maintenance.

Description

Bending mechanism and battery production equipment

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202423066435.4, filed on December 11, 2024, entitled "Bending Mechanism and Battery Production Equipment", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of battery production equipment technology, and more specifically, to a bending mechanism and battery production equipment. Background Technology

[0003] In related technologies, during the production of cylindrical batteries, the tabs need to be welded to the battery casing and the cap to the tabs in sequence. After welding, the central axis of the cap is perpendicular to the central axis of the battery casing. Therefore, the tabs need to be bent to facilitate the insertion of the cap into the battery casing. Currently, the tabs are generally bent using a bending mechanism. However, the current bending mechanism has a complex structure, with a high degree of dispersion of various components, making installation, disassembly, and maintenance inconvenient.

[0004] Therefore, a new technical solution is needed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a new technical solution for bending mechanisms.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bending mechanism is provided. The bending mechanism includes:

[0007] Fasteners, suitable for connection to a base;

[0008] The first bent component is slidably connected to the fixed component along a first direction;

[0009] The second bent component is slidably connected to the fixing component along the second direction;

[0010] The first bending member can push the end of the tab away from the cap to bend, and the second bending member can push the cap to rotate toward the battery casing so that the end of the tab close to the cap bends.

[0011] Optionally, the bending mechanism further includes a first connecting member, which is mounted on the fixing member. The first bending member is connected to the first connecting member in a transmission manner, and the first connecting member can drive the first bending member to slide.

[0012] Optionally, one of the first connector and the first bending member is provided with a pushing part, and the other is provided with a guide groove. The pushing part can move along the guide groove, thereby driving the first bending member to slide.

[0013] Optionally, the first connector is slidably connected to the fixing member along the second direction, the guide groove is provided along the third direction, and the angle between the second direction and the third direction is greater than 0° and less than 180°.

[0014] Optionally, the first bending member includes a bending portion adapted to push the electrode tab, and the bending portion has a sheet-like structure.

[0015] Optionally, the second bending member is provided with a limiting part, which can abut against the side of the battery casing away from the first bending member.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes a carrier and a first elastic member, the carrier being adapted to hold the battery casing, and the first elastic member having a tendency to move the first bent member toward the carrier.

[0017] Optionally, it also includes a driving component, which is capable of driving the first bending member and the second bending member to slide respectively.

[0018] Optionally, the drive assembly includes a cam structure, the cam structure having a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first bending member being movable along the first guide rail, and the second bending member being movable along the second guide rail.

[0019] According to another aspect of this application, a battery manufacturing apparatus is provided. This battery manufacturing apparatus includes the bending mechanism described in the above embodiments.

[0020] One technical advantage of this application is that the bending mechanism includes a fixing member, a first bending member, and a second bending member. The first bending member is slidably connected to the fixing member along a first direction, and the second bending member is slidably connected to the fixing member along a second direction. The fixing member can be connected to a base. The bending mechanism of this application can be modularly configured, thereby facilitating the overall installation of the bending mechanism on the base or the overall disassembly of the bending mechanism from the base for maintenance.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the bending mechanism according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 2 is a side view of a bending mechanism according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the bending mechanism for bending the electrode tab according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 4 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a cam structure according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 5 is a side view of a cam structure according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery production equipment according to an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Reference numerals: 1. Bending mechanism; 11. Fixing component; 111. First slide rail; 12. First bending component; 121. Guide groove; 122. Bending part; 13. Second bending component; 131. Limiting part; 132. Pressing part; 14. First connecting component; 141. Pushing part; 15. Bearing component; 16. Cam structure; 161. First guide rail; 162. Second guide rail; 2. Base; 3. Battery casing; 4. Terminal tab; 5. Cap; 6. Rotating shaft; 8. First follower; 9. Second follower. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0031] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0033] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0034] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0035] According to one embodiment of this application, a bending mechanism is provided. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bending mechanism 1 includes: a fixing member 11, a first bending member 12, and a second bending member 13. The fixing member 11 is adapted to be connected to a base 2. The first bending member 12 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along a first direction. The second bending member 13 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along a second direction. The first bending member 12 can push the end of the tab 4 away from the cap 5 to bend, and the second bending member 13 can push the cap 5 to rotate towards the battery casing 3, so that the end of the tab 4 near the cap 5 bends.

[0036] In this example, as shown in Figure 3, the bending mechanism 1 includes a fixing member 11, a first bending member 12, and a second bending member 13. The first bending member 12 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along a first direction, and the second bending member 13 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along a second direction. The fixing member 11 can be connected to the base 2. For example, the base 2 can be fixedly connected to the fixing member 11 using fasteners such as screws or bolts. During installation, the fixing member 11 is simply installed on the base 2, making installation relatively convenient. When disassembly is required, the fixing member 11 can be removed from the base 2, allowing the bending mechanism 1 to be removed entirely. The bending mechanism 1 can be modularly configured, facilitating its overall installation on the base 2 or its overall removal from the base 2 for maintenance.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, in this example, one end of the tab 4 is welded to the battery casing 3, and the other end is welded to the cap 5. The first bending member 12 can slide along a first direction and move toward the tab 4, and can push the end of the tab 4 away from the cap 5 to bend. The second bending member 13 can abut against the cap 5 and can push the cap 5 to rotate toward the battery casing 3, so that the end of the tab 4 near the cap 5 bends, while the end of the tab 4 away from the cap 5 can be further bent, so that the cap 5 can be pressed into the battery casing 3 later.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this example, the second direction can be vertical, and the second bending member 13 can move downwards to press down on the cap 5. The first direction can be inclined relative to the horizontal plane, and from one end near the first bending member 12 to the opposite end, the first bending member 12 gradually tilts upwards, that is, the angle between the first direction and the second direction is less than 90°. This allows the first bending member 12 to tilt downwards and bend the tab 4 above it, so that the bent portion 122 of the second bending member 13 can avoid the upper end of the battery casing 3, thereby better bending the tab 4. Of course, the specific value of the angle between the first direction and the second direction can be determined by those skilled in the art according to the actual situation, and is not specifically limited here.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, in this example, the fixing member 11 is provided with a first slide rail 111 along the second direction, and the second bent member 13 is provided with a slider portion, which is slidably connected to the first slide rail 111, thereby being able to slide along the second direction on the first slide rail 111. Additionally, the fixing member 11 may also be provided with a second slide rail along the first direction, and the second bent member 13 can be slidably connected to the second slide rail.

[0040] In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bending mechanism 1 further includes a first connecting member 14, which is mounted on the fixing member 11. The first bending member 12 is connected to the first connecting member 14 in a transmission manner, and the first connecting member 14 can drive the first bending member 12 to slide.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this example, the first connector 14 is mounted on the fixing member 11 and is drive-connected to the first bent member 12. One end of the first connector 14 can be drive-connected to the drive assembly, so that the drive assembly can drive the first bent member 12 to slide along a first direction on the fixing member 11 through the first connector 14.

[0042] In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, one of the first connector 14 and the first bending member 12 is provided with a pushing part 141, and the other is provided with a guide groove 121. The pushing part 141 can move along the guide groove 121, thereby driving the first bending member 12 to slide.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this example, one end of the first connector 14 is provided with a pushing part 141, and the first bent member 12 is provided with a guide groove 121. The pushing part 141 is movably disposed within the guide groove 121. The first connector 14 is slidably mounted on the fixing member 11. By sliding the first connector 14, the pushing part 141 can be driven to slide along the guide groove 121, thereby driving the first bent member 12 to slide in the first direction.

[0044] Alternatively, one end of the first bent member 12 is provided with a pushing part 141, and the first connecting member 14 is provided with a guide groove 121, in which the pushing part 141 is movably disposed. The first connecting member 14 is slidably mounted on the fixing member 11. By sliding the first connecting member 14, the pushing part 141 can also be driven to slide within the guide groove 121, thereby driving the first bent member 12 to slide along the first direction.

[0045] Of course, the specific configuration of the propulsion section 141 and the guide groove 121 can be determined by those skilled in the art according to the actual situation, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0046] In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first connector 14 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along the second direction, the guide groove 121 is arranged along the third direction, and the angle between the second direction and the third direction is greater than 0° and less than 180°.

[0047] In this example, the second bending member 13 slides along the second direction, and the first connecting member 14 slides along the second direction to the fixing member 11, which is conducive to making reasonable use of the installation space of the fixing member 11.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a guide groove 121 is disposed on the first bent member 12, and a pushing part 141 is disposed on the first connecting member 14. The first direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, the guide groove 121 is disposed along a third direction, and the angle between the second direction and the third direction is greater than 0° and less than 180°. This allows the first connecting member 14 to pull the first bent member 12 to slide along the first direction and gradually move away from the second bent member 13 when the first connecting member 14 moves upward. When the first connecting member 14 slides downward, it can push the first bent member 12 to slide along the first direction and gradually move closer to the second bent member 13, so as to cooperate with the second bent member 13 to bend the tab 4.

[0049] For example, the angle between the second direction and the third direction can be 60°, 80°, 90° or 120°, etc., which can be determined by those skilled in the art according to the actual situation, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0050] The fixing member 11 is also provided with a third slide rail along the second direction. The third slide rail can be located on one side of the first slide rail 111. The first connecting member 14 can be slidably connected to the third slide rail and can slide along the third slide rail.

[0051] In this example, the pushing part 141 can be a roller shaft, which is rotatably disposed on the first connecting member 14. The first bending member 12 is correspondingly provided with a guide groove 121. The roller shaft is located in the guide groove 121 and can roll along the inner wall of the guide groove 121, thereby improving the smoothness of the first connecting member 14 driving the first bending member 12 to move.

[0052] In one example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first bending member 12 includes a bending portion 122, which is adapted to push the tab 4, and the bending portion 122 has a sheet-like structure.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this example, a bending portion 122 is provided on one side of the first bending member 12. The bending member has a sheet-like structure, and the bending portion 122 corresponds to the width of the tab 4. For example, the width of the bending portion 122 is equal to the width of the tab 4, or the width of the bending portion 122 is slightly larger than the width of the tab 4. This ensures that when the bending portion 122 pushes the tab 4 to bend, it can push the tab 4 to bend evenly, thus preventing the tab 4 from twisting during the bending process.

[0054] In one example, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second bending member 13 is provided with a limiting part 131, which can abut against the side of the battery casing 3 away from the first bending member 12.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this example, when the first bending member 12 bends the tab 4, the limiting part 131 can abut against the side of the battery casing 3 away from the first bending member 12, thereby limiting the battery casing 3. That is, when the bending part 122 pushes the tab 4, the limiting part 131 can abut against the side of the battery casing 3 away from the bending part 122, thereby preventing the bending part 122 from pushing the battery casing 3 to deviate, which is beneficial to improving the bending effect of the tab 4.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, in this example, the second bending member 13 is further provided with a pressing part 132, which is located above the limiting part 131. The process of the first bending member 12 and the second bending member 13 bending the tab 4 includes: fixing the battery casing 3 to the support member 15; the second bending member 13 being able to move along a second direction toward the battery casing 3, for example, the second bending member 13 moving downwards so that the limiting part 131 can first abut against the side of the battery casing 3 away from the first bending member 12. Then, the first bending member 12 is able to move toward the tab 4 so that the bending part 122 can abut against one side of the tab 4 and push the end of the tab 4 away from the cap 5 to bend. After the tab 4 is bent to a preset position, the pressing part 132 can press down on the cap 5 to further push the tab 4 to bend. After the tab 4 is bent, the first bent part 12 and the second bent part 13 move away from the tab 4 respectively, thereby increasing the space between the first bent part 12 and the second bent part 13, which facilitates subsequent material loading operations.

[0057] In one example, the bending mechanism 1 further includes a support member 15 and a first elastic member, the support member 15 being adapted to hold the battery casing 3, and the first elastic member having a tendency to move the first bending member 12 toward the support member 15.

[0058] In this example, the first elastic element can act on the first connecting member 14, and the first elastic element has a tendency to push the first connecting member 14 downward. For example, the first elastic element can be a compression spring, with one end abutting against the fixing member 11 and the other end abutting against the first connecting member 14. The compression spring can push the first connecting member 14 downward, thereby driving the first bent member 12 to move towards the bearing member 15, that is, driving the bent portion 122 of the first bent member 12 to move towards the electrode tab 4, so as to bend the electrode tab 4. Alternatively, the first elastic element can also act directly on the first bent member 12, driving the first bent member 12 to move towards the electrode tab 4 in a first direction.

[0059] For example, the support member 15 can be a cup, the battery housing 3 can be placed inside the cup, and the cup can be placed on the base 2.

[0060] In one example, the bending mechanism 1 further includes a second elastic element that can act on the second bent member 13 and has a tendency to push the second bent member 13 downward. For example, the second elastic element can be a compression spring, with one end abutting against the fixing member 11 and the other end abutting against the second bent member 13. The compression spring can push the second bent member 13 downward, thereby causing the second bent member 13 to move toward the bearing member 15, that is, causing the pressing part 132 to move toward the cap 5 and press down on the cap 5.

[0061] In one example, the bending mechanism 1 further includes a drive component that can drive the first bending member 12 and the second bending member 13 to slide respectively.

[0062] The first bending member 12 is slidably disposed on the fixing member 11. The driving component can drive the first bending member 12 to move towards the electrode tab 4 in a first direction to perform a bending operation. The driving component can also drive the first bending member 12 away from the electrode tab 4 to increase the space between the first bending member 12 and the second bending member 13 to facilitate material loading.

[0063] Alternatively, the second bending member 13 is slidably disposed on the fixing member 11, and the driving component can simultaneously drive the first bending member 12 and the second bending member 13 to move.

[0064] In one example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drive assembly includes a cam structure 16, which has a first guide rail 161 and a second guide rail 162. The first bending member 12 is movable along the first guide rail 161, and the second bending member 13 is movable along the second guide rail 162.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, in this example, the drive assembly also includes a first follower 8. For example, the first follower 8 can be a cylindrical wheel, and it can be rotatably connected to the first connector 14. The first follower 8 can move along the first guide rail 161, which is curved so that when the first follower 8 rolls along the first guide rail 161, it can move relative to the first follower 8 in a second direction. For example, the first follower 8 can roll upward or downward along the first guide rail 161, thereby driving the first connector 14 to slide on the fixed member 11 in the second direction.

[0066] The drive assembly also includes a second follower 9, which may be a cylindrical wheel and is rotatably connected to one end of the second bent member 13. The second follower 9 is movable along the second guide rail 162, which is curved so that when the second follower 9 rolls along the second guide rail 162, it can move relative to the second guide rail in a second direction. For example, the second follower 9 can roll upward or downward along the second guide rail 162, thereby driving the second bent member 13 to slide on the fixed member 11 in a second direction.

[0067] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in this example, a rotating shaft 6 is also provided on the base 2. The first guide rail 161 and the second guide rail 162 can be annular structures, with the first guide rail 161 located above the second guide rail 162. The first guide rail 161 and the second guide rail 162 are sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft 6. The rotating shaft 6 is connected to the fixing member 11 for transmission, so that the rotating shaft 6 can drive the fixing member 11 to rotate around the first guide rail 161 and the second guide rail 162, so that the first follower 8 can roll along the first guide rail 161 and the second follower 9 can roll along the second guide rail 162.

[0068] In this example, by setting the positions of the bent sections of the first guide rail 161 and the second guide rail 162, the first guide rail 161 and the second guide rail 162 can cooperate with each other, thereby enabling the first bending member 12 and the second bending member 13 to move synchronously. For example, when bending the tab 4, the bending part 122 moves towards the tab 4, while the limiting part 131 can move towards the battery casing 3. After the tab 4 is bent, the bending part 122 and the limiting part 131 can move away synchronously, which helps to improve bending efficiency.

[0069] Alternatively, the drive component can be an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, etc. Those skilled in the art can determine the appropriate method based on the specific circumstances, and no specific limitations are made here.

[0070] According to another embodiment of this application, a battery production apparatus is provided. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the battery production apparatus includes the bending mechanism 1 described in the above embodiment. The bending mechanism 1 includes a fixing member 11, a first bending member 12, and a second bending member 13. The fixing member 11 is adapted to be connected to a base 2. The first bending member 12 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along a first direction. The second bending member 13 is slidably connected to the fixing member 11 along a second direction. The first bending member 12 can push the end of the tab 4 away from the cap 5 to bend, and the second bending member 13 can push the cap 5 to rotate towards the battery casing 3, so that the end of the tab 4 near the cap 5 bends. The fixing member 11 can be connected to the base 2; for example, the base 2 can be fixedly connected to the base 2 by fasteners such as screws or bolts. During installation, the fixing member 11 is simply installed on the base 2, making installation convenient. When disassembly is required, the fixing member 11 can be removed from the base 2 to remove the bending mechanism 1 entirely. The bending mechanism 1 can be modularly configured, so that the bending mechanism 1 can be installed as a whole on the base 2, or the bending mechanism 1 can be completely disassembled from the base 2 for maintenance.

[0071] In this example, the battery production equipment also includes a base 2, on which the bending mechanism 1 is mounted. Multiple fixing members 11 can be provided, spaced apart circumferentially along the rotation axis 6. Each fixing member 11 is provided with a first bending member 12 and a second bending member 13, thereby enabling the continuous bending of multiple workpieces to be bent, thus improving bending efficiency.

[0072] The above embodiments mainly describe the differences between the various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features between the various embodiments are not contradictory, they can be combined to form a better embodiment. For the sake of brevity, they will not be elaborated here.

[0073] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bending mechanism, characterized in that, include: Fasteners, suitable for connection to a base; The first bent component is slidably connected to the fixed component along a first direction; The second bent component is slidably connected to the fixing component along the second direction; The first bending member can push the end of the tab away from the cap to bend, and the second bending member can push the cap to rotate toward the battery casing so that the end of the tab close to the cap bends.

2. The bending mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first connector, which is installed on the fixing member. The first bending member is connected to the first connector in a transmission manner, and the first connector can drive the first bending member to slide.

3. The bending mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, One of the first connector and the first bending member is provided with a pushing part, and the other is provided with a guide groove. The pushing part can move along the guide groove, thereby driving the first bending member to slide.

4. The bending mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connector is slidably connected to the fixing member along the second direction, the guide groove is provided along the third direction, and the angle between the second direction and the third direction is greater than 0° and less than 180°.

5. The bending mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first bending member includes a bending portion, which is adapted to push the electrode tab, and the bending portion has a sheet-like structure.

6. The bending mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second bending member is provided with a limiting part, which can abut against the side of the battery casing away from the first bending member.

7. The bending mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a support member and a first elastic member, the support member being adapted to hold the battery casing, and the first elastic member having a tendency to drive the first bent member toward the support member.

8. The bending mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a drive component, which is capable of driving the first bending member and the second bending member to slide respectively.

9. The bending mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a cam structure, which has a first guide rail and a second guide rail. The first bending member can move along the first guide rail, and the second bending member can move along the second guide rail.

10. A battery manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the bending mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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