JP5320333B2 - Module take-out device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for automatically taking out a module in a restricted state.

Conventionally, when charging and discharging a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion secondary battery, the module that is in an active state is pressurized through a metal plate to suppress expansion of the module, and Cooling techniques are widely used.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that stacks a plurality of trays on which modules are placed on a plurality of shelf plates that can move up and down, and charges them while pressing them.

The operation of taking out the module after charging is performed manually, and it is inefficient because it is necessary to take out the modules one by one. In particular, since the module after charging is a finished product that can be used as a product as it is, an excessive burden is placed on the operator during the taking-out operation.
In addition, in order to solve the above problem, when trying to automate the take-out operation, when releasing the restraint state of the module, a problem occurs in the positioning accuracy of the plurality of modules and the metal plate interposed between the modules, There has been a problem that the module position cannot be accurately grasped, and the automatic module extraction has not been automated.

JP 2003-346885 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a module take-out device capable of automatically performing a work of releasing a module in a restrained state by releasing the restrained state of the module.

  The module take-out device of the present invention is arranged in a constrained state in a state in which the module is alternately arranged with a plate in a pallet and constrained by applying a load in the arrangement direction through the plate in the pallet. A module take-out device that releases from the pallet and can move in the approaching and separating directions with respect to the plate, and sandwiching the plate and moving in a direction opposite to the direction in which the load is applied And a plate chuck that can change the pitch between the plates, the module is sandwiched, and can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the plate chuck, and the load is applied to the module. The module chuck can be adjusted by moving the module in the opposite direction. And Bei, by the plate chuck, while nipping the plate, after widening the plate pitch, by the module chuck while sandwiching the module, taken to adjust the position of the module.

  The plate chuck has a first engagement portion, the module chuck has a second engagement portion engageable with the first engagement portion, and the first engagement. The portion and the second engaging portion are engaged when the module chuck sandwiches the module, and are brought into an engaged state, so that the plate chuck and the module chuck can be interlocked with each other. It is preferable that the engagement state is released when the plate chuck moves in the separation direction with respect to the plate.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to release the restrained state of the restrained module and realize an automatic take-out operation. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the module removal work by hand, improve the work efficiency, and reduce the human cost.

It is a perspective view which shows a module. It is a figure which shows the pallet which accommodates a module in a restraint state. It is a schematic side view of a module extraction apparatus. It is a schematic plan view of a module extraction apparatus. It is an enlarged view which shows the moving mechanism of the chuck for plates. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the relationship between the chuck | zipper for plates, and the chuck | zipper for modules. It is a take-out flow of the module take-out device. It is the schematic which shows the taking-out flow of a module taking-out apparatus.

Below, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the pallet 2 which accommodates the module 1 and several modules 1 * ... in a restraint state is demonstrated.
The module 1 is a battery module that constitutes one of pack batteries such as a nickel metal hydride battery and a lithium ion secondary battery.
For convenience of explanation, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is described as the vertical direction of the module 1, the horizontal direction is the width direction of the module 1, and the depth direction is the thickness direction of the module 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the module 1 includes an exterior 11 that houses charge / discharge elements therein, external terminals 12 and 12 that protrude outward from the exterior 11, and a cooling fin structure that contributes to heat dissipation of the module 1. 13 and 13 and a safety valve 14 that opens when the internal pressure of the exterior 11 increases.
The external terminals 12 and 12 are fixed in a state of protruding in the left-right direction from the left and right side surfaces of the exterior 11. Further, the fin structures 13 and 13 are constituted by a plurality of holes provided below the external terminals 12 and 12 on the left and right side surfaces of the exterior 11. These holes are formed at a predetermined depth as concave portions that are recessed inward from the side surface of the exterior 11.
The safety valve 14 is a safety valve unit provided on the upper surface of the exterior 11 and operates when the pressure in the exterior 11 is increased to a predetermined pressure or higher.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pallet 2 is a box-shaped member that accommodates the module 1 in an activated state during charging / discharging or the like, and includes a frame body 21, plates 22, 22. 23.
Further, the plurality of modules 1... Are arranged in the thickness direction on the pallet 2, and are accommodated in a state in which a load is applied to the modules 1.

The frame body 21 is a box-shaped member that forms an outline of the pallet 2 and has an opening on the upper surface. The frame body 21 has an accommodating space having a width slightly larger than the width of the module 1 on the inside, with the thickness direction of the module 1 being the longitudinal direction. The frame body 21 is a structure that can be firmly assembled by assembling a plurality of plates with fastening means such as bolts, and has a sufficient strength especially against an external force applied in the longitudinal direction.
Further, the height of the side surface portion of the frame body 21 is set so as not to contact the external terminal 12 disposed above the side surface of the module 1, and the external terminal 12 is accommodated in the pallet 2. -It positions so that a part of hole of 12 and fin structure 13 * 13 can be visually recognized from the outside.

The plate 22 is a flat plate member having an area larger than the wide surface (surface orthogonal to the thickness direction) of the module 1 and is made of a metal material having excellent thermal conductivity and strength such as aluminum.
The plates 22 are arranged alternately with the modules 1 in the frame body 21 in a state where they are in contact with the modules 1. That is, in the pallet 2, the module 1 is sandwiched between the plates 22 and 22 and receives a load via the plate 22 in a restrained state.
In other words, the plate 22 has a function of suppressing expansion by applying a load to the module 1 when activated, and a function of cooling the module 1.

The restraining block 23 is a spacer that occupies a part of the accommodation space in the frame body 21 and is detachably accommodated in the frame body 21. The restraining block 23 is a member having sufficient strength against the load applied in the longitudinal direction of the frame body 21, that is, in the arrangement direction of the modules 1, 1.
The restraining block 23 is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the frame body 21 and occupies a part in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space. Specifically, the restraining block 23 applies a load directed to one side in the arrangement direction in a state where the modules 1, 1... And the plates 22, 22. By doing so, it is accommodated in a space provided at one end of the frame body 21 and maintains a state in which a load is applied to the modules 1. That is, the restraint state of the modules 1, 1... Is maintained by the presence of the restraining block 23.

As described above, in the pallet 2, the modules 1, 1... Are arranged by the plates 22, 22. Is restrained.
In this way, the module 1 and the plate 22 are firmly adhered to each other to prevent the module 1 from expanding and rising in temperature when the battery is activated, such as during charging and discharging.

  Below, with reference to FIGS. 3-6, the taking-out apparatus 30 which takes out the module 1-1 accommodated in the pallet 2 automatically is demonstrated.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the take-out device 30 includes a block take-out device 31 for taking out the restraining block 23, plate chucks 32, 32. ... Module chucks 33, 33,...
It is assumed that the pallet 2 during the taking-out operation of the modules 1, 1... Is fixed so as not to move with respect to the take-out device 30 by appropriate fixing means.

As shown in FIG. 3, the block take-out device 31 is a device that holds the restraining block 23 from above and takes it out of the pallet 2, and a grip portion 31 a that grips the restraining block 23 is provided at the tip thereof. . The gripping part 31 a takes out the restraining block 23 from the pallet 2 by gripping the restraining block 23 and pulling it upward.
The block take-out device 31 is connected to an appropriate control device and is driven in response to a control signal from the control device. When taking out the modules 1, 1... From the pallet 2, the block take-out device 31 is driven to take out the restraining block 23 from the pallet 2 and release the restraint state of the module 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plate chuck 32 includes engaging claws 32 a that engage with engaging portions 22 a provided on both side surfaces of the plate 22 at the tip. The plate chucks 32, 32... Are arranged symmetrically on both sides in the width direction of the pallet 2, and a pair of plate chucks 32, 32 are arranged corresponding to one plate 22. By the operation of each pair of plate chucks 32 and 32, the plate 22 is clamped from both sides in the width direction by the engaging claws 32a and 32a.
The plate chuck 32 can be moved in a direction close to the side surface of the plate 22 by an appropriate driving device, and the engagement claw 32a engages with the engagement portion 22a of the plate 22 when moving in the proximity direction. Is possible.
The distal end portion of the engaging claw 32a is enlarged in a taper shape, and the manufacturing error of the plate 22 is absorbed. That is, when there is an error in the thickness of the plate 22, the plate 22 is securely held by the plate chucks 32 and 32 by being engaged with the plate 22 along the tapered tip.

Further, the plate chucks 32, 32... Are connected to the adjacent plate chucks 32, 32, respectively. Specifically, the plate chuck 32 is connected to the two plate chucks 32 and 32 arranged on both sides of the plate chuck 32 so as to be inseparable and changeable in distance, and is adjacent to each other. The plate chucks 32 and 32 on the side can be swung within a predetermined range. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a screw portion of a bolt is fixed to one plate chuck 32 of two adjacent plate chucks 32 and 32, and the head of the bolt is fixed to the other plate chuck. The structure which can change a space | interval within the range of the length of the said volt | bolt by penetrating 32 and locating on the other side is realizable.
When an external force directed to one side in the arrangement direction is applied to each plate chuck 32, the position at which the distance between adjacent plate chucks 32, 32 is maximized with reference to the plate chuck 32 at one end. Move up. In this manner, the pitch between the plates 22 and 22 can be changed by changing (expanding) the pitch between the plate chucks 32 and 32. In this case, the pitch between the plate chucks 32 is not maximized in the initial state (standby state).

The plate chucks 32, 32,... Are arranged so that the engaging claws 32a, 32a,... Face the engaging portions 22a, 22a,. Is done. In other words, the plate chucks 32, 32,... Are arranged at the same pitch as the pitch of the plates 22, 22,.
At this time, each plate 22 is accommodated so that the engaging portion 22a is positioned above the upper end of the side surface of the pallet 2 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 3, the module chuck 33 includes an engaging claw 33 a that engages with a part (the uppermost hole) of a plurality of holes constituting the fin structure 13 of the module 1 at the tip. .. Are arranged symmetrically on both sides in the width direction of the pallet 2, and a pair of module chucks 33, 33 are arranged corresponding to one module 1. By the operation of each pair of module chucks 33 and 33, the module 1 is clamped from both sides in the width direction by the engaging claws 33a and 33a.
Each pair of module chucks 33 and 33 is integrally driven by an appropriate driving device such as a cylinder. The module chuck 33 can move in the direction approaching the module 1, and the engagement claw 33 a can engage with the hole of the fin structure 13 when moving in the proximity direction. At this time, the contact between the module chuck 33 and the external terminal 12 of the module 1 is avoided by the tip shape of the module chuck 33 (such as a bowl).

Further, the module chuck 33 can be moved along the thickness direction of the module 1, that is, the longitudinal direction of the pallet 2 by an appropriate driving device such as a cylinder or a motor, and an external force is applied to the module chuck 33. , And can be driven along the longitudinal direction of the pallet 2 in accordance with the external force.
Further, the module chuck 33 can be moved in the vertical direction by an appropriate driving device such as a cylinder or a motor, and the module 1 can be taken out of the pallet 2 by moving upward while holding the module 1. .

In the initial state (standby state before operation), the module chucks 33, 33,... Are arranged so as to face the side surfaces of the modules 1, 1,. Are arranged as follows. That is, the module chucks 33, 33,... Are arranged with the same pitch as the pitch of the modules 1, 1,.
At this time, the spacing in the width direction of the module chucks 33, 33 arranged as a pair is opened larger than the width of the module 1, and each engaging claw 33 a is positioned outside the external terminal 12 of the module 1. Set to do.

As shown in FIG. 6, the plate chuck 32 further includes an engagement protrusion 32b, and the module chuck 33 further includes an engagement portion 33b engageable with the engagement protrusion 32b.
The engagement protrusion 32 b is a rectangular parallelepiped convex portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the plate chuck 32. The engaging portion 33b is provided at the lower end of the module chuck 33, and is configured by a concave portion that is recessed upward. The engagement protrusion 32b and the engagement portion 33b are provided along the width direction of the module 1, that is, the approach / separation direction of the plate chuck 32 with respect to the plate 22.

When the module chuck 33 configured to be vertically movable moves downward, the engaging portion 33b engages with the engaging protrusion 32b. Accordingly, the module chuck 33 and the plate chuck 32 can be interlocked. When the plate chuck 32 moves in the longitudinal direction of the pallet 2, the module chuck 33 follows the movement of the plate chuck 32 and moves to the pallet 2. It moves in the longitudinal direction.
Further, when the plate chuck 32 moves away from the plate 22, the engagement protrusion 32b slides in the engagement portion 33b, and the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 32b and the engagement portion 33b is changed. Once released, the module chuck 33 can again move independently.
As described above, the interlocking configuration between the plate chuck 32 and the module chuck 33 can be realized with a simple configuration in which the engagement protrusion 32 b and the engagement portion 33 b are provided.

  Below, with reference to FIG.7 and FIG.8, it demonstrates taking out flow S1 at the time of taking out module 1, ...... from the pallet 2 using the taking-out apparatus 30 comprised as mentioned above.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the removal flow S1 includes a plate clamping step S11, an engagement step S12, a block removal step S13, a module clamping step S14, a plate pitch changing step S15, an engagement releasing step S16, a module position adjusting step S17, A module removal step S18 is provided.

  In the plate clamping step S11, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the plate chucks 32, 32... Are moved in the direction approaching the plates 22, 22. The plates 22 are sandwiched by engaging the portion 22a.

  In the engaging step S12, as shown in FIG. 8B, the module chucks 33, 33... Are moved downward, and the engaging portions 33b of the module chucks 33 are engaged with the plate chucks 32. Engage with the protrusion 32b. As a result, the module chucks 33, 33... Move in conjunction with the movement of the plate chucks 32, 32.

  In the block take-out step S13, the block 23 is taken out by the block take-out device 31, and the load applied to the modules 1, 1... And the plates 22, 22. Thereby, a space is created in the accommodation space in the pallet 2, and the modules 1,... And the plates 22, 22.

  In the module clamping step S14, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the module chucks 33, 33... Are moved in the direction close to the modules 1, 1. Are held in the holes constituting the fin structure 13.

In the plate pitch changing step S15, as shown in FIG. 8D, the plate chucks 32, 32... Are directed to one side in the longitudinal direction of the pallet 2 (in the direction opposite to the direction in which the load is applied). The pitch between the plates 22 and 22 is widened by applying and moving an external force.
At this time, since the engaging portion 33b of each module chuck 33 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 32b of each plate chuck 32, the module chuck 33 is moved with the movement of the plate chuck 32 in the engaged state. The plate 22 and the module 1 located on the downstream side in the moving direction are moved together by moving the same distance in the same direction. That is, the pitch between the plates 22 and 22 and the pitch between the modules 1 and 1 are the same.

  In the disengagement step S16, as shown in FIG. 8 (e), the plate chucks 32, 32... Are moved away from the plates 22, 22. The engagement state with the portion 33b is released. As a result, the module chucks 33, 33,... Can move independently along the longitudinal direction of the pallet 2 while holding the modules 1, 1,.

In the module position adjustment step S17, as shown in FIG. 8 (f), the module chucks 33, 33,... Are driven so that the modules 1, 1,. The position is adjusted by moving a predetermined distance (in the direction opposite to the direction in which the load is applied) to provide a gap of a predetermined interval between the plate 22 and the module 1. For example, the module 1 is moved so as to be positioned at the center between the plates 22 and 22.
At this time, since the pitch between the plates 22 is kept constant, a gap of a predetermined interval is provided between the plate 22 and the module 1 by moving the modules 1. Can do. As a result, the position of the module 1 can be accurately determined regardless of the position of the plate 22, and contact with the plate 22 when the module 1 is taken out can be reliably avoided.

In the module removal step S18, the module chucks 33, 33,... Are moved upward in a state where the module 1 is held by the engaging claws 33a, 33a, and the modules 1, 1.
.. Are left in the pallet 2 after the modules 1... Are taken out, and the pallet 2 and the plates 22.

  As described above, it is possible to automatically take out the modules 1, 1... Accommodated in the pallet 2 in a restrained state using the take-out device 30. As a result, the working efficiency can be improved and the human cost for the worker can be reduced as compared with the conventional technique in which the taking-out operation is performed manually. Can reduce the burden on workers.

1 Module 2 Pallet 22 Plate 23 Restraint Block 30 Module Extractor 31 Block Extractor 32 Plate Chuck 33 Module Chuck

Claims (2)

A module in a state of being alternately arranged with a plate in a pallet and restrained by applying a load in the arrangement direction through the plate in the pallet is released from the restrained state and taken out from the pallet. A module take-out device,
A chuck for a plate that can move in a proximity direction and a separation direction with respect to the plate, and can change a pitch between the plates by holding the plate and moving in a direction opposite to the direction in which the load is applied. When,
For a module that sandwiches the module and can move in conjunction with the movement of the plate chuck and adjusts the position of the module by moving the module in a direction opposite to the direction in which the load is applied. Comprising a chuck,
A module take-out device for adjusting the position of the module while adjusting the position of the module while holding the module by the module chuck, after widening the pitch between the plates while holding the plate by the plate chuck. The plate chuck has a first engaging portion,
The module chuck has a second engaging portion engageable with the first engaging portion,
The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged when the module chuck sandwiches the module and are brought into an engaged state, whereby the plate chuck and the module chuck Can be linked,
The module extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement state is released when the plate chuck moves in a separation direction with respect to the plate.

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