KR100846840B1 - An apparatus for welding both sides of multiple pair of batteries simultaneously - Google Patents

Abstract

A welding apparatus for welding both side faces of plural pairs of batteries simultaneously is provided to substantially reduce a time required for welding by horizontally positioning jigs in which the plural pairs of batteries are fixedly mounted and simultaneously welding top and bottom of the jigs from both sides. A welding apparatus(200) for welding both side faces of plural pairs of batteries simultaneously comprises: a stage(250); jigs which are put on the stage in the lateral direction, and in which the plural pairs of batteries are removably mounted; a pair of left and right mounting devices for mounting the plural pairs of batteries in the jigs; and a pair of left and right welders(240a,240b) for performing a welding operation relative to cathodes and anodes of the plural pairs of batteries when the plural pairs of batteries are mounted in the jigs, wherein the left and right mounting devices respectively mount an odd number pair of batteries and an even number pair of batteries out of the plural pairs of batteries in the jigs at the same time, the left and right mounting devices respectively dispose a first nickel tap(203) and a second nickel tap(205) on respective cathodes and anodes of the plural pairs of batteries at the same time, and the left and right welders simultaneously perform a welding operation on both side faces of the first and second nickel taps along the length direction of the jigs.

Description

An Apparatus for Welding Both Sides of Multiple Pair of Batteries Simultaneously}

The present invention relates to a welding device for simultaneously welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries. More specifically, the present invention provides a time required for welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries by horizontally placing a jig in which a plurality of pairs of batteries are fixedly mounted, and simultaneously welding the upper and lower portions of the jig on both sides. A welding device for simultaneously welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries which has been significantly reduced.

In general, notebook computers are portable and for this purpose, batteries used in notebook computers are required to have a large capacity. Typically, large capacity batteries used in notebook computers use a plurality of pairs of cylindrical cells.

1A is a view illustrating a state in which a plurality of pairs of batteries connected on both sides are built in a case in the related art.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a large-capacity battery structure 100 used in a notebook computer includes a first battery pair 102, 104 and a second battery pair 106, 108 in which four cylindrical lithium ion secondary batteries 102, 104, 106, and 108 are connected in parallel. Is done. The first battery pairs 102 and 104 and the second battery pairs 106 and 108 are connected in parallel to each other and embedded in the case 110 of the large capacity battery structure 100. An external terminal 120 is provided at a portion outside the case 110 so that the first battery pairs 102 and 104 and the second battery pairs 106 and 108 supply electrical energy to the notebook through the external terminals 120. Although FIG. 1A shows four first battery pairs 102 and 104 and a second battery pair 106 and 108, this is illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that any third battery pair and fourth battery pair, or more, are in parallel. It will be understood that the additional connection can be used.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a method of welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries according to the prior art shown in FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the first battery pairs 102 and 104 first weld respective anodes of the first battery pairs 102 and 104 by a welder (not shown) using the first nickel tap 103. Thereafter, each negative electrode of the first battery pairs 102 and 104 is welded by a welder using the second nickel tab 105. Here, welding of cathodes may be performed first, and welding of anodes may be performed after that.

The anodes of each of the second battery pairs 106 and 108 are then welded to the second battery pairs 106 and 108 by the welder using the third nickel tab 107 as well. Thereafter, each negative electrode of the second battery pairs 106 and 108 is welded by a welder using the fourth nickel tab 109.

In an alternative embodiment, each negative electrode of the first battery pairs 102, 104 is welded using a second nickel tab 105 with a welder, and each negative electrode of the second battery pairs 106, 108 is a fourth nickel tab. Use 109 to weld with a welder. Thereafter, the first battery pairs 102 and 104 and the second battery pairs 106 and 108 are disposed in a vertical direction such that they are in contact with each other, and then the respective positive poles of the first battery pairs 102 and 104 and the respective ones of the second battery pairs 106 and 108 respectively. The positive electrode is welded to the welder at once using the first nickel tab 103. In this case, the first battery pairs 102 and 104 rotate clockwise relative to the first nickel tab 103 and the second battery pairs 106 and 108 rotate counterclockwise relative to the first nickel tab 103. The first battery pairs 102 and 104 and the second battery pairs 106 and 108 are incorporated into the case 110 in the state shown in FIG. 1A. Here, the first to fourth nickel tabs 103, 105, 107, and 109 are described as separate nickel tabs for convenience of description, but are substantially the same nickel tabs.

A welding apparatus and a welding method for welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries according to the prior art shown in FIG. 1B described above are shown in FIG. 1C.

Referring to FIG. 1C, the prior art battery welding apparatus includes a jig 130 for mounting the first pair of batteries 102, 104 shown in FIG. 1B by a robot arm (not shown), for example. do. The jig 130 includes an upper cover 114 and a lower cover 118 that are rotatably connected by the lower hinge 117, respectively, by the upper hinge 113. The upper cover 114 is provided with the upper opening 112 of the recessed shape in the upper part. The top cover 114 also has an upper groove 115 at its center. In addition, the lower cover 118 has a recessed lower opening 116 in the upper portion thereof. The lower cover 118 also has a lower groove 119 at its center.

First, the upper cover 114 of the jig 130 disposed on the stage 150 in the vertical direction is opened by the upper hinge 113, and then the robot arm jig 130 to the first battery pairs 102 and 104. Fit inside. Thereafter, a first nickel tab 103 of a size sufficient to cover these anodes is placed on each anode of the first battery pairs 102 and 104. The top cover 114 is then closed and the welder 140 descends into the top opening 112 of the jig 130. Thereafter, the welding electrode 142 of the welder 140 contacts the first nickel tab 103 through the upper groove 115 so that the first nickel tab 103 becomes a positive electrode of each of the first battery pairs 102 and 104. Spot welding is performed to attach to the. That is, the welder 140 is a spot welder, and spot welding is performed by heat generated between the welding electrode 142 and the first nickel tab 103 by supplying electrical energy through the welding electrode 142. It is a well-known welding system widely used in the technical field of this invention.

Thereafter, the welder 140 moves upward, and the jig 130 is rotated 180 degrees by the robot arm. Then, after the lower cover 118 of the jig 130 is opened by the lower hinge 117, a second nickel tab of a size sufficient to cover these negative electrodes on each negative electrode of the first battery pairs 102,104. 105 is disposed. The lower cover 114 then closes and the welder 140 descends into the lower opening 116 of the jig 130. Thereafter, the welding electrode 142 of the welder 140 contacts the second nickel tab 105 through the lower groove 119 so that the second nickel tab 105 becomes a negative electrode of each of the first battery pairs 102 and 104. Spot welding is performed to attach to the. When the welding is completed, the first battery pairs 102 and 104 to which the first nickel tab 103 and the second nickel tab 105 are welded, respectively, are detached by a worker to remove the case of the large capacity battery structure 100 shown in FIG. 1A. Supplied into 110. Thereafter, welding of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is performed on the subsequent first battery pairs 102 and 104 in the same manner as above.

In FIG. 1C described above, only first battery pairs 102 and 104 are mounted within jig 130 and then welded to the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, is shown and described. However, in practice, the longitudinal size of the jig 130 is increased so that, for example, the first battery pair 102, 104 and the second battery pair 106, 108 are mounted along the longitudinal direction of the jig 130, and then the welder A method of performing two welding to the positive electrode, rotating the jig 130 by 180 degrees, and then performing two welding to the negative electrode may be used. Alternatively, the length of the jig 130 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction is increased so that, for example, the first battery pair 102, 104 and the second battery pair 106, 108 are in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the jig 130. After the two rows are mounted along the welder, the welding machine performs four welding on the positive electrode, rotates the jig 130 by 180 degrees, and then again performs four welding on the negative electrode.

However, in the above-described conventional welding apparatus and welding method for welding a notebook battery, since the jig 130 used is disposed in the vertical direction on the stage 1500, only the sectional welding is possible in the anode and cathode welding. For the positive and negative electrode welding, the jig 130 must be rotated 180 degrees by using a robot arm or the like, which causes a problem in that the welding time becomes longer.

In addition, in the prior art welding apparatus and welding method for welding a battery for a laptop, the robot arm is the upper cover 114 of the jig 130, the jig 130, the first battery pair 102, 104 in the case of the anode After mounting the first nickel tab 103, and while the top cover 114 is closed, the welder 140 cannot perform a welding operation on the anode. In addition, in the case of the negative electrode, the robot arm opens the lower cover 118 of the jig 130, arranges the second nickel tab 105 on each negative electrode of the first battery pair 102, 104, and lower cover 118. ) Is closed, the welder 140 cannot perform a welding operation on the cathode. Thus, a problem arises that the welding time becomes longer.

In addition, as the jig 130 is rotated 180 degrees for the anode and cathode welding, when the jig 130 is not correctly positioned in the subsequent welding, a problem occurs and a problem in that productivity is lowered.

As mentioned above, there is a need for a new welding device for welding laptop batteries.

The present invention is to horizontally position the jig (jig) in which a plurality of pairs of batteries are fixedly mounted, and simultaneously welding the upper and lower parts of the jig on both sides, thereby significantly reducing the time required for welding both sides of the pair of batteries It is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

More specifically, a first aspect of the invention provides a welding device for simultaneously welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries, comprising: a stage; A jig placed laterally on the stage and detachable from the plurality of pairs of batteries; A pair of left and right mounting devices for mounting the plurality of pairs of batteries into the jig; And a pair of left and right welders for welding the positive and negative poles of the plurality of pairs of batteries when the plurality of pairs of batteries are mounted in the jig, wherein the left mounting device and the right mounting device are respectively configured as described above. The odd-numbered and even-numbered pairs of batteries of the plurality of pairs of batteries are simultaneously mounted into the jig, and the right mounting device and the left mounting device each have a first nickel tab on each of the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of pairs of batteries. And simultaneously arranging a second nickel tab, wherein the left and right welders are to provide a welding device for simultaneously performing double-sided welding of the first nickel tab and the second nickel tab along the longitudinal direction of the jig.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a welding apparatus for welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries simultaneously, comprising: a stage; A jig placed laterally at a first position A on the stage and detachable from the plurality of pairs of batteries; Mounting the plurality of pairs of batteries into the jig and simultaneously placing a first nickel tab and a second nickel tab on each positive and negative electrode of the plurality of pairs of batteries, and placing the jig at a second position (B) on the stage. A pair of left and right mounting and conveying devices for conveying; And a pair of left and right welders disposed at both sides of the second position B of the stage, and welding the anode and the cathode of the plurality of pairs of batteries, wherein the pair of left and right welders A mounting and conveying device mounts the subsequent plurality of pairs of batteries into a subsequent jig, which is subsequently provided in the first position A, and also on the first and second nickel tabs and second on the positive and negative electrodes of the subsequent plurality of pairs of batteries. While simultaneously placing the nickel tabs, the pair of left and right welders in the second position B simultaneously perform double-sided welding of the first nickel tabs and the second nickel tabs along the longitudinal direction of the jig. It is for providing a welding device.

Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like or like reference numerals designate like elements.

When using a welding device for welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook of the present invention at the same time the following effects are achieved.

1. Compared to the prior art, the total time required for welding is significantly reduced.

2. Since there is no need to rotate the jig, the possibility of defects during welding is significantly reduced, which significantly improves the productivity.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments and drawings of the present invention.

2A is a view illustrating a welding device and a welding method for simultaneously welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a welding device 200 for simultaneously welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a stage 250; A jig placed on the stage 250 in a lateral direction and detachable from the plurality of pairs of batteries; A pair of left and right mounting devices (not shown) for mounting the plurality of pairs of batteries into the jig; And a pair of left and right welders 240b and 240a for welding the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of pairs of batteries when the plurality of pairs of batteries are mounted in the jig. The jig 230 and the left and right welders 240b and 240a used in the embodiment of the present invention are substantially the same as the jig 130 and the welder 140 shown in FIG. 1C, respectively.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the present invention places jig 230 transversely on stage 250. Thus, a plurality of pairs of batteries are mounted in the jig 230 by left and right mounting devices (not shown, for example, robot arms, etc.). In this case, odd-numbered battery pairs of the plurality of pairs of batteries may be mounted by the left mounting device, and even-numbered battery pairs by the right mounting device, respectively. Of course, it is obvious that the odd-numbered battery pairs of the plurality of pairs of batteries can be mounted by the right mounting device and the even-numbered battery pair by the left mounting device, respectively.

Hereinafter, a welding method for simultaneously welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook computer according to the present invention will be described in detail.

First, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of pairs of batteries are mounted on the left side of the jig 230 with the negative electrode and the right side with the positive electrode. The right mounting device opens the right cover 214 of the jig 230 using the right hinge 213, while the left mounting device uses the left cover 218 of the jig 230 using the left hinge 217. Open. The right mounting device then mounts the first pair of batteries 202 and 204 into the jig 230 and the left mounting device mounts the second pair of batteries (not shown) into the jig 230. Thereafter, the right mounting device includes a first nickel tab 203 and a third nickel tab (not shown) that are large enough to cover these anodes on respective anodes of the first battery pair 202 and 204 and the second battery pair. And at the same time the left mounting device comprises a second nickel tab 205 and a fourth nickel tab (size sufficient to cover these cathodes on respective cathodes of the first battery pair 202, 204 and the second battery pair). Reference numerals are not shown). Thereafter, the right cover 214 and the left cover 218 are closed at the same time, and the right welder 240a and the left welder 240b respectively open the right opening 212 and the left opening 216 of the jig 230. Approach to Thereafter, the welding electrode 242a of the right welder 240a and the welding electrode 242b of the left welder 240b respectively pass through the first nickel tab 203 and the first through the right groove 215 and the left groove 219. Spot welding is performed in contact with each of the two nickel tabs 205. Thereafter, the right welder 240a and the left welder 240b move in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the surface) of the jig 230, and according to the same operation as described above with respect to the second battery pair. Double-sided welding of the positive and negative electrodes takes place simultaneously. In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the right welder 240a and the left welder 240b are described as performing double-sided welding while moving along the longitudinal direction of the jig 230, respectively, but those skilled in the art will recognize the right welder 240a. And in the state in which the left welder 240b is stopped, for example, the double-sided welding can be performed in such a manner that the jig 230 moves along its longitudinal direction by, for example, a conveyor belt or a linear feeder such as a linear motion guide. You will understand enough.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A described above, unlike the prior art, since the jig 230 is placed laterally on the stage 250, there is no need to rotate and align the jig 230 by 180 degrees so that both sides of the anode and the cathode are negative. Welding is possible. Thus, the tact time is reduced by about half as compared to the conventional one, and the time required for jig rotation and alignment (approximately 3 to 4 seconds) is also saved.

2B is a view for schematically illustrating a welding apparatus and a welding method for simultaneously welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook computer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the jig 230 is positioned at the A position on the stage 250 in another embodiment of the present invention. First, the right side mounting and conveying device 260a and the left side mounting and conveying device 260b are positioned at both sides of the jig 230. The right mounting and transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b may each be implemented with, for example, a robot arm. The operation of mounting a plurality of pairs of batteries into the jig 230 by the right mounting and transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b, and placing the nickel tabs on the positive and negative poles of these multiple pairs of batteries, respectively. The operation is the same as the method shown and described in FIG. 2A. Thereafter, the jig 230 is moved to the B position by either or both of the right mounting and transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b. The right welder 240a and the left welder 240b disposed on both sides with respect to the jig 230 placed in the B position perform double-sided welding for the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2B, while both sides welding to the positive and negative poles is made to the jig 230 placed in the B position, a new jig 230 is provided at position A to provide the right mounting and The operation of mounting a plurality of pairs of batteries into the new jig 230 by the transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b and placing the nickel tabs on the positive and negative poles of the plurality of pairs of batteries, respectively, Is done. Typically, the time required for battery mounting and nickel tab placement is shorter than the time required for welding. Therefore, while the welding operation is performed at the B position, a plurality of pairs of battery mounting operations into the jig 230 and the nickel tab placement operation are performed at the A position. When the welding operation is completed in the B position, the jig 230 is moved to the C position by either one of the right mounting and transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b or both or separate transporting devices (not shown). Transferred. Thereafter, a plurality of pairs of batteries with nickel tabs attached thereto are detached from the jig 230 and supplied into the case 110 of the large capacity battery structure 100 shown in FIG. 1A. Desorption and supply of the plurality of pairs of batteries into the case 110 may be performed by either one of the right mounting and transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b or both or separate transporting devices (not shown). Can also be done by hand. Thereafter, a new jig 230 in which a plurality of pairs of battery mounting operations and nickel tab arrangement operations are completed is transferred to the B position at the A position, and another new jig 230 is supplied to the A position so that the above-described operation is repeatedly performed. Is done. In the embodiment of the present invention shown and described in FIG. 2B described above, the conveyance of the jig 230 is conveyed by either or both of the right mounting and transporting device 260a and the left mounting and transporting device 260b. Although described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other transfer devices other than the right mount and transfer device 260a and the left mount and transfer device 260b, for example, robot arms, conveyor belts, or linear transfer devices such as linear motion guides. It will be appreciated that it may be transported by.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2B described above, a plurality of pairs of battery mounting operations and placement of nickel tabs into the jig 230 are performed at the A position while the welding operation is performed at the B position. Therefore, the tact time required for double-sided welding is significantly reduced than in the case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A.

Although the above-described embodiments of the present invention are all described with respect to double-sided welding of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook, this is illustrative and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the notebook. That is, the scope of the present invention can also be applied to the case of forming a large capacity battery by connecting a plurality of circular cells to each other, for example.

As various modifications may be made to the constructions and methods described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be exemplary, and not intended to limit the invention. It is not. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1A is a view illustrating a state in which a plurality of pairs of batteries connected on both sides are built in a case in the related art.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a method of welding both sides of a plurality of pairs of batteries according to the prior art shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a view illustrating a welding apparatus and a welding method for welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries according to the related art shown in FIG. 1B.

2A is a view illustrating a welding device and a welding method for simultaneously welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2B is a view for schematically illustrating a welding apparatus and a welding method for simultaneously welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries for a notebook computer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (17)

In the welding device for welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries at the same time, stage; A jig placed laterally on the stage and detachable from the plurality of pairs of batteries; A pair of left and right mounting devices for mounting the plurality of pairs of batteries into the jig; And A pair of left and right welders for welding the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of pairs of batteries when the plurality of pairs of batteries are mounted in the jig. Including, The left mounting device and the right mounting device respectively mount odd-numbered battery pairs and even-numbered battery pairs of the plurality of pairs of batteries simultaneously into the jig, The right mounting device and the left mounting device simultaneously dispose the first nickel tab and the second nickel tab on respective positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of pairs of batteries, respectively. The left and right welders simultaneously perform double-sided welding on the first nickel tab and the second nickel tab along the longitudinal direction of the jig. Welding device. The method of claim 1, The pair of left and right mounting devices are each implemented as a robot arm. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The double-sided welding is performed in such a way that the right and left welders respectively move along the longitudinal direction of the jig, or the jig moves in its longitudinal direction while the right and left welders are stopped. Welding device. The method of claim 3, wherein And the jig moves in a manner in which the jig moves along its longitudinal direction while the right and left welders are stopped, the movement of the jig is performed by a conveyor belt or a linear conveying device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the right and left welders are spot welders, respectively. In the welding device for welding both surfaces of a plurality of pairs of batteries at the same time, stage; A jig placed laterally at a first position (A) on the stage and detachable from the battery of the plurality of pairs; Mounting the plurality of pairs of batteries into the jig and simultaneously placing a first nickel tab and a second nickel tab on each positive and negative electrode of the plurality of pairs of batteries, and placing the jig at a second position (B) on the stage. A pair of left and right mounting and conveying devices for conveying; And A pair of left and right welders disposed at both sides of the second position B of the stage, for welding the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of pairs of batteries. Including, The pair of left and right mounting and conveying devices mounts a subsequent plurality of pairs of batteries into a subsequent jig, which is subsequently provided at the first position A and subsequently on the positive and negative poles of the subsequent plurality of pairs of batteries. While simultaneously placing the first nickel tab and the second nickel tab, the pair of left and right welders in the second position B causes the jig to double-sided weld to the first nickel tab and the second nickel tab. Simultaneously along the longitudinal direction of Welding device. The method of claim 6, Either or both of the pair of left and right mounting and transfer devices transfer the jig to the second position (B) on the stage. The method of claim 6, Either or both of the pair of left and right mounting and transfer devices transfer the jig to the second position B on the stage, Either or both of the pair of left and right mounting and conveying apparatuses may transfer the jig in which the double-sided welding is completed to a third position C on the stage. Welding device. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The pair of left and right mounting and transfer devices are each implemented with a robot arm. The method of claim 6, Either or both of the pair of left and right mounting and transfer devices transfer the jig to the second position B on the stage, The welding device further includes a separate transfer device for transferring the jig in which the double-sided welding is completed to the third position C on the stage. Welding device. The method of claim 10, The separate transfer device is a welding device implemented by a robot arm. The method of claim 6, The welding device further comprises a separate transfer device for transferring the jig from the first position (A) to the second position (B), The jig is transferred from the first position (A) to the second position (B) by the separate transfer device instead of the left and right mounting and transfer devices. Welding device. The method of claim 12, And the separate transfer device transfers the jig in which the double-sided welding is completed to a third position (C) on the stage. The method according to claim 12 or 13, The separate conveying device is a welding device implemented as a conveyor belt or a linear conveying device. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 and 10 to 13, The double-sided welding is performed in such a way that the right and left welders respectively move along the longitudinal direction of the jig, or the jig moves in its longitudinal direction while the right and left welders are stopped. Welding device. The method of claim 15, And the jig moves in a manner in which the jig moves along its longitudinal direction while the right and left welders are stopped, the movement of the jig is performed by a conveyor belt or a linear conveying device. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 and 10 to 13, And the right and left welders are spot welders, respectively.

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