WO2023230890A1

WO2023230890A1 - Battery cell rubbing machine with adjustabale rubbing head assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2023230890A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/096386
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan GENG; Denis Gaston Fauteux; Jin Wei Li
Original assignee: Techtronic Cordless Gp
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2022-05-31
Publication date: 2023-12-07

Abstract

A rubbing machine assembly is configured to rub a cylindrical battery cell. The rubbing machine assembly includes a first plate having first slots, a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate and having second slots, and a mounting pin coupled to the first plate and configured to engage with a distal end of the battery cell. The rubbing machine assembly additionally incudes a plurality of rubbing heads coupled to the first plate and having rubbing ends arranged on a same imaginary plane, and a plurality of pins. Each of the plurality of pins is coupled to one of the rubbing heads, and each of the plurality of pins is positioned through one of the first slots and one of the second slots and slidable therein. The rubbing heads are interlocked to each other by the second plate such that the rubbing heads are always synchronized.

Description

BATTERY CELL RUBBING MACHINE WITH ADJUSTABALE RUBBING HEAD ASSEMBLIES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to battery cells, and in particular, to battery cell rubbing devices for jelly roll battery cells.

BACKGROUND

Batteries, or battery cells, are critical in providing power to many electrical devices that are relied upon daily. Cylindrical batteries with a rolled arrangement are commonly used to power electrical devices. These battery types are often referred to as “jelly roll” batteries. A rolled cylindrical battery generally includes an anode and a cathode rolled cylindrically together with small gaps between concentric layers of the roll and placed into a battery housing with electrical terminals provided at either end of the housing. In tabless jelly roll battery cells, a conductive strip (generally formed by an uncoated portion of the electrode foil) generally runs the length of the cathode and/or the anode. The conductive strip of each concentric layer of the roll may be rubbed (or otherwise formed) together with the other conductive strips of each concentric layer of the jelly roll at a rubbing region such that they are able to form a connection point to effectively electrically connect to the electrical terminal of the battery housing. A rubbing machine is typically used to rub together the concentric layers of the roll battery cells. Examples of rubbing machines may be found in Chinese Patent Publication Nos. CN 107394248 and CN 209843873, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a rubbing machine assembly configured to rub a portion of a jelly roll of a cylindrical battery cell, the rubbing machine assembly including a first plate including a plurality of first slots, a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate, the second plate including plurality of second slots, a mounting pin coupled to the first plate and configured to engage with a distal end of the battery cell, a plurality of rubbing heads coupled to the first plate and having rubbing ends arranged on a same imaginary plane, and a plurality of pins, wherein each of the plurality of pins is coupled to one of the rubbing heads, each of the plurality of pins is positioned through one of the plurality of first slots and one of the plurality of the second slots and slidable therein, wherein the rubbing heads are interlocked to each other by the second plate such that the rubbing heads are always synchronized.

In another aspect, a rubbing machine assembly configured to rub a portion of a jelly roll of a cylindrical battery cell, the rubbing machine assembly including a first plate, a second plate coupled to the first plate, a mounting pin configured to engage with a distal end of the battery cell, a plurality of rubbing heads positioned on the first plate, wherein each of the plurality of rubbing heads are circumferentially positioned around the battery cell, and wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate concurrently moves the plurality of rubbing heads relative to the battery cell.

In yet another aspect, a rubbing machine assembly configured to rub a portion of a jelly roll of a cylindrical battery cell, the rubbing machine assembly including a first plate including a plurality of first slots, a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate, the second plate including a plurality of second slots, a plurality of rubbing heads coupled to the first plate and including rubbing ends arranged on the same imaginary plane, a mounting pin configured to engage a distal end of the battery cell, and an extension coupled to a distal end of the mounting pin, wherein the extension is configured to extend into the distal end of the battery cell.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including, ” “comprising, ” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted, ” “connected, ” “supported, ” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits ( “ASICs” ) . As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers, ” “computing devices, ” “controllers, ” “processors, ” etc., described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.

Relative terminology, such as, for example, “about, ” “approximately, ” “substantially, ” etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition would be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement accuracy, tolerances [e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc. ] associated with the particular value, etc. ) . Such terminology should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4” . The relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%, or more) of an indicated value.

It should be understood that although certain drawings illustrate hardware and software located within particular devices, these depictions are for illustrative purposes only. Functionality described herein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components may be consolidated and performed by a single component. In some embodiments, the illustrated components may be combined or divided into separate software, firmware and/or hardware. For example, instead of being located within and performed by a single electronic processor, logic and processing may be distributed among multiple electronic processors. Regardless of how they are combined or divided, hardware and software components may be located on the same computing device or may be distributed among different computing devices connected by one or more networks or other suitable communication links. Similarly, a component described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not explicitly listed.

Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a rubbing assembly of a battery cell rubbing machine, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plate of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another bottom perspective view of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1, with a plate removed.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a central pin of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rubbing head of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plate of the rubbing assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the plate of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a battery cell rubbing machine according to one embodiment. A battery cell rubbing machine is operable to rub, or form, conductive strips of concentric layers of a jelly roll 5 of a battery cell (FIG. 6) , such as a jelly-roll battery cell, together at a specific “rubbing region. ” Therefore, the battery cell rubbing machine forms a substantially flat connection surface and/or plane on the jelly roll 5, which effectively electrically connects to an electric terminal of a battery housing of the jelly roll 5. The conductive strips may be uncoated portions of the respective anode and cathode sheets within a jelly-roll.

The battery cell rubbing machine 10 includes an installation support platform and a battery cell rubbing, or shaping, assembly 14. The rubbing assembly 14 includes a base plate 18, a rotational plate 22, a central pin 26, and a number of rubbing head assemblies 30.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 9, and 10, the base plate 18 is generally cylindrical and includes a first face 18a and a second face 18b opposite the first face 18a. The first face 18a includes a series of rectangular grooves 34. The grooves 34 extend from a distal edge of the base plate 18 toward a center point of the base plate 18. The grooves 34 are equidistantly spaced relative to a central longitudinal axis 38 (FIG. 6) of the base plate 18. In the illustrated embodiments, the base plate 18 includes three grooves 34. However, in alternative embodiments the base plate 18 may include fewer or additional grooves 34. Each of the grooves 34 includes an elongated slot 42 positioned within the groove 34. Specifically, each elongated slot 42 is generally elliptical shaped and extends through the second face 18b of the base plate 18. More specifically, each elongated slot 42 is shaped and sized to receive a pin 46, which will be described in more detail below.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 9, and 10, the base plate 18 includes a central aperture 50, a series of primary apertures 54, and a series of secondary apertures 58. The central aperture 50 extends through the base plate 18 along the central longitudinal axis 38. The central aperture 50 is generally circular and is shaped and sized to receive a portion of the central pin 26. In some examples, the central pin 26 may be referred to as a mounting pin. The primary apertures 54 are positioned adjacent to the central aperture 50. More specifically, the base plate 18 includes three primary apertures 54, such that each of the primary apertures 54 are equidistantly spaced relative to the central longitudinal axis 38. Each of the primary apertures 54 include a first portion 62, a second portion 66, and a third portion 70. The first portion 62 is generally circular, the second portion 66 is generally funnel-shaped, and the third portion 70 is generally circular. More specifically, the first portion 62 is tapered toward the third portion 70. That is, a diameter of the first portion 62 is greater than a diameter of the third portion 70. In alternative embodiments, the base plate 18 may include primary apertures 54 of alternative shapes and sizes, and/or may include fewer or additional primary apertures 54. In some examples, the primary aperture is configured to ensure that one or more of the rubbing head assemblies30 are in the proper position.

The secondary apertures 58 are generally circular and extend through the base plate 18. The secondary apertures 58 are linearly arranged in series of three and are positioned on opposite sides of each of the grooves 34. That is, each of the series of three secondary apertures 58 linearly extend along an axis 74 that is generally parallel to an axis 78 of the groove 34. Each of the secondary apertures 58 includes an identical shape and size. More specifically, each of the secondary apertures 58 are shaped and sized to receive a pin, or fastener, which will be described in greater detail below.

With reference to FIG. 4, the second face 18b of the base plate 18 includes a circular groove 82. The circular groove 82 is positioned relative to the central longitudinal axis 38, such that the circular groove 82 and the central aperture 50 are concentrically positioned relative to each other. More specifically, the central aperture 50 and the primary apertures 54 are positioned within the circular groove 82.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3, the rotational plate 22 is generally cylindrical and includes a first face 22a and a second face 22b opposite the first face 22a. The rotational plate 22 includes a diameter equal to a diameter of the base plate 18 and a thickness less than a thickness of the base plate 18. The rotational plate 22 is coupled to and rotatable relative to the base plate 18. More specifically, the base plate 18 and the rotational plate 22 are concentrically aligned, such that the rotational plate 22 is rotatable about to the central longitudinal axis 38.

The rotational plate 22 includes a central aperture 86 and various curved apertures 90. The central aperture 86 is generally circular and includes a circumference equal to a circumference of the circular groove 82 of the base plate 18. Therefore, the central aperture 86 is generally aligned with the circular groove 82. Each of the curved apertures 90 are generally elongate and extend through the rotational plate 22. More specifically, each curved aperture 90 is shaped and sized to receive one of the pins 46, which will be described in more detail below. The curved apertures 90 are equidistantly spaced around the rotational plate 22 relative to the central longitudinal axis 38. In the illustrated embodiments, the rotational plate 22 includes three curved apertures 90. However, in alternative embodiments, the rotational plate 22 may include fewer or additional curved apertures 90.

With reference to FIG. 7, the central pin, or mounting pin, 26 extends through the base plate 18 and the rotational plate 22 and is configured to support and protrude into the jelly roll 5. The central pin 26 includes a first cylindrical portion 94, a second cylindrical portion 98, and a tapered portion 102. The first cylindrical portion 94 includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the second cylindrical portion 98. In alternative embodiments, the central pin 26 may include alternative shapes and sizes. With reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the central pin 26 is shaped and sized such that all or a portion of the central pin 26 to protrude through the central aperture 50 of the base plate 18 and the central aperture 86 of the rotational plate 22. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion 94 of the central pin 26 may have a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the central aperture 50 of the base plate 18, thereby forming a snug fit between the central pin 26 and the rotational plate 22.

With reference to FIG. 7, a distal end 106 of the second cylindrical portion 98 of the central pin 26 is generally conical. Specifically, the distal end 106 is generally pointed and configured to support and protrude into an uncoated portion of an electrode sheet of the jelly roll 5.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, an extension 110 is integrally formed with the distal end 106 of the central pin 26. The extension 110 includes a cylindrical portion 114 and a conical portion 118. In alternative embodiments, the extension 110 is removably coupled to the distal end 106 of the central pin 26. The extension 110 may be configured to extend into the jelly roll 5 to provide support to the jelly roll 5 during a rubbing operation. In such case, the cylindrical portion 114 includes an aperture shaped and sized to receive the distal end 106 of the central pin 26. Therefore, the extension 110 may be secured to the central pin 26 by positioning the distal end 106 of the central pin 26 within the aperture of the extension 110. The extension 110 can be inserted into a central hole of the jelly roll 5 and acts as an additional support to the jelly roll 5, which enables the jelly roll 5 to be centrally positioned.

Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 3-6, the rubbing head assemblies 30 may include a housing 122, a rubbing head 126, a plate 130, and a coupling member 134 (FIG. 9) . The housing 122 is generally rectangular and includes a main body 138 and flanges 142 positioned on opposite sides of the main body 138. The main body 138 includes a circular through-bore 146 shaped and sized to receive the rubbing head 126. The through-bore 146 may include a threaded aperture (not shown) extending through a portion of the main body 138 and shaped and sized to receive the central pin 26, which will be described in more detail below. With reference to FIG. 5, a front face of the housing 122 includes various apertures 154 positioned around the circular through-bore 146. Specifically, each of the apertures 154 are shaped and sized to receive a fastener, which secures the plate 130 to the front surface of the housing 122.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the flanges 142 are generally rectangular and integrally formed with sidewalls of the main body 138. An upper surface of each of the flanges 142 includes an elongate slot 158. The elongate slots 158 extend through the flanges 142 and are shaped and sized to receive a pin or a fastener.

With reference to FIG. 8, the rubbing head 126 is generally cylindrical and includes a first end, or rubbing end, 126a and a second end, or mounting end, 126b opposite the first end 126a. The first end 126a is generally conical and is configured to engage the jelly roll 5, and more specifically the uncoated portions of an anode and/or cathode of the jelly roll 5. The first end 126a of plurality of the rubbing heads are arranged in a same imaginary plane in order to form a planar rubbing surface on a jelly roll. The second end 126b is generally cylindrical and is positioned within the circular through-bore 146 of the housing 122. More specifically, the second end 126b is secured to the housing 122 via a bearing and an end cap 162. A wheel, or collar, 166 is positioned on the rubbing head 126, adjacent the first end 126a of the rubbing head 126. With reference to FIG. 8, the rubbing head 126 includes two diametrically opposed flat portions 170. The rubbing head 126 is driven to rotate by a rotation mechanism (not shown) in order to rub the jelly roll 5.

With reference to FIG. 9, the coupling member 134 is generally trapezoidal-shaped and is coupled to a bottom surface of the housing 122 of the rubbing head assemblies 30. More specifically, the coupling member 134 is shaped and sized to fit within the grooves 34 of the rotational plate 22. A threaded aperture 174 extends through a center of the coupling member 134 and is shaped and sized to receive the pin 46. More specifically, when the coupling member 134 is coupled to the housing 122, a threaded aperture (not shown) of the housing 122 is aligned with the threaded aperture 174 of the coupling member 134. The pins 46, or fasteners, are insertable through the threaded apertures 174, into the housing 122, thereby coupling the housing 122 to the coupling member 134. In some examples, the pin 46 may be integral to the housing 122 and coupled to the coupling member 134 via the threaded apertures 174.

In order to assemble the rubbing assembly 14, the coupling members 134 are positioned within the grooves 34 of the base plate 18. Each of the rubbing heads 126 are positioned within the circular through-bores 146 of the housings 122, and the housings 122 are positioned on the first face 18a of the base plate 18, on top of the coupling members 134. The pins 46 are inserted through the elongate slots 42 of the base plate 18 and coupled to the housings 122. Upon the pins 46 being installed into the elongate slots 42, each of the rubbing head assemblies 30 may slide via the pins 46 along the elongate slots 42 of the base plate 18 in order to reposition the rubbing head assemblies 30. In one embodiment, the coupling members 124 can be integrally formed with the housing 122. The rotational place 22 is concentric with the base plate 18 and can rotate about the central axis. The pins 46 are protruded into a respective one of the curved apertures 90. During the adjustment of the housings 122 as well as the rubbing head 126, the user can move the housings 122 to the intended position. In order to secure each of the housings 122 to the base plate 18, fasteners are inserted through the elongate slots 158 on the flanges 142 and through the secondary apertures 58.

In order to position each of the rubbing head assemblies 30 at the optimal position relative to the jelly roll 5, the jelly roll 5 is first positioned on the central pin 26. Specifically, the distal end 106 of the central pin 26, or the extension 110, is inserted into or pressed against a central hole of a jelly roll 5. In order to adjust the position of the rubbing heads 126, the user can manually adjust the rotational plate 22 or adjust one of the housings 122. In some examples, the position of the rubbing heads 126 may be automatically adjusted, such as by one or more automation controller devices. The movement of one of the housings 122 will cause a synchronized movement of the other housings 122. In one embodiment, the user rotates the rotational plate 22 relative to the base plate 18. Rotation of the rotational plate 22 causes each of the pins 46 to slide along the curved apertures 90 of the rotational plate 22 and linearly slide along the elongate slots 42 of the base plate 18. Subsequent movement of the pins 46 translates each of the rubbing head assemblies 30 relative to the jelly roll 5. More specifically, when the rotational plate 22 is rotated in a clockwise direction relative to the central longitudinal axis 38, the rubbing head assemblies 30 translate toward the jelly roll 5, and when the rotational plate 22 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction relative to the central longitudinal axis 38, the rubbing head assemblies 30 translate away from the jelly roll 5. The rotational plate 22 can guarantee that the rubbing head assemblies 30 are synchronically moved. Therefore, the user only needs to adjust the position of one of the rubbings heads 126 during setting up the engagement between the rubbing head assemblies 50 and the jelly roll 5.

The arrangement between the base plate 18 and the rotational plate 22 advantageously allows for the rubbing head assemblies 30 to be reoriented concurrently. Specifically, the capability to rapidly position all three rubbing heads 126 at the same time guarantees that the rubbing heads 126 are within the same plane without additional adjustment. Therefore, the time to position the rubbing heads 126 relative to the jelly roll 5 is significantly reduced. Additionally, the concurrent repositioning of all of the rubbing heads 126 ensures that the equal distance between each of the rubbing heads 126 is maintained.

Thus, embodiments described herein provide, among other things, a battery cell rubbing machine for a battery cell. Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

A rubbing machine assembly configured to rub a portion of a jelly roll of a cylindrical battery cell, the rubbing machine assembly comprising:

a first plate including a plurality of first slots;

a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate, the second plate including plurality of second slots;

a mounting pin coupled to the first plate and configured to engage with a distal end of the battery cell;

a plurality of rubbing heads coupled to the first plate and having rubbing ends arranged on a same imaginary plane; and

a plurality of pins, wherein each of the plurality of pins is coupled to one of the rubbing heads, each of the plurality of pins is positioned through one of the plurality of first slots and one of the plurality of the second slots and slidable therein;

wherein the rubbing heads are interlocked to each other by the second plate such that the rubbing heads are always synchronized.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first slots are linear and the plurality of second slots are curved.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 1, wherein rotation of the second plate relative to the first plate in a first direction causes at least one of the plurality of rubbing heads to move toward the battery cell, and rotation of the second plate relative to the first plate in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the at least one of the plurality of rubbing heads to move away from the battery cell.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes a central aperture, and wherein the mounting pin is positioned within the central aperture.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting pin includes an extension configured to extend into the distal end of the battery cell.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 1, further comprising a coupling member positioned on the first plate, wherein the coupling member is configured to removably couple the first plate to one of the plurality of rubbing heads.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 6, wherein the first plate includes a groove, wherein the coupling member is slidably received within the groove.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 6, wherein the pin protrudes through the coupling member.
A rubbing machine assembly configured to rub a portion of a jelly roll of a cylindrical battery cell, the rubbing machine assembly comprising:

a first plate;

a second plate coupled to the first plate;

a mounting pin configured to engage with a distal end of the battery cell;

a plurality of rubbing heads positioned on the first plate, wherein each of the plurality of rubbing heads are circumferentially positioned around the battery cell; and

wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate concurrently moves the plurality of rubbing heads relative to the battery cell.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of pins, wherein each of the plurality of pins protrudes through the first plate, the second plate, and one of the plurality of rubbing heads.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 10, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate translates the plurality of pins along the first plate and the second plate.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of coupling members, wherein each of the plurality of coupling members is positioned between the first plate and one of the plurality of rubbing heads.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pins protrude through the plurality of coupling members.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 9, wherein the first plate includes a plurality of first slots and the second plate includes a plurality of second slots.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of first slots are linear and each of the plurality of second slots are curved.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 9, wherein the mounting pin includes an extension configured to engage with a central portion of the battery cell.
A rubbing machine assembly configured to rub a portion of a jelly roll of a cylindrical battery cell, the rubbing machine assembly comprising:

a first plate including a plurality of first slots;

a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate, the second plate including a plurality of second slots;

a plurality of rubbing heads coupled to the first plate and including rubbing ends arranged on the same imaginary plane;

a mounting pin configured to engage a distal end of the battery cell; and

an extension coupled to a distal end of the mounting pin, wherein the extension is configured to extend into the distal end of the battery cell.
The rubbing assembly machine of claim 17, wherein the extension includes a cylindrical portion and a conical portion.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 18, wherein the cylindrical portion and the conical portion are integrally formed.
The rubbing machine assembly of claim 18, wherein the cylindrical portion includes an aperture, and wherein the distal end of the mounting pin is positioned within the aperture.