JP2013105626A - Battery assembling device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a battery assembling apparatus capable of pressing a plurality of aligned workpieces with an appropriate force so that a battery gripping means (grip jig) can accurately grip the workpiece.
A battery assembling apparatus includes a gripping jig for gripping a battery supplied from a battery supply unit, and assembles the battery and the frame. The battery supply unit 53 presses the workpiece 20 </ b> A on one end side of the plurality of workpieces 20 arranged in the conveyance path 81 and the conveyance path 81 in which a plurality of workpieces 20 (batteries 20) are arranged in the horizontal direction. Pressing member 82 for supplying the workpiece 20H on the side to the gripping jig 52 in the horizontal direction, weights 83A to 83H having a predetermined weight falling due to gravity, and a rope 84 for transmitting the gravity acting on the weights 83A to 83H to the pressing member 82 Have Each of the weights 83A to 83H is provided so as to be separated by a predetermined distance Y1 in the vertical direction, and is arranged so that the force acting on the pressing member 82 can be sequentially reduced by grounding sequentially from the lower side as it falls.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery assembling apparatus that automatically and continuously assembles a battery and a frame that accommodates the battery.

  Batteries are used in various fields as power sources for electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers, or as power sources for vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. The battery includes a nickel / cadmium battery, a nickel / hydrogen battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, and the like.

  And when a battery is used as a power source for various applications, it is used as an assembled battery (module) in which a plurality of single cells (cells) are electrically connected in order to obtain an output according to the application. . For example, in an assembled battery used as a vehicle power source, a plurality of single cells are electrically connected in series to obtain a required output voltage. In this case, in general, an assembled battery in which a plurality of rectangular cells are stacked is used from the viewpoint of space saving when mounted on a vehicle. In such an assembled battery, it is necessary to consider heat dissipation, insulation and heat insulation between adjacent single cells, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 below.

  In the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 below, a spacer is sandwiched between adjacent unit cells. The spacer is made of an insulating resin containing a foaming agent that reacts with heat above a certain level and is thermally decomposed. Thereby, when one of the unit cells abnormally generates heat while insulating the adjacent unit cells, heat can be prevented from being transmitted to the adjacent unit cells.

JP 2010-165597 A

  By the way, as a battery assembly in which insulation and heat dissipation between the battery cells are ensured, a battery cell (hereinafter simply referred to as “battery”) is covered with a frame in addition to the battery assembly using the spacer as described in Patent Document 1. There is something. That is, there is an assembled battery in which framed batteries in which the battery and the frame are assembled are stacked. When manufacturing a battery with a frame of this assembled battery, since the number of batteries required for one vehicle is as large as several hundred, it is desired that mass production is possible.

  Therefore, in recent years, the present applicant has proposed to use a battery assembling apparatus that automatically and continuously assembles the battery and the frame. In this battery assembling apparatus, the battery supply unit supplies the battery to the battery gripping means, and the frame body supply means supplies the frame body to the frame gripping means, and the battery gripped by the battery gripping means and the frame body supply The frame held by the means is automatically assembled. However, when the battery assembling apparatus is used, when the battery supply unit supplies the battery to the battery gripping means or when the frame body supply unit supplies the frame body to the frame gripping means, there are the following problems. .

  That is, the battery supply unit or the frame supply unit has a plurality of workpieces as a battery or a frame arranged side by side, and presses a workpiece on one end side among the plurality of workpieces so that the workpiece on the other end side is gripped by the battery. Or it supplies to a frame holding means in a horizontal direction. However, the battery gripping means or the frame gripping means, which is the supply partner, moves quickly (rotates) to cope with mass production. For this reason, when supplying a workpiece | work, it is necessary to press the some workpiece | work arranged in a suitable force so that a battery holding means or a frame supply means can hold | grip a workpiece | work correctly. At this time, there is a problem that fine adjustment of the force for pressing the workpiece is difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and presses a plurality of arranged works with an appropriate force so that the battery gripping means or the frame supply means can grip the work accurately. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery assembling apparatus that can perform such a process.

  A battery assembling apparatus according to the present invention includes battery gripping means for gripping a battery supplied from a battery supply unit, and frame body gripping means for gripping a frame body supplied from a frame body supply unit, and the battery gripping means The battery gripped by the frame gripping means and the battery gripped by the frame gripping means are assembled, and the battery supply part or the frame body supply part horizontally moves the battery or the workpiece that is the frame body in the horizontal direction. A plurality of transport paths arranged side by side and a work on one end side among a plurality of works arranged on the transport path are pressed to supply the work on the other end side to the battery gripping means or the frame gripping means in the horizontal direction. A pressing member that drops by gravity, a falling member having a predetermined weight, and a connecting member that transmits the gravity acting on the dropping member to the pressing member.

  In this case, for example, by changing the weight of the dropping member, the force transmitted from the dropping member to the pressing member via the connecting member easily changes. As described above, since the gravity of the dropping member is used, it is easier to finely adjust the force for pressing the work than when the elastic force of the elastic member or the driving force of the actuator is used. Therefore, a plurality of arranged works can be pressed with an appropriate force so that the battery gripping means or the frame supply means can grip the work accurately.

  Further, in the battery assembling apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of the dropping members are provided at predetermined distances in the vertical direction, and the force acting on the pressing member is sequentially reduced by grounding sequentially from the lower side when falling. It is preferable that they are arranged so as to be able to.

  In this case, the number of workpieces arranged on the conveyance path decreases sequentially (in a stepwise manner), so that the frictional force between the conveyance path and the workpiece decreases sequentially, and a plurality of dropping members are moved from the lower side. By sequentially grounding, the force acting on the pressing member from the dropping member is sequentially reduced. For this reason, in a situation where the workpiece is sequentially pushed out from the conveyance path and the frictional force is sequentially reduced, the pushing force of the workpiece pushed out from the conveyance path, that is, the force obtained by subtracting the frictional force from the force acting on the pressing member is made substantially constant. be able to.

  Moreover, in the battery assembling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the interval between the adjacent dropping members and the interval between the adjacent workpieces are set to be the same.

  In this case, when one drop member is grounded, the force acting on the pressing member is reduced by the amount of gravity acting on one drop member, whereas one workpiece is pushed out from the conveyance path. The frictional force is reduced by the amount of frictional force acting on one workpiece. For this reason, the pushing force of the workpiece pushed out from the conveyance path, that is, the force obtained by subtracting the frictional force from the force acting on the pushing member can be always made constant. Therefore, by setting the friction coefficient of the conveyance path, the weight of each dropping member, and the weight of each work to appropriate values, the pushing force of the work pushed out from the conveyance path can be made an optimal value and always constant. .

  In the battery assembling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that an inclined member for moving the dropping member downward along the inclined surface is provided.

  In this case, for example, the force transmitted from the dropping member to the pressing member via the connecting member can be easily changed by changing the inclination angle of the inclined surface. For this reason, the force which presses a workpiece | work with a simple structure can be finely adjusted.

  In the battery assembling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the inclined surface is set so as to gradually decrease as it goes downward of the inclined member.

  In this case, the number of workpieces arranged in the conveyance path is sequentially reduced, so that the frictional force between the conveyance path and the workpiece is sequentially reduced, and the falling member is moved downward along the inclined surface of the inclined member. By moving, the force acting on the pressing member from the dropping member continuously decreases. For this reason, in a situation where the workpiece is sequentially pushed out from the conveyance path and the frictional force is sequentially reduced, the pushing force of the workpiece pushed out from the conveyance path, that is, the force obtained by subtracting the frictional force from the force acting on the pressing member is made substantially constant. be able to. Furthermore, since the force which presses a workpiece | work can be decreased moderately and continuously, the load which acts on a workpiece | work can be made very small.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a battery assembling apparatus capable of pressing a plurality of arranged works with an appropriate force so that the battery gripping means or the frame supply means can accurately grip the work. .

It is the perspective view which showed the assembled battery which concerns on this embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed the battery with a frame which is a structural member of the assembled battery shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the battery with a frame shown in FIG. 2 into the cell and the frame. It is the figure which showed the battery assembly | attachment apparatus schematically. It is the figure which showed the state with which the battery and the frame were assembled | attached. It is the figure which showed the state in which a battery with a frame is conveyed. (A) It is the figure which showed the battery supply part of the 1st plan roughly. (B) It is the figure which showed the battery supply part of the 2nd plan roughly. It is the figure which showed the battery supply part of 1st Embodiment schematically. (A) When the number of batteries arranged in the conveyance path is large, the relationship between the force for pressing the workpiece, the frictional force between the workpiece and the conveyance path, and the force for pushing the workpiece from the conveyance path was shown. FIG. (B) When the number of batteries arranged in the conveyance path is small, the relationship between the force pressing the workpiece, the frictional force between the workpiece and the conveyance path, and the force pushing the workpiece from the conveyance path was shown. FIG. It is the figure which showed the state in which one weight grounded in the battery supply part of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the state which seven weights earth | grounded in the battery supply part of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed roughly the battery supply part of the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed roughly the battery supply part of the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the battery supply part of 2nd Embodiment schematically. It is the figure which showed the state by which all the workpieces were extruded from the conveyance path in the battery supply part of 2nd Embodiment.

  An embodiment of a battery assembling apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembled battery 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a framed battery 10 that is a constituent member of the assembled battery 1 shown in FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the frame-equipped battery 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 1 is a battery group in which a plurality of framed batteries 10 are stacked. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame-equipped battery 10 is obtained by assembling a unit cell 20 and a frame body 30. In the assembled battery 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame-equipped batteries 10 are arranged so as to be stacked in one direction, and both ends are sandwiched between end plates 2. And each battery 10 with a frame is being fixed by spanning the metal plate 3. As shown in FIG. A plurality of single cells 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “battery 20”) in the frame-equipped battery 10 are electrically connected by a bus bar 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery 20 is a lithium ion secondary battery whose outer shape is a rectangular parallelepiped. The battery 20 includes a power generation element (winding electrode body) formed by winding a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate in a flat shape with a separator interposed therebetween, and an electrolytic solution composed of an organic solvent in which a lithium salt is dissolved. Are housed inside.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 30 is formed of an insulating resin in order to insulate the outer surfaces of the adjacent batteries 20. Further, the frame body 30 prevents the battery 20 from being displaced or rattled when vibration or impact is applied to the assembled battery 1, and has a heat resistance function. The frame 30 has a bottom surface 31 and wall surfaces 32 provided on four sides thereof, and has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. Thereby, the frame 30 can accommodate the battery 20. In the frame-equipped battery 10, the battery 20 and the frame body 30 are not easily detached by hook catches or the like.

  In such a frame-equipped battery 10, continuous automatic assembly of the battery 20 and the frame body 30 is desired in order to improve productivity. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a battery assembling apparatus 40 that performs continuous automatic assembling. Here, in FIG. 4, the frame body 30 is shown in a U-shaped cross-sectional shape so that the assembly of the battery 20 and the frame body 30 is easy to understand.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the battery assembling apparatus 40 includes battery rotating means 50 for rotating the battery 20 around the first circle C1, and frame rotating means 60 for rotating the frame 30 around the second circle C2. I have. Then, the battery assembling apparatus 40 is configured to convey the battery 20 gripped by the battery rotating means 50 and the frame 30 gripped by the frame rotating means 60 to the center assembling position Y for assembly. It has become. The assembly position Y is a position where the assembly of the battery 20 and the frame 30 is completed, and is located on a straight line connecting the rotation center O1 of the first circle C1 and the rotation center O2 of the second circle C2.

  The battery rotation means 50 includes a rotation arm 51 extending in the radial direction from the rotation center O1 of the first circle C1, a gripping jig (battery gripping means) 52 attached to a radially outer end of the rotation arm 51, A battery supply unit 53 that pushes the battery 20 toward the gripping jig 52 when the gripping jig 52 approaches. Two rotating arms 51 are provided 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction, and rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 with the radially inner end as the rotation center O1.

  The holding jig 52 rotates around the first circle C <b> 1 while holding the battery 20, and is attached to each rotating arm 51. Each gripping jig 52 is formed in a substantially T-shape, and includes a shaft portion 54 and a substantially U-shaped gripping portion 55 attached to the tip of the shaft portion 54. The shaft portion 54 is pin-coupled to the radially outer end portion of the rotary arm 51. As a result, the gripping jig 52 rotates around the first circle C1 and can swing around the turning center Z1.

  The rotary arm 51 and the gripping jig 52 are connected by a spring 56 provided on the front side in the rotational direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4). Thereby, in a normal state, the center line L1 of the shaft portion 54 of the gripping jig 52 is set to be inclined by a predetermined angle θ1 in the rotation direction with respect to the center line R1 of the rotary arm 51. The gripping jig 52 can swing with respect to the rotating rotary arm 51 with the turning center Z1 as a fulcrum, but swings while receiving the biasing force of the spring 56.

  The battery supply unit 53 supplies the batteries 20 one by one to the rotating gripping jig 52. The battery supply unit 53 accommodates a plurality of arranged batteries 20 and slides each battery 20. Thereby, the battery 20 nearest to the battery rotating means 50 among the batteries 20 arranged is pushed out. The timing at which the battery 20 is pushed out is slightly before the rotating gripping jig 52 is closest to the battery 20 and is controlled so that the battery 20 can enter the gripping portion 55. Other configurations of the battery supply unit 53 will be described in detail later.

  The frame rotation means 60 includes a rotation arm 61 extending in the radial direction from the rotation center O2 of the second circle C2, and a gripping jig (frame body gripping means) 62 attached to the radially outer end of the rotation arm 61. And a frame supply magazine 63 for pushing out the frame 30 toward the gripping jig 62 when the gripping jig 62 approaches. Here, two rotation arms 61 are provided 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction, and rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 with the radially inner end portion as the rotation center O2.

  The holding jig 62 rotates around the second circle C <b> 2 while holding the frame 30, and is attached to each rotating arm 61. Each gripping jig 62 is formed in a substantially T-shape, and includes a shaft portion 64 and a substantially U-shaped gripping portion 65 attached to the tip of the shaft portion 64. The shaft portion 64 is pin-coupled to the radially outer end portion of the rotary arm 61. As a result, the gripping jig 62 rotates around the second circle C2 and can swing around the turning center Z2.

  The rotating arm 61 and the gripping jig 62 are connected by a spring 66 provided on the front side in the rotational direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 4). Thus, in a normal state, the center line L2 of the shaft portion 64 of the gripping jig 62 is set to be inclined by a predetermined angle θ2 in the rotation direction with respect to the center line R2 of the rotary arm 61. Here, the predetermined angle θ2 is the same angle as the predetermined angle θ1 described above. The gripping jig 62 can swing with respect to the rotating rotary arm 61 with the turning center Z2 as a fulcrum, but swings while receiving the biasing force of the spring 66.

  The frame body supply magazine 63 supplies the frame bodies 30 one by one to the rotating gripping jig 62. The frame supply magazine 63 accommodates a plurality of arranged frame bodies 30 and slides each frame body 30. Thereby, the frame body 30 closest to the frame body rotation means 60 among the arranged frame bodies 30 is pushed out. The timing at which the frame 30 is pushed out is just before the rotating gripping jig 62 comes closest, and is controlled so that the frame 30 can enter the gripping portion 65.

  Next, the process of assembling the battery 20 and the frame 30 in the battery assembling apparatus 40 configured as described above will be described. In the battery rotating means 50, the rotating gripping jig 52 on one side grips one battery 20 pushed out from the battery supply unit 53. In the frame rotating means 60, the rotating gripping jig 62 on one side grips one frame 30 pushed out from the frame supply magazine 63. Thus, the gripped battery 20 and the frame 30 are sent to the assembly position Y shown in FIG. 4 at the same timing by the rotation of the rotary arms 51 and 61. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the battery 20 and the frame body 30 are assembled.

  As shown in FIG. 5, at the assembly position Y, the gripping jigs 52 and 62 are swung around the turning centers Z1 and Z2 against the urging force of the springs 56 and 66, and the rotating arms 51, All of the center lines R1, R2 of 61 and the center lines L1, L2 of the gripping jigs 52, 62 are on a straight line. For this reason, the battery 20 and the frame 30 are pressed from the left and right of FIG. In this way, the battery 20 and the frame 30 are assembled by the pressure that acts almost evenly, and the framed battery 10 is created.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the framed battery 10 is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 6, after the framed battery 10 is created, the framed battery 10 is sent to the next process via the conveyor 70. Then, the rotating gripping jigs 52 and 62 on one side approach the battery supply unit 53 and the frame body supply magazine 63, and from the battery supply unit 53 and the frame body supply magazine 63, the battery 20 and the frame body are moved. Grab 30. Further, the rotating gripping jigs 52 and 62 on the other side approach the assembly position Y, and the battery 20 and the frame body 30 are assembled in the same manner.

  By the way, the battery supply unit 53 of the battery assembly device 40 described above has a plurality of batteries 20 (hereinafter referred to as “work 20” as appropriate) arranged side by side. Although it presses and supplies the workpiece | work 20 of the other end side toward the holding jig | tool 52 in a horizontal direction, there exist the following problems. That is, the gripping jig 52 that is the supply partner of the workpiece 20 is rapidly rotated in order to cope with mass production. For this reason, when the workpiece 20 is supplied, it is necessary to press the plurality of workpieces 20 arranged with an appropriate force so that the gripping jig 52 can accurately grip the workpiece 20. At this time, there is a problem that it is difficult to finely adjust the force for pressing the workpiece 20.

  Here, the battery supply part 153 which presses the arranged workpiece | work 20 using an elastic force as a 1st plan is demonstrated. FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically showing the first battery supply unit 153. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first battery supply unit 153 includes a conveyance path 181 in which a plurality of workpieces 20 are arranged in a horizontal direction, a pressing member 182 that presses the workpiece 20, and a pressing unit 182. It is the structure provided with the spring 183 to which the one end part 183a is connected.

  In the first battery supply unit 153, the other end 183 b of the spring 183 is pulled to press the workpiece 20 on one end side among the plurality of workpieces 20 arranged. However, in the first plan, the length of the spring 183 varies depending on the number of the workpieces 20 arranged, and the elastic force of the spring 183 changes. That is, when the number of the workpieces 20 arranged as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 7 is large, the force of pressing the workpieces 20 is large, whereas the workpieces arranged as shown by the solid lines in FIG. When the number of 20 is small, the force with which the workpiece 20 is pressed becomes small. For this reason, when the elastic force of the spring (elastic member) 183 is used like the battery supply unit 153 of the first proposal, the change in the elastic force of the spring 183 is large, so that the force for pressing the workpiece 20 can be finely adjusted. difficult.

  As a second plan, a battery supply unit 253 that presses the aligned workpieces 20 using the driving force generated by the actuator 283 will be described. FIG. 7B is a diagram schematically showing the second battery supply unit 253. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second battery supply unit 253 includes a conveying path 281 in which a plurality of workpieces 20 are arranged in a horizontal direction, a pressing member 282 that presses the workpiece 20, and a pressing member 282. It is the structure provided with actuators 283, such as an air cylinder, to which cylinder rod 283a is connected.

  In the battery supply unit 253 of the second plan, the actuator 283 extends the cylinder rod 283a, thereby pressing the workpiece 20 on one end side among the plurality of workpieces 20 arranged. However, in this second plan, the minimum value of the driving force generated by the actuator 283 is larger than the appropriate value of the force pressing the workpiece 20. For this reason, when the driving force of the actuator 283 is used like the battery supply unit 253 of the second plan, the work 20 is suddenly pushed out toward the gripping jig 52 and the gripping jig 52 pulls the battery 20 down. There is a possibility that it cannot be gripped accurately.

  Therefore, the battery supply unit 53 of the first embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 8 in order to cope with the above-described problems. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the battery supply unit 53. As shown in FIG. 8, the battery supply unit 53 includes a conveyance path 81 in which a plurality of workpieces 20 are arranged in a horizontal direction, a pressing member 82 that presses the workpiece 20, a weight 83 that drops due to gravity, and the weight 83. A rope (connecting member) 84 that suspends the rope 84, a guide roller 85 that guides the rope 84, and a take-up drum 86 that winds the rope 84.

  The conveyance path 81 is formed in a planar shape so that the workpiece 20 can easily move in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 8, eight workpieces 20 arranged on the conveyance path 81 are shown, and the workpieces 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, and 20H are sequentially arranged from the workpiece 20 close to the pressing member 82. I will call it. Note that the number of workpieces 20 arranged on the conveyance path 81 is not limited to eight, and can be changed as appropriate. A slipper 21 is attached below each of the workpieces 20A to 20H so that the workpieces 20A to 20H can easily slide with respect to the conveyance path 81 and the gripping jig 52 can easily grip the workpieces 20A to 20H. .

  The pressing member 82 is formed in an L shape and presses the workpiece 20A (the slipper 21 attached to the workpiece 20A) to the left side in FIG. When the workpiece 20 </ b> A is pressed, the workpieces 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> H slide to the left in FIG. 8, and the workpiece 20 </ b> H is pushed out from the conveyance path 81. In this way, the workpiece 20H is supplied toward the gripping jig 52. One end of the rope 84 is connected to the lower end of the pressing member 82.

  Eight weights 83, which are the same as the number of workpieces 20, are provided and attached to the rope 84. Each weight 83 is suspended in the air with respect to the fixed planar fixing member 87, and the weights 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, 83E, 83F, 83G, and 83H are sequentially started from the weight 83 that is close to the fixing member 87. I will call it. Each of the weights 83A to 83H is formed to have the same predetermined weight. Further, the interval Y1 between the adjacent weights 83A to 83H and the interval Y2 between the weight 83A and the ground contact surface 87a of the fixing member 87 are set to be the same as the interval X1 between the adjacent workpieces 20A to 20H.

  The rope 84 transmits the gravity of the weight 83 to the pressing member 82. The rope 84 has a horizontal portion 84a extending in the horizontal direction and a vertical portion 84b extending in the vertical direction by being guided by the guide roller 85. Since the weights 83A to 83H are attached to the vertical portion 84b, gravity acting on the weights 83A to 83H acts. However, the winding drum 86 pulls the vertical portion 84b upward in FIG. 10 with the same force as the gravity acting on the weights 83A to 83H. For this reason, in FIG. 8, the weights 83 </ b> A to 83 </ b> H are kept floating in the air. Then, when the take-up drum 86 releases the tension on the vertical portion 84b, the gravity acting on each of the weights 83A to 83H is transmitted to the pressing member 82 via the rope 84, and the pressing member 82 becomes the workpiece 20A (slipper 21). Is pressed to the left side of FIG.

  Here, points to be noted when pressing the workpieces 20A to 20H arranged on the conveyance path 81 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the number of workpieces 20 arranged on the conveyance path 81 is large, the frictional force N between the workpiece 20 and the conveyance path 81 is large. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the number of workpieces 20 arranged on the conveyance path 81 is small, the frictional force N between the workpiece 20 and the conveyance path 81 is small. Thus, since the frictional force N changes according to the number of the workpieces 20 arranged, even if the force F that presses the workpiece 20 is constant, the force f by which the workpiece 20 is pushed out of the conveyance path 81 is It will not be constant.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to deal with the above-mentioned points to be noted, the weights 83A to 83H are arranged at intervals of Y1 in the vertical direction, and the grounding surface of the fixing member 87 as it falls. The terminal 87a is sequentially grounded. Thus, the gravity of the weights 83A to 83H transmitted to the pressing member 82 is gradually reduced, and it is possible to cope with a change (decrease) in the frictional force N. Here, the weights 83A to 83H are all formed in the same shape, and have an engagement recess 83a on the lower side and an engagement recess 83a on the upper side so that they can overlap the adjacent weights 83A to 83H. It has an engaging projection 83b that can be engaged.

  The effects of the battery assembly device 40 configured as described above will be described. In the battery supply unit 53 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, gravity acting on each of the weights 83 </ b> A to 83 </ b> H is transmitted to the pressing member 82 via the rope 84, and the pressing member 82 becomes the workpiece 20 </ b> A (the slipper 21 ) To the left side of FIG. Since the gravity of the weights 83A to 83H is used in this way, for example, by changing the weight of the weights 83A to 83H, the force with which the pressing member 82 presses the workpiece 20A can be easily changed. Therefore, the work 20A is pressed as compared with the case where the elastic force of the spring 183 as shown in FIG. 7A is used or the case where the driving force of the actuator 283 as shown in FIG. 7B is used. Easy to fine-tune the force F. As a result, the arranged workpieces 20 can be pressed with an appropriate force so that the holding jig 52 can accurately hold the workpieces 20.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, when the weights 83A to 83H are dropped in the vertical direction by the interval Y1 from the state shown in FIG. 8, the workpiece 20H is pushed out from the conveyance path 81, and as shown in FIG. 83A is grounded to the grounding surface 87a of the fixing member 87. Accordingly, the gravity acting on the weights 83B to 83H, excluding the gravity acting on the weight 83A, is transmitted to the pressing member 82. Thus, the force F with which the pressing member 82 presses the workpiece 20A is slightly reduced.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11 from the state shown in FIG. 10, the weights 83B to 83G are sequentially grounded to the fixing member 87, and the force F by which the pressing member 82 presses the workpiece 20A decreases stepwise. At this time, since the number of the workpieces 20 arranged on the conveyance path 81 also decreases stepwise, the frictional force N between the workpiece 20 and the conveyance path 81 also decreases stepwise. For this reason, the force acting on the workpiece 20 pushed out from the conveyance path 81 (hereinafter referred to as “pushing force f”) can be made constant. Here, the pushing force f is a force obtained by subtracting the frictional force N from the force F by which the pressing member 82 presses the workpiece 20A. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the weight 83 grounded to the ground surface 87a is shown in white.

Here, the reason why the pushing force f can be kept constant will be described in detail using equations. The pushing force f can be expressed by the following [Equation 1] as described above.
[Formula 1] f = F−N
And the force F which the pressing member 82 presses the workpiece | work 20A can be represented by the following [Formula 2].
[Formula 2] F = n × M × g
The above-mentioned n is the number of weights 83 floating in the air among the weights 83A to 83H, M is the weight of each weight 83A to 83H, and g is the gravitational acceleration.
The frictional force N can be expressed by the following [Equation 3].
[Formula 3] N = m × μ × W × g
M is the number of workpieces 20 arranged on the conveyance path 81, μ is a (dynamic) friction coefficient of the conveyance path, and W is the weight of the workpiece 20.

Then, when [Expression 2] and [Expression 3] are substituted into [Expression 1], the following [Expression 4] is established.
[Formula 4] f = (n × M × g) − (m × μ × W × g)
Here, n is a variable value, but decreases gradually from 8 to 0 when the weights 83 </ b> A to 83 </ b> G are sequentially grounded to the ground surface 87 a of the fixing member 87. Also, m is a variable value, but decreases gradually from 8 to 0 as the workpieces 20H to 20A are sequentially pushed out from the conveyance path 81. In the first embodiment, since the interval Y1 between the adjacent weights 83A to 83H and the interval X1 between the adjacent workpieces 20A to 20H are set to be the same, n and m are stepwise at the same timing. It will decrease to. Therefore, the pushing force f described above can always be made constant.

  Thus, in the first embodiment, the friction coefficient μ of the conveyance path 81, the weight W of each of the weights 83A to 83H, and the weight W of each of the workpieces 20A to 20H are set to appropriate values to be pushed out of the conveyance path 81. The pushing force f of the workpiece 20 can be kept at an optimal value and always constant. As a result, the gripping jig 52 can always stably grip the workpiece 20 pushed out from the conveyance path 81.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the battery supply part 53 with the actuator and control apparatus for pushing out workpiece | work 20A-20H. For this reason, the capital investment of the battery assembling apparatus 40 can be reduced.

  A first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a battery supply unit 53A of the first modification. In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 12, the number of weights 83 is one half of the number of weights 83 in the first embodiment. That is, four weights 83B, 83D, 83F, and 83H are provided. The weights of the weights 83B to 83H are set to twice the weight of the weights 83A to 83H of the first embodiment. The interval Y3 between the adjacent weights 83B to 83H is twice the interval Y1 (see FIG. 8) between the adjacent weights 83A to 83H in the first embodiment. The other configuration of the first modification is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the first modification, the number of weights 83 is reduced compared to the first embodiment, so that the installation and adjustment work of the weights 83B to 83H can be facilitated. However, since the change in the force that the pressing member 82 presses against the workpieces 20A to 20H is larger than that in the first embodiment, the load acting on the workpieces 20A to 20H is increased.

  Then, the 2nd modification of above-described 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a battery supply unit 53B of the second modification. In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 13, the number of weights 83 is twice the number of weights 83 of the first embodiment described above. That is, 16 weights 83A1, 83A2, 83B1, 83B2, 83C1, 83C2, 83D1, 83D2, 83E1, 83E2, 83F1, 83F2, 83G1, 83G2, 83H1, and 83H2 are provided. The weights of the weights 83A1 to 83H2 are set to one half of the weight of the weights 83A to 83H of the first embodiment. The interval Y4 between the adjacent weights 83A1 to 83H2 is half of the interval Y1 (see FIG. 8) between the adjacent weights 83A to 83H in the first embodiment. Other configurations of the second modified example are the same as the configurations of the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the second modification, since the change in the force that the pressing member 82 presses against the workpieces 20A to 20H is smaller than that in the first embodiment, the load acting on the workpieces 20A to 20H can be reduced. However, since the number of weights 83 is larger than in the first embodiment, the installation and adjustment work of the weights 83B to 83H becomes complicated.

  Next, 2nd Embodiment is described using FIG.14 and FIG.15. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the battery supply unit 53C of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, only one weight 83 is provided, and an inclined member 88 that moves the weight 83 downward along the inclined surface 88a is provided. The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 88 a is set so as to gradually decrease as it goes downward of the inclined member 88. Here, the inclination angle θ is an angle formed by a straight line extending in the horizontal direction and a tangent to the inclined surface 88a.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, in the state where all eight workpieces 20A to 20H are arranged on the conveyance path 81, the position of the weight 83 relative to the inclined surface 88a is such that the inclination angle θ is It is set to be 60 °. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, in a state where all eight workpieces 20A to 20H are pushed out from the conveyance path 81, the position of the weight 83 with respect to the inclined surface 88a is set so that the inclination angle θ is 30 °. ing. The moving distance of the weight 83 from the state shown in FIG. 14 to the state shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the distance from one end to the other end of the aligned workpieces 20A to 20H. The rope 84 pulled by the weight 83 is guided by the two guide rollers 85 so as to easily follow the movement along the inclined surface 88a of the weight 83. Since the other configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

  The effect of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 14, gravity Wg acts on the weight 83. Then, the weight 83 falls along the inclined surface 88a by the component Wgsin θ of the gravity Wg with respect to the tangential direction of the inclined surface 88a. At this time, the component force Wgsin θ continuously decreases as the weight 83 drops. For this reason, the force which acts on the pressing member 82 from the weight 83 reduces continuously. Therefore, the force that presses the workpieces 20A to 20H can be gradually and continuously reduced.

  Thus, in this second embodiment, the conveyance path 81 is set by setting the friction coefficient μ of the conveyance path 81, the weight W of the weight 83, the weights of the workpieces 20A to 20H, and the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 88a to appropriate values. The pushing force f of the workpiece 20 pushed out from 81, that is, the force obtained by subtracting the frictional force N from the force F acting on the pushing member 82 can be made substantially constant.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, since the force which the press member 82 presses with respect to workpiece | work 20A-20H becomes small gradually, the load which acts on workpiece | work 20A-20H can be made very small. In this way, defective products of the workpiece 20 due to the load can be reduced, and the yield of the workpiece 20 (battery 20) can be increased. Other functions and effects of the second embodiment are the same as the functions and effects of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Although the battery assembling apparatus 40 according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in each embodiment, the battery assembling apparatus 40 assembles the battery 20 and the frame 30 using the battery rotating means 50 and the frame rotating means 60 that rotate the gripping jigs 52 and 62. The structure for assembling 20 and the frame 30 is not limited to the above-described structure, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the battery 20 and the frame body 30 may be assembled using a battery moving unit and a frame body moving unit that linearly move the gripping jig.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, although the battery supply part 53 presses each workpiece | work 20A-20H using the gravity which acts on each weight 83A-83H as a battery supply part which concerns on this invention. The frame supply magazine 63 may be configured to press each frame 30 using gravity acting on each weight as the frame supply unit according to the present invention.

  In the first modification of the first embodiment, the number of weights 83 is one half of the number of weights 83 in the first embodiment described above. It may be 1 or 1/4. The interval Y3 between the adjacent weights 83B to 83H is twice the interval Y1 between the adjacent weights 83A to 83H of the first embodiment, but can be changed as appropriate, and is 3 times or 4 times. May be.

  In the second modification of the first embodiment, the number of weights 83 is twice the number of weights 83 in the first embodiment described above, but can be changed as appropriate, and is three times or four times. Etc. Further, the interval Y4 between the adjacent weights 83B to 83H is half of the interval Y1 between the adjacent weights 83A to 83H of the first embodiment, but can be changed as appropriate. It may be 1 / mag.

  In the second embodiment, the number of weights 83 and the degree of change in the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 88a can be changed as appropriate. Further, in order to make the inclined member 88 a simple structure, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 88a may be constant.

1 assembled battery 10 battery 20 with frame battery (work)
30 Frame body 40 Battery assembly device 50 Battery rotating means 52 Grasping jig 53, 53A to 53C Battery supply unit 60 Frame body rotating means 62 Grasping jig 81 Transport path 82 Press member 83 Weight 87 Fixing member 88 Inclining member 88a Inclining surface

Claims (5)

Battery gripping means for gripping the battery supplied from the battery supply unit;
Frame body gripping means for gripping the frame body supplied from the frame body supply unit,
In the battery assembly apparatus for assembling the battery gripped by the battery gripping means and the battery gripped by the frame gripping means,
The battery supply unit or the frame supply unit is
A conveying path in which a plurality of workpieces that are the batteries or the frame are arranged in a horizontal direction;
A pressing member that presses a work on one end side of the plurality of works arranged in the transport path and supplies the work on the other end side to the battery gripping means or the frame gripping means in a horizontal direction;
A falling member of a predetermined weight falling by gravity;
A battery assembling apparatus comprising: a connecting member that transmits gravity acting on the dropping member to the pressing member. The battery assembly apparatus according to claim 1,
A plurality of the dropping members are provided at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, and are arranged so that the force acting on the pressing member can be sequentially reduced by grounding sequentially from the lower side when falling. Battery assembly device. The battery assembly apparatus according to claim 2,
A battery assembling apparatus, characterized in that an interval between adjacent dropping members is set to be equal to an interval between adjacent workpieces. The battery assembly apparatus according to claim 1,
A battery assembling apparatus, wherein an inclined member for moving the dropping member downward along the inclined surface is provided. The battery assembly apparatus according to claim 4,
The battery assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface is set so as to gradually become smaller toward the lower side of the inclined member.

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