Patent Description:
At present, batteries most used in vehicles are generally lithium ion batteries. As a rechargeable battery, the lithium ion battery has the advantages of small size, high energy density, high power density, many cycles of use, long storage time, etc..

A battery cell generally comprises a housing, an end cap, and an electrode assembly. By means of an assembly device, the electrode assembly is accommodated in the housing, and the end cap closes off an opening of the housing. The assembly device for assembling the battery cell has an important impact on the quality of the assembled battery cell. Therefore, how to improve the assembly device for the battery cell to make the assembled battery cell have good quality has become an urgent problem to be solved in the technical field of batteries. <CIT> relates to a device for loading a battery into a shell. <CIT> relates to a top cap piece casing pressure equipment shaping device.

An embodiment of the present application provides an assembly system comprising a battery cell and an assembly device for the battery cell, to improve the quality of assembly of the battery cell.

An embodiment of the present application provides an assembly system comprising a battery cell and an assembly device for the battery cell, the battery cell comprising an end cap and a housing with an opening, with the opening of the housing being downward, and the assembly device for a battery cell comprising a supporting member and a pressing-down mechanism, wherein the supporting member is configured to support the end cap; and the pressing-down mechanism is arranged above the supporting member, and the pressing-down mechanism is configured to press down a wall of the housing opposite the opening to enable the housing to fit with the end cap, so that the end cap closes off the opening.

In the above technical solution, the supporting member is configured to support the end cap, so that an open end of the housing covers over the end cap, and the pressing-down mechanism above the supporting member presses down a wall of the housing opposite the opening to enable the open end of the housing to fit with the end cap, and thus the end cap closes off the opening of the housing. Therefore, during assembly of the end cap and the housing, the opening of the housing is downward, so that dust does not easily fall into the housing, thus ensuring the cleanliness of a battery interior and improving the quality of the battery cell. In addition, the supporting member supports the end cap, so that the structure of the assembly device for a battery cell can be simplified, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

According to the present application, the supporting member comprises: a supporting face and a recessed portion, wherein the supporting face is configured to support the end cap; and the recessed portion is recessed from the supporting face in a direction away from the pressing-down mechanism, and the recessed portion is configured to avoid an electrode terminal on the end cap.

In the above technical solution, the recessed portion on the supporting face can avoid the electrode terminal, so as to prevent the instability in supporting the end cap caused by interference between the electrode terminal and the supporting member. In addition, the electrode terminal is in inserted fit with the recessed portion, so that the position of the end cap can be secured, and the stability in supporting the end cap by the supporting member is further improved.

In some embodiments of the present application, the assembly device for a battery cell further comprises: a first limiting mechanism configured to limit the end cap in a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to a pressing down direction of the pressing-down mechanism.

In the above technical solution, the first limiting mechanism limits the end cap in the first direction, and the end cap will not move relative to the supporting member in the first direction during the process of pressing down the housing by the pressing-down mechanism, which is conducive to improving the stability of the end cap on the supporting member and the assembly precision of the battery cell.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first limiting mechanism comprises two first limiting members, and a first limiting gap for accommodating the end cap is formed between the two first limiting members in the first direction.

In the above technical solution, the end cap is accommodated in the first limiting gap defined by the two first limiting members, and the end cap will not move relative to the supporting member in the first direction during the process of pressing down the housing by the pressing-down mechanism, thereby improving the support stability of the supporting member and the assembly precision of the battery cell.

In some embodiments of the present application, the supporting member at least partially extends into the first limiting gap to support the end cap.

In the above technical solution, the supporting member at least partially extends into the first limiting gap, so that the end cap can be more stably supported, and the first limiting member has a relatively large size in a vertical direction, which facilitates machining and manufacturing.

In some embodiments of the present application, the assembly device for a battery cell further comprises: a second limiting mechanism configured to limit the housing in the first direction, wherein the second limiting mechanism comprises two second limiting members, the two second limiting members are respectively arranged on the two first limiting members, and a second limiting gap for accommodating the housing is formed between the two second limiting members in the first direction.

In the above technical solution, the second limiting mechanism limits the housing in the first direction, and the housing will not move relative to the end cap in the first direction during the process of pressing down the housing by the pressing-down mechanism, which is conducive to keeping a stable relative position relationship between the housing and the end cap and improving the assembly precision of the battery cell. The two second limiting members are respectively arranged on the two first limiting members, so that the assembly device for a battery cell has a more compact structure, and a space occupied by the assembly device for a battery cell can be reduced.

In some embodiments of the present application, a first groove is formed in a surface of each of the first limiting members that faces the housing in the first direction, and the second limiting members are arranged in the first grooves.

In the above technical solution, each of the second limiting members is arranged in the first groove in the surface of the first limiting member that faces the end cap, so that the first limiting member and the second limiting member are more compact, and a space occupied by the first limiting member and the second limiting member is reduced.

In some embodiments of the present application, each of the first grooves passes through a surface of the first limiting member in a direction in which the supporting member faces the pressing-down mechanism.

In the above technical solution, each of the first grooves passes through the surface of the supporting member that faces the pressing-down mechanism, which facilitates the engagement of the second limiting member into the first groove from top to bottom.

In some embodiments of the present application, the second limiting members are made of a nonmetallic material.

In the above technical solution, the second limiting members are made of a nonmetallic material, which can reduce a risk of damage to the housing caused by the second limiting members when the second limiting members come into contact with the housing.

In some embodiments of the present application, the assembly device for a battery cell further comprises: a second limiting mechanism configured to limit the housing in the first direction.

In the above technical solution, the second limiting mechanism limits the housing in the first direction, and the housing will not move relative to the end cap in the first direction during the process of pressing down the housing by the pressing-down mechanism, which is conducive to keeping a stable relative position relationship between the housing and the end cap and improving the assembly precision of the battery cell.

In some embodiments of the present application, the assembly device for a battery cell further comprises: a third limiting mechanism configured to limit the housing in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the pressing down direction of the pressing-down mechanism.

In the above technical solution, the third limiting mechanism limits the housing in the second direction, and the housing will not move relative to the end cap in the second direction during the process of pressing down the housing by the pressing-down mechanism, which is conducive to keeping a stable relative position relationship between the housing and the end cap and improving the assembly precision of the battery cell.

In some embodiments of the present application, the third limiting mechanism comprises two third limiting members spaced apart in the second direction; and each of surfaces of the two third limiting members that face the housing is provided with a second groove, and the second groove is configured for the housing to be engaged therein.

In the above technical solution, the housing is engaged into the second grooves of the two third limiting members, so that a stable fitting relationship between the housing and the third limiting members can be kept, and the stability of the housing is improved.

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the accompanying drawings required in the embodiments will be described briefly below. It should be understood that the following accompanying drawings illustrate only some embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope thereof. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other relevant accompanying drawings can also be obtained from these accompanying drawings without any creative effort.

List of reference signs: <NUM>: Assembly device for a battery cell; <NUM>: Supporting member; <NUM>: Supporting face; <NUM>: Recessed portion; <NUM>: First guide bevel; <NUM>: Mounting portion; <NUM>: First connecting section; <NUM>: Second connecting section; <NUM>: Supporting portion; <NUM>: Pressing-down mechanism; <NUM>: Electric motor; <NUM>: Screw rod; <NUM>: Pressing-down block; <NUM>: Frame; <NUM>: First support rod; <NUM>: First platform; <NUM>: Mounting hole; <NUM>: Guide hole; <NUM>: Second support rod; <NUM>: Second platform; <NUM>: First placing space; <NUM>: Second placing space; <NUM>: Guide assembly; <NUM>: Mounting plate; <NUM>: Guide rod; <NUM>: First limiting mechanism; <NUM>: First limiting member; <NUM>: First limiting portion; <NUM>: First groove; <NUM>: First limiting gap; <NUM>: Second limiting mechanism; <NUM>: Second limiting member; <NUM>: Second limiting portion; <NUM>: Second guide bevel; <NUM>: Second limiting gap; <NUM>: Third limiting mechanism; <NUM>: Third limiting member; <NUM>: Second groove; <NUM>: Battery cell; <NUM>: End cap; <NUM>: First surface; <NUM>: Second surface; <NUM>: Housing; <NUM>: Opening; <NUM>: Electrode terminal; <NUM>: Electrode assembly; X: Vertical direction; Y: First direction; Z: Second direction.

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are some of, rather than all of, the embodiments of the present application. Generally, the assemblies of the embodiments of the present application described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings herein may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations.

It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflicts.

It should be noted that like numerals and letters refer to like items in the following accompanying drawings, so once an item is defined in one accompanying drawing, it does not require further definition and explanation in subsequent accompanying drawings.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the indicated orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings or are orientations or positional relationships in which a product of the present application is conventionally placed when in use, or the orientations or positional relationships commonly understood by those skilled in the art, and are intended to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description only, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and will not be interpreted as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are merely used for distinct description, and shall not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

At present, from the perspective of the development of the market situation, traction batteries are used more and more widely. The traction batteries are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydroelectric power plants, thermal power plants, wind power plants and solar power plants, but also widely used in electric transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles and in many fields such as military equipment and aerospace. With the continuous expansion of the application field of traction batteries, the market demand for the traction batteries is also expanding.

A battery cell comprises a housing, an end cap, and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the housing. The housing is provided with an opening, and the end cap is configured to close off the opening, so that the end cap and the housing together form an accommodating space for accommodating the electrode assembly.

The inventors have found that an assembly device for a battery cell comprises a jacking mechanism, a correcting mechanism, and a pressing-down mechanism. An unassembled battery cell is placed on the jacking mechanism, the opening of the housing is upward, and the end cap is placed at an open end of the housing. The jacking mechanism jacks the unassembled battery cell up to the correcting mechanism, and the correcting mechanism adjusts a position of the end cap relative to the housing in a plurality of different directions. The pressing-down mechanism is configured to press down the end cap after the correcting mechanism adjusts the position of the end cap, so that the end cap fits with the housing and closes off the opening of the housing.

However, the existing correcting mechanism has a complicated structure and the assembly device for a battery cell has a high equipment cost. The jacking mechanism needs to drive the unassembled battery cell to move up, which leads to an insufficient production rhythm. The opening of the housing is upward, and dust in the environment and particles generated by friction between the end cap and the housing during the process of pressing down the end cap fall into the housing, thereby polluting an internal environment of the housing, and affecting the quality of the assembled battery cell.

In view of the above problems, in order to improve the quality of the assembled battery cell and simplify the structure of the assembly device for a battery cell, the inventors have designed an assembly device for a battery cell through in-depth research, which comprises a supporting member for supporting an end cap and a pressing-down mechanism arranged above the supporting member, wherein the pressing-down mechanism is configured to press down an housing to enable the housing to fit with the end cap, so that the end cap closes off an opening of the housing.

The supporting member is configured to support the end cap, so that an open end of the housing covers over the end cap, and the pressing-down mechanism above the supporting member presses down a wall of the housing opposite the opening to enable the open end of the housing to fit with the end cap, and thus the end cap closes off the opening of the housing. Therefore, during assembly of the end cap and the housing, the opening of the housing is downward, so that dust does not easily fall into the housing, thus ensuring the cleanliness of a battery interior and improving the quality of the battery cell. In addition, the supporting member supports the end cap, so that the structure of the assembly device for a battery cell can be simplified, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

The assembly device according to the embodiment of the present application can be used for, but not limited to, assembly of a battery cell, and can also be used for assembly of another product comprising a housing and an end cap, which is conductive to improving the quality of the assembled product, simplifying the structure of the assembly device and reducing the production cost.

For ease of description, according to embodiments of the present application, the assembly device is described by taking an example in which the assembly device is used to assemble a battery cell in the following embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, an embodiment of the present application provides an assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell, wherein the battery cell <NUM> comprises an end cap <NUM> and a housing <NUM> with an opening <NUM>, and the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell comprises a supporting member <NUM> and a pressing-down mechanism <NUM>. The supporting member <NUM> is configured to support the end cap <NUM>. The pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is arranged above the supporting member <NUM>, and the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is configured to press down the housing <NUM> to enable the housing <NUM> to fit with the end cap <NUM>, so that the end cap <NUM> closes off the opening <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the supporting member <NUM> may be fixed relative to the ground. In some other embodiments, the supporting member <NUM> may also move up and down relative to the ground.

In some embodiments, the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell further comprises a frame <NUM>, and the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is mounted on the frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> comprises a plurality of first support rods <NUM>, a first platform <NUM>, a plurality of second support rods <NUM>, and a second platform <NUM>. The plurality of first support rods <NUM> are spaced apart and are supported below the first platform <NUM>, to form a first placing space <NUM> below the first platform <NUM>, and the supporting member <NUM> is located in the first placing space <NUM> below the first platform <NUM>. The plurality of first support rods <NUM> are evenly spaced apart along a periphery of the supporting member <NUM> to improve stress uniformity of the first platform <NUM>, thereby improving the stability of the first platform <NUM>. The second platform <NUM> is located above the first platform <NUM>, and the plurality of second support rods <NUM> are located above the first platform <NUM>. The plurality of second support rods <NUM> are supported between the first platform <NUM> and the second platform <NUM> to form a second placing space <NUM> between the first platform <NUM> and the second platform <NUM>. The pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is mounted on the second platform <NUM>.

The pressing-down mechanism <NUM> has various structural forms. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> comprises an electric motor <NUM>, a screw rod <NUM>, and a pressing-down block <NUM>, and the electric motor <NUM> is mounted on the second platform <NUM>. The screw rod <NUM> is connected to an output end of the electric motor <NUM> and passes through the second platform <NUM> and the first platform <NUM> in sequence, and the pressing-down block <NUM> is screwed to the screw rod <NUM>. The first platform <NUM> is provided with a mounting hole <NUM> passing through the first platform <NUM>, and the pressing-down block <NUM> is arranged in the mounting hole <NUM> in a penetrating manner. The shape of the mounting hole <NUM> can limit the pressing-down block <NUM> in a circumferential direction to prevent the pressing-down block <NUM> from circumferentially rotating with the screw rod <NUM> when the screw rod <NUM> rotates.

The assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell further comprises a guide assembly <NUM>. The guide assembly <NUM> comprises a mounting plate <NUM> and a guide rod <NUM>. The mounting plate <NUM> is located between the first platform <NUM> and the second platform <NUM>, and the mounting plate <NUM> is mounted on the pressing-down block <NUM>. One end of the guide rod <NUM> is connected to the mounting plate <NUM>, and the other end of the guide rod <NUM> is inserted into a guide hole <NUM> in the first platform <NUM>. One or a plurality of guide rods <NUM> may be provided. A plurality of means two or more. <FIG> shows a case in which two guide rods <NUM> are provided. The guide rod <NUM> guides the pressing-down block <NUM> to move up and down, so as to improve the stability of the movement of the pressing-down block <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> drives the screw rod <NUM> to move the pressing-down block <NUM> up and down, so that the pressing-down block <NUM> presses down the housing <NUM> above the end cap <NUM> supported on the supporting member <NUM>.

In some other embodiments, the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> may also be in other structural forms, for example, the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is a hydraulic device or a pneumatic device.

The supporting member <NUM> is fixedly arranged in a vertical direction X, that is, the supporting member <NUM> cannot move in the vertical direction X. When the end cap <NUM> is supported on the supporting member <NUM>, in a thickness direction of the end cap <NUM>, a first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> is supported on a supporting face <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> is arranged opposite an open end of the housing <NUM>, the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> being arranged opposite each other.

The supporting member <NUM> is configured to support the end cap <NUM>, so that the open end of the housing <NUM> covers over the end cap <NUM>, and the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> above the supporting member <NUM> presses down a wall of the housing <NUM> opposite the opening <NUM> to enable the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to fit with the end cap <NUM>, and thus the end cap <NUM> closes off the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Therefore, during assembly of the end cap <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is downward, so that dust does not easily fall into the housing <NUM>, thus ensuring the cleanliness of a battery interior and improving the quality of the battery cell <NUM>. In addition, the supporting member <NUM> supports the end cap <NUM>, so that the structure of the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell can be simplified, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the battery further comprises an electrode terminal <NUM>, the end cap <NUM> is provided with an electrode lead-out hole, and the electrode terminal <NUM> is arranged in the electrode lead-out hole in an insulated manner. The electrode terminal <NUM> is configured to be electrically connected to a tab of an electrode assembly <NUM>, so as to output electric energy of the battery cell <NUM>. The electrode terminal <NUM> extends out of the electrode lead-out hole and protrudes from a surface of the end cap <NUM> that faces away from the housing <NUM>, that is, the electrode terminal <NUM> protrudes from the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM>. When the supporting member <NUM> supports the end cap <NUM>, the electrode terminal <NUM> may abut against the supporting face <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM>, and as a result, the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> cannot abut against the supporting face <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM>.

Based on this, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the supporting member <NUM> comprises: a supporting face <NUM> and a recessed portion <NUM>, wherein the supporting face <NUM> is configured to support the end cap <NUM>; and the recessed portion <NUM> is recessed from the supporting face <NUM> in a direction away from the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, and the recessed portion <NUM> is configured to avoid the electrode terminal <NUM> on the end cap <NUM>.

The supporting face <NUM> is flat, and the supporting face <NUM> is attached to the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> to support the end cap <NUM>. The electrode terminal <NUM> is inserted in the recessed portion <NUM>. In the vertical direction X, the recessed portion <NUM> has a depth greater than or equal to a length of the electrode terminal <NUM> protruding from the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM>, and a side wall of the recessed portion <NUM> may or may not be in contact with a circumferential face of the electrode terminal <NUM>, so that the electrode terminal <NUM> can be smoothly inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>, thereby preventing a case in which the supporting member <NUM> cannot support the end cap <NUM> due to interference between the supporting member <NUM> and the electrode terminal <NUM>.

When the end cap <NUM> is supported on the supporting member <NUM>, in the vertical direction X, an outer contour of a projection of the end cap <NUM> on the supporting face <NUM> may completely coincide with an outer contour of the supporting face <NUM>; or in the vertical direction X, the outer contour of the projection of the end cap <NUM> on the supporting face <NUM> is arranged around a periphery of the outer contour of the supporting face <NUM>; or in the vertical direction X, the outer contour of the projection of the end cap <NUM> on the supporting face <NUM> is located in a region enclosed by the outer contour of the supporting face <NUM>. <FIG> shows a case in which, in the vertical direction X, the outer contour of the projection of the end cap <NUM> on the supporting face <NUM> is arranged around the periphery of the outer contour of the supporting face <NUM>.

The electrode terminal <NUM> may be cylindrical, prismatic, etc. The shape of the recessed portion <NUM> may match the shape of the electrode terminal <NUM>. For example, the electrode terminal <NUM> is cylindrical, and the recessed portion <NUM> may also be circular. The recessed portion <NUM> has an axial dimension greater than or equal to that of a portion of the electrode terminal <NUM> protruding from the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM>, and the recessed portion <NUM> has a diameter greater than or equal to that of the electrode terminal <NUM>. Certainly, the shape of the recessed portion <NUM> may not match the shape of the electrode terminal <NUM>, provided that the portion of the electrode terminal <NUM> protruding from the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> can be inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a first guide bevel <NUM> is formed on a portion of the side wall of the recessed portion <NUM> close to the supporting face <NUM> in the vertical direction X, so that an inversely splayed opening is formed at an upper end of the recessed portion <NUM>, thereby facilitating the insertion of the electrode terminal <NUM> into the recessed portion <NUM> from top to bottom.

When the electrode terminal <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>, the side wall of the recessed portion <NUM> can also limit the electrode terminal <NUM>, so as to prevent the end cap <NUM> from moving relative to the supporting face <NUM> or reduce a moving range of the end cap <NUM> relative to the supporting face <NUM>.

Therefore, the recessed portion <NUM> on the supporting face <NUM> can avoid the electrode terminal <NUM>, so as to prevent the instability in supporting the end cap <NUM> caused by interference between the electrode terminal <NUM> and the supporting member <NUM>. In addition, the electrode terminal <NUM> is in inserted fit with the recessed portion <NUM>, so that the position of the end cap <NUM> can be secured, and the stability in supporting the end cap <NUM> by the supporting member <NUM> is further improved.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell further comprises: a first limiting mechanism <NUM> configured to limit the end cap <NUM> in a first direction Y, the first direction Y being perpendicular to a pressing down direction of the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>.

The first limiting mechanism <NUM> limits the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y, and the end cap <NUM> will not move relative to the supporting member <NUM> in the first direction Y during the process of pressing down the housing <NUM> by the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, which is conducive to improving the stability of the end cap <NUM> on the supporting member <NUM> and the assembly precision of the battery cell <NUM>.

The first limiting mechanism <NUM> has various structural forms. For example, in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the first limiting mechanism <NUM> comprises two first limiting members <NUM>, and a first limiting gap <NUM> for accommodating the end cap <NUM> is formed between the two first limiting members <NUM> in the first direction Y.

Each of the first limiting members <NUM> comprises a plurality of first limiting portions <NUM> spaced apart in a second direction Z, and the plurality of first limiting portions <NUM> limit the end cap <NUM> at different positions in the second direction Z.

When the two first limiting members <NUM> limit the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y, the first limiting members <NUM> may abut against the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y, so as to prevent the end cap <NUM> from moving in the first direction Y. The first limiting members <NUM> may not be in contact with the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y, so that the two first limiting members <NUM> can define a maximum moving range of the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y.

The size of the first limiting gap <NUM> defined between the two first limiting members <NUM> in the first direction Y may be constant. Certainly, it is also possible to provide a driving member to drive at least one of the two first limiting members <NUM> to move so as to adjust the size of the first limiting gap <NUM> in the first direction Y, so that end caps <NUM> of different sizes can be limited.

An upper end of the first limiting gap <NUM> is open, so that the electrode terminal <NUM> on the end cap <NUM> can be inserted into the first limiting gap <NUM> from the upper end of the first limiting gap <NUM>. In the second direction Z, two ends of the first limiting gap <NUM> are open, so that the electrode terminal <NUM> can enter or exit the first limiting gap <NUM> in the second direction Z. The first direction Y, the second direction Z and the vertical direction X are perpendicular to each other.

When each of the first limiting members <NUM> abuts against a circumferential face of the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y, the first limiting member <NUM> may abut against a side face of the supporting member <NUM>, or a gap may be formed between the first limiting member and the side face of the supporting member <NUM>. The circumferential face of the end cap <NUM> means a surface of the end cap <NUM> opposite the first limiting member <NUM> in the first direction Y when the end cap <NUM> is supported on the supporting member <NUM>. The side face of the supporting member <NUM> means a surface of the supporting member <NUM> opposite the first limiting member <NUM> in the first direction Y.

In some other embodiments, the first limiting mechanism <NUM> may also comprise two first telescopic structures arranged opposite each other in the first direction Y, and the first telescopic structures are telescopic in the first direction Y to define first limiting gaps <NUM> of different sizes. Each of the first telescopic structures may be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, etc..

The end cap <NUM> is accommodated in the first limiting gap <NUM> defined by the two first limiting members <NUM>, and the end cap <NUM> will not move relative to the supporting member <NUM> in the first direction Y during the process of pressing down the housing <NUM> by the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, thereby improving the support stability of the supporting member <NUM> and the assembly precision of the battery cell <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the supporting member <NUM> at least partially extends into the first limiting gap <NUM> to support the end cap <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the supporting member <NUM> comprises a mounting portion <NUM> and a supporting portion <NUM>. The supporting portion <NUM> is connected to an upper end of the mounting portion <NUM>, and the mounting portion <NUM> is configured to mount and fix the supporting member <NUM>, so that the supporting member <NUM> cannot move in the vertical direction X. The mounting portion <NUM> comprises a first connecting section <NUM> and a second connecting section <NUM>. The first connecting section <NUM> is a cuboid, and the second connecting section <NUM> is a trapezoid. The second connecting section <NUM> is located above the first connecting section <NUM>, and a large end of the second connecting section <NUM> is connected to the first connecting section <NUM>. The supporting portion <NUM> is connected to a small end of the second connecting section <NUM>. The supporting face <NUM> is located at an end of the supporting portion <NUM> that faces away from the second connecting section <NUM>. The supporting face <NUM> and the recessed portion <NUM> are located on a side of the supporting portion <NUM> that faces away from the mounting portion <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the supporting portion <NUM> extends upward into the first limiting gap <NUM>, and the mounting portion <NUM> is located below the first limiting member <NUM> and outside the first limiting gap <NUM>, so that a portion of the supporting member <NUM> extends into the first limiting gap <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the entire supporting member <NUM> can extend into the first limiting gap <NUM>, that is, the supporting portion <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM> are both located in the first limiting gap <NUM>. In some still other embodiments, the supporting member <NUM> is located below the first limiting member <NUM> in the vertical direction X, so that the entire supporting member <NUM> is located outside the first limiting gap <NUM>.

The supporting member <NUM> at least partially extends into the first limiting gap <NUM>, so that the end cap <NUM> can be more stably supported, and the first limiting member <NUM> has a relatively large size in the vertical direction X, which facilitates machining and manufacturing.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell further comprises: a second limiting mechanism <NUM> configured to limit the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, wherein the second limiting mechanism <NUM> comprises two second limiting members <NUM>, the two second limiting members <NUM> are respectively arranged on the two first limiting members <NUM>, and a second limiting gap <NUM> for accommodating the housing <NUM> is formed between the two second limiting members <NUM> in the first direction Y.

Each of the second limiting members <NUM> comprises a plurality of second limiting portions <NUM> spaced apart in the second direction Z, the second limiting portions <NUM> are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the first limiting portions <NUM>, and each of the second limiting portions <NUM> is arranged on the corresponding first limiting portion <NUM>. The plurality of second limiting portions <NUM> limit the housing <NUM> at different positions in the second direction Z. <FIG> shows a case in which two first limiting portions <NUM> and two second limiting portions <NUM> are provided.

In the first direction Y, the size of the first limiting gap <NUM> may be greater than, less than or equal to that of the second limiting gap <NUM>. When the two second limiting members <NUM> limit the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, the second limiting members <NUM> may abut against the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, so as to prevent the housing <NUM> from moving in the first direction Y. The second limiting members <NUM> may not be in contact with the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, so that the two second limiting members <NUM> can define a maximum moving range of the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y.

Each of the second limiting members <NUM> may be arranged at an upper end of the first limiting member <NUM>, or on a side of the first limiting member <NUM> in the first direction Y. In an embodiment in which the first limiting member <NUM> can move, the second limiting member <NUM> may move synchronously with the first limiting member <NUM>, thereby adjusting the size of the second limiting gap <NUM>.

In some other embodiments, the second limiting mechanism <NUM> and the first limiting mechanism <NUM> may be mechanisms independent of each other. The second limiting mechanism <NUM> is configured to limit the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, and the limiting function of the second limiting mechanism <NUM> is not affected by the first limiting mechanism <NUM>. For example, the second limiting mechanism <NUM> may also comprise two second telescopic structures arranged opposite each other in the first direction Y, and the second telescopic structures are telescopic in the first direction Y to define second limiting gaps <NUM> of different sizes. Each of the second telescopic structures may be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, etc..

The second limiting mechanism <NUM> limits the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, and the housing <NUM> will not move relative to the end cap <NUM> in the first direction Y during the process of pressing down the housing <NUM> by the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, which is conducive to keeping a stable relative position relationship between the housing <NUM> and the end cap <NUM> and improving the assembly precision of the battery cell <NUM>. The two second limiting members <NUM> are respectively arranged on the two first limiting members <NUM>, so that the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell has a more compact structure, and a space occupied by the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell can be reduced.

In some embodiments, a first groove <NUM> is formed in a surface of each of the first limiting members <NUM> that faces the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y, and the second limiting members <NUM> are arranged in the first grooves <NUM>.

In the first direction Y, each of the second limiting members <NUM> may extend out of the first groove <NUM>, or may be entirely located in the first groove <NUM>. In the first direction Y, a surface of the first limiting member <NUM> facing the end cap <NUM> and a surface of the second limiting member <NUM> facing the housing <NUM> may be flush with each other. <FIG> shows a case in which each of the second limiting members <NUM> is entirely located in the first groove <NUM> in the first direction Y.

Each of the second limiting members <NUM> is arranged in the first groove <NUM> in the surface of the first limiting member <NUM> that faces the end cap <NUM>, so that the first limiting member <NUM> and the second limiting member <NUM> are more compact, and a space occupied by the first limiting member and the second limiting member is reduced.

Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, each of the first grooves <NUM> passes through a surface of the first limiting member <NUM> in a direction in which the supporting member <NUM> faces the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the vertical direction X, the first groove <NUM> passes through the upper end of the first limiting member <NUM>, so that the first groove <NUM> has two groove openings respectively located at the upper end of the first limiting member <NUM> and in the surface of the first limiting member <NUM> facing the end cap <NUM>, and thus the second limiting member <NUM> can be embedded in the first groove <NUM> from the groove opening at the upper end of the first groove <NUM> or from the groove opening of the first groove <NUM> in the surface of the first limiting member <NUM> facing the end cap <NUM>. Certainly, in some other embodiments, the first groove <NUM> may have only a groove opening located in the surface of the first limiting member <NUM> facing the end cap <NUM>.

A second guide bevel <NUM> is formed on a portion of the surface of the second limiting member <NUM> facing the housing <NUM> that is close to an upper end of the second limiting member <NUM>, so that an inversely splayed opening is formed at an upper end of the second limiting gap <NUM>, thereby facilitating the insertion of the housing <NUM> into the second limiting gap <NUM> from top to bottom.

In the vertical direction X, each of the second limiting members <NUM> may extend out of the first groove <NUM>, or may be entirely located in the first groove <NUM>. In the vertical direction X, the upper end of the first limiting member <NUM> and the upper end of the second limiting member <NUM> may be flush with each other. <FIG> shows a case in which the upper end of the second limiting member <NUM> and the upper end of the first limiting member <NUM> are flush with each other in the vertical direction X.

The first groove <NUM> passes through the surface of the supporting member <NUM> that faces the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, which facilitates the engagement of the second limiting member <NUM> into the first groove <NUM> from top to bottom.

In some embodiments, the second limiting members <NUM> are made of a nonmetallic material.

The second limiting members <NUM> may be made of a nonmetallic material such as rubber or plastic.

The second limiting members <NUM> are made of a nonmetallic material, which can reduce a risk of damage to the housing <NUM> caused by the second limiting members <NUM> when the second limiting members <NUM> come into contact with the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell further comprises: a third limiting mechanism <NUM> configured to limit the housing <NUM> in a second direction Z, the second direction Z being perpendicular to the pressing down direction of the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>.

The pressing down direction of the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is parallel to the vertical direction X.

In this embodiment, the position where the third limiting mechanism <NUM> limits the housing <NUM> is located above the first limiting member <NUM> and the second limiting member <NUM>. Therefore, the second limiting mechanism <NUM> and the third limiting mechanism <NUM> limit the housing <NUM> at different positions respectively in the vertical direction X, thereby improving the stability of the housing <NUM> during the process of pressing down the housing <NUM>. In this embodiment, the second direction Z, the first direction Y and the vertical direction X are perpendicular to each other, and the first direction Y and the second direction Z are different directions, so the third limiting mechanism <NUM> does not interfere with the first limiting mechanism <NUM> and the second limiting mechanism <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the second direction Z and the first direction Y may also be the same direction, that is, the first direction Y is the same as the second direction Z.

The third limiting mechanism <NUM> limits the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z, and the housing <NUM> will not move relative to the end cap <NUM> in the second direction Z during the process of pressing down the housing <NUM> by the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, which is conducive to keeping a stable relative position relationship between the housing <NUM> and the end cap <NUM> and improving the assembly precision of the battery cell <NUM>.

The third limiting mechanism <NUM> has various structural forms. For example, for the structure of the third limiting mechanism <NUM>, reference may be made to the first limiting mechanism <NUM> and the second limiting mechanism <NUM>. For another example, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the third limiting mechanism <NUM> comprises two third limiting members <NUM> spaced apart in the second direction Z. Each of surfaces of the two third limiting members <NUM> that face the housing <NUM> is provided with a second groove <NUM>, and the second groove <NUM> is configured for the housing <NUM> to be engaged therein.

As shown in <FIG>, each of the second grooves <NUM> is provided with a first opening facing the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z, and the housing <NUM> may be engaged into the second groove <NUM> from the first opening of the second groove <NUM> in the second direction Z. The second groove <NUM> is located above the second limiting portion <NUM>. In the vertical direction X, the second groove <NUM> passes through two ends of the third limiting member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> may be engaged into the second groove <NUM> from top to bottom from a second opening located above. In some other embodiments, at least one of the two third limiting members <NUM> can move in the second direction Z, and the movement of the third limiting member(s) <NUM> in the second direction Z enables the housing <NUM> to be engaged into the second groove <NUM> from the first opening in the second direction Z. After two ends of the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z are respectively engaged into the second grooves <NUM> of the two third limiting members <NUM>, the two third limiting members <NUM> jointly limit the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z and the first direction Y.

The two ends of the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z are respectively engaged into the second grooves <NUM> of the two third limiting members <NUM>, so that a stable fitting relationship between the housing <NUM> and the third limiting members <NUM> can be kept, and the stability of the housing <NUM> is improved.

The embodiments of the present application provide the assembly device <NUM> for a battery cell, comprising the supporting member <NUM>, the pressing-down mechanism <NUM>, the first limiting mechanism <NUM>, the second limiting mechanism <NUM>, and the third limiting mechanism <NUM>. The supporting member <NUM> comprises the supporting face <NUM> for supporting the end cap <NUM> and the recessed portion <NUM> provided on the supporting face <NUM> and used for the electrode terminal <NUM> to be inserted therein. The pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is arranged above the supporting member <NUM>, and the pressing-down mechanism <NUM> is configured to press down the housing <NUM> to enable the housing <NUM> to fit with the end cap <NUM>, so that the end cap <NUM> closes off the opening <NUM>.

The first limiting mechanism <NUM> comprises two first limiting members <NUM> arranged opposite each other in the first direction Y, and the two first limiting members <NUM> define the first limiting gap <NUM> for accommodating the end cap <NUM>. The surface of each of the first limiting members <NUM> that faces the end cap <NUM> is provided with the first groove <NUM>. The second limiting mechanism <NUM> comprises two second limiting members <NUM>, and the two second limiting members <NUM> are respectively accommodated in the first grooves <NUM> of the two first limiting members <NUM> and define the second limiting gap <NUM>. The third limiting mechanism <NUM> comprises two third limiting members <NUM> arranged opposite each other in the second direction Z, and two ends of the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z can be engaged into the second grooves <NUM> of the third limiting members <NUM>. The first limiting mechanism <NUM>, the second limiting mechanism <NUM> and the third limiting mechanism <NUM> cooperate to limit the end cap <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, so as to improve the stability and assembly precision during battery assembly, thereby improving the quality of the assembled battery cell <NUM>.

Therefore, during assembly of the battery cell <NUM>, the electrode terminal <NUM>, the end cap <NUM> and the electrode assembly <NUM> are placed on the supporting member <NUM> after being assembled into a whole, so that the electrode terminal <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>, the first surface <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> is attached to the supporting face <NUM>, and the end cap <NUM> is limited in the first limiting gap <NUM> by the first limiting members <NUM> of the first limiting mechanism <NUM>. Then the housing <NUM> covers outside the electrode assembly <NUM> from top to bottom, so that the housing <NUM> is located in the second limiting gap <NUM>, and the second limiting members <NUM> of the second limiting mechanism <NUM> limit the housing <NUM> in the first direction Y. The ends of the housing <NUM> are engaged into the second grooves <NUM> of the third limiting members <NUM> to limit the housing <NUM> in the second direction Z.

Claim 1:
An assembly system comprising a battery cell (<NUM>) and an assembly device (<NUM>) for the battery cell (<NUM>), wherein the battery cell (<NUM>) comprises an end cap (<NUM>) and a housing (<NUM>) with an opening (<NUM>), characterized in that the opening (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) is downward and that the assembly device (<NUM>) comprises:
a supporting member (<NUM>) configured to support the end cap (<NUM>), wherein the supporting member (<NUM>) comprises: a supporting face (<NUM>) configured to support the end cap (<NUM>); and a recessed portion (<NUM>) which is recessed from the supporting face (<NUM>) in a direction away from the pressing-down mechanism (<NUM>), the recessed portion (<NUM>) being configured to avoid an electrode terminal (<NUM>) on the end cap (<NUM>); and
a pressing-down mechanism (<NUM>) arranged above the supporting member (<NUM>), the pressing-down mechanism (<NUM>) being configured to press down a wall of the housing (<NUM>) opposite the opening (<NUM>) to enable the housing (<NUM>) to fit with the end cap (<NUM>), so that the end cap (<NUM>) closes off the opening (<NUM>).