Apparatus and method for aligning the lugs on a stack of battery plates in a jig box. The apparatus comprises a frame carrying a lug alignment mechanism for positioning over the jig box. The frame comprises a set of feet that engage the jig box to locate the lug alignment mechanism. The frame feet on one side comprise fixed surfaces configured to engage contact surfaces on a first side of the jig box. The frame feet on the opposite side comprise for engaging contact surfaces on the corresponding second side. The actuators are operable such that when the frame is positioned over the jig box, moveable surfaces are moveable between a first position and a second position in which they are engaged with the contact surfaces on the second side and the fixed surfaces are engaged with the contact surfaces on the first side.
A battery plate handling apparatus comprises a horizontal elongate rack and gripper modules mounted so as to be movable along the rack. Each gripper module comprises a gripper unit carrier mounted on the rack and a gripper unit mounted on the gripper unit carrier for gripping groups of battery plates. The gripper modules comprise at least two adjacent configurable modules each comprising a gripper unit sub-mounting pivotally mounted on a respective carrier so as to pivot around a vertical axis spaced to one side of the rack. The gripper unit sub-mounting comprises a horizontal sub-rack on which a pair of gripper units are mounted such that the horizontal separation between the gripper units can be varied. The horizontal sub rack of one of the sub-mountings is higher than the horizontal sub-rack of the other sub-mounting. A process for configuring the apparatus is also disclosed.
A battery plate alignment system includes a stack aligner having a head frame located above a stack support surface; a pair of clamping members mounted on the head frame so as to project below the head frame, wherein each clamping member is mounted on an actuator arranged to move the clamping member along the head frame; a rotary drive system arranged to rotate the head frame; and a vertical drive system arranged to move the head frame vertically. A method of aligning the stack includes positioning the stack to one side of the support surface; lowering the head frame; clamping the stack to the head frame; lifting the stack from the support surface; rotating the head frame around the vertical axis; moving the stack along the head frame so that the stack is over its original position; lowering the stack back onto the support surface; and unclamping the stack.
A battery cast-on-strap machine unloading apparatus includes a first and a second unit. Each unit includes a rotary drive mechanism; and, a pinion co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism. The apparatus further includes an elongate rack. The rack includes teeth along a first side and an opposing second side. The first and second units are mounted adjacent to each other on the rack. Operation of each drive mechanism causes rotation of the respective pinion to be converted into linear motion of the respective unit along the rack. Adjacent rotary drive mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the rack, such that the pinion of the first unit meshes with the teeth along the first side of the rack, and the pinion of the adjacent second unit meshes with the teeth along the opposing second side of the rack.
B65G 47/90 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
B65G 65/02 - Loading or unloading machines comprising essentially a conveyor for moving the loads associated with a device for picking-up the loads
B65D 57/00 - Internal frames or supports for flexible articles, e.g. stiffenersSeparators for articles packaged in stacks or groups, e.g. for preventing adhesion of sticky articles
7.
Apparatus for the manufacture of battery components
An apparatus for separating battery plates includes a work surface for receiving a stack of battery plates, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the battery plates on the work surface. The work surface is movable between a first position in which it is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and a second position in which it is substantially aligned with the horizontal plane. When the work surface moves between the first and second position adjacent battery plates of the stack are displaced relative to each other.
A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.
A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.
A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing has a reservoir including an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height.
A mould for forming battery components includes a first mould body having a first plurality of mould cavities and a second mould body having a second plurality of mould cavities. The first mould body and the second mould body are configured to be moveable between a moulding position in which the first plurality and second plurality of mould cavities are aligned, and a fill position in which the first plurality and second plurality of mould cavities are displaced from the aligned position and are proximal to a molten metal feed.
A battery plate loading system includes a battery plate separator apparatus having a work surface for receiving a stack of battery plates, and a loading mechanism including an arm coupled to the work surface. The arm is pivotable to move the work surface between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. A pallet has a surface arranged to receive a plurality of stacks of battery plates, each stack being arranged in at least a first or a second orientation; and, a robot head arrangement configured to transfer stacks of battery plates from the pallet to the battery plate separator apparatus. The robot head arrangement includes a sensor configured to detect the orientation of each stack. The pivotable arm is configured to move the work surface to the substantially horizontal position or to the substantially vertical position in response to the detected orientation of a selected stack.
A lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine is arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus includes a first needle valve, a second needle valve, and a housing. The housing includes a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet. The reservoir inlet is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir is maintained at a constant height. A volume block has an inlet, an outlet and a through cavity and the volume block inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet. The through cavity together with the second needle valve defines the predetermined volume of molten lead received from the reservoir.
An apparatus for separating battery plates comprising a work surface for receiving a stack of battery plates, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the battery plates on the work surface. The work surface is movable between a first position in which it is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and a second position in which it is substantially aligned with the horizontal plane. When the work surface moves between the first and second position adjacent battery plates of the stack are displaced relative to each other.
An apparatus and a method for moulding battery components using an apparatus include a mould block having a plurality of mould cavities; a molten metal feed trough adjacent to the mould block and extending in a generally longitudinal direction along the mould block; a plurality of weirs between the feed trough and each of the cavities; and a supply for providing molten metal to the trough. The feed trough is provided with at least one volume adjustment mechanism, which is operable to alter the volume of the feed trough.
An apparatus for moulding battery components including a molten metal feed trough, a mould block adjacent to the feed trough, a weir between the feed trough and each cavity and a supply for feeding molten metal to the feed trough. The mould block has at least one mould cavity and a cooling arrangement which cools the mould block, and the mould block is provided with a heating arrangement adjacent to the or each mould cavity. In use, the heating arrangement maintains at least part of the, or each, mould cavity at an elevated temperature relative to the average operational temperature of the mould block.
The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking battery plates comprising a delivery conveyor for supplying battery plates sequentially along a delivery path. The delivery conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart plate carriers each configured to support at least one battery plate in use, the plate carriers defining a series of gaps between adjacent plate carriers, wherein each gap is larger than the battery plate. The apparatus further includes a stop mechanism, configured to selectively intercept the delivery path at a plurality of indexed stop positions without impeding the delivery conveyor; wherein when the stop mechanism intercepts the delivery path at a selected one of the stop positions in use, it interrupts the movement of the battery plates on the delivery conveyor causing the battery plate(s) to move off the respective plate carrier and pass through the subsequent gap of the conveyor. The apparatus also includes a plate stacking mechanism for receiving battery plates as they are moved off the delivery conveyor by the stop mechanism.
A mould for forming battery components includes a first mould body having a first plurality of mould cavities and a second mould body having a second plurality of mould cavities. The first mould body and the second mould body are configured to be moveable between a moulding position in which the first plurality and second plurality of mould cavities are aligned, and a fill position in which the first plurality and second plurality of mould cavities are displaced from the aligned position and are proximal to a molten metal feed.
An apparatus for separating battery plates comprising a work surface for receiving a stack of battery plates, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the battery plates on the work surface. The work surface is moveable between a first position in which it is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and a second position in which it is substantially aligned with the horizontal plane. When the work surface moves between the first and second position adjacent battery plates of the stack are displaced relative to each other.
An apparatus for moulding battery components comprising a molten metal feed trough 130, a mould block 100 adjacent to the mould block, a weir 133 between the feed trough and each cavity and a supply 132 for feeding molten metal to the feed trough. The mould block has at least one mould cavity 1 10 and a cooling arrangement which cools the mould block, and the mould block is provided with a heating arrangement 150 adjacent to the or each mould cavity. In use, the heating arrangement maintains at least part of the, or each, mould cavity at an elevated temperature relative to the average operational temperature of the mould block.
The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking battery plates comprising a delivery conveyor for supplying battery plates sequentially along a delivery path. The delivery conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart plate carriers each configured to support at least one battery plate in use, the plate carriers defining a series of gaps between adjacent plate carriers, wherein each gap is larger than the battery plate. The apparatus further includes a stop mechanism, configured to selectively intercept the delivery path at a plurality of indexed stop positions without impeding the delivery conveyor; wherein when the stop mechanism intercepts the delivery path at a selected one of the stop positions in use, it interrupts the movement of the battery plates on the delivery conveyor causing the battery plate(s) to move off the respective plate carrier and pass through the subsequent gap of the conveyor. The apparatus also includes a plate stacking mechanism for receiving battery plates as they are moved off the delivery conveyor by the stop mechanism.
The present invention generally relates to the forming of battery components and in particular, but not exclusively, to such apparatus for use in manufacturing cast on straps during the manufacture of batteries. More specifically the invention relates to a mould for forming battery components, a cast on strap machine for moulding battery components and a lead delivery apparatus for a cast on strap machine.
The application relates to an apparatus and to a method for moulding battery components using an apparatus comprising: a mould block having a plurality of mould cavities; a molten metal feed trough adjacent to the mould block and extending in a generally longitudinal direction along the mould block; a plurality of weirs between the feed trough and each of the cavities; a supply for providing molten metal to the trough; wherein the feed trough is provided with at least one volume adjustment mechanism, which is operable to alter the volume of the feed trough.
A mold for molding post and strap in a cast on strap machine includes a mold body having an upper surface, a cavity in the upper surface for molding a strap and an opening aligned with the cavity for receiving a water-coolable insert for molding a post. The opening extends through the mold with its mouth in the upper surface to enable the insert to be inserted into the opening through the mouth. The mold body further includes a removable plate for being received in the mouth to retain releasably the insert in the opening and for defining the cavity.
An apparatus (5) for delivering a predetermined volume of lead to a mould (50) includes a housing (2) defining a lead reservoir (4) having a lead outlet defined in its base and in communication with the reservoir. A runway (30) is provided beneath the base, spaced from the base and generally parallel thereto. A block (10) is provided slidably mounted between the base and the runway and defining a through cavity (12) having the predetermined volume for receiving lead from the outlet in a first position and for releasing the lead in a second position. A mechanism (20) is provided for reciprocating the block (10) between the first and second positions. A cast on strap machine (1) is also disclosed. A lead delivery apparatus (5) comprising a delivery chute (40) is also disclosed.
An apparatus for delivering a predetermined volume of lead to a mould includes a housing defining a lead reservoir having a lead outlet defined in its base and in communication with the reservoir. A runway is provided beneath the base, spaced from the base and generally parallel thereto. A block is provided slidably mounted between the base and the runway and defining a through cavity having the predetermined volume for receiving lead from the outlet in a first position and for releasing the lead in a second position. A mechanism is provided for reciprocating the block between the first and second positions. A cast on strap machine is also disclosed. A lead delivery apparatus comprising a delivery chute is also disclosed.
A mould for moulding post and strap in a cast on strap machine includes a mould body having an upper surface, a cavity in the upper surface for moulding a strap and an opening aligned with the cavity for receiving a water- coolable insert for moulding a post. The opening extends through the mould with its mouth in the upper surface to enable the insert to be inserted into the opening through the mouth. The mould body further includes a removable plate for being received in the mouth to retain releasably the insert in the opening and for defining the cavity.
This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line. This includes a pick up and release unit generally indicated at 16. The unit includes a central metal hollow body 17, which is divided into a number of side-by-side vacuum chambers, some of which have a perforate floor 19. A vacuum course 21 can be selectively connected to those, which have a perforate floor, while it is perpendicularly connected to a second set of chambers. Plates can be picked up from elevators 11 and 12 by use of the intermittent vacuum and then held against an endless belt 25 by the constant vacuum until they arrive at a release chamber, having a perforate floor, where upon interruption of the vacuum allows for release of the battery plate.
B27D 5/00 - Other working of veneer or plywood specially adapted to veneer or plywood
B65G 49/05 - Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line from a stack of plates including an elevator for receiving a stack of plates and sequentially elevating the stack to maintain, in use, the uppermost plate in the stack in a datum region lying between two parallel generally horizontal planes and a plurality of vacuum heads arranged in a closed loop for sequentially passing over the elevator with a fixed gap from the upper plane of the datum range for picking up the uppermost plate and for subsequently releasing the plate at a release position.
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for molding battery group straps. Molding apparatus, generally indicated at (10), includes a centrally cooled mold block (11) which defines two laterally displaced sets (12, 13) of longitudinal spaced mold cavity (14) and respective lead feed block (15) and (16) having appropriate feed channels. A sensor, in the form of an electrically conducting rod (25), is disposed so that its tip forms one part of the bottom of the mold cavity (14). This can detect as soon as lead enters into the cavity and that detection is used to control the pour time for the lead to a predetermined period, so that the lead entering the cavities is of a constant quantity on each cycle.
This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line. This includes a pick up and release unit generally indicated at 16. The unit includes a central metal hollow body 17, which is divided into a number of side-by-side vacuum chambers, some of which have a perforate floor 19. A vacuum course 21 can be selectively connected to those, which have a perforate floor, whilst it is perpendicularly connected to a second set of chambers. Plates can be picked up from elevators 11 and 12 by use of the intermittent vacuum and then held against an endless belt 25 by the constant vacuum until they arrive at a release chamber, having a perforate floor, where upon interruption of the vacuum allows for release of the battery plate.
B27D 5/00 - Other working of veneer or plywood specially adapted to veneer or plywood
B65G 49/05 - Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
B65G 49/06 - Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles for fragile sheets, e.g. glass
B65H 5/22 - Feeding articles separated from pilesFeeding articles to machines by air-blast or suction device
B65H 5/08 - Feeding articles separated from pilesFeeding articles to machines by grippers, e.g. suction grippers
32.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOULDING BATTERY GROUP STRAPS
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for moulding battery group straps. Moulding apparatus, generally indicated at (10), includes a centrally cooled mould block (11) which defines two laterally displaced sets (12, 13) of longitudinal spaced mould cavity (14) and respective lead feed block (15) and (16) having appropriate feed channels. A sensor, in the form of an electrically conducting rod (25), is disposed so that its tip forms one part of the bottom of the mould cavity (14). This can detect as soon as lead enters into the cavity and that detection is used to control the pour time for the lead to a predetermined period, so that the lead entering the cavities is of a constant quantity on each cycle.
This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line from a stack of plates including an elevator for receiving a stack of plates and sequentially elevating the stack to maintain, in use, the uppermost plate in the stack in a datum region lying between two parallel generally horizontal planes and a plurality of vacuum heads arranged in a closed loop for sequentially passing over the elevator with a fixed gap from the upper plane of the datum range for picking up the uppermost plate and for subsequently releasing the plate at a release position.
B65G 59/04 - De-stacking from the top of the stack by suction or magnetic devices
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 47/91 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials incorporating pneumatic, e.g. suction, grippers
B65H 3/08 - Separating articles from piles using pneumatic force
