Battery lift and transfer solutions for assembling traction battery packs
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorMarc Dugas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Manufacturing processes are disclosed for assembling traction battery packs that battery systems. Exemplary traction battery pack assembly methods may include lifting and transferring battery cells between assembly line workstations, such as a cell matrix assembly workstation and a welding workstation. The method may further involve the use of automated tooling, such as a cell-to-matrix pusher and a cell matrix support structure that includes locator pads for supporting a non-rigid grouping of battery cell during workstation transfers.
Claims20
A method of assembling a traction battery pack using an assembly line, the method comprising:
- inserting a cell matrix into a cell-receiving opening of a halo structure of a halo pallet at a first workstation of the assembly line;
- lifting the halo pallet with a cell matrix support structure that is at least partially positioned beneath the halo pallet;
- transferring the halo pallet from the first workstation to a second workstation of the assembly line with the cell matrix support structure;
- and
- positioning the halo pallet on top of a weld pallet located at the second workstation.
A method of assembling a traction battery pack using an assembly line, the method comprising:
- inserting a cell matrix into a cell-receiving opening of a halo structure of a halo pallet at a first workstation of the assembly line;
- lifting the halo pallet with a cell matrix support structure that is at least partially positioned beneath the halo pallet;
- transferring the halo pallet from the first workstation to a second workstation of the assembly line with the cell matrix support structure;
- positioning the halo pallet on top of a weld pallet located at the second workstation;
- and
- welding a busbar module to the cell matrix at the second workstation.
A method of assembling a traction battery pack using an assembly line, the method comprising:
- inserting a cell matrix into a cell-receiving opening of a halo structure of a halo pallet at a first workstation of the assembly line;
- lifting the halo pallet with a cell matrix support structure that is at least partially positioned beneath the halo pallet;
- transferring the halo pallet from the first workstation to a second workstation of the assembly line with the cell matrix support structure;
- during the lifting and the transferring, supporting the cell matrix from underneath with the cell matrix support structure;
- and
- performing a welding operation on the cell matrix at the second workstation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.