Stacking device and manufacturing device for stacked electrode body

Abstract

The lamination apparatus (100) includes: a plurality of lamination heads (106) that hold unit laminates (W); a drum portion (102) that arranges and holds the plurality of lamination heads (106) on a circumference; a drum drive portion (104) that rotates the drum portion (102) and advances each lamination head (106) to a lamination position opposite a lamination table (30); and a plurality of head drive portions (108) that independently move each lamination head (106) from movement by rotation of the drum portion (102). The head drive portion (108) corresponding to the lamination head (106) that has reached the lamination position is driven to cancel the advance of the lamination head (106) by rotation of the drum portion (102), each lamination head (106) discharges the unit laminate (W) held onto the lamination table (30), and laminates a plurality of unit laminates (W).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a stacking device and an apparatus for manufacturing stacked electrodes. Background Technology

[0002] As a battery for automotive applications, a stacked and laminated battery has been developed. This battery has the following structure: a container houses stacked electrode bodies and an electrolyte, with multiple positive and negative electrodes alternately stacked between spacers.

[0003] Regarding this type of battery, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that manufactures a stacked electrode body by using a continuous positive electrode material formed by continuous positive electrodes through break lines, a continuous negative electrode material formed by continuous negative electrodes through break lines, and a continuous spacer material formed by continuous spacers through break lines as materials. This manufacturing apparatus has the following structure: a continuous battery material with each material stacked is wound onto a winding drum in necessary turns, and a portion of the side circumferential surface of the winding drum protrudes radially, thereby cutting the continuous battery material along each break line.

[0004] [Existing technical documents]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-86508 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0008] In the existing manufacturing apparatus described above, the continuous battery material wound around a drum is broken along a break line to manufacture each stacked electrode. Therefore, after winding the continuous battery material for the required number of turns, the drum must be stopped and the continuous battery material cut off each time, making continuous manufacturing of the stacked electrode difficult. Consequently, achieving high-speed manufacturing of the stacked electrode is challenging.

[0009] This disclosure was made in view of such circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a technique for achieving high-speed manufacturing of stacked electrode bodies.

[0010] [Technical solutions used to address technical problems]

[0011] One aspect of this disclosure is a stacking apparatus. The stacking apparatus includes: a plurality of stacking heads that hold unit stacks, the unit stacks having spacers and electrode plates stacked on them; a drum that arranges and holds the plurality of stacking heads circumferentially; a drum drive that rotates the drum, thereby causing each stacking head to travel to a stacking position opposite to a stacking stage; and a plurality of head drive units that move each stacking head independently of the movement utilizing the rotation of the drum. The head drive units corresponding to the stacking heads that have reached the stacking position are driven to counteract the travel of the stacking heads utilizing the rotation of the drum, causing each stacking head to discharge the held unit stacks onto the stacking stage and stack the plurality of unit stacks.

[0012] Another aspect of this disclosure is a manufacturing apparatus for a stacked electrode body. The apparatus includes: a first electrode cutting drum that cuts a continuous body of multiple first electrode plates, monolithically forming multiple first electrode plates and conveying them; a second electrode cutting drum that cuts a continuous body of multiple second electrode plates, monolithically forming multiple second electrode plates and conveying them; and a bonding drum that holds together a continuous body of multiple first spacers, a continuous body of multiple first spacers supplied from the first electrode cutting drum, a continuous body of multiple second spacers, and a continuous body of multiple second spacers supplied from the second electrode cutting drum. The electrode plates are stacked and bonded in this order to form a continuous stack, in which a unit stack consisting of a first spacer, a first electrode plate, a second spacer, and a second electrode plate is continuous; a spacer cutting drum cuts the first spacer continuous and the second spacer continuous of the continuous stack and breaks them down into multiple unit stacks; and a stacking drum, which is composed of the stacking device of the above scheme, stacks multiple unit stacks on a stacking stage to form a stacked electrode body.

[0013] Any combination of the above-mentioned constituent elements, as well as the result of converting the expression of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, etc., are also valid as solutions of this disclosure.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] According to this disclosure, it is possible to achieve high-speed manufacturing of stacked electrode bodies. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus for the stacked electrode body according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a portion of the stacking apparatus of an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the stacking device according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 (A) is the waveform diagram of the drum drive unit. Figure 4 (B) is the waveform diagram of the head drive unit's motion. Figure 4 (C) is the waveform diagram of the stacked head's motion.

[0020] Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (L) is a schematic diagram representing the movement of the stack head. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and based on preferred embodiments. These embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure, but are merely illustrative, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not limited to the substantive content of the disclosure. The same or equivalent constituent elements, components, and processes shown in the various drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. Furthermore, the scales or shapes of the parts shown in the figures are provided for ease of explanation and are not to be interpreted limitingly unless specifically mentioned. In addition, the use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., in this specification or claims does not indicate any order or importance unless specifically mentioned, but is only used to distinguish one configuration from others. Furthermore, in the various drawings, parts of components that are not important for describing the embodiments are omitted from the illustration.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for a stacked electrode body according to an embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 1 for the stacked electrode body is a continuous drum-type manufacturing apparatus comprising multiple drums. By performing various processes such as cutting, heating, bonding, and stacking of the electrode body or spacers using drums, stacked electrode bodies can be manufactured at high speed and continuously. Stacked electrode bodies are used, for example, in lithium-ion secondary batteries.

[0023] The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first-stage cutting drum 2, a first-stage heating drum 4, a second-stage cutting drum 6, a second-stage heating drum 8, a bonding drum 10, a spacer cutting drum 12, and a stacking drum 14.

[0024] The first electrode cutting drum 2 cuts the continuum of multiple first electrode plates, monolithizing it into multiple first electrode plates and conveying them. The first electrode cutting drum 2 has a first radius and rotates about a central axis at a first angular velocity. In this embodiment, the first electrode is the negative electrode. A strip-shaped first electrode continuum N, which is a continuum of multiple first electrode plates, is supplied to the first electrode cutting drum 2. The first electrode continuum N has a first electrode current collector and a first electrode active material layer. The first electrode active material layer is stacked on the first electrode current collector. In this embodiment, the first electrode active material layer is stacked on both sides of the first electrode current collector, but it is also possible that the first electrode active material layer is stacked only on one side of the first electrode current collector.

[0025] Both the first electrode current collector and the first electrode active material layer can be constructed from known materials and have known structures. The first electrode current collector is, for example, constructed from a foil or porous body made of copper or aluminum. The first electrode active material layer is formed, for example, by coating a first electrode mixture slurry containing the first electrode active material, a binder, and a dispersant onto the surface of the first electrode current collector, drying the coating, and then rolling it. The thickness of the first electrode current collector is, for example, 3 μm or more and 50 μm or less. The thickness of the first electrode active material layer is, for example, 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0026] The first electrode cutting drum 2 has: a plurality of holding heads arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum; and a cutting blade that cuts the first electrode continuous N and monolithizes it into a plurality of first electrode plates. The plurality of holding heads have holding surfaces that adsorb and hold the first electrode continuous N. The holding surfaces of each holding head face outwards from the first electrode cutting drum 2. The first electrode continuous N, supplied to the first electrode cutting drum 2, is conveyed by the rotation of the first electrode cutting drum 2 while being adsorbed and held by the holding surfaces of the plurality of holding heads.

[0027] Multiple holding heads are each capable of rotating around the central axis of the first pole cutting drum 2, and can move independently of each other along the circumference of the drum. The relative movement of each holding head is achieved by mounting a motor, different from the motor that rotates the first pole cutting drum 2, on each holding head. For example, when two adjacent holding heads in the circumferential direction are referred to as the first holding head and the second holding head, the first and second holding heads rotate around the central axis of the drum at a certain speed due to the rotation of the first pole cutting drum 2. Furthermore, by driving the motors of the holding heads, the relative speed of the two holding heads is changed within a predetermined range on the circumference of the drum.

[0028] For example, at a certain timing, the first holding head and the second holding head rotate together at a certain speed with a relative speed of 0, but at another timing, the first holding head increases its speed in a direction away from the subsequent second holding head, resulting in a finite relative speed. Through such independent driving of the holding heads, adjustments to the cutting position of the first pole continuous N of the cutting blade, as well as the position adjustment of the monolithically formed first pole plate, become possible. Alternatively, when each holding head rotates at a constant speed around the central axis of the first pole cutting drum 2, the constant-speed movement of each holding head driven by its own motor can be added to the movement utilizing the rotation of the first pole cutting drum 2.

[0029] The first electrode cutting drum 2 adsorbs and holds the supplied first electrode continuous N, and rotates and conveys it. Figure 1At the schematically shown cutting position 16, the first electrode continuum N is cut off to generate the first electrode plate. The first electrode continuum N is cut by a cutting blade at a position between adjacent holding heads, thereby being monolithically divided into multiple first electrode plates. The resulting first electrode plates are conveyed while being held in place by their respective holding heads. The first electrode cutting drum 2 may also be equipped with various cameras. These cameras can monitor the position of the multiple generated first electrode plates. Alternatively, as an example, the position of the first electrode continuum N before cutting is monitored at a conveying roller upstream of the first electrode cutting drum 2. Furthermore, the first electrode cutting drum 2 may also be equipped with sensors other than cameras for monitoring the position of holding heads, etc.

[0030] The first electrode heating drum 4 is positioned close to the first electrode cutting drum 2. The first electrode heating drum 4 has a second radius and rotates about a central axis with a second angular velocity. The second radius of the first electrode heating drum 4 may be the same as or different from the first radius of the first electrode cutting drum 2. The second angular velocity of the first electrode heating drum 4 is different from the first angular velocity of the first electrode cutting drum 2. Furthermore, the second angular velocity of the first electrode heating drum 4 is set such that its linear velocity is approximately the same as the linear velocity of the bonding drum 10 described later.

[0031] As an example, the second radius is the same as the first radius, and the second angular velocity is set to be higher than the first angular velocity. In this case, the linear velocity of the first electrode heating drum 4 is greater than the linear velocity of the first electrode cutting drum 2. Therefore, when the holding head of the first electrode cutting drum 2 approaches the first electrode heating drum 4, it temporarily accelerates until it is approximately the same as the linear velocity of the first electrode heating drum 4. As a result, the relative velocity between the holding head and the first electrode heating drum 4 becomes approximately zero. When the relative velocity of the holding head is approximately zero, it discharges the adsorbed and held first electrode plate to the side of the first electrode heating drum 4. After discharging the first electrode plate, the holding head returns to its original speed.

[0032] The first electrode heating drum 4 rotates while adsorbing and holding the first electrode plate discharged from the first electrode cutting drum 2, and preheats the first electrode plate with a built-in heater. This preheating is performed in order to thermally bond the spacer to the first electrode plate in the subsequent bonding process. In this embodiment, the first electrode plate is heated at heating position 18, but it is not limited to this; for example, the first electrode plate could be heated in the entire circumferential region of the first electrode heating drum 4.

[0033] The second-electrode cutting drum 6 cuts the continuum of multiple second-electrode plates, monolithizing it into multiple second-electrode plates and conveying them. The second-electrode cutting drum 6 has a third radius and rotates about a central axis at a third angular velocity. In this embodiment, the second electrode is the positive electrode. A strip-shaped second-electrode continuum P, which is a continuum of multiple second-electrode plates, is supplied to the second-electrode cutting drum 6. The second-electrode continuum P has a second-electrode current collector and a second-electrode active material layer. The second-electrode active material layer is stacked on the second-electrode current collector. In this embodiment, the second-electrode active material layer is stacked on both sides of the second-electrode current collector, but it is also possible that the second-electrode active material layer is stacked only on one side of the second-electrode current collector.

[0034] Both the second current collector and the second active material layer can be constructed from known materials and have known structures. The second current collector is, for example, constructed from a foil or porous body made of stainless steel or aluminum. The second active material layer is formed, for example, by coating a second-electrode slurry containing the second active material, a binder, and a dispersant onto the surface of the second current collector, drying the coating, and then rolling it. The thickness of the second current collector is, for example, 3 μm or more and 50 μm or less. The thickness of the second active material layer is, for example, 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0035] The second-electrode cutting drum 6 has: a plurality of holding heads arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum; and a cutting blade that cuts the second-electrode continuum P and monolithizes it into a plurality of second-electrode plates. The plurality of holding heads have holding surfaces that adsorb and hold the second-electrode continuum P. The holding surfaces of each holding head face outwards from the second-electrode cutting drum 6. The second-electrode continuum P, supplied to the second-electrode cutting drum 6, is conveyed by the rotation of the second-electrode cutting drum 6 while being adsorbed and held by the holding surfaces of the plurality of holding heads.

[0036] Multiple holding heads are each capable of rotating around the central axis of the second-pole cutting drum 6, and can move independently of each other along the circumference of the drum. The relative movement of each holding head is achieved by mounting a motor, different from the motor that rotates the second-pole cutting drum 6, on each holding head. For example, adjacent first and second holding heads in the circumferential direction rotate around the central axis of the drum at a certain speed due to the rotation of the second-pole cutting drum 6. Furthermore, the relative speed of the two holding heads is changed within a predetermined range on the circumference of the drum by driving the motors of the holding heads. The change in the relative speed of the first and second holding heads, and the combination of the rotation of the second-pole cutting drum 6 and the driving of the motors mounted on the holding heads, are the same as in the case of the first-pole cutting drum 2.

[0037] The second-stage cutting drum 6 adsorbs and holds the supplied second-stage continuous body P, and rotates and conveys it. Figure 1At the schematically shown cutting position 20, the second electrode continuum P is cut off to generate a second electrode plate. The second electrode continuum P is cut by a cutting blade at a position between adjacent holding heads, thereby being monolithically divided into multiple second electrode plates. The resulting second electrode plates are conveyed while being held in place by their respective holding heads. The second electrode cutting drum 6 may also be equipped with various cameras. These cameras can monitor the positions of the multiple generated second electrode plates. Alternatively, as an example, the position of the second electrode continuum P before cutting is monitored at a conveying roller upstream of the second electrode cutting drum 6. Furthermore, the second electrode cutting drum 6 may also be equipped with sensors other than cameras for monitoring the positions of holding heads, etc.

[0038] The second-stage heating drum 8 is positioned close to the second-stage cutting drum 6. The second-stage heating drum 8 has a fourth radius and rotates about a central axis with a fourth angular velocity. The fourth radius of the second-stage heating drum 8 can be the same as or different from the third radius of the second-stage cutting drum 6. The fourth angular velocity of the second-stage heating drum 8 is different from the third angular velocity of the second-stage cutting drum 6. Furthermore, the fourth angular velocity of the second-stage heating drum 8 is set such that its linear velocity is approximately the same as that of the bonding drum 10.

[0039] As an example, the fourth radius is the same as the third radius, and the fourth angular velocity is set to be higher than the third angular velocity. In this case, the linear velocity of the second electrode heating drum 8 is greater than the linear velocity of the second electrode cutting drum 6. Therefore, when the holding head of the second electrode cutting drum 6 approaches the second electrode heating drum 8, it temporarily accelerates until it is approximately the same as the linear velocity of the second electrode heating drum 8. As a result, the relative velocity between the holding head and the second electrode heating drum 8 becomes approximately zero. When the relative velocity of the holding head is approximately zero, it discharges the adsorbed and held second electrode plate to the side of the second electrode heating drum 8. After discharging the second electrode plate, the holding head returns to its original speed.

[0040] The second electrode heating drum 8 rotates while adsorbing and holding the second electrode plate discharged from the second electrode cutting drum 6, and preheats the second electrode plate with a built-in heater. This preheating is performed in order to thermally bond the spacer to the second electrode plate in the subsequent bonding process. In this embodiment, the second electrode plate is heated at heating position 22, but it is not limited to this; for example, the second electrode plate could be heated in the entire circumferential region of the second electrode heating drum 8.

[0041] The bonding drum 10 forms a continuous laminate in which unit laminates consisting of a first spacer, a first electrode plate, a second spacer, and a second electrode plate are continuous. The bonding drum 10 is disposed close to the first electrode heating drum 4 and the second electrode heating drum 8. The bonding drum 10 has a fifth radius and rotates about a central axis at a fifth angular velocity. A plurality of continuous, strip-shaped first spacer continuous bodies S1 and a plurality of continuous, strip-shaped second spacer continuous bodies S2 are supplied to the bonding drum 10. A thermally adhesive layer is provided on the surface of each of the first spacer continuous bodies S1 and the second spacer continuous bodies S2. The thermally adhesive layer has the property that it does not exhibit adhesiveness at room temperature, but exhibits adhesiveness upon heating. For example, the thermally adhesive layer is a thermoplastic layer containing a thermoplastic polymer, exhibiting adhesiveness based on the plastic deformation of the thermoplastic polymer caused by heating.

[0042] Furthermore, multiple first electrode plates are supplied from the first electrode cutting drum 2 to the bonding drum 10 via the first electrode heating drum 4, and multiple second electrode plates are supplied from the second electrode cutting drum 6 to the bonding drum 10 via the second electrode heating drum 8. The first electrode plates are rotated and conveyed while being preheated by the first electrode heating drum 4, and are discharged to the bonding drum 10 side at a position close to the first electrode heating drum 4. The second electrode plates are rotated and conveyed while being preheated by the second electrode heating drum 8, and are discharged to the bonding drum 10 side at a position close to the second electrode heating drum 8.

[0043] The first spacer continuous S1, the first electrode plate, the second spacer continuous S2, and the second electrode plate are arranged in the listed order relative to the supply position of the bonding drum 10 from the upstream side of the rotation direction of the bonding drum 10. Therefore, firstly, the first spacer continuous S1 is supplied to the bonding drum 10 at a predetermined position. The first spacer continuous S1 is held in place by the bonding drum 10 and is rotated and conveyed. Next, at a downstream side from the supply position of the first spacer continuous S1, the first electrode plate is supplied from the first electrode heating drum 4 to the bonding drum 10 and placed on the first spacer continuous S1. A plurality of first electrode plates are arranged on the first spacer continuous S1 at predetermined intervals along the conveying direction of the first spacer continuous S1.

[0044] Next, downstream of the supply position of the first electrode plate, the second spacer continuous S2 is supplied to the bonding drum 10 and placed on the plurality of first electrode plates. Then, downstream of the supply position of the second spacer continuous S2, the first spacer continuous S1, the plurality of first electrode plates, and the second spacer continuous S2 are pressed by the hot-pressing roller 24. Thus, the first spacer continuous S1, each of the first electrode plates, and the second spacer continuous S2 are bonded together. Next, downstream of the pressing position of the pressing roller 24, the second electrode plate is supplied from the second electrode heating drum 8 to the bonding drum 10 and placed on the second spacer continuous S2. The plurality of second electrode plates are arranged on the second spacer continuous S2 at predetermined intervals along the conveying direction of the second spacer continuous S2. In addition, multiple second electrode plates are bonded to the second spacer continuous body S2 by the pressing pressure of the second electrode heating drum 8.

[0045] Through the above processes, the first spacer continuous S1, multiple first electrode plates, the second spacer continuous S2, and multiple second electrode plates are stacked and bonded in this order to form a continuous laminate 26. The continuous laminate 26 has the following structure: a unit laminate composed of the first spacer, the first electrode plate, the second spacer, and the second electrode plate is connected by the first spacer continuous S1 and the second spacer continuous S2, thus forming a continuous laminate. The continuous laminate 26 is conveyed from the bonding drum 10 to the spacer cutting drum 12. Furthermore, since the second electrode plates are not supplied from the second electrode cutting drum 6 side, a three-layer unit laminate without second electrode plates can also be generated in fixed quantities. Additionally, the electrode plate not supplied can also be a first electrode plate.

[0046] The spacer cutting drum 12 cuts the first spacer continuous S1 and the second spacer continuous S2 of the continuous laminate 26, monolithizing them into multiple unit laminates. The spacer cutting drum 12 has a sixth radius and rotates about a central axis at a sixth angular velocity. The spacer cutting drum 12 has: a plurality of holding heads arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum; and a cutting blade that cuts the continuous laminate 26, monolithizing it into multiple unit laminates. The plurality of holding heads have holding surfaces that hold the continuous laminate 26 in an adsorption manner. The holding surfaces of each holding head face outwards from the spacer cutting drum 12. The continuous laminate 26 supplied to the spacer cutting drum 12 is conveyed by the rotation of the spacer cutting drum 12 in a state of being adsorbed and held by the holding surfaces of the plurality of holding heads.

[0047] Alternatively, multiple holding heads can each rotate around the central axis of the spacer cutting drum 12 and move independently of each other along the circumferential direction of the drum. The relative movement of each holding head is achieved by mounting a motor, different from the motor that rotates the spacer cutting drum 12, on each holding head. For example, adjacent first and second holding heads in the circumferential direction rotate around the central axis of the drum at a certain speed due to the rotation of the spacer cutting drum 12. Furthermore, the relative speed of the two holding heads is changed within a predetermined range on the circumference of the drum by driving the motors of the holding heads. The change in the relative speed of the first and second holding heads, and the combination of the rotation of the spacer cutting drum 12 and the driving of the motors mounted on the holding heads, are the same as in the case of the first pole cutting drum 2.

[0048] The spacer cutting drum 12 adsorbs and holds the supplied continuous laminate 26, rotates and conveys it, and... Figure 1 The continuous laminate 26 is cut at the cutting position 28, schematically shown, to generate unit laminates. The continuous laminate 26 is cut by a cutting blade between adjacent holding heads, and is monolithized into multiple unit laminates. At this time, in the continuous laminate 26, the first spacer continuous S1 and the second spacer continuous S2 are cut between adjacent electrode plates in the conveying direction of the continuous laminate 26. The resulting unit laminates are conveyed while being held in place by the respective holding heads. The holding heads discharge the held unit laminates to the laminate drum 14 side. The spacer cutting drum 12 may also be equipped with various cameras. These cameras can monitor the position of the multiple unit laminates generated. Alternatively, as an example, the position of the continuous laminate 26 before cutting is monitored at a conveying roller upstream of the spacer cutting drum 12. Furthermore, the spacer cutting drum 12 may also be equipped with sensors other than cameras to monitor the position of the holding heads, etc.

[0049] The stacking drum 14 stacks multiple unit stacks onto the stacking stage 30 to form a stacked electrode body. The stacking drum 14 has a seventh radius and rotates about a central axis at a seventh angular velocity. The stacking drum 14 has multiple stacking heads arranged along the circumferential direction of the drum. Each stacking head has a holding surface that holds the unit stacks. The holding surface of each stacking head faces the outside of the stacking drum 14. The multiple stacking heads can rotate about the central axis of the stacking drum 14 respectively and move independently of each other along the circumferential direction of the drum. The relative movement of each stacking head, as described later, is achieved by mounting a motor, different from the motor that rotates the stacking drum 14, on each stacking head. When each stacking head 106 reaches a stacking position opposite to the stacking stage 30, it discharges the held unit stacks to the side of the stacking stage 30.

[0050] A stacking stage 30 is positioned directly below a stacking drum 14. Unit laminates discharged from the stacking drum 14 are sequentially stacked on the stacking stage 30. This forms a stacked electrode body. The stacking stage 30 can be driven along mutually orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis directions. Furthermore, the stacking stage 30 can adjust its tilt angle in the XY plane. Thus, the position and tilt angle of the unit laminates discharged from the stacking drum 14 relative to the unit laminates already stacked on the stacking stage 30 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions are adjusted. The stacking stage 30 has claws at its four corners, which press and fix the stacked unit laminates. Furthermore, the stacked unit laminates are pressurized and / or heated, and bonded together.

[0051] The stacking drum 14 is constructed from the stacking device 100 of this embodiment as described below. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of the stacking device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the stacking device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 The illustration shows half of the cross-section of the stacking device 100. Figure 3 The diagram shows from Figure 2 The stacked device 100 is observed in the direction of arrow A.

[0052] The stacking apparatus 100 constituting the stacking drum 14 includes a drum section 102, a drum drive section 104, a plurality of stacking heads 106, and a plurality of head drive sections 108. The drum section 102 arranges and holds the plurality of stacking heads 106 on a circumference. The drum drive section 104 rotates the drum section 102, thereby causing each stacking head 106 to move toward a stacking position opposite to the stacking stage 30. The head drive sections 108 move each stacking head 106 independently of the movement caused by the rotation of the drum section 102.

[0053] The drum portion 102 has a rotating shaft portion 110, a large gear 112, and a flange portion 114. The drum drive portion 104 has a motor 116 and a shaft base 118. The rotating shaft portion 110 is, for example, cylindrical or cylindrical, and one end is connected to the motor 116 via the shaft base 118. A known motor can be used for the motor 116. The rotating shaft portion 110 rotates due to the drive of the motor 116. The rotating shaft portion 110 corresponds to the central shaft of the stacked drum 14. The large gear 112 is fixed to the rotating shaft portion 110. In this embodiment, the large gear 112 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft portion 110. Furthermore, it is configured to cover the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion 110. The flange portion 114 protrudes perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rotating shaft portion 110. The flange portion 114 is disc-shaped and is configured to cover the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion 110. An arc-shaped guide 120 is provided on the periphery of the flange portion 114.

[0054] Multiple head drive units 108 are arranged along the circumference of the flange portion 114. Each head drive unit 108 has a bracket 122, a motor 124, and a pinion 126. The bracket 122 is generally U-shaped in cross-section and is clamped into the edge of the flange portion 114 by means of an arcuate guide 120. The motor 124 is supported on the bracket 122. A known motor can be used as the motor 124. The pinion 126 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 124 and rotates due to the drive of the motor 124. The pinion 126 meshes with a large gear 112 fixed to the side of the rotation shaft portion 110. When the motor 124 is driven, the driving torque is transmitted to the large gear 112 meshing with the pinion 126. Thus, each head drive unit 108 can move independently along the circumference of the flange portion 114 along the arcuate guide 120.

[0055] Multiple stacking heads 106 are supported on the head drive section 108. Therefore, the multiple stacking heads 106 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the flange section 114. When the rotating shaft section 110 rotates, rotational torque is transmitted to the pinion 126 meshing with the large gear 112. Thus, each stacking head 106 rotates about the rotating shaft section 110. Furthermore, each stacking head 106 can move via the head drive section 108, differently from movement using the rotation of the drum section 102.

[0056] For example, adjacent first and second stacked heads in the circumferential direction of the drum 102 rotate around the central axis of the drum 102 at a certain speed due to the rotation of the drum 102, and their relative speeds change within a predetermined range on the circumference of the drum 102. For example, at a certain time, the first and second stacked heads rotate together at a certain speed with a relative speed of 0, while at another time, the first stacked head increases its speed in a direction away from the subsequent second stacked head, resulting in a finite relative speed. Alternatively, when each stacked head 106 rotates at a constant speed around the central axis of the drum 102, the constant-speed movement of each stacked head 106 driven by the head drive unit 108 can be added to the movement based on the rotation of the drum 102. The operation of each drive unit will be described in detail later.

[0057] Each stack head 106 has a holding surface 128 facing the outer side of the circumference of the drum 102. The holding surface 128 is positioned at a position 7 radii from the center of the drum 102. An adsorption hole (not shown) is provided on the holding surface 128 for adsorbing and holding the unit stack W. By drawing air from the adsorption hole, the unit stack W is adsorbed and held by its attractive force. The unit stack W has a structure in which spacers and electrode plates are stacked. As described above, the unit stack W of this embodiment is composed of a first spacer, a first electrode plate, a second spacer, and a second electrode plate. The unit stack W, while adsorbed and held on the holding surface 128 of each stack head 106, is transported by rotation of the drum 102 or by movement of the head drive unit 108.

[0058] The operation of the drum drive unit 104 and the head drive unit 108 is controlled by the control device 130. The control device 130, as hardware, is implemented using components or circuits such as a computer's CPU and memory; as software, it is implemented using a computer program, etc. Figure 2 The diagram depicts a functional block implemented through their collaboration. Those skilled in the art will understand, of course, that this functional block can be implemented in various forms through a combination of hardware and software.

[0059] The control device 130 can receive image data from the camera that captures the image of the stacking drum 14, and control the operation of each part based on the position of each stacking head 106 derived from the image data. Alternatively, the control device 130 can also obtain information from sensors other than the camera to control the operation of each part. Furthermore, the stacking device 100 can also operate each part based on a pre-set operation program.

[0060] In the stacking process of the unit stack W, the actions of each part are controlled as follows. Figure 4 (A) is the waveform diagram of the operation of the drum drive unit 104. Figure 4 (B) is the waveform diagram of the action of the head drive unit 108. Figure 4 (C) is the waveform diagram of the operation of the stacked head 106. Figure 4 (A) Figure 4 The horizontal axis of (C) represents time (relative value), and the vertical axis represents velocity. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (L) is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the stack head 106. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 In (L), the focus is on the movement of the predetermined stacked head 106a. Furthermore, the timing is... Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 The sequence of (L) is followed, and the time interval between two consecutive images is equal.

[0061] Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (D) represents Figure 4 (B) and Figure 4 The case of the stacked head 106a at time t2 of (C). Figure 5 (E)~ Figure 5 (H) represents Figure 4 (B) and Figure 4 The case of the stacked head 106a at time t3 of (C). Figure 5 (I)~ Figure 5 (L) represents Figure 4 (B) and Figure 4 The case of the stacked head 106a at time t4 of (C).

[0062] Through the drum drive section 104 images Figure 4 Driven as shown in (A) of the motion waveform, the drum 102 rotates continuously at a constant speed. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown in (B), the head drive unit 108 repeatedly drives at a constant speed in the same direction (positive direction) as the rotation direction of the rotating shaft unit 110 at time t1. Thus, as... Figure 4 As shown in (C), the laminating head 106a is conveyed at a constant speed during time t1 by the rotation of the drum 102 and the movement of the drum drive 104, continuously approaching the laminating stage 30. Furthermore, during time t1, the linear velocity of the laminating head 106a is approximately the same as the linear velocity of the spacer cutting drum 12, and the unit laminate W discharged from the spacer cutting drum 12 is attracted to the laminating head 106.

[0063] When the corresponding stacking head 106a approaches a predetermined distance relative to the stacking stage 30, the head drive unit 108 accelerates the movement of the stacking head 106a along the rotation direction of the drum 102. That is, as Figure 4 (B) and Figure 4 As shown in (C), the head drive unit 108 increases its output in time t2, accelerating the lamination head 106a and bringing it closer to the lamination stage 30. Thus, as... Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 As shown in (D), the distance between the lamination head 106a and the subsequent lamination head 106b increases. As a result, the time it takes for the lamination head 106a to stop at the lamination position can be obtained.

[0064] The head drive unit 108, corresponding to the stacking head 106a reaching the stacking position, is driven to counteract the movement of the stacking head 106a caused by the rotation of the drum 102. That is, as... Figure 4As shown in (B), at time t3, the head drive unit 108 travels in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the drum unit 102. In other words, the head drive unit 108 causes the motor 124 to rotate in the opposite direction. Therefore, the movement direction of the stacking head 106a based on the head drive unit 108 is opposite to the movement direction of the stacking head 106a based on the drum drive unit 104, as... Figure 4 As shown in (C), the moving speed of the stacking head 106a will become 0. As a result, as... Figure 5 (E)~ Figure 5 As shown in (H), the stack head 106a will stop at the stack position.

[0065] While the stacking head 106a is stationary at the stacking position, it discharges the held unit stack W onto the stacking stage 30. The stacking head 106a advances towards the stacking stage 30 at the stacking position, and then retracts from the stacking stage 30 after discharging the unit stack W onto it. By discharging the unit stack W onto the stacking stage 30 while the stacking head 106 is stationary in the circumferential direction of the drum 102, the unit stack W can be discharged onto the stacking stage 30 with high positional accuracy.

[0066] After the corresponding stacking head 106a discharges the unit laminate W, the head drive unit 108 accelerates the movement of the stacking head 106a along the rotation direction of the drum 102. That is, as Figure 4 (B) and Figure 4 As shown in (C), the head drive unit 108 increases its output at time t4, accelerating the stacking head 106a and causing it to retract from the stacking stage 30. Thus, as Figure 5 (I)~ Figure 5 As shown in (L), the subsequent stacking head 106b can be accelerated as it enters the stacking position. The output of the head drive unit 108 at time t4 is set to be greater than the output of the head drive unit 108 at time t1.

[0067] Furthermore, in the stacking apparatus 100 of this embodiment, for example, in the size design of dividing the circumference 16 of the drum 102 and mounting 16 stacking heads 106 on the drum 102, 12 stacking heads 106 are mounted. In this way, by making the number of stacking heads 106 arranged on the circumference of the drum 102 less than the maximum number that can be configured in the design, the gap between adjacent stacking heads 106 can be increased. Therefore, any stacking head 106 can expand the area where it can accelerate or decelerate relative to adjacent stacking heads 106. Thus, when the stacking heads 106 are accelerated or decelerated before and after the stacking position, the speed change is made slower.

[0068] As described above, the stacking apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes: a plurality of stacking heads 106 that hold a unit stack W having spacers and electrode plates stacked on it; a drum 102 that arranges and holds the plurality of stacking heads 106 on a circumference; a drum drive 104 that rotates the drum 102 and moves each stacking head 106 toward a stacking position opposite to the stacking stage 30; and a plurality of head drive 108 that moves each stacking head 106 independently of the movement caused by the rotation of the drum 102. The head drive 108 corresponding to the stacking head 106 that has reached the stacking position is driven to counteract the movement of the stacking head 106 caused by the rotation of the drum 102, and each stacking head 106 discharges the held unit stack W onto the stacking stage 30 and stacks the plurality of unit stacks W.

[0069] That is, the stacking device 100 includes: a drum drive unit 104 that repeatedly outputs a predetermined motion waveform; a plurality of stacking heads 106 arranged circumferentially along a drum 102 (main shaft) that rotates due to the drum drive unit 104, and maintaining a unit stack W; and a head drive unit 108 that causes the plurality of stacking heads 106 to move autonomously. In the stacking device 100, the motion waveforms of the stacking heads 106 are obtained by combining the motion waveforms of the drum drive unit 104 and the head drive unit 108. Then, the head drive unit 108 operates such that the movement of the stacking heads 106 based on the drum drive unit 104 is canceled out at the stacking position, thereby making the speed of the stacking heads 106 zero.

[0070] In this way, by combining the rotation of the drum 102 with the movement of the head drive 108, the laminating head 106 is stopped at the laminating position. This allows the unit laminate W to be stopped locally at the laminating position and laminated onto the laminating stage 30 without stopping the transport of the unit laminate W in areas other than the laminating position. Therefore, the manufacturing speed of the laminated electrode can be increased. Furthermore, because the unit laminate W can be laminated onto the laminating stage 30 with higher positional accuracy, higher quality laminated electrodes can be formed.

[0071] As a method to stop the stacking head 106, a cam mechanism could be considered, for example, at the periphery of the flange 114. However, stopping the stacking head 106 via a cam mechanism presents the following risks: a significant impact is applied to the stacking head 106 upon stopping. In this case, vibrations may remain, making stacking with high positional accuracy difficult. Alternatively, the manufacturing speed of the stacked electrode body may decrease while waiting for vibrations to subside. Furthermore, to withstand the impact generated when the stacking head 106 stops, the rigidity of each part needs to be increased. In particular, when further high-speed manufacturing of the stacked electrode body is desired, the moving speed of the stacking head 106, which utilizes the rotation of the drum 102, increases, and the impact upon stopping further intensifies. Therefore, the required rigidity also increases. In addition, the use of a cam mechanism also leads to increased structural complexity or an increase in the number of parts.

[0072] In contrast, by using the head drive unit 108 to reverse the movement of the laminating head 106, the movement can be counteracted by the rotation of the drum unit 102, thereby suppressing the impact generated when the laminating head 106 is stationary in the laminating position. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing equipment while simultaneously increasing the speed of manufacturing the laminated electrode body.

[0073] Furthermore, when the corresponding laminating head 106 approaches a predetermined distance relative to the laminating stage 30, the head drive unit 108 accelerates the movement of the laminating head 106 along the rotation direction of the drum 102. This delays the stopping time of the laminating head 106 at the lamination position, thereby further increasing the manufacturing speed of the laminated electrode body. Furthermore, it further improves the quality of the laminated electrode body.

[0074] Furthermore, after the corresponding stacking head 106 discharges the unit stacked body W, the head drive unit 108 accelerates the movement of the stacking head 106 along the rotation direction of the drum 102. This allows subsequent stacking heads 106 to enter the stacking position more smoothly. Therefore, the manufacturing speed of the stacked electrode body can be further increased.

[0075] Furthermore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 for the stacked electrode body in this embodiment includes: a first electrode cutting drum 2, which cuts a continuous body of multiple first electrode plates, monolithically converts it into multiple first electrode plates, and conveys them; a second electrode cutting drum 6, which cuts a continuous body of multiple second electrode plates, monolithically converts it into multiple second electrode plates, and conveys them; and a bonding drum 10, which holds together a continuous body of multiple first spacers S1, a continuous body of multiple first spacers supplied from the first electrode cutting drum 2, a continuous body of multiple second spacers S2, and a continuous body of multiple second spacers supplied from the second electrode cutting drum 6. The second electrode plates are stacked and bonded in this order to form a continuous laminate 26. In this continuous laminate 26, the unit laminate W composed of the first spacer, the first electrode plate, the second spacer, and the second electrode plate is continuous. The spacer cutting drum 12 cuts the first spacer continuous S1 and the second spacer continuous S2 of the continuous laminate 26, breaking them down into multiple unit laminates W. The stacking drum 14 is composed of the stacking device 100 of this embodiment and stacks the multiple unit laminates W on the stacking stage 30 to form a stacked electrode body. As a result, it is possible to achieve both improved quality and increased throughput of the stacked electrode body and even the battery.

[0076] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above. The foregoing embodiments are merely specific examples of implementing this disclosure. The content of the embodiments does not limit the scope of the technology of this disclosure, and many design changes, such as alterations, additions, and deletions of constituent elements, can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure as defined in the claims. New embodiments with added design changes possess the effects of both the combined embodiments and the variations. In the foregoing embodiments, the ability to make such design changes is emphasized by phrases such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design changes are also permitted in embodiments without such phrases. Any combination of the above constituent elements is also valid as a solution of this disclosure. The shading of the cross-sections attached to the drawings does not limit the material of the object to which the shading is attached.

[0077] [Industrial Availability]

[0078] This disclosure can be used in lamination apparatus and manufacturing apparatus for laminated electrodes.

[0079] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0080] 1 Manufacturing apparatus, 2 First pole cutting drum, 6 Second pole cutting drum, 10 Bonding drum, 12 Spacer cutting drum, 14 Stacking drum, 26 Continuous stack, 30 Stacking platform, 100 Stacking device, 102 Drum section, 104 Drum drive section, 106, 108 Head drive section.

Claims

1. A stacking device, comprising: Multiple stack heads, each holding a unit stack, which is stacked with spacers and electrode plates. The drum section arranges and holds multiple of the aforementioned stacked heads on a circumference. The drum drive unit rotates the aforementioned drum and propels each stacking head toward its stacking position opposite the stacking stage. Multiple head drive units enable each stacked head to move independently of the movement based on the rotation of the aforementioned drum. The aforementioned drum portion has a disc-shaped flange portion that protrudes perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the aforementioned drum portion. The aforementioned head drive unit has a bracket that supports the aforementioned stacked head and engages with the aforementioned flange portion, and a motor that is supported on the aforementioned bracket. The aforementioned head drive unit moves around the circumference of the aforementioned flange portion by being driven by the aforementioned motor. The head drive unit corresponding to the stacking head that has reached the aforementioned stacking position is driven to counteract the movement of the stacking head caused by the rotation of the drum. Each stack head discharges the held unit stack onto the stacking platform and stacks multiple unit stacks.

2. The stacking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, When the aforementioned head drive unit approaches a predetermined distance relative to the stacking stage, it accelerates the movement of the stacking head along the rotation direction of the drum.

3. The stacking device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, After the corresponding stacking head discharges the unit stack, the head drive unit accelerates the movement of the stacking head along the rotation direction of the drum.

4. An apparatus for manufacturing a stacked electrode body, comprising: The first electrode cutting drum cuts off the continuous body of multiple first electrode plates, monolithically breaking it down into multiple aforementioned first electrode plates and conveying them. The second-stage cutting drum cuts off the continuous body of multiple second-stage plates, monolithically reducing it into multiple more of the aforementioned second-stage plates, and then transports them. An adhesive drum sequentially stacks and bonds together a plurality of continuous first spacer bodies, a plurality of first electrode plates supplied from a first electrode cutting drum, a plurality of continuous second spacer bodies, and a plurality of second electrode plates supplied from a second electrode cutting drum to form a continuous laminate. In this continuous laminate, the unit laminates composed of the first spacers, the first electrode plates, the second spacers, and the second electrode plates are continuous. A spacer cutting drum cuts the first and second spacer continuums of the aforementioned continuous laminate, breaking them down into multiple unit laminates. A stacked drum is constructed from a stacking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, and a plurality of the above-described unit stacks are stacked on a stacking stage to form a stacked electrode body.

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