Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for an electrical storage device

Abstract

The present application provides a manufacturing device and a manufacturing method of an electric storage device, which can accurately distinguish between a portion where a resin layer is formed and a portion where the resin layer is not formed on the side surface of a stacked electrode body, and stably form the resin layer at an accurate position on the side surface of the stacked electrode body. The manufacturing device of the electric storage device includes a resin filling mold that forms an internal space that accommodates the stacked electrode body, and is capable of supplying a photocurable resin for forming the resin layer to at least the side surface of the long side of the stacked electrode body. The mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold, and two side surface molds of the long side. The manufacturing device includes a light irradiator that irradiates light to cause photocuring of the photocurable resin supplied to the internal space. When a tip portion of the supplied photocurable resin that flows along the side surface reaches a predetermined position of the side surface, the light is irradiated from the light irradiator to the flowing tip portion to cure the flowing tip portion, and the flow of the flowing tip portion along the side surface is stopped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the manufacturing technology of energy storage devices. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing an energy storage device having a resin layer composed of a photocurable resin cured material on the side of a stacked electrode body, wherein the stacked electrode body is formed by stacking rectangular positive and negative electrodes multiple times with a separator in between. Background Technology

[0002] Rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries, as well as physical batteries such as lithium-ion capacitors and other double-layer capacitors, are not only used for portable power applications such as personal computers or portable terminals, but have also become suitable for use as power sources for vehicle propulsion in recent years. In particular, lightweight lithium-ion batteries, which offer high energy density, are preferred as high-output power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HVs), and their demand is expected to continue to grow.

[0003] One type of energy storage device is an energy storage device with a stacked electrode body, which is formed by stacking positive and negative electrodes multiple times with a separator in between. As a representative example of an energy storage device with such a stacked electrode body, a type of secondary battery that uses a powdered solid electrolyte instead of a liquid electrolyte (electrolyte) can be cited; this is also known as an all-solid-state battery. Since all-solid-state batteries do not use liquid electrolytes (especially non-aqueous electrolytes), the complex processing required for handling organic solvents such as non-aqueous electrolytes is eliminated, and a stacked electrode body containing positive and negative electrodes and solid electrolyte layers can be easily constructed. Furthermore, since no electrolyte is used, the electrode structure is simplified, which also helps to increase the battery capacity per unit volume. Therefore, it is expected to serve as a high-output power source for driving vehicles requiring higher capacity. As a representative shape of an all-solid-state battery, a shape with a stacked electrode body can be cited, which is formed by stacking rectangular positive and negative electrodes multiple times with a solid electrolyte layer (separator) in between.

[0004] Among all-solid-state batteries equipped with such a stacked electrode body, the following all-solid-state battery is known, characterized in that, when two rectangular wide surfaces located at both ends of the positive and negative electrode stacking direction of the stacked electrode body are used as the upper and lower surfaces, a resin layer made of a resin-cured material is formed on at least one of the long and short side surfaces surrounding the upper and lower surfaces. By forming a resin layer made of a resin-cured material on the side surface of the stacked electrode body, the rigidity of this all-solid-state battery can be improved. In addition, since the edges (peripheral portions) of the positive and negative electrodes and the solid electrolyte layer are exposed on the side surface of the stacked electrode body, the resin layer on the side surface can act as a barrier layer to prevent moisture and foreign matter from entering the interior of the stacked electrode body from the edges. Examples of all-solid-state batteries with a hexahedral shape in which a resin layer is formed on the side surface of the stacked electrode body are described in Japanese Patent Application Publications 2004-193006, 2017-220447, 2019-197652, and 2019-200863. Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, as a method for forming the aforementioned resin layer on the side of the stacked electrode body, one method is to use a mold (hereinafter referred to as a "resin-filled mold") capable of housing the stacked electrode body internally, and to supply (fill) a flowable resin material for forming the resin layer between the side of the stacked electrode body housed in the mold and the inner wall of the mold. By using such a mold, a predetermined amount of resin material is supplied to the side of the stacked electrode body disposed in the mold, and the supplied resin material is cured in the mold (photocuring is a typical curing method). As a result, it is possible to manufacture stacked electrode bodies (energy storage devices) with the target resin layer formed on the side surface in a relatively large quantity and with stable production.

[0006] However, when using a resin-filling mold to form a resin layer on the side of a laminated electrode body, it is sometimes difficult to accurately distinguish between the portion where a resin layer is formed and the portion where no resin layer is formed on that side. For example, in a laminated electrode body with a rectangular hexahedral shape on its long side (i.e., both ends in the positive and negative electrode stacking direction), where a resin layer is formed on the long side and either the positive or negative electrode is connected to a connector-like current collector terminal on the short side, it is preferable not to form a resin layer on the current collector terminal portion located on that short side.

[0007] To ensure this, it is important to control the flow of the resin material supplied into the mold. Specifically, if uncured resin material is supplied into the mold, it can be difficult to ensure that the flow is stopped precisely at a predetermined location as the resin material flows along the long side of the laminated electrode body. If the flow of the resin material within the mold is not accurately controlled, it is not easy to prevent the resin material from flowing beyond the portion forming the resin layer.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing an energy storage device, which, when forming a resin layer on the side of a stacked electrode body using a resin filling mold, can accurately distinguish between the portion where the resin layer is formed and the portion where the resin layer is not formed on the side of the stacked electrode body, and stably form the resin layer at an accurate position on the side of the stacked electrode body.

[0009] The first embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device, which includes a stacked electrode body and a resin layer. The stacked electrode body is formed by repeatedly stacking rectangular positive and negative electrodes separated by a separator. The resin layer is composed of a cured product of a photocurable resin, and is formed on at least two long-side sides of the stacked electrode body when two rectangular wide surfaces at both ends of the stacking direction are used as the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The disclosed apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device includes a resin filling mold and a light irradiator. The resin filling mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold facing the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, and a first side mold and a second side mold facing the two long-side sides, respectively. The resin filling mold forms an internal space for accommodating the electrode body and supplies photocurable resin for forming the resin layer to at least the long-side sides of the housed electrode body. The light irradiator irradiates light to cause the photocurable resin supplied to the internal space of the resin filling mold to photocur. Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus disclosed herein, when the tip portion of the light-curable resin supplied to the aforementioned internal space flows along the side of the aforementioned electrode body to a predetermined position on the side, light is irradiated from the aforementioned light irradiator onto the flowing tip portion, causing the flowing tip portion to cure, thereby stopping the flow of the flowing tip portion along the side.

[0010] In this manufacturing apparatus, a photocurable resin is supplied to the resin-filled mold before photocuring. As the resin flows along the side of the stacked electrode body disposed within the mold, it is irradiated with light from a light irradiator at a predetermined position on the side, causing the top portion of the flowing resin to photocur. This allows the flow along the side of the top portion to be stably stopped at a predetermined position. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus according to this invention can accurately distinguish between the portion where a resin layer is formed and the portion where no resin layer is formed on the side of the stacked electrode body, enabling the manufacture of an energy storage device in which a resin layer is stably formed at a precise position on the side of the stacked electrode body.

[0011] In the first method described above, the light irradiator can irradiate light near both ends of the two long sides of the electrode body housed in the resin-filled mold. According to this method, the flow tips of the photocurable resin can be accurately cured at a total of four predetermined locations near both ends of the two long sides. As a result, a resin layer can be formed efficiently and accurately at predetermined locations on the two sides of the stacked electrode body.

[0012] Alternatively, in the first method described above, at least the area near the predetermined position in the first and second side molds may be made of a light-transmitting material capable of photocuring the photocurable resin. With this approach, light can be irradiated into the mold from a light irradiator located outside the mold. This simplifies the construction of the light irradiator and the resin-filled mold, enabling the stable formation of a resin layer with a simple structure.

[0013] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus may also include a light-shielding body. This light-shielding body, located near the predetermined position in the first and second side molds, suppresses the scattering of light emitted from the light irradiator in a direction deviating from the predetermined position. This solution suppresses light irradiation towards a position deviating from the predetermined position, preventing unintentional premature curing of the photocurable resin outside the predetermined position on the side of the stacked electrode body (excluding the flow tip portion).

[0014] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the resin filling mold may include a short-side opposing portion that faces the short-side side of the electrode body. According to this embodiment, a resin layer can be formed on the short-side side of the electrode body.

[0015] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the electrode body may include a positive current collector terminal and a negative current collector terminal connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the stacked electrode body, respectively. The positive and negative current collector terminals are configured to protrude outward from at least one of the two sides of the short side of the electrode body. Here, the light irradiator can irradiate light onto the tip portion of the photocurable resin flowing along at least one of the two sides of the short side. According to this arrangement, the flow of the photocurable resin can be stopped at the short side of the electrode body. The photocurable resin fills the space between the side mold and the electrode body from this stopped portion. After filling with the photocurable resin, if light is irradiated through the translucent side mold (described later) to cure the photocurable resin, a solid resin layer is formed on the side of the electrode body.

[0016] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the positive and negative current collector terminals can be configured to protrude outward from the two sides of the short side of the electrode body, respectively. Additionally, the light irradiator can irradiate the top portions of the photocurable resin that flow along the two sides of the short side. According to this configuration, when the current collector terminals protrude from both sides of the short side of the electrode body, a resin layer can be formed.

[0017] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the portion near the location where the light is irradiated in the short-side opposing portion can be made of a material that allows light to pass through, enabling the photocurable resin to undergo photocuring. According to this design, light can be irradiated into the mold from a light irradiator located outside the mold. This simplifies the construction of the light irradiator and the resin-filled mold, allowing for the stable formation of a resin layer with a simple structure.

[0018] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the resin filling mold has a resin material discharge section that discharges the photocurable resin supplied to the internal space of the resin filling mold to the outside. According to this solution, excess supplied photocurable resin can be discharged to the outside of the mold. Additionally, since sensors for stopping the flow of photocurable resin are not required, a simple energy storage device manufacturing apparatus can be provided.

[0019] Furthermore, in the first method described above, the resin filling mold can adjust the gap between the upper and lower molds according to the thickness of the laminated electrode bodies in the lamination direction. According to this approach, even when the thickness of the laminated electrode bodies in the lamination direction (in other words, the thickness of the laminated positive and negative electrodes or the separator itself, or the number of positive and negative electrodes) is different, a single resin filling mold can be used to address the issue by appropriately adjusting the gap between the upper and lower molds.

[0020] Furthermore, the second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an energy storage device. That is, the manufacturing method disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing an energy storage device having a stacked electrode body and a resin layer. The stacked electrode body is formed by stacking rectangular positive and negative electrodes multiple times with a separator in between. The resin layer is composed of a cured product of a photocurable resin, and is formed on at least two long side surfaces of the side surfaces of the stacked electrode body when the two rectangular wide surfaces at both ends of the stacking direction of the stacked electrode body are used as the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: preparing the aforementioned stacked electrode body; housing the electrode body in an internal space formed by a resin-filling mold, the resin-filling mold comprising: an upper mold and a lower mold respectively facing the upper and lower surfaces, and a first side mold and a second side mold respectively facing the two side surfaces of the long side; supplying photocurable resin to the internal space of the resin-filling mold, the photocurable resin being used to form the resin layer on at least two side surfaces of the housed electrode body on the long side; and when the tip portion of the supplied photocurable resin flowing along the side surface of the electrode body reaches a predetermined position on the side surface, irradiating the flowing tip portion with light to cure the flowing tip portion, thereby stopping the flow of the flowing tip portion along the side surface. Furthermore, the manufacturing method disclosed herein can be suitably implemented using any of the energy storage device manufacturing apparatuses disclosed herein. According to this manufacturing method, it is possible to accurately distinguish between the portion where a resin layer is formed and the portion where no resin layer is formed on the side surface of the stacked electrode body, and it is possible to manufacture an energy storage device in which a resin layer is stably formed at an accurate position on the side surface of the stacked electrode body.

[0021] In the second method described above, when the light is irradiated, it can be directed near both ends of the long sides of the two sides of the electrode body housed in the resin-filled mold. By irradiating the light in this way, the flow tips of the photocurable resin can be accurately cured at a total of four predetermined locations near both ends of the long sides. As a result, a resin layer can be formed efficiently and accurately at predetermined locations on the two sides of the stacked electrode body.

[0022] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, at least the portion near the predetermined position in the first and second side molds can be made of a light-transmitting material capable of photocuring the aforementioned photocurable resin. With this resin-filled mold, light can be irradiated into the mold from a light irradiator located outside the mold. This simplifies the construction of the light irradiator and the resin-filled mold, enabling the stable formation of a resin layer with a simple structure.

[0023] Furthermore, in the second method described above, at least when the light is irradiated, a light-shielding body can be attached to a portion near the predetermined position in the first and second side molds. This light-shielding body is used to suppress the scattering of the irradiated light in a direction deviating from the predetermined position. According to the manufacturing method of this scheme, it is possible to suppress light irradiation at a position deviating from the predetermined position, preventing the photocurable resin from unintentionally curing prematurely outside the predetermined position on the side of the stacked electrode body (excluding the flow tip portion).

[0024] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the resin-filled mold may have a short-side opposing portion that faces the short-side side of the electrode body. According to the manufacturing method of this embodiment, a resin layer can be formed on the short-side side of the electrode body.

[0025] In the second embodiment described above, the electrode body may have a positive current collector terminal and a negative current collector terminal respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the stacked electrode body. The positive and negative current collector terminals may be configured to protrude outward from at least one of the two sides of the short side of the electrode body. Here, light can be irradiated onto the tip portion of the photocurable resin flowing along at least one of the two sides of the short side. According to the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the flow of the photocurable resin can be stopped at the short side of the electrode body. The photocurable resin is then filled from this stopped portion into the space between the side mold and the electrode body. After filling with the photocurable resin, if light is irradiated through the translucent side mold (described later) to cure the photocurable resin, a solid resin layer is formed on the side of the electrode body.

[0026] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the positive and negative current collector terminals can be configured to protrude outwards from the two sides of the short side of the electrode body, respectively. Additionally, light can be irradiated onto the tip portions of the photocurable resin that flow along the two sides of the short side. According to this manufacturing method, a resin layer can be formed even when the current collector terminals protrude from both sides of the short side of the electrode body.

[0027] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the portion near the location where the light is irradiated in the short-side opposing portion can be made of a material that allows light to pass through, enabling the photocurable resin to undergo photocuring. According to this manufacturing method, light can be irradiated into the mold from a light irradiator located outside the mold. This simplifies the construction of the light irradiator and the resin-filled mold, allowing for the stable formation of a resin layer with a simple structure.

[0028] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the resin-filling mold may have a resin material discharge section for discharging the photocurable resin supplied to the internal space of the resin-filling mold to the outside. According to this manufacturing method, excess supplied photocurable resin can be discharged to the outside of the mold. Additionally, since sensors for stopping the flow of photocurable resin are not required, a simple energy storage device manufacturing apparatus can be provided.

[0029] Furthermore, in the second method described above, the resin filling mold can adjust the gap between the upper and lower molds according to the thickness of the laminated electrode body in the lamination direction. By using a resin filling mold with this solution, the gap between the upper and lower molds can be appropriately adjusted even when the thickness of the laminated electrode body in the lamination direction (in other words, the thickness of the laminated positive and negative electrodes or the separator itself, or the number of positive and negative electrodes) is different. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an all-solid-state battery with stacked electrode bodies according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus disclosed herein.

[0033] Figure 3A This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of the resin-filled mold according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3B This is a perspective view illustrating the resin-filled mold structure of the first embodiment, with the stacked electrode bodies housed.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a plan view schematically illustrating the resin-filled mold structure of the first embodiment with the stacked electrode bodies housed.

[0036] Figure 5A This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the main components of the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 5B It is a schematic representation Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus shown.

[0038] Figure 5C It is an illustrative explanation Figure 5AThe diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the upper mold and upper plate in the battery storage device manufacturing apparatus.

[0039] Figure 6A This is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the side mold and the light irradiator in the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment, as well as the flow of the resin material.

[0040] Figure 6B This is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the side mold and the light irradiator in the energy storage device manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment, as well as the flow and curing of the resin material.

[0041] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a light illuminator included in a battery storage device manufacturing apparatus.

[0042] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a light illuminator included in a battery storage device manufacturing apparatus.

[0043] Figure 9A This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the resin-filled mold structure of the second embodiment.

[0044] Figure 9B This is a perspective view illustrating the resin-filled mold structure of the second embodiment, with the stacked electrode bodies housed.

[0045] Figure 10 yes Figure 9B The view from direction A within the frame.

[0046] Figure 11 This is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an all-solid-state battery with stacked electrode bodies according to the second embodiment.

[0047] Figure 12 This is a side view schematically illustrating a portion of a modified resin-filled mold structure according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0048] In this specification, the term "energy storage device" refers to a rechargeable device, such as a secondary battery or capacitor. Typical examples include lithium-ion secondary batteries, sodium-ion secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion capacitors, and double-layer capacitors. In this specification, "lithium-ion secondary battery" includes so-called non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries with an organic solvent-based electrolyte, all-solid-state lithium-ion secondary batteries with a solid electrolyte, and lithium-ion polymer secondary batteries with a quasi-solid polymer electrolyte. In this specification, the "active material" of the positive and negative electrodes refers to the electrode materials that can form the positive and negative electrodes in the energy storage device. For example, in a secondary battery, the active material is a substance capable of reversibly absorbing and releasing chemical species (e.g., lithium ions in a lithium-ion secondary battery) that act as charge carriers. For example, in a capacitor, the active material refers to a substance capable of adsorbing and desorbing electrolyte ions (cations and anions). The type and shape of the active material are not characteristics of the manufacturing apparatus and method of the energy storage device disclosed herein, so detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0049] In addition, matters necessary for the implementation of this invention, other than those specifically mentioned in this specification, can be understood by those skilled in the art based on existing technology. This invention can be implemented based on the content disclosed in this specification and common technical knowledge in the field. In this specification, "A to B" refers to a numerical range greater than A and less than B, including values ​​greater than A and less than B. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the technology disclosed herein will be described in detail as an example of an energy storage device, specifically an all-solid-state lithium-ion secondary battery with a solid electrolyte (hereinafter also referred to as an "all-solid-state battery"). The dimensional relationships (length, width, thickness, etc.) in the figures do not reflect actual dimensional relationships. Furthermore, components and parts that perform the same function are given the same markings, and repeated descriptions are omitted or simplified. Additionally, in the figures, arrow X indicates the long side direction of the wide surface of the electrode body, arrow Y indicates the short side direction of the wide surface of the electrode body, and arrow Z indicates the stacking direction of the electrode body.

[0050] Implementation Method 1

[0051] Figure 1 This figure shows the all-solid-state battery 100 of this embodiment. The outer casing is omitted; only the stacked electrode body 80 housed inside is shown. Furthermore, the outer casing is not particularly limited; for example, it can be an outer casing made of laminated film or a battery casing in a cuboid shape (including approximately cuboid shapes).

[0052] The stacked electrode body 80 comprises a rectangular positive electrode, a rectangular negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte layer that functions as a separator separating the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes are stacked multiple times with the separator in between. The stacked electrode body 80 is a hexahedron shape with a rectangular wide surface (i.e., the two ends of the stacking direction Z of the positive and negative electrodes). When the rectangular wide surface of the stacked electrode body 80 is used as the upper surface 81 and the lower surface 82, it has four side surfaces. Two of these four side surfaces are the long side surfaces 83 and 84 of the stacked electrode body 80, and the other two side surfaces are the short side surfaces 85 and 86 of the stacked electrode body 80. Hereinafter, the two side surfaces 83 and 84 of the long side surfaces of the stacked electrode body 80 will also be referred to as the first side surface 83 and the second side surface 84. Furthermore, in the following description, the "stacked electrode body" will sometimes be simply referred to as the "electrode body".

[0053] The electrode body 80 includes a resin layer 90 made of a photocurable resin. The resin layer 90 is formed on at least a first side surface 83 and a second side surface 84 of the electrode body 80. The resin layer 90 is formed in the regions of the first side surface 83 and the second side surface 84 excluding the two ends in the long side direction X of the wide surface of the electrode body 80. In this embodiment, the short side surface 85 of the electrode body 80 has positive and negative electrode collector terminals 88a and 88b, and the resin layer 90 is not formed thereon. However, even without the positive and negative electrode collector terminals 88a and 88b, a resin layer may be formed on the short side surface 85.

[0054] The edges (peripherals) of the positive and negative electrodes and the solid electrolyte layer are exposed on the side of the electrode body 80. Therefore, the resin layer 90 provided in the electrode body 80 can protect these edges. In the all-solid-state battery 100 provided with the electrode body 80, the expansion of the active material during charging and discharging (especially the first charge of the battery assembly) can suppress the occurrence of shifts, gaps, or cracks in the solid electrolyte layer and / or adjacent positive and negative electrode active material layers that may affect battery performance, and the degradation of battery performance caused by such gaps and cracks can be suppressed.

[0055] The electrode body 80 has a positive collector terminal 88a and a negative collector terminal 88b. The positive and negative collector terminals are in the form of connectors, protruding outward from the side 85 on the shorter side of the electrode body 80. Alternatively, one electrode may be provided on each of the two sides 85 and 86.

[0056] Typically, the positive electrode has a rectangular sheet-shaped positive current collector and a layer of positive active material formed on the surface (one side or both sides; in this case, both sides) of the current collector. Typically, the negative electrode has a rectangular sheet-shaped negative current collector and a layer of negative active material formed on the surface (one side or both sides; in this case, both sides) of the current collector.

[0057] The materials constituting the positive electrode, negative electrode, and solid electrolyte layer can be the same as those used in conventional all-solid-state lithium-ion secondary batteries, without particular limitation. As the positive electrode current collector, a conductive component made of a highly conductive metal can be used. Foil materials made of metals such as aluminum (Al) (e.g., aluminum foil) can be used. The positive electrode active material layer contains a positive electrode active material (e.g., LiNi). 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 The negative electrode current collector comprises a negative electrode active material (e.g., graphite (C)) and a solid electrolyte, and may include various additives such as binders and conductive agents as needed. A conductive component made of a highly conductive metal can be used as the negative electrode current collector. For example, a foil made of a metal such as copper (Cu) can be used. The negative electrode active material layer comprises a negative electrode active material (e.g., graphite (C)) and a solid electrolyte, and may include various additives such as binders, conductive agents, and thickeners as needed. Various oxide-based solid electrolytes (e.g., Li3PO4) or sulfide-based solid electrolytes (e.g., Li2S-P2S5) can be used as the solid electrolyte. Carbon materials such as acetylene black (AB) are preferred as the conductive material. Fluorine-based binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and rubber-based binders such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) are preferred as the binder.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the manufacturing apparatus 1 disclosed herein generally includes a resin filling mold 10, a resin material feeder 4, a light irradiator 2, and a control unit 8. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device by supplying a photocurable resin material to the long side of an electrode body, causing the resin material to cure and form a resin layer. The control unit 8 controls a series of operations of the manufacturing apparatus 1 (e.g., switching the resin material feeder on and off, determining the amount and speed of resin material supply, switching the light irradiator on and off, determining the intensity of the irradiated light, and the duration of light irradiation). The control unit 8 includes a CPU for executing a processing program, a ROM for storing the processing program, a RAM for temporary data storage, an input / output port, and a communication port. The basic structure of the control unit 8 may be the same as conventional control units and is not a feature of this invention; therefore, detailed description is omitted. Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus 1, the control unit 8 is not an essential component; as described later, a series of operations can also be performed manually by an operator.

[0059] The resin-filled mold 10 has an internal space that houses an electrode body, to which a photocurable resin material for forming a resin layer is supplied. For example... Figure 3A , 3BAs shown, the resin filling mold 10 generally includes an upper mold 20, a lower mold 30, and side molds 40 (first side mold 42 and second side mold 46), thereby forming an internal space for housing the electrode body 80. In the following description of this embodiment, the side molds are sometimes simply referred to as "side molds" without particularly distinguishing between the first and second side molds. When the electrode body 80 is housed in the internal space of the resin filling mold 10, the upper mold 20 and the lower mold 30 face the upper surface 81 and lower surface 82 of the electrode body 80, respectively. The first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46 face the first side 83 and the second side 84 of the electrode body 80, respectively. The illustrated first side mold 42 and second side mold 46 are composed of long-side opposing portions that face the long-side sides (i.e., the first side 83 and the second side 84) of the electrode body 80.

[0060] The resin filling mold 10 comprises an upper mold 20, a lower mold 30, a first side mold 42, and a second side mold 46, each as a separate part. This structure allows the spacing between the upper mold 20 and the lower mold 30 to be adjusted according to the thickness of the electrode body 80 in the stacking direction Z. Furthermore, when the electrode body 80 is housed within the internal space of the resin filling mold 10, both ends of the long side in the X direction of the wide surface of the electrode body 80 can be opened. This allows air to escape from the internal space of the resin filling mold 10 during resin filling, thereby improving the flowability of the resin material.

[0061] The materials used to construct the resin-filled mold 10 are not particularly limited for the upper mold 20 and lower mold 30, as long as they do not impede their function. For example, they can be made of wood, metal, resin, glass, ceramic, etc. On the other hand, the side mold 40 includes light-transmitting portions formed to allow the photocurable resin to be photocured. The material constituting these portions is a light-transmitting material used to cure the photocurable resin material. From the viewpoint of photocuring the resin material, the side mold 40 as a whole can be made of a light-transmitting material. Examples of such light-transmitting (e.g., ultraviolet) materials include acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polyolefin, glass, etc. Alternatively, for example, if the light is ultraviolet, the side mold 40 can be made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light only near the two ends of the long side direction X of the wide surface of the electrode body 80, while the other parts can be made of a material that does not transmit ultraviolet light but transmits visible light.

[0062] like Figure 3A As shown, resin injection holes 45 are provided on the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46. The resin injection holes 45 are used to inject UV-curable resin material from the resin material feeder 4 into the internal space of the resin filling mold 10. The resin injection holes 45 are described later. Figure 5AThe resin material feeder 4 shown is connected. Thus, resin material can be supplied to at least the long side surfaces 83, 84 of the electrode body 80 housed in the internal space, and a resin layer can be formed on these surfaces. The number, shape, and size of the resin injection holes 45 are not particularly limited as long as a stable supply of photocurable resin material from the resin material feeder 4 can be achieved.

[0063] The electrode body 80 is clamped between the lower mold 30 and the upper mold 20 in the vertical direction, and between the two side molds 40 in the horizontal direction. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the two ends of the gap 15 are open, and the resin material at the ends (not shown) is sealed only after it has cured, so the resin material flows smoothly.

[0064] Furthermore, gaps 15 are formed between the two side surfaces of the long side of the electrode body 80 and the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46, respectively. The width Ld of the gaps 15 in the short side direction Y of the wide surface of the electrode body can be appropriately set according to the arrangement position of the side mold 40.

[0065] When fabricating electrode body 80 by stacking positive and negative electrodes, the short side length of electrode body 80 may fluctuate due to dimensional variations of the positive and negative electrodes and / or the stacking of the positive and negative electrodes (please refer to...). Figure 4 (Electrode shown by reference numeral 87). Therefore, the width Ld of the gap 15 fluctuates due to the individual electrode bodies 80 housed within the internal space of the resin-filled mold 10. On the other hand, when forming the resin layer using the manufacturing apparatus 1, the short side lengths Le of the upper mold 20 and the lower mold 30 are constant, thus suppressing fluctuations in the short side lengths of the electrode bodies 80 containing the resin layer. The width Ld of the gap 15 is set to a width such that even if fluctuations exist in the short side lengths of the individual electrode bodies 80, the effect of resin layer formation can be sufficiently obtained in any electrode body 80.

[0066] like Figure 5A As shown, in the vertical direction, the electrode body 80 is clamped between the lower mold 30 and the upper mold 20, which are mounted on a base (not shown), and pressed by the constraint clamps 11 and 12. The constraint clamp 11 applies pressure to the peripheral portion of the electrode body 80, which includes a wide surface. The constraint clamp 12 applies pressure to the central portion, which includes the wide surface. These two constraint clamps can apply different pressures to the wide surface of the electrode body 80. The pressure applied by the constraint clamp 11 can be relatively strong. This prevents the supplied resin material from seeping between the positive and negative electrodes during resin layer formation. On the other hand, the pressure applied by the constraint clamp 12 can be relatively weak. The gap between the upper mold 20 and the lower mold 30 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the electrode body 80 in the stacking direction. The constraint clamp 11 is not particularly limited and can be a bolt, etc. The constraint clamp 12 is not particularly limited and can be a clamp that allows for easy adjustment of the pressing pressure, such as a clamp.

[0067] The upper mold 20 and lower mold 30 apply different pressures to the wide surface of the electrode body 80 via constraint clamps 11 and 12. As shown, the upper mold 20 includes an upper frame 22 and an upper plate 26. The upper frame 22 is a frame-shaped member with a recessed space 23. The upper plate 26 is disposed in the recessed space 23. On the other hand, the lower mold 30 includes a lower frame 32 and a lower plate 36. The lower frame 32 is a frame-shaped member with a recessed space 33. The lower plate 36 is disposed in the recessed space 33. In addition, a protrusion 35 is formed in the lower frame 32, and the protrusion 35 is embedded in a recess 37 formed on the lower plate 36. In the electrode body 80, pressure is applied to the portion 89a held by the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 32 by the constraint clamp 11, and pressure is applied to the portion 89b held by the upper plate 26 and the lower plate 36 by the constraint clamp 12. Furthermore, the width L1 (horizontal length) of the frame portion of the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 32 (refer to...) Figure 5B The diameter can range from 5mm to 20mm. Additionally, Figure 5B The length L2 shown can be set to 0.05mm to 5mm (preferably 0.1mm to 1.0mm).

[0068] In addition, such as Figure 5B , 5C As shown, for the upper mold 20, the thickness of the upper plate 26 is less than the height of the recessed space 23 of the upper frame 22. Therefore, when the upper plate 26 is arranged in the recessed space 23, the upper frame 22 extends vertically by a length L3 compared to the upper plate 26. Similarly, for the lower mold 30, the thickness of the lower plate 36 is less than the height of the recessed space 33 of the lower frame 32. Therefore, when the lower plate 36 is arranged in the recessed space 33, the lower frame 32 extends vertically by a length L3 compared to the lower plate 36. Therefore, if the electrode body 80 is arranged between the lower mold 30 and the upper mold 20, a gap 33a is formed between the lower frame 32 and the lower plate 36, and a gap 23a is formed between the upper frame 22 and the upper plate 26 (see reference). Figure 5B Furthermore, L3 can be approximately 0.05mm to 0.5mm (e.g., approximately 0.1mm to 0.2mm).

[0069] like Figure 5A , 5BAs shown, the resin-filled mold 10 includes a mounting member 16 for mounting the side mold 40 to the upper mold 20 and the lower mold 30. The mounting member 16 includes an upper mounting member 16a and a lower mounting member 16b. The upper mounting member 16a is used to mount the side mold 40 to the upper mold 20, and the lower mounting member 16b is used to mount the side mold 40 to the lower mold 30. The upper mounting member 16a includes a mounting bolt 17. The lower mounting member 16b includes a mounting protrusion 18. The mounting bolt 17 is inserted into a mounting hole 47 in the side mold 40, and the mounting protrusion 18 is inserted into a mounting hole 38 in the lower mold 30 (lower frame 32), thereby positioning the side mold 40 in a predetermined position.

[0070] A resin material feeder 4 is connected to the resin injection hole 45 on the side mold 40. Here, as... Figure 5B As shown, the resin material supply device 4 can supply photocurable resin material into the internal space of the resin filling mold 10. The structure of the resin material supply device 4 is not particularly limited as long as it functions, but it at least includes a source for maintaining the resin material supply, and a pump and piping 5 for supplying the resin material from the source to the resin filling mold 10. The resin material supply device 4 can supply photocurable resin material from the resin material supply source to the internal space of the resin filling mold 10 via the piping 5. The piping 5 is a structure that prevents light from shining on the resin material passing through it; for example, a light shield is arranged around the piping 5. The resin material supply source can be, for example, a container that holds the resin material inside. At the outlet of the piping 5, an injection section 6 can be provided, for example, a nozzle (such as a commercially available dispenser nozzle). The photocurable resin material supplied from the resin material feeder 4 is not particularly limited to any material that has a suitable viscosity (e.g., 500 mPa·s to 50,000 mPa·s, preferably 1,000 mPa·s to 20,000 mPa·s) for achieving flow when supplied from the resin material feeder 4 to the resin filling mold 10, and can be cured with light of a specified wavelength. Examples of such resin materials include photocurable acrylic resins. Furthermore, colorants may be added to the resin material as needed.

[0071] The light irradiator 2 is a light source that illuminates the resin material supplied to the interior space of the resin-filled mold 10 to cause photocuring. For example... Figure 6A , 6BAs shown, the light irradiator 2 is positioned such that when the tip portion 94 of the resin material 92 supplied to the internal space (gap 15) of the resin filling mold 10, flowing along the side of the electrode body 80 in the direction of the arrow, reaches a predetermined position on that side (indicated by a dashed line in the figure), light is irradiated onto the flowing tip portion 94, thereby curing the resin material 92. By irradiating the resin material 92 with light, the flow of the flowing tip portion 94 along the side of the electrode body 80 stops. The light irradiator 2 can be positioned near both ends of the long side direction X of the two sides of the electrode body 80 housed in the resin filling mold 10, allowing light to be irradiated onto those portions separately. The light irradiator 2 is not particularly limited; for example, it can be various light irradiators capable of irradiating light that can cure photocurable resin materials, such as 365nm LEDs, 385nm LEDs, 405nm LEDs, high-pressure mercury lamps, mercury-xenon lamps, etc. The light irradiated by the light irradiator 2 can be appropriately set according to the type of photocurable resin material used, for example, it can be ultraviolet light or short-wavelength visible light.

[0072] As shown in the figure, the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a light-shielding body 50. The light-shielding body 50 is disposed near the predetermined position in the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46. This suppresses the scattering of light emitted from the light irradiator 2 in a direction deviating from the predetermined position. No light-shielding body 50 is disposed near the ends of the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46 along the long side direction X of the wide surface of the electrode body 80. This allows light to be irradiated onto the flow tip portion 94 of the resin material 92 at the predetermined position. The light-shielding body 50 can be a conventionally known light-shielding body that does not transmit light emitted from the light irradiator 2, such as a light-shielding strip or plate containing black resin material, or a light-shielding metal foil (aluminum foil, etc.).

[0073] The method for manufacturing an energy storage device using the manufacturing apparatus disclosed herein generally includes preparing a stacked electrode body and forming a resin layer on the stacked electrode body. First, a stack of positive and negative electrodes and a solid electrolyte layer is fabricated. In fabricating such a stacked body, conventionally known methods can be used as the aforementioned materials and the manufacturing method of this stacked electrode body; this is not a feature of the present invention, and therefore detailed description is omitted. Furthermore, the number of electrode layers in the aforementioned stacked body is not particularly limited.

[0074] Next, the electrode body 80 is housed in the resin-filled mold 10. For example... Figure 5A As shown, electrode bodies 80 are formed by stacking 1, 2, 3 or more positive and negative electrode laminates (including solid electrolyte layers) on the lower plate 36, and the upper plate 26 is then overlapped in the vertical direction. Next, a restraining clamp 12 (e.g., a clamp) is used to press the lower plate 36, electrode bodies 80, and upper plate 26 in the vertical direction. While not particularly limited, auxiliary components can be used to improve workability during such stacking and pressing.

[0075] Next, the lower plate 36 and the upper plate 26 are respectively installed on the lower frame 32 and the upper frame 22. Specifically, the lower plate 36 is placed in the recessed space 33 of the lower frame 32, and the upper plate 26 is placed in the recessed space 23 of the upper frame 22, and a constraint clamp 11 (such as a bolt) is used to press it down in the vertical direction. The pressing force varies depending on the thickness of the electrode body 80 in the stacking direction, so it is not particularly limited, but the pressing force is the size that minimizes the gap between the positive and negative electrodes without damaging the electrode body 80.

[0076] Next, the side mold 40 is installed. A first side mold 42 and a second side mold 46 are respectively positioned on the first side 83 and the second side 84 of the electrode body 80. Next, the mounting protrusion 18 is inserted into the mounting hole 38, the lower mounting member 16b is installed, the mounting bolt 17 is inserted into the mounting hole 47, the upper mounting member 16a is installed, and the side mold 40 is fixed horizontally. Here, as... Figure 5B As shown, resin sheets 60 can be disposed between the electrode body 80 and the side mold 40, between the upper mold 20 (upper frame 22) and the side mold 40, and between the lower mold 30 (lower frame 32) and the side mold 40. As a disposal method, the resin sheet 60 can be attached to the side mold 40 using an adhesive or bonding agent to make them integrated. The placement of the resin sheet 60 makes it easier to remove the side mold 40. The resin sheet 60 can transmit light that cures the photocurable resin material and has low adhesion to the cured photocurable resin material (excellent demolding properties). For example, it can be made of silicone, fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Furthermore, when the resin sheet 60 is a soft material such as silicone resin, the sealing performance between the side mold 40 and the upper frame 22 and lower frame 32 can be improved, suppressing leakage of the resin material 92.

[0077] To improve release properties, a release oil such as silicone oil can be applied to the surface of the resin sheet 60 (or the surface of the side mold 40 if the resin sheet 60 is not present). If the resin sheet 60 is used, the release oil may not necessarily be used. If the resin sheet 60 is not present, the release oil can be applied to the surface of the side mold 40.

[0078] The formation of the resin layer 90 generally involves supplying resin material 92 to the resin filling mold 10 and irradiating the resin material 92 with light. Before the formation of the resin layer 90, the light irradiator 2 and the light shield 50 are positioned at predetermined locations. When supplying resin material 92 to the resin filling mold 10, the injection portion 6 of the resin material supplier 4 is inserted into the resin injection hole 45 formed in the side mold 40. The positions of the light irradiator 2 and the light shield 50 are as described above. Next, the entire manufacturing apparatus 1 is switched on, making it possible to control the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 1 by the control unit 8. When the control unit 8 switches on the resin material supplier 4, the photocurable resin material is supplied from the resin material supply source through the pipe 5 and from the injection portion 6 into the internal space (gap 15) of the resin filling mold 10. The supply amount and supply speed of the resin material 92 are not particularly limited and can be appropriately designed according to the size of the electrode body forming the resin layer.

[0079] The resin material 92 supplied to the internal space (gap 15) of the resin filling mold 10 through the resin injection hole 45 flows along the side of the long side of the electrode body 80 towards both ends of that side (see reference). Figure 6A When the control unit 8 supplies a predetermined amount of resin material 92, it disconnects the switch of the resin material supplier 4, stopping the supply of resin material 92. Simultaneously, the control unit 8 switches on the light irradiator 2, irradiating the flow tip portion 94 with light, causing the flow tip portion 94 to solidify (see reference). Figure 6B Therefore, the flow of the flow tip portion 94 along the side of the electrode body 80 can be stopped. Then, the light irradiator is switched from the light irradiator 2 used to cure the flow tip portion 94 to another light irradiator different from that light irradiator 2, and light continues to irradiate the resin material 92, thereby forming a resin layer. As such another light irradiator, a light irradiator capable of irradiating a wide range of light can be used. In addition, if the light irradiator 2 is an ultraviolet irradiator such as a 365nm LED, and the side mold 40 is made of a material that is not transparent to ultraviolet light but transparent to visible light, except near both ends, such another light irradiator can be a visible light irradiator such as a 405nm LED.

[0080] Alternatively, the control unit 8 may stop the supply of resin material 92 when it senses that the flow tip 94 of the resin material 92 has reached a predetermined position on the side of the long side of the electrode body 80. If a sensor is placed near the predetermined position, it is possible to sense that the flow tip 94 has reached the predetermined position. Here, a colored resin material can be used as the resin material 92, and a color sensor can be used as the sensor. This can improve work efficiency. However, if the supply of resin material 92 for forming the resin layer is insufficient even when the flow tip 94 has reached the predetermined position, the supply speed can be adjusted appropriately while continuing to supply resin material 92 to prevent leakage. When a sufficient amount is reached, the switch of the resin material supply unit 4 is turned off.

[0081] After the resin layer 90 is formed, the electrode body 80 is removed from the resin filling mold 10, placed in an outer casing (such as a laminated outer casing or a square battery casing) and sealed. Activation and aging treatments are carried out under predetermined conditions, thereby enabling the manufacture of a usable energy storage device (in this case, an all-solid-state lithium-ion secondary battery).

[0082] The above description, referring to the figures, outlines an embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device disclosed herein and a method for manufacturing the energy storage device using the same apparatus, as a first embodiment. However, this first embodiment may include, for example, the following variations. In the above embodiment, a light-shielding body is provided, but it is not limited to this as long as it can suppress light scattering in a direction deviating from the intended position. For example, in the case where a light irradiator 2 is used that can focus the light used to photocur the resin material 92 at a single point (see [reference]). Figure 7 ), or in the case where the light irradiator 2 is embedded inside the side mold 40 (see reference). Figure 8 It is not necessary to attach a light-shielding body.

[0083] In the above embodiments, when the supplied resin material is cured as a whole to form a resin layer, a different light irradiator than the light irradiator used to cure the flow tip portion of the resin material is used, but it is not limited to this. For example, after irradiating the flow tip portion of the resin material with light, the resin material can be cured as a whole to form a resin layer by removing the light shield and continuing to irradiate the resin material with light.

[0084] In the above embodiments, the supply of resin material and light irradiation are performed automatically by the control unit, but this is not a limitation. The supply of resin material and light irradiation can also be performed manually by the operator. For example, the operator can use a syringe holding the resin material as a resin material supplier and a light source capable of irradiating a specified light (e.g., ultraviolet light) as a light irradiator. (See also...) Figure 5B , 6A To explain step 6B, the operator inserts the tip of the syringe (which serves as the injection section 6) into the resin injection hole 45, presses the plunger, and injects resin material into the internal space of the resin filling mold 10. The resin material 92 then flows along the side of the long side of the electrode body 80 towards both ends in the same direction. Next, after visually confirming that the flow tip 94 of the supplied resin material 92 has reached a predetermined position, the operator stops supplying the resin material 92 and turns on the light source (e.g., an ultraviolet LED), irradiating the flow tip 94 with light (e.g., ultraviolet light) from the light source (e.g., an ultraviolet LED). Then, the light shield 50 is removed, and the entire supplied resin material 92 is irradiated with light (e.g., ultraviolet light). This forms a resin layer 90.

[0085] Implementation Method 2

[0086] In the second embodiment, such as Figure 9A , 9B As shown, the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46 of the resin filling mold 210 have long-side opposing portions 242 and 246 that face the long-side sides 83 and 84 of the electrode body 80. Additionally, at least one of the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46 has short-side opposing portions 241 and 243 that are adjacent to the sides 83 and 84 and face the short-side sides 85 and 86 of the electrode body 80. The short-side opposing portion 241 is configured to be adjacent to the long-side opposing portion 242 and the positive current collector terminal 88a, and the long-side opposing portion 246 and the negative current collector terminal 88b, respectively. The short-side opposing portion 243 is configured to face the side side 86 of the electrode body 80.

[0087] Resin injection holes 245 are provided in the long-side opposing portions 242 and 246. These resin injection holes 245 are located near the end of the short-side opposing portion 241 of the long-side opposing portions 242 and 246. The resin injection holes 245 are connected to the piping 205 and the resin material feeder 4 (see reference). Figure 2 (etc.) connection. Regarding the connection between the resin injection hole 245 and the resin material feeder 4, it is related to the resin injection hole 45 and the resin material feeder 4 in the first embodiment (see... Figure 5B The connections are the same as those for the resin material passing through it, so the description is omitted here. Pipe 205 is a structure that prevents light from shining on the resin material passing through it, for example, a light shield is arranged around pipe 205.

[0088] A resin discharge section 248 is provided in the short-side opposing portion 243. The resin discharge section 248 is provided to discharge resin material supplied to the internal space of the resin filling mold 210 to the outside. Figure 9A , 9BIn this design, the resin discharge section 248 is a through hole connected to the piping 220. Resin material is discharged from the inside of the resin filling mold 210 to the outside through the resin discharge section 248 and the piping 220. The piping 220 is designed to prevent light from shining on the resin material passing through it; for example, a light shield is arranged around the piping 220. By providing the resin discharge section 248, excess resin material can be discharged to the outside. Therefore, the cessation of resin material supply in the resin filling mold 210 is delayed, thereby suppressing the increase in internal pressure. Furthermore, the number of sensors and light irradiators used to stop resin material flow can be reduced. The number of sensors used to stop resin material flow can also be set to zero.

[0089] In this embodiment, the light irradiator (not shown) is configured to irradiate the tip portion of the resin material flowing along the side surface 85 of the electrode body 80 opposite to the short-side opposing portion 241 with light (e.g., ultraviolet light). Therefore, the area near the location of the irradiated light in the short-side opposing portion 241 is formed to be light-transmitting. For example, the short-side opposing portion 241 can be made of a light-transmitting (e.g., ultraviolet light) material. The same material described in the first embodiment above can be used as such a material.

[0090] like Figure 10 As shown, when the tip portion 294 of the resin material 292 flowing along the side 85 reaches a predetermined position on that side (indicated by a dashed line in the figure), irradiating the tip portion 294 with light can cure the resin material 292. The light irradiator reaches the positive current collector terminal 88a (see reference 88a) at the tip portion 294. Figure 9B Previously, the flow tip portion 294 was illuminated. For the negative collector terminal 88b (refer to...) Figure 9B The same applies to the other side. From the viewpoint of reliably stopping the flow of resin material 292 at the intended location, a line lens can also be provided at the location where the light irradiator is provided to focus the irradiated light (e.g., ultraviolet light) and irradiate the flow tip portion 294. The light irradiator itself is the same as the light irradiator 2 in the first embodiment, so its description is omitted here.

[0091] The method for manufacturing the energy storage device in this embodiment (see reference) Figure 2 , 9AIn (9B, 10, 11), firstly, electrode body 80 is prepared and clamped between upper mold 20 and lower mold 30 in the vertical direction, constrained in the same direction. The materials and steps used are the same as in the first embodiment, so the description is omitted here. Next, the side molds are installed. The arrangement of the long-side opposing portions 242, 246 is the same as that described in the first embodiment as the arrangement of the first side mold 42 and the second side mold 46, so the description is omitted here. The arrangement of the short-side opposing portions 241, 243 can be installed on the upper mold 20, lower mold 30, and side mold 42 (46) using mounting components such as bolts. However, mounting components are not necessarily required. For example, on a production line, the assembly of upper mold 20, lower mold 30 and stacked electrode body 80 is conveyed by a conveyor belt or the like to a position opposite to the side mold 42 (46) (initially arranged away from both ends of the conveyor belt) and then stopped. Next, the side mold 42 (46) is pressed onto the upper mold 20 and lower mold 30 by moving via arms, etc. Similarly, the short-side opposing portions 241 and 243 are pressed onto the side mold 30 by other arms (e.g., moving from the side of the conveyor belt in a circular arc manner). Figure 9B The location is shown. In this case, no component needs to be installed.

[0092] Next, a resin layer 290 is formed on the electrode body 80. Before forming the resin layer 290, the light irradiator 2 is positioned at a predetermined location. When supplying resin material 292 to the resin filling mold 210, the injection portion of the resin material supplier 4 is inserted into the resin injection hole 245 formed in the long side opposing portions 242, 246. The position of the light irradiator 2 is as described above. Next, the entire manufacturing apparatus 1 is switched on, so that the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 1 can be controlled by the control unit 8. When the control unit 8 switches on the resin material supplier 4, the photocurable resin material 292 is supplied from the resin material supply source through the piping 205 from the injection portion into the internal space of the resin filling mold 210. The supply amount and supply speed of the resin material 292 are not particularly limited and can be appropriately designed according to the size of the electrode body 80 on which the resin layer 290 is formed. Furthermore, if necessary, a light shield can be provided to suppress light scattering from the predetermined location.

[0093] The resin material 292 supplied to the internal space of the resin filling mold 210 through the resin injection hole 245 flows along the side surfaces 83 and 84 of the long side of the electrode body 80 toward the side surfaces 85 and 86 respectively. Figure 9B (In the X1 and X2 directions). The resin material 292 flowing along the X1 direction passes through the boundary between sides 83, 84 and side 85, and flows along side 85. The top portion 294 of the resin material 292 reaches a predetermined position ( Figure 10When the part indicated by the two-dot underline is filled, the light from the light irradiator 2 solidifies the flow tip portion 294. After filling the resin material 292, if light is irradiated through the translucent side of the electrode body 80 to solidify the resin material 292, a solid resin layer 290 is formed on the side of the electrode body 80. The light from the light irradiator 2 can be continuously irradiated so that the resin material 292 is solidified when the flow tip portion 294 of the resin material 292 reaches a predetermined position. In this case, the sensor for sensing the arrival of the flow tip portion 294 can be omitted. In addition, the switching of the light irradiator 2 can be omitted. Furthermore, a sensor can be appropriately provided as needed, or it can be set to switch the light irradiator 2 on and off.

[0094] On the other hand, as described above, when the flow of resin material 292 is stopped at side 85, resin material 292 flows only in the X2 direction at sides 83 and 84. Resin material 292 flows along side 86 through the boundary between sides 83 and 84 and side 86. Then, resin material 292 reaches resin discharge section 248 and is discharged to the outside of resin filling mold 210 through resin discharge section 248. As described above, after the discharge of resin material 292 from resin discharge section 248 begins, control unit 8 stops the supply of resin material 292. For example, control unit 8 can use a metering pump to set the supply amount of resin material 292 to be more than the amount required to form resin layer 290, and stop the supply of resin material 292 when that amount of resin material 292 has been supplied. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for stopping the supply of resin material 292. In addition, since there is resin discharge section 248, it is possible to suppress the rise of internal pressure in resin filling mold 210 and prevent resin material 292 from leaking out from the mold gap to the outside. Alternatively, the control unit 8 can stop supplying resin material 292 after a predetermined period has elapsed since the resin began flowing into the pipe 220. In this case, a sensor (e.g., a weight sensor) capable of sensing the passage of resin material 292 can be installed on the pipe 220. Afterward, the resin is cured by irradiating the entire area with light. Then, the side molds (short side opposing portion and long side opposing portion) are removed, along with the upper and lower molds.

[0095] When implementing the above manufacturing method, such as Figure 11As shown, a resin layer 290 is formed on the side surface of the electrode body 80. The resin layer 290 is formed on the side surfaces 83 and 84 on the long side and the side surfaces 85 and 86 on the short side of the electrode body 80. By forming the resin layer 290, the edges (peripheral portions) of the electrode body 80 can be protected. In addition, in the all-solid-state battery 200 equipped with the electrode body 80, it is possible to suppress the displacement, gaps, or cracks that may affect battery performance due to the expansion of active materials during charging and discharging (especially the initial charging of the battery assembly), which may occur in the solid electrolyte layer and / or adjacent positive and negative electrode active material layers. Furthermore, in Figure 11 The illustration of the outer casing has been omitted.

[0096] In the above embodiment, both the positive current collector terminal 88a and the negative current collector terminal 88b protrude outward from the side 85 on the short side of the electrode body 80, but this is not particularly limited. That is, the positive current collector terminal 88a can be configured to protrude outward from one side 85 on the short side of the electrode body 80, and the negative current collector terminal 88b can protrude outward from the other side 86. In this case, the short side opposing portion 241 opposite to side 85 and the short side opposing portion 243 opposite to side 86 have the same structure. That is, the short side opposing portion 241 and the short side opposing portion 243 are both adjacent to the long side opposing portion 242 and the current collector terminal (positive current collector terminal 88a or negative current collector terminal 88b), and the long side opposing portion 246 and the current collector terminal (positive current collector terminal 88a or negative current collector terminal 88b). The short-side opposing portion 241 is configured to be adjacent to the long-side opposing portion 242 and the positive collector terminal 88a, and the long-side opposing portion 246 and the positive collector terminal 88a, respectively. The short-side opposing portion 243 is configured to be adjacent to the long-side opposing portion 242 and the negative collector terminal 88b, and the long-side opposing portion 246 and the negative collector terminal 88b, respectively. In this case, as... Figure 12 As shown, the resin discharge section 248 is located at the center of the long-side opposing section 246. Additionally, resin injection holes 245 are located at both ends of the long-side opposing section 246. When resin material 292 is supplied to the resin filling mold 210 through the resin injection holes 245, it flows along the sides of the long and short sides of the electrode body 80 (not shown). The resin material 292 flowing on the long side is discharged to the outside of the resin filling mold 210 via the resin discharge section 248. The resin material 292 flowing on the short side of the electrode body 80 is photocured by light from the light irradiator 2 when its flow tip portion 294 reaches a predetermined position in the short-side opposing sections 241 and 243. Figure 12 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of light illuminating the light source 2. Furthermore, although the diagram is omitted, the same applies to the side opposite the long side 242.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device, comprising a stacked electrode body and a resin layer, wherein the stacked electrode body is formed by repeatedly stacking rectangular positive and negative electrodes separated by a separator, and the resin layer is composed of a cured product of a photocurable resin, and wherein the resin layer is formed on at least two long-side sides of the side surface of the stacked electrode body, with two rectangular wide surfaces at both ends of the stacking direction serving as the upper and lower surfaces. The manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device is characterized by comprising a resin filling mold and a light irradiator. The resin filling mold includes: an upper mold and a lower mold respectively facing the upper surface and the lower surface, and a first side mold and a second side mold respectively facing the two side surfaces of the long side. The resin filling mold forms an internal space for receiving the stacked electrode body, and supplies photocurable resin for forming the resin layer to at least the side surfaces of the stacked electrode body that are received. The light irradiator irradiates light to cause the photocurable resin supplied to the interior space of the resin-filled mold to undergo photocuring. The stacked electrode body has a positive current collector terminal and a negative current collector terminal respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the stacked electrode body. When the top portion of the photocurable resin supplied to the internal space flows along the side of the stacked electrode body toward the positive current collector terminal or the negative current collector terminal to a predetermined position on the side, the manufacturing apparatus of the energy storage device first irradiates the top portion with light from the light irradiator to cure only the top portion, thereby stopping the flow of the top portion along the side. Then, the supplied photocurable resin is irradiated with light to cure the entire resin and form a resin layer.

2. The manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light irradiator is capable of irradiating light near the two ends of the long side of the two sides of the long side of the stacked electrode body housed in the resin filling mold.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least the portion near the predetermined position of the first side mold and the second side mold is made of a light-transmitting material that enables the photocurable resin to undergo photocuring.

4. The manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a light-shielding element. The light-shielding body, located near the predetermined position in the first and second side molds, suppresses the scattering of light emitted from the light irradiator in a direction deviating from the predetermined position.

5. The manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resin filling mold includes a short-side opposing portion that faces the side of the short side of the stacked electrode body.

6. The manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The positive current collector terminal and the negative current collector terminal are configured to protrude outward from at least one of the two sides of the short side of the stacked electrode body. The light irradiator is capable of irradiating the top portion of the photocurable resin that flows along at least one of the two sides of the short side.

7. The manufacturing apparatus for the energy storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The positive current collector terminal and the negative current collector terminal are configured to protrude outward from the two sides of the short side of the stacked electrode body, respectively. The light irradiator is capable of irradiating the top portion of the photocurable resin that flows along the two sides of the short side.

8. The apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The portion near the location where the light is irradiated in the short-side opposing portion is made of a material that allows light to pass through, enabling the photocurable resin to undergo photocuring.

9. The apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The resin filling mold has a resin material discharge section that discharges the light-cured resin supplied to the internal space of the resin filling mold to the outside.

10. The apparatus for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The resin-filled mold can adjust the gap between the upper mold and the lower mold according to the thickness of the laminated electrode body in the lamination direction.

11. A method for manufacturing an energy storage device, the energy storage device having a stacked electrode body and a resin layer, the stacked electrode body being formed by stacking rectangular positive and negative electrodes multiple times with a separator between them, the stacked electrode body having a positive current collector terminal and a negative current collector terminal respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the stacked electrode body, the resin layer being composed of a cured product of a photocurable resin, and being formed on at least two long side surfaces of the side surfaces of the stacked electrode body when two rectangular wide surfaces at both ends of the stacking direction are used as the upper and lower surfaces, the method for manufacturing the energy storage device being characterized by comprising the following steps: Prepare the stacked electrode body; The stacked electrode body is housed in the internal space formed by the resin filling mold. The resin filling mold includes: an upper mold and a lower mold respectively opposite to the upper surface and the lower surface, and a first side mold and a second side mold respectively opposite to the two side surfaces of the long side. A photocurable resin is supplied to the internal space of the resin-filled mold, the photocurable resin being used to form the resin layer on at least two sides of the long side of the housed stacked electrode body; and When the tip portion of the supplied photocurable resin flowing along the side of the stacked electrode body toward the positive current collector terminal or the negative current collector terminal reaches a predetermined position on the side, light is first irradiated onto the tip portion to cure only the tip portion, thereby stopping the flow of the tip portion along the side. Then, the entire supplied photocurable resin is irradiated with light to cure the entire resin and form a resin layer.

12. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the light is irradiated, the light is irradiated near the two ends of the long side of the two sides of the long side of the stacked electrode body housed in the resin filling mold.

13. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, At least the portion near the predetermined position of the first side mold and the second side mold is made of a light-transmitting material that enables the photocurable resin to undergo photocuring.

14. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 13, characterized in that, At least when the light is irradiated, a light-shielding body is attached to a portion near the predetermined position in the first side panel and the second side panel, the light-shielding body being used to suppress the scattering of the irradiated light in a direction deviating from the predetermined position.

15. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The resin filling mold has a short-side opposing portion that faces the side of the short side of the stacked electrode body.

16. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The positive current collector terminal and the negative current collector terminal are configured to protrude outward from at least one of the two sides of the short side of the stacked electrode body. Light is irradiated onto the top portion of the photocurable resin that flows along at least one of the two sides of the short side.

17. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The positive current collector terminal and the negative current collector terminal are configured to protrude outward from the two sides of the short side of the stacked electrode body, respectively. Light is irradiated onto the top portion of the photocurable resin that flows along the two sides of the short side.

18. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The portion near the location where the light is irradiated in the short-side opposing portion is made of a material that allows light to pass through, enabling the photocurable resin to undergo photocuring.

19. A method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that, The resin filling mold has a resin material discharge section for discharging the light-cured resin supplied to the internal space of the resin filling mold to the outside.

20. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The resin-filled mold can adjust the gap between the upper mold and the lower mold according to the thickness of the laminated electrode body in the lamination direction.

Images