Electrode body manufacturing device

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrode body manufacturing device, which comprises a rotating base, a stacking table portion arranged at the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotating base, and a workpiece transfer portion for transferring a non-loaded workpiece to a loaded surface on which a stacked body or the like has been loaded. The height changing portion of the stacking table portion changes the radial height of the table surface so that at least at a workpiece transfer angle position, the radial height of the loaded surface becomes a predetermined radial height, and the workpiece transfer portion moves the non-loaded workpiece synchronously with the rotational movement of the loaded surface at the workpiece transfer angle position and loads the workpiece onto the loaded surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrode body manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a stacked electrode body in which a plurality of workpieces are stacked. Background Art

[0002] As an electrode body constituting a battery or a capacitor, a stacked electrode body having a plurality of electrode plates stacked is known. As an example, there is a stacked electrode body in which a plurality of rectangular positive plates and a plurality of rectangular negative plates are alternately stacked via a rectangular separator. In addition, an electrode body manufacturing device for forming such a stacked electrode body is also known, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2019-200926.

[0003] The electrode assembly manufacturing device of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-200926 (referred to as "battery material stacking device" in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-200926) comprises: a "conveying mechanism" for conveying a workpiece, a "rotating body", a plurality of "holding parts" provided on the peripheral edge of the rotating body and rotating together with the rotating body, and a "stacking table" arranged at a predetermined position (refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-200926). Figure 1 , claims 1, 2, etc.). In the device, first, after the workpiece is transferred from the conveying mechanism to the holding portion provided at the peripheral portion of the rotating body, the rotating body is rotated half a circle to move the holding portion to the vicinity of the stacking table arranged at a predetermined position. Then, the holding portion is temporarily stopped relative to the stacking table, and the workpiece is transferred from the holding portion to the stacking table. This action is repeated to stack a plurality of workpieces on the stacking table to form a stacked electrode body.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned device, since the holding part rotates and moves together with the rotating body, and the stacking stage is arranged at a predetermined position, when the workpiece is transferred from the holding part to the stacking stage, the holding part that rotates and moves together with the rotating body is moved relative to the rotating body, so that the holding part and the workpiece held by the holding part are temporarily stopped. Therefore, it is difficult to properly move the workpiece from the holding part to the stacking stage and properly stack the workpiece to form a stacked electrode body. In particular, in order to improve the productivity of the stacked electrode body, the higher the rotation speed of the rotating body, the more the holding part that rotates and moves at a high speed will suddenly stop, so it is difficult to properly move the workpiece from the holding part to the stacking stage and properly stack the workpiece to form a stacked electrode body. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such current situation, and provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus capable of appropriately stacking workpieces to manufacture a stacked electrode assembly.

[0006] One form of the present disclosure for solving the above-mentioned problems is an electrode body manufacturing device, which is an electrode body manufacturing device for manufacturing a stacked electrode body formed by stacking a plurality of workpieces, wherein the electrode body manufacturing device comprises: a rotating base body, which is cylindrical and rotates around a rotating axis; a plurality of stacking tables, which are arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating base body and rotate and move together with the rotating base body; and a workpiece transfer unit, which transfers a workpiece not mounted thereon to a radial direction of a table surface of the stacking table or a stacked body already mounted thereon. The stacking table portion is transferred toward the outer side surface, that is, the loading surface. The stacking table portion has a height changing portion for changing the radial height of the table surface. The height changing portion changes the radial height of the table surface in a manner that makes the radial height of the loading surface become a predetermined radial height at least at the workpiece transferring angle position when the unloaded workpiece is transferred from the workpiece transferring portion to the stacking table portion. The workpiece transferring portion moves the unloaded workpiece synchronously with the rotational movement of the loading surface at the workpiece transferring angle position and loads it onto the loading surface.

[0007] In the electrode body manufacturing device, the stacking table is arranged at the outer peripheral edge of the rotating base. The stacking table has a height changing portion for changing the radial height Ht of the table, and the height changing portion changes the radial height of the table at least at the workpiece transfer angle position so that the radial height of the loaded surface of the loaded stacked body becomes a predetermined radial height. Thus, every time the rotating base rotates one circle, the unloaded workpieces can be transferred one by one from the workpiece transfer portion to the stacking table. Therefore, by rotating the rotating base a specified number of circles (n circles), a stacked electrode body consisting of a specified number (n) of loaded workpieces can be easily formed.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned electrode body manufacturing device, the unloaded workpiece is moved and loaded onto the loaded surface synchronously with the rotational movement of the loaded surface of the loaded stacked body etc. at the workpiece transfer angle position, so that the unloaded workpiece can be appropriately stacked on the stacking table to manufacture a stacked electrode body.

[0009] In addition, a "stacked electrode body" is an electrode body constituting a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, a double-layer capacitor, a lithium ion capacitor and other power storage devices. Examples of stacked electrode bodies include a stacked electrode body in which a plurality of positive plates and a plurality of negative plates are alternately stacked with a separator and a solid electrolyte layer, and a stacked electrode body in which a plurality of bipolar electrode plates (electrode plates having a positive electrode active material layer formed on one main surface of a collector foil and a negative electrode active material layer formed on the other main surface) are stacked with a separator and a solid electrolyte layer.

[0010] As a "workpiece", for example, there can be listed a workpiece consisting of one electrode plate or one separator, a solid electrolyte layer, a workpiece consisting of a so-called single cell in which a positive electrode plate, a separator (or a solid electrolyte layer), a negative electrode plate and a separator (or a solid electrolyte layer) are pre-stacked and integrated in this order, and a workpiece consisting of an electrode plate with a separator (electrode plate with a solid electrolyte layer) in which a separator (or a solid electrolyte layer), an electrode plate and a separator (or a solid electrolyte layer) are pre-stacked and integrated in this order, etc. In addition, the workpieces may not be in the same form as each other. For example, the workpiece constituting one end of the stacking direction of the stacked electrode body or the workpiece constituting the other end may be in a different form from the workpiece constituting the middle part of the stacking direction other than them.

[0011] As a method for maintaining a loaded stacked body placed on the table surface on the stacking table portion, for example, a method of adsorbing and maintaining the loaded stacked body on the table surface by suction can be cited. Among them, when using this method, it is preferred that the loaded workpieces constituting the loaded stacked body are bonded to each other by, for example, an adhesive to form a whole. That is, it is preferred that an adhesive is applied in advance to the radial outer side surface (the loaded surface) of the unloaded workpiece or the loaded stacked body to be newly stacked, the unloaded workpiece is stacked on the loaded stacked body, and the unloaded workpiece is bonded to the loaded stacked body. In addition, if the rotation speed of the rotating base is constant, it is preferred that the increase or decrease of the rotational energy can be reduced, but the rotation speed can also be changed.

[0012] Another method is to engage the radially outer side of the stacked body placed on the table with a plurality of engagement members such as claws and pull the stacked body radially inward, thereby holding the stacked body on the table.

[0013] Another method is to press the stacked body placed on the table surface toward the radially inner side of the table surface with a belt and move the belt along with the rotational movement of the stacked body, thereby holding the stacked body on the table surface.

[0014] According to these methods, the mounted workpieces constituting the mounted stacked body do not need to be bonded together for integration, but the mounted workpieces may be integrated together by bonding.

[0015] Furthermore, based on the above-mentioned electrode body manufacturing device, it is preferred that: there is an electrode body transferring part, which moves the completed stacked electrode body from the stacking table part, and the electrode body transferring part has an electrode body receiving part for receiving the stacked electrode body, and the electrode body transferring part moves the electrode body receiving part at the same speed as the rotational movement of the radially outer top surface of the stacked electrode body at the electrode body transferring angle position when transferring the stacked electrode body from the stacking table part to the electrode body receiving part and at the time of discharging the stacked electrode body, and receives the stacked electrode body separated from the stacking table part.

[0016] The electrode body manufacturing device is further provided with an electrode body transfer unit having an electrode body receiving unit, and at the electrode body transfer angle position and at the discharge timing, the electrode body receiving unit is moved at the same speed as the rotational movement of the radially outer top surface of the stacked electrode body and receives the stacked electrode body separated from the stacking stage. In this way, the stacked electrode body can be smoothly transferred to the electrode body receiving unit with less impact and appropriately discharged to the outside of the device.

[0017] In addition, as a method of separating the stacked electrode body from the stacking table, for example, when the stacked electrode body is adsorbed and held on the table by suction, a method of releasing the suction to separate the stacked electrode body can be cited.

[0018] Furthermore, when the stacked electrode body is engaged with the engaging member and pulled toward the radially inner table surface to be held, a method of releasing the engagement of the engaging member to separate the stacked electrode body can be cited.

[0019] Furthermore, when the stacked electrode body is pressed and held against the radially inner table surface by a belt, a method of moving the belt to release the pressing force of the belt and separating the stacked electrode body can be used.

[0020] Examples of the “electrode assembly receiving unit” include a conveying belt mounted on a plurality of conveying rollers, and a front end portion of a robot arm configured to grip a stacked electrode assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of a stacked electrode assembly according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a stacked electrode assembly according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram of an electrode assembly production apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram of a stacking stage according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an unmounted workpiece for the first layer is transferred to the fifth layer stacking stage according to the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a completed stacked electrode assembly is transferred from the second stacking stage according to the embodiment.

[0027] Description of Reference Numerals

[0028] 1… stacked electrode body; 1m… radially outer top surface (of stacked electrode body); 5… mounted stack; 5m… radially outer side surface (of mounted stack); hsm… mounted surface; 10… workpiece; 10P… unmounted workpiece; 10A… first workpiece (single cell); 10B… second workpiece (negative electrode plate with separator); 11… positive electrode plate (electrode plate); 21… negative electrode plate (electrode plate); 31… separator; 100… electrode body manufacturing device; 110… rotating substrate; 110s… outer peripheral edge; 111… rotating axis; 120…stacking table; 120A~120H…1st stacking table~8th stacking table; 121…adsorption table; 121m…table; 123…height changing section; 140…workpiece transferring section; 170…electrode body transferring section; 173…conveying belt (electrode body receiving section); 190…control section; Ht…radial height (of table); Hs…radial height (of loaded surface); Hsc…(predetermined) radial height; θw…workpiece transferring angular position; θd…electrode body transferring angular position; Td…discharging timing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] (Implementation Method)

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stacked electrode body 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following, the longitudinal direction EH, the lateral direction FH, and the thickness direction (stacking direction) GH of the stacked electrode body 1 are defined as Figure 1 The stacked electrode assembly 1 is used in a square sealed lithium ion secondary battery (not shown) mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or an electric vehicle.

[0031] The stacked electrode body 1 is an electrode body formed by alternately stacking a plurality of rectangular positive plates (electrode plates) 11 and a plurality of rectangular negative plates (electrode plates) 21 via a rectangular separator 31 composed of a porous resin film, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The stacked electrode body 1 is formed by stacking a plurality of layers (in this embodiment, the number of layers n=10 layers) of workpieces 10 in the thickness direction GH as described later and integrating adjacent workpieces 10 with each other through a first adhesive layer 41.

[0032] Among the ten workpieces 10 constituting the stacked electrode body 1 having the number of layers n=10, Figure 1 Except for the second workpiece 10B located at the top, the remaining nine first workpieces 10A are single cells, which are workpieces in which the positive electrode plate 11, the separator 31, the negative electrode plate 21 and the separator 31 are stacked in this order through the second adhesive layer 42. On the other hand, the second workpiece 10B at the top is a negative electrode plate with a separator, which is a workpiece in which the separator 31 is stacked on both main surfaces of the negative electrode plate 21 through the third adhesive layer 43 to form an integrated workpiece.

[0033] The positive electrode plate 11 includes a positive electrode collector foil 12 made of a rectangular aluminum foil and a positive electrode active material layer 13 formed on both main surfaces of the positive electrode collector foil 12. The positive electrode active material layer 13 is composed of positive electrode active material particles capable of storing and releasing lithium ions, conductive particles, and a binder. Figure 1 center, left) along the longitudinal direction EH( Figure 1 In the drawing, the end portion extending in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface (in the drawing) becomes a positive electrode exposed portion 11r where the positive electrode active material layer 13 does not exist in the thickness direction GH and the positive electrode collector foil 12 is exposed in the thickness direction GH.

[0034] The negative electrode plate 21 includes a negative electrode collector foil 22 made of a rectangular copper foil and negative electrode active material layers 23 formed on both main surfaces of the negative electrode collector foil 22. The negative electrode active material layer 23 is composed of negative electrode active material particles capable of storing and releasing lithium ions, and a binder. Figure 1 The end portion (right in the middle) extending in the longitudinal direction EH becomes a negative electrode exposed portion 21r where the negative electrode active material layer 23 is not present in the thickness direction GH and the negative electrode collector foil 22 is exposed in the thickness direction GH.

[0035] Next, a method for manufacturing the stacked electrode assembly 1 is described (see Figure 2 to Figure 6 ). First, in the "workpiece manufacturing process S1" (refer to Figure 2 ), produce workpiece 10.

[0036] First, the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 21 are prepared. That is, a positive electrode active material paste obtained by mixing positive electrode active material particles, conductive particles, a binder and a dispersion medium is applied to one main surface of the positive electrode collector foil 12 to form an undried positive electrode active material layer (not shown), and then it is heated and dried to form the positive electrode active material layer 13. In addition, the positive electrode active material layer 13 is also formed on the other main surface of the positive electrode collector foil 12. Then, the positive electrode active material layer 13 is compacted by rolling to prepare the positive electrode plate 11. In addition, a negative electrode active material paste obtained by mixing negative electrode active material particles, a binder and a dispersion medium is applied to one main surface of the negative electrode collector foil 22 to form an undried negative electrode active material layer (not shown), and then it is heated and dried to form the negative electrode active material layer 23. In addition, the negative electrode active material layer 23 is also formed on the other main surface of the negative electrode collector foil 22. Then, the negative electrode active material layer 23 is compacted by rolling to prepare the negative electrode plate 21. In addition, the partition plate 31 is prepared separately.

[0037] Next, the positive electrode plate 11, the separator 31, the negative electrode plate 21, and the separator 31 are stacked and integrated in this order via the second adhesive layer 42 to form a first workpiece 10A (single cell). On the other hand, the separator 31, the negative electrode plate 21, and the separator 31 are stacked and integrated in this order via the third adhesive layer 43 to form a second workpiece 10B (negative electrode plate with separator).

[0038] Then, the "workpiece transfer step S2", "determination step S3" and "electrode body transfer step S4" are performed (see Figure 2 The workpiece transfer step S2 to the electrode body transfer step S4 use the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 100 (see Figure 3 to Figure 6 ). The electrode body manufacturing device 100 comprises: a cylindrical rotating base 110, a plurality of (8 in this embodiment) stacking stages 120 provided at the outer peripheral edge portion 110s of the rotating base 110 and rotating and moving together with the rotating base 110, a workpiece transfer unit 140 for transferring an unloaded workpiece 10P to the stacking stage 120, an adhesive coating unit 160 for coating an adhesive 41Z to the unloaded workpiece 10P, an electrode body transfer unit 170 for transferring a completed stacked electrode body 1 from the stacking stage 120, and a control unit 190. In addition, the unloaded workpiece refers to a workpiece that is scheduled to be loaded on the loading surface hsm described later.

[0039] The rotating base 110 has a rotating shaft 111 connected to a motor (not shown), and rotates at a constant speed (at a constant angular velocity ω) around the rotating shaft 111. Figure 3 The middle one rotates counterclockwise.

[0040] The stacking platform 120 (the first stacking platform 120A to the eighth stacking platform 120H) (see also Figure 4 ) has a rectangular plate-shaped adsorption stage 121 including a rectangular table 121m, and a height changing unit 123 that moves the adsorption stage 121 along the radial direction RH of the rotating base 110 to change the radial height Ht of the table 121m (the radial height Ht measured from the outer peripheral edge portion 110s of the rotating base 110). The adsorption stage 121 has a suction mechanism 122, which is configured to be able to adsorb the placed stacked body 5 on the table 121m by suction.

[0041] On the other hand, the height changing unit 123 includes: an X-link mechanism 124 connected to the adsorption table 121, a servo motor 125 that moves the X-link mechanism 124 in the radial direction RH, a height detection sensor 126 that detects the radial height Hs (the radial height Hs measured from the outer peripheral edge portion 110s of the rotating base 110) of the table 121m of the stacking table portion 120 (where no stacked body 5 is placed) or the radial outer side surface 5m of the stacked body 5 placed on the table 121m, that is, the placed surface hsm (hereinafter, also referred to as the placed surface hsm of the placed stacked body 5, etc., or simply the placed surface hsm), and a control unit 190 that controls the servo motor 125 based on information from the height detection sensor 126. Specifically, the height detection sensor 126 is provided at a position relative to the rotation axis 111 of the rotating base 110. Figure 3 When the stacking table 120 rotating together with the rotating base 110 passes the angular position of 3 o'clock in the figure, the radial height Hs of the mounting surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. is mounted is detected.

[0042] Then, the stacking stage 120 reaches the workpiece transfer angle position θw (in this embodiment, Figure 3 During the period from the uppermost position (the angular position of 12 o'clock on the clock) to the uppermost position (the angular position of 12 o'clock on the clock) (in the present embodiment, during the period of rotation of 90 degrees), the control unit 190 starts driving and controlling the servo motor 125 based on the information of the height detection sensor 126, and changes the radial height Ht of the table 121m so that the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. has been mounted becomes the predetermined radial height Hsc (Hs=Hsc). Thus, before the stacking table 120 reaches the workpiece transfer angle position θw, the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. has been mounted becomes the predetermined radial height Hsc. Therefore, no matter in which stacking table 120 (120A to 120H) or how many layers of workpieces 10 are stacked on the table 121m, the circumferential speed (moving speed V2) of the mounted surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. has been mounted at the workpiece transfer angle position θw (before the new unmounted workpiece 10P is transferred) is the same.

[0043] In addition, Figure 4 , the state of the stacking table 120 is shown after the third layer workpiece 10 (no workpiece 10P is placed) is stacked on the already placed stacked body 5 with n=2 layers to form the already placed stacked body 5 with n=3 layers. The radial height Hs of the placed surface hsm of the already placed stacked body 5 at this time is the height obtained by adding the height of the newly stacked workpiece 10 (no workpiece 10P is placed) to the radial height Hsc controlled by taking into account the height of the already placed stacked body 5 with n=2 layers composed of two already placed workpieces 10Q.

[0044] The workpiece transfer unit 140 moves the unmounted workpiece 10P in synchronization with the rotational movement of the mounting surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 and the like are mounted at the workpiece transfer angular position θw, and mounts the workpiece 10P on the mounting surface hsm.

[0045] First, the conveyance of the unloaded workpiece 10P by the workpiece transfer unit 140 is described. The workpiece transfer unit 140 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 141, a suction belt 143 having a plurality of suction holes and mounted on the conveying rollers 141, and a suction mechanism 144. The unloaded workpiece 10P is sucked onto the suction belt 143 by the suction of the suction mechanism 144 and conveyed at a conveyance speed V1.

[0046] Specifically, first, the unloaded workpiece 10P disposed on the suction belt 143 is moved to the suction belt 143 with its outer side surface 10Pm (the main surface on the side not sucked by the suction belt 143) facing upward. Figure 3 Then, the suction belt 143 is folded back at the conveying roller 141, and the workpiece 10P is not loaded with the side surface 10Pm facing downward. Figure 3 The center left side is transported at a transport speed V1. The transport speed V1 is the same speed as the moving speed V2 (circumferential speed) in the tangential direction of the mounting surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 and the like are mounted at the workpiece transfer angle position θw (V1=V2).

[0047] The workpiece transfer unit 140 is configured such that when the unloaded workpiece 10P being transported reaches the workpiece transfer angle position θw, the suction of the suction mechanism 144 stops. Therefore, the unloaded workpiece 10P not sucked from below by the suction belt 143 separates from the suction belt 143 at the workpiece transfer angle position θw.

[0048] In addition, the configuration (loading position and loading timing) of the unloaded workpiece 10P on the suction belt 143 is adjusted so that the conveying timing of the unloaded workpiece 10P reaching the workpiece transfer angle position θw is synchronized with the rotation timing of the stacking table 120 to which the unloaded workpiece 10P is to be transferred reaching the workpiece transfer angle position θw.

[0049] Therefore, as described above, at the workpiece transfer angle position θw, the unloaded workpiece 10P can be moved and loaded on the loaded surface hsm in synchronization with the rotational movement of the loaded surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. is loaded. That is, the (separated) unloaded workpiece 10P can be transferred from the suction belt 143 to the loaded surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. is loaded, and the outer side surface 10Pm of the unloaded workpiece 10P can be stacked on the loaded surface hsm.

[0050] The adhesive coating unit 160 is configured to coat the adhesive 41Z on the outer side surface 10Pm on which the workpiece 10P is not mounted. Specifically, the adhesive coating unit 160 is disposed near the workpiece transfer unit 140 and is disposed on the suction belt 143 adsorbed on the workpiece transfer unit 140 and with the outer side surface 10Pm facing downward and being directed to the workpiece. Figure 3 The adhesive 41Z is applied to the outer side surface 10Pm of the workpiece 10P that is conveyed on the center left and on which no workpiece 10P is placed.

[0051] The electrode body transfer unit 170 has a conveyor belt (electrode body receiving unit) 173 for receiving the stacked electrode body 1 of the workpiece 10 having 10 layers stacked. The electrode body transfer unit 170 is located at the electrode body transfer angle position θd (in this embodiment, θd) at which the stacked electrode body 1 is transferred from the stacking stage 120. Figure 3 The conveyor belt 173 is moved at a constant speed with the rotational movement of the radially outer top surface 1m of the stacked electrode body 1 and receives the stacked electrode body 1 separated from the stacking table 120 at the angular position of 6 o'clock on the central clock and at the discharge timing Td of discharging the completed stacked electrode body 1.

[0052] Specifically, the electrode body transfer unit 170 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 171 and a conveying belt 173 mounted on the conveying rollers 171, and is configured to be able to convey the stacked electrode body 1 disposed on the conveying belt 173 at a conveying speed V4 (see Figure 6 The conveying speed V4 is the same as the moving speed V3 (circumferential speed) in the tangential direction of the radially outer top surface 1 m of the stacked electrode assembly 1 at the electrode assembly transfer angular position θd.

[0053] On the other hand, the stacking table section 120 is constructed as follows: when the electrode body transfer angle position θd is reached, the suction of the suction mechanism 122 of the adsorption table 121 is released, so that the stacked electrode body 1 adsorbed on the adsorption table 121 is separated from the adsorption table 121, and the (separated) stacked electrode body 1 is placed on the conveying belt 173.

[0054] The control unit 190 has a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown), and operates according to a predetermined control program stored in the ROM, etc. The control unit 190 is connected to a motor (not shown) for rotating the rotating base 110, a servo motor 125 of each stacking stage 120 (first stacking stage 120A to eighth stacking stage 120H), a conveying roller 141 of the workpiece transfer unit 140, an adhesive coating unit 160, and a conveying roller 171 of the electrode body transfer unit 170, and controls them.

[0055] Next, the workpiece transfer step S2 to the electrode body transfer step S4 (see FIG. 1 ) performed using the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 100 are described. Figure 3 to Figure 6 ). First, in the "workpiece transfer step S2", the unloaded workpiece 10P for the first layer composed of the first workpiece 10A (single cell) is sequentially transferred to the table 121m, i.e., the loading surface hsm, of each stacking table portion 120 (120A to 120H) by the workpiece transfer portion 140. In the present embodiment, first, the unloaded workpiece 10P for the first layer is transferred to the table 121m (loading surface hsm) of the first stacking table portion 120A, and then, the unloaded workpiece 10P for the first layer is transferred to the table 121m (loading surface hsm) of the second stacking table portion 120B. In this order, the unloaded workpiece 10P for the first layer is transferred to the first stacking table portion 120A to the eighth stacking table portion 120H. In addition, in Figure 5 , a state is shown in which the unmounted workpiece 10P for the first layer is transferred to the fifth stacking stage 120E to form a mounted stacked body 5 with the number of layers n=1.

[0056] In the workpiece transfer step S2, the radial height Ht of the table 121m (the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm) is changed to a predetermined radial height Hsc (Ht=Hs=Hsc) by the height changing unit 123. In addition, the conveying speed V1 of the unloaded workpiece 10P is the same as the moving speed V2 (circumferential speed) in the tangential direction of the table 121m (the mounted surface hsm) at the workpiece transfer angle position θw. Therefore, the unloaded workpiece 10P can be appropriately transferred to the table 121m (the mounted surface hsm).

[0057] Next, enter the determination step S3 (refer to Figure 2), determine whether a specified number (10 layers in this embodiment) of loaded workpieces 10Q are stacked on the table 121m (whether the stacked electrode body 1 with n=10 layers is completed). Here, at this time, the number of layers n=1, so it is determined as "no" and the workpiece transfer step S2 is performed. That is, in the second workpiece transfer step S2, the unloaded workpiece 10P for the second layer composed of the first workpiece 10A (single cell) is sequentially transferred to the radial outer side surface 5m (loaded surface hsm) of the loaded stacked body 5 with n=1 layers.

[0058] Specifically, the workpiece transfer unit 140 transfers the unloaded workpiece 10P with its outer side surface 10Pm facing downward. In the second and subsequent workpiece transfer steps S2, the adhesive coating unit 160 coats the adhesive 41Z onto the outer side surface 10Pm of the unloaded workpiece 10P during the transfer.

[0059] Then, at the workpiece transfer angle position θw, the unloaded workpiece 10P that is sucked from below by the suction belt 143 is separated from the suction belt 143 and loaded onto the radially outer side surface 5m (loaded surface hsm) of the loaded stacked body 5, so that the outer side surface 10Pm of the unloaded workpiece 10P coated with the adhesive 41Z is stacked on the radially outer side surface 5m (loaded surface hsm) of the loaded stacked body 5. Thus, the unloaded workpiece 10P is bonded to the loaded stacked body 5 and integrated.

[0060] In addition, in the second and subsequent workpiece transfer steps S2, the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm of the mounted stacked body 5 also becomes the predetermined radial height Hsc (Hs=Hsc). In addition, the conveying speed V1 of the unloaded workpiece 10P is the same speed as the moving speed V2 (circumferential speed) in the tangential direction of the mounted surface hsm of the mounted stacked body 5 at the workpiece transfer angle position θw. Therefore, the unloaded workpiece 10P can be appropriately loaded onto the mounted surface hsm of the mounted stacked body 5.

[0061] Next, enter the determination step S3 (refer to Figure 2 ), it is determined whether a predetermined number (10 layers) of the workpieces 10Q placed on the table 121m have been stacked (whether the stacked electrode body 1 with n=10 layers has been completed). Here, at this time, the number of layers n=2, so it is determined as "no", and the workpiece transfer step S2 is repeated again. In this way, the workpiece transfer step S2 is repeated 10 times until the number of layers n=10.

[0062] However, in the 10th workpiece transfer step S2, an unloaded workpiece 10P for the 10th layer consisting of the second workpiece 10B (negative electrode plate with separator) is sequentially transferred onto the loading surface hsm of the loaded stack 5 with the number of layers n=9, replacing the first workpiece 10A.

[0063] Then, when the workpieces 10Q have been placed in 10 layers and the stacked electrode assembly 1 with the number of layers n=10 is completed, the determination in the determination step S3 is “Yes” and the process proceeds to the electrode assembly transfer step S4 .

[0064] In the "electrode body transfer step S4", at the electrode body transfer angle position θd and at the discharge timing Td when the stacked electrode body 1 reaches the electrode body transfer angle position θd for the first time after completion, the completed stacked electrode body 1 is sequentially transferred from the stacking table 120 to the conveyor belt 173 by the electrode body transfer unit 170. Figure 6 , a state where the stacked electrode assembly 1 is transferred from the second stacking stage 120B onto the conveyor belt 173 is shown.

[0065] Specifically, at the electrode body transfer angle position θd, the suction of the suction mechanism 122 of the adsorption table 121 is released, so that the stacked electrode body 1 adsorbed on the table 121m is separated from the table 121m and placed on the conveyor belt 173. At this time, the moving speed (conveying speed V4) of the conveyor belt 173 is the same as the moving speed V3 (circumferential speed) in the tangential direction of the radial outer top surface 1m of the stacked electrode body 1 at the electrode body transfer angle position θd. Therefore, the stacked electrode body 1 can be smoothly transferred to the conveyor belt 173 with less impact.

[0066] Then, the stacked electrode assembly 1 placed on the conveyor belt 173 is moved toward Figure 6 The stacked electrode bodies 1 are transported to the middle right and discharged to the outside of the device. This discharge operation is performed sequentially from the first stacking stage 120A to the eighth stacking stage 120H, and all (8) stacked electrode bodies 1 are discharged to the outside of the device. Figure 1 The stacked electrode assembly 1 shown is shown. After that, the process returns to the workpiece transfer step S2 again, thereby enabling the stacked electrode assemblies 1 to be continuously manufactured intermittently, eight at a time.

[0067] As described above, in the electrode body manufacturing device 100, a plurality of stacking tables 120 (120A to 120H) are provided on the outer peripheral edge portion 110s of the rotating base 110. The stacking table 120 has a height changing portion 123 for changing the radial height Ht of the table 121m, and the height changing portion 123 changes the radial height Ht of the table 121m so that the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 etc. is mounted at the workpiece transfer angle position θw becomes a predetermined radial height Hsc. Thus, each time the rotating base 110 rotates once, the unmounted workpiece 10P can be transferred one by one from the workpiece transfer portion 140 to the stacking table 120, and therefore, by rotating the rotating base 110 a predetermined number of times (10 times in this embodiment), a stacked electrode body 1 consisting of a predetermined number (10 layers in this embodiment) of mounted workpieces 10Q can be easily formed.

[0068] Furthermore, in the electrode body manufacturing device 100, the unloaded workpiece 10P is moved and loaded onto the loaded surface hsm in synchronization with the rotational movement of the loaded stack 5 etc. at the workpiece transfer angle position θw, so that the unloaded workpiece 10P can be appropriately stacked on the stacking table 120 to manufacture the stacked electrode body 1.

[0069] In addition, the electrode body manufacturing device 100 is further provided with an electrode body transfer unit 170 having a conveyor belt 173, and at the electrode body transfer angle position θd and at the discharge timing Td, the conveyor belt 173 is moved at the same speed as the rotational movement of the radially outer top surface 1m of the stacked electrode body 1, and the stacked electrode body 1 separated from the stacking stage 120 is received. In this way, the stacked electrode body 1 can be smoothly transferred to the conveyor belt 173 with less impact and appropriately discharged to the outside of the device.

[0070] As mentioned above, although this disclosure has been described based on an embodiment, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and it goes without saying that it can be appropriately modified within a scope not departing from the gist of the disclosure.

[0071] For example, in the case of the height changing unit 123 of the stacking stage 120 of the embodiment, the height detection sensor 126 actually detects the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm on which the stacked body 5 and the like are already mounted, and the radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm is changed based on the height information, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The radial height Hs of the mounted surface hsm changes by the size of the newly stacked mounted workpiece 10Q each time the rotating base 110 rotates once, so the radial height Hs may be changed by a predetermined program.

[0072] In addition, in the case of the workpiece transfer unit 140 of the embodiment, the unloaded workpiece 10P is transferred to the workpiece transfer angle position θw to be transferred to the stacking table 120 by the suction belt 143 mounted on the conveying roller 141, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a roller (not shown) may be used instead of the conveying roller 141 and the suction belt 143, and the unloaded workpiece 10P may be sucked onto the roller surface of the roller, and the roller may be rotated to thereby transfer the unloaded workpiece 10P to the workpiece transfer angle position θw.

[0073] In addition, in the embodiment, an example is shown in which the rotating base 110 is rotated at a constant speed (constant angular velocity). This can reduce the increase and decrease of the rotation energy of the rotating base 110.

[0074] However, the rotation speed of the rotating base 110 may be appropriately changed. For example, the rotation speed at the stage of placing the unloaded workpiece 10P on the stacking table 120 may be different from the rotation speed at the moment of transferring (discharging) the completed stacked electrode body 1 from the stacking table 120 to the electrode body transfer unit 170. Specifically, it may be considered that the rotation speed at the moment of discharging the stacked electrode body 1 from the stacking table 120 is relatively slower than the rotation speed at the moment of placing the unloaded workpiece 10P on the stacking table 120 of the rotating base 110. It is preferred that the stacked electrode body 1 is reliably transferred (discharged) from the stacking table 120 to the electrode body transfer unit 170 in this way.

[0075] Furthermore, when the first layer of the unloaded workpiece 10P among the unloaded workpieces 10P is loaded onto the stacking table 120, the unloaded workpiece 10P is simply adsorbed onto the stacking table 120, so the rotation speed is relatively high. On the other hand, when the unloaded workpiece 10P after the second layer is stacked onto the already loaded stacked body 5, it is necessary not only to load the unloaded workpiece 10P onto the already loaded stacked body 5 already stacked on the stacking table 120, but also to bond them. Therefore, it is also possible to consider making the rotation speed of the rotating base 110 relatively slow.

[0076] Furthermore, as the number of the stacked bodies 5 placed on the stacking table 120 increases, stacking needs to be performed more carefully, and therefore, it may be considered to relatively slow down the rotation speed of the rotating base 10 .

Claims

1. An electrode body manufacturing device, which is an electrode body manufacturing device for manufacturing a stacked electrode body formed by stacking a plurality of workpieces, wherein: The electrode body manufacturing device comprises: A rotating base, which is cylindrical and rotates around a rotation axis; a plurality of stacked stages disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating base and rotating together with the rotating base; and a workpiece transfer unit for transferring the held unloaded workpiece to a loaded surface, wherein the loaded surface is the table surface of the stacking table unit or the radially outer side surface of the loaded stacked body already loaded on the table surface, The stacked platform portion has a height changing portion for changing the radial height (Ht) of the platform surface. The height changing section changes the radial height of the table surface at least at the workpiece transfer angle position where the unloaded workpiece is transferred from the workpiece transfer section to the stacking table section so that the radial height (Hs) of the loaded surface becomes a predetermined radial height. The workpiece transfer unit moves the unmounted workpiece and places it on the mounting surface in synchronization with the rotational movement of the mounting surface at the workpiece transfer angular position, that is, at a transfer speed that is the same as a circumferential speed of the mounting surface at the workpiece transfer angular position.

2. The electrode body manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode assembly manufacturing device includes an electrode assembly transfer unit that transfers the completed stacked electrode assembly from the stacking stage. The electrode body transfer unit includes an electrode body receiving unit for receiving the stacked electrode body. The electrode body transferring part moves the electrode body receiving part and the radially outer top surface of the stacked electrode body at the same speed as the rotational movement at the electrode body transferring angle position when transferring the stacked electrode body from the stacking table to the electrode body receiving part and at the time of discharging the stacked electrode body and receives the stacked electrode body separated from the stacking table.

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