Electrode plate processing device

Abstract

A processing device (1) of an electrode plate (10) includes a processing portion (4) that forms a recess (20) in a boundary between a tab portion (12) and a useless portion (18) in a predetermined formation region (R) of the tab portion (12) of the electrode plate (10), and a removing portion (6) that cuts off the useless portion (18) from the electrode plate (10) along the recess (20) by applying a force to the useless portion (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for processing electrode plates. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (HVs), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), shipments of secondary batteries for automotive use have increased. Furthermore, beyond automotive applications, secondary batteries are also gaining popularity as power sources for portable devices such as laptops.

[0003] As an example, a secondary battery has a stacked electrode body composed of multiple electrode plates and a battery casing that houses the stacked electrode body and electrolyte. The electrode plates have a structure in which an electrode active material layer is stacked on the surface of a current collector plate made of metal foil or the like. Furthermore, the electrode plates have tabs protruding from one side of the current collector plate. Regarding such electrode plates, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrode manufacturing apparatus that conveys electrode material obtained by coating an electrode active material onto a strip-shaped current collector plate and continuously forms electrode plates by punching the electrode material with a die roller cutter.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Documents]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-196669 Summary of the Invention

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

[0008] In existing motor manufacturing equipment, the current collector plate is punched using a die roller cutter to form the tab portion. The inventors have conducted repeated and in-depth research on the tab forming method and discovered that there is room for improvement in the existing forming method to enhance the quality of the electrode plate.

[0009] This disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a technique for improving the quality of electrode plates.

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

[0011] One aspect of this disclosure is a processing apparatus for an electrode plate. The processing apparatus includes: a processing section that forms a recess at the boundary between the tab and the useless portion in a predetermined forming region of the tab portion of the electrode plate; and a removal section that cuts the useless portion away from the electrode plate along the recess by applying force to the useless portion.

[0012] Another aspect of this disclosure is a method for processing an electrode plate. This method includes: forming a recess at the boundary between the tab and the useless portion in a predetermined forming region of the tab on the electrode plate; and cutting the useless portion away from the electrode plate along the recess by applying force to the useless portion.

[0013] Any combination of the above-described components, as well as any scheme that transforms the manifestations of this disclosure into methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., are also valid as embodiments of this disclosure.

[0014] [Invention Effects]

[0015] According to this disclosure, the quality of the electrode plate can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrode plate processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 (A) ~ Figure 2 (C) is a schematic diagram of the gripping part. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present disclosure will now be described based on preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure but are illustrative, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent constituent elements, components, and processes shown in the various drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions are omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the scale and shape of the parts shown in the figures are conveniently set and are not to be interpreted limitingly unless specifically mentioned. Additionally, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification or claims, unless specifically mentioned, these terms do not indicate any order or importance, but are used to distinguish one configuration from others. Furthermore, in the various drawings, parts of components that are not important in describing the embodiments are omitted.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the processing apparatus 1 for the electrode plate 10 according to the embodiment. The processing apparatus 1 for the electrode plate 10 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as "processing apparatus 1") includes a conveying unit 2, a processing unit 4, and a removal unit 6.

[0020] The conveying unit 2 conveys multiple electrode plates 10. As an example, the conveying unit 2 conveys multiple electrode plates 10 in a continuous state 8 via conveying rollers 30, etc. The continuous state 8 is a strip-shaped body in which multiple electrode plates 10 are connected in the conveying direction A of the electrode plates 10. Each electrode plate 10 is eventually separated from each other, but the position (timing) at which each electrode plate 10 is separated is not particularly limited. A stacked electrode body is obtained by alternately stacking the monolithic electrode plates 10 with separators between them. In addition, the continuous state 8 can also be a wound electrode body. The resulting stacked or wound electrode body can be used in rechargeable secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-cadmium batteries, as well as capacitors such as double-layer capacitors.

[0021] Each electrode plate 10 has a structure in which an electrode active material layer is stacked on the current collector plate. In the case of a typical lithium-ion secondary battery, the current collector plate is made of aluminum foil or the like if it is the positive electrode, and of copper foil or the like if it is the negative electrode. The electrode active material layer can be formed by coating an electrode mixture onto the surface of the current collector using a known coating apparatus, followed by drying and rolling. The electrode mixture is obtained by mixing electrode active materials, binder materials, conductive materials, etc., into a dispersion medium and dispersing them uniformly. In the case of a typical lithium-ion secondary battery, the electrode active material is lithium cobalt oxide or lithium iron phosphate if it is the positive electrode, and graphite or the like if it is the negative electrode.

[0022] After each electrode plate 10 has undergone processing based on the processing section 4 and the removal section 6, each electrode plate 10 has a tab 12. The tab 12 protrudes from the current collector plate of each electrode plate 10 in the width direction B of the continuous body 8. The width direction B is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A. The tab 12 is also called a current collector tab and serves to electrically connect the current collector plate to the external terminals of the battery.

[0023] Each electrode plate 10 has a coated portion 14 of electrode active material and a non-coated portion 16 of electrode active material. The coated portion 14 of electrode active material is disposed at least in the central portion in the width direction B. The coated portion 14 corresponds to the electrode active material layer laminated on the current collector plate. The non-coated portion 16 of electrode active material is disposed at the ends in the width direction B. Figure 1 Each electrode plate 10 shown has an uncoated portion 16 at only one end in the width direction B, but it may also have uncoated portions 16 at both ends. The uncoated portion 16 is the exposed part of the current collector plate, corresponding to the predetermined forming area R of the tab portion 12.

[0024] The processing unit 4 forms a recess 20 at the boundary between the tab 12 and the useless portion 18 in the predetermined forming area R of each electrode plate 10. The useless portion 18 is the part of the non-coating portion 16 excluding the tab 12, which is cut off from the electrode plate 10 by the removal unit 6 and becomes waste. In this embodiment, the processing unit 4 is arranged on the transport path of the electrode plates 10 and forms the recess 20 on each electrode plate 10 that is fed in sequentially. In addition, the useless portion 18 sometimes comes into contact with the coating portion 14. In this case, a recess 20 is also formed at the boundary between the useless portion 18 and the coating portion 14.

[0025] Furthermore, the processing unit 4 in this embodiment includes a mold roller 22 that rotates synchronously with the conveying of the electrode plate 10. The mold roller 22 has a protrusion 24 on its circumferential surface that corresponds to the boundary between the tab portion 12 and the useless portion 18, in other words, to the outline of the useless portion 18. The mold roller 22 rotates synchronously with the conveying of the electrode plate 10, thereby pressing the protrusion 24 into a predetermined forming area R of each electrode plate 10 to form a recess 20. The depth of the recess 20 is, for example, about half the thickness of the current collector. As an example, the thickness of the current collector is about 10 μm, and the depth of the recess 20 is about 5 μm. The useless portion 18 is not completely severed by the recess 20, maintaining its connection with the electrode plate 10.

[0026] Furthermore, the processing apparatus 1 may also have a support portion (not shown) that supports the continuous body 8 at a position opposite to the processing section 4, separated from the continuous body 8. The support portion may be, for example, a roller that rotates synchronously with the transport of the continuous body 8. When forming a recess 20 in a predetermined forming region R of each electrode plate 10, the recess 20 can be formed more reliably by clamping the electrode plate 10 between the protrusion 24 and the support portion. Additionally, the accuracy of the depth of the recess 20 can be improved.

[0027] Each electrode plate 10, with recesses 20 formed by the processing unit 4, is conveyed by the conveying unit 2 to the removal unit 6. The removal unit 6 cuts off the useless portions 18 from the electrode plate 10 along the recesses 20. In this embodiment, the removal unit 6 is arranged on the conveying path of the electrode plates 10 and performs the cutting-off process of the useless portions 18 on each of the sequentially delivered electrode plates 10. The removal unit 6 cuts off the useless portions 18 from the electrode plate 10 by physically applying force to them. At this time, the recesses 20 become the starting point for the separation of the electrode plates 10 and the useless portions 18. That is, by applying force to the useless portions 18 by the removal unit 6, cracks are generated in the recesses 20, and these cracks spread to the entire recesses 20, thereby separating the useless portions 18 from the electrode plates 10. As a result, the tab portion 12 is formed.

[0028] The removal section 6 of this embodiment includes a support section 26 and a plurality of gripping sections 28. The support section 26 is a member that supports the plurality of gripping sections 28 and has an annular section 26a and a plurality of bases 26b. The annular section 26a is arranged coaxially with the conveying roller 30. As an example, the conveying roller 30 is fixed and supports the rotation of the annular section 26a. The annular section 26a supports the continuous body 8 on its circumferential surface and rotates synchronously with the conveying of the continuous body 8. Therefore, the annular section 26a of this embodiment constitutes part of the conveying section 2. The plurality of bases 26b are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular section 26a. Each base 26b is flat and protrudes radially from the circumferential surface of the annular section 26a. In addition, each base 26b is positioned such that its main surface faces the circumferential direction of the annular section 26a.

[0029] In each base 26b, the gripping part 28 is configured to slide sequentially in the width direction B. The gripping part 28 can clamp the useless part 18 and can move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate 10. When the gripping part 28 moves towards the electrode plate 10 and clamps the useless part 18, it can pull the useless part 18 away from the electrode plate 10 by retracting it in this state.

[0030] Figure 2 (A) ~ Figure 2 (C) is a schematic diagram of the gripping part 28. Figure 2 (A) indicates the state before the gripping part 28 is in a forward posture and the useless part 18 is gripped. Figure 2 (B) indicates that the gripping part 28 is in a forward posture and is gripping the useless part 18. Figure 2 (C) indicates that the gripping part 28 is in a retreating posture. Furthermore, in Figure 2 (A) ~ Figure 2 (C) shows the holding part 28 parallel to the electrode plate 10. The electrode plate 10 is omitted from the illustration.

[0031] The gripping part 28 has a first arm 32, a second arm 34, a first support part 36, a wedge part 38, and a second support part 40. The first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are generally rod-shaped and extend along the width direction B. The first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are arranged along the thickness direction C of the electrode plate 10 (a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction A and the width direction B).

[0032] The first arm portion 32 has a first front end portion 32a, a first intermediate portion 32b, and a first rear end portion 32c. In the width direction B, the first front end portion 32a is disposed near the electrode plate 10, the first rear end portion 32c is disposed away from the electrode plate 10, and the first intermediate portion 32b is disposed between the first front end portion 32a and the first rear end portion 32c. The second arm portion 34 has a second front end portion 34a, a second intermediate portion 34b, and a second rear end portion 34c. In the width direction B, the second front end portion 34a is disposed near the electrode plate 10, the second rear end portion 34c is disposed away from the electrode plate 10, and the second intermediate portion 34b is disposed between the second front end portion 34a and the second rear end portion 34c.

[0033] The first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a are opposite to each other in the thickness direction C. That is, they coincide when viewed from the thickness direction C. The first intermediate portion 32b has a first through hole 42 that extends through itself in the conveying direction A. The second intermediate portion 34b has a second through hole 44 that extends through itself in the conveying direction A. The first through hole 42 and the second through hole 44 coincide to each other in the conveying direction A. A first roller 46 is rotatably provided at the first rear end portion 32c. A second roller 48 is rotatably provided at the second rear end portion 34c. The first roller 46 and the second roller 48 are opposite to each other in the thickness direction C, and their respective axes of rotation extend in the conveying direction A.

[0034] The first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are supported by a first support 36. The first support 36 has a support shaft 50 extending along the conveying direction A. The support shaft 50 is inserted into a first through hole 42. Thus, the first arm 32 is supported so that it can rotate about the support shaft 50. In addition, the support shaft 50 is inserted into a second through hole 44. Thus, the second arm 34 is supported so that it can rotate about the support shaft 50. When the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are rotated in a direction that brings the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a closer to each other, the first rear end portion 32c and the second rear end portion 34c separate from each other. Conversely, when the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are rotated in a direction that separates the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a from each other, the first rear end portion 32c and the second rear end portion 34c approach each other.

[0035] As an example, the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are subjected to force in a direction in which the first front end 32a and the second front end 34a are separated from each other and the first rear end 32c and the second rear end 34c are approached each other by force-applying members such as springs (not shown).

[0036] The wedge 38 is longer in the width direction B and is positioned further away from the electrode plate 10 than the first arm 32 and the second arm 34. The wedge 38 has a tapered portion 38a at its end facing the first arm 32 and the second arm 34, and the tapered portion 38a gradually decreases in thickness direction C towards the front end. The thickness direction C of a portion of the tapered portion 38a is adjusted such that when this portion is clamped by the first roller 46 and the second roller 48, a gap larger than the thickness of the useless portion 18 is formed between the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a. Furthermore, the thickness direction C of the main body portion 38b of the wedge 38, excluding the tapered portion 38a, is adjusted such that when this portion is clamped by the first roller 46 and the second roller 48, a gap less than the thickness of the useless portion 18 is formed between the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a, or the gap disappears.

[0037] The wedge 38 is supported by the second support 40. With the second support 40 supporting it, the wedge 38 is positioned between the first roller 46 and the second roller 48. The second support 40 is positioned further away from the electrode plate 10 than the first support 36. The first support 36 and the second support 40 are slidably fitted into a track 52 provided on the base 26b. The track 52 extends along the width direction B. The first support 36 and the second support 40 can slide along the track 52 while maintaining a distance from each other using a known sliding mechanism. This allows the first arm 32, the second arm 34, and the wedge 38 to move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate 10 while maintaining a distance from each other. Furthermore, the first support 36 and the second support 40 can be displaced relative to each other along the track 52. This allows the wedge 38 to slide between the first roller 46 and the second roller 48 in the width direction B.

[0038] As an example, the first support portion 36 and the second support portion 40 can slide via a known cam mechanism. Specifically, a first cam follower 54 is provided in the first support portion 36. Additionally, a second cam follower 56 is provided in the second support portion 40. A first cam 58 and a second cam 60 are provided on the circumferential surface of the conveyor roller 30. Therefore, the conveyor roller 30 of this embodiment constitutes part of the removal portion 6. The first cam follower 54 is slidably engaged with the first cam 58, and the second cam follower 56 is slidably engaged with the second cam 60. The first cam 58 and the second cam 60 are respectively provided throughout the entire circumference of the conveyor roller 30. Furthermore, the distance between the first cam 58 and the second cam 60 and the continuous body 8 is adjusted so that the first support portion 36 and the second support portion 40 approach or separate relative to the continuous body during circumferential displacement along the conveyor roller 30.

[0039] The first cam follower 54 moves along the first cam 58 as the support portion 26 rotates relative to the conveyor roller 30. As a result, the first support portion 36 slides in the width direction B. Additionally, the second cam follower 56 moves along the second cam 60 as the support portion 26 rotates relative to the conveyor roller 30. As a result, the second support portion 40 slides in the width direction B. By the synchronous sliding of the first support portion 36 and the second support portion 40, the first arm portion 32, the second arm portion 34, and the wedge portion 38 move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate 10 while maintaining a distance from each other. Furthermore, by sliding only the second support portion 40, or by making the sliding amount of the second support portion 40 greater than the sliding amount of the first support portion 36, the wedge portion 38 displaces relative to the first arm portion 32 and the second arm portion 34.

[0040] Each gripping part 28 is sequentially moved to the cut-off position of the useless part 18 by the rotation of the support part 26, and then moves away from the cut-off position after reaching it. During this process, each gripping part 28 operates as follows: First, as... Figure 2 As shown in (A), during the process of the gripping part 28 approaching the cut-off position of the useless part 18, the first support part 36 and the second support part 40 slide toward the electrode plate 10. In this state, the tapered part 38a is sandwiched between the first roller 46 and the second roller 48. Therefore, a gap is formed between the first front end part 32a and the second front end part 34a. When the gripping part 28 reaches the cut-off position, it is in a forward posture relative to the electrode plate 10, and the useless part 18 enters the gap between the first front end part 32a and the second front end part 34a.

[0041] Next, as Figure 2 As shown in (B), with the first support portion 36 stopped, the second support portion 40 further displaces towards the electrode plate 10. Consequently, the tapered portion 38a enters between the first roller 46 and the second roller 48. At this time, the first roller 46 and the second roller 48 are pressed by the tapered portion 38a and displace in a direction separating from each other, overcoming the force of the force-applying member. Consequently, the first rear end portion 32c and the second rear end portion 34c displace in a direction separating from each other, while the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a displace in a direction approaching each other. When the wedge portion 38 displaces to the position where the main body portion 38b is clamped by the first roller 46 and the second roller 48, the useless portion 18 is held by the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a.

[0042] Next, as Figure 2As shown in (C), during the process of the gripping portion 28 moving away from the cut-off position of the useless portion 18, the first support portion 36 and the second support portion 40 slide away from the electrode plate 10 while maintaining a distance from each other. Thus, the gripping portion 28 is in a retracted posture relative to the electrode plate 10. At this time, the main body portion 38b is sandwiched between the first roller 46 and the second roller 48. Therefore, the state of gripping the useless portion 18 by the first front end portion 32a and the second front end portion 34a is maintained. By moving away from the electrode plate 10 while gripping the useless portion 18, a crack is generated in the recess 20, and the useless portion 18 is cut off from the electrode plate 10.

[0043] The holding part 28, holding the useless part 18, reaches the discard position of the useless part 18 by the rotation of the conveying roller 30. As the holding part 28 approaches the discard position, the second support part 40 displaces away from the first support part 36. The second support part 40 displaces to the position where the conical part 38a is sandwiched between the first roller 46 and the second roller 48, or the position where the wedge part 38 is completely pulled out. At this time, the first roller 46 and the second roller 48 are displaced towards each other by the force of the force-applying member. As a result, the first rear end part 32c and the second rear end part 34c are displaced towards each other, and the first front end part 32a and the second front end part 34a are displaced towards each other. As a result, a gap is created between the first front end part 32a and the second front end part 34a, and the useless part 18 is opened. The opened useless part 18 is removed from the holding part 28 at the discard position by falling due to its own weight or by a suction mechanism, etc.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 are opened and closed by the wedge 38, but other mechanisms can also be used to open and close them. Additionally, the useless part 18 is held by the gripping part 28 and torn from the electrode plate 10, but other mechanisms can also be used to cut the useless part 18 from the electrode plate 10. For example, the removal part 6 may have a protrusion that can move radially from the annular part 26a, and the useless part 18 may be cut from the electrode plate 10 by pressing it along the thickness direction C through this protrusion. Furthermore, the removal part 6 of this embodiment has a structure in which multiple gripping parts 28 are supported by annular support parts 26, but it is not limited to this; for example, multiple gripping parts 28 may also be arranged in a straight line.

[0045] As described above, the processing apparatus 1 for the electrode plate 10 in this embodiment includes: a processing section 4, which forms a recess 20 at the boundary between the tab 12 and the useless portion 18 in a predetermined forming region R of the tab 12 of the electrode plate 10; and a removal section 6, which cuts the useless portion 18 away from the electrode plate 10 along the recess 20 by applying force to the useless portion 18.

[0046] As a method for forming the tab 12 on the electrode plate 10, a method of pressing and cutting the electrode plate 10 with a die roller cutter is considered. However, in this case, due to the friction between the electrode plate 10 and the cutting blade, longitudinal burrs are easily generated at the edge of the electrode plate 10. Alternatively, as a method for forming the tab 12 on the electrode plate 10, a method of performing laser processing on a predetermined forming area R is considered. However, in this case, due to the shaking of the electrode plate 10 during transport, it is not easy to form the tab 12 with high precision. Furthermore, sputtering occurs when cutting the electrode plate 10 with a laser, therefore a chamber or similar structure is required.

[0047] In contrast, in this embodiment, by adding a recess 20 at the boundary between the tab 12 and the useless portion 18 and applying force to the useless portion 18, the useless portion 18 is cut away from the electrode plate 10 starting from the recess 20. This reduces friction between the electrode plate 10 and the cutting tool compared to cutting the electrode plate 10 with a cutting tool. Therefore, burrs on the edge of the electrode plate 10 can be suppressed. Furthermore, tool damage and wear can also be suppressed. The recess 20 is formed by pressing the protrusion 24 onto the electrode plate 10. Therefore, the recess 20 can be formed by pressing down on the electrode plate 10, which may wobble during transport. Furthermore, the wobble of the electrode plate 10 has no substantial impact on the action of tearing the useless portion 18 starting from the recess 20. Therefore, the forming accuracy of the tab 12 can be easily improved compared to laser processing. In summary, the processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can improve the quality of the electrode plate 10.

[0048] Furthermore, the processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a conveying section 2 for conveying a plurality of electrode plates 10. A processing section 4 and a removal section 6 are arranged on the conveying path of the electrode plates 10, and each of the sequentially delivered electrode plates 10 is subjected to the formation of a recess 20 and the removal of a useless portion 18. This increases the production capacity of the processing apparatus 1.

[0049] Furthermore, the processing unit 4 in this embodiment includes a mold roller 22, which has a protrusion 24 on its circumferential surface corresponding to the boundary between the tab portion 12 and the useless portion 18, and rotates synchronously with the conveying of the electrode plate 10. As a result, it is possible to continuously form recesses 20 on multiple electrode plates 10 with a simpler configuration.

[0050] Furthermore, the removal section 6 in this embodiment has a holding section 28, which can move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate 10 and hold the useless part 18. As a result, the useless part 18 can be torn from the electrode plate 10 starting from the recess 20.

[0051] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above. The above embodiments are merely specific examples illustrating the implementation of this disclosure. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of this disclosure; various design changes, such as alterations, additions, and deletions of constituent elements, can be made within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure as defined in the claims. New embodiments with applied design changes possess the effects of both the combined embodiments and their variations. In the above embodiments, the content enabling such design changes is emphasized by markings such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design changes are also permitted even without such markings. Any combination of the above constituent elements is also valid as a form of this disclosure. The shaded lines marked on the cross-sections of the drawings are not intended to limit the material of the objects marked with shaded lines.

[0052] The implementation method can also be determined by the items described below.

[0053] [Project 1]

[0054] An electrode plate (10) processing apparatus (1) includes:

[0055] The processing section (4) forms a recess (20) at the boundary between the tab (12) and the useless part (18) in the predetermined forming area (R) of the tab (12) of the electrode plate (10), and

[0056] The removal part (6) is cut away from the useless part (18) along the recess (20) by applying force to the useless part (18).

[0057] [Project 2]

[0058] The processing apparatus (1) for the electrode plate (10) described in Project 1.

[0059] Includes a conveying unit (2) that conveys multiple electrode plates (10);

[0060] The processing section (4) and the removal section (6) are arranged on the transport path of the electrode plate (10) to form a recess (20) and remove the useless part (18) on each of the electrode plates (10) that are delivered in sequence.

[0061] [Project 3]

[0062] The processing apparatus (1) for the electrode plate (10) as described in Project 2.

[0063] The processing unit (4) has a mold roller (22), which has a protrusion (24) on its circumferential surface corresponding to the boundary, and rotates synchronously with the conveying of the electrode plate (10).

[0064] [Project 4]

[0065] The processing apparatus (1) for the electrode plate (10) described in any of items 1 to 3.

[0066] The removal part (6) has a holding part (28) which can move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate (10) and hold the useless part (18).

[0067] [Project 5]

[0068] A method for processing an electrode plate (10) includes:

[0069] A recess (20) is formed at the boundary between the tab (12) and the useless part (18) in the predetermined forming region (R) of the tab (12) of the electrode plate (10), and

[0070] By applying force to the useless part (18), the useless part (18) is cut away from the electrode plate (10) along the recess (20).

[0071] [Industrial Availability]

[0072] This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for processing electrode plates.

[0073] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0074] 1 Processing device, 2 Conveying section, 4 Processing section, 6 Removal section, 10 Electrode plate, 12 Electrode lug, 18 Unused section, 20 Recess, 22 Mold roller, 24 Protrusion, 28 Holding section, R Predetermined forming area.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing an electrode plate, comprising: The processing section forms a recess at the boundary between the tab and the useless part in a predetermined forming area of ​​the tab on the electrode plate; The removal portion, which cuts away from the electrode plate along the recess by applying force to the useless portion; and The conveying section transports multiple electrode plates. The processing section and the removal section are arranged on the transport path of the electrode plates, and perform the formation of the recess and the removal of the useless parts on each electrode plate that is sequentially delivered. The removal section includes: a holding section that can move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate and clamp the useless part; and a support section that supports the holding section. The support rotates synchronously with the conveying of the electrode plate. The processing device includes a cam mechanism, which causes the gripping part to move forward and backward relative to the electrode plate by rotating the support part, and switches the gripping and opening of the unused part by rotating the support part.

2. The electrode plate processing apparatus as described in claim 1, The processing unit has a mold roller with a protrusion on its circumferential surface corresponding to the boundary, and rotates synchronously with the conveying of the electrode plate.

3. The electrode plate processing apparatus as described in claim 1 or 2, The conveying section has fixed conveying rollers. The support portion includes: an annular portion supported by the conveying roller for rotatability; and a base protruding from the circumferential surface of the annular portion and configured to allow the gripping portion to slide in a forward and backward direction relative to the electrode plate. The cam mechanism includes: a cam follower disposed on the gripping portion; and a cam disposed on the circumferential surface of the conveying roller, which is slidably engaged with the cam follower. The support rotates relative to the conveyor roller, thereby causing the cam follower to move along the cam. Through this movement, the gripping part moves forward and backward relative to the electrode plate and switches the gripping and opening of the useless part.

4. The electrode plate processing apparatus as described in claim 3, The removal section has a plurality of the holding sections. The support portion has a plurality of bases for each holding portion to be disposed and arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular portion.

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