Battery manufacturing device

Abstract

The present application relates to a battery manufacturing apparatus for more reliably discarding unqualified electrodes and diaphragms at one place on a production line. The battery manufacturing device is provided with: a waste box which is disposed at one position of a production line of a battery having a structure in which an electrode and a separator are used, and which accommodates an unqualified electrode and an unqualified separator; and an unqualified product lead-out part which leads the unqualified product electrode and the unqualified product diaphragm to the waste box. The unqualified product lead-out part is provided with: a first member for guiding the electrodes of the unqualified products to the waste box by using gravity; and a second member for guiding the unqualified diaphragm to the waste box by using the suction force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing technology of a battery having a structure in which a plurality of separators are arranged between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrode inspection device used for manufacturing batteries. The electrode inspection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a discard box that stores electrodes that are NG products (defective products) determined by an inspection unit.

[0003] The discard box is arranged below the belt conveyor that conveys the inspected electrodes. The electrode inspection device stores the NG electrodes in the discard box by applying force to the NG electrodes from above.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-101075 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] When manufacturing batteries having a structure in which electrodes (positive electrodes and negative electrodes) and separators are alternately arranged on a production line, it is necessary to discard defective electrodes (including defective electrodes with separators) and defective separators (including unnecessary separators) delivered.

[0009] However, the electrodes and the separators are different in weight and hardness, and it is not possible to discard defective electrodes and unnecessary separators at one place in the production line as in the prior art including Patent Document 1.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery manufacturing apparatus that can more reliably discard defective electrodes and separators at one point in a production line.

[0011] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0012] The battery manufacturing device of the present invention comprises: a waste box, which is arranged at a place of a production line of a battery having a structure using electrodes and separators, and contains defective electrodes and defective separators; and a defective product lead-out unit, which guides the defective electrodes and defective separators to the waste box. The defective product lead-out unit comprises: a first member, which guides the defective electrodes from vertically above the waste box to the inside; and a second member, which guides the defective separators to the waste box using suction.

[0013] In this structure, the electrode, which is heavier than the separator and less deformable, is discarded by its own weight, and the separator, which is lighter than the electrode and more easily deformable, is discarded by suction. Thus, the electrode and the separator can be discarded according to the difference in physical properties between the electrode and the separator.

[0014] In addition, the structure of introducing defective products into the waste box from vertically above (for example, by dropping them) and the structure of using suction force are both relatively simple and easy to miniaturize, and the waste boxes can be concentrated in one place on the structural production line.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, defective electrodes and separators can be discarded more reliably at one location on the production line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of a part of a production line for batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is an external perspective view of the disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 (A) is a top view of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (B) is a side view of the waste device.

[0020] Figure 4 (A) Figure 4 (B) is a side cross-sectional view of the disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding defective electrodes.

[0022] Figure 6 (A) Figure 6 (B) Figure 6 (C) Figure 6 (D) Figure 6 (E) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding defective electrodes.

[0023] Figure 7 (A) Figure 7 (B) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding a defective separator.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a side view of the disposal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 9 (A) Fig. 9 (B) Fig. 9 (C) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding defective electrodes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] [First embodiment]

[0027] The battery manufacturing device involved in the first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the battery manufacturing device involved in each embodiment of the present invention is a device that includes the electrodes of defective products and the diaphragms of defective products on the production line of discarded batteries. In addition, the battery manufactured by the battery manufacturing device involved in the embodiment of the present invention is a battery having a structure in which a positive electrode of a flat film and a negative electrode of a flat film are arranged through a diaphragm having an insulating film with ion conductivity, such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0028] (Battery production line)

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of a part of a battery production line according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the diagram shows a process of conveying formed positive and negative electrodes to a process of laminating positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes in a battery production line.

[0030] (Negative electrode side)

[0031] The individualized negative electrodes 71 are conveyed using a conveyor 791 ( Figure 1 The negative electrode 71 that has reached a predetermined position near the terminal of the conveyor 791 is picked up and conveyed to the workbench 792 ( Figure 1 The workbench 792 can be moved and rotated in a plane. Thus, the negative electrode 71 is transported to the mounting reference position ( Figure 1 of S13 transport).

[0032] The separator 81 stored in a rolled shape is guided onto the conveyor 891 by pulling out its end portion and conveyed.

[0033] The negative electrode 71 transported to the mounting reference position is picked up ( Figure 1 P14 conveyor) and is placed at a specified position of the diaphragm 81 on the conveyor 891.

[0034] The inspection section for good and bad products of the separator 81 alone is arranged in a process before the process of placing the negative electrode 71 on the separator 81 in the production line. In addition, the negative electrode 71 is not placed on the defective portion of the separator 81.

[0035] The separator 81 with or without the negative electrode 71 is conveyed to a predetermined position near the terminal end of the conveyor 891 ( Figure 1 In this state, the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 or the single separator 81 (the separator 81 without the negative electrode 71) is cut into a single piece of separator 81 in a shape for stacking by the cutting device 881. In addition, when the conveyance of the separator 81 starts, the unnecessary separator 81 not used for stacking at the front end portion is also cut.

[0036] The single piece of diaphragm 81 is picked up and transported to the workbench 892 ( Figure 1 The workbench 892 can be moved and rotated in a plane. Thus, the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 and the separate separator 81 are transported to the stacking reference position ( Figure 1 of S23 transport).

[0037] The inspection section for inspecting the negative electrodes 71 for good and bad products is arranged at a predetermined position on the production line before the negative electrodes 71 are transported to the stacking reference position.

[0038] (Positive electrode side)

[0039] The individualized positive electrodes 72 are conveyed using a conveyor 793 ( Figure 1 The positive electrode 72 that has reached a predetermined position near the terminal of the conveyor 793 is picked up and conveyed to the workbench 794 ( Figure 1 The workbench 794 can be moved and rotated in a plane. Thus, the positive electrode 72 is transported to the mounting reference position ( Figure 1 of S33 transport).

[0040] The separator 82 stored in a rolled shape is guided onto the conveyor 893 and conveyed by pulling out the end thereof.

[0041] The positive electrode 72 transported to the mounting reference position is picked up ( Figure 1 P34 conveyor) and is placed at a specified position of the diaphragm 82 on the conveyor 893.

[0042] The inspection section for good and bad products of the separator 82 alone is arranged in a process before the process of placing the positive electrode 72 on the separator 82 in the production line. In addition, the positive electrode 72 is not placed on the defective portion of the separator 82.

[0043] The separator 82 with or without the positive electrode 72 is conveyed to a predetermined position near the terminal end of the conveyor 893 ( Figure 1In this state, the separator 82 with the positive electrode 72 or the single separator 82 (the separator 82 without the positive electrode 72) is cut into a single piece of separator 82 in a shape for stacking by the cutting device 882. In addition, when the separator 82 is started to be transported, the unnecessary separator 82 not used for stacking at the front end portion is also cut.

[0044] The single piece of diaphragm 82 is picked up and transported to the workbench 894 ( Figure 1 The workbench 894 can be moved and rotated in a plane. Thus, the separator 82 with the positive electrode 72 and the separate separator 82 are transported to the stacking reference position ( Figure 1 of S43 transport).

[0045] The inspection section for inspecting the positive electrodes 72 for good and bad products is arranged until the positive electrodes 72 are transported to the stacking reference position.

[0046] (Conveying and stacking of qualified products)

[0047] The conveying device 91 is a device for picking up and conveying, and conveys by rotating ( Figure 1 The conveying device 91 corresponds to the "conveying member" of the present invention.

[0048] The conveyor 91 obtains the inspection results from the inspection unit of the negative electrode 71 and the inspection results from the inspection unit of the separator 81. The conveyor 91 conveys the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71, which is a qualified product, to the laminating unit 92. The inspection results include not only whether the product is a qualified product or a defective product, but also information related to the conveyed product such as the separator, electrode, and electrode with separator, and are associated with information such as whether the product is a qualified product or a defective product.

[0049] The conveyor 91 obtains the inspection results from the inspection unit of the positive electrode 72 and the inspection results from the inspection unit of the separator 82. The conveyor 91 conveys the separator 82 with the positive electrode 72, which is a qualified product, to the laminating unit 92. The inspection results include not only whether the product is a qualified product or a defective product, but also information related to the conveyed product such as the separator, electrode, and electrode with separator, and are associated with information such as whether the product is a qualified product or a defective product.

[0050] The conveying device 91 conveys the separators 81 with the negative electrodes 71 of the conforming product and the separators 82 with the positive electrodes 72 of the conforming product to the laminating unit 92 so that the negative electrodes 71 and the positive electrodes 72 are alternately arranged with the separators interposed therebetween.

[0051] (Transport and discard of defective products)

[0052] The conveyor 91 obtains the inspection result from the inspection unit. The conveyor 91 conveys the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 of the defective product and the separator 81 alone of the defective product to the disposal device 10. The inspection result includes not only whether the product is a good product or a defective product, but also includes information related to the conveyed product such as the separator, the electrode, and the electrode with the separator, and is associated with the information such as whether the product is a good product or a defective product.

[0053] The conveying device 91 conveys the separator 82 with the positive electrode 72 of the defective product and the separator 82 of the defective product alone to the disposal device 10. The disposal device 10 obtains the inspection result of the inspection unit. The inspection result includes not only whether it is a good product or a defective product, but also includes information related to the conveyed product such as the separator, the electrode, and the electrode with the separator, and is associated with the information such as whether it is a good product or a defective product.

[0054] The discarding device 10 has a screening unit that can screen discarded components and discarded boxes based on inspection results (based on whether they are defective products and whether the defective products contain electrodes). The screening unit is, for example, a microcomputer built into the main body of the discarding device 10 (not shown).

[0055] (Structure and Operation of Disposal Device 10)

[0056] Figure 2 It is an external perspective view of the disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (A) is a top view of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (B) is a side view of the waste device. Figure 4 (A) Figure 4 (B) is a side cross-sectional view of the disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 (A) and Figure 4 The state of the cover member of (B) is different. In each figure, DIRvu indicates the vertical upward direction, and DIRvd indicates the vertical downward direction.

[0057] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 (A) Figure 3 (B) Figure 4 (A) Figure 4 As shown in (B), the discarding device 10 includes a cylinder 11, a cover member 12, a channel tube 13, a storage box 14, and a storage box 15. The portion composed of the cylinder 11, the cover member 12, and the channel tube 13 corresponds to the "defective product outlet portion" of the present invention. The storage box 14 corresponds to the "first storage box" of the present invention, and the storage box 15 corresponds to the "second storage box" of the present invention. The storage box 14 and the storage box 15 constitute the "discarding box" of the present invention.

[0058] The cylinder 11 includes a cylindrical side wall 11SW and a bottom wall 11BW. The cylinder 11 is in a cylindrical shape having an upper opening Uo11 at the upper side in the vertical direction, and has an internal space SP11.

[0059] The bottom wall 11BW has a lower opening Ud11. The bottom wall 11BW blocks the lower side of the side wall 11SW except for the lower opening Ud11. The side wall of the cylinder 11 is provided with a suction port 113 for compressed air.

[0060] Although the detailed structure is omitted, the cylinder 11 generates a large flow of air from the upper opening Uo11 to the lower opening Ud11 in the internal space SP11 using the compressed air sucked from the suction port 113. As a result, the air outside the waste device 10 is sucked from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11, and is ejected from the lower opening Ud11 through the internal space SP11. Therefore, the cylinder 11 functions as the "suction member" of the present invention.

[0061] The suction assisting member 112 is disposed at the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11. The suction assisting member 112 has a mortar shape (a tapered shape) in which the opening area increases as the distance from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 increases.

[0062] The cover member 12 includes a flat body 121 and a rotation mechanism 122. The rotation mechanism 122 is provided on one side of the body 121 in a plan view.

[0063] The cover member 12 is arranged vertically upward relative to the cylinder 11 . More specifically, the cover member 12 is arranged to be rotatable by the rotation mechanism 122 at the end of the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11 (more specifically, the outer opening end of the suction auxiliary member 112 ).

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1A , in the first form of the cover member 12 , the cover member 12 overlaps with the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11 and the outer opening of the suction auxiliary member 112 in a plan view, thereby blocking them.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown in (B), in the second form of the cover member 12, the cover member 12 does not overlap with the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11 and the outer opening of the suction auxiliary member 112 when viewed from above, and does not block them. The main body 121 of the cover member 12 extends from the outer opening of the suction auxiliary member 112 to the vertical upward direction DIRvu, and is substantially parallel to the vertical upward direction DIRvu.

[0066] The channel pipe 13 is disposed at a position of the cylinder 11 in the vertical downward direction DIRvd.

[0067] The channel tube 13 has a cylindrical wall 13SW and has an internal space SP13. The wall 13SW is connected to the bottom wall 11BW of the cylinder 11. The internal space SP13 of the channel tube 13 communicates with the lower opening Ud11 of the cylinder 11 and communicates with the internal space SP11 of the cylinder 11.

[0068] The storage box 15 is disposed at a position in the vertical downward direction DIRvd of the cylinder 11 and the channel pipe 13 .

[0069] The storage box 15 is a box body including a top wall 15UW, a bottom wall 15BW and a side wall 15SW, and has an internal space SP15. The top wall 15UW is connected to the wall 13SW of the channel tube 13. An opening is formed in the top wall 15UW, and the opening of the top wall 15UW is connected to the internal space SP13 of the channel tube 13. The bottom wall 15BW has a mesh structure to allow air to pass through.

[0070] The storage box 14 is disposed on the outer side surface of the cylindrical body 11. More specifically, the storage box 14 is disposed on the outer side surface of the cylindrical body 11 where the rotation mechanism portion 122 of the cover member 12 is provided.

[0071] The storage box 14 includes a square tube side wall 14SW and a bottom wall 14BW. The storage box 14 is a box body having an upper opening Uo14 and has an internal space SP14.

[0072] The storage box 14 includes an inclined member 149. The inclined member 149 is in contact with the side wall 14SW and the bottom wall 14BW. The inclined member 149 is in contact with a portion of the side wall 14SW that is circumferential in a plan view and is on the side of the cylinder 11.

[0073] The inclined member 149 has an inclined surface F149 that intersects the surface of the bottom wall 14BW at a non-orthogonal angle. The inclined surface F149 has a shape in which the center portion bulges more than the upper end and the lower end.

[0074] (Disposal of defective electrodes)

[0075] Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Figure 6 (A) Figure 6 (B) Figure 6 (C) Figure 6 (D) Figure 6 (E) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding defective electrodes. It should be noted that in each figure, a single defective electrode 70NG (defective negative electrode 71 or defective positive electrode 72) is used as an example, but defective electrodes with isolation can also be discarded.

[0076] like Figure 5As shown in (A), when the discarding device 10 obtains information about the defective electrode 70NG, the cover member 12 is in the first state to block the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11. When the conveying device 91 obtains information about the defective electrode 70NG, the defective electrode 70NG is placed on the top surface UF12 of the cover member 12.

[0077] When the defective electrode 70NG is placed on the top surface UF12 of the cover member 12, the discarding device 10 rotates the cover member 12 and controls it to the second state. Figure 5 As shown in (B), the cover member 12 is substantially vertical. The defective electrode 70NG is placed on the top surface UF12 and can be detected by, for example, a detection sensor having an electrode on the top surface UF12, the operation start time and operation speed of the conveyor device 91, and the like.

[0078] The single-piece negative electrode 71 and the single-piece positive electrode 72 are heavier than the single-piece separator 81 and the single-piece separator 82, and are difficult to deform. Figure 5 As shown in (B), the defective electrode 70NG falls in the vertical downward direction DIRvd due to its own weight.

[0079] The falling start position of the defective electrode 70NG is the vertical upper side of the storage box 14. Therefore, there is an internal space SP14 of the storage box 14 in the vertical downward direction DIRvd in which the defective electrode 70NG falls. Thus, the defective electrode 70NG is stored in the storage box 14. This series of actions corresponds to the "first component" of the present invention.

[0080] The defective electrodes 70NG are stored in the storage box 14 mainly using gravity (by free fall), and suction is not used when storing the defective electrodes 70NG, thereby realizing a simple and compact structure for discarding and storing the defective electrodes 70NG.

[0081] like Figure 6 (A) Figure 6 As shown in (B), the defective electrode 70NG dropped into the storage box 14 slides down along the inclined surface F149.

[0082] The defective electrode 70NG is less likely to deform than the diaphragm, but it is not completely non-deformable and can deform to a certain extent. Figure 6 As shown in (C), when the lower end of the defective electrode 70NG contacts the surface of the bottom wall 14BW, the defective electrode 70NG bends along the inclined surface F149 due to its own weight.

[0083] like Figure 6 (D) Figure 6As shown in (E), since the previous defective electrode 70NG is shaped along the inclined surface F149, the defective electrode 70NG that subsequently falls into the storage box 14 slides down along the surface of the previous defective electrode 70NG.

[0084] Thus, the previously fallen defective electrode 70NG is less likely to prevent the next fallen defective electrode 70NG from falling into the storage box 14. Therefore, the discarding device 10 can store the plurality of defective electrodes 70NG in the storage box 14 more reliably.

[0085] It should be noted that the inclined member 149 can be omitted, but it is preferable to arrange the inclined member 149 for the reasons described above.

[0086] In addition, since the inclined surface F149 is a structure with a bulging center, the upper end of the defective electrode 70NG received along the inclined surface F149 becomes more horizontal. As a result, the defective electrode 70NG that falls next is less likely to get caught on the upper end of the defective electrode 70NG that has already been received. Therefore, the discarding device 10 can more reliably receive a plurality of defective electrodes 70NG in the receiving box 14.

[0087] (Disposal of defective diaphragms)

[0088] Figure 7 (A) Figure 7 (B) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding a defective separator.

[0089] like Figure 7 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , when the discarding device 10 obtains information on the defective diaphragm 80NG, the cover member 12 is changed to the second state. Thus, the discarding device 10 exposes the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11 upward.

[0090] Furthermore, the waste device 10 introduces compressed air from the suction port 113, such as Figure 7 As shown by the arrow in (A), an air flow is generated from the cylinder 11 to the storage box 15 through the passage pipe 13. Thus, an air flow is generated which is sucked from above the cylinder 11 and sent downward from the mesh of the screen of the bottom wall 15BW of the storage box 15.

[0091] When the conveying device 91 obtains the information of the defective diaphragm 80NG, it drops the defective diaphragm 80NG onto the top of the cylinder 11 .

[0092] The separators 81 and 82 are lighter than the negative electrode 71 and the positive electrode 72 and are easily deformed. Figure 7As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , the dropped defective diaphragm 80NG is sucked into the internal space SP11 from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11 by the air flow.

[0093] The defective diaphragm 80NG is deformed by the pressure of the air flow and is sent from the internal space SP11 of the cylinder 11 to the internal space SP15 of the storage box 15 through the internal space SP13 of the passage pipe 13. The defective diaphragm 80NG inserted into the internal space SP15 of the storage box 15 is captured by the bottom wall 15BW of the storage box 15.

[0094] Thereby, the defective separator 80NG is stored in the storage box 15. This series of operations corresponds to the "second means" of the present invention.

[0095] At this time, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the channel tube 13 (the area of ​​the surface in the internal space SP13 that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the channel tube 13) is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the cylinder 11 (the area of ​​the surface in the internal space SP11 that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cylinder 11). As a result, when the air flows through the channel tube 13, the flow velocity increases, and the suction force increases. Therefore, the discarding device 10 can reliably store the defective diaphragm 80NG through the storage box 15.

[0096] In addition, at this time, the defective separator 80NG is compressed by the air flow. Therefore, the three-dimensional size (for example, the total value of the size in three orthogonal directions) of the state of being stored in the storage box 15 becomes smaller. As a result, the defective separator 80NG can be stored in the storage box 15 in a small size, for example, the space utilization efficiency of the storage box 15 can be improved.

[0097] As described above, the discarding device 10 can discard the defective electrodes 70NG and the defective separators 80NG more reliably.

[0098] Furthermore, the storage box 14 for storing the defective electrodes 70NG is arranged along the side of the cylinder 11, and the cylinder 11 generates a suction force for storing the defective separators 80NG in the storage box 15. Thus, the discarding device 10 can more reliably discard the defective electrodes 70NG and the defective separators 80NG at a small area on the production line.

[0099] At this time, the defective electrodes 70NG are not stored horizontally but stored approximately in the vertical direction. Thus, the plane area of ​​the storage box 14 storing the defective electrodes 70NG can be reduced. Therefore, the discarding device 10 can be made more compact (space-saving) when viewed from above.

[0100] The storage box 15 for storing the defective diaphragms 80NG is disposed vertically below the cylinder 11 DIRvd and overlaps the cylinder 11 in a plan view. Thus, the discarding device 10 can be further miniaturized (space-saving) in a plan view.

[0101] In the above-mentioned structure, the qualified products and the unqualified products are separately conveyed by one conveying device 91. Thus, the number of devices constituting the production line can be reduced, and the space saving and simplification of the structure of the production line can be achieved.

[0102] [Second embodiment]

[0103] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment is different in that the discarding apparatus 10 of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment is replaced with a discarding apparatus 10A. The other structures of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

[0104] Figure 8 2 is a side view of a disposal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the discarding device 10A is different from the discarding device 10 according to the first embodiment in that a mechanism for pushing in the defective electrode 70NG is added. The other structures of the discarding device 10A are the same as those of the discarding device 10, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

[0105] The pushing mechanism of the disposal device 10A includes a pushing member 16 , a slide guide 162 , and a support column 169 .

[0106] The support column 169 is provided to stand adjacent to the storage box 14. The height of the support column 169 is higher than the height of the storage box 14.

[0107] The push member 16 is a plate having a predetermined rigidity. Specifically, the predetermined rigidity is a rigidity that enables the push member 16 to deform the defective electrode 70NG and press it into the storage box 14. The push member 16 has a front end 160. The front end 160 is tapered when viewed from the side.

[0108] The push-in member 16 is installed on the support column 169 using the slide guide 162. At this time, the front end portion 160 is installed at the lowermost end of the push-in member 16 in the vertical downward direction DIRvd.

[0109] The slide guide 162 is a mechanism member capable of moving the push member 16 in the vertical downward direction DIRvd and the vertical upward direction DIRvu. Thus, the push member 16 can move in the vertical downward direction DIRvd and the vertical upward direction DIRvu.

[0110] When the pushing member 16 is located at the uppermost end in the moving direction, the front end portion 160 is located near the upper opening Uo14 of the storage box 14. That is, in this case, the front end portion 160 is located at a position that does not prevent the defective electrode 70NG from falling into the storage box 14.

[0111] When the pushing member 16 is at the lowest end in the moving direction, the front end portion 160 is located in the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14 and reaches a position at a predetermined distance from the bottom wall 14BW. That is, in this case, the front end portion 160 can contact the defective electrode 70NG stored in the storage box 14 and is located at a position where a predetermined pressing force is applied to the defective electrode 70NG.

[0112] (Pushing in of defective electrodes)

[0113] Fig. 9 (A) Fig. 9 (B) Fig. 9 (C) is a partial side cross-sectional view showing various states of the operation of discarding defective electrodes.

[0114] like Fig. 9 As shown in (A), when the defective electrode 70NG is stored in the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14, the push-in component 16 descends. It should be noted that the descent can be triggered manually or automatically. In the case of automatic triggering, for example, a detection sensor for the defective electrode 70NG can be set at a predetermined height of the storage box 14, and the detection sensor detects the input and insufficient drop of the defective electrode 70NG as an automatic triggering condition.

[0115] like Fig. 9 (B) Fig. 9 As shown in (C), the push member 16 is further lowered. As a result, the push member 16 contacts the defective electrode 70NG from the front end portion 160 side and pushes the defective electrode 70NG in. As a result, the defective electrode 70NG is crushed and accumulated on the bottom wall 14BW side of the storage box 14.

[0116] By pushing in this way, the discarding device 10A can forcibly store (discard) the defective electrode 70NG hanging near the upper opening Uo14 of the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14 on the bottom wall 14BW side of the storage box 14 .

[0117] It should be noted that the push-in mechanism preferably includes a torque limiter for press-in. This can suppress failure or damage of the push-in mechanism caused by forced push-in.

[0118] In addition, the shape of the front end portion 160 of the pushing member 16 is not limited to the tapered shape, and can be appropriately adopted.

[0119] <1>

[0120] A battery manufacturing device comprising:

[0121] A waste box is disposed at a location of a production line of batteries having a structure using electrodes and separators, and contains defective electrodes and defective separators; and

[0122] The defective product guide unit guides the defective electrodes and the defective separators to the waste box.

[0123] The defective product exporting unit comprises:

[0124] A first member guides the defective electrode from vertically above the waste box to the inside; and

[0125] The second means guides the membrane of the defective product to the waste box using suction force.

[0126] <2>

[0127] According to the battery manufacturing device described in <1>, the defective product output unit further includes a screening unit.

[0128] The screening unit screens whether the defective products contain electrodes. For defective products containing the electrodes, the first component is used to guide the defective products containing the electrodes to the waste box. For defective products not containing electrodes, the second component is used to guide the defective products not containing the electrodes to the waste box.

[0129] <3>

[0130] According to the battery manufacturing apparatus described in <1> or <2>, the discard box includes a first storage box for storing the defective electrodes and a second storage box for storing the defective separators.

[0131] <4>

[0132] According to the battery manufacturing device described in <3>,

[0133] The defective product exporting unit comprises:

[0134] a cylinder body, which is open from the top; and

[0135] The cover member opens and closes the upper opening of the cylinder.

[0136] The first storage box is arranged on the side of the cylinder.

[0137] The second storage box is arranged below the cylinder.

[0138] The first member is a mechanism for guiding the electrodes of the defective products placed on the cover member to the first storage box.

[0139] The second member is a mechanism for increasing the falling speed of the defective diaphragm dropped from above the cylindrical body and guiding the defective diaphragm to the second storage box.

[0140] <5>

[0141] According to the battery manufacturing device described in <4>,

[0142] The first member includes a rotation mechanism of the cover member for changing the cover member from a closed state to an open state.

[0143] The second member includes a suction component that is disposed on the cylindrical body and generates suction force below the cylindrical body.

[0144] <6>

[0145] According to the battery manufacturing device described in <5>,

[0146] The battery manufacturing device includes a channel pipe connecting the cylinder and the second storage box.

[0147] The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the channel tube is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the cylinder.

[0148] <7>

[0149] The battery manufacturing device according to any one of <3> to <6>,

[0150] The first storage box is a box body with an upper opening and a bottom wall.

[0151] The inner surface of the box body is provided with an inclined member having an inclined surface intersecting with the surface of the bottom wall at a non-orthogonal angle.

[0152] <8>

[0153] According to the battery manufacturing device described in <7>,

[0154] The tilting member is arranged on a surface on the cylindrical body side of the inner surface of the box body.

[0155] <9>

[0156] According to the battery manufacturing apparatus described in <8>, the inclined surface has a shape in which a central portion is bulged more than an upper end and a lower end.

[0157] <10>

[0158] The battery manufacturing device according to any one of <1> to <9>,

[0159] The battery manufacturing apparatus includes a conveying member that conveys electrodes and separators for manufacturing the battery, including the defective electrodes and the defective separators.

[0160] The conveying member conveys the defective electrode and the defective separator to the defective product outlet.

[0161] The conveying member conveys the conforming electrodes and the conforming electrodes with separators to the laminating device of the production line.

[0162] <11>

[0163] According to the battery manufacturing device described in <10>,

[0164] The battery manufacturing device includes an inspection device for determining whether the electrode is a good product or a bad product at a process position before the conveying member on the production line.

[0165] The conveyor member and the defective product output unit operate based on the inspection result of the inspection device.

[0166] Description of Reference Numerals

[0167] 10, 10A: waste device; 11: cylinder; 11BW: bottom wall; 11SW: side wall; 12: cover member; 13: channel tube; 13SW: wall; 14: storage box; 14BW: bottom wall; 14SW: side wall; 15: storage box; 15BW: bottom wall; 15SW: side wall; 15UW: top wall; 16: push-in member; 162: sliding guide; 169: support; 70NG: defective electrode; 71: negative electrode; 72: positive electrode; 80NG: defective diaphragm; 81, 82: diaphragm; 91: conveying device; 92 : Laminating part; 112: Suction auxiliary part; 113: Suction port; 121: Main body; 122: Rotating mechanism part; 149: Tilting part; 791, 793, 891, 893: Conveyor; 792, 794, 892, 894: Workbench; 881, 882: Cutting device; DIRvd: Vertical downward direction; DIRvu: Vertical upward direction; F149: Inclined surface; SP11, SP13, SP14, SP15: Internal space; Ud11: Lower opening; UF12: Top surface; Uo11, Uo14: Upper opening.

Claims

1. A battery manufacturing device comprising: A waste box is disposed at a location of a production line of batteries having a structure using electrodes and separators, and contains defective electrodes and defective separators; and The defective product guide unit guides the defective electrodes and the defective separators to the waste box. The defective product exporting unit comprises: A first member guides the defective electrode from vertically above the waste box to the inside; and The second means guides the membrane of the defective product to the waste box using suction force.

2. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The defective product exporting unit further comprises a screening unit. The screening unit screens whether the defective products contain electrodes. For defective products containing the electrodes, the first component is used to guide the defective products containing the electrodes to the waste box. For defective products not containing electrodes, the second component is used to guide the defective products not containing the electrodes to the waste box.

3. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The discard box includes a first storage box for storing the defective electrodes and a second storage box for storing the defective separators.

4. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 3, wherein: The defective product exporting unit comprises: a cylinder body, which is open from the top; and The cover member opens and closes the upper opening of the cylinder. The first storage box is arranged on the side of the cylinder. The second storage box is arranged below the cylinder. The first member is a mechanism for guiding the electrodes of the defective products placed on the cover member to the first storage box. The second member is a mechanism for increasing the falling speed of the defective diaphragm dropped from above the cylindrical body and guiding the defective diaphragm to the second storage box.

5. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 4, wherein: The first member includes a rotation mechanism of the cover member for changing the cover member from a closed state to an open state. The second member includes a suction component that is disposed on the cylindrical body and generates suction force below the cylindrical body.

6. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 5, wherein: The battery manufacturing device includes a passage pipe connecting the cylinder and the second storage box. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the channel tube is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the cylinder.

7. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 3, wherein: The first storage box is a box body with an upper opening and a bottom wall. The inner surface of the box body is provided with an inclined member having an inclined surface intersecting with the surface of the bottom wall at a non-orthogonal angle.

8. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 7, wherein: The tilting member is disposed on a surface on the cylinder side of the inner surface of the box.

9. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein: The inclined surface has a shape in which a central portion is bulged more than an upper end and a lower end.

10. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The battery manufacturing apparatus includes a conveying member that conveys the electrodes and separators for manufacturing the battery, including the defective electrodes and the defective separators. The conveying member conveys the defective electrode and the defective separator to the defective product outlet. The conveying member conveys the conforming electrodes and the conforming electrodes with separators to the laminating device of the production line.

11. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 10, wherein: The battery manufacturing device includes an inspection device for determining whether the electrode is a good product or a bad product at a process position before the conveying member on the production line. The conveying member and the defective product leading unit operate based on the inspection result of the inspection device.

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