Laminating device for laminating multiple layers of continuous webs for manufacturing energy cells

Abstract

A lamination device for a multilayer continuous web (3) for manufacturing an energy cell comprises a pressing device for laminating the multilayer continuous web (3) by applying pressure wherein the multilayer continuous web consists of at least one separator web (4, 6) and at least one electrode (5). According to the invention, the pressing device has a pressing surface with at least one outwardly projecting projection, which pressing surface is arranged in such a way that, when a pressure is applied, the pressing surface is in contact with a section of the continuous web (3) which adjoins the edge side of the electrode (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a laminating device for laminating multilayer continuous webs for producing energy cells having the features of the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Energy cells or energy storage devices in the sense of the invention are used, for example, in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft or stationary installations in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, such as photovoltaic installations, which have to store very large amounts of energy over a longer period of time.

[0003] For this purpose, the energy cell can adopt a structure consisting of a large number of fragments stacked into a stack. These fragments are respectively formed by alternating anode sheets and cathode sheets, wherein these anode sheets and cathode sheets are separated from each other by separator sheets that are also manufactured as fragments. These fragments are pre-cut during the manufacturing process, and then stacked up and down in a predetermined order and connected together by lamination. Here, the anode sheets and cathode sheets are first cut out from the continuous web, and then placed separately and spaced apart on the continuous web of the separator material. The "double-layer" continuous web consisting of the separator material and the anode sheets or cathode sheets placed thereon is then cut into fragments again in a second step using a cutting device, wherein, in this case, these fragments are formed in a double-layer manner by the separator sheet and the anode sheets or cathode sheets arranged thereon. If it is feasible or necessary in terms of production technology, the continuous web of separator material with the anode sheet and cathode sheet placed thereon can also be stacked one above the other before cutting to form a continuous web, which includes: a first continuous layer of separator material, on which the anode sheet or cathode sheet is placed, and a second continuous layer of separator material, on which the anode sheet or cathode sheet is placed again. The "four-layer" continuous web is then cut into fragments using a cutting device. In this case, the "four-layer" continuous web is formed into four layers, including: a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a cathode sheet placed thereon. The advantage of this solution is that one cutting can be saved. In addition, the cut electrodes can also be placed on a continuous web and stacked one above the other to form a three-layer continuous web through another continuous separator web, and then a three-layer fragment having a separator sheet, an electrode sheet, and another separator sheet is cut out from it. Therefore, the fragment in the sense of the present invention is a single-layer fragment of separator material, anode material, or cathode material, or it can also be a double-layer, three-layer, or four-layer fragment of the above-mentioned structure.

[0004] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "two-layer" or "four-layer" continuous webs can also be supplemented into "three-layer" or "five-layer" continuous webs by placing additional separator webs on the electrodes, which then have separator webs on both sides.

[0005] Alternatively, the electrodes can also be present as a continuous web, i.e. an uncut “two-layer”, “three-layer”, “four-layer” or “five-layer” continuous web, which is then cut into significantly longer lengths and then, for example, wound up. Alternatively, the continuous web can also be wound up first and then cut after the winding is completed. In this case, the electrodes in the continuous web are not present as spaced-apart segments, but in the form of individual segments extending uninterruptedly in the intermediate gaps between the separator webs.

[0006] Furthermore, electrodes in the form of copper webs or copper foils or similar carrier materials with discontinuous coatings can also be provided in a continuous web, wherein the coatings each form segmented, spaced-apart elevations in the electrode.

[0007] In order to laminate "double-layer", "tri-layer", "quadruple-layer" or "quintuple-layer" continuous webs, they are passed between two presses, which exert pressure on the continuous webs. In this process, the electrode and separator webs are pressed into these continuous webs. Basically, the presses are used to connect and laminate the electrode and separator webs together by applying pressure. In addition, the lamination can be supported by the heat generated by the pressure. In addition, further heating or cooling areas can also be provided, which temperature control the continuous web during lamination. In order to achieve a high-quality connection, it is desirable that the continuous web is subjected to pressure that is as equal as possible in its longitudinal and transverse extension.

[0008] The problem here is that the electrodes are narrower than the continuous webs of separator material, so that the separator material laterally protrudes beyond the electrodes. The electrodes thus have free edges at their edges, while the separator material laterally overlaps the electrodes.

[0009] If the electrodes in the continuous web are already arranged in the form of cut segments spaced apart from one another, the electrodes additionally form intermediate gaps in the continuous web due to their spacing, wherein the electrodes additionally keep the separator webs spaced apart from one another in the intermediate gaps due to their thickness. The electrodes thus have additional free edges on the edge sides delimiting the intermediate gaps.

[0010] Since the pressing force can only be increased in a limited manner so that the electrodes are not impaired in terms of their functional capacity due to excessive compression, and since damage to the energy cell in the area of ​​these edges would always be detrimental to the quality of the energy cell and should therefore be avoided as much as possible, the lamination of the continuous web in the edge sections and also in the intermediate gap areas between the electrodes (if any) is problematic due to the presence of the free edges of the electrodes.

[0011] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of creating a laminating device which enables improved lamination of a continuous web in edge regions adjoining electrodes, wherein the probability of damaging the electrodes in the edge regions is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0012] According to the invention, to achieve this object a laminating device is proposed having the features of claim 1. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description.

[0013] According to the basic idea of ​​the invention, it is proposed that the pressing device has a pressing surface with at least one outwardly protruding projection, wherein the pressing surface is arranged such that when pressure is applied it contacts a section of the continuous web adjoining the electrode edge side.

[0014] By means of the protrusions arranged on the pressing surface in the proposed arrangement, a profile of the pressing surface is created, which relieves the load on the adjacent edges of the electrodes during lamination by adapting the pressing surface to the profile of the electrodes in the electrode edge side region. As a result, the free edges of the electrodes are actually accommodated in the pressing surface, or in other words, surrounded by the pressing surface. In an extreme case, the first protrusion can be designed in height so that if a predetermined pressure is exceeded during the lamination of the continuous web, the first protrusion will support on the separator web, thereby limiting a further increase in the load applied to the electrodes in the edge region. The protrusion has the following advantage: by means of the protrusion, a pressing force sufficient for lamination can be applied even in the intermediate gap region between the electrodes or on the side edges of the electrodes, without having to increase the pressing force overall for this purpose. The pressing device presses the separator web of the continuous web together in the intermediate gap region and / or in the electrode edge side region in a punch-like manner by means of the protrusion, in such a way that it enters the intermediate gap between the electrodes and / or enters the edge side of the continuous web adjacent to the electrodes. As a result, the pressing force applied to the electrode can remain constant or even be reduced. This is particularly advantageous because the electrode and the separator web should be firmly connected during the lamination process, but should be subjected to as little pressure as possible during the process, so that the material is not compressed unnecessarily and the ion exchange between the electrodes through the separator layer, which is important for the function and efficiency of the energy cell, is not reduced or even interrupted. A further advantage of the proposed solution is that the electrode is additionally fixed in a self-aligned manner relative to the separator web during the lamination process by the projection forming a lateral contact surface for the electrode during the lamination process. The proposed solution is therefore particularly advantageous when the electrode is designed to be narrower than the separator web and the separator web protrudes laterally beyond the electrode.

[0015] It is also proposed that the pressing device laminates the multiple layers of continuous webs in the laminating device by introducing heat. The lamination is carried out in such a way that the continuous webs of the separator material are connected one above the other and to the electrodes by the polymers being introduced from one layer into another, which in turn is caused by adhesion forces acting in the interface. These adhesion forces can be achieved more easily by introducing heat. However, care must be taken here that the materials in the interface are not compressed to such an extent by the introduction of heat and the applied pressure that the ion exchange important for the functioning of the energy cell is impaired.

[0016] It is also proposed that at least one first protrusion and a second protrusion are provided on the pressing surface, which protrusions extend in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web and are arranged at a distance from each other that is greater than the distance between the edge sides of the electrodes extending in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web. The electrodes are fixed in an improved manner during the lamination process by the first and second protrusions in such a way that the first and second protrusions are fixed relative to the two edge sides of the continuous web extending in the longitudinal direction parallel to the feed direction during lamination. Here, the electrodes do not have to be fixed at the same time. However, the electrodes can be fixed at their edge sides at the same time, so that these electrodes are fixed by the first and second protrusions at the same time and on both sides during lamination to prevent sliding. The distance between the first and second protrusions is the distance between the edge sides of these protrusions facing each other, that is, the width of the free recess between the two protrusions.

[0017] It is further proposed that a plurality of electrodes regularly arranged at intervals from each other are provided in the continuous web, and at least one third protrusion and a fourth protrusion are provided on the pressing surface, and the spacing between the fourth protrusion and the third protrusion corresponds to the length of the electrode in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web. The third and fourth protrusions have the same function as the first and second protrusions and are arranged so that they extend into the intermediate gaps between these consecutive electrodes. Here, the spacing between the third and fourth protrusions is selected in a targeted manner according to the length of the electrodes, so that the third protrusion extends into the intermediate gap, and the fourth protrusion extends into the next intermediate gap when the pressing surface is synchronized with the movement of the continuous web accordingly. The spacing between the third and fourth protrusions is here the spacing between the edge sides of the two protrusions facing each other. If the continuous web comprises a continuous web with an intermittent coating, the sections of the coating correspond to the electrodes, and the spacing between the coatings corresponds to the spacing between the electrodes.

[0018] Here, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion may preferably be shaped and arranged in such a way that they complement each other to form a recess corresponding to the outer shape of the electrode. Thus, the electrode is fixed on all sides of its edge sides during the lamination process, thereby fixing the electrode in the feed direction or longitudinal direction of the continuous web and in a direction perpendicular to this direction relative to the separator web during the lamination process.

[0019] It is further proposed that the pressing device comprises two pressing rollers with a circular cross section, which are arranged so that a gap is provided between their side surfaces, through which gap the continuous web extends. The advantage of the proposed solution is that, by using the pressing rollers in the proposed device, the lamination can preferably be achieved in a drum operation with very high production capacities, i.e. the conveying speed of the continuous web.

[0020] It is further proposed that the gap has a gap width which is smaller than the thickness of the continuous web. The proposed dimensioning of the gap enables the pressure roller to apply the pressure required for lamination by conveying the continuous web through the gap. Thus, a special feed movement of the pressure roller is no longer necessary.

[0021] The first and / or second protrusions and / or the third and / or the fourth protrusions can preferably be arranged on a section of the side surface of one or both of the pressure rollers. By forming the protrusions on the one or more outer surfaces of the pressure rollers, a pressing portion adapted to the contour of the electrode arranged in the continuous web is directly formed.

[0022] Here, it is further proposed that the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged on the edge side of the side surface. As a result, when the pressure roller rolls on the continuous web, they come into contact in the edge section of the continuous web. Here, the first protrusion and the second protrusion can be realized in the form of a circumferential closed loop on the side surface, so that it rests on the continuous web uninterruptedly through the first and second protrusions and, in addition to improved lamination, also forms a guide for the continuous web.

[0023] It is further proposed that the third and fourth projections are arranged parallel to at least one of the rotation axes of the pressure roller and each raise a section of the side surface, the spacing between which when the arc length of the side surface is developed is greater than the length of the electrode in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web. With the proposed solution, in the case of a corresponding synchronous rotational movement of the pressure roller and a conveying movement of the continuous web, the pressure roller always precisely enters the intermediate space between the consecutive electrodes with its third and fourth projections without damaging the edge region of the electrode by rolling on the edge. The spacing between the third and fourth projections is here the developed length of the side surface between the edge sides of these projections facing each other.

[0024] The pressure rollers are preferably arranged so that their axes of rotation are aligned parallel to each other. By means of the proposed pressure roller arrangement, the rotational movements of the pressure rollers can be coupled and synchronized with each other by means of a very simple transmission mechanism, without the need for reversing the rotational movement.

[0025] It is further proposed that the pressing device has at least one pressing belt, which is arranged to contact one of the surfaces of the continuous web. Due to the pressing belt, the pressing force acting on the continuous web is evenly distributed. The pressing belt can preferably have the same or greater width perpendicular to the feeding direction of the continuous web, so that the continuous web is subjected to the pressing force over its entire width and is thus laminated. The pressing belt can be configured so that it generates pressure itself or is loaded with pressure through a separate pressure generating device (such as a pressing roller). In the latter case, the pressure is generated by the pressing roller and is transmitted from the pressing belt to the continuous web. The pressing belt itself can be configured in the form of a flexible fiber-reinforced textile belt, a steel belt or an extremely fine endless chain. The pressing belt can be configured as a driven continuous belt or as a fixed position pressing belt with a friction-reducing surface. If the pressing belt is designed as a driven continuous belt, it can also be used to transport the continuous web in addition. On the contrary, if the pressing belt is formed by a fixed position pressing belt, additional equipment is required to transport the continuous web. In this case, the continuous web is actively pulled over the pressing belt.

[0026] In this case, the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth protrusions can also be arranged on the surface of the press belt, which is advantageous in that the press belt bears against the surface of the continuous web and thus directly applies or transmits the pressing force. The press belt thus adapts its contour by the arrangement of the protrusions thereon to the shape and geometry of the continuous web and the electrode(s) arranged thereon.

[0027] It is also proposed here that two pressing belts are provided, which are arranged so that a gap is provided between their opposing surfaces facing the continuous web, through which the continuous web extends. Therefore, the continuous web can be subjected to pressure and squeezed from both sides respectively via the pressing belts.

[0028] The gap width of the gap is preferably slightly smaller than the thickness of the continuous web, so that the continuous web is automatically subjected to the pressure for lamination when it passes through and is supported accordingly on the press belt.

[0029] It is further proposed that the pressing device has two oppositely arranged pressing surfaces, through which the pressing device contacts different sides of the continuous web, and a first protrusion and / or a second protrusion and / or a third protrusion and / or a fourth protrusion are arranged on the pressing surface, and the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion and / or the fourth protrusion of the pressing surface have different spacings and / or different heights and / or different shapes with each other.

[0030] Due to the different spacings between the protrusions, the pressing surfaces in the mold can be designed individually with respect to the contours on both sides of the continuous web. If a continuous web, for example a four-layer continuous web or a five-layer continuous web, is formed according to the above-described structure together with the cathode and anode arranged therein, it is possible to take into account the fact that the anode is substantially larger than the cathode and therefore the edges of the anode to be protected have a larger spacing than the edges of the cathode. In addition, the protrusions can have different heights so that the distribution and size of the applied pressure can be adapted differently depending on the surface of the continuous web. If two opposite pressing surfaces with corresponding protrusions are provided, the pressing plane can be designed specifically with respect to the continuous web and, in particular, asymmetrically with respect to the center plane of the continuous web by arranging the heights of the opposite protrusions differently. In addition, different shapes of the recesses can take into account different orientations of the electrode edges.

[0031] It is further proposed that the width of the pressing surface is adjustable. Due to the adjustability of the width of the pressing surface, the laminating device can be adjusted to laminate continuous webs of different widths. The width of the pressing surface is in the plane of the continuous web and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the continuous web.

[0032] Furthermore, the pressing surface preferably has a width which corresponds to the width of the continuous web or a multiple thereof. With the proposed solution, the laminating device is designed specifically for laminating continuous webs of a specific width or also for laminating a plurality of continuous webs of a specific width in a parallel arrangement. If the pressing surface is adjustable, a predetermined position of the width of the pressing surface can also be provided for this purpose, so that the pressing surface can be adjusted with little effort from a position for laminating a single continuous web to a position for two or more continuous webs arranged in parallel.

[0033] It is further proposed that at least one of the projections can be heated. By heating the projection(s), in addition to applying pressure, the lamination can also be supported locally, wherein the shape and temperature of the heatable projection(s) can be specifically adapted to the shape of the surface to be laminated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and using preferred embodiments.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a cross section of a laminating device according to the invention with a continuous web and a pressing device with two press rolls; and

[0036] Figure 2 A section through a laminating device according to the invention is shown with a continuous web and a pressing device with two press rollers and two press belts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 , a cross section of a laminating device according to the invention is shown in FIG. The laminating device comprises a pressing device having two press rollers 1 and 2, which are transformed into cylindrical rollers with a circular cross section. The press rollers 1 and 2 are aligned parallel to each other with their rotation axes and are therefore arranged so that there is a gap S between their side surfaces 12 and 13, the gap width SW of which is constant in the direction of the rotation axes of the press rollers 1 and 2, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the illustration.

[0038] Furthermore, a continuous web 3 to be laminated is provided, which extends through the gap S and has a thickness D. The continuous web 3 is formed by a "three-layer" continuous web 3, which includes: a separator web 4 on the top side, a separator web 6 on the bottom side, and an electrode 5 arranged therebetween. The electrodes 5 are arranged at the same spacing A from each other via an intermediate gap 8 and have a smaller width than the separator webs 4 and 6, so that the separator webs 4 and 6 laterally protrude beyond the electrode 5. Since the anode is basically constructed larger than the cathode in an energy cell, but the separator webs 4 and 6 are identical and are used to arrange both the anode and the cathode, the spacing A of the intermediate gap 8 and the free side edge areas are particularly large when the electrode 5 is a cathode. Conversely, when the electrode 5 is an anode, the spacing A of the intermediate gap 8 and the free side edge areas are smaller.

[0039] The size of the gap width SW of the gap S is arranged to be smaller than the thickness D of the continuous web 3, so that the continuous web 3 is slightly compressed and laminated when passing through the gap S. The thickness D2 of the separator webs 4 and 6 is 15 to 25 μm, respectively, and the thickness D1 of the electrode 5 is 150 to 400 μm. Therefore, the thickness D of the electrode web 3 obtained in this embodiment is about 180 μm to 450 μm. The size of the gap width SW is arranged to be 20 to 100 μm smaller than the thickness D of the continuous web 3, preferably 40 to 60 μm, so that the continuous web 3 is slightly compressed when passing through the gap S. The intermediate gap 8 is formed by the spacing of the electrodes 5 and has a height corresponding to the thickness D1 of the electrode 5, that is, 150 to 400 μm. In addition, the length of the intermediate gap 8 in the feed direction T of the continuous web 3 corresponds to the spacing A between these electrodes 5, the spacing between the anodes is 3 mm, and the spacing between the cathodes is 6 mm, wherein an effort is made to make the spacing A between the electrodes 5 as small as possible to increase the material utilization of the continuous web 3 and the number of electrodes 5 within a predetermined length of the continuous web 3.

[0040] The continuous web 3 is conveyed in the feed direction T and is pulled through the gap S. The pressure rollers 1 and 2 themselves can be driven actively, for example by separate transmission means in the form of servomotors, to perform counter-rotational movements pointing in the direction of the arrows P, so that they additionally actively convey the continuous web 3 by frictional engagement. Alternatively, however, the pressure rollers 1 and 2 can also be mounted only in a rotatable manner, so that they themselves are driven by the continuous web 3 by frictional engagement with the rotational movement. In this case, the pressure rollers 1, 2 only roll passively on the surface of the continuous web 3.

[0041] On the two pressure rollers 1 and 2, a third protrusion 10 and a fourth protrusion 11 are provided, which are in the form of cams or surface sections protruding radially outward from the side surfaces 12 and 13, and which, when unfolded in a circumferential cross section relative to the rotation axis of the pressure rollers 1 and 2, are narrower than the spacing A of the electrodes 5 in the intermediate gap. If the invention is described with reference to the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 and subsequently with reference to the first and second protrusions, the expressions first, second, third and fourth do not imply any order or hierarchy. Therefore, the expressions "third" and "fourth" do not necessarily presuppose the presence of the first and second protrusions, and vice versa. These expressions are only used to distinguish these protrusions, wherein these protrusions are respectively defined by their orientation and arrangement relative to each other.

[0042] The third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 have heights H1 and H2 starting from the side surfaces 12 and 13, the sum of which corresponds at most to the thickness D1 of the electrode 5, i.e., between 150 μm and 400 μm, depending on the thickness D of the electrode 5. The third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 are arranged on the pressure rollers 1 and 2 in such a way that during the conveying movement of the continuous web 3 and the rotational movement of the pressure rollers 1 and 2, they come into contact with the continuous web 3 in the region of the intermediate gap 8 and press the separator webs 4 and 6 together in the region of the intermediate gap 8. The heights H1 and H2 of the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 can be designed specifically for the continuous web 3 to be laminated and taking into account the spacing A of the intermediate gap, the thickness D2 of the separator webs 4 and 6 and the thickness D1 of the electrode 5. The third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 can intentionally have different heights H1 and H2 , preferably between 0 and 400 μm, so that they extend into the intermediate gap to different depths and produce a separating plane between the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 that is asymmetrical relative to the center plane of the electrode 5 .

[0043] Furthermore, the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 additionally form a form-fitting connection between the pressure rollers 1 and 2 and the continuous web 3, so that the pressure rollers 1 and 2 are connected to the continuous web 3 in an improved manner to actively drive the continuous web 3 in terms of force transmission, thereby achieving power transmission. Of course, the same situation also applies to the case where the pressure rollers 1 and 2 are not actively driven but driven by the continuous web 3.

[0044] It is important for the solution according to the invention that, taking into account the thickness D2 of the partition web and the spacing A of the electrodes, the dimensions of the width of the third protrusion 10 and the fourth protrusion 11 are arranged by expanding the arc length of the radial outer end faces of the third protrusion 10 and the fourth protrusion 11 along the circumferential direction of the pressure rollers 1 and 2 so that the partition webs 4 and 6 are pressed against each other in the area of ​​the intermediate gap 8 in such a way that the third protrusion 10 and the fourth protrusion 11 are supported on the partition webs 4 and 6.

[0045] Furthermore, in addition to the third protrusions 10 on the pressure rollers 1 and 2, fourth protrusions 11 or other protrusions of the same or different shapes may be additionally provided, and these protrusions are arranged on the side surfaces 12 and 13 in such a way that the spacing U to the third protrusions 10 (which is formed by the unfolded length of the arc segments in the rotation direction of the pressure rollers 1 and 2) is respectively equivalent to the length of the electrode 5 plus the tolerance value in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web 3. Therefore, the pressure rollers 1 and 2 with the third protrusions 10 always extend into one of the intermediate gaps 8, and the fourth protrusions 11 always extend into the subsequent intermediate gaps 8 of the continuous web 3 between the electrodes 5 and press the continuous web 3.

[0046] The side surfaces 12 and 13 here form the pressing surface of the pressing device, which is shaped individually for the continuous web 3 to be laminated by forming the third and fourth bulges 10, 11 and, if present, by further bulges. For the sake of clarity, the third and fourth bulges 10, 11 and the intermediate gap 8 are shown exaggerated.

[0047] Figure 2 An alternative embodiment of the invention can be seen in FIG. Here, the pressing device comprises, in addition to the two pressing rollers 1 and 2, two pressing belts 20 and 21, which are in contact with the top and bottom sides of the continuous web 3. The pressing rollers 1 and 2 are designed and arranged in this case to be in contact with the continuous web 3. Figure 1 The press rollers 1 and 2 are identical and differ only in that they are designed as cylindrical rollers, whose side surfaces 12 and 13 have the same radius on the circumference. The press rollers 1 and 2 are in contact with the free surfaces of the two press belts 20 and 21. These press belts 20 and 21 are provided with third protrusions 10 and fourth protrusions 11 on their surfaces facing the continuous web 3, and thus form the pressing surface of the pressing device acting on the continuous web 3. However, the press rollers 1 and 2 may also have different diameters and radii as long as it is conducive to lamination.

[0048] The dimensions of the third protrusions 10 and the fourth protrusions 11 of the press belts 20 and 21 are arranged and disposed to correspond to the third protrusions 10 and the fourth protrusions 11 on the press rollers 1 and 2 of the first embodiment. The relevant gap S and gap width SW for laminating the continuous web 3 are defined in this case by the spacing of the press belts 20 and 21, so that the spacing of the press rollers 1 and 2 and their side surfaces 12 and 13 is increased by the sum of the thicknesses of the press belts 20 and 21. In addition, further protrusions can be arranged on the press belts 20 and 21, the spacing of which is greater than the length of the electrode 5 in the feed direction T of the continuous web 3. The spacing of these protrusions is the spacing between the opposite edge sides of these protrusions.

[0049] Apart from Figure 1 In addition to the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 on the edge sides of the pressure rollers 1 and 2 or the pressure belts 20 and 21 in the embodiment, further first and second protrusions can also be provided, alternatively or additionally, which press the separator webs 4 and 6 together in the edge section and are adjacent to the edge side of the electrode 5 extending in the feed direction T.

[0050] If not only the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 but also the first and second protrusions are provided, the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 can be complementary to the first and second protrusions and / or other protrusions so that they form a recess corresponding to the outer shape of the electrode 5, so that the pressure rollers 1 and 2 or the pressure belts 20 and 21 laminate the continuous web 3 in a punch-like manner without applying increased pressure to the electrode 5.

[0051] The pressing surface is formed as a whole by means of the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 and the first and second protrusions, or by means of further protrusions if present, which are shaped individually to adapt the contour surface of the continuous web 3 to be laminated, by means of which the continuous web 3 can also be laminated in an improved manner taking into account the intermediate gap 8 and the edge sections of the separator webs 4 and 6 that protrude beyond the electrode 5.

[0052] The pressure rollers 1, 2 here form a pressure generating device, which applies pressure to the press belts 20 and 21. However, a multi-rod pressure plate, a punching unit with corresponding pressure cylinders, a pneumatic pressure generating device with, for example, an inflatable cushion, etc. can also be used as the pressure generating device, as long as they are suitable for uniformly applying the necessary pressure to the press belts 20 and 21.

[0053] In the embodiment, the lamination of the continuous web 3 with the cut electrodes 5 is described, wherein the cut electrodes 5 are arranged at a spacing A from each other. However, it is also conceivable that the continuous web 3 is laminated with a continuous electrode web using a lamination device. In this case, the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 are omitted, and only the first and second protrusions in the edge side region of the pressing face are provided. The first and second protrusions are configured as continuous upright edges in the case of realizing the pressing face on the pressing belts 20 and 21, or as protruding rings on the edge sides of the side surfaces 12 and 13, corresponding to the overlapping edges of the separator webs 4 and 6, or in the case of realizing the pressing face on the pressing rollers 1 and 2.

[0054] The first and second protrusions extend along the longitudinal direction of the pressing surface, the continuous web 3 to be laminated and the feed direction T, and can therefore also be regarded as longitudinal ribs, which are arranged parallel to each other and at least one spacing between each other corresponds to the width of the electrode 3. The third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 extend transversely to the pressing surface, the continuous web 3 to be laminated and the feed direction T, and can therefore also be regarded as transverse ribs, which each have a spacing from each other that is greater than the length of the electrode 5 in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web 3.

[0055] If the electrode 5 is arranged uncut in the continuous web 3, i.e. in one piece, the intermediate gap 8 and the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 can be omitted and only the first and second protrusions can be provided. In addition, the first and second protrusions in the edge side of the pressing surface can also be omitted individually or both, as long as no edge relief is required here, so that in this case only the third and / or fourth protrusions 10 and 11 can also be provided.

[0056] In general, the load on the continuous web 3 during lamination in the edge region of the electrode 5 is reduced by the pressing surface surrounding the electrode 5 in the edge region. If the pressure on the continuous web 3 increases, for example due to inaccuracies in the forming of the continuous web 3 in its thickness, the pressing movement of the continuous web 3 is limited by supporting the pressing device on the separator web 4 or 6 via the first, second, third and / or fourth protrusions 10 and 11. The pressure exerted by the pressing device on the continuous web 3 and in particular on the electrode 5 in the edge region is thus limited to a maximum value. In addition, these protrusions simultaneously form a form-fitting contact surface, which fixes the electrode 5 in one direction during lamination. This is particularly advantageous if the electrode 5 is already present in a cut-out manner in the continuous web 3 and the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 extend into the intermediate gap 8 and thereby fix the electrode 5 in an aligned manner to each other to achieve an intermediate gap 8 with a minimum spacing.

[0057] Furthermore, the heights H1 and H2 of the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 can be selected in a targeted manner such that the continuous web 3 is laminated in a defined pressing plane in the edge sections adjoining the electrode 5. Of course, this also applies to the heights of the first and second elevations (not shown in the figures).

[0058] The protrusions are expressed as first, second, third and fourth protrusions only for distinguishing these protrusions. In order to realize the concept of the present invention, if the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 are realized, it is not necessary and necessary to realize the first and second protrusions. In this case, the first protrusion according to claim 1 will be realized by the third or fourth protrusion 10 or 11. The same also applies to the opposite case, that is, the third and fourth protrusions 10 and 11 are not provided, but the first and second protrusions are only provided on the edge side of the pressing surface.

[0059] Not only the first and second projections, but also the third and fourth projections 10 and 11 can be heated individually or in combination, so that their temperature can be adjusted individually to improve lamination. However, it is also conceivable that the projections are designed to be purely passive, i.e. not heatable, and lamination is promoted only by the applied pressure.

Claims

1. A laminating device for a multilayer continuous web (3) for producing an energy cell, wherein the multilayer continuous web consists of at least one separator web (4, 6) and at least one electrode (5), the laminating device comprising: - a pressing device for laminating the multilayer continuous web (3) by applying pressure, Features: The pressing device has a pressing surface with at least one outwardly protruding protrusion, the pressing surface being arranged such that, when pressure is applied, the pressing surface comes into contact with a section of the edge side of the continuous web (3) adjoining the electrode (5).

2. The laminating device according to claim 1, characterized in that - The pressing device laminates the multilayer continuous web (3) by introducing heat.

3. The laminating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: - at least one first protrusion and a second protrusion are arranged on the pressing surface, the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web (3) and are arranged with a spacing between them greater than the spacing of the edge sides of the electrode (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web (3).

4. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that - a plurality of electrodes (5) are arranged in the continuous web (3) at regular intervals from each other, and - at least one third protrusion (10) and a fourth protrusion (11) are provided on the pressing surface, and - The distance (U) between the fourth protrusion (11) and the third protrusion (10) is greater than the length of the electrode (5) in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web (3).

5. Lamination device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that - The shapes and arrangements of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion (10) and the fourth protrusion (11) are shaped and arranged in such a way that they complement each other to form protrusions having shapes corresponding to the outer shape of the electrode (5).

6. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The pressing device comprises two pressing rollers (1, 2) of circular cross section, arranged so that between their side surfaces (12, 13) a gap (S) is provided, through which the continuous web (3) extends.

7. The laminating device according to claim 6, characterized in that - the gaps (S) have a gap width (SW) which is smaller than the thickness (D) of the continuous web (3).

8. Laminating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 and any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that The first protrusion and / or the second protrusion and / or the third protrusion (10) and / or the fourth protrusion (11) are arranged on a section of the side surface (12, 13) of one or both pressure rollers (1, 2).

9. The laminating device according to claim 8, characterized in that The first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged on edge sides of the side surfaces (12, 13).

10. The laminating device according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that - the third protrusion (10) and the fourth protrusion (11) are arranged parallel to at least one rotation axis of the pressure rollers (1, 2), and The spacing (U) between the third protrusion (10) and the fourth protrusion (11) when the arc length of the side surfaces (12, 13) is developed is greater than the length of the electrode (5) in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web (3).

11. The laminating device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that - The pressure rollers (1, 2) are arranged so that their axes of rotation are aligned parallel to each other.

12. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The pressing device has at least one press belt (20, 21) arranged in contact with one of the surfaces of the continuous web (3).

13. The laminating device according to claim 12, characterized in that The projection(s) are arranged on the surface (18, 19) of the press belt (20, 21).

14. The laminating device according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that - Two press belts (20, 21) are provided, which are arranged such that a gap (S) is provided between their opposite surfaces (18, 19) facing the continuous web (3), through which gap (S) the continuous web (3) extends.

15. The laminating device according to claim 14, characterized in that - The gap width (SW) of the gaps (S) is slightly smaller than the thickness (D) of the continuous web (3).

16. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the pressing device has two oppositely arranged pressing surfaces, via which the pressing device contacts different sides of the continuous web (3), and - a first protrusion and / or a second protrusion and / or a third protrusion (10) and / or a fourth protrusion (11) are provided on the pressing surface, and The first protrusions, the second protrusions, the third protrusions (10) and / or the fourth protrusions (11) of the pressing surface have different distances and / or different heights and / or different shapes with respect to one another.

17. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that - The width of the pressing surface is adjustable.

18. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that - The pressing surface has a width corresponding to the width of the continuous web (3) or a multiple thereof.

19. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that At least one projection is heatable.

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