Compression device

Abstract

The disclosed compression device is provided with: a first compression roller for compressing a battery electrode plate; a second compression roller that is provided downstream of the first compression roller and compresses the electrode plate; a tension adjusting roller that is provided between the first compression roller and the second compression roller and adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate by moving between a first end position and a second end position; and a control unit that controls the first compression roller, the second compression roller, and the tension adjustment roller. When the tension adjusting roller moves from an intermediate position between the first end position and the second end position beyond a first threshold value, the control unit adjusts the rotational speed of the first compression roller and / or the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position. As a result, variation in tension between the two compression rollers can be stably suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a compression device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a compression device for compressing a battery electrode plate has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). The compression device of Patent Document 1 includes first and second compression rollers for compressing the electrode plate, and a tension adjusting roller provided between them for adjusting the tension applied to the electrode plate. In this compression device, if the position of the tension adjusting roller is higher than a given intermediate height, the rotational speed of the first compression roller increases. On the other hand, if the position of the tension adjusting roller is lower than this intermediate height, the rotational speed of the first compression roller decreases.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1810145 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, based on the above speed control, the following problems may occur. That is, in a situation where the first and second compression rollers are actively accelerated and decelerated (for example, at the start of the compression device), in order to suppress fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two, the tension adjusting roller inevitably moves. At this time, if the above speed control is to be performed, the speed control of the first compression roller and the position control of the tension adjusting roller interfere with each other, and there is a concern that the overall control of the device becomes unstable. In such a situation, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to stably suppress fluctuations in tension between the two compression rollers.

[0008] Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a compression device. The compression device includes: a first compression roller for compressing a battery electrode plate; a second compression roller provided downstream of the first compression roller for compressing the electrode plate; a tension adjusting roller provided between the first compression roller and the second compression roller for adjusting the tension applied to the electrode plate by moving between a first end position and a second end position; and a control unit for controlling the first compression roller, the second compression roller, and the tension adjusting roller. The control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller and / or the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjusting roller moves beyond a first threshold value from an intermediate position between the first end position and the second end position.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a compression device. The compression device includes: a first compression roller that compresses a battery electrode plate; a second compression roller that is disposed downstream of the first compression roller and compresses the electrode plate; a first speed sensor that detects the conveyance speed of the electrode plate carried out from the first compression roller; and a control unit that controls the first compression roller and the second compression roller. The control unit is configured to adjust the rotation speed of the second compression roller based at least on the conveyance speed detected by the first speed sensor.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to stably suppress fluctuations in the tension between the two compression rollers.

[0013] The novel features of the present invention are described in the appended claims. However, both the structure and content of the present invention can be better understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings in combination with other objects and features of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the compression device according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a control flowchart for adjusting the rotation speed of the first compression roller in Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a control flowchart for adjusting the rotation speed of the second compression roller in Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the compression device according to Embodiment 2.

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the compression device according to Embodiment 3.

[0019] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing the compression device according to Embodiment 4.

[0020] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a control flowchart for adjusting the rotation speed of the second compression roller in Embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Embodiments of the compression device according to the present disclosure will be described below by way of example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described below. In the following description, specific numerical values and materials are sometimes exemplified, but other numerical values and materials can also be applied as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be obtained.

[0022] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a compression device (hereinafter, also referred to as compression device A), which is a device for compressing battery plates, and includes a first compression roller, a second compression roller, a tension adjustment roller, and a control unit. In addition, the battery includes primary batteries such as primary lithium batteries, and secondary batteries such as alkaline storage batteries (nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, etc.), lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-metal secondary batteries, and all-solid-state batteries including solid electrolytes. In the present disclosure, within the scope of secondary batteries, it also includes electrical storage devices (for example, lithium-ion capacitors) in which at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is an electrode that exhibits capacitance through a Faraday reaction.

[0023] The first compression roller compresses the battery plates. The plates may have a coated portion in which an active material layer is formed on the surface of a substrate (current collector plate), and a foil exposed portion (uncoated portion) in which no active material layer is formed on the surface of the substrate. The first compression roller may compress the coated portion of the plates. The first compression roller may have a pair of rollers arranged at a given interval.

[0024] The second compression roller is provided downstream of the first compression roller and compresses the battery plates. The second compression roller may compress the coated portion of the plates. The second compression roller may have a pair of rollers arranged at a given interval. The outer diameter of the second compression roller may be equal to or different from the outer diameter of the first compression roller.

[0025] In addition, the first compression roller and the second compression roller may be configured to compress not only the coated portion of the plates but also the uncoated portion of the plates. Typically, when the plates having an active material layer formed by intermittently coating a composite agent slurry on a substrate are compressed by the compression rollers, the uncoated portion of the plates is compressed. Such plates sometimes have a structure in which the coated portions are intermittently formed in the length direction of the substrate, and the uncoated portion between adjacent coated portions is compressed by the compression rollers.

[0026] The tension adjustment roller is provided between the first compression roller and the second compression roller. The tension adjustment roller adjusts the tension applied to the battery plates by moving (or displacing) between a first end position and a second end position. The first end position may be an upper end position, and the second end position may be a lower end position. In this case, the tension adjustment roller may move up and down between the upper end position and the lower end position. For example, the tension adjustment roller may reduce the tension by moving toward the first end position side, and on the other hand, increase the tension by moving toward the second end position side.

[0027] The control unit controls the first compression roller, the second compression roller, and the tension adjustment roller. For example, the control unit may also control the rotation speeds of the first compression roller and the second compression roller, and the position of the tension adjustment roller. The control unit may also include an arithmetic device (e.g., a CPU) and a storage device (e.g., a non-volatile memory) that stores programs executable by the arithmetic device.

[0028] The control unit is configured such that when the tension adjustment roller moves beyond a first threshold value from an intermediate position between the first end position and the second end position, it adjusts the rotation speed of the first compression roller and / or the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position. The intermediate position may be the initial position of the tension adjustment roller existing between the first end position and the second end position. The distance between the intermediate position and the first end position and the distance between the intermediate position and the second end position may be equal to or different from each other. The first threshold value may be, for example, a given value of 5% or more and 50% or less of the distance between the intermediate position and each end position, or a given value of 10% or more and 50% or less of this distance, or a given value of 20% or more and 40% or less of this distance, or a given value of 30% or more and 70% or less of this distance.

[0029] By compressing the battery electrode plate with the compression device A having the above structure, that is, by continuously compressing the electrode plate using the first and second compression rollers, the electrode plate can be efficiently compressed. On the other hand, in order to stably perform such efficient compression, it is necessary to suppress fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the first compression roller and the second compression roller. The suppression of this tension fluctuation can be basically achieved by the tension adjustment roller provided between the two compression rollers.

[0030] However, there is a problem when only the tension adjustment roller is responsible for suppressing tension fluctuations. That is, since the movement range of the tension adjustment roller is limited, when it exceeds this movement range, the tension applied to the electrode plate cannot be adjusted. For example, when it is necessary to move the tension adjustment roller toward the first end position side to adjust the tension, after the tension adjustment roller reaches the first end position, it becomes difficult to appropriately adjust the tension.

[0031] In response to this, as described above, the control unit according to the present disclosure, when the tension adjustment roller moves beyond the first threshold value from the intermediate position, adjusts the rotation speed of at least one of the first compression roller and the second compression roller so as to suppress the further movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position. For example, when it is necessary to reduce the tension between the two compression rollers, the control unit may increase the rotation speed of the first compression roller or decrease the rotation speed of the second compression roller, or perform both. Thus, the tension adjustment roller can appropriately adjust the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers without exceeding its movement range.

[0032] Furthermore, it is also an important point that the rotational speed control is performed only when the amount of movement of the tension adjusting roller from the intermediate position exceeds the first threshold. That is, as described above, in the situation where the first and second compression rollers are actively accelerated or decelerated (for example, at the start or stop of the compression device A), in order to suppress the variation in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers, the tension adjusting roller inevitably undergoes displacement or movement. Here, for example, by setting the first threshold to a value exceeding the amount of this movement, in such an acceleration / deceleration situation, even if the tension adjusting roller moves from the intermediate position, the rotational speed control for suppressing its movement is not performed. The position control of the tension adjusting roller does not interfere with the rotational speed control of each compression roller, so that the control of the entire device can be stabilized. That is to say, by setting the first threshold as a trigger condition for the rotational speed control of the first and / or second compression rollers, the variation in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers can be stably suppressed.

[0033] The control unit may also be configured such that, in the steady state, during the period when the amount of movement of the tension adjusting roller from the intermediate position does not exceed the first threshold, the rotational speeds of the first compression roller and the second compression roller are not changed. The so-called steady state refers to a state in which the rotational speeds of the first and second compression rollers are not actively accelerated or decelerated, or a state in which the rotational speeds of the first and second compression rollers (except for minor variations) are stable. In the steady state, the compression of the electrode plate can usually be continuously performed. In this configuration, in the steady state, during the period when the amount of movement of the tension adjusting roller does not exceed the first threshold, only the tension adjusting roller is responsible for suppressing the variation in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers, so that the compression of the electrode plate by the two compression rollers can be stably performed.

[0034] The compression device may also further include a stretching roller provided upstream of the first compression roller and stretching the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate. The control unit may also be configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjusting roller moves beyond the first threshold from the intermediate position. In this configuration, before the coating portion of the electrode plate is compressed by the first compression roller, the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate is stretched by the stretching roller. Here, if the rotational speed of the first compression roller is adjusted to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position, there is a concern that this speed adjustment may affect the stretching roller and cause the stretching of the foil exposed portion to become unstable. In contrast, in this configuration, the rotational speed of the second compression roller, which is farther from the stretching roller than the first compression roller, is adjusted so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position, so that the influence of this speed adjustment is less likely to spread to the stretching roller. Therefore, the stretching of the foil exposed portion by the stretching roller can be stably performed.

[0035] The compression device may further include a stretching roller disposed downstream of the second compression roller and configured to stretch the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate. The control unit may be configured to adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjustment roller moves beyond the first threshold value from the intermediate position. In this configuration, after the coating portion of the electrode plate is compressed by the second compression roller, the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate is stretched by the stretching roller. Here, if the rotational speed of the second compression roller is adjusted to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position, there is a concern that this speed adjustment may affect the stretching roller and cause the stretching of the foil exposed portion to become unstable. In response to this, in this configuration, the rotational speed of the first compression roller, which is farther from the stretching roller than the second compression roller, is adjusted so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position. Therefore, the influence of this speed adjustment is less likely to affect the stretching roller. As a result, the stretching of the foil exposed portion by the stretching roller can be performed stably.

[0036] The compression device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter also referred to as compression device B) is a device for compressing an electrode plate for a battery, and includes a first compression roller, a second compression roller, a first speed sensor, and a control unit.

[0037] The first compression roller and the second compression roller may be the same as the first compression roller and the second compression roller of compression device A, respectively.

[0038] The first speed sensor detects the conveyance speed of the electrode plate conveyed out from the first compression roller. The first speed sensor may be a non-contact speed sensor. The first speed sensor may detect the conveyance speed of the electrode plate between the first compression roller and an element (e.g., a guide roller) disposed immediately behind the first compression roller. Alternatively, the first speed sensor may directly detect the rotational speed of the first compression roller. In this case, the conveyance speed of the electrode plate can be obtained based on this detected value.

[0039] Here, the conveyance speed of the electrode plate conveyed out from the first compression roller is greater than the conveyance speed of the electrode plate conveyed into the first compression roller. This is because when the electrode plate is compressed, the electrode plate is stretched in the conveyance direction. In this sense, the compression roller can also be referred to as a rolling roller for rolling the electrode plate. Therefore, it is not sufficient to simply control the conveyance speed to be constant throughout the entire conveyance path of the electrode plate. On the contrary, if such control is performed, the tension applied to the electrode plate between the first compression roller and the second compression roller, particularly at the subsequent stage of the first compression roller, may vary.

[0040] In this regard, the control unit of the compression device B is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on at least the conveyance speed detected by the first speed sensor. For example, the control unit may also use a table (which may be stored in the storage device of the control unit) that correlates the conveyance speed with the set value of the rotational speed of the second compression roller to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller. Alternatively, the control unit may also use a given function that includes the conveyance speed as a variable to calculate the set value of the rotational speed of the second compression roller and use the calculated set value to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller. With such speed adjustment (or speed control), fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the first compression roller and the second compression roller can be suppressed.

[0041] The compression device B may also be provided with a second speed sensor that detects the conveyance speed of the electrode plate being conveyed into the first compression roller. The control unit may be configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the conveyance speed detected by the first speed sensor and the conveyance speed detected by the second speed sensor. For example, the control unit may adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the difference between the former conveyance speed and the latter conveyance speed. In this case, a given table or a given function may be considered to obtain the set value of the rotational speed of the second compression roller. Thereby, fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers can be further suppressed.

[0042] The control unit may be configured to set the conveyance speed detected by the first speed sensor as V1, and set the conveyance speed detected by the second speed sensor as V2, and adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the elongation rate λ1 of the electrode plate obtained by λ1 = (V1 / V2) - 1. The elongation rate λ1 is a value indicating the degree to which the electrode plate is stretched by the compression at the first compression roller. For example, the control unit may also use a table that correlates the elongation rate λ1 with the set value of the rotational speed of the second compression roller to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller. Alternatively, the control unit may also use a given function that includes the elongation rate λ1 as a variable to calculate the set value of the rotational speed of the second compression roller and use the calculated set value to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller. Thereby, fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers can be further suppressed.

[0043] The control unit may be configured to set the rotational speed of the first compression roller as V3, and cause the second compression roller to rotate at a rotational speed V4 obtained by V4 = (1 + λ1) × V3. With this configuration, the conveyance speed of the electrode plate discharged from the first compression roller and the conveyance speed of the electrode plate being conveyed into the second compression roller can be made the same or substantially the same. Therefore, fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers can be further suppressed.

[0044] Each component of the above-described compression device A and each component of the above-described compression device B can be combined as needed.

[0045] As described above, according to the present disclosure, by performing rotational speed control with the first threshold as a trigger condition, and / or by performing rotational speed control based on the conveyance speed of the electrode plate, it is possible to stably suppress fluctuations in the tension applied to the electrode plate between the two compression rollers.

[0046] Hereinafter, an example of a compression device according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The components of the compression device in the example described below can be applied to the above-described components. The components of the compression device in the example described below can be changed based on the above description. In addition, the matters described below can be applied to the above-described embodiments. Non-essential components of the compression device according to the present disclosure among the components of the compression device in the example described below can be omitted. Additionally, the figures shown below are schematic and do not accurately reflect the shapes and quantities of the actual components.

[0047] 《Embodiment 1》

[0048] Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described. The compression device 10 in this embodiment is a device for compressing an electrode plate 100 for a battery (e.g., a lithium-ion secondary battery) while conveying it in a given direction. Although not shown in the drawings, the electrode plate 100 has a coated portion where an active material layer is formed on the surface of a substrate (current collector), and a foil exposed portion (uncoated portion) where the active material layer is not formed on the surface of the substrate.

[0049] As Figure 1 shown, the compression device 10 includes an unwinder 11, a winder 12, first and second clamping rollers 13A and 13B, first and second compression rollers 14A and 14B, first to fifth tension adjusting rollers 15A to 15E, first to fifth tensiometer rollers 16A to 16E, a plurality of guide rollers 17, and a control unit 20.

[0050] The unwinder 11 is arranged at the uppermost upstream of the compression device 10. The unwinder 11 holds the electrode plate 100 before being subjected to the compression process in the compression device 10 in a wound state and sends it to the downstream side ( Figure 1 the right side in

[0051] The winder 12 is arranged at the lowermost downstream of the compression device 10. The winder 12 accommodates the electrode plate 100 after being subjected to the compression process in the compression device 10 in a wound state.

[0052] The first clamping roller 13A is arranged downstream of the unwinder 11. The first clamping roller 13A holds the electrode plate 100 and moves it along a given conveyance direction (Figure 1 in the direction from left to right, as shown by arrow A. Transport.

[0053] The second clamping roller 13B is arranged downstream of the first clamping roller 13A. The second clamping roller 13B holds the electrode plate 100 and transports it along a given transport direction.

[0054] The first compression roller 14A is arranged downstream of the first clamping roller 13A and upstream of the second clamping roller 13B. The first compression roller 14A has a pair of rollers arranged at a given interval, and the electrode plate 100 (specifically, the coated portion of the electrode plate 100) is compressed by this pair of rollers. The first compression roller 14A also has the function of transporting the electrode plate 100.

[0055] The second compression roller 14B is arranged downstream of the first compression roller 14A and upstream of the second clamping roller 13B. The second compression roller 14B has a pair of rollers arranged at a given interval, and the electrode plate 100 (specifically, the coated portion of the electrode plate 100) is compressed by this pair of rollers. The outer diameters of the pair of rollers of the second compression roller 14B are equal to the outer diameters of the pair of rollers of the first compression roller 14A. The second compression roller 14B also has the function of transporting the electrode plate 100.

[0056] The first tension adjustment roller 15A is arranged downstream of the unwinder 11 and upstream of the first clamping roller 13A. The first tension adjustment roller 15A adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the unwinder 11 and the first clamping roller 13A by moving in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, if the first tension adjustment roller 15A moves upward, the tension decreases, and if the first tension adjustment roller 15A moves downward, the tension increases.

[0057] The second tension adjustment roller 15B is arranged downstream of the first clamping roller 13A and upstream of the first compression roller 14A. The second tension adjustment roller 15B adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the first clamping roller 13A and the first compression roller 14A by moving in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, if the second tension adjustment roller 15B moves upward, the tension decreases, and if the second tension adjustment roller 15B moves downward, the tension increases.

[0058] The third tension adjusting roller 15C is disposed downstream of the first compression roller 14A and upstream of the second compression roller 14B. The third tension adjusting roller 15C adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the first compression roller 14A and the second compression roller 14B by moving between a first end position (in this example, the upper end position) and a second end position (in this example, the lower end position). In the illustrated example, if the third tension adjusting roller 15C moves upward (toward the first end position side), the tension decreases, and if the third tension adjusting roller 15C moves downward (toward the second end position side), the tension increases. The third tension adjusting roller 15C is an example of a tension adjusting roller.

[0059] The fourth tension adjusting roller 15D is disposed downstream of the second compression roller 14B and upstream of the second clamping roller 13B. The fourth tension adjusting roller 15D adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the second compression roller 14B and the second clamping roller 13B by moving in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, if the fourth tension adjusting roller 15D moves upward, the tension decreases, and if the fourth tension adjusting roller 15D moves downward, the tension increases.

[0060] The fifth tension adjusting roller 15E is disposed downstream of the second clamping roller 13B and upstream of the winder 12. The fifth tension adjusting roller 15E adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the second clamping roller 13B and the winder 12 by moving in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, if the fifth tension adjusting roller 15E moves upward, the tension decreases, and if the fifth tension adjusting roller 15E moves downward, the tension increases.

[0061] The first tension measuring roller 16A is disposed downstream of the unwinder 11 and upstream of the first tension adjusting roller 15A. The first tension measuring roller 16A measures the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the unwinder 11 and the first tension adjusting roller 15A (more generally, between the unwinder 11 and the first clamping roller 13A). Data related to the measured tension is sent to the control unit 20.

[0062] The second tension measuring roller 16B is disposed downstream of the second tension adjusting roller 15B and upstream of the first compression roller 14A. The second tension measuring roller 16B measures the tension applied to the electrode plate 100 between the second tension adjusting roller 15B and the first compression roller 14A (more generally, between the first clamping roller 13A and the first compression roller 14A). Data related to the measured tension is sent to the control unit 20.

[0063] The third tensiometer roller 16C is arranged downstream of the first compression roller 14A and upstream of the third tension adjustment roller 15C. The third tensiometer roller 16C measures the tension applied to the plate 100 between the first compression roller 14A and the third tension adjustment roller 15C (more generally, between the first compression roller 14A and the second compression roller 14B). Data related to the measured tension is sent to the control unit 20.

[0064] The fourth tensiometer roller 16D is arranged downstream of the second compression roller 14B and upstream of the fourth tension adjustment roller 15D. The fourth tensiometer roller 16D measures the tension applied to the plate 100 between the second compression roller 14B and the fourth tension adjustment roller 15D (more generally, between the second compression roller 14B and the second clamping roller 13B). Data related to the measured tension is sent to the control unit 20.

[0065] The fifth tensiometer roller 16E is arranged downstream of the fifth tension adjustment roller 15E and upstream of the winder 12. The fifth tensiometer roller 16E measures the tension applied to the plate 100 between the fifth tension adjustment roller 15E and the winder 12 (more generally, between the second clamping roller 13B and the winder 12). Data related to the measured tension is sent to the control unit 20.

[0066] A plurality (15 in this example) of guide rollers 17 are arranged in the conveyance path of the plate 100 in the compression device 10 to guide the plate 100. Each guide roller 17 is arranged between the respective components described above (see Figure 1 ), but the detailed description of its arrangement is omitted.

[0067] The control unit 20 controls the operations of the first and second clamping rollers 13A, 13B, the first and second compression rollers 14A, 14B, and the first to fifth tension adjustment rollers 15A to 15E. The control of the first to fifth tension adjustment rollers 15A to 15E can also be performed based on the measurement data of the first to fifth tensiometer rollers 16A to 16E. The control unit 20 includes an arithmetic device and a storage device that stores programs executable by the arithmetic device.

[0068] The control unit 20 is configured to adjust the rotational speeds of the first compression roller 14A and / or the second compression roller 14B when the third tension adjustment roller 15C moves beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position between the first end position and the second end position, so as to suppress the movement of the third tension adjustment roller 15C away from the intermediate position. In the present embodiment, the distance (vertical distance) between the intermediate position and the first end position and the distance (vertical distance) between the intermediate position and the second end position are equal. The first threshold Th1 is set to a given value that is 20% or more and 40% or less of the distance between the intermediate position and each end position. On the other hand, the control unit is configured such that, in the steady state, during the period when the amount of movement of the third tension adjustment roller 15C from the intermediate position does not exceed the first threshold Th1, the rotational speeds of the first compression roller 14A and the second compression roller 14B are not changed.

[0069] Here, with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the control process for adjusting the rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A ( Figure 2 ) and the control process for adjusting the rotational speed of the second compression roller 14B ( Figure 3 ) will be specifically described.

[0070] As Figure 2 shown, in the control of the rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A, first, the control unit 20 acquires the position information of the third tension adjustment roller 15C (ST11).

[0071] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the third tension adjustment roller 15C has moved beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position toward the first end position side (upward) (ST12). If the determination result is "yes", the current rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A is set to V11, and the set value of the rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A is updated to V12 obtained by V12 = V11×(1 + γ1) (where γ1 is a positive value less than 1) (ST13).

[0072] If the determination result in step ST12 is "no", the control unit 20 determines whether the third tension adjustment roller 15C has moved beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position toward the second end position side (downward) (ST14). If the determination result is "yes", the set value of the rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A is updated to V13 obtained by V13 = V11×(1 - γ2) (where γ2 is a positive value less than 1) (ST15).

[0073] After step ST13 or step ST15 is completed, or when the determination result in step ST14 is "No", the control unit 20 stands by until the position information of the third tension adjusting roller 15C is obtained next time (ST16). Specifically, when the time t elapsed since the position information of the third tension adjusting roller 15C was obtained becomes equal to or greater than a given time threshold td, the control unit 20 executes each step below step ST11 again.

[0074] As Figure 3 shown, in the rotation speed control of the second compression roller 14B, first, the control unit 20 acquires the position information of the third tension adjusting roller 15C (ST21).

[0075] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the third tension adjusting roller 15C has moved beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position toward the first end side (upward) (ST22). When the determination result is "Yes", the current rotation speed of the second compression roller 14B is set to V21, and the set value of the rotation speed of the second compression roller 14B is updated to V22 obtained by V22 = V21 × (1 - γ1) (where γ1 is a positive value less than 1) (ST23).

[0076] When the determination result in step ST22 is "No", the control unit 20 determines whether the third tension adjusting roller 15C has moved beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position toward the second end position side (downward) (ST24). When the determination result is "Yes", the set value of the rotation speed of the second compression roller 14B is updated to V23 obtained by V23 = V21 × (1 + γ2) (where γ2 is a positive value less than 1) (ST25).

[0077] After step ST23 or step ST25 is completed, or when the determination result in step ST24 is "No", the control unit 20 stands by until the position information of the third tension adjusting roller 15C is obtained next time (ST26). Specifically, when the time t elapsed since the position information of the third tension adjusting roller 15C was obtained becomes equal to or greater than a given time threshold td, the control unit 20 executes each step below step ST21 again.

[0078] "Embodiment 2"

[0079] Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. The compression device 10 of this embodiment is different from the above-described Embodiment 1 in that a stretching roller 18 is provided upstream of the first compression roller 14A. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0080] As Figure 4As shown, the compression device 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality (three in this example) of stretching rollers 18 disposed downstream of the second tensiometer roller 16B and upstream of the first compression roller 14A. Each stretching roller 18 stretches the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate 100. Additionally, the number of stretching rollers 18 can be one, or any number of two or more.

[0081] The control unit 20 is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller 14B so as to suppress the movement of the third tension adjustment roller 15C away from the intermediate position when the third tension adjustment roller 15C moves beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position. The manner of this speed control is the same as that Figure 3 described above with reference to.

[0082] <<Embodiment 3>>

[0083] Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. The compression device 10 of the present embodiment is different from the above-described Embodiment 1 in that stretching rollers 18 are provided downstream of the second compression roller 14B. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0084] As Figure 5 shown, the compression device 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality (three in this example) of stretching rollers disposed downstream of the second compression roller 14B and upstream of the fourth tensiometer roller 16D. Each stretching roller 18 stretches the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate 100. Additionally, the number of stretching rollers 18 can be one, or any number of two or more.

[0085] The control unit 20 is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A so as to suppress the movement of the third tension adjustment roller 15C away from the intermediate position when the third tension adjustment roller 15C moves beyond the first threshold Th1 from the intermediate position. The manner of this speed control is the same as that Figure 2 described above with reference to.

[0086] <<Embodiment 4>>

[0087] Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. The manner in which the compression device 10 of the present embodiment adjusts the rotational speed of the second compression roller 14B is different from that of the above-described Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0088] As Figure 6 shown, the compression device 10 of the present embodiment includes a first speed sensor 19A and a second speed sensor 19B.

[0089] The first speed sensor 19A is provided between the first compression roller 14A and the subsequent guide roller 17, and detects the conveying speed V1 of the electrode plate 100 carried out from the first compression roller 14A. Data related to the detected conveying speed is sent to the control unit 20.

[0090] The second speed sensor 19B is provided between the first compression roller 14A and the preceding guide roller 17, and detects the conveying speed V2 of the electrode plate 100 carried into the first compression roller 14A. Data related to the detected conveying speed is sent to the control unit 20.

[0091] The control unit 20 is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller 14B based on the conveying speed V1 detected by the first speed sensor 19A and the conveying speed V2 detected by the second speed sensor 19B. More specifically, as Figure 7 shown, the control unit 20 is configured to obtain the conveying speed V1 and the conveying speed V2 (ST31), calculate the elongation rate λ1 of the electrode plate 100 according to the formula λ1 = (V1 / V2) - 1 (ST32), and then set the rotational speed of the first compression roller 14A to V3, and rotate the second compression roller 14B at the rotational speed V4 obtained by V4 = (1 + λ1) × V3 (ST33).

[0092] <Supplementary Note>

[0093] The following technology is disclosed by the description of the above embodiments.

[0094] (Technology 1)

[0095] A compression device, comprising:

[0096] A first compression roller that compresses an electrode plate for a battery;

[0097] A second compression roller provided downstream of the first compression roller and compressing the electrode plate;

[0098] A tension adjusting roller provided between the first compression roller and the second compression roller, and adjusting the tension applied to the electrode plate by moving between a first end position and a second end position; and

[0099] A control unit that controls the first compression roller, the second compression roller, and the tension adjusting roller,

[0100] The control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller and / or the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjusting roller moves beyond a first threshold value between the first end position and the second end position.

[0101] (Technology 2)

[0102] The compression device according to Technique 1, wherein,

[0103] The control unit is configured to: in a steady state, during a period when the amount of movement of the tension adjusting roller from the intermediate position does not exceed the first threshold, not change the rotational speed.

[0104] (Technique 3)

[0105] The compression device according to Technique 1 or 2, wherein,

[0106] The compression device further includes: a stretching roller provided upstream of the first compression roller to stretch the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate.

[0107] The control unit is configured to: when the tension adjusting roller moves beyond the first threshold from the intermediate position, adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position.

[0108] (Technique 4)

[0109] The compression device according to Technique 1 or 2, wherein,

[0110] The compression device further includes: a stretching roller provided downstream of the second compression roller to stretch the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate.

[0111] The control unit is configured to: when the tension adjusting roller moves beyond the first threshold from the intermediate position, adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjusting roller away from the intermediate position.

[0112] (Technique 5)

[0113] A compression device, comprising:

[0114] A first compression roller for compressing an electrode plate for a battery;

[0115] A second compression roller provided downstream of the first compression roller to compress the electrode plate;

[0116] A first speed sensor for detecting the conveying speed of the electrode plate carried out from the first compression roller; and

[0117] A control unit for controlling the first compression roller and the second compression roller,

[0118] The control unit is configured to: adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based at least on the conveying speed detected by the first speed sensor.

[0119] (Technology 6)

[0120] The compression device according to Technology 5, wherein,

[0121] The compression device further includes: a second speed sensor that detects the conveying speed of the electrode plate conveyed to the first compression roller.

[0122] The control unit is configured to: adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the conveying speed detected by the first speed sensor and the conveying speed detected by the second speed sensor.

[0123] (Technology 7)

[0124] The compression device according to Technology 6, wherein,

[0125] The control unit is configured to: set the conveying speed detected by the first speed sensor as V1, and set the conveying speed detected by the second speed sensor as V2, and adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the elongation rate λ1 of the electrode plate obtained by λ1 = (V1 / V2) - 1.

[0126] (Technology 8)

[0127] The compression device according to Technology 7, wherein,

[0128] The control unit is configured to: set the rotational speed of the first compression roller as V3, and rotate the second compression roller at a rotational speed V4 obtained by V4 = (1 + λ1) × V3.

[0129] Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments at the current time point, such a disclosure should not be construed in a limiting manner. For those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, various modifications and changes will be apparent by reading the above disclosure. Therefore, the appended claims should be construed to include all modifications and changes without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0130] Industrial Applicability

[0131] The present disclosure can be used in a compression device.

[0132] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0133] 10: Compression device

[0134] 11: Unwinder

[0135] 12: Rewinder

[0136] 13A: First clamping roller

[0137] 13B: Second clamping roller

[0138] 14A: First compression roller

[0139] 14B: Second compression roller

[0140] 15A: First tension adjustment roller

[0141] 15B: Second tension adjustment roller

[0142] 15C: Third tension adjustment roller (tension adjustment roller)

[0143] 15D: Fourth tension adjustment roller

[0144] 15E: Fifth tension adjustment roller

[0145] 16A: First tensiometer roller

[0146] 16B: Second tensiometer roller

[0147] 16C: Third tensiometer roller

[0148] 16D: Fourth tensiometer roller

[0149] 16E: Fifth tensiometer roller

[0150] 17: Guide roller

[0151] 18: Stretching roller

[0152] 19A: First speed sensor

[0153] 19B: Second speed sensor

[0154] 20: Control unit

[0155] 100: Plate

[0156] Th1: First threshold value.

Claims

1. A compression device, comprising: A first compression roller for compressing the electrode plates for batteries; The second compression roller is disposed downstream of the first compression roller and compresses the electrode plate. The tension adjustment roller is disposed between the first compression roller and the second compression roller and adjusts the tension applied to the electrode plate by moving between a first end position and a second end position. And The control unit controls the first compression roller, the second compression roller, and the tension adjustment roller. The control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller and / or the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjustment roller moves beyond a first threshold value from an intermediate position between the first end position and the second end position.

2. The compression device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit is configured to: in a steady state, not change the rotational speed during a period when the amount of movement of the tension adjustment roller from the intermediate position does not exceed the first threshold value.

3. The compression device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The compression device further includes: a stretching roller disposed upstream of the first compression roller and stretching the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate. The control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjustment roller moves beyond the first threshold value from the intermediate position.

4. The compression device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The compression device further includes: a stretching roller disposed downstream of the second compression roller and stretching the foil exposed portion of the electrode plate. The control unit is configured to: adjust the rotational speed of the first compression roller so as to suppress the movement of the tension adjustment roller away from the intermediate position when the tension adjustment roller moves beyond the first threshold value from the intermediate position.

5. A compression device, comprising: A first compression roller for compressing the electrode plates for batteries; The second compression roller is disposed downstream of the first compression roller and compresses the electrode plate. The first speed sensor detects the conveying speed of the electrode plate conveyed out from the first compression roller. And The control unit controls the first compression roller and the second compression roller. The control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based at least on the conveying speed detected by the first speed sensor.

6. The compression device according to claim 5, wherein, The compression device further includes: a second speed sensor that detects the conveying speed of the electrode plate conveyed into the first compression roller. The control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the conveying speed detected by the first speed sensor and the conveying speed detected by the second speed sensor.

7. The compression device according to claim 6, wherein, The control unit is configured to set the conveying speed detected by the first speed sensor as V1, and set the conveying speed detected by the second speed sensor as V2, and adjust the rotational speed of the second compression roller based on the elongation rate λ1 of the electrode plate obtained by λ1 = (V1 / V2) - 1.

8. The compression device according to claim 7, wherein, The control unit is configured to set the rotational speed of the first compression roller as V3, and rotate the second compression roller at a rotational speed V4 obtained by V4 = (1 + λ1) × V3.

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