Electrode sheet manufacturing device and electrode sheet manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus and an electrode sheet manufacturing method. This electrode sheet manufacturing device is provided with: a conveyor that conveys a coating sheet in a state in which the other surface of the coating sheet, which has a coating part in which an electrode material is coated on one surface of a collector sheet, on the opposite side from the surface on the side of the coating part is supported; and a laser irradiator that radiates laser light to the coated sheet transported by the conveyor to dry the coated portion, the laser irradiator being disposed on the other surface side of the coated sheet transported by the conveyor and having a laser head that radiates laser light to the other surface of the coated sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing electrode sheets and a method for manufacturing electrode sheets. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding the manufacturing method of electrode sheets for batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries, a method is known in which electrode material is coated onto a current collector to form a coated portion, and the coated portion is dried to obtain an electrode layer. Furthermore, as a technique for drying the coated portion, a laser irradiation technique has been proposed.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-169591 discloses an electrode body manufacturing apparatus including a transport section, a laser irradiation section, and a vapor recovery section. The transport section transports an electrode body coated with at least one electrode material. The laser irradiation section irradiates the electrode material with a laser while the electrode body is being transported to at least one first position in the transport direction of the transport section, thereby drying the electrode material. The vapor recovery section is provided at least one second position adjacent to the first position in the transport direction and recovers the vapor generated by irradiating the electrode material with the laser.

[0004] The technology described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-169591 is a technique for irradiating one side of a coated sheet (electrode body) with a laser from a laser irradiation machine (laser irradiation unit) while transporting the coated sheet. The coated sheet is transported with its surface supported on the opposite side of the coated portion (electrode material). Summary of the Invention

[0005] For example, in manufacturing large-area electrode sheets, the focal distance of the laser needs to be ensured in order to obtain the laser irradiation area. In this case, the laser irradiation machine is placed at a location far away from the coated sheet. However, the further away the laser irradiation machine is from the coated sheet, the larger the electrode manufacturing apparatus becomes. Therefore, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-169591 has the problem that as the size of the electrode manufacturing apparatus increases, the cost of equipment investment, operating costs, and other expenses may increase.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve such problems, and aims to provide an electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing electrode sheets, which can suppress the cost increase associated with the enlargement of the manufacturing apparatus by miniaturizing the manufacturing apparatus.

[0007] One embodiment of the electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus includes:

[0008] A transport aircraft that transports a coated sheet with a coating section on the opposite side of the coating section, the coating section having an electrode material coated on one side of a current collector sheet.

[0009] A laser irradiation machine irradiates coated sheets transported by a conveyor with a laser, thereby drying the coating section.

[0010] The laser irradiation machine is positioned on the other side of the coated sheet transported by a conveyor, and has a laser head that irradiates the other side of the coated sheet with laser light.

[0011] One embodiment of the electrode sheet manufacturing method includes:

[0012] The transport process involves transporting a coated sheet with a coating section supported on the side opposite to the coating section side, wherein the coating section has an electrode material coated on one side of the current collector sheet.

[0013] The drying process involves irradiating the transported coated sheet with a laser from a laser irradiation machine, thereby drying the coating section.

[0014] The laser irradiation machine is positioned on the other side of the transported coated sheet to irradiate the other side of the coated sheet with a laser.

[0015] According to this disclosure, an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode sheet and a method for manufacturing an electrode sheet can be provided, which can suppress the increase in cost associated with the enlargement of the manufacturing apparatus by miniaturizing the manufacturing apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 A first diagram illustrating the configuration of the electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

[0018] Figure 2 A second figure showing the configuration of the electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

[0019] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the method for manufacturing the electrode sheet according to Embodiment 1;

[0020] Figure 4 To show a cross-sectional view of the electrode sheet;

[0021] Figure 5 A diagram illustrating the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus for the comparative example electrode sheet; and

[0022] Figure 6 A coordinate graph showing the change in surface temperature of the coated portion over time during drying. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Implementation Method 1

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, for the sake of clarity, the following description and drawings will be simplified as appropriate.

[0025] Electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus

[0026] Figure 1 The first figure shows the configuration of the electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 The second figure illustrates the configuration of the electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. The electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, namely the manufacturing apparatus 100, is an apparatus for manufacturing electrode sheets.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes: a conveyor 10 that transports a coated sheet 2 having a coating section 1 coated with electrode material; and a laser irradiation machine 20 that irradiates the transported coated sheet 2 with a laser L to dry the coating section 1. In addition to the conveyor 10 and the laser irradiation machine 20, the manufacturing apparatus 100 may also include a coating machine.

[0028] In this case, for example, when manufacturing a large-area electrode sheet, in order to obtain the irradiation area of ​​the laser L, it is necessary to ensure the focal distance of the laser L. Therefore, the laser irradiation machine 20 is positioned far away from the coated sheet 2. However, the farther the laser irradiation machine 20 is from the coated sheet 2, the larger the device becomes. If the device becomes larger, there is a possibility of increased costs such as equipment investment and operating costs.

[0029] Therefore, the transport machine 10 transports the coated sheet 2, which has a coating section 1 on one side 3a of the current collector 3, with its other side 2b opposite to the side 2a of the coating section 1. Meanwhile, the laser irradiation machine 20 irradiates the coated sheet 2 transported by the transport machine 10 with laser L, thereby drying the coating section 1. Furthermore, the laser irradiation machine 20 is positioned on the other side 2b of the coated sheet 2 transported by the transport machine 10 and has a laser head 21 that irradiates the other side 2b of the coated sheet 2 with laser L.

[0030] The manufacturing apparatus 100 configured in this way enables miniaturization of the apparatus, thereby suppressing the cost increase associated with the enlargement of the apparatus.

[0031] Coated sheet

[0032] First, the detailed structure of the coated sheet 2 will be described. The current collector 3 has a longitudinal direction in the first direction D1. The current collector 3 has one side 3a and a back side 3b of the same side 3a in the thickness direction. The current collector 3 is preferably used as a current collector such as a negative current collector, a positive current collector, or a bipolar current collector.

[0033] As the current collector 3, for example, a metal foil such as aluminum, copper, nickel, stainless steel, or alloys thereof is used. The current collector 3 may be a foil in which multiple metal foils are integrated.

[0034] Additionally, the current collector 3 may have a carbon coating 4 containing carbon material on at least one other side 3b. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the carbon coating 4 can be disposed not only on the other side 3b of the current collector 3, but also on one side 3a. The carbon coating 4 may be disposed only on the other side 3b of the current collector 3. Alternatively, the carbon coating 4 may be disposed on the outer surface containing both one side 3a and the other side 3b of the current collector 3. Examples of carbon materials contained in the carbon coating 4 include carbon black, graphite, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and fumed carbon fibers.

[0035] The current collector 3 may have a coating other than the carbon coating 4 on at least a portion of its outer surface. The coating has the function of reducing resistance.

[0036] The thickness of the current collector 3 can be, for example, 0.1 μm or more, or 1 μm or more. On the other hand, the thickness of the current collector 3 can be, for example, 1 mm or less, or 100 μm or less.

[0037] The electrode material can be a negative electrode material. The negative electrode material is the material of the negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode material may include, for example, a negative electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, a tackifier, and a solvent. Alternatively, the electrode material can be a positive electrode material. The positive electrode material is the material of the positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode material may include, for example, a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, a tackifier, and a solvent. There are no particular limitations on these materials; known materials can be used.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the coated sheet 2 may have an electrode layer 5 on the opposite side 3b of one side 3a of the current collector sheet 3. From the viewpoint of efficiently drying the coated part 1, the coated sheet 2 preferably has at least one of a carbon coating layer 4 and an electrode layer 5. The electrode layer 5 may be a negative electrode active material layer or a positive electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer contains a negative electrode active material. There are no particular limitations on the negative electrode active material, and examples include artificial graphite, natural graphite, difficult-to-graphitize carbon, easily-graphitize carbon, carbon nanotubes, and other carbon materials. In addition to the negative electrode active material, the negative electrode active material layer may contain conductive materials, adhesives, tackifiers, etc. The positive electrode active material layer contains a positive electrode active material. There are no particular limitations on the positive electrode active material, and examples include lithium transition metal oxides, lithium manganese phosphate, lithium iron phosphate, etc. In addition to the positive electrode active material, the positive electrode active material layer may contain conductive materials, adhesives, tackifiers, etc.

[0039] Furthermore, the coating sheet 2 may have a plurality of coating portions 1 arranged in a predetermined direction on one side 3a of the current collector 3. Additionally, the coating sheet 2 may have uncoated portions where no electrode material is applied. For example, the coating portions 1 may be disposed in the central portion in the transverse direction of the current collector 3, and the uncoated portions may be disposed at both ends in the transverse direction of the current collector 3, clamping the coating portions 1. Furthermore, when the electrode material is applied intermittently, the coating sheet 2 may have intermittent portions where no electrode material is applied.

[0040] The coating sheet 2 preferably has a black portion on its opposite side 3b to the current collector sheet 3. At least a portion of the black portion is formed at a position where it overlaps with the coating portion 1 when viewed from the thickness direction of the coating sheet 2. The black portion contains, for example, a black material such as carbon, and is black in color. The black portion efficiently absorbs the irradiated laser L. Therefore, by irradiating the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2 with the black portion with laser L, the coating portion 1 can be dried more efficiently.

[0041] The black portion is preferably at least one of the carbon coating 4 and the electrode layer 5. Therefore, it is unnecessary to perform processing on the coated sheet 2 to improve the drying efficiency caused by laser irradiation, thus suppressing the cost increase resulting from such processing.

[0042] The coated sheet 2 can be manufactured, for example, by transporting the current collector sheet 3 in the first direction D1 using a conveyor 10, while simultaneously coating one side 3a of the current collector sheet 3 with electrode material using a coating machine to form the coated section 1. The coating machine that coats the electrode material on one side 3a of the current collector sheet 3 to form the coated section 1 is positioned upstream of the laser irradiation machine 20 in the transport direction. At this time, the electrode material can be coated continuously or intermittently.

[0043] transport aircraft

[0044] Next, the detailed configuration of the transport machine 10 will be described. The transport machine 10 transports the coated sheet 2 in the first direction D1. The transport machine 10 transports the coated sheet 2 at, for example, a certain transport speed.

[0045] The conveyor 10 includes conveyor rollers 11 and 12. The conveyor rollers 11 and 12 are arranged at intervals along a first direction D1. The conveyor roller 11 is positioned relative to the conveyor roller 12. Figure 1 The transport roller 12 is positioned on the upstream side of the transport direction, indicated by the white arrow. The transport roller 12 is positioned on the downstream side of the transport direction relative to the transport roller 11.

[0046] The transport rollers 11 and 12 are each cylindrical. Each transport roller 11 and 12 rotates about a rotation axis extending in a second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. Each transport roller 11 and 12 is driven to rotate by a drive source such as a motor. This transport machine 10 transports the coated sheet 2 by rotating the transport rollers 11 and 12 using a drive source.

[0047] In addition, the transport rollers 11 and 12 are arranged on the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2 and are support members that support the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2. The conveyor 10 uses the transport rollers 11 and 12 to transport the coating sheet 2 while supporting the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2.

[0048] Laser irradiation machine

[0049] Next, the detailed configuration of the laser irradiation machine 20 will be described. The laser irradiation machine 20 is disposed between transport rollers 11 and 12. In addition to the laser head 21, the laser irradiation machine 20 may have a laser oscillator. The laser head 21 is built into an optical lens with a specified curvature. As for the laser head 21, for example, it is oscillated by the laser oscillator and irradiated onto the coating sheet 2 by the optical lens.

[0050] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The irradiation direction of the laser L shown is from the other side (lower side) of a third direction D3 orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, toward one side (upper side). Therefore, the laser irradiation machine 20 irradiates the coating plate 2 above the laser head 21 with laser light. Then, the laser irradiation machine 20 uses the heat of the laser L to dry the liquid coating section 1. By using the laser irradiation machine 20 to dry the coating section 1, an electrode sheet can be obtained.

[0051] From the viewpoint of reducing the drying time required for the coating section 1 while suppressing the degradation of the electrode sheet quality, the energy density of the laser L is, for example, 0.1 W / cm². 2 Above and 4.0W / cm 2 Below. If the energy density of laser L is less than 0.1 W / cm². 2 Sometimes, the drying time required for coating part 1 is prolonged. This is especially true if the energy density of laser L exceeds 4.0 W / cm². 2 Sometimes, overheating of the coated sheet 2 occurs, leading to a decline in quality.

[0052] The wavelength of laser L is, for example, a wavelength in the near-infrared region to the infrared region. The wavelength of laser L is preferably a wavelength in the near-infrared region. Laser L with a wavelength in the near-infrared region is easily absorbed by the black portion, enabling more efficient drying of the coated portion 1.

[0053] Regarding the type of laser L, a laser with a wavelength in the aforementioned region is preferred. Examples of such laser L include semiconductor lasers, fiber lasers, solid-state lasers, and carbon dioxide lasers. From the viewpoint of efficiently drying the coating section 1, the laser L preferably includes a semiconductor laser. A laser L including a semiconductor laser can achieve an irradiation area of ​​approximately A4 size, and is therefore preferred when manufacturing large-area electrode sheets.

[0054] The laser irradiation machine 20 may have multiple laser heads 21. In this case, the multiple laser heads 21 are preferably arranged side by side with intervals along the first direction D1 on the other side 2b of the transported coating sheet 2.

[0055] hot air dryer

[0056] In addition to the conveyor 10 and the laser irradiation machine 20, the manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a hot air dryer. The hot air dryer is positioned upstream or downstream of the laser irradiation machine 20 in the transport direction. If the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a coating machine, the hot air dryer is positioned downstream of the coating machine in the transport direction. The hot air dryer supplies hot air H to the coating section 1 of the coating sheet 2 transported by the conveyor 10. This allows for more efficient drying of the coating section 1.

[0057] From the viewpoint of shortening the drying time required for coating section 1 while suppressing the degradation of electrode sheet quality, the temperature of hot air H is, for example, 50°C or higher and 200°C or lower. If the temperature of hot air H is less than 50°C, the drying time required for coating section 1 may be prolonged. If the temperature of hot air H exceeds 200°C, overheating of coating sheet 2 may occur, leading to a degradation in quality.

[0058] From the viewpoint of shortening the drying time required for coating section 1 while suppressing the degradation of electrode quality, the air velocity of hot air H is, for example, 1 m / s or more and 15 m / s or less. If the air velocity of hot air H is less than 1 m / s, the drying time required for coating section 1 may be prolonged. If the air velocity of hot air H exceeds 15 m / s, fluctuations (waves) may occur on the surface of the coating section, resulting in a degradation of quality.

[0059] Electrode sheet manufacturing method

[0060] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the method for manufacturing the electrode sheet according to Embodiment 1 is provided. Figure 3 As shown, the electrode sheet manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 includes an S1 transport step and an S2 drying step.

[0061] Transportation process

[0062] The transport process is performed using a transport machine 10. The transport process is a process of transporting the coated sheet 2, which has a coating part 1 on one side 3a of the current collector 3, with its other side 2b opposite to the side 2a of the coating part 1, supported.

[0063] Drying process

[0064] A drying process is performed using a laser irradiation machine 20. The drying process involves irradiating the transported coating sheet 2 with a laser L from the laser irradiation machine 20, thereby drying the coating section 1. Furthermore, the laser irradiation machine 20 is positioned on the other side 2b of the transported coating sheet 2, and laser L is irradiated onto that other side 2b. By employing the drying process, the coating section 1 is dried, thereby obtaining an electrode sheet.

[0065] The drying process may include supplying hot air H to the coating section 1 of the transported coating sheet 2. This allows for efficient drying of the coating section 1. Hot air H is supplied from the aforementioned hot air supply unit.

[0066] electrode plate

[0067] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the electrode sheet. (See attached image.) Figure 4 As shown, the electrode sheet 7 manufactured in this disclosure has a current collector 3 and an electrode layer 6 formed on one side 3a of the current collector 3. Additionally, the electrode sheet 7 may have an electrode layer 5 on the other side 3b of the current collector 3. That is, the electrode sheet 7 may have electrode layers 5 and 6 on both sides of the current collector 3, one side 3a and the other side 3b. The electrode layer 6 formed on one side 3a of the current collector 3 may be a positive electrode active material layer or a negative electrode active material layer. In the case of an electrode sheet 7 having electrode layers 5 and 6, both the electrode layer 6 formed on one side 3a of the current collector 3 and the electrode layer 5 formed on the other side 3b may be positive electrode active material layers. Both electrode layers 5 may also be negative electrode active material layers. One electrode layer 5 may be a positive electrode active material layer, and the other electrode layer 5 may be a negative electrode active material layer. Although not shown, the electrode sheet 7 may not have an electrode layer 5 on the other side 3b of the current collector 3.

[0068] There is no particular limitation on the type of battery using electrode plate 7; for example, lithium-ion secondary batteries can be listed. As for applications, examples of batteries include power sources for vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), gasoline vehicles, and diesel vehicles. In particular, it is preferable to use batteries as power sources for driving hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Furthermore, batteries can be used as power sources for mobile bodies other than vehicles (e.g., railways, ships, aircraft) and for electrical appliances such as information processing devices.

[0069] The following examples and comparative examples further illustrate this disclosure.

[0070] Example 1

[0071] like Figure 1 As shown, a coated sheet 2 is prepared. This coated sheet 2 has a coating portion 1 on one side 3a of a current collector 3, which has a carbon coating 4 on both sides 3a and 3b, onto which a positive electrode material is coated. The current collector 3 uses a foil that integrates aluminum foil and copper foil. The positive electrode material includes lithium iron phosphate as the positive electrode active material, styrene-butadiene rubber as a binder, carbon nanotubes as a conductive material, and carboxymethyl cellulose as a tackifier.

[0072] On the other side 2b of the prepared coated sheet 2, a negative electrode active material layer, serving as an electrode layer 5, is formed via a carbon coating 4. This negative electrode active material layer is pre-formed before the coating portion 1 is formed. That is, the prepared coated sheet 2 has a carbon coating 4 and a negative electrode active material layer as the black portion. The negative electrode active material layer comprises artificial graphite as the negative electrode active material, styrene-butadiene rubber as a binder, carbon nanotubes as a conductive material, and carboxymethyl cellulose as a tackifier.

[0073] Then, using the manufacturing apparatus 100, while transporting the coating sheet 2 with the other side 2b supported by the conveyor 10, the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2 is irradiated with laser L by the laser irradiation machine 20, thereby drying the coating section 1.

[0074] In the transportation process, a conveyor 10 is used to transport the coated sheet 2 at a speed of 30 m / min. In the drying process, a laser irradiation machine 20 is used with an energy density of 0.5 W / cm³. 2 A continuously oscillating laser L is irradiated onto the coating sheet 2, while hot air H at a temperature of 120°C and a wind speed of 5 m / s is supplied to the coating section 1 using a hot air dryer. The irradiation of the coating sheet 2 with laser L continues until the surface temperature of the coating section 1 exceeds 120°C. It should be noted that, to prevent overheating, the irradiation of the coating sheet 2 with laser L is stopped just after the surface temperature of the coating section 1 exceeds 120°C.

[0075] Using this approach, the electrode sheet of Example 1 was manufactured.

[0076] Example 2

[0077] In addition to Figure 2 As shown, except that no negative electrode active material layer is provided on the other side 2b of the coated sheet 2, the electrode sheet of Example 2 was manufactured using the same manufacturing apparatus 100 as in Example 1 and the same manufacturing method as in Example 1. That is, the prepared coated sheet 2 has a carbon coating 4 as the black part.

[0078] Comparative example

[0079] Here, Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus for the comparative example electrode sheet. Figure 5 As shown, the manufacturing apparatus 200, which is a comparative example of an electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus, has the same configuration as the manufacturing apparatus 100, except that it has a laser irradiation machine 30 instead of a laser irradiation machine 20.

[0080] The laser irradiation machine 30 of the manufacturing apparatus 200 irradiates the coating sheet 2 transported by the conveyor 10 with a laser, thereby drying the coating section 1. Furthermore, the laser irradiation machine 30 is disposed on one side 2a of the coating sheet 2 transported by the conveyor 10 and has a laser head 31 that irradiates the coating sheet 2 with a laser L onto one side 2a of the coating sheet 2.

[0081] Figure 5 The irradiation direction of the laser L shown is from one side (upper side) towards the other side (lower side) of D3. Therefore, the laser irradiation machine 30 irradiates the coating sheet 2 passing below the laser head 31 with the laser L.

[0082] In the comparative example, using Figure 5 The manufacturing apparatus 200 shown transports the coating sheet 2 with the other side 2b supported by the conveyor 10, while a laser irradiation machine 30 irradiates one side 2a of the coating sheet 2 with a laser L. The coating section 1 is dried by the irradiation with the laser L. The manufacturing conditions, including the transport speed of the coating sheet 2, the energy density of the laser L, the vibration, the temperature and speed of the hot air H, and the conditions for stopping the irradiation with the laser L, are the same as in Example 1.

[0083] Using this method, a comparative example electrode sheet was manufactured.

[0084] evaluate

[0085] The laser L irradiation heats the coating section 1 during drying, causing the surface temperature to rise over time. Here, during the respective manufacturing processes of the electrode sheets in Examples 1, 2, and the Comparative Example, the change in surface temperature of the coating section 1 during drying was measured over time to evaluate the processing quality of the laser drying. Furthermore, the surface temperature of the coating section 1 was measured using a radiation thermometer.

[0086] Figure 6 A coordinate graph showing the change in surface temperature of the coated portion over time during drying. Figure 6 The vertical axis of the graph shown represents the surface temperature (°C) of the coated portion 1. Figure 6 The horizontal axis of the graph shown represents drying time (seconds). Drying time is the duration of laser irradiation L. The processing quality of laser drying is evaluated based on curves C1, C2, and C3, which represent the change in surface temperature of the coated section 1 over time.

[0087] Figure 6 Curve C1 shows the change in surface temperature of the coating portion 1 during drying, as measured over time, during the manufacturing process of the electrode sheet of Example 1. Figure 6 Curve C2 shows the time-dependent change in the surface temperature of the coating section 1 during drying, as measured during the manufacturing process of the electrode sheet of Example 2. Figure 6 Curve C3 shows the change in surface temperature of the coating section 1 during drying, measured over time, during the manufacturing process of the electrode sheet of the comparative example.

[0088] As by Figure 6 As shown in the coordinate graph, comparing curves C1, C2, and C3 reveals that the temperature behavior is almost identical in Examples 1, 2, and the comparative example. This result confirms that the processing quality of laser drying is the same regardless of the irradiation direction of laser L.

[0089] However, in the case of manufacturing apparatus 200, such as Figure 5 As shown, space is needed for the transport machine 10 on the other side 2b of the coated sheet 2, and space is needed for the laser irradiation machine 30 on one side 2a of the coated sheet 2. Therefore, in the manufacturing apparatus 200, as the apparatus becomes larger, there is a possibility of increased costs such as equipment investment and operating costs.

[0090] In the case of manufacturing apparatus 100, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, laser L is irradiated onto the coating sheet 2 from the side where the conveyor 10 is located, i.e., the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2. Therefore, the respective configuration spaces of the conveyor 10 and the laser irradiator 20 are concentrated on the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2. The manufacturing apparatus 100 effectively utilizes the space on the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2, which would be ineffective space in the case of the manufacturing apparatus 200, as configuration space for the laser irradiator 20. Therefore, compared with the manufacturing apparatus 200, the manufacturing apparatus 100 can at least achieve a lower height corresponding to the height of the conveyor rollers 11 and 12.

[0091] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing electrode sheets that can achieve miniaturization of the device and thus suppress the cost increase associated with the enlargement of the device.

[0092] It should be noted that this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the matter. For example, the transport rollers 11 and 12 can be replaced with a conveyor belt having multiple rollers separately arranged in the first direction D1 and a belt mounted on the multiple rollers. Such a conveyor belt is a support member disposed on the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2, supporting the other side 2b of the coating sheet 2.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing electrode sheets, comprising: A transport aircraft that transports a coated sheet having a coating section on the opposite side of the coating section, wherein the coating section has an electrode material coated on one side of a current collector; and A laser irradiation machine irradiates the coated sheet, which is transported by the conveyor, with a laser, thereby drying the coated section. The laser irradiation machine is positioned on the other side of the coated sheet being transported by the transport aircraft, and has a laser head for irradiating the other side of the coated sheet with the laser.

2. The electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The coated sheet has a black portion on the opposite side of one side of the current collector, and at least a portion of the black portion is formed at a position that overlaps with the coated portion when viewed from the thickness direction of the coated sheet.

3. The electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The black portion is at least one of a carbon coating and an electrode layer.

4. The electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The laser includes a semiconductor laser.

5. A method for manufacturing electrode sheets, which includes: The transport process involves transporting the coated sheet, which has an electrode material coated on one side of a current collector, while supported on the side opposite to the side with the coating portion. The drying process involves irradiating the transported coated sheet with a laser from a laser irradiation machine, thereby drying the coated portion. The laser irradiation machine is positioned on the other side of the transported coated sheet and irradiates the other side of the coated sheet with the laser.

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