Handling gripper, press and press method

Abstract

The present application provides a handling gripper, a press machine, and a press method, in which a laminated sheet does not shift and uniform press processing can be performed. In the handling gripper (20), a holding plate (23) composed of a flat plate member and a holding gripper (22) composed of a plurality of bars arranged parallel to each other along the plate surface of the holding plate (23) are provided. The handling gripper (20) can be deformed into a holding mode in which the holding gripper (22) is located in a space on the plate surface of the holding plate (23) and holds a laminate (S) in which a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator used for a secondary battery are stacked, and a retreat mode in which the holding gripper (22) is retreated from the space on the plate surface of the holding plate (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a handling gripper, a stamping machine, and a stamping method used in the manufacture of secondary batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, the manufacturing process of secondary batteries involves a stamping process (stamping process) on a laminate of stacked sheets (electrodes, separators).

[0003] During this stamping process, in order to prevent the stacked sheets from shifting before stamping, a process is performed to temporarily maintain their stacked state.

[0004] [Existing technical documents]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-552532. Summary of the Invention

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

[0008] However, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 proposes a method of performing two stamping processes in the stamping process.

[0009] In the proposed method, a larger force than that applied during the initial holding phase is used to perform the first stamping while the clamps hold the laminate. Then, after the laminated sheets no longer shift accidentally during the first stamping, a second stamping is performed using a pressure block.

[0010] However, when using such a method, the clamps are formed into a comb shape, which may result in uneven pressure because it is not possible to apply uniform pressure to the laminate.

[0011] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a handling gripper, a stamping machine, and a stamping method that enable uniform pressure stamping processing of stacked sheets without shifting. [Technical Solution for Solving the Technical Problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention relates to a handling gripper characterized by comprising: a gripping plate composed of a flat plate; and a gripping claw composed of a plurality of rods arranged parallel to each other along the surface of the gripping plate. The handling gripper is deformable into a gripping mode and a retraction mode. The gripping mode is a mode in which the gripping claw is located in the space on the surface of the gripping plate and grips a stack of positive electrode sheets, negative electrode sheets, and separators used in secondary batteries. The retraction mode is a mode in which the gripping claw retracts from the space on the surface of the gripping plate.

[0013] [Invention Effects]

[0014] According to the present invention, a handling gripper, a stamping machine, and a stamping method are provided that enable uniform pressure stamping of stacked sheets without shifting. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 The stamping machine shown in this embodiment is a top perspective view of a stacked body placed on a temporary placement table.

[0016] Figure 2 The punching machine of this embodiment is shown in a top perspective view with the gripping claw inserted into the claw groove.

[0017] Figure 3 The lower perspective view shows the stamping machine of this embodiment with the gripping claw inserted into the claw groove.

[0018] Figure 4 The above perspective view shows the press of this embodiment, in which the chuck holds and moves the laminated body.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a top perspective view showing the stamping machine of this embodiment in its state during movement on a temporary placement platform.

[0020] Figure 6 The view showing the stamping machine of this embodiment is a top perspective view of the lower platform in the stamping position.

[0021] Figure 7 The stamping machine of this embodiment is shown in a top perspective view with the holding plate placed on the lower platform.

[0022] Figure 8 The top perspective view shows the press of this embodiment after the gripper has retracted from the lower platform.

[0023] Figure 9 The side view showing the press of this embodiment is of the state after the gripper has retracted from the lower platform.

[0024] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0025] 1: Stamping machine; 10: Temporary placement platform; 11: Temporary placement surface; 12: Claw groove; 20: Handling gripper; 21: Chuck; 22: Holding claw; 23: Holding plate; 30: Stamping mechanism; 31: Lower platform; 32: Upper platform; 40: Drive mechanism; S: Stacked body. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Reference Figures 1-9 A press 1 equipped with a handling gripper 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0027] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements in the description, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0028] The stamping machine 1 in this embodiment is an apparatus for stamping a laminate S formed by stacking sheets (not shown) cut to a specified size to form a component.

[0029] The sheets that make up the laminate S are mainly composed of positive electrode sheets, negative electrode sheets and separators.

[0030] Furthermore, these sheets are overlapped to form a single cell (cell) of a secondary battery.

[0031] In addition, multiple cells are stacked together to form a unitized secondary battery that meets specifications.

[0032] A working space is provided in front of the press 1. Therefore, the working space side is designated as the front, and the press 1 side is designated as the rear. In addition, the vertical top of the press 1 is designated as the top, and the vertical bottom is designated as the bottom. Furthermore, the left-right direction of the press 1 is designated as the lateral direction.

[0033] like Figure 1 , Figure 6 ,and Figure 9 As shown, the stamping machine 1 of this embodiment includes a temporary placement platform 10, a handling gripper 20, a stamping mechanism 30, and a drive mechanism 40.

[0034] The temporary placement table 10 is a structure used to temporarily place the laminate S before the stamping process is performed.

[0035] On the temporary placement stage 10, the positive electrode sheet (sheet), negative electrode sheet (sheet), and separator (sheet) are stacked in the set order and number of sheets to form a laminate S.

[0036] The temporary placement platform 10 has a temporary placement surface 11 and a claw groove 12.

[0037] The temporary placement surface 11 is formed by the horizontal flat surface created by the upper surface of the temporary placement platform 10.

[0038] The stacked body S is temporarily placed on the temporary placement surface 11.

[0039] Three (or more) claw grooves 12 are provided on the temporary placement surface 11.

[0040] Each claw groove 12 extends in a straight line along the front-to-back direction and is arranged parallel to each other at intervals specified by the opening.

[0041] In addition, each claw groove 12 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that opens upwards.

[0042] The handling gripper 20 is a structure used to move the stacked body S from the temporary placement table 10 to the lower platform 31 described later.

[0043] The handling gripper 20 is equipped with a chuck 21.

[0044] In addition, the chuck 21 is a structure for holding the laminate S, and has a gripping claw 22 and a gripping plate 23.

[0045] Furthermore, the chuck 21 is driven by the drive mechanism 40 and is configured to transform into various forms such as holding mode, releasing mode, and retraction mode.

[0046] The gripping claw 22 is composed of two rods arranged parallel to each other along the front-back direction. When the gripping claw 22 faces the gripping plate 23, the rear end of the gripping claw 22 is supported by the drive mechanism 40.

[0047] The gripping claw 22 is configured such that the left gripping claw 22 is inserted into the left claw groove 12, and the right gripping claw 22 is inserted into the right claw groove 12.

[0048] The two rods that make up the gripping claw 22 are designed with a cross-sectional shape that is housed in each claw groove 12.

[0049] The grip plate 23 is a flat plate with a rectangular shape that faces the grip claw 22 and is supported at the rear end.

[0050] The gripping plate 23 has a lower stamping die (one of a pair of stamping dies) formed on the plate surface facing the gripping claw 22, and a flat surface is formed on the plate surface on its back side.

[0051] The gripping configuration is one in which the gripping claw 22 and the gripping plate 23 approach and grip the laminate S (see reference). Figures 4-7 ).

[0052] The force applied when holding the laminate S is set such that the individual sheets constituting the laminate S do not undergo plastic deformation, and the laminate S does not deform even when transported by means of rotating it upside down.

[0053] The release configuration is a configuration in which the gap between the gripping claw 22 and the gripping plate 23 is larger than the thickness (height) dimension of the laminate S, and they are spaced apart in the vertical direction (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0054] That is, the release form is the form before the stacked body S is grasped on the temporary placement platform 10, and the form after the stacked body S is transported to the lower platform 31.

[0055] The retreating form is the form after the gripping claw 22 retreats and withdraws from the space above the gripping plate 23 (see reference). Figure 8 , Figure 9).

[0056] Moreover, while keeping the gripping plate 23 fixed on the lower platform 31, the laminated body S on the gripping plate 23 is stamped and deformed into a retracted shape.

[0057] The stamping mechanism 30 is a structure used to perform stamping processing on the laminate S, which is composed of multiple sheets, in order to make the laminate S into a single component.

[0058] The stamping mechanism 30 has a lower platform 31 and an upper platform 32.

[0059] The lower platform 31 is movably configured between the standby position and the stamping position.

[0060] A flat surface capable of supporting the holding plate 23 is formed on the upper surface of the lower platform 31.

[0061] The upper platform 32 has an upper stamping die (the other of a pair of stamping dies) formed on the surface opposite to the lower platform 31 (the lower surface of the upper platform 32).

[0062] The upper stamping die and the lower stamping die of the holding plate 23 are paired to form a stamping die.

[0063] Furthermore, the upper platform 32 is configured to be able to approach and leave the lower platform 31 (it can move up and down).

[0064] The drive mechanism 40 is a structure used for driving the chuck 21, moving the temporary placement table 10, moving the stamping mechanism 30, and moving the handling gripper 20 from the temporary placement table 10 to the stamping mechanism 30.

[0065] Next, the operation of the stamping machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0066] First, the laminate S is placed on the temporary placement platform 10 (refer to...). Figure 1 ).

[0067] Next, the release-mode chuck 21 is slid from rear to front toward the temporary placement table 10 with the gripping claw 22 below and the gripping plate 23 above, inserting the gripping claw 22 into the claw groove from its front end (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3 ).

[0068] In addition, through this action, the holding plate 23 and the holding claw 22 move together to move above the stacked body S placed on the temporary placement table 10.

[0069] Next, the holding plate 23 descends vertically, and the chuck 21 transforms from the release state to the holding state, holding the laminate S.

[0070] Next, while the chuck 21 holds the stacked body, the gripper and the stacked body are raised and moved backward from the temporary placement platform, while simultaneously flipping it upside down (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0071] That is, while gripping the stacked body S in the order of gripping claw 22, stacked body S, and gripping plate 23 from top to bottom, the chuck 21 disengages from the space above the temporary placement table 10 and moves backward.

[0072] Furthermore, the temporary placement platform 10 is moved, and the lower platform 31 in the standby position is moved to the location where the temporary placement platform 10 exists (the stamping position) (see reference). Figure 5 , Figure 6 ).

[0073] The chuck 21 holding the stacked body S moves forward and downward, placing it onto the lower platform 31 (see reference). Figure 7 ).

[0074] That is, the laminate S is placed on the lower platform 31 through the holding plate 23.

[0075] Next, the chuck 21 is transformed from the holding mode to the releasing mode.

[0076] That is, while keeping the gripping plate 23 on the lower platform 31 unchanged, the gripping claw 22 is raised and the gripping claw 22 is removed from the stacked body S.

[0077] Next, the chuck 21 is transformed from the release mode to the retracted mode (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0078] That is, while keeping the gripper 22 raised and the gripper plate 23 on the lower platform 31 unchanged, the gripper 22 is moved backward.

[0079] In other words, the gripper 22 is retracted from the space above the lower platform 31 (the area where the upper stamping die of the upper platform 32 operates).

[0080] Next, move the upper platform 32 above the lower platform 31 (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0081] The upper platform is lowered and, together with the holding plate 23 on the lower platform 31, the laminate is stamped to make multiple sheets into one component.

[0082] Furthermore, a stamping die is formed in a manner that applies force evenly to the positive and negative electrode sheets during stamping.

[0083] Next, the effects of the press 1 equipped with the handling gripper 20 according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0084] The handling gripper 20 described in this embodiment is configured to be deformable into various forms, including a release form, a holding form, and a retreat form.

[0085] By configuring the structure in this way, it is possible to prevent the sheets constituting the laminate S from shifting when the laminate S is moved from the temporary placement table 10 to the lower platform 31.

[0086] Therefore, the stamping process accuracy can be improved without wasting cycle time.

[0087] Furthermore, the handling gripper 20 involved in this embodiment is supported in a way that allows it to be flipped up and down while holding the stacked body S (holding mode).

[0088] By setting the structure in this way, it is possible to accommodate the following two actions: when the laminated body S has been placed on the temporary placement table 10, the action of inserting the gripping claw 22 into the claw groove 12 in the release mode and transforming into the gripping mode to hold the laminated body S; and the action of placing the laminated body S on the lower platform 31 through the gripping plate 23.

[0089] This prevents the sheets constituting the laminate S from shifting when the laminate S is moved from the temporary placement table 10 to the lower platform 31.

[0090] In addition, in the stamping machine 1 of this embodiment, the lower stamping die (one of a pair of stamping dies) is formed on the holding plate 23, and the upper stamping die (the other of a pair of stamping dies) is formed on the upper platform 32.

[0091] By designing the structure in this way, the load on the laminate S can be applied uniformly during stamping, thus enabling the stamping (pressurization) process to be completed in one step.

[0092] In addition, the stamping machine 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a claw groove 12 through which the holding claw 22 can be inserted on the temporary placement table 10.

[0093] By setting the structure in this way, the stacked sheets will not shift, and the stacked body S can be held by the clamp 21.

[0094] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0095] For example, a temporary placement platform can be constructed from multiple bars arranged in a comb-like shape along a horizontal plane and parallel to each other.

[0096] In this way, it becomes a structure in which a gripping claw is inserted between the comb teeth.

[0097] Even if it is set in this way, the same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained.

[0098] Alternatively, the structure can be configured such that the temporary placement platform is divided into multiple platform elements (not shown) using the claw groove 12. Even in such a configuration, the same effect as in this embodiment can be achieved.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the gripping claw 22 in the release state is designed to retract from the space above the lower platform 31, thereby avoiding the gripping claw 22. However, it is not limited to this method.

[0100] For example, the structure can be configured such that a hinge portion (not shown) is provided on the rear end side of the gripper 22, and the front end rotates and retracts in a rearward manner with the hinge portion as the center (fold line).

[0101] Moreover, even if it is set in this way, the same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained.

[0102] In addition, in this embodiment, the structure is such that the laminate S is supported by two gripping claws 22, but it is not limited to such a structure.

[0103] For example, it can also be configured as follows: having three gripping claws that can be inserted into all three claw slots 12 of the temporary placement platform 10.

[0104] In other words, if a stable rotation can be achieved by using less force when holding and moving the stacked body S, the holding claw 22 can also be configured as a comb-like shape.

[0105] Furthermore, the structure can be configured as follows: with the handling gripper 20 in a retracted state, the holding plate 23 is placed on the temporary placement platform 10, a stacked body S is formed on the holding plate 23, and the holding plate 23 is moved to the lower platform 31.

[0106] Moreover, even if it is set in this way, the same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained.

[0107] Furthermore, in the stamping mechanism 30 of this embodiment, there is a structure for moving the temporary placement platform 10 and the lower platform 31, but it is not limited to this method.

[0108] For example, the following method or approach can also be adopted: the temporary placement platform 10 and the lower platform 31 are positioned in front and behind with the transport gripper 20 in between, and the stacked body S being held is moved from the temporary placement platform 10 to the lower platform 31.

Claims

1. A handling gripper, characterized in that, have: A gripping plate composed of flat, plate-like components; and The gripping claw is composed of multiple rods arranged parallel to each other along the surface of the gripping plate. The transport gripper can transform into a holding mode and a retraction mode. The gripping configuration refers to the space on the surface of the gripping plate where the gripping claws hold the stacked body composed of the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator used in secondary batteries. The retreating state is the state after the gripping claw has retreated from the space on the surface of the gripping plate.

2. The handling gripper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handling gripper is supported in a gripping configuration that allows it to be flipped up and down.

3. A stamping machine, characterized in that, have: The handling gripper as described in claim 1; The lower platform is capable of mounting the gripping plate in a retracted state on its upper surface; The upper platform is configured to allow for approaching and leaving from above relative to the lower platform; as well as A pair of stamping dies, One of the pair of stamping dies is formed on the upward-facing surface of the gripping plate placed on the lower platform. The other of the pair of stamping dies is formed on the lower surface of the upper platform.

4. The stamping machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The stamping machine is equipped with a temporary placement platform for temporarily placing the laminated body. The temporary placement platform has a claw groove through which the gripping claw can be inserted.

5. A stamping method, characterized in that, Using the stamping machine as described in claim 4 The stamping method has the following characteristics: The process of using the transport gripper to hold the stacked body temporarily placed on the temporary placement table; The process of placing the gripping plate of the transport gripper holding the stacked body onto the lower platform; The process of releasing the laminated body by the handling gripper that is holding the laminated body; The process of retracting the gripping claw of the transport gripper from the space on the surface of the gripping plate after the stacked body is released; as well as The process of lowering the upper platform and stamping the laminate together with the holding plate on the lower platform.

6. The stamping method according to claim 5, characterized in that, It includes a process of flipping the transport gripper up and down while the stacked body is being held by the transport gripper.

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