Device and method for providing a bobbin for a production machine of the energy cell manufacturing industry, as well as plant of the energy cell manufacturing industry

Abstract

Device (1) for providing a bobbin (2) with a wound web-shaped material for a production machine (3) of the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising - at least one reel changing device (4, 5, 6, 7), and - a bobbin handling device (8) which is configured to supply the at least one bobbin changing device (4, 5, 6, 7) with the bobbin (2), characterized in that - the bobbin changing device (4, 5, 6, 7) and the bobbin handling device (8) are arranged in a common air conditioning chamber (9), wherein - a lock (10) is provided which is designed in such a way that the bobbin (2) can be conveyed through it into the air conditioning chamber (9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for providing a bobbin with a wound web-shaped material for a production machine in the energy cell manufacturing industry, according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a corresponding method. The present invention further relates to a plant for the energy cell manufacturing industry.

[0002] It is known in principle from the prior art to use energy cells or energy storage devices in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft, or stationary systems such as photovoltaic systems, in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, where very large amounts of energy need to be stored over extended periods. Such energy cells have a structure consisting of a large number of segments stacked together. These segments are each formed from alternating anode and cathode sheets, separated from each other by separator sheets, which are also manufactured as segments. During the manufacturing process, the segments are pre-cut and then stacked in a predetermined sequence and bonded together by lamination.

[0003] In this process, the electrode sheets, i.e., the anode and cathode sheets, are typically formed starting from a so-called daughter coil, which in turn is formed from a parent coil. The parent coil comprises a finite, wound electrode array, the width of which is too large to form a cell stack. Therefore, the parent coil is first unwound and cut lengthwise, reducing the width of the electrode array or creating several narrower electrode arrays. A cut electrode array with reduced width is then rewound as a daughter coil. The daughter coil can then be unwound again, and segments can be created by making transverse cuts; these segments are then suitable for forming a cell stack.

[0004] The segments in the form of separator sheets are also formed starting from daughter coils by cutting the web running from the respective daughter coil in a transverse direction.

[0005] The production of the daughter coils usually takes place in a first production machine, which is spatially separated from a second production machine for cutting and stacking the segments.

[0006] Coils are also commonly referred to as bobbins. Therefore, the daughter coils described above can also be called bobbins.

[0007] It is also known from the prior art that, in particular, cutting into segments and their stacking takes place under predefined climatic conditions in order to reliably ensure a high quality of the cell stacks formed.

[0008] DE 10 2015 208 102 A1 discloses a device and a method for exchanging rolls of packaging material wound on them in a packaging machine. Mandrels are provided for rotatably receiving and centering the rolls to be unwound in the packaging machine. For the process of exchanging a used roll, the mandrel can be adjusted axially and moved at least partially out of the packaging machine.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a device for supplying a bobbin with a wound web-shaped material for a production machine of the energy cell manufacturing industry while adhering to predefined climatic conditions, a corresponding method and a corresponding plant for the energy cell manufacturing industry.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0011] According to a first aspect of this application, the problem is solved by a device for providing a bobbin with a wound web-shaped material for a production machine of the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising at least one bobbin changing device and a bobbin handling device configured to supply the bobbin to the at least one bobbin changing device, wherein the bobbin changing device and the bobbin handling device are arranged in a common climate control chamber, wherein a lock is provided which is designed such that the bobbin can be conveyed into the climate control chamber via the lock.

[0012] The airlock reduces air exchange with the surrounding environment when the reel is introduced into the climate chamber, thus maintaining constant climatic conditions within the chamber. This ensures reliable processing of the wound material webs.

[0013] The climate control chamber preferably includes a climate control device for setting a predefined climate within the chamber. The climate control device can be used, for example, to set or regulate the room temperature, relative humidity, static pressure, and / or air purity.

[0014] The reels can be brought into the climate control chamber via the airlock and positioned there so that they are accessible and can be picked up by the reel handling device. The reel handling device then transfers the reel to at least one reel exchange device.

[0015] The at least one bobbin changing device is preferably designed to rotatably mount at least one bobbin so that its wound web of material can be fed to a production machine of the energy cell manufacturing industry.

[0016] Preferably, a bobbin exchange device comprises two receiving mandrels, each of which can rotatably mount a bobbin. For example, a first receiving mandrel can hold a bobbin with a running web of material, and a second receiving mandrel can hold a new, unused bobbin. Shortly before the running web of material is completely unwound, it can be spliced ​​together with the web of material from the unused bobbin. Preferably, the used bobbin is then pulled off the first receiving mandrel and removed from the climate chamber. This can also be done via the airlock. Subsequently, a new, unused bobbin can be placed on the first receiving mandrel and then spliced ​​together with the running web of material now on the second receiving mandrel.By alternately supplying the first and second receiving mandrels with new, unused bobbins, the production machine can be reliably supplied with a corresponding web of material, preferably even without interruption.

[0017] Preferably, the airlock comprises a flow-insulated airlock chamber through which the reel can be conveyed from the environment into the climate control chamber. The airlock chamber can, for example, be hermetically sealed from both the environment and the climate control chamber. The airlock chamber reduces the exchange of air volume between the climate control chamber and the environment when a new reel is introduced into the climate control chamber or when a used reel is removed. The climate control system therefore requires less power to compensate for any deviations between the actual and target climate conditions. This reduces the energy consumption of the climate control system.

[0018] Preferably, at least one closable exterior door is provided to connect the airlock chamber to the environment, and at least one closable climate chamber door is provided to connect the airlock chamber to the climate chamber. Furthermore, preferably, a control unit is provided which is configured to control the at least one exterior door and the at least one climate chamber door in such a way that only one of the doors can be opened at any given time. This prevents, for example, the simultaneous opening of a climate chamber door and an exterior door; it also prevents, for example, the simultaneous opening of two exterior doors or two climate chamber doors. By opening only one of the doors at a time, the air volume exchange between the climate chamber and the environment can be further reduced.

[0019] For example, exactly one environmental door and several climate chamber doors may be provided. Alternatively, exactly one climate chamber door and several environmental doors may be provided. Of course, it is also possible to have several environmental doors, for example exactly four, and several climate chamber doors, also for example exactly four.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the bobbin handling device be configured to automatically, preferably fully automatically, pick up the bobbin and transfer it to the at least one bobbin changing device. Preferably, the handling device is configured to pick up the bobbins from a bobbin carrier. The bobbin handling device can include a sensor unit configured to detect when a bobbin is ready and its position. Furthermore, the bobbin handling device can, for example, include a robot arm with a receptacle for holding the bobbin. The robot arm is further configured to transfer the bobbin from a transfer position within the climate chamber to the at least one bobbin changing device.Since the reels are preferably transported into the climate chamber via the airlock using a reel carrier in the form of a transport cart, the reel handling device can also be referred to as a depalletizer. The automatic transfer of the reel to the reel exchange device further reduces the exchange of air volume between the climate chamber and the environment, as it prevents the additional air volume exchange that would occur if an operator entered the climate chamber.

[0021] The bobbin handling device is preferably also equipped to remove used bobbins, from which the material web has completely or almost completely run out, from the bobbin changing device and transfer them to the said transfer position, so that they can be transported from there by means of the bobbin carrier via the airlock out of the air conditioning chamber.

[0022] Preferably, a bobbin with a wound electrode or separator track is mounted on at least one bobbin exchange device. More preferably, the bobbin is mounted on a receiving mandrel on the bobbin exchange device so that it is rotatably mounted relative to the device. The electrode track can be an anode track or a cathode track.

[0023] Preferably, the device further comprises exactly four bobbin exchange units. A first bobbin exchange unit stores a bobbin with an anode track, a second bobbin exchange unit stores a bobbin with a cathode track, and a third and fourth bobbin exchange unit each store a bobbin with a separator track. Using these equipped bobbin exchange units, the starting materials for the formation of a single-cell energy cell can be provided to the production machine of the energy cell manufacturing industry.

[0024] A monocell consists of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet arranged on it, a second separator sheet arranged on it and a cathode sheet arranged on it; the monocell can also have the following layer sequence: first separator sheet, cathode sheet arranged on it, second separator sheet arranged on it and anode sheet arranged on it.

[0025] The four bobbin changing devices are preferably loaded with the bobbins by a single, shared bobbin handling device. This eliminates the need for additional bobbin changing devices, thus simplifying the overall design of the apparatus.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the airlock comprises several, preferably parallel, conveying paths through which the bobbins can be conveyed into the climate chamber. More preferably, each of the conveying paths is assigned an external door and a climate chamber door. The parallel arrangement of the conveying paths allows the bobbin handling device to be supplied with different types of bobbins, for example, with anode tracks, cathode tracks, or separator tracks, with virtually no delay. Furthermore, each of the conveying paths terminates in its own predefined transfer position, where the bobbins are transferred to the bobbin handling device.

[0027] According to a second aspect of this application, the problem is solved by an installation for the energy cell manufacturing industry, wherein the installation comprises a device as described above and at least one production machine, the at least one production machine being arranged wholly or partially in the climate control chamber together with the at least one bobbin changing device and the bobbin handling device. Preferably, the production machine comprises a cutting device and, more preferably, additionally a cell stacking device. By means of the cutting device, the material web unwinding from the bobbin can be cut in the transverse direction to form segments. By means of the cell stacking device, the segments can then be stacked on top of each other to form a cell stack.It goes without saying that the production machine may include further processing units, such as a laminating unit and / or a device for forming or attaching deflector flags.

[0028] By arranging the production machine at least partially within the climate control chamber, air exchange between the climate control chamber and the environment can be further reduced.

[0029] According to a third aspect of this application, the problem is solved by a method for providing a strip-shaped material wound on a bobbin for a production machine in the energy cell manufacturing industry, wherein the method is carried out using the apparatus or plant described above. Regarding the technical effects and advantages associated with the proposed method, reference is made to the preceding descriptions relating to the apparatus and the plant.

[0030] Preferably, at least one bobbin is stored on a bobbin carrier in the vicinity of the climate chamber, with the bobbin carrier, loaded with the at least one bobbin, being transported from the environment into the climate chamber via an airlock. Preferably, the bobbin carrier is movable, and more preferably, it is movable autonomously. The bobbin carrier preferably has a housing in which the one or more bobbins can be stored. The housing thus forms a transport chamber for the bobbins, which can be aerodynamically isolated from the environment. For example, the transport chamber can be hermetically sealed from its environment. The transport chamber can be loaded with the bobbins via at least one access door.

[0031] Preferably, the bobbin carrier has at least one transport mandrel inside the transport chamber on which the bobbin can be stored for transport. After loading, the at least one transport door is closed, and the bobbin carrier is moved through the airlock in this state. After passing through the airlock, the access door inside the climate control chamber is opened, and the bobbin is removed from the transport chamber, preferably by means of the bobbin handling device.

[0032] Preferably, the bobbin carrier comprises two transport mandrels. For example, a new, unused bobbin can be transported on a first mandrel through the airlock into the climate chamber, and a used bobbin can be transported from the climate chamber through the airlock into the surrounding area on a second receiving mandrel. Alternatively, two new, unused bobbins can be transported simultaneously into the climate chamber on the two transport mandrels of the bobbin carrier.

[0033] The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1. A perspective view of a plant in the energy cell manufacturing industry; and Fig. 2 A device for providing a bobbin for a production machine of the energy cell manufacturing industry in a sectional view from above.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a plant 100 for manufacturing cell stacks for the energy cell manufacturing industry. The plant 100 comprises a device 1, which serves to wind bobbins 2 with a wound web of material (see Fig. 2) to provide for a production machine 3, which is also part of the plant 100.

[0035] The device 1 comprises an air conditioning chamber 9, in which the production machine 3 is also arranged so that the production of the cell stacks can take place under predefined climatic conditions. For this purpose, the air conditioning chamber 9 includes an air conditioning unit (not shown) by which the temperature, relative humidity, static pressure and / or air purity can be controlled.

[0036] Furthermore, a lock 10 is planned, through which a system with 2 bobbins (see Fig. 2) A loaded bobbin carrier 22, in the form of a mobile transport vehicle, can be moved from an environment 12 of the climate control chamber 9 into the climate control chamber 9. In the present embodiment, the bobbin carrier 22 is an autonomously moving, driverless transport vehicle.

[0037] Lock 10 comprises a lock chamber 11, which can be isolated from both the surrounding environment 12 and the climate control chamber 9 in terms of flow characteristics. Furthermore, lock 10 includes four surrounding doors 13, 14, 15, and 16, through which lock chamber 11 is accessible from the surrounding environment 12. Opposite the surrounding doors 13, 14, 15, and 16 are four climate control chamber doors 17, 18, 19, and 20 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) is provided to be connected to the air conditioning chamber 9 via the lock chamber 11.

[0038] The one in Fig. The bobbin carrier 22 shown in Figure 1 is in a waiting position in front of the surrounding door 15. As soon as the surrounding door 15 opens, the bobbin carrier 22 moves into the airlock chamber 11, and the surrounding door 15 closes again. Only when the surrounding door 15 is completely closed does the climate chamber door 19, located opposite the surrounding door 15, open (see Figure 1). Fig. 2), so that the bobbin carrier 22 can be moved into the air conditioning chamber 9.

[0039] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 1 shows that the bobbin carrier 22 comprises a housing 23 for forming a transport chamber in which the bobbin 2 can be transported while maintaining a microclimate. In this embodiment, the microclimate can be maintained by a hermetic seal between the transport chamber formed by the housing 23 and the environment. Due to the generally short transport distances and times, active control and / or regulation of the climate within the transport chamber is not necessary. In principle, however, it is also possible to equip the bobbin carrier 22 with a mobile air conditioning unit.

[0040] The housing 23 of the bobbin carrier 22 includes an access door 32 for loading and unloading the bobbin 2 from the bobbin 2. The access door 32 is only opened when the bobbin carrier 22 has arrived in the climate chamber 9 and the corresponding climate chamber door 19 is closed. Preferably, the bobbin carrier 22 is also loaded with new, unused bobbins 2 within a further climate chamber, not shown.

[0041] For the coordinated opening and closing of the ambient doors 13, 14, 15, 16 and climate chamber doors 17, 18, 19, 20, the device 1 further comprises a control unit 21. This is configured to open only one of the doors 16-20 at a time, because this reduces the air exchange between the environment 12 and the climate chamber 9.

[0042] The bobbins 2 brought into the air conditioning chamber 9 through the lock 10 are subsequently transferred by means of a bobbin handling device 8 and by means of four bobbin changing devices 3-6 (see Fig. 2), which are also located within the air conditioning chamber 9, are fed to the production machine 3.

[0043] The production machine 3 comprises a cutting device (not shown) and a cell stacking device (also not shown). The cutting device allows the material webs unwound from the bobbins 2 to be cut in the transverse direction to form segments. The cell stacking device then stacks the segments on top of each other to form a cell stack. In this embodiment, the production machine 3 is completely enclosed within the climate control chamber 9.

[0044] Fig. Figure 2 shows the device 1 in a sectional view from above. It can be seen that the paired, opposing arrangement of the surrounding doors 13-16 and the climate chamber doors 17-20 defines four parallel conveying paths of the airlock 10.

[0045] It can also be seen that the bobbin handling device 8 and the four bobbin changing devices 4, 5, 6 and 7 are arranged within the air conditioning chamber 9.

[0046] Between the surrounding door 13 and the climate chamber door 17 lies a first conveying path of the lock 10, which leads into a first transfer position 24, which is located inside the climate chamber 9.

[0047] Between the surrounding door 14 and the climate chamber door 18 lies a second conveying path of the lock 10, which leads into a second transfer position 25, which is located inside the climate chamber 9.

[0048] Between the surrounding door 15 and the climate chamber door 19 lies a third conveying path of the lock 10, which leads into a third transfer position 26, which is located inside the climate chamber 9.

[0049] Between the surrounding door 16 and the climate chamber door 20 lies a fourth conveying path of the lock 10, which leads into a fourth transfer position 27, which is located inside the climate chamber 9.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown here, each of the transfer positions 24, 25, 26 or 27 can be assigned an intermediate storage facility 28, 28, 29 or 31, in which at least one coil 2 can be temporarily stored.

[0051] The one who is in Fig. The 2 bobbin carrier 22 located in the lock chamber 11 is moved to the transfer position 24 after the climate chamber door 17 is opened.

[0052] In this embodiment, the bobbin carrier 22 comprises two transport mandrels (not shown) for each holding a bobbin 2. A new, unused bobbin 2 can be placed into the climate chamber 9 on a first transport mandrel. A second transport mandrel of the bobbin carrier 22 can be loaded with a used bobbin 2 in the climate chamber 9.

[0053] For example, a used bobbin 2 can be stored in the intermediate storage unit 28. As soon as the bobbin carrier 22 has arrived at the first transfer position 24, the climate chamber door 17 has been closed, and the transport chamber of the bobbin carrier 22 has been opened, the used bobbin 2 can be pushed from the intermediate storage unit 28 onto the empty transport mandrel of the bobbin carrier 22 by the handling device 8. Subsequently, the new, unused bobbin 2 can be removed from the other transport mandrel of the bobbin carrier 22 by the handling device 8 and transferred to one of the bobbin exchange devices 3-6.

[0054] Alternatively, the two transport mandrels can also be used to simultaneously convey two bobbins 2 into the climate control chamber 9. In this case, the further conveyance of the new, unused bobbins 2 to one of the bobbin exchange devices 4, 5, 6 or 7 can also take place via one of the intermediate storage units 28, 29, 30 and / or 31.

[0055] In this embodiment, the bobbin exchange device 4 is equipped with two bobbins 2, each comprising a wound cathode track; the bobbin exchange device 4 is equipped with two bobbins 2, each comprising a wound anode track; the bobbin exchange device 5 is equipped with two bobbins 2, each comprising a separator track; and the bobbin exchange device 6 is equipped with two bobbins 2, each comprising a separator track. Naturally, the bobbin exchange devices 4 to 7 can also be arranged in an alternative sequence.

[0056] In this embodiment, each of the bobbin changing devices 4-7 comprises two receiving mandrels, namely a first receiving mandrel for an unwinding bobbin 2 and a second receiving mandrel for a new, unused bobbin 2, so that the material web of an almost completely unwinded bobbin 2 can be joined with the material web of a new, unused bobbin by splicing.

[0057] In this embodiment, transfer positions 24-27 are each assigned to a specific type of bobbin 2. Only bobbins 2 with a wound cathode track are delivered to transfer position 24; only bobbins 2 with an wound anode track to transfer position 25; and only bobbins 2 with wound separator tracks to transfer positions 26 and 27. Of course, an alternative assignment of bobbin types to transfer positions 24-27 is also possible. The bobbins 2 provided at transfer positions 24 to 27 are then transferred to the corresponding bobbin changing devices 4 to 7 by the bobbin handling device 8.

[0058] A used bobbin 2 can be transferred by means of the bobbin handling device 8 from the respective bobbin exchange device 4, 5, 6 or 7 at one of the transfer positions 24, 25, 26 or 27 to the bobbin carrier 22, so that it can be disposed of via the lock 10.

[0059] Furthermore, the autonomously driving bobbin carriers 22 are controlled by their own control unit or by the one in the Fig. The control unit 21 shown in Figure 1 is controlled and / or regulated such that it only passes through lock 10 if the respective transfer position 24, 25, 26 or 27 is also clear. In this way, it can be ensured that transfer positions 24-27 can be approached without obstruction and that unnecessary opening of the lock chamber 11 is prevented.

[0060] The bobbin exchange devices 4-7 are used to transport the Fig. 1 Production machine 3 shown is supplied with the corresponding material webs by unwinding them from the bobbins 2 which are rotatably mounted in the bobbin changing devices 4-7. Reference symbol list: 1 Device 2 coils 3 production machine 4 reel changing device 5 reel changing device 6 reel changing device 7 Bobbin changing device 8 Bobbin handling device 9 Air conditioning chamber 10 Lock 11 Lock chamber 12 Environment 13 Surrounding door 14 Surrounding door 15 Surrounding door 16 Surrounding door 17 Climate chamber door 18 Climate chamber door 19 Climate chamber door 20 Climate chamber door 21 Control unit 22 bobbin carriers 23 cases 24 handover position 25 handover position 26 handover position 27 handover position 28 interim storage facilities 29 interim storage facilities 30 interim storage facilities 31 interim storage facilities 32 Entrance door 100 plant

Claims

[1] Device (1) for providing a bobbin (2) with a wound web-shaped material for a production machine (3) of the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising - at least one reel changing device (4, 5, 6, 7), and - a bobbin handling device (8) which is designed to supply at least one bobbin changing device (4, 5, 6, 7) with the bobbin (2), characterized by , that - the bobbin changing device (4, 5, 6, 7) and the bobbin handling device (8) are arranged in a common air conditioning chamber (9), wherein - a lock (10) is provided which is designed in such a way that the bobbin (2) can be conveyed through it into the air conditioning chamber (9). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that - the lock (10) comprises a flow-insulated lock chamber (11) through which the bobbin (2) can be conveyed from an environment (12) into the air conditioning chamber (9). [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that - for connecting the lock chamber (11) to the surroundings (12) at least one lockable surrounding door (13, 14, 15, 16) is provided, and - at least one lockable climate chamber door (17, 18, 19, 20) is provided for connecting the lock chamber (11) to the air conditioning chamber (9). [4] Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that - a control unit (21) is provided which is configured to control the at least one surrounding door (13, 14, 15, 16) and the at least one climate chamber door (17, 18, 19, 20) in such a way that only one of the doors is open at any given time. [5] Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that - exactly one surrounding door (13, 14, 15, 16) and several climate chamber doors (17, 18, 19, 20) are provided. [6] Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that - exactly one climate chamber door (17, 18, 19, 20) and several surrounding doors (13, 14, 15, 16) are provided. [7] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the bobbin handling device (8) is designed to automatically pick up the bobbin (2) and transfer it to at least one bobbin changing device (4, 5, 6, 7). [8] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - a bobbin (2) with a wound electrode track or separator track is stored on at least one bobbin exchange device (4, 5, 6, 7). [9] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the lock (10) comprises several, preferably parallel, conveying paths via which bobbins (2) can be conveyed into the air conditioning chamber (9). [10] Plant (100) for the energy cell manufacturing industry, characterized by , that - the system (100) comprises a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one production machine (3), wherein - the at least one production machine (3) is arranged completely or partially with the at least one bobbin changing device (4, 5, 6, 7) and the bobbin handling device (8) in the air conditioning chamber (9). [11] Method for providing a strip-shaped material wound on a bobbin (2) for a production machine (3) of the energy cell manufacturing industry, characterized by , that - the method (200) is carried out using the device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or using the system (100) according to claim 10. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by , that - at least one bobbin (2) is stored in an environment (12) of the air conditioning chamber (9) on a bobbin carrier (22), wherein - the bobbin carrier (22) loaded with at least one bobbin (2) is transported via the lock (10) from the surroundings (12) into the air conditioning chamber (9).

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