Stacking device

Abstract

Stacking device (10; 10A) for stacking and depositing an externally supplied long arc (91) in a zigzag manner over a predetermined stacking length to manufacture a component used for a lithium-ion battery, wherein the stacking device (10; 10A) comprises: a stacking table (21) with a length equal to or greater than the stack length, wherein the long arc (91) is stacked and placed on the stacking table (21); a clamping device (30) configured to clamp the long sheet (91) using a clamping head (31) that moves back and forth along a path along the stack length above the stacking table (21) to stack and place the zigzag-folded long sheet (91) over the stack length on the stacking table (21), and a dancer device (40) configured to exert a desired tension on the long sheet (91) to be stacked and placed on the stacking table (21) by moving a dancer element (41) up and down in vertical directions in accordance with a position of the clamping head (31) along the length of the stack above the stacking table (21); a pressure element (25a, 25b) configured to suppress displacement of the long sheet (91) when the clamping head (31) returns; a position detector (23) configured to detect a position of the clamping head (31) along the path along the stack length above the stacking table (21), and a control unit (11) configured to control operations of the clamping device (30) and the dancer device (40), wherein the control unit (11) is configured to cause the clamping device (30): moves within a movement range of the clamping head (31), which is defined as a range between points that exceed the respective ends of a range with the stack length by a predetermined distance; and a stacking and depositing operation by moving the clamping head (31) along the path along the stack length within the area with the stack length and an end-position operation of reversing a direction of movement of the clamping head (31) at a position that exceeds the area with the stack length, repeated; and moves in a direction of separation from the starting point (Ps) or from the return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold, while causing the clamping head (31) to move once downwards and upwards by a predetermined distance, and then, at a position exceeding a starting point (Ps) or a return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold in the endpoint operation, moves back in a direction of return to the starting point (Ps) or to the refold point of the zigzag fold, and wherein the control unit (11) is configured to cause the dancer device (40) to move the dancer element (41) up and down along the stack length during the stacking and placement operation and the endpoint operation in accordance with the position of the clamping head (31) detected by the position detector (23).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a stacking device. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As an example of such a conventional device, PTL 1 (Patent Literature 1) describes an apparatus for manufacturing a zigzag-folded type of stacked battery component used for a vehicle-mounted lithium-ion battery. The zigzag-folded type of stacked battery has a structure in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are separated by a zigzag-folded strip-shaped separator. The apparatus described in PTL 1 is structured to zigzag-fold a strip-shaped separator on a stacking table, alternately feed a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate onto the folded separator, and alternately stack the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate in a state where the separator is sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode plates.

[0003] The apparatus described in PTL 1 applies a constant tension to a long sheet such as the separator when the long sheet is arranged to be stacked above the stacking table. However, the apparatus of PTL 1 folds back the long sheet such as the separator at respective ends of the stacking table to fold the long sheet in a zigzag manner with a predetermined length. Changing a stacking operation such as folding back may cause a problem that the long sheet sags. This may cause the long sheet to be deflected (containing a fold) even though the tension applied to the long sheet does not change (i.e., the tension remains constant). If the long sheet could be deflected, a defect could occur in the stacked material produced from the long sheet stacked in a zigzag manner.To suppress such a long-arc error, it is desirable to apply an appropriate tension to the long-arc. However, the device described in PTL 1 is not configured to apply the appropriate tension to the long-arc.

[0004] An example of an apparatus having a means for applying tension to the long sheet is described in PTL 2 (Patent Literature 2) as an apparatus for conveying a long film. The apparatus described in PTL 2 is configured to have a structure for the tension applying means, the structure being provided with a sensor for detecting a tension applied to the long sheet on a guide roller attached to a downstream portion of a reciprocating dancer roller; and to eliminate a fluctuation in the tension by reciprocating the dancer roller upon detecting an occurrence of a deviation between a measured value of the tension detected by the sensor and a preconfigured target value.

[0005] Further comments are made regarding PTL 3, which describes an apparatus for stacking flat objects. A method for stacking a plurality of generally flat objects and components is also described, along with the steps and assemblies of an inserter, including, but not limited to, a Bernoulli pick-and-place device. Furthermore, steps for utilizing the size and shape of a plate to determine the fold point of a surrounding separator sheet are also described.

[0006] Patent Application Publication No. 4 presents a device for stacking consecutive separators and electrode plates. The stacking device includes a stacking platform that adsorbs and holds the front end of the belt-shaped separator, and on which the separators and electrode plates are stacked, a separator return device for the belt-shaped separator, and a folding guide that moves toward and away from the stacking platform. LIST OF CITATIONS Patent literature PTL1: JP 2014 - 165 055 A PTL2: JP 2001 - 213 557 A PTL3: US 2006 / 0051652 A1 PTL4: US 2010 / 0132308 A1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0007] Since the apparatus described in PTL 1 is not configured to apply appropriate tension to the long sheet, the long sheet may be deflected, which may cause a defect in the stacked material and further cause an unintentional excessive tension to be applied to the long sheet, resulting in the separation of the long sheet.

[0008] Furthermore, the inventor of the present invention investigated the application of the device described in PTL 2 to an apparatus for manufacturing a zigzag-fold type of stacked battery component used for a vehicle-mounted lithium-ion battery. However, it was found that a change in the stacking operation, such as folding back the long sheet at the respective ends of the stacking table, may cause a sagging portion to occur in the long sheet. That is, the device described in PTL 2 is unable to cope with a movement that causes the long sheet to be deflected due to the sagging portion, even though the tension applied to the long sheet is constant.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a stacking device for stacking a long sheet in a zigzag manner while preventing the occurrence of deflection. Solution to the problem

[0010] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a stacking device for stacking and depositing a long sheet fed from the outside in a zigzag manner over a predetermined stack length to manufacture a component used for a lithium-ion battery, the stacking device comprising a stacking table having a length equal to or longer than the stack length, the long sheet being stacked and deposited on the stacking table;a clamping device configured to clamp the long sheet using a clamping head that reciprocates along a path along the stack length above the stacking table to stack and deposit the zigzag-folded long sheet on the stacking table along the stack length; and a dancer device configured to apply a desired tension to the long sheet stacked and deposited on the stacking table by moving a dancer element up and down in vertical directions in accordance with a position of the clamping head along the path along the stack length above the stacking table; and a pressing element configured to suppress displacement of the long sheet when the clamping head returns;a position detector configured to detect a position of the clamping head on the path along the stack length above the stacking table, and a control unit configured to control operations of the clamping device and the dancer device, wherein the control unit is configured to define a range of movement of the clamping head as a range between points that exceed respective ends of a range including the stack length by a predetermined distance;and to cause the clamping device to repeat a stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head on the route along the stack length within the range including the stack length and a terminal operation of reversing a moving direction of the clamping head at a position exceeding the range including the stack length, wherein the control unit causes the clamping head, in the terminal operation, to move at a position exceeding the starting point or a returning point in a direction separating from the starting point or the returning point of the zigzag fold, while causing the clamping head to move down and up once by a predetermined amount and then move back in a direction returning to the starting point or the refolding point of the zigzag fold;and wherein the control unit is configured to cause the dancer device to move the dancer element up and down in accordance with the position of the clamping head detected by the position detector on the path along the stack length during the stacking and depositing operation and the end-of-line operation;

[0011] Further solutions are described below. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the long sheet can be stacked in a zigzag manner while suppressing the occurrence of deflection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a general view schematically showing an overall configuration of a stacking device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the stacking device according to the embodiment. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of an air shaft used in the stacking device according to the embodiment. Fig. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an air ejection direction in the air shaft used in the stacking device according to the embodiment. Fig. 4A is an explanatory diagram (1) showing an operation of the clamp head and the dancer member of the stacking device according to the embodiment. Fig. 4B is an explanatory diagram (2) showing the operation of the clamp head and the dancer member of the stacking device according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the clamping head and the pressing member of the stacking device according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing operations of a clamp head, a stacking table, and a pressing member of a stacking device according to a modification example. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be given below with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure is shown schematically only to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the examples shown in the drawings. Furthermore, common or similar components in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted. <Ausführungsform><Gesamtkonfiguration der Stapelvorrichtung>

[0014] The following is based on Fig. 1, which is a general view schematically showing the overall configuration of the stacking device 10, an overall configuration of a stacking device 10 according to the present invention will be described.

[0015] The stacking device 10 is a device for stacking and depositing a long sheet 91 in a zigzag manner over a predetermined stack length. In the present embodiment, the stacking device 10 is described, for example, as being integrated into a battery manufacturing system 1 for manufacturing a zigzag-fold type stacked battery component used for a vehicle-mounted lithium-ion battery.

[0016] In the following description, a term "upstream" and a term "downstream" are defined based on a conveying direction of the long sheet 91 (see an arrow A91). The long sheet 91 is conveyed in such a manner that the sheet 91 passes over an air shaft 51c of a conveying device 50, an air shaft 41 of a dancer device 40, an air shaft 51b and an air shaft 51a of the conveying device 50, and a clamping head 31 of the clamping device 30, and then reaches the stacking table 21.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the stacking device 10 is integrated into the battery manufacturing system 1. The stacking device 10 includes a stacking table 21, pressure elements 25a and 25b, a clamping device 30, a dancer device 40, and a conveyor device 50.

[0018] The stacking table 21 is a table on which the long sheet 91 is stacked and deposited in a zigzag manner over a predetermined stack length. The stacking table 21 has a length of at least the stack length in a zigzag folding direction (horizontal direction with respect to the drawing) and a width of at least one belt width (sheet width) of the long sheet 91 in a depth direction (vertical direction with respect to the drawing). A vertical position of the stacking table 21 is adjusted by a table drive 22 having a motor M. The table drive 22 moves the stacking table 21 up and down in the vertical directions. The table drive 22 adjusts the vertical position of the stacking table 21 by moving the stacking table 21 up and down in the vertical directions in such a way that a height of an upper surface of a stacked material 94, which is a product made from the long sheet 91, is stacked in a zigzag manner.

[0019] The pressing elements 25a and 25b are elements that press the long sheet 91 stacked and deposited on the stacking table 21 from above. The pressing elements 25a and 25b suppress deviations of the long sheet 91 from a stacked position when the clamping head 31 returns to a starting point Ps of the zigzag fold and when the clamping head 31 returns to a return point Pr of the zigzag fold. The pressing elements 25a and 25b are configured to extend over the stacking table 21 or retract from above the stacking table 21 depending on the position of the clamping head 31 on the path along the stack length. Fig. 1, the pressing element 25a shown by a dashed line is in a state in which it is retracted from the stacking table 21. On the other hand, the pressing element 25b shown by a solid line is in a state in which it is extended above the stacking table 21. In the Fig. 1, the pressing elements 25a and 25b are arranged near a left end and a right end of an upper surface of the long sheet 91 stacked above the stacking table 21, respectively, when the pressing elements 25a and 25b are extended above the stacking table 21. The pressing elements 25a and 25b determine a position of a fold when the long sheet 91 is stacked by folding it in a zigzag manner. For example, in the example shown in Fig. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a left end of the pressing member 25a disposed on the left end of the long sheet 91 determines a position of a left end of the stacked material 94 (i.e., the long sheet 91 stacked in a zigzag manner on the stacking table 21). Furthermore, a right end of the pressing member 25b disposed on the right end of the long sheet 91 determines a position of a right end of the stacked material 94.

[0020] The clamping device 30 is a device that reciprocates along the stack length (zigzag folding directions) above the stacking table 21 while clamping the long sheet 91 with the clamping head 31. In the present embodiment, the clamping head 31 is provided with two rollers arranged in a depth direction (vertical direction with respect to the drawing) and configured to clamp the long sheet 91 between the two rollers. The clamping device 30 stacks the zigzag-folded long sheet 91 over a stack length on the stacking table 21 and sets it thereon.

[0021] The dancer device 40 is a device that applies a desired tension to the long sheet 91 stacked and placed on the stacking table 21 using the air shaft 41. The air shaft 41 is a dancer element that moves up and down in the vertical directions. The air shaft 41 is arranged in the depth direction (perpendicular direction with respect to the drawing). The long sheet 91 is developed in such a way that it goes around a peripheral surface of the air shaft 41, which moves up and down. The air shaft 41 is configured to jet air onto the long sheet 91 and develop the long sheet 91 using wind pressure in a direction separating it from the air shaft 41.The dancer device 40 moves the air shaft 41 at a position corresponding to the position of the clamping head 31, on the path along the stack length above the stacking table 21 in such a way that the desired tension is applied to the long sheet 91 which is stacked and deposited on the stacking table 21.

[0022] The conveying device 50 is a device that conveys the long sheet 91 using an air shaft 51. The air shaft 51 is a swinging element that causes the long sheet 91 to swing in the conveying direction without meandering. The conveying device 50 includes at least one or more fixed air shafts 51 (in the present embodiment, the air shaft 51a and the like) between the air shafts 41 (dancer element) and the clamp head 31. The air shafts 51 are arranged in a depth direction (vertical direction with respect to the drawing). The air shafts 51 are configured to jet air onto the long sheet 91 and convey the long sheet 91 using wind pressure. The air shafts 51 are fixedly arranged at a desired position on the conveying path of the long sheet 91. In the present embodiment, the conveying device 50 includes three air shafts 51a, 51b, and 51c.The air shaft 51a is arranged above the clamping head 31. The air shaft 51b is arranged upstream of the air shaft 51a and downstream of the air shaft 41 of the dancer device 40. The air shaft 51c is arranged upstream of the air shaft 41 of the dancer device 40.

[0023] The long sheet 91 is fed by an external long sheet feed mechanism (not shown). The stacking device 10 stacks the long sheet 91 in a zigzag manner over the predetermined stack length on the stacking table 21 using the clamping device 30 and places it thereon, while conveying the long sheet 91 in the direction indicated by an arrow A91 using the conveying device 50. At this time, the stacking device 10 applies appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 using the dancer device 40 so that the long sheet 91 is not deflected on the conveying path (particularly between the air shaft 51a and the clamping head 31).

[0024] The long sheet 91 is stacked and deposited on the stacking table 21 in a zigzag manner. This results in the stacked material 94 made of the zigzag-stacked long sheet 91. In the present embodiment, the stacked material 94 forms part of a zigzag-folded type of stacked battery component used for a vehicle-mounted lithium-ion battery. Each time the long sheet 91 is folded back via the zigzag fold, the positive electrode plate 93 and the negative electrode plate 92 are alternately fed from a lateral position (see arrows A93 and A92) as electrode materials on the folded long sheet 91. The long sheet 91 is made of an insulating thin film and functions as a strip-shaped separator that separates a space between electrode materials such as the positive electrode plate 93 and the negative electrode plate 92.The stacked material 94 of the long sheet 91 stacked and placed on the stacking table 21 acts as a stacked battery component in which the positive electrode plates 93 and the negative electrode plates 92 are alternately stacked between folded surfaces of the separator. <Interne Konfiguration der Stapelvorrichtung>

[0025] The following is based on Fig. 2, which is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the stacking device 10, an internal configuration of the stacking device 10 will be described.

[0026] As in Fig. 2, the stacking device 10 includes a control unit 11, a table drive 22 described above, a position detector 23, a pressure device drive 24, the clamping device 30, the dancer device 40 and the conveyor device 50 described above. In this description of Fig. 2, descriptions of the components described above are omitted.

[0027] The control unit 11 controls operations of the table drive 22, the pressure device drive 24, the clamping device 30, the dancer device 40 and the conveyor device 50.

[0028] The position detector 23 detects a position of the clamping head 31 on the path along the stack length above the stacking table 21.

[0029] The pressure device drive 24 causes the pressure elements 25a and 25b to extend above the stacking table 21 and to retract from above the stacking table 21.

[0030] The conveyor device 50 includes an air blower 52 that sends air into the air shaft 41 of the dancer device 40 and into the air shafts 51 of the conveyor device 50. However, the stacking device 10 can be configured to be provided with another air blower in addition to the air blower 52, which is provided for the air shaft 41 of the dancer device 40. <Struktur der Luftwelle und Ausstoßrichtung der Luft in der Luftwelle>

[0031] The following is based on Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, a description is given of a configuration of the air shafts 41 and 51 and an ejection direction of air in the air shafts 41 and 51. Fig. Figure 3A is a perspective view of air shafts 41 and 51. Fig. 3B is an explanatory schematic diagram of an example of the air ejection direction in the air shafts 41 and 51.

[0032] As in Fig. 3A, the air shafts 41 and 51 have a hollow cylindrical shape. The air shafts 41 and 51 are connected to the air blower 52 ( Fig. 2) and are supplied with air which is drawn through an axial end of the shaft (see arrow Ain in Fig. 2). The air shafts 41 and 51 each have a body portion 61 whose length is at least equal to or greater than a band width (transverse width) of the long seat 91. The body portion 61 includes a plurality of air ejection openings 62, each formed with a predetermined area. The air ejection openings 62 are arranged at substantially equal intervals on a straight line.

[0033] As in Fig. 3B, the air sent to the air shafts 41 and 51 is discharged through the air discharge openings 62. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 3B, the air shaft 41 is configured to discharge air in three directions. Furthermore, the air shafts 51a, 51b, and 51c are configured to discharge air in one direction. The air shafts 41 and 51 separate the long sheet 91 from the body portions 61 by discharging air from the air discharge ports 62. The stacking device 10 described above is capable of separating the long sheet 91 from the air shafts 41 and 51 so that the long sheet 91 does not come into contact with the air shafts 41 and 51.

[0034] The control unit 11 of the stacking device 10 specifies an air discharge amount per unit time, which is preconfigured based on a conveying speed of the long sheet 91, to cause the air blower 52 to apply a discharge pressure to the air corresponding to the air discharge amount. All of the air discharge ports 62 provided on the air shafts 41 and 51 discharge air at the same discharge pressure, which depends on the conveying speed of the long sheet 91. This enables the stacking device 10 to suppress flutter of the long sheet 91 and further advantageously separate the long sheet 91 from the air shafts 41 and 51 so that the long sheet 91 does not come into contact with the air shafts 41 and 51. Furthermore, the stacking device 10 can develop the long sheet 91 while suppressing the occurrence of deflection. <Operation der Stapelvorrichtung>

[0035] The following will be based on Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B describes the operation of the stacking device 10. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are explanatory schematic diagrams of operations of the clamp head 31 and the air shaft 41 (dancer element) of the stacking device 10.

[0036] As in Fig. 4A, when the stacking device 10 moves the clamp head 31 to a position near the air shaft 51a (swing member), that is, when it moves the clamp head 31 in a direction of an arrow A11 (left in the drawing), it moves the air shaft 41 (dancer member) in a direction of an arrow A12 (downward in the drawing) to increase the tension of the long sheet 91.

[0037] In the middle of the above operation, the clamp head 31 reaches the zigzag folding starting point Ps near one end of the stacking table 21, and the air shaft 41 reaches a corresponding origin point Po when the clamp head 31 reaches the zigzag folding starting point Ps. The zigzag folding starting point Ps is a position directly above the left end of the pressing member 25a (a position overlapping the left end of the pressing member 25a) in a state of advancing above the stacking table 21. The origin point Po is a position of the air shaft 41 in the vertical directions when the clamp head 31 is positioned at the zigzag folding starting point Ps.

[0038] The clamping head 31 then moves in the direction of arrow A11 (left in the drawing) beyond the starting point Ps. The air shaft 41 moves in the direction of arrow A12 (downward in the drawing) beyond the origin point Po.

[0039] As in Fig. 4B, the stacking device 10 further moves the air shaft 41 (dancer element) in a direction of an arrow A22 (upward in the drawing) to reduce the tension of the long sheet 91 when the stacking device 10 moves the clamp head 31 in a direction away from the air shaft 51a (swing element), that is, in a direction of an arrow A21 (rightward in the drawing).

[0040] In the middle of the above-described position, the clamp head 31 reaches the zigzag folding return point Pr near the other end of the stacking table 21, and the air shaft 41 reaches an end point Pe. The zigzag folding return point Pr is a position directly above the right end of the pressing member 25b in a state of advancing above the stacking table 21 (a position vertically overlapping the right end of the pressing member 25b). When the clamp head 31 is positioned at the zigzag folding return point Pr, the end point Pe is a position of the air shaft 41 in a vertical direction.

[0041] Thereafter, the clamping head 31 moves beyond the return point Pr in the direction of arrow A21 (to the right in the drawing). Furthermore, the air shaft 41 moves beyond the end point Pe in the direction of arrow A22 (upward in the drawing).

[0042] In this way, the stacking device 10 moves the air shaft 41 of the dancer device 40 up and down in the vertical directions according to the position of the clamping head 31 of the clamping device 30 on the path along the stack length above the stacking table 21. Thus, the stacking device 10 applies appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 using the dancer device 40 so that the long sheet 91 is not deflected on the conveying path (specifically, between the air shaft 51a and the clamping head 31). This allows the stacking device 10 to control a feed amount of the long sheet 91 to be stacked and deposited on the stacking table 21 (feed amount of the long sheet 91 to the stacking table 21).

[0043] It is noted that the present embodiment defines the stack length as a length corresponding to a range from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold near one end of the stacking table 21 to the returning point Pr of the zigzag fold near the other end of the stacking table 21.

[0044] To achieve the above operation, the stacking device 10 includes the position detector 23 configured to detect the position of the clamping head 31 above the stacking table 21, and a control unit 11 configured to control the operations of the dancer device 40 and the clamping device 30. The control unit 11 detects, through the position detector 23, an amount of movement of the clamping head 31 from the starting point Ps (see Fig. 4A) of the zigzag fold and moves the air shaft 41 (dancer element) to a vertical position corresponding to the amount of movement of the clamping head 31.

[0045] The stacking device 10 is provided with the pressure elements 25a and 25b to compensate for deviations of the long sheet 91 from the stacking position when the clamping head 31 is at the starting point Ps (see Fig. 4A) of the zigzag fold and when the clamping head 31 is at the return point Pr (see Fig. 4B) of the zigzag fold. In accordance with the position of the clamping head 31 above the stacking table 21, the control unit 11 extends the pressure elements 25a and 25b above the stacking table 21 and retracts the pressure elements 25a and 25b from above the stacking table 21.

[0046] Fig. Fig. 5 is an explanatory schematic diagram of operations of the clamping head 31 and the pressing members 25a and 25b of the stacking device 10. Fig. 5 exemplifies the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head 31 in a direction from the return point Pr of the zigzag fold to the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold and a terminal operation of reversing a moving direction of the clamping head 31 at the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold. The stacking and depositing operation is an operation of stacking and depositing a long sheet 91 on the stacking table 21. The terminal operation is an operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamping head 31 to fold back the long sheet 91. The first and second partial figures from the left in Fig. 5 show examples of stacking and dropping operations. The third and fourth subfigures from the left in Fig. 5 show examples of terminal operation.

[0047] As shown in the schematic diagram above Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a head position P31 of the clamp head 31 moves along a locus R31. The head position P31 indicates a position (clamping point) where the two rollers of the clamp head 31 come into contact with each other. The arrows at respective ends of the locus R31 indicate that the clamp head 31 reverses the direction of movement in a direction of each arrow.

[0048] As shown in the first part of the figure from the left in Fig. 5, the stacking device 10 defines a stacking area in which the device 10 stacks and deposits the long sheet 91 above the stacking table 21 as a range from the zigzag folding starting point Ps to the zigzag folding returning point Pr; and defines a moving range Rh of the clamp head 31 as a range between points exceeding a predetermined distance from both ends of the stacking area.

[0049] The stacking device 10 repeatedly performs the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamp head 31 on the route along the stack length within the stacking range and the end-position operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamp head 31 at a position exceeding the stacking range.

[0050] The first part of the figure from the left in Fig. 5 shows a state in which the clamping head 31 is arranged substantially at a central position along the stack length above the stacking table 21. A right end of the long sheet 91 stacked above the stacking table 21 is pressed vertically downward by the pressing member 25b.

[0051] The second part of the figure from the left in Fig. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the clamping head 31 moves in a direction of an arrow A31a (ie, in the left direction, approaching the air shaft 51a). In this second partial figure, the head position P31 moves from a position shown in the first partial figure from the left to Fig. 5 along the locus R31 in the left direction. In the present embodiment, the stacking device 10 is integrated into the battery manufacturing system 1. Although this is Fig. 5 is not shown, is thus on the stacked material 94 (ie the long sheet 91 which is stacked in the zigzag manner above the stacking table 21) between the times of the first and the second partial figure from the left in Fig. 5 an electrode (e.g. one in Fig. 1 shown negative electrode plate 92).

[0052] The third part of the figure from the left in Fig. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the clamp head 31 moves in a direction of an arrow A31b (ie, in a direction in which the clamp head 31 moves downward while being separated from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold). In this third partial figure, the head position P31 moves from the position shown in the second partial figure from the left to Fig. 5 shown position along the locus R31 in the direction to the bottom left.

[0053] At this time, the reason why the stacking device 10 moves the clamp head 31 downward while separating it from the zigzag folding starting point Ps is to bring the long sheet 91 into close contact with an upper surface of the stacked material 94 without any gap by pressing the long sheet 91 against the upper surface of the stacked material 94 while applying an appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31 to suppress occurrence of deflection.

[0054] The fourth part of the figure from the left in Fig. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the clamp head 31 moves in a direction of an arrow A31c (ie, in a direction in which the clamp head 31 moves downward while being separated from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold). In this fourth partial figure, the head position P31 moves along the locus R31 further in the direction further to the left and downward than in the third partial figure from the left in Fig. 5. This causes the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31 to adhere to the upper surface of the stacked material 94 without any gap. In this state, the stacking device 10 extends the pressing member 25a above the stacking table 21 to press the long sheet 91 vertically downward using the pressing member 25a.

[0055] Although not shown, the stacking device 10 then moves the clamping head 31 along the locus R31. That is, the stacking device 10 moves the clamping head 31 upward while moving the clamping head 31 in a direction separating it from the zigzag folding starting point Ps.

[0056] At this time, the reason why the stacking device 10 moves the clamp head 31 upward while moving the clamp head 31 in the direction separating it from the starting point Ps of the zigzag folding is that the long sheet 91 is to be folded back around the left end of the pressing member 25a while applying the appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31 to suppress the occurrence of the deflection.

[0057] Thereafter, the stacking device 10 returns the clamping head 31 to the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold. At this time, the stacking device 10 retracts the pressure element 25b from the stacking table 21 at an appropriate time.

[0058] The stacking device 10 performs the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamp head 31 from the return point Pr of the zigzag fold toward the start point Ps of the zigzag fold and the end point operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamp head 31 at the start point Ps of the zigzag fold in the above manner.

[0059] Thereafter, the stacking device 10 performs the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamp head 31 in a direction from the zigzag folding start point Ps toward the zigzag folding return point Pr and a terminal operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamp head 31 at the zigzag folding start point Pr in the same manner.

[0060] By repeating the operations described above, the stacking device 10 stacks the long sheet 91 over the stacking table 21 and places it thereon.

[0061] Focusing on the clamping device 30, the operation of the clamping device 30 is as follows in terms of a series of operations: The clamping device 30 repeats the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head 31 on the route along the stack length at a point within the stacking range and a terminal operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamping head 31 at a position exceeding the stacking range. In the terminal operation of these operations, the clamping device 30 lowers and raises the clamping head 31 once by a predetermined amount while moving the clamping head 31 in the direction of separation from the starting point Ps or the returning point Pr at a point exceeding the starting point Ps or the returning point Pr of the zigzag fold. Thereafter, the clamping device 30 returns the clamping head 31 to the starting point Ps or the returning point Pr of the zigzag fold.

[0062] The dancer device 40 moves the air shaft 41 up and down in the vertical directions in accordance with the position of the clamp head 31. More specifically, the dancer device 40 moves the air shaft 41 up and down within a range including the origin point Po and the end point Pe in accordance with an amount by which the clamp head 31 moves along the path along the stack length in the stacking and depositing operation. Further, in the end-point operation, the dancer device 40 lifts the air shaft 41 once from the origin point Po depending on the lowering amount and the lifting amount of the clamp head 31 during the up-and-down movement of the clamp head 31, and then lowers it.Furthermore, in the end point operation, the dancer device 40 lifts the air shaft 41 once from the end point Pe at the return point Pr of the zigzag folding depending on the lowering amount and the lifting amount of the clamp head 31 during the downward and upward movement of the clamp head 31 and then lowers it.

[0063] The above-described operations enable the stacking device 10 to apply appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 to suppress deflection during the stacking and depositing operation and the terminal operation. The stacking device 10 described above is capable of suppressing the long sheet 91 from being deflected or separated. <Hauptmerkmale der Stapelvorrichtung>

[0064] The stacking device 10 according to the present embodiment has the following features. (1) As in Fig. 1, the stacking apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a stacking table 21, a clamping device 30, and a dancer device 40. The clamping device 30 clamps the long sheet 91 with the clamping head 31 and reciprocates on the path along the stacking length above the stacking table 21 to fold the long sheet 91 in a zigzag manner over the stacking length and then stack and deposit the long sheet 91 on the stacking table 21. The dancer device 40 moves the air shaft 41 up and down in the vertical directions in accordance with the position of the clamping head 31 on the path along the stacking length above the stacking table 21, thereby applying desired tension to the long sheet 91 to be stacked and deposited on the stacking table 21.

[0065] Since the stacking device 10 described above is capable of applying a stable and appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 so as not to cause deflection, the stacking device 10 is capable of properly stacking the long sheet 91 in the zigzag shape while suppressing deflection. Such a stacking device 10 is capable of suppressing deflection or separation of the long sheet 91.

[0066] (2) The clamping device 30 of the stacking apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment repeats the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head 31 along the path along the stack length at a position within the stacking range; and the terminal operation of reversing the movement of the clamping head 31 at a position exceeding the stacking range. At this time, the clamping device 30 moves the clamping head 31 downward once by the predetermined amount in the terminal operation and then moves it upward while moving the clamping head 31 along the path shown in Fig. 5, at the point exceeding the starting point Ps or the return point Pr, the clamping head 31 is moved in the direction to separate it from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold or the return point Pr of the zigzag fold. Thereafter, the clamping device 30 returns the clamping head 31 to the starting point Ps or the return point Pr of the zigzag fold.

[0067] The stacking device 10 described above is capable of pressing the long sheet 91 against the upper surface of the stacked material 94 while suppressing the occurrence of deflection by exerting appropriate tension on the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31. This enables the stacking device 10 to bring the long sheet 91 into close contact with the upper surface of the stacked material 94 without any gaps to produce a good stacked material 94.

[0068] As described above, the stacking device 10 according to the present embodiment is capable of stacking the long sheet 91 in a zigzag manner while suppressing the deflection from occurring.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be applied with various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiment is described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to the embodiment including all of the described components. Furthermore, it may be permissible to replace some of the components of the present embodiment with other components, and it may also be permissible to add another component to a component of the embodiment. In addition, it may be permissible to add / remove / replace another component for some of any components. <Operation der Stapelvorrichtung gemäß Änderungsbeispiel>

[0070] For example, the stacking device 10 according to the embodiment described above can be used like the stacking device 10A shown in Fig. 6 may be changed. Although the stacking device 10A according to the modification example has the same configuration as the stacking device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the stacking device 10A differs from the stacking device 10 according to the above-described embodiment in the operations when the long sheet 91 is stacked and deposited.

[0071] Fig. 6 is an explanatory schematic diagram of the operations of the clamping head 31, the stacking table 21, and the pressing members 25a and 25b of the stacking device 10A according to the modification example. Fig. 6 shows similar Fig. 5 shows an example of performing a stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head 31 in the direction from the return point Pr of the zigzag fold to the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold and a terminal operation of reversing the direction of movement of the clamping head 31 at the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold. The first and second partial figures from the left in Fig. 6 show an example of the stack and drop operation. The third and fourth subfigures from the left in Fig. 6 shows an example of the terminal operation.

[0072] The stacking device 10 according to the in Fig. The above-described embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is configured to move the clamping head 31 during the stacking and depositing operation not only in the horizontal directions but also in a direction other than the horizontal directions (see the third and fourth partial figures from the left in Fig. 5). In contrast, the stacking device 10A according to the Fig. 6, the clamping head 31 is configured to move only in the horizontal directions during the stacking and depositing operation and to move the stacking table 21 using the table drive 22 (see Fig. 2) additionally move up and down.

[0073] As shown in the upper figures of Fig. As shown in Fig. 6, the stacking device 10A according to the modification example has a head position P31 of the clamping head 31 that changes along a locus R31a in the horizontal directions. Further, in the stacking device 10A according to the modification example, a vertical position P21 of the stacking table 21 changes along a height change locus R21 in accordance with the head position P31, such that a vertical position of the clamping head 31 is always the same. That is, the table drive 22 (see Fig. 2) moves the stacking table 21 up and down in accordance with the head position P31 along the height change locus R21 in such a manner that the vertical position of the clamping head 31 is always the same.

[0074] As shown in the first part of the figure from the left in Fig. 6, the stacking device 10A according to the modification example, similarly to the stacking device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, defines a stacking range in which the long sheet 91 is stacked and deposited on the stacking table 21 as a range from the zigzag folding starting point Ps to the zigzag folding returning point Pr; and a moving range Rh of the clamp head 31 as a range between points exceeding the predetermined distance from respective ends of the stacking range.

[0075] Similar to the stacking device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the stacking device 10A according to the modification example repeats the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamp head 31 along the route along the stack length at a position within the stacking range; and the terminal operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamp head 31 at a position exceeding the stacking range.

[0076] The first part of the figure from the left in Fig. 6 shows a state in which the clamping head 31 is arranged substantially at a central position along the stack length above the stacking table 21. The right end of the long sheet 91 stacked above the stacking table 21 is pressed vertically downward by the pressing member 25b.

[0077] The second part of the figure from the left in Fig. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the clamping head 31 moves in a direction of an arrow A41a (ie, in the left direction, approaching the air shaft 51a). In this second partial figure, the head position P31 moves from the position shown in the first partial figure from the left to Fig. 6 shown position along the locus R31a in the left direction. Although this is Fig. 6 is not shown, the time between the first part of the figure and the second part of the figure from the left in Fig. 6 on the stacked material 94 (ie the long sheet 91 which is stacked on the stacking table 21 in a zigzag manner) the electrode material (e.g. the Fig. 1 shown negative electrode plate 92).

[0078] The third part of the figure from the left in Fig. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the clamping head 31 moves in the direction of an arrow A41b (i.e., in the left direction separating it from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold) and at the same time the stacking table 21 is lifted in a direction of an arrow A42a (upward direction). In this third partial figure, the vertical position of the stacking table 21 is higher than a vertical reference point TO of the stacking table 21. The vertical reference point TO indicates a vertical position of the stacking table 21 in the first and second partial figures from the left in Fig. 6 on.

[0079] The stacking device 10A applies appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31 by raising the stacking table 21 while moving the clamp head 31 to the left. This allows the stacking device 10A to press the long sheet 91 against the upper surface of the stacked material 94 while suppressing the occurrence of deflection.

[0080] The fourth part of the figure from the left in Fig. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the clamping head 31 is further moved in a direction of an arrow A41c (i.e., in the left direction separating it from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold) and in which the stacking table 21 is further lifted in a direction of an arrow A42b (i.e., upward). In this fourth partial figure, the vertical position of the stacking table 21 is in comparison with the third partial figure from the left in Fig.8 further higher than the vertical reference point TO of the stacking table 21. Thus, the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31 is in close contact with the upper surface of the stacked material 94 without any gaps. In this state, the stacking device 10A extends the pressing member 25a above the stacking table 21 and presses the long sheet 91 vertically downward with the pressing member 25a.

[0081] Although not shown, the stacking device 10A then moves the clamp head 31 to the left along the locus R31a and raises the stacking table 21 along the height locus R21. This allows the stacking device 10A to apply appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 held by the clamp head 31 to fold the long sheet 91 back around the left end of the pressing member 25a while suppressing the occurrence of deflection.

[0082] Thereafter, the stacking device 10A returns the clamping head 31 to the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold and simultaneously lowers the stacking table 21. At this time, the stacking device 10A retracts the pressing element 25b at any time from above the stacking table 21.

[0083] In this way, the stacking device 10A performs the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamp head 31 from the return point Pr of the zigzag fold in the direction of the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold and the ending point operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamp head 31 in the vicinity of the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold.

[0084] Thereafter, the stacking device 10A similarly performs the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamp head 31 from the starting point Ps of the zigzag fold in the direction of the return point Pr of the zigzag fold and the ending operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamp head 31 in the vicinity of the return point Pr of the zigzag fold.

[0085] The stacking device 10A repeats the above-described operations for stacking and depositing the long sheet 91 on the stacking table 21.

[0086] Focusing on the clamping device 30 of the stacking device 10A in terms of a series of operations, the operation of the clamping device 30 of the stacking device 10A is as follows: The clamping device 30 repeats the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head 31 on the route along the stack length at a position within the stacking range and the terminal operation of reversing the moving direction of the clamping head 31 at a position exceeding the stacking range.In the terminal operation of these operations, the table driver 22 of the stacking device 10A raises the stacking table 21 once by a predetermined amount and then lowers it, while the clamp head 31 at the position exceeding the starting point Ps or the returning point Pr of the zigzag fold moves in the direction of separation from the starting point Ps or the returning point Pr and then returns to the starting point Ps or the returning point Pr of the zigzag fold.

[0087] The dancer device 40 of the stacking device 10A moves the air shaft 41 up and down in the vertical directions in accordance with the position of the clamp head 31. More specifically, in the stacking and depositing operation, the dancer device 40 of the stacking device 10A moves the air shaft 41 (dancer element) up and down within a range including the origin point Po and the end point Pe in accordance with an amount by which the clamp head 31 moves along the route along the stack length. Further, the dancer device 40 of the stacking device 10A lowers the air shaft 41 (dancer element) once from the origin point Po at the start point Ps of the zigzag fold, and then lifts it up, depending on the lifting amount and the lowering amount of the stacking table 21 during the lifting and lowering of the stacking table 21 in the end-point operation.

[0088] Moreover, in the end point operation of the return point Pr of the zigzag folding, the dancer device 40 of the stacking device 10A lowers the air shaft 41 (dancer element) once from the end point Pe depending on the lifting amount and the lowering amount of the stacking table 21 during the lifting and lowering of the stacking amount 21 and then lifts it.

[0089] The above-described operations, similar to the stacking device 10 according to the above embodiment, enable the stacking device 10A according to the modified example to apply appropriate tension to the long sheet 91 to suppress deflection during the stacking and depositing operation and during the terminal operation. Such a stacking device 10A is capable of suppressing the long sheet 91 from being deflected or separated.

[0090] Applications of the stacking device 10 according to the embodiment and the stacking device 10A according to the modification example are not limited to the zigzag folding type of the stacked battery component used for the lithium-ion battery for a vehicle, but to a product produced by stacking and placing the long sheet 91 in the zigzag manner on the stacking table 21.

[0091] Furthermore, the dancer device 40 of the stacking device 10 according to the above-described embodiment or the stacking device 10A according to the modification example may be configured, for example, to be equipped with a plurality of air shafts 41. In this case, each air shaft 41 may be arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the long sheet 91. Preferably, the air shafts 41 may be arranged at equal intervals. The air shafts 51 of the conveying device 50 may be fixedly arranged between the air shafts 41. The dancer device 40 may move each air shaft 41 on the route along the stack length above the stacking table 21 in accordance with the position of the clamping head 31. At this time, the dancer device 40 may move each air shaft 41 in the same direction or move each air shaft 41 independently. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 Battery manufacturing equipment 10, 10A stacking device 11 Control unit 21 Stacking table 22 Table drive 23 Position detector 24 Pressure device drive 25a, 25b pressure element 30 clamping device 31 clamping head 32 head shoot 40 dancers' equipment 41 Air wave (dancer element) 42 Dancer Drive 50 conveyor system 51 (51a, 51b, 51c) Air shaft (swivel element) 52 air blowers 61 body section 62 Air outlet 91 long sheet (separator) 92 negative electrode plate 93 positive electrode plate 94 stacked material (stacked battery component) M engine Ps starting point Pr return point Rh range of motion Po origin point Pe endpoint TO vertical reference point P21 vertical position R21 Altitude change locus P31 Head position R31, R31a locus

Claims

[1] A stacking device (10; 10A) for stacking and depositing an externally supplied long sheet (91) in a zigzag manner over a predetermined stack length to produce a component used for a lithium-ion battery, the stacking device (10; 10A) comprising: a stacking table (21) having a length equal to or greater than the stack length, wherein the long sheet (91) is stacked and deposited on the stacking table (21); a clamping device (30) configured to clamp the long sheet (91) using a clamping head (31) that reciprocates over a distance along the stack length above the stacking table (21) to stack and deposit the zigzag-folded long sheet (91) over the stack length on the stacking table (21), and a dancer device (40) configured to apply a desired tension to the long sheet (91) to be stacked and deposited on the stacking table (21) by moving a dancer element (41) up and down in vertical directions in accordance with a position of the clamping head (31) on the path along the stack length above the stacking table (21); a pressing member (25a, 25b) configured to suppress displacement of the long sheet (91) when the clamping head (31) returns; a position detector (23) configured to detect a position of the clamping head (31) on the path along the stack length above the stacking table (21), and a control unit (11) configured to control operations of the clamping device (30) and the dancer device (40), wherein the control unit (11) is configured to cause the clamping device (30): moves within a range of movement of the clamping head (31), which is defined as a range between points that exceed respective ends of a range with the stack length by a predetermined distance; and a stacking and depositing operation by moving the clamping head (31) on the route along the stack length within the range with the stack length and a terminal operation of reversing a moving direction of the clamping head (31) at a position exceeding the range with the stack length is repeated; and moves in a direction of separation from the starting point (Ps) or from the returning point (Pr) of the zigzag fold while causing the clamping head (31) to move downwards and upwards once by a predetermined distance, and then moves back in a direction of return to the starting point (Ps) or to the folding-back point of the zigzag fold at a position exceeding a starting point (Ps) or a returning point (Pr) of the zigzag fold in the terminal operation, and wherein the control unit (11) is configured to cause the dancer device (40) to move the dancer element (41) up and down in accordance with the position of the clamping head (31) detected by the position detector (23) on the path along the stack length during the stacking and depositing operation and the end-of-station operation. [2] A stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 1, wherein the stack length corresponds to a length from the starting point (Ps) of the zigzag fold near one end of the stacking table to the returning point (Pr) of the zigzag fold near the other end of the stacking table (21). [3] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 1, wherein the dancers' facility (40) sets an origin point (Po) of the dancer element (41) as a vertical position (P21) when the clamping head (31) is located at the start point (Ps) of the zigzag fold, and an end point (Pe) of the dancer element (41) as a vertical position (P21) when the clamping head (31) is located at the return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold; the dancer element (41) moves up and down within a range including the origin point (Po) and the end point (Pe) in accordance with an amount of movement of the clamping head (31) on the route along the stack length in the stacking and depositing operation; during the descending movement and the ascending movement of the clamping head (31) in the terminal operation at the starting point (Ps) of the zigzag folding, depending on a descending amount and an ascending amount of the clamping head (31), the air wave is raised once from the original point and then lowered; during the descending movement and the ascending movement of the clamping head (31) in the end point operation at the return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold, depending on the amount of descent and the amount of ascending of the clamping head (31), the air wave is raised once from the end point and the air wave is then lowered. [4] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 1, which comprises a table drive (22) which moves the stacking table (21) up and down, and wherein the clamping device (30): sets a stacking area in which the long sheet (91) is stacked and deposited on the stacking table (21) as an area from the starting point (Ps) of the zigzag folding near one end of the stacking table (21) to another end of the returning point (Pr) of the zigzag folding near another end of the stacking table (21); and sets a movement range of the clamping head (31) as a range between points exceeding ends of the stacking area by a predetermined distance; the stacking and depositing operation of moving the clamping head (31) on the path along the stack length at a position within the stacking area and the end-point operation of reversing the direction of movement of the clamping head (31) at a position exceeding the stacking area is repeated, and at the same time, the table drive (22) raises the stacking table (21) once by a predetermined amount and then lowers the stacking table (21), while the clamping head (31) moves at a position exceeding the starting point (Ps) or the return point (Pr) in a direction in which it separates from the starting point (Ps) or the return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold and then returns to the starting point (Ps) or the return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold. [5] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 4, wherein the dancer device (40): sets an origin point (Po) of the dancer element (41) as a vertical position (P21) when the clamping head (31) is located at the start point (Ps) of the zigzag fold, and an end point (Pe) of the dancer element (41) as a vertical position (P21) when the clamping head (31) is located at the return point (Pr) of the zigzag fold; the dancer element (41) moves up and down in the stacking and depositing operation within a range including the origin point (Po) and the end point (Pe) in accordance with an amount by which the clamping head (31) moves on the path along the stack length; lowering the dancer element (41) once from the origin in dependence on an ascent amount and a descent amount of the stacking table (21) during the ascent and descent of the stacking table (21) in the terminal operation near the starting point (Ps) of the zigzag folding and then raising the dancer element (41); lowering the dancer element (41) once from the end point (Pe) in dependence on the ascent amount and the descent amount of the stacking table (21) during the ascent and descent of the stacking table (21) in the end point operation near the return point (Pr) of the zigzag folding and then raising the dancer element (41). [6] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 1, comprising: at least one or more pivoting elements (51) which pivot a conveying direction of the long sheet (91) without the long sheet (91) meandering and which are fixedly arranged between the dancer element (41) and the clamping head (31). [7] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 6, wherein the pivoting element (51) includes a body portion (61) having a length at least equal to or longer than a belt width of the long sheet (91); the body portion (61) includes a plurality of air ejection openings (62), each of which is formed with a predetermined area; and the air ejection openings (62) are arranged in a straight line and eject air to separate the long sheet (91) from the body portion (61). [8] A stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 7, wherein all of the air discharge ports (62) discharge air at an equal discharge pressure in accordance with a conveying speed of the long sheet (91). [9] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 7, which comprises an air blower (52) connected to the air discharge openings (62), wherein the control unit (11) specifies a preset air discharge amount per unit time based on the conveying speed of the long sheet (91) to cause the air blower (52) to apply a discharge pressure to the air in accordance with the air discharge amount. [10] Stacking device (10; 10A) according to claim 1, wherein the long arch (91) acts as a separator, and a stacked material (94) made from the long sheet (91) stacked and placed on the stacking table (21) is a part of a stacked battery component in which positive electrode plates (93) and negative electrode plates (92) are alternately stacked between folded surfaces of the separator.

Images