Assembly line and method for producing modules or precursors of modules

Abstract

In an assembly line for producing modules or precursors of modules, in particular fuel cells or battery cells containing layer material and / or fluid, a central transporting section is provided and designed to convey a plurality of workpiece holders on a forward path and a return path between multiple process stations. The central transporting section comprises, on the forward path, a first transporting portion for conveying / positioning one or more workpiece holders to / in a first process station, and a second transporting portion for conveying / positioning one or more workpiece holders to / in a further process station. The central transporting section comprises, on the return path, a third transporting portion for conveying one or more workpiece holders from a last process station to the first process station. The central transporting section is designed to convey the workpiece holders in groups at least in some of the transporting portions. A first process station in the form of a stacking station is provided and designed to remove one or more workpiece holders from the central transporting section. The stacking station is designed to alternately stack, on at least one workpiece holder removed from the central transporting section and at at least one stacking location of the stacking station, individual anode layers from a first side of the at least one workpiece holder and individual cathode layers from a second side of the at least one workpiece holder to form an electrode stack on the workpiece holder in question. The first and second of the at least one workpiece holder can be opposite one another, for example from both long sides of the central transporting section in the conveying direction of the workpiece holder. The stacking station is designed to put one or more workpiece holders together with the electrode stacks thereon back onto the central transporting section. A further process station in the form of a laminating station is provided and designed to pressure- and / or heat-treat a workpiece holder together with an electrode stack, which was moved forward on the central transporting section from the respective stacking location of the stacking station so that the individual anode layers and cathode layers form a composite unit.

Description

[0001] Assembly line and process for producing modules or precursors of modules

[0002] Description

[0003] background

[0004] This discloses an assembly line and a method for producing modules or precursors of modules, in particular layered material and / or fuel or battery cells. Details are defined in the claims; however, the description also contains relevant information on the structure and mode of operation, as well as on variants of the method and the device components.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] To date, in fuel or battery cell production, the machines in which the respective process steps are carried out have been operated as individual machines (so-called stand-alone devices). This applies, for example, to the stacking of electrodes in a stacking machine (so-called "stacker"), the pressing of the loose electrode stack under high pressure and high temperatures in a block lamination machine, as well as other process machines such as those used to weld the electrical connection lugs. Operating several separate machines leads to deviations in manufacturing precision and delays when transferring the respective intermediate product from one machine to the next. Overall, this results in significant fluctuations in product quality.

[0007] From JP 2020 138 854 A, a laminating device is known, comprising: a feeding device that feeds a film body; a pallet that is transported along a transport path and on which the film body fed by the feeding device is laminated; and a guide rail provided along the transport path. The pallet includes: a pair of clamps that hold the laminated body by performing opening and closing operations; and a cam follower provided on the pair of clamps and engaged with the guide rail. The pair of clamps are actuated to be opened or closed by a cam mechanism formed by the guide rail and the cam follower when the pallet is transported along the transport path.

[0008] Technical problem

[0009] Based on this situation, a cost-effective and robust arrangement and procedure with high processing speed is to be provided in order to be able to manufacture modules or precursors of modules, in particular fuel or battery cells containing layer material.

[0010] Proposed solution

[0011] To solve this problem, a device and a method according to the independent claims are proposed.

[0012] In an assembly line for producing modules or precursors of modules, in particular layer material and / or fuel or battery cells, a central transport route is provided and configured to convey a large number of workpiece carriers between a plurality of process stations on an outward path and a return path. The central transport route comprises a first transport section on the outward path for conveying / positioning one or more workpiece carriers to / in a first process station, and a second transport section for conveying / positioning one or more workpiece carriers to / in a further process station. The central transport route comprises a third transport section on the return path for conveying one or more workpiece carriers from a last to the first process station.The central transport line is designed to convey the workpiece carriers in groups, at least in some of the transport sections. A first process station designed as a stacking station is provided and designed to remove one or more workpiece carriers from the central transport line. The stacking station is designed to alternately stack individual anode layers from a first side of the at least one workpiece carrier and individual cathode layers from a second side of the at least one workpiece carrier on at least one workpiece carrier removed from the central transport line at at least one stacking point of the stacking station to form an electrode stack on the respective workpiece carrier. The first and second layers of the at least one workpiece carrier can be opposite one another, for example, in the conveying direction of the workpiece carrier, from both long sides of the central transport line.The stacking station is configured to return one or more workpiece carriers with the electrode stack located thereon to the central transport line. A further processing station, designed as a lamination station, is provided and configured to treat a workpiece carrier with an electrode stack, which has been transported from the respective stacking point of the stacking station along the central transport line, with pressure and / or heat so that the individual anode and cathode layers form a composite.

[0013] Such a circulating transport and conveyor system with workpiece carriers mounted on it allows the respective process machines to be operated interactively and automatically. The workpiece carriers can comprise frame modules with a carrier plate customized for the electrode stacks with the individual anode and cathode layers and the clamps shown below. The anode and cathode layers, and if necessary, separating layers or additional layers, are stacked on these workpiece carriers in alternating sequence and clamped with clamps for further transport to the next process station. The position of the workpiece carriers can be detected in the respective process station using suitable sensors, and the workpiece carriers can then be moved into an optimal position for the respective process step using additional actuators.This is achieved, for example, by the workpiece carrier being moved (minimal) vertically relative to the conveying direction of the central transport line by means of the actuator, and then, with the aid of additional corresponding actuators, carrying out a transverse, longitudinal and / or rotational movement. In order to shorten the transport times between the respective process stations, highly dynamic linear axis systems can be provided as a decoupling device for the slower standard transport through the assembly line. The decoupling of the workpiece carriers from the transport line is achieved by means of a slight vertical movement of the workpiece carriers to the plane of the transport line. The central transport line for the workpiece carriers can be used by additional process stations in the overall system. This could, for example, be a process station for welding the electrical connection lugs, in which the laminated electrode stacks are provided with the corresponding connection lugs.In principle, any sequence of process stations can be implemented in the assembly line. The workpiece carriers can be returned downstream of any process station or at the end of the transport line using a lifting / lowering device on a return path parallel to the transport direction, above or below the outward path, offset from the outward path. The return transport of the workpiece carriers also includes the option of implementing the outward and return paths on a roughly horizontal plane.

[0014] In a variant of the device, the workpiece carriers are arranged in several stacking positions one behind the other in the conveying direction.

[0015] In a variant of the device, the (several) stacking points are arranged between the first transport path and the second transport path.

[0016] In a variant of the device, the removal of one or more workpiece carriers from the central transport path is carried out by the first lifting devices regardless of the presence of a carriage.

[0017] In one variant of the device, one or all stacking points are always located in the same place, while the anode layers and cathode layers, and if necessary also separating layers or additional layers, are stacked on top of one another in alternating sequence. For the return transport, the workpiece carriers are unloaded at the end of the transport line. The clamped and laminated or further processed electrode stacks are removed from the workpiece carrier, for example using a pick & place process. The empty workpiece carriers are then returned to the beginning of the transport line on the return journey. The workpiece carriers can be provided with clearly identifiable features that, with the help of appropriate sensors on the transport line, allow comprehensive traceability of the modules and their precursors by storing the relevant data.Identifiable features include QR codes, numbers, barcodes, and / or similar codes. Individual workpiece carriers can be identified at the entrance to each process station.

[0018] The device and process variants presented here can be very efficiently parallelized in the respective process stations by processing several modules or their precursors in parallel on the workpiece carrier, even if they are transported serially from one process station to the next. Processing on the workpiece carriers and securely clamping the modules or their precursors to the workpiece carrier between the process stations can lead to more precise module production compared to the state of the art and allow for a comparatively higher module output per unit of time.

[0019] Further advantageous embodiments of the devices and procedures emerge from the subclaims.

[0020] In one variant of the assembly line, the outbound section of the central transport line conveys the numerous workpiece carriers above or below the return section. This allows for a very space-saving arrangement of the central transport line. A substantially horizontal arrangement of the outbound and return sections is also possible, but requires more floor space for the central transport line.

[0021] In one variant of the assembly line, a first cutting or punching station is configured to divide a first continuous layer material and deliver it as a sequence of individual anode layers; a second cutting or punching station is configured to divide a second continuous layer material and deliver it as a sequence of individual cathode layers. The first cutting or punching station can be configured to deliver the individual anode layers onto a first transport path to the stacking station. The second cutting or punching station can be configured to deliver the individual cathode layers onto a second transport path to the stacking station. The individual anode and cathode layers can also be conveyed on a respective carrier to a respective depositing station to be deposited on a first or second transport path.These transport lines bring the separated anode and cathode layers to the central transport line. For this purpose, the first and / or second transport lines can be equipped with suppression or adhesive trays onto which the separated anode and cathode layers are deposited from the respective cutting or punching station. The first and second transport lines can be designed as circular transport lines, in which the suppression or adhesive trays are conveyed continuously in a circle to transport the separated anode and cathode layers from the respective cutting or punching station to the stacking station.

[0022] In one variant of the assembly line, the central transport section at the stacking station includes a carriage that can be moved in a controlled manner in and against the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers. This carriage is configured to pick up one or more workpiece carriers, transport them into a receiving area of ​​the stacking station, from the receiving area to a stacking area, and from the stacking area to a delivery area.

[0023] In a variant of the assembly line, the stacking station comprises one or more first lifting devices which are configured to vertically remove and reset one or more workpiece carriers from the central transport path by each of the first lifting devices lifting this workpiece carrier in the z-direction or setting it down in the z-direction under the control of the carriage.

[0024] In one variant of the assembly line, the stacking station comprises one or more stacking devices that are configured to transport the individual anode layers and individual cathode layers from the respective side of the at least one workpiece carrier to form an electrode stack, alternately approximately transversely from the first and second transport paths in the y-direction or counter to the y-direction, and to stack them on the workpiece carrier. In one variant of the assembly line, the stacking station comprises one or more second lifting devices that are configured to lower the respective workpiece carriers in a controlled manner against the z-direction as the electrode stack grows. In one variant of the assembly line, the first lifting device is also configured to lower the respective workpiece carriers in a controlled manner against the z-direction as the electrode stack grows.

[0025] In one variant of the assembly line, the central transport line upstream of the stacking station comprises a further lifting device which is designed to lift one or more workpiece carriers from the central transport line in the receiving area and place them on the carriage.

[0026] In one variant of the assembly line, each workpiece carrier comprises an upper side on which one or more clamps are arranged and designed to clamp electrode stacks located on the upper side of the workpiece carrier during transport between the process stations.

[0027] In one variant, each clamp comprises a clamping jaw which is configured to bear on the electrode stack in a first position and to release a storage space for the electrode stack on the workpiece carrier in a second position.

[0028] In one variant, each clamp comprises a spring device configured to urge the clamping jaw into the first position on the electrode stack, and a pressing point configured to absorb a force introduced by an actuator in a process station, wherein the introduced force is directed against the spring device and causes the clamping jaw to release the storage space.

[0029] A stacking station, also usable in the assembly line described above, comprises a first transport section with a receiving area, a stacking area and a delivery area; a plurality of first lifting devices in the stacking area; a carriage which is positionable in and opposite to a forward path along a first transport section and is configured to position a plurality of empty workpiece carriers in groups from the receiving area into the stacking area and / or a plurality of workpiece carriers, each carrying a stack created in the stacking area, from the stacking area into the delivery area.

[0030] In a variant of the stacking station, each lifting device is designed to lift the respective workpiece carrier from the carriage for stacking.

[0031] In a variant of the stacking station, the carriage has a length in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers that at least approximately corresponds to the extension of the receiving area and the stacking area or the stacking area and the discharge area in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers.

[0032] In one variant of the stacking station, the carriage is arranged longitudinally movable on two opposing linear guides and has 2 x N pick-ups for N workpiece carriers to be positioned, with the lifting devices configured to extend between the linear guides. In one variant of the stacking station, a lifting device is provided for the workpiece carriers in the receiving area and a lifting device in the discharge area.

[0033] A method is used to manufacture modules or precursors of modules, in particular layered material and / or fuel or battery cells, wherein a plurality of workpiece carriers are conveyed between a plurality of process stations on a central transport route on an outward and a return path. On the outward path, the central transport route conveys / positions one or more workpiece carriers to / in a first process station in a first transport section, and conveys / positions one or more workpiece carriers to / in a further process station in a second transport section, and conveys one or more workpiece carriers from a last process station to the first process station in a third transport section on the return path. In at least some of the transport sections, the workpiece carriers are conveyed in groups.

[0034] In a first process station designed as a stacking station, one or more workpiece carriers are removed from the central transport line. Individual anode layers from a first side of the at least one workpiece carrier and individual cathode layers from a second side of the at least one workpiece carrier are alternately stacked on at least one workpiece carrier removed from the central transport line at at least one stacking point of the stacking station to form an electrode stack on the respective workpiece carrier. The one or more workpiece carriers with the electrode stack located thereon are then returned to the central transport line. In a further process station designed as a lamination station, a workpiece carrier with an electrode stack that has been transported further from the respective stacking point of the stacking station of the central transport line is treated with pressure and / or heat.The individual anode layers and cathode layers form a composite.

[0035] In a variant of the process, several stacking stations are provided one after the other in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers.

[0036] In a variant of the method, the (several) stacking points are provided between the first transport path and the second transport path.

[0037] In one variant of the process, one or more workpiece carriers are removed from the central transport line by the first lifting devices, regardless of the presence of a carriage. In one variant of the process, one or all stacking stations are always located in the same place, while the anode and cathode layers, and possibly separating layers or additional layers, are stacked on top of each other in alternating sequence.

[0038] Short description of the characters

[0039] Further features, properties, advantages, and usefulness of the devices and methods can be found in the following description in conjunction with the drawings. Possible modifications will also become clear to a person skilled in the art from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings. The figures schematically show the devices and method sequence discussed here. Individual aspects are explained in connection with the device, with the method or individual steps of the method also resulting directly from this.

[0040] Here we show:

[0041] Fig. 1 shows an assembly line for the production of modules or precursors of modules in a schematic side view;

[0042] Fig. 2 shows part of the assembly line from Fig. 1 in a schematic plan view;

[0043] Fig. 3a shows part of a workpiece carrier of the assembly line from Fig. 1 in a schematic side view in the closed position;

[0044] Fig. 3b shows part of a workpiece carrier of the assembly line from Fig. 1 in a schematic side view in the open position; and

[0045] Fig. 4a - h an operating sequence of the assembly line in the area of ​​the stacking station.

[0046] Detailed description of variants of the devices and methods Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an assembly line 100 for producing modules or precursors of modules. Here, the assembly line 100 is explained using fuel or battery cells as an example, which contain layer material and / or fluid. A central transport route 110 conveys a plurality of workpiece carriers 120 between a plurality of process stations on an outward path 112 and a return path 114. On the outward path 112, the central transport route 110 transports a plurality of empty workpiece carriers in a first transport section 116 to a first process station in order to position them therein. In a second transport section 117, the central transport route 110 transports a plurality of workpiece carriers 120 to a further process station in order to position them therein.On the return path 114, a third transport section 118 serves to convey several workpiece carriers 120 from a last (right in Fig. 1) to the first process station (left in Fig. 1).

[0047] The central transport path 110 is configured, by means of drives not further illustrated, to convey the workpiece carriers 120 in groups in individual transport sections. At the ends of the outward and return paths 112, 114 of the central transport path 110, the transfer from the return path to the outward path is performed either by the lifting device 150, or a separate lifting / lowering device 122, 124 is provided and configured to transfer the workpiece carriers 120 at the rear end of the outward path 112 to the return path 114. In the variant illustrated here, the outward path 112 of the central transport path is arranged above the return path 114 in order to convey the plurality of workpiece carriers 120.

[0048] As supply stations to the assembly line, a first cutting or punching station (not shown in detail) is configured to divide a first continuous layer material coming from a roll and deliver it as a sequence of individualized anode layers AL onto a carrier 82, and a second cutting or punching station (not shown in detail) is configured to divide a second continuous layer material 92 coming from a roll and deliver it as a sequence of individualized cathode layers KL onto a carrier 92. A first depositing station 80 feeds the individualized anode layers AL onto a first transport path 210. A second depositing station 90 feeds the individualized cathode layers KL onto a second transport path 310 to feed them to a stacking station 130.During their transport to the stacking station 130, the anode and cathode layers AL, KL are guided through an inspection station 84, 94 assigned to the respective transport line 210, 310 to check their quality and / or alignment. The cathode is a metal foil coated with a conductive coating on both sides and having a protruding conductor tab. The anode is a metal foil coated with a conductive coating on both sides, laminated between two dielectric foils (separators), with the current conductor tab protruding laterally, i.e., on one of the short sides between the separators.

[0049] A first process station, designed as a stacking station 130, is provided and configured to remove a plurality of workpiece carriers 120—here as a group of four—from the outgoing path 112 of the central transport line 110. For this purpose, the central transport line 110 has a lifting device 150 upstream of the stacking station 130, which can be part of the central transport line 110—here in the form of a scissor lift table—which is configured to lift a group of four workpiece carriers 120 from the central transport line 110 in the receiving area 132 of the stacking station 130 and place them on a carriage 140, which can also be part of the central transport line 110.This carriage 140 at the stacking station 130 is to be moved in the first transport section 116 in and against the conveying direction x of the workpiece carriers 120, controlled by a drive (not further illustrated), in order to pick up a group of the workpiece carriers 120, transport them into the receiving area 132 of the stacking station 130, from the receiving area 132 into a stacking area 134, and from the stacking area 134 into a delivery area 136. Details of this movement sequence are explained further below with reference to Figs. 4a-4h.

[0050] In the stacking area 134, individual anode layers AL and individual cathode layers KL are transported into the stacking area 134 by a number of stacking devices 138 corresponding to the number of workpiece carriers 120 in the group from a respective first and second transport path 210, 230 located on both longitudinal sides of the central transport path 120 with suppression or adhesive trays 212, 312, also called shuttles (see also Fig. 2).For this purpose, the arrangement of four stacking devices 138 is equipped with drives (not further illustrated) in order to be able to move individually vertically in the z-direction for raising and lowering the individual anode and cathode layers KL, and with drives (not further illustrated) in order to be able to move individually horizontally in the y-direction in order to transport the individual anode and cathode layers KL from the trays of the first and second transport paths 210, 230 to the respective stacking location on the workpiece carrier 120 in the stacking area 134.In this case, on workpiece carriers 120 removed from the central transport path 120, individual anode layers AL from a first side of the workpiece carriers 120 and individual cathode layers KL from a second side of the workpiece carriers 120 are alternately brought to the respective workpiece carrier 120 at the respective stacking points of the stacking station 130 and stacked on the respective workpiece carrier 120 to form an electrode stack EL.

[0051] The stacking station 130 further has several first lifting devices 135 acting in the z-direction, one for each workpiece carrier 120, for lifting the workpiece carrier 120 in the z-direction under the control of the carriage 140 and thus separating it from the carriage 140 or for placing this workpiece carrier 120 on the carriage 140 in the z-direction under the control of the carriage. This allows the workpiece carriers 120 to be loaded with the layer material for forming the electrode stacks EL, while the carriage 140 can be moved back and forth in the x-direction.

[0052] When the electrode stack EL has reached its required height of anode layers AL and cathode layers KL, the carriage 140 transports the group of four workpiece carriers 120 with the respective electrode stacks EL located thereon from the stacking area 134 to the delivery area 136. Such a stacking station has a first transport section 116 with the receiving area 132, the stacking area 134, and the delivery area 136. In the stacking area 134, several first lifting devices 135 are provided to lift the workpiece carriers 120 on the carriage 140 in the Z direction. The carriage 140 can be positioned in and opposite to the outgoing path 112 along a first transport section.The carriage 140 is configured to position a plurality of empty workpiece carriers 120 in groups from the receiving area 132 into the stacking area 134 and / or a plurality of workpiece carriers, each carrying a stack created in the stacking area 134, from the stacking area 134 into the delivery area 136. Each lifting device 135 is configured to lift the respective workpiece carrier 120 from the carriage 140 for stacking. The carriage 140 has a length in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers 120 that at least approximately corresponds to the extension of the receiving area and the stacking area, or of the stacking area and the delivery area in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers 120. The carriage 140 is arranged for longitudinal movement on two opposite linear guides and has 2 x N pickups for N workpiece carriers 120 to be positioned.The lifting devices 135 extend between the linear guides and can thus lift the workpiece carriers 120 in the z-direction while remaining in their respective x- and y-positions, while the carriage 140 is moved along the linear guides (in the x-direction). Similarly, the lifting device 150 is provided in the receiving area 132 and the lifting device in the discharge area 136 for the workpiece carriers 120.

[0053] Downstream of the stacking station 130, a further process station, designed as a laminating station 160, is arranged along the central transport path 110. In the illustrated variant, a group of four workpiece carriers 120, transported from the respective stacking position of the stacking station along the central transport path 110, is conveyed in the laminating station 160 under the respective thermode stamps 162. Drives (not further illustrated) in and against the z-direction force the thermode stamps 162 against the electrode stacks EL to treat them with pressure and / or heat. As a result, the individual anode layers AL and cathode layers KL form a composite.Depending on the required residence time of the electrode stacks EL under the thermode stamps 162, the workpiece carriers 120 are also lifted out of the central transport path 110 while the electrode stacks EL are located under the thermode stamps 162, as described above in connection with the stacking station 130.

[0054] In order to ensure that the individual anode layers AL and cathode layers KL are securely held together, and to prevent the individual anode layers AL and cathode layers KL from slipping against one another, a plurality of clamps 122 are arranged on the upper side of the workpiece carrier 120 and are designed to clamp electrode stacks EL located on the upper side of the workpiece carrier 120 during transport between the process stations. For this purpose, each clamp 122 has a roller-shaped clamping jaw 124 arranged on a rocker 125 to bear on the electrode stack EL in a first position (see Fig. 3a) and to release a storage space 126 for the electrode stack EL on the workpiece carrier 120 upwards for the stacking devices 138 or other processing tools in a second position (see Fig. 3b). Each clamp 122 has a spring device 128 which is arranged to urge the clamping jaw 124 into the first position on the electrode stack EL.The clamp 122 has a roller-shaped pressing point 127 which is designed to absorb a force introduced by an actuator 129 in the z-direction in a process station, wherein the introduced force is directed against the spring device 128 and causes the storage space 126 to be released by the clamping jaw 124.

[0055] The operation of the assembly line is explained in detail below with reference to Fig. 4, wherein corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0056] Fig. 4a: The empty carriage 140 is located with one (right) section in the delivery area 136 and with another (left) section in the stacking area 134 of the stacking station 130, wherein the beginning of the outward path, ie the receiving area 132, of the central transport path 110 is filled with empty workpiece carriers 120 by the drive of the central transport path 110 (not further illustrated) conveying empty workpiece carriers 120 on the outward path 112.

[0057] Fig. 4b: The scissor lift table 150 moves upwards in the z-direction and lifts a group of four empty workpiece carriers 120 from the central transport path in the z-direction in the receiving area 132.

[0058] Fig. 4c: The scissor lift table 150 lifts the four empty workpiece carriers 120 above the level of the carriage 140 in the receiving area and the empty carriage 140 moves (to the left) with its other (left) section against the X-direction into the receiving area 132 under the scissor lift table 150 with the four empty workpiece carriers 120.

[0059] Fig. 4d: The scissor lift table 150 is narrower in the y-direction than the clear width of the carriage 140 (see also Fig. 2). The scissor lift table 150 lowers in the receiving area 132 against the z-direction to the level of the carriage 140. The four workpiece carriers 120 are picked up at their corners by the pick-ups 142 on the inner edge of the other (left) section of the carriage 140. The empty scissor lift table 150 lowers against the z-direction below the level of the outgoing path 114 of the central transport path 110.

[0060] Fig. 4e: The carriage 140 conveys the four workpiece carriers 120 on its left section into the stacking area 134.

[0061] Fig. 4f: The four workpiece carriers 120 are lifted from the carriage 140 in the z-direction by means of the lifting devices 135 (see Fig. 1). The clamps 122 of the workpiece carriers 120 are opened by means of the actuator 129 (see Fig. 3). The scissor lift table 150 lifts four additional empty workpiece carriers 120 from the central transport path in the z-direction in the receiving area 132.

[0062] Fig. 4g: The scissor lift table 150 lifts the remaining four empty workpiece carriers 120 in the receiving area 132 above the level of the carriage 140. The carriage moves with its empty, left-hand section against the X direction into the receiving area 132 under the scissor lift table 150, which carries the remaining four empty workpiece carriers 120. In the stacking area 134, the individual anode layers AL and cathode layers KL are alternately deposited from both sides (see Fig. 2) onto each of the workpiece carriers 120. Each workpiece carrier 120, with the growing electrode stack EL, is lowered again against the Z direction onto the right-hand section of the carriage.

[0063] Fig. 4h: The scissor lift table 150 lowers in the receiving area 132 against the z-direction to the level of the carriage 140. The empty carriage 140 picks up the four empty workpiece carriers 120 in the receiving area 132 from the scissor lift table 150 with its left section. The empty scissor lift table 150 continues to lower against the z-direction; in the stacking area, additional anode layers AL and cathode layers KL are placed on each of the workpiece carriers 120 until a target number for the electrode stack EL is reached. Each workpiece carrier 120 is lowered again against the z-direction onto the right section of the carriage 140 as the electrode stack EL grows.

[0064] Fig. 4i: The scissor lift table 150 lowers in the receiving area in the Z direction below the level of the outgoing path 112 of the central transport path 110. The clamps 122 of the four filled workpiece carriers 120 are closed. The carriage 140 moves the four filled workpiece carriers 120 in its right section from the stacking area 134 to the delivery area 136, and simultaneously moves the four empty workpiece carriers 120 in the left section of the receiving area in the x direction to the stacking area 134.

[0065] Fig. 4j: The four workpiece carriers 120 located in the discharge area 136 on the right-hand section of the carriage 140 are raised above the level of the carriage 140 in the z-direction. For this purpose, third lifting devices 139 are provided in the discharge area 136 below the level of the carriage 140. The clamps 122 of the four empty workpiece carriers 120 in the left-hand section are opened. The method continues with the steps from Fig. 4f, wherein in the following step 4g, the four workpiece carriers 120 located in the discharge area 136 are lowered by the third lifting devices 139 onto the output conveyor 170 and transported from there for further processing.

[0066] The variants of the assembly line described above, their design and operating aspects, as well as the variants of the procedure, serve only to improve understanding of the structure, functionality, and properties; they do not limit the disclosure to the exemplary embodiments. The figures are partly schematic. Key properties and effects are sometimes shown significantly enlarged to clarify the functions, operating principles, technical designs, and features. Each functionality, principle, technical design, and feature disclosed in the figures or in the text can be incorporated into all claims, each feature in the text, and in the other figures., other modes of operation, principles, technical embodiments and features contained in this disclosure or resulting therefrom can be freely and arbitrarily combined so that all conceivable combinations can be assigned to the described procedure. This also includes combinations between all individual embodiments in the text, i.e. in every section of the description, in the claims and also combinations between different variants in the text, in the claims and in the figures. The claims also do not limit the disclosure and thus the possible combinations of all the features shown with one another. All disclosed features are explicitly disclosed here, both individually and in combination with all other features.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Assembly line for the production of modules or pre-modules in the form of layered fuel or battery cells, wherein a central transport section (110) is provided and configured to convey a plurality of workpiece carriers (120) between several process stations (130, 160) on a forward and a return journey; wherein the central transport section (110) comprises, on the forward journey, a first transport section for conveying and / or positioning one or more workpiece carriers towards or in a first process station (130, 160), and a second transport section for conveying and / or positioning one or more workpiece carriers towards or in a further process station (130, 160), and, on the return journey, a third transport section for conveying one or more workpiece carriers (120) from a last to the first process station (130, 160);and wherein the central transport section (110) is configured to convey the workpiece carriers (120) in groups, at least in some of the transport sections; a first process station designed as a stacking station (130) is provided and configured to remove one or more workpiece carriers (120) from the central transport section (110); onto at least one workpiece carrier (120) removed from the central transport section (110), at at least one stacking point of the stacking station (130), individual anode layers (AL) from a first side of the at least one workpiece carrier (120) and individual cathode layers (KL) from a second side of the at least one workpiece carrier (120) are alternately stacked to form an electrode stack (EL) on the respective workpiece carrier (120); and one or more workpiece carriers (120) with the electrode stack (EL) on them are placed back onto the central transport section (110);and the further process station, designed as a lamination station (160), is intended and equipped to treat a workpiece carrier transported from the respective stacking point of the stacking station (130) on the central transport route with an electrode stack (EL) with pressure and / or heat so that the individual anode layers (AL) and cathode layers (KL) form a bond.

2. Assembly line according to claim 1, wherein the outward path of the central transport route (110) conveys the plurality of workpiece carriers (120) above or below the return path.

3. Assembly line according to claim 1, wherein a first cutting or punching station is configured to cut a first continuous layer material and dispense it as a sequence of isolated anode layers (AL); and a second cutting or punching station is configured to cut a second continuous layer material and dispense it as a sequence of isolated cathode layers (KL).

4. Assembly line according to claim 3, wherein a first storage station (80) is configured to deliver the isolated anode layers (AL) onto a first transport track (210) to the stacking station (130); and a second storage station (90) is configured to deliver the isolated cathode layers (KL) onto a second transport track (310) to the stacking station (130).

5. Assembly line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central transport section (110) at the stacking station (130) comprises a carriage (140) which is controlled to move in and against the conveying direction (x) of the workpiece carriers (120) and which is configured to receive one or more of the workpiece carriers (120), convey them into a receiving area (132) of the stacking station (130), from the receiving area (132) into a stacking area (134), and from the stacking area (134) into a discharge area (136); and / or the stacking station (130) has one or more first lifting devices (135) which are configured to lift workpiece carriers (120) in the z-direction and / or to place them on the carriage (140) in the z-direction in a controlled manner;and / or has one or more stacking devices (138) which are configured to transport the individual anode layers (AL) and individual cathode layers (KL) alternately from the first and second transport sections (210, 310) in the y-direction and against the y-direction, respectively, from the respective side of the at least one workpiece carrier (120) to form an electrode stack (EL) and to stack them on the workpiece carrier (120).

6. Assembly line according to claim 5, wherein the central transport section (110) on the upstream side to the stacking station (130) comprises a further lifting device (150) which is configured to lift one or more workpiece carriers (120) from the central transport section (110) in the receiving area (132) and place them on the carriage (140).

7. Assembly line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each workpiece carrier (120) has a top surface on which one or more clamps (122) are arranged and configured to clamp electrode stacks (EL) located on the top surface of the workpiece carrier (120) during transport between the process stations.

8. Assembly line according to the preceding claim, wherein each clamp (122) has a clamping jaw (124) which is configured to bear on the electrode stack (EL) in a first position and to release a storage space (126) for the electrode stack (EL) on the workpiece carrier (120) in a second position.

9. Assembly line according to the preceding claim, wherein each clamp (122) has a spring device (128) configured to push the clamping jaw (124) into the first position on the electrode stack (EL), and has a pressing point (127) configured to receive a force input from an actuator in a process station, wherein the applied force is directed against the spring device (128) and causes the clamping jaw (124) to release the storage space (126).

10. Stacking station for an assembly line according to one of the preceding claims comprising: a first transport section (116) with a receiving area (132), a stacking area (134) and a discharge area (136); several first lifting devices (135) in the stacking area (134); a carriage (140) which can be positioned in and against a forward path (112) along a first transport section and is configured to position several empty workpiece carriers (120) in groups from the receiving area (132) to the stacking area (134) and / or several workpiece carriers, each carrying a stack created in the stacking area (134), from the stacking area (134) to the discharge area (136).

11. Stacking station according to the preceding claim, wherein each lifting device (135) is configured to lift the respective workpiece carrier (120) from the carriage (140) for stacking; and / or wherein the carriage (140) has a length in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers (120) that corresponds at least approximately to the extent of the receiving area and the stacking area or the stacking area and the discharge area in the conveying direction of the workpiece carriers (120); and / or wherein the slide (140) is arranged to be longitudinally movable on two opposing linear guides and has 2 x N receivers for N workpiece carriers (120) to be positioned and the lifting devices (135) are designed to extend between the linear guides; and / or wherein a lifting device (150) is provided for the workpiece carriers (120) in the receiving area (132) and a lifting device in the delivery area (136).

12. A method for manufacturing modules or precursors of modules in the form of fuel or battery cells containing layered material, wherein a plurality of workpiece carriers are conveyed between several process stations on a central transport route on a forward and a return journey, by the central transport route conveying and / or positioning one or more workpiece carriers to or in a first process station in a first transport section on the forward journey, and conveying and / or positioning one or more workpiece carriers to or in a further process station in a second transport section, and conveying one or more workpiece carriers from a last to the first process station in a third transport section on the return journey; at least in some of the transport sections the workpiece carriers are conveyed in groups;In a first process station designed as a stacking station, one or more workpiece carriers are removed from the central transport track; on at least one workpiece carrier removed from the central transport track, individual anode layers from a first side of the at least one workpiece carrier and individual cathode layers from a second side of the at least one workpiece carrier are alternately stacked at at least one stacking point of the stacking station to form an electrode stack on the respective workpiece carrier; and one or more workpiece carriers with the electrode stack on them are placed back onto the central transport track;and in a further process station designed as a lamination station, a workpiece carrier transported from the respective stacking point of the stacking station of the central transport line is treated with pressure and / or heat with a stack of electrodes so that the individual anode layers and cathode layers form a bond.

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